"No way!"
My mouth fell open.
Right above the building across the street, a giant billboard towered over the city.
It was... me.
Hair slicked back.
Thankfully from the side.
Let's not elaborate on that hairstyle.
Ice glanced up once before looking at me.
"I asked you earlier."
Then he sighed.
He did.
And I proudly told him I didn't have any advertisements around here.
...
How professional of me.
"How unprofessional."
I whipped around, cheeks puffed to maximum size.
Before I could defend myself—
A face mask suddenly landed on my face.
Ice had already hooked the straps behind my ears.
"Are we going inside," he asked flatly, "or are you planning to start a fan signing event?"
Then he simply walked toward the hotel's glass doors.
...
Excuse me?!
Sir?!
Your fingers touched my ears!
I instinctively covered my face—
Only to realize...
I was already wearing the mask.
Thank you, face mask.
You protected my identity. But you're also the reason I'm malfunctioning.
The warmth lingering around my ears refused to disappear.
I mumbled from the other side of the glass door.
I wasn't sure if he answered.Or maybe he simply ignored me.
Probably ignored me.
I hurried after him before Mr. No Patience decided to leave me behind.
As we walked through the lobby, I kept stealing tiny glances at him.
My face was still red, wasn't it? Ahhh...
Why am I like this?
I've hugged him so many times.
Why are butterflies only showing up now? Actually...
Forget butterflies.
There were dinosaurs stampeding inside my chest.
Earlier that morning...
Professor Murasaki's itinerary appeared on the projector.
Today's task:
Visit a restaurant. Observe everything from presentation to pricing. Kitchen excluded.
"Eh? Isn't that a lot for just two people?" I protested while happily munching on mango slices.
Ice sat beside me because of the seating arrangement.
"It isn't."
He took another sip of coffee.
"It's assigned by room."
Oh.
I slowly looked around.
Groups of five.
Groups of six.
Groups of seven.
Then...
"We're the only group of two?!"
I practically stood up.
"That's unfair! We should tell Professor!"
Ice didn't even blink. "You can join another group." He calmly buttered his toast. "I'll tell Miss Murasaki."
No way.
That came out much louder than intended.
The whole table looked over.
Oops.
Then it finally hit me.
Nobody wanted to work with Ice.
And...
Ice already expected that. I quietly sat back down.
Defeated. Arms crossed.
"You don't have to force yourself," he said without looking at me. "You can join your friends."
This traitor.
Pretending to be considerate. I narrowed my eyes.
He probably just wanted to get rid of me.
"Walking disaster."
"You'll ruin my grade."
Yep.
That was definitely what Ice was thinking. Hm!
Sorry, Mister. Nobody is forcing me to stay. I'm forcing you to stay with me.
I bit my lip.
That almost escaped out loud. Mission narrowly survived.
INT. TAXI
"I already told you." Ice looked at the map on his phone. "You can go with your friends."
Outside, the beaches rolled by one after another beneath the bright Thai afternoon sun.
Our destination? A seaside café inside a luxury hotel.
Afternoon tea.
Dessert tower.
Ocean view.
Let's gooooo!
"I already told you." I folded my arms. "You can't get rid of me."
He didn't answer.
"So say that one more time." I dramatically picked up my phone.
"I'll call Ace to join me instead." I secretly peeked at him.
His eyes widened. Just slightly. Then he looked out the window.
Expression...Noticeably colder.
Jealous Ice is cute.
Okay. He's probably not jealous. Don't judge me.
I'm trying my best over here. I actually figured something out recently.
Maybe Ice only dislikes Ace because he thinks Ace hurt me.
Like..The protective older brother kind of anger.
Ah. My poor romantic soul.
I rested my chin against the window. What could've been a romantic trip…
Became another reminder that I was firmly stationed inside Sister Zone.
Population:Me. Only me.
"Are you sure nobody will recognize you?" Ice asked.
His doubtful eyes landed on me.
"Yes, no way, zero." I nodded proudly. "I know where my advertisements are." I raised one finger.
"No need for oversized sunglasses."Another finger. "Or suspicious bandanas."
See? Professional.
Mostly. Stop it, Fire.
You already held a meeting with yourself.
It's just a crush.
Still...
Knowing he'll probably never see me that way...
Kind of hurts.
Next:
Afternoon tea sounded peaceful...
So why did one tiny sip turn my brain into scrambled eggs? Ahhh... someone save me from this walking iceberg! 😭