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After leaving the bookstore, Hikaru turned to Mizuha and asked, "So, where are you three planning to go next?"
Mizuha looked a bit uncertain. "To be honest, I'm not sure. Let me check with our 'leader' for a next place." She turned and called out, "Hey leader, where are we going after this?"
Shimizu's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Hehehe, I'm glad you asked! You guys, follow me now!" she exclaimed, gesturing for the group to come along.
The group followed Shimizu through the bustling streets until she suddenly stopped and dramatically pointed at a building. "We're here!" she announced proudly.
Everyone looked up to see a large sign that read "Bowling Center."
"We're going to play bowling!" Shimizu declared with a grin.
Zul nodded approvingly. "Bowling, huh? Not bad." He then turned to Elly and asked, "Have you played before, Elly?"
Elly smiled softly. "Yes, I've played a few times with my family. It's quite fun!"
Hikaru, curious about Mizuha's experience, asked her, "What about you, Mizuha? Have you been bowling before?"
"I've played a few times," Mizuha replied with a slight shrug. "It's been a while though."
The group entered the bowling center and registered for a game. As they were putting on their bowling shoes, Shimizu suddenly had an idea. Her eyes sparkled mischievously as she suggested, "Hey, you guys! How about this? The winner can ask the loser to do anything they want!"
Hikaru's competitive spirit immediately flared up. "Oh, you want a challenge? Then bring it on!" he declared, accepting Shimizu's proposition.
"Deal!" Shimizu shot back. The two of them glared at each other, the air between them crackling with rivalry.
Mizuha watched this exchange with a bemused expression. Umm, we're just playing this for fun, you guys... she thought to herself.
Meanwhile, Zul had already stepped up to take his turn. With a smooth approach and a powerful release, he sent the ball hurtling down the lane. The group watched in anticipation as the ball curved perfectly into the pocket.
"Strike!" The automated scoreboard lit up as all ten pins went down with a thunderous crash.
Elly clapped her hands, cheering for Zul. "That was amazing!"
Both Shimizu and Hikaru stood there, mouths agape in shock.
"What? He got a strike?" Shimizu exclaimed in disbelief.
Hikaru added, equally stunned, "We haven't even started yet!"
Zul turned back to the group with a modest smile. "What? It's just a strike," he said nonchalantly, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Both Hikaru and Shimizu felt challenged by Zul's impressive start. Zul, you traitor. How dare you steal the spotlight? Hikaru thought to himself.
As it was Hikaru's turn, he stepped up and picked up a bowling ball. Just as he was about to roll, he heard Mizuha's voice cheering him on.
"Hikaru, do your best!" Mizuha called out encouragingly.
Hikaru felt a surge of motivation. Oh, Mizuha is cheering for me. I need to give her my best result, he thought to himself.
With renewed determination, Hikaru rolled the ball down the lane. The ball curved slightly, hitting the pins at an angle. Four pins fell, leaving six still standing.
Damn, why didn't it hit all the pins? Hikaru grumbled, frustrated with his first attempt.
Shimizu couldn't resist the opportunity to tease him. She laughed and said, "What was that roll, Hikaru?"
Feeling embarrassed and a bit angry at Shimizu's taunt, Hikaru snapped back, "Shut up, Shimizu!"
Determined to redeem himself, Hikaru picked up his second ball. He took a deep breath, focused intensely, and rolled the ball. This time, his aim was true. The ball crashed into the remaining pins, knocking all six down for a spare.
"How about that?" Hikaru said triumphantly, turning to face Shimizu with a smug grin.
Mizuha clapped her hands, genuinely impressed. "Nice score, Hikaru!" she said with a bright smile.
Shimizu, trying to hide her surprise, muttered, "Damn it, he's pretty good."
Even Zul nodded approvingly. "Not bad," he said, acknowledging Hikaru's comeback.
Now it was Shimizu's turn. She approached the lane with confidence, selecting a bowling ball that felt right in her hands. With a determined expression, she took her stance and rolled the ball down the lane.
