A/N: Updating because I miss updating and I need a breather ahaha. I have read some of your messages and yes, I am okay (i think). Just very busy with law school and my backlogs are piling up so yeeees :(((( AHAHA
Oh, and I finally changed the story description with a scene from one of my favorite chapters in the story. I think it captures the essence of the story more plus, i really suck at writing story descriptions AHAHA. Anywaaaay, enjoooooy ✿
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"She's waiting, you say?" the male model smirked.
"Ha. Then let her wait. I'll only do this shoot if they replace her."
And when you heard the male model, you immediately turn quiet. Norrie Morgans looks at you in surprise then grins as she sees you opening your mouth. "Fine then." You said.
You stared at how the guy looked at you in surprise. You got a clear look at the way his eyes widened as he looks at you for the very first time. And before he and his staff could even say a single thing, you hear Norrie give you a piece of advice.
"Just follow the lanterns." She says, shaking her head before you started running off with a grin on your face.
You took off that heavy headdress and ran— to the lights, to where everyone else was headed, like how a firefly was drawn to the flame.
The restrictions on the obi didn't do anything to hinder your speed. You ran and ran as the wind carried your hair, the platinum blonde color clashing against the moonlight. You skipped your way to the lantern pavement, content with this new-found freedom. You ran and ran, unknowing that your figure made it seem as if something ephemeral had descended on the streets of Tokyo.
And when you got there, you realized something— from the unfamiliar scenery to the unexpected number of people.
You really were like a firefly drawn to the flame.
And that firefly realized something when it was finally able to see the flame up close.
It was beautiful. The flame was beautiful.
When you looked at the festival from a distance, it looked something so dreamlike, but from this distance, from up close... The bustling crowd, the array of lanterns adorning it, the game stalls to the scent of food, people, and summer. It was noisy, a little hot, but very... alive.
You could only smile as the warm colors from the lantern lights were reflected on your turquoise eyes.
You were a firefly drawn to the flame, and this flame was truly beautiful. And that firefly...
...is very, very bad at directions.
Uwaaaa
You instantly panicked as a sense of rationality washed over you only now. You were so excited to be here that you didn't realized your current state. You tap on your waist, looking for some sort of pocket. But no.
A sense of dread washed over you as you realize. This was a traditional kimono. There are no pockets.
You stood there as you blink mindlessly, trying to calm yourself down. You forgot to bring your phone and even your wallet to boot. You couldn't help but blame yourself for immediately running away from the shoot on a whim. But you couldn't helped it! You internally nod.
You had to leave right there and then. That male model and his staff gave you the go signal and all you did was just eagerly took up their offer. After all, your big brother, Clary had always told you to immediately leave a photoshoot if you ever feel uncomfortable or disrespected.
He was someone who valued self-respect the most and he was a top model so of course you had always followed his advice. But yeah, he doesn't do projects where his self-worth is questioned. Regardless if they were big projects or even if they could make him more successful, if it's at the expense of being disrespected, he will not do it. Sure, it isn't normal and it screams privileged. But that's how he does things and you have always been obedient in following this creed. So you also did the same now.
And look where it got you now— a great view, minus the complete helplessness of not being able to enjoy yourself because you were technically broke.
But it really was a great view. You couldn't help but smile as you look at them. The overflowing number the lanterns made your eyes sparkle as you looked up at them, having never seen something like this before.
Though, for some odd reason, everyone... was strangely avoiding you. Did you do something wrong??? You try to think. But you wanted to dismiss that. You mean, maybe you were just assuming things?
But sure enough, the people around you really were moving away when you moved from one spot to another, and they were really maintaining a distance. They were nudging at each other, staring then talking among themselves. It isn't easy to even hear what they were talking about! You internally inhaled at this dilemma, feeling a little helpless and a little hungry. You frown as you look at the array of the food stalls.
Hmmmm. Should you run back to get your wallet? Should you look for someone you might know here? Ahh. You paused at that thought.
You realized your only contact here was a giant who didn't even liked going outside. He was a dude who was probably asleep by now. So the chances of even knowing anyone here is very slim to none.
But as if the heavens were giving you a blessing, you spot the person in question in the crowd. And instantly too!
You mean, you wouldn't really miss him. He was pretty tall for a dude in an asian country so yeah... his stoic head was sticking out there like a pole in the crowd. Plus, his stoic expression was standing out from the excited faces of the people here and the site made you instantly giggle. He doesn't look very fond of crowds as usual.
"GOLIATH!!!" You immediately called him.
But you realized it when you instantly got looks from everyone around you. AAAAAAAA. You keep forgetting. What if he knows someone here and they overhear your nickname to one of Japan's upcoming athlete. He's a pretty respected dude and you were calling such a figure, GOLIATH. But your survival was at stake here. You can worry about the unwarranted attention later. You inhaled before shouting.
