I can't remember how long we hugged for. Even the stretching and cool-down exercises after our run have almost been forgotten.
Hand in hand, I accompanied Hana to take a minibus to the station. When we returned to Shatin, I sent her home as her boyfriend for the first time. At the entrance of the building, we exchanged sweet words, reluctant to part from each other.
"You're tired. Get some rest first. Let's have dinner together later, okay?"
"Okay, boyfriend. See you later."
It was always hard, but we had to wave goodbye and part ways. I watched her walking towards the elevators, constantly turning around and almost hitting the security guard. With a heart full of excitement, I left. Not long after, I received a text message from her.
"I can't sleep. I miss you. ^^"
"Try to rest. I'll go buy movie tickets. Let's watch a movie first, okay?"
"Okay! See you later! ♥︎♥︎"
She used the double-heart-emojis in her reply for the first time!
I immediately went online to buy the movie tickets after replying with the double-heart-emojis as well. Since it was a Saturday, it wasn't easy to buy tickets at the very last minute. But with some hard work, I finally accomplished the mission. I will obviously have to thank God for this because otherwise I would have broken my first promise as her boyfriend.
After waiting for a few hours, it was finally time to meet Hana. We agreed to meet at the entrance of her building. She appeared on time, wearing a grey and black beanie, a pink knit sweater, a black knee-length skirt, and pink sneakers. I had never seen her dress like this before during work, so it seemed like she had carefully dressed up for our first date as a couple. What surprised me even more was that she, who never wore makeup, had put on light makeup, which made her already delicate and rosy face look even more mature and charming. Even passerby couldn't help but take a second look. As I kept staring at her, I couldn't help but be deeply fascinated, constantly thanking my lucky stars for being with her.
Until Hana smiled and snapped me out of my trance.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNeEL7kTEn
"Boyfriend, what are you thinking about?"
"It seems like it's my first time seeing you wear makeup."
"Do you like it?"
"Love it. I love it very, very, very much!"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡES8oUuKl4R
Then, we set off hand in hand.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCYjCApHPH
The movie we watched was the long-awaited "Midnight Diner 2". I was never a big fan of movies. When I was with Lolly in the past, she would only choose mainstream Hollywood movies and never cared about Hong Kong or other Asian films. That's why I hadn't watched a Japanese movie in years. Hana was so engrossed in the movie that she didn't even ask to buy any snacks, which showed how much she respected and looked forward to this film.
As we watched the three stories in the movie, I finally understood what Hana meant by the beauty of human interaction. The boss and most of the customers only met by chance in the diner, but they would talk, encourage, and help each other. This feeling of human connection brought back childhood memories of living in public estates. So, in the middle and later parts of the movie, I was in tears. Hana noticed and handed me a tissue.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpX9EBwpMwd
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, just a bit touched."
"Okay."
She didn't say anything else but leaned closer to me. She held onto my hand and rested her head on my shoulder, continuing to focus on the movie. 158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXTyjUt45A
This feeling of sweet dependence, it had been so long since I felt it, it was truly wonderful.
The movie had so many scenes of food and drink that we were both very hungry by the end. We rushed to a sushi restaurant, luckily it was still early and we were able to get a seat quickly. While eating sushi, our conversation always revolved around running. 158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbwamV6Asi
She who was holding a "flying fish roe hand roll," suddenly looked serious.
"I plan to participate in a marathon next winter." 158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3DkN91eWV
"Really? Good for you, then you have to increase your training."
As I said that, I helped her clean up the rice grains and flying fish roe on her face.
"It's not 'I', it's 'we'." She looked at me with tenderness. "And congratulations!"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPg3EHSzwML
"'We'?" I was surprised. "What do you mean? And what are you congratulating me for?"
"Yes, 'we'. And there are two things to congratulate you on. First, congratulations on no longer being my 'half-running-buddy' and becoming my officially running buddy! Hurray!" Hana smiled and leaned closer. "And the second congratulation is, starting tomorrow we will train together for the marathon. You will have the chance to spend every day with your lovely girlfriend."
She emphasised the word 'WILL'.
"Wait a minute, isn't this too fast?" I was hesitant. "I'm not mentally prepared yet..."
"What do you need to prepare for?" She pouted. "Do you really have to push it away when it's such a simple matter?"
"Simple?" I exclaimed. "You're underestimating the 'simplicity' involved here." 158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRdBHN5zaE
"Enough." She suddenly teared up. "If you're going to despise me and let your girlfriend suffer alone in arduous training, just say it directly..."
"Oh no, don't cry. Let's talk about it."
"No, there's no room for discussion." She pouted. "Answer me, are you going to let your girlfriend suffer alone?"
"Suffering is not the point I think..." I was trembling. "It's a matter of 'cherishing life'..."
"Don't talk nonsense!" She hit my arm hard. "Just answer the question, are you going to let your girlfriend suffer alone?"
"It hurts!" I cried with a mournful face. "Okay, I'll answer you. - Of course I won't. I won't let you suffer alone...."
"Haha, that's great. I knew you wouldn't be so cruel to me!" Hana was happy again and lightly kissed my face, getting some flying fish roe on me too.
Knowing that it was pointless to say more, I thought for a moment and seriously asked an important question.
"Hana, do you really think I can do it?"
"With the way you are now, of course not." Hana said, "But I'm not asking you to participate in the competition tomorrow. If you prepare for a year, you will definitely be able to complete the race smoothly."
"Last question, can you give me some time to think about it?" I was desperate. "I want to consult my body's opinion..."
"No need to think about it, no need to consult." She smiled, "Because I have prepared everything."
She took out dozens of pieces of paper from her backpack and placed them in front of me.
"What is this? Is it a life insurance policy?" I laughed.
"Be more serious!" She hit my arm again, but this time it was lighter than before. "This is our training plan for the next year. You have one and I have one. I wrote it this afternoon when I couldn't sleep."
Looking at the densely packed papers that said "LSD," "Recovery," "Interval," "Fartlek," and "Tempo," my eyes almost bulged and I broke out in a cold sweat.
"A year is more than enough time." Hana continued, "When you accumulate enough 'mileage,' we can participate in other warm-up races first, let you adapt to the long-distance race and feel the atmosphere. We can also improve your running posture, purchase running equipment, understand the principles of replenishment, and test your body's reaction to different 'energy gels'. Ah, but I'm talking too much, haha..."
Hana, who was talking non-stop and getting more excited, even snatched away my "tuna hand roll" and stood up, raising her hand and yelling.
"Anyway, our goal is clear: to participate in the 'Taipei Marathon' together next winter!"
The other customers in the sushi restaurant looked at us with surprise, but Hana didn't mind at all. After she finished speaking, she looked down staring at me, waiting for my reply.
From the way she was staring at me, I am 100% sure she wouldn't take 'No' for an answer.
It wasn't until I nodded helplessly that she sat down with satisfaction and handed me back the tuna hand roll that was originally mine. I sat there, shrinking and lightly stroking my arm that had been hit, and I couldn't help but think of the movie "My Sassy Girl" from more than ten years ago, recalling the various "unfortunate" scenes that the male protagonist had encountered.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlXcopc76j
"Maybe it's time to revisit this classic movie and prepare myself mentally," I said to myself with a wry smile.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAF6VDCvCvv