The ball curved slightly, hitting the pins off-center. Five pins toppled over, leaving another five standing.
"Arrgh, damn it!" Shimizu shouted in frustration, her competitive spirit flaring up at the less-than-perfect result.
Mizuha, ever the voice of reason, quickly admonished her friend. "Keep your voice down, Shimizu," she said, glancing around apologetically at the other bowlers nearby.
Hikaru, seizing the opportunity for some playful revenge, couldn't resist teasing Shimizu. "Don't break the pins," he quipped with a smirk, paying her back for her earlier jabs.
Shimizu felt a surge of annoyance at both Mizuha and Hikaru. Damn, you two, she muttered under her breath, her competitive nature mixing with frustration at being on the receiving end of the teasing for once.
Channeling her irritation into determination, Shimizu grabbed her second ball. She took a deep breath, focusing all her energy on the remaining pins. With a powerful approach and a smooth release, she sent the ball hurtling down the lane.
The group watched in anticipation as the ball curved perfectly, crashing into the remaining five pins and sending them flying. A satisfying rumble filled the air as all the pins clattered to the ground.
Elly clapped her hands excitedly. "Nice score, Shimizu-chan!" she cheered, genuinely happy for her friend's success.
Shimizu turned back to the group, a triumphant grin replacing her earlier scowl. She gave a smug face to Hikaru and Mizuha, as if to say, "See? I've still got it. Don't mess with me."
"Say that back to you," Hikaru replied, acknowledging Shimizu's comeback.
Now it was Elly's turn. Zul gently touched her shoulder in support and said, "Come on, now it's your turn, Elly."
"I'll do my best," Elly responded with a determined smile.
As Elly picked up her first bowling ball, she struggled with its weight. "It's so heavy," she said, her voice tinged with concern. Can I do this? she wondered nervously.
As she attempted to roll the ball, the unexpected weight threw off her balance. Elly stumbled, losing her footing, and fell. Despite her fall, the ball rolled down the lane, managing to knock down two pins.
The group gasped in shock at Elly's sudden fall. "Elly-chan!" Mizuha exclaimed worriedly.
Zul rushed to Elly's side, concern etched on his face. "Elly, are you okay?" he asked urgently.
"I'm fine, just tripped on my leg," Elly replied, trying to reassure him.
Zul helped her up, saying gently, "Please be careful. Don't force yourself, okay?"
"Thanks, Zul," Elly said gratefully.
Meanwhile, Mizuha, Hikaru, and Shimizu approached to check on Elly. "Are you hurt, Elly-chan?" Mizuha asked, her voice filled with concern.
"I'm fine, thank you," Elly responded, touched by her friends' worry.
"Thank goodness," Shimizu sighed in relief.
Zul, still by Elly's side, asked, "Do you want to continue?"
Elly nodded resolutely. "Yes, I want to continue," she replied, not wanting her mishap to dampen the group's spirits.
As Mizuha and the others returned to their seats, Zul stayed behind with Elly. "Here, I'll give you some support," he offered, proceeding to teach Elly the correct way to roll the ball.
Following Zul's instructions, Elly took her second shot. This time, she managed to knock down five pins in the middle, leaving three standing. Despite not getting a spare, Elly felt happy with her improvement.
As Elly returned to the group, Mizuha greeted her with encouragement. "Nice score, Elly!"
Shimizu, showing her supportive side, added, "Don't feel down. We still have more rounds to play. Here, drink this," she said, offering Elly a sports drink.
"Thanks, Shimizu-chan," replied Elly.
As the group settled back into their seats, Hikaru turned to Mizuha. "Mizuha, it's your turn now," he said with a smile.
Mizuha stood up, a mix of determination and uncertainty on her face. "Hmm, I'll try my best," she said, more to herself than to the others. As she approached the lane, she found herself lost in thought.
It's been a while since I've played bowling. When was the last time? Was it last year with my family? Mizuha wondered, her mind drifting to past memories. Suddenly, she shook her head, refocusing on the present. "Eh, that's not important. I need to focus on playing now," she told herself firmly.
From behind her, Elly's encouraging voice rang out, "Mizuha-chan, you can do it!"
Bolstered by her friend's support, Mizuha picked up her first ball. She took a deep breath, her eyes zeroing in on the pins at the end of the lane. The chatter of the bowling alley faded into the background as she concentrated.
With a smooth approach and a graceful release, Mizuha sent the ball rolling down the lane. Her friends watched intently, their eyes following the ball's path.
The ball curved slightly, hitting the pins with perfect precision. There was a thunderous crash as all ten pins went flying, scattering in every direction. A bright "X" flashed on the scoreboard, indicating a strike.
Both Shimizu and Hikaru's jaws dropped in astonishment. "Wow, she's good!" they exclaimed in unison, their competitive spirits both impressed and slightly intimidated.
Elly clapped her hands excitedly. "That was great, Mizuha-chan!" she cheered, genuinely thrilled for her friend's success.
Mizuha turned back to her friends, a bright smile lighting up her face. She flashed them a peace sign, a playful gesture that contrasted with her usually more reserved demeanor.
That smile suddenly made Hikaru blush, his face turning a noticeable shade of red. Zul, observant as ever, turned to Hikaru with concern. "Your face is red suddenly. Are you feeling feverish?"
Hikaru quickly composed himself, replying, "Nothing happened. I'm fine."
Meanwhile, Shimizu took a sip of her water, a knowing look in her eyes. Oh, I see. He likes that smile, she thought to herself, hiding a smirk behind her water bottle.
The group continued playing until they completed all ten rounds. When the final scores were tallied, Zul emerged as the winner with the highest points, followed closely by Mizuha. Hikaru and Shimizu tied for third place, with Elly coming in last.
Despite their earlier rivalry, Hikaru and Shimizu grasped each other's hands in a show of good sportsmanship. "Nice fight," Shimizu said with a grin.
"You too, not bad," Hikaru replied, matching her smile.
Mizuha observed their interaction with a bemused expression. Where's that rival spirit you guys had earlier? she thought to herself. Also, are you trying to forget about the 'loser does what the winner wants' deal?
Shimizu, ever the organizer, turned to Zul. "So, Zul, you're the one who won. You decide where we're going after this."
Zul thought for a moment before responding, "Hmm, I don't have anywhere particular in mind. I'll pass. Let the second-place winner, Mizuha, decide for us."
"Eh, me?!" Mizuha exclaimed, shocked by Zul's unexpected decision.
"Well, Mizuha, decide our next destination," Shimizu prompted, all eyes turning to Mizuha.
"Hmm, let me think for a while," Mizuha said, her brow furrowing in concentration. Suddenly, her face lit up with an idea. "Movies! Let's go watch a movie!" she suggested enthusiastically.
"That's a great idea, Mizuha!" Hikaru agreed, his earlier blush forgotten in the excitement of a new activity.
Elly, always considerate, asked, "What type of movie do you want to watch?"
Mizuha pondered for a moment before replying, "I'm not sure. Let's decide after we arrive at the cinema."
With their next destination decided, the group of friends made their way out of the bowling alley, chatting excitedly about potential movie options as they headed towards the cinema.
Upon arriving at the cinema, Shimizu turned to Mizuha. "So, what movie do you want to watch?"
Mizuha scanned the banner list, her eyes darting from poster to poster. Suddenly, her face lit up. "Found it! It's decided," she announced, pointing to a poster. "We're going to watch this."
To everyone's surprise, Mizuha was pointing at a horror movie. Shimizu's face paled slightly as she stammered, "Umm, Mizuha, can we watch another movie? I feel uncomfortable with this one..."
Mizuha slowly turned to Shimizu, a scary smile spreading across her face. Her eyes took on an unsettling gleam as she fixed Shimizu with a yandere-like stare. "Why? It's my choice. You said before that the winner decides, right?" she said, her voice eerily calm.
Shimizu felt a chill run down her spine at Mizuha's unexpected intensity. Hikaru, trying to diffuse the situation, turned to Shimizu with a forced poker face. "What's up, Shimizu? Are you scared?" he teased, desperately trying to hide his own fear of the movie.
Shimizu saw right through his act. "Shut up! You're scared too, right? Don't pretend you're not!" she retorted.
Meanwhile, Zul turned to Elly with concern. "Elly, are you okay with this movie?"
Elly hesitated for a moment before replying, "It looks a bit scary, but I'll try to overcome it."
Zul gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. Don't force yourself if you can't handle it, okay?"
Elly's face softened at Zul's kindness. "Thanks. I feel less scared when I'm with you," she said, smiling warmly at him.
Hikaru and Shimizu, momentarily forgetting their own fear, turned to Zul and Elly with exasperation. These two! How dare they have a romantic moment here? they thought in unison.
Mizuha, watching this whole scene unfold, let out a small laugh. She smiled, amused by Hikaru and Shimizu's unease with Zul and Elly's romantic moment, a stark contrast to their earlier fear of the movie.
With the movie decided (despite some reservations), the group proceeded to buy their tickets and popcorn before entering the cinema. As they walked in, a mix of excitement and apprehension filled the air, setting the stage for what promised to be an eventful movie experience.
As they entered the cinema hall, the group settled into their seats. Zul took the seat on the far right, with Elly next to him. Shimizu sat beside Elly, followed by Mizuha, and finally Hikaru on the end.
The movie began, and initially, a calm atmosphere prevailed. However, as the climax approached, the mood shifted dramatically. The horror scenes unfolded, eliciting various reactions from the group.
Mizuha had been thoroughly enjoying the movie, her eyes glued to the screen. In stark contrast, Elly found herself overwhelmed by the frightening scenes. She covered her eyes and clung tightly to Zul's arm.
"It's so scary," Elly whimpered.
Zul, ever reassuring, replied softly, "Don't worry, I'm here. Remember, it's just a movie."
Meanwhile, Hikaru was putting on a brave face, desperately trying to hide his fear. Despite his efforts, his face had noticeably paled. Mizuha, observant as ever, caught onto his discomfort.
With a smug expression, Mizuha teased, "Hikaru, are you scared?"
"Don't be ridiculous," Hikaru retorted, maintaining his poker face. "I'm never scared of anything."
Mizuha's attention then shifted to Shimizu, who had been unusually quiet. Huh, she's been silent for a while. Is she okay? Mizuha wondered. As she turned to check on her friend, she was shocked by what she saw.
"Hey, you're sleeping, after all!" Mizuha exclaimed, annoyance creeping into her voice. She nudged Shimizu, trying to wake her. "Hey, Shimizu, wake up!"
Shimizu stirred slightly, mumbling, "Hmm, give me ten more minutes, Old-hag."
Mizuha's irritation grew. Hey, who are you called Old-hag! she thought to herself. Deciding it was futile, Mizuha ignored Shimizu and returned her attention to the movie.
Forty minutes later, as the movie ended, Mizuha turned to Hikaru. "It was a very nice movie, wasn't it?"
"That's true. Even though the climax was scary, the ending was very nice," replied Hikaru.
Right after the credits rolled, Shimizu finally woke up. She stretched and yawned, saying, "That was a nice sleep. Oh, the movie's ended already? That's nice, hahaha!"
"Shimizu-chan, that was so mean, you know," Elly said suddenly.
Mizuha, still uneasy with Shimizu's behavior, fixed her with a glare.
Noticing the tension, Shimizu asked, "What is it? Did I do something wrong?"
"Nah, it's nothing," Mizuha replied with a pout. "Shimizu, you dunce."
"What is it? Tell me, please. I'm sorry, okay?" