Chapter 37: Worry

After our lunch, the two of us headed towards the reception desk to secure a spot in their snowboarding sessions. Apparently there was a masterclass with a sportswoman that was open to the public, hence, the rather huge throes of people flocking to secure a session.

As I headed towards the reception desk alongside him, Darryl paused in his steps and stared at me with a rather questionable expression. I cocked an eyebrow, reciprocating his gaze as I observed him with my arms folded. What's that look supposed to mean?

"You can hang around the lobby while I sign us up for the activity and book a time slot." Darryl smiled with a knowing grin as I flinched. Did he somehow come to know my plan to foot the bill while he wasn't looking? He's pretty sharp.

"I'll uhh... Wait in the corner... I guess?" I nodded at him with gratitude as Darryl waved me goodbye as he then shifted his attention back to the receptionist in charge of the event.

It was then, when I was sweeping my gaze across the lobby at the passing guests when I encountered that goddess from earlier. She was adorable to the max! Long velvety black locks, slightly narrow blue eyes and a great hourglass figure!

Wait... why does that description sound rather familiar? Hmm... Must be my mind paying tricks on me, there's no way there is someone who can fit that description to a tee.

"H-hey!" I did something extraordinary, unbelievable and surreal as I called out to her while waving my hand to draw her attention to me. I cringed from my own actions as I was not one to hit on anyone, but decided to give it a go either way as I beckoned her over in a friendly manner. The beauty perked at my laid back voice and glanced around before her sparkly eyes met with mine.

"Yes? Huh? Are you talking to me?" the girl pointed to herself in astonishment while looking rather flustered as I grinned while pushing my hair backwards like an actor for an ad for in a shampoo commercial.

I then flashed the confident smirk I had been practicing in front of the mirror all these years to step up my A-game.  It's all in or nothing!

However, her reaction wasn't exactly what I was expecting as she presses her hands against her mouth as if she were repulsed. I froze, wondering if I had done something differently than practiced. But before I could react or question her reaction, she burst out into laughter and began hitting me playfully with a jovial expression on her face.

Why— why is she beaming from a simple gesture...? No way! It worked? It worked! Is this finally my year? I'm finally getting popular with the girls? A large grin tugged on my lips before I saw the girl's expression change to one of disappointment and quickly cleared my throat.

"A-anyway... You up for lunch tomorrow? We can also ride the elevator together for a ski." I asked smugly, leaning against the wall in an attempt to look cool as she smirked at my remark.

"You can ski?" She twirled the ends of her long straight hair as I straightened my back and cleared my throat.

An innocent question! Nice! Now all I need to say is—

"Obviously! I'm a pro!" I puffed out my chest, placing my hands on my hips akimbo as she giggled and complimented me while saying I was cool.

However, the excitement was short lived as someone chopped me lightly on the head with their hand. 

"Wha—?!" I rubbed the back of my head and pivoted to see who was the perpetrator. "It's not good to lie, Sol. You might accidentally be digging your grave. That woman is a professional. Many people made the same mistake and got taught a harsh lesson." Darryl shakes his head as he begun lecturing me.

"My, I'm not that harsh am I? All I do is accompany them to the advanced slopes and ask them to do some simple tricks to impress me. They don't even need to do those tricks themselves, yet their pride always gets the better of them. " the beauty laughs as she covers her mouth in a feminine manner.

Eh?! It was true?! I nearly got upset that he was playing the wet blanket!

"And what about leaving them stranded up there as you ski down those slopes? It's not easy for beginners or intermediate skiers to attempt, you know?" Darryl narrows his gaze at her as she tenses up, perhaps uncomfortable being put on the spot.

"... Well, liars get what they deserve. They should think about who they are trying to flirt with. Besides, I call the rangers after I get back to the lodge. So it's not that bad isn't it?" the girl shrugs as Darryl decides to abruptly end the conversation there and drag me away.

"Ah—! Wait! I-I'm sorry! I just thought... Maybe I stood a chance or—" I rambled on as the woman waved me goodbye while I was whisked out from the lobby.

***

"Sighhh~ That was dangerous. Why did you suddenly decide to hit on that women? Wasn't this a business trip?" Darryl let's out a long sigh before turning to face Sol who flinched on the bench beside him.

"I-is I wrong to flirt with someone you're interested in? Plus, aren't most business conducted in the morning?" Sol asks as his grip on the cup of hot cocoa tightens.