"Wakatoshi!!!"
You blink as you waited for a response. But when you looked at him, you couldn't help but tilt your head in question.
Why is he... just dumbfounded there???
You waved your hand and he started walking.
FINALLY. You internally celebrated, sighing in relief.
But when you stared at him from afar, there was something different form his usual strides. And when he stood there in front of you, you couldn't help but stare at the way he seemed a little dazed.
But perhaps that was your fault. You popped up like some mushroom. So of course he'd be surprised. Right?
"Goliath?" You asked again, seeing him flinch and his brows instantly furrowed. Ehh? What's wrong with him this time???
"Wakatoshi?" you ask him, suddenly holding his hand as a way to snap him out of his current state.
He suddenly holds your hand tightly, wrapping his hands around yours, intermingling with them. Your face turns red with the sudden movement but you only stare at his hand as you noticed it.
"Ahh!" You say as you realized something as he holds your hand.
"My hand disappeared!" You giggled. He couldn't help but let out a small smile.
✿
"But, what is this for?" You suddenly ask, pointing at how he was still holding your hand.
"You... Might get lost." He says. You blink at his unusual response before shaking your head.
"Okay." You laughed.
"It's warm." You say with a small smile as you felt it from how his large hands enveloped yours.
"Summer breezes are actually cold in the night, aren't they?" You say innocently and he nods.
"Aren't you surprised to see me?" You ask the large man who looked very content holding your hand as you two walked.
"Mmh." He nods and admitted. And you giggled, "Surprise!" You exclaimed and he only blinks.
"Were you with someone???" You asked and he replies, "Yeah."
"Is it okay to leave them?" You tilted your head and he pauses there, thinks about it, then nods.
You knew what that meant.
You gave him a frown. "You just left them, didn't you?" you accused him and he stares at you, looks away then nods.
AAAAAAAAA. Since when did he started to be rude? It isn't nice to suddenly leave someone without saying a word. Though, maybe it was okay... judging from how lax he was.
"Will they be fine?" you ask and he nods, "They were waiting for someone." Ahhh. So he was just accompanying them.
But you didn't need to pry. It's not as if you know everyone that Goliath knows. Or that you had to know for that matter. He'll tell you when he wants to. He'll tell you when he needs to.
"Have you been here since earlier?" you ask and he nods.
AHHH. Then that means he's already seen everything here! "It's okay then. I'll be fine on my own." You huff and he raises an eyebrow.
"Will you?" he asks and you wanted to cry.
"Noooo." You groaned. "I forgot my wallet and my phoneeee." You complained.
He just tilts his head in question and you explained the entire scenario to him. He nods as he listens in to your story, particularly frowning when you told him about the male model's treatment towards you.
"So yeah that's basically how I got here." You say proudly, chin high up with how fast you got here. "Though my hair's kind of a mess though." You laugh and try to fix it.
He blinks as he looks at your figure and stares for a while, as if he's finally realizing why you're dressed up like this.
"Well.... Does it look weird?" You asked as you look at him, a little curious since he was staring that intently.
You have always prided yourself with how you could easily read Ushijima Wakatoshi.
That was... until now.
"You look beautiful."
He says clearly, the straightforwardness from his face oddly remains the same, as well as the clarity in his voice. But for some reason...
You've... never seen that look in his eyes before.
What was that?
What does that look mean?
But you internally shrugged. You could always figure out what it is afterwards.
"It's like we're on a date." You say jokingly as you looked up at him and he looks your way as he says it with a straight face.
"We aren't?" He asks innocently.
Huh? And when you heard him, you immediately turn red.
You catch him slightly smile before looking elsewhere. DID HE JUST TEASE YOU? Since when did he learn how to do that?? You subconsciously stop on your tracks to calm yourself, feeling a sense of heat settling in your face.
And Ushijima Wakatoshi only looks at you with a small smile as he waits for the redness in your face to subside. Perhaps you were too stunned to notice how he could still see your face despite how you try to turn away from his gaze.
He watched you pout angrily, before you stated the first thing that possibly came to your head, "Then it's your treat, right?!" You say loudly, trying to look tough. "...s-since it's a date." You puffed out your chest proudly, only to fail when you stuttered but he looked like he didn't mind.
The giant only immediately nod, the words 'date, date, date...' echoing inside his head in an endless loop.
But a problem popped up as he stares at your figure and he realized it only now.
He wants to pat your head.
But he doesn't want to let go of your hand.
His eyebrows furrow at this dilemma, his problem slightly reflecting on his face and you know what that expression meant.
"You're thinking of stupid things again, aren't you?"