By the time they reached the midsection of the aquarium, the path opened into a small central plaza filled with gift shops and themed stalls. Everything from cartoon plushies to ocean-themed stationery lined the shelves in a mess of color.
Gu Xi's eyes sparkled the moment he spotted the stand of plush toys near the wall.
"Look!" he pointed. "Shark hats!"
Chang An turned, expression still somewhat stoic—until Gu Xi grabbed one and plopped it on his own head. The fabric teeth drooped over his fringe, making him look both ridiculous and adorable at the same time.
"…Pfft." Chang An's shoulders shook.
Gu Xi arched a brow. "You dare laugh? Try one yourself."
"No," she said firmly.
"Afraid you'll look cute?" he taunted.
"…Tch."
But a few minutes later, she stood beside him in front of the mirror, wearing a giant octopus hat with googly eyes. The sight of the school's Ice Princess puffed up like a sea creature nearly made Gu Xi choke on his laughter.
The two of them ended up trying nearly everything—whale headbands, fish slippers, ridiculous glasses. They laughed too loudly for a couple trying to keep a low profile.
Eventually, they each picked up a keychain to commemorate the day.
Chang An handed him a soft, round clownfish plush. "Here. It's you."
Gu Xi raised a brow, then smirked. "Thanks. I'll cherish it, Miss Sand Shark."
He held up a sleek gray shark keychain with tiny felt gills and teeth, placing it in her hand with mock solemnity.
"Let's call this an exchange of identities."
Chang An looked at it, then at him. "Fine. But mine's cooler."
"And mine's cuter."
"…True."
They made their way to the café nearby—a cozy little place inside the aquarium with a large window facing a jellyfish tank. Soft piano music played overhead.
Sitting side by side, sipping warm lattes with their plush keychains sitting on the table like mascots, Gu Xi leaned back into the cushioned bench with a soft sigh.
"You're surprisingly fun to hang out with," he said offhandedly.
Chang An sipped her drink. "You too."
The soft crunch of waffle cones filled the air as they sat side by side on a bench near the exit of the aquarium. Gu Xi had made sure to pay first, ignoring Chang An's persistent insistence that, "As the woman, I should be treating you."
He simply smiled and slipped the vendor the bills behind her back.
Now, Chang An licked her mint chocolate chip with all the elegance of a starving tiger. Her long limbs slouched a little, and her posture could only be described as… uncivilized.
Gu Xi blinked at her. "Do all athletes eat like they've been rescued from a famine?"
Chang An glanced at him sideways. "Mn."
"You're getting it all over your face." His voice was tinged with amusement.
She opened her mouth to retort, but before she could, he leaned in with a smile that would've fit right in a K-drama.
"You have something here," he said.
He reached forward, gently brushed his thumb across her cheek, then without hesitation, lifted her hand, brought her finger close, and licked the smear of ice cream off.
"Sweet."
The word was barely above a whisper, but it landed like thunder.
Chang An's eyes widened. Her grip on the cone faltered. Around them, a few nearby couples and wandering passersby had frozen in place. One girl even let out a soft gasp. The air felt heavier.
Gu Xi sat back, face calm, as if he hadn't just sent a basketball goddess into meltdown mode.
A long pause passed.
Then he looked straight at her.
"Chang An," he said slowly, "why did you ask me out today?"
Her mouth opened. Closed. Then, after a moment, she returned to eating her ice cream, gaze lowered.
The tone shifted.
"…I'm leaving next week," she said, eyes on the melting cream. "My family has business overseas. I'll be gone for a few months… probably won't even make the exam."
Gu Xi was quiet.
"I didn't plan to say anything at first." She took a deep breath. "But lately… I've been thinking about you. The way you talk, the way you look at things, it's… different."
Her eyes finally lifted, locking with his.
"You're not like the other boys at school. Sometimes, you even feel more like a girl than I do—independent, sharp, quiet. It's strange, but I like it. I really do."
The words came clumsy, but honest.
"I know we don't know each other that well yet," she continued, "but I didn't want to go without saying anything."
Then, as if mustering the last of her courage, she said plainly, "I like you, Gu Xi. When I return, I'll chase you properly. As a woman worthy of you."
Another silence.
Gu Xi looked at her, face unreadable. Then, he chuckled lightly, lips curling.
"I had a good time today," he said. "I'll think about it."
She blinked.
"But for now," he added, standing up, brushing crumbs from his shirt, "I need to focus on my studies."
Chang An stood too.
"Then at least let me give you a ride," she said. "What kind of woman lets her date walk home alone this late?"
He raised an eyebrow. "That's not how I remember it."
Still, they settled on sharing a cab.
And as Gu Xi slid into the backseat beside her, watching the city lights blur past, a soft warmth settled in his chest.
He really did enjoy this date.