Chapter 14

“Alright, I'll be heading home now. See you two later.” Nadia waved in our direction as she climbed into her car. The car drove away, leaving just the two of us in the lobby.

“Alright, I should get-” before I could finish, Carol reached out and held my sleeve.

“... Carol?”

“Do you want to accompany me for a walk?”

I didn't have anything else planned, so I nodded. “Where do you want to go?”

We stood outside the mall’s lobby, and other than the sushi restaurant, I didn't have anywhere else I wanted to visit. I doubt Carol wanted to return inside. She didn't have that much interest in malls.

“Wherever is fine. I mean… it's… been a while since it's just the two of us.”

“You're right.”

Ever since Nadia moved in, we have been spending time together. I wonder why Carol wanted some alone time. Wouldn't it be more fun to invite Nadia? Regardless, I already agreed to her wish. I wouldn't back down now.

“Should we take a walk around here, then?”

“Sure.”

A park with a small lake occupied the space next to the mall. Perfect for an afternoon walk. We could see many people there. Some jogged with their groups, and others had their pets with them. Some people ran alone, while others laughed and talked with their families.

One couple held hands as they walked side by side. I moved out of the way, not wanting to disturb their date.

“They look close, don't they-”

I felt something warm on my left hand. I looked to my left to see that Carol had her hands on mine.

“Ah, sorry!” She let go. Must have been an accident.

“It's alright. You remind me of a little sister that's too scared to walk on her own.” I chuckled.

“... Am I a little sister to you?”

“Of course not. But… I suppose it feels that way sometimes. I mean, we're really close.”

“... I don't want to be just your little sister,” Carol whispered as we passed a water fountain. The sound of the gushing water hid some of her words.

“Sorry, what was that again?”

“It's nothing… by the way… remember when I asked you about the kind of girl you liked?”

“Ah… it was during that hangman game, right?”

It had been a while since we played that game. I forgot the details, but I did remember losing twice.

“How about the kinds of girls you don't like?”

“... I feel like I'm going to get cancelled regardless of what I say.”

“I promise I'm not recording.”

“Usually, the one saying that is the one recording.”

“... I guess so.” Carol let out a small smile.

Still… the kind of girl I didn't like? Despite how hard I thought about it, 8 couldn't think of anything. Of course, I didn't include the obviously bad traits like a cheater or a liar. No man or woman would want a partner with those traits. But, outside of those… I couldn't think of anything specific.

“Why are you asking me that?”

“I… have someone I like.”

“Oh?” This was the first time I heard about it.

“... And I want to know if there's anything you don't like, from your perspective as a boy, I mean.”

“You're asking the wrong person. You need to ask that of the person you like.”

Everyone has different things they believe in and different values they live by. Me being a boy wouldn't make me understand this person any more.

“Is it Ian?”

“... What makes you say that?”

“I thought you asked me because you wanted some clues about this boy you like, and I'm close to Ian.”

“... That's not the case.” Carol shook her head. “I like a different person.”

“Who is it? If I know more, I should be able to find out more about him.”

“It's a secret.”

“Vice-Prez?”

“No.”

“Our underclassmen?”

“Did you seriously forget their names?”

In my defense, I rarely interact with them. I call the vice-prez ‘kak’, a gender-neutral word you use when you call someone a bit older, and the underclassmen ‘you’. Those two words were enough.

“So who is it, then?”

“It wouldn't be a secret if I told you.”

“That's fair.”

“Do you need me for confession practice?” I joked. I mean, if she really wanted to, then I don't mind.

“...” Carol stared at me, a conflicting expression on her face.

“... I guess I went too far, huh?” I scratched my cheek.

“I… don't think I need to practice… I need something else entirely.”

“Well, just know that I'm rooting for you.”

“Yeah…” Carol nodded meekly. “Say… this is just a what if… but what if I say… you're the one I like?”

I stopped, thinking of my response. I had seen scenes like this before. The main character would often laugh it off, but in my case…

“I don't think I mind, actually.”

“... What do you mean?”

“I’m not against us dating.”

For a lot of people, dating is something you do after you know you like someone romantically. I didn't consider it that way. Maybe it's just me, but I saw dating as a way to know more about the other person. Hanging out, chatting more, discussing personal things you couldn't with a regular friend, supporting each other. That was the thing that came to mind when I thought about dating.

“I haven't really had any romantic feelings for someone before, so I don't know what it's like.”

“I see…”

“What's the difference anyway?”

“I- I don't know.” Carol averted her eyes and walked away. I followed behind her.