Ch. 61 - Hard to get.

After our conversation last time. Sarah and I kept texting each other on a daily basis, every morning she greets me before we both went on to our daily routines. Every lunch we text each other, keeping ourselves in touch. And every night before I went to sleep she would always take the initiative and check up on me on how was my day. And so it has become a daily routine for us, I dont even wait for her to text me first. I just start taking the initiative and text her first.

I text her to greet her in the morning, to check up on her on the afternoon and evening. She almost responds immediately at any given time. Its like she's always on her phone. I wonder why? The day was breezy and the sky seems calm as I rode the bus, I find myself quite excited and nervous at the same time. I haven't gone on dates since I left Misaki, and most importantly im going to date a muslim from Malaysia. I knew a bit about their culture but I never considered learning their dating culture, worse I've never been with one my whole life!

I was anticipating alot of things that makes me feel something I don't know to explain. It was a bad sign, worsen by the fact that as soon as I arrive at Yokohama, the weather turned foggy and eerie. I hope it doesn't rain, I didn't bring an umbrella with me. I head towards the Bistro where I met her for the first time. I try to calm myself down, and put on my normal stoic composure. Reminding myself not to give in to the temptations of a woman!

"Hello, Sarah-"

My jaw drop when I saw her waiting for me in front of the Bistro. She looked so elegant and beautiful, wearing makeup and a purple cardigan. She is also wearing a shorter version of her hijab, only reaching the top of her shoulders. Hence there is no obstruction and I could see her body curves.

"Hi, Akagi!"

She cheerfully responded and approach me with a bright smile.

"Im glad you came~" She told me.

"Oh~ You're wearing a another beautiful hijab today." I replied. "Thanks~ Do you like it?" She twirls around. "Yeah, did you make it?" I asked.

She nods enthusiastically.

"Shall we go then?" I asked her.

"Sure!"

We rode a taxi to the mall we're going, I sat at the side of the window to observe the rather more complex and modernized atmosphere as they're seem to be more tall buildings, elaborate establishments and gigantic digital billboards. Kawasaki seems more busy than Fujisawa as it is closer to Tokyo. I enjoy the sight of and sensation of exploring new places, I was really excited to see how massive and diverse their malls are. I suddenly felt something touching my arm, I look beside me and Sarah was sitting right next to me. When we first ride the taxi, I was sitting by the window and she was sitting at the other end. There was a considerable gap between us, you could even fit a third person in. But now she is closer than earlier, I could feel her presence just beside me. I looked at her and she looks intensely awkward while sitting next to me, this might be her first time going on a date with a guy. Lucky me, I guess. Its been a while since I've felt exaltation of joy and thrill. And looking at her nervousness makes me remember the days when I took Misaki to different places.

"You doing alright?" I aksed her.

"Eh..umm...ye-yes.."

She nervously told me while stuttering. She caresses her clothes and tries to twirl her hair but realizes she was wearing her hijab. I on the other hand, apart from the excitement that I could already feel to be fading away. Felt empty, I dont feel romance and I dont think I'd want to. We've arrive at the mall just in time, mere seconds before it started raining heavily. Im glad e manage to get inside before we got wet, otherwise it would've been unfortunate.

"Hey, we made it. Just in time." I told her.

"That was close~" She replied.

"So we're we headed?" She glances around.

"Have you been here before?" I added.

"Yes, my mother used to take me here when we need to shop." She cheerfully responded. Without replying to my first question, she begun to walk towards somewhere. I just followed her, knowing she knew about this place more than I am. I glance around as I walk with her, I couldn't tell if this place is bigger than the ones close to my home, as they were also alot of people roaming different stores. However, I did saw a lot of flyers and posters advertising products with huge discounts. Maybe that would explain the ensuing shopping spree going on. I look at Sarah and she was strolling cheerfully, she seems to be excited about something.

"So, where do you want to go first?" I aksed her.

"Im going to the boutique and buy some clothes, look what I've got."

She pulled out several tickets from her bag and show it to me.

"I've got these!" She happily declared.

"Oh, are those discount coupons?" I asked.

"Yes, my mother and I have been saving these, they're only valid during major sale events like today. Only occurring once a year." She said. We got to the boutique store and saw a long line on the cash register, alot of people was shoppinh for clothes. "There it is!" She exclaimed.

"Come on, let's go!"

She hastily grab my hand and drag me to the boutique store. It made me feel jumpy ans startled by her action. I tried to retrieve back my hand by her hold is firm. And she refuses to let go of it as we browse through sections of clothes. I was afraid that my hands get sweaty. Her hands are so soft and squishy, its making me feel warm inside. As she browse for some clothes, I slowly pull back my hand. Her head turned to me, as it slip out of her grasp. I looked at her dead in the eye and she blushed and smiled at me. Her gaze struck me and left me in standing frozen in awe and confusion. She knew what she just did and she doesn't seem to care much about it. She grab two clothes and show it to me.

"Akagi, which one do you think looks good on me?"

She aksed. I don't know what to say, I have never shop for clothes with a girl before. Even when I was still with Misaki, we never shop for clothes together.

"I think both would look good on you." I told her. "Come on, give me a more honest answer."

She told me. She suddenly look sad, does she think im lying to her?

"Do you want me to try them on? I really need your opinion on it~"

She casually aksed me. I nod and she went to one of the changing booth to try them on. I patiently standing, waiting outside. I was wondering what would I be doing right now if I haven't met her. She made me feel nostalgia, she reintroduce me to what it feels like to go out with someone on different places, to exchange stories with and to talk to. Im pretty sure my friends and parents would flip out in shock to know that im currently going out with someone. Im also thinking how this is all cause of luck and coincidence. I remember how I first met her on a game I downloaded. Now she's her with me, moreover, im here with her. And we've grown alot closer compared to before. "Psst- Hey." I suddenly heard her whispering inside the booth, I wall closer to check what it is.

"What?" I told her.

She peaked out behind the covers and asked me to come closer with her hand gestures. As I got closer, she pulled my head inside the covers and I saw her wearing a grey strip top, she wasn't wearing her hijab either. She's exposing her hair and revealing her shoulders and clevage to me. I was caught by surprised that I couldn't concentrate or think of anything to say. She gazed at me and asked.

"What do you think?"

I immediately pulled out my head in fear that someone might notice and label me a pervert.

"It looks good on you!" I shouted nervously.

"Really?"

"Yes, you look really beautiful on it!" I replied.

(Perhaps way too much) I whispered to myself.

"Really? I'd get this one then!" She cheerfully responded.

I facepalmed in embarrassment, trying to hide my flustered face. I was completely caught off guard by her provocations. I thought she weren't suppose to do those kind of things as a muslim girl, but this experience would be memorable not just by how exceptionally unexpected it is, but also by unforgettable this moments are. Its truly is unique and I find myself having a good time.

"Would you like to see me wear the other one?" She aksed.

"Yeah, but tell me when and dont just pull my head inside!" I replied.

She peaked out of the covers again.

"Come here." She whispered with a girn on her face.

"Oh no. What is it?" I replied her.

"I want to tell you something." I walk closer but made sure I am in a considerable distance so she wouldn't be able to pull me again. "What is it?" I asked her. She suddenly pull the covers aside, fully revealing herself. I got jumpy and surprised for the sudden act of exposing herself wearing such a revealing attire. But I was wrong, she was wearing something else and it it more modest than the previous one. She giggles as she she's my reaction, thinking something different in my head. I feel like she is teasing me.

"Well, what do you think?"

She asked. I lool at her thoroughly and was astonished by how beautiful she looks. She was wearing a pink tank top that covers her neck but exposes her shoulders, underneath a purple cardigan that she loosely wore, which allows me to see her shoulders. Looking at her with such a modest clothing with a smile on her face, makes her even more captivating for me, rather when she is wearing something revealing. What she's wearing conveys how naive and pure she is, it shows how innocent her perception is. And I deeply admire it. For it is beautiful.

"You look gorgeous and captivating on it." I told her. She twirls around but her face remains fixated on me.

"How so?" She teasingly asked.

"It really suits your personality and beliefs. It looks simply but it does convey your inner beauty and innocence." I added.

"Aww~ You really think so?" She curiously asked. I nod enthusiastically and said.

"Yeah, its perfect."

She seems happy again upon hearing what I said. She smiled brightly at me, and without realizing it, I was smiling to her as well. We bought the clothes that she picked, taking my words for granted and placing her trust on my opinion. We went on to go on more stores, we stopped by a bookstore and this time, I browse with her.

She was checking out some mangas, while I check some of the history books they had.

"Do you like to read?" I aksed. She looks at me.

"Yes, I often read manwha and manga stories on my phone. I dont really own that much books, that's why im buying these right now."

She said. She held a manga book on her hand and shows the book cover to me.

"Is that the story your reading?"

"Yes, im trying to reduce too much LED exposure to my eyes. So im going to buy the hardcopy of the story of where I left off, so I can still keep up with the story while taking care of myself." She replied.

"That's good, health is wealth." I proudly told her.

She picked three books, different volumes of the same story. I picked one for myself and we went to the cash register.

"Wait." Sarah says worryingly.

"Its gotta be here somewhere." She nervously search and check her bag. She looks pale and agitated, her eyes were wide open and uneasy.

"Please wait here!" She told me before going at a nearby bench where she dumps out everything in her bag. She probably can't find her wallet, judging by her sudden feeling of agitation and the sheer look of terror in her eyes.

Everyone was looking at her, probably because how is she holding off the line. Without a second thought, I put my book on top of her's on the cash register.

"I'll pay for all of this." It wasn't that much big of a deal, and I wouldn't mind. Sarah looked back at me when she heard the cashier wrap and place our books inside a paper bag. I look at her and said

"Its okay, I got it."

"Eh?!" She gasp.

I approach her holding our books. I looked at her and smiled. Assuring her that I dont mind. However the utter devastated look on her face is clear evidence that she just lost her wallet. She mentioned days before how she just received her pay. She just lost all of her money.

"Akagi..." She calls me with a gloomy voice.

"...I can't find my purse.." Seeing her in this perplexed situation makes me worried and feel bad for her.

"Maybe you left it at the boutique store when you were trying new clothes." I told her.

"I might've left it in the changing booth!" She said in a stentorian tone.

"Go! Check for your wallet, I will guard your things." I told her. I move towards the bench to packed her things up when she started to sprint with such haste, I only a glimpse of her hijab when I turn and look at her. I too and getting anxious about her condition. As I packed her things and put them all back in her bag, I found her wallet tucked between two makeup kits. I was relief to find it, I hope this would cheer her up. I picked up her bag and begun to follow her, soon, I saw her walking aimlessly disturbed around the boutique store.

"Sarah!" I shouted her name.

"Sarah!" She heard me and looked at me with a troubled look on her face.

"Akagi, have you found it?" I held up my hand holding her wallet. All of a sudden the intense atmosphere I sense in her vanish. Her faced shift from a desperately gloomy face. Into being lightened up by jubilation.

"Oh! You found it!"

She came running at me with such joy on her face. I hand it to her, and instead of taking it from my hand. She held my hand with both of hers and look at me straight in the eyes.

"Thank you~" While giggling in her cute native accent.

She continued to rub my hands before I slowly pull it away. She spots a fruit smoothie seller at the front of the boutique.

"Hey, let me treat you with some of those. As to show you my appreciation~" She offered to buy me a fruit smoothie.

Im not really a big fan of fruit smoothies, knowing the sellers love to pour huge amounts of sugar on each cup. And im trying to stay in shape here. But I feel like rejecting her sincere offer, with such a modest and joyous look on her face. I am being cautious and hesitant at ruining her aspiration.

"Sure~ Its up to you." I replied.

"Okay!" She eagerly hold onto my arm and drag me again. We saw a wide variety of fresh fruits to choose from. They all look fresh and smells nice.

"Pick your preferred fruit and bring them to me." Says the seller. Sarah took a glimpse of the book Akagi bought earlier.

"What book did you bought for yourself?" She asked.

"Oh, its called Ragnarök : The twilight of the gods of Norse mythology." I replied.

"Oh, you're into mythologies?" Sarah aksed.

Akagi look at her and replied.

"Yeah, I read about the mythologies of nations and civilizations that I stumble upon in history books."

"What caught your interest in them?"

"Mythologies are often the roots of a nations unique culture and traditions. And to you can't avoid to learn about it if you study history."

"Wow~" Sarah muttered in awe.

"When you have time, can you tell me more about the books you read?" Asked Sarah.

"Do you have interest in them too?" She walked pass me and picks up an apple in one of the shelves.

"Only a little bit, some of the manhwa stories I read has some references to Greek mythology and literature. Sometimes whole stories takes place in ancient greece. But I haven't exactly heard of any other Mythologies, so please share some of your thoughts with me."

She said before tossing the apple at me, naturally I catch the apple. She smiles as I do so, I wonder what she's thinking. I paid no attention to it, untill I suddenly remembered something about Ancient Greece that felt rather similar to this situation. I was suddenly bewildered when I realize, in Ancient Greece. Throwing an apple at someone is confessing your love to that person, and catching the apple means accepting that love. Could it be? Is she hitting on me? It couldn't possible be because of the apple, its just a coincidence that she threw an apple to me. She's from Malaysia! Not Greece.

"So, Akagi what are you gonna pick?" She asked gently. "Well, I might go with an apple."

She gasp. "Me too!"

She picks another apple and throws it at me, Instinctively I caught it, I dont want it to fall to the ground. And I will just act I didn't know anything about it. We gave it to the seller to turn it into fresh fruit smoothies and told us to wait in one of the tables. "May I know your name, sir?" Asked the seller.

"Its Akagi. Written as Red castle." She wrote my name on the side of the cup.

"What about you, Ma'am?"

"Sarah Farrissa" The seller look confused. She doesn't know how to write her name as it is foreign.

"...How do you spell that?" She astoundingly asked.

"Oh, Sarah means princess."

Without asking any further, the seller just wrote what Sarah says on the side of the cup. Minutes later, she called us by our names and handed us our smoothies. It smells good and the scent of the fresh apple makes this treat quite alluring. We sat downa on one of the tables and Sarah looked surprised to see her name spell on the cup.

"Oh, she actually wrote my name!" "She asked for your name to be written on the cup, remember?" I told her. She looks at my cup and suddenly came up with a surprising idea.

"Hey, wanna swap our cups? I will have the one with your name and you will have the one with my name." She happily says.

"Why? They're the same flavors." My respond rather sounded a bit stern as Sarah frowned when I spoke.

"So you don't want to?" She asked.

There was really no reason to swap our cups, but I dont see any point as to why not. I have nothing to lose nor to gain, besides, if it is what would make her happy. I guess whatever floats her boat.

"Fine, let's swap."

"Yay!" She joyously responded. We swap our cups and she eagerly sips on the smoothie. "Hehehe, im so happy right now! Thank you for accompanying me today, Akagi~" She says with a delightful look on her face.

"Your welcome, anyways, speaking of names. I didn't know that your name, Sarah means princess..." I ask.

I try to prevent the atmosphere from getting dull and boring, I also want to evade her flirtatious comments and so I try to make a different conversation.

"Yes, that's correct, but do you believe in name numerology?" She asked. "No, what's that?" I replied sounding bemuse and uncertain.

"Its the numerical value of your name. It is calculated using the letters of your first and last name and describes your overall character. It can also reveal potential strengths and weaknesses instilled in you at birth." She told me.

"Oh..." I murmured.

"Wanna know what my name means in name numerology?" She asked.

"What?" She put her lips on the cup that has my name on it, look at me dead in the eye with such a mesmerizing look on her face before saying. "Excellent partner." She then winks at me and smiles. Oh my goodness! How can this girl makes me blush and feel so nervous? She's so captivating, its making so nervous my hands are shaking.

"Akagi, you're blushing~" Sarah teasingly said.

"I- ooo- am I?" I replied while stuttering. She held the cup with my name on it and said.

"I will treasure this~ I will never forget about this day~"

I agree, I dont think I would forget a single moment of this memorable day. The day when I started to feel romance and the day I started to have feelings for a girl I least expected to encounter in my life.