I froze from the prior part of his reply, uncertain why I was feeling rather uncomfortable from that reply as I immediately decided to change the topic of conversation. His response somehow... Left a bitter taste on my tongue.

"I enrolled us in the masterclass.... But honestly, I think it's better to skip it and have me teach you personally." I gazed out the window at the slopes of white which painted the landscape with an ephemeral glow in the afternoon sun. 

"Darryl... Are you claiming to be better than a professional?" Sol gasps like I had said something absurd as I jumped in my seat.

"N-no? But you see, I thought it would be more comfortable for you since..." I trailed off, pondering how to word it nicely as Sol slapped my back with a cheerful grin, "I'm just teasing you. If you think you're up for it, then sure. I'd feel rather awkward if I was the only beginner after all. It IS a masterclass after all."

Sol then beckons me towards him as he lifts his hand and holds my shoulder. I blink blankly, confused what was going on as he leans over towards me, his curly locks tickling my chin as I felt my heart beginning to race. Something that never happened after so long.

"W-what is it?!" I began to panic, confused to this feeling as Sol kept his grip on my shoulder and kept me in place as he whispered in my ear.

"... ... What?" I blinked at him as Sol chuckles to himself and gestures me to follow the direction he was pointing at.

!!!

"You're really nice. I only noticed after you got me out of my predicament." Sol smiles with a look of gratitude as I stared at the poster of the masterclass with the woman from earlier's face plastered on it.

"I... Not really but..." I stammered, confused as to why I was feeling so flustered as Sol turned to gaze out the windows while sipping on his drink.

I stared at his face, wondering and mulling on why I was acting so weirdly as my thoughts suddenly drifted. I couldn't help but focus on the way he slowly blew his drink as the vapor rises around his cheeks, colouring them a light tint of pink. With each sip of his drink, I watched his Adam's apple bob and kept my eyes fixed on his throat.

It was only when he jumped up from his seat to point at something did I break out of my trance. I lifted my gaze to look at his face, putting down my cup of coffee before standing up. Somehow he looks a little nervous. I wonder what's wrong?

I noticed a moustache of cocoa residue above his lips and unconsciously wiped it off, earning me a startled yelp from Sol as he backs away so quickly that his drink lurched from the cup, ending up on his hand. "Ow!" Sol exclaims as I grabbed his wrist and dragged him to the restroom to douse his hand under cold water.

"You're so clumsy... Pay attention next time." I frowned, staring at his hand intently as I hoped that it wouldn't get burnt.

"S-sorry." Sol whimpered pitifully beside me as I glanced at his dejected expression in the mirror. Feeling a little guilty for raising my voice, I cleared my throat and turned off the faucet before drying his hand and checking for any signs of injury.

"It's a little red... Let's go to the restaurant and ask them for some ice." I smile reassuringly at Sol as he shifts awkwardly before nodding. "Okay."

***

"Does it still hurt?" Darryl asks as I shake my head. He smiles and looks a relieved as I felt a little prick of guilt stab at my heart.

He is genuinely concerned about me and yet, here I am all conscious of people's gaze.

Darryl had been holding my hand as we left the bathroom up till we reached the restaurant. Nobody said a thing but their gaze was particularly heavy as I tried to shrink away. I had never been good with crowds... Especially not since then but... 

When I saw how worried Darryl looked as he thought about my wound, I decided not to say anything. It seemed his concern about me hurting myself outweighed the petty glances of passerbys, and that on its own made me feel guilty for thinking he should let go of me so that other people won't imagine things.

Come to think of it, I'm certain I would react the same way if something similar were to happen to Aries. And with that thought in mind, I felt a weight lifted from my shoulder as I smiled at Darryl. "You're quite the charmer, huh?" I teased, grinning at him as he blinks at me in confusion.

"What?" Darryl sputters as he looks at me in confusion. Seems I caught him off guard. His flustered reaction is quite cute.

"You kept staring at me earlier, were you trying to tease me too?" I laughed, playfully punching Darryl's shoulder as he stares at me with a dumbstruck expression.

  "Gosh, I acted like an idiot and made a fool of myself. I'm sorry for making you worried. There's no need to be so concerned. This wound will heal in no time. After all..." I paused, grinning at him to alleviate his worrisome gaze, "It was administered with the greatest care." 

"Ah... No, I just... It's just first aid." Darryl seemed even more flustered as my grin grew wider. 

Seems I found his weakness. He's weak to teasing. I guess even Darryl isn't immune to such a reaction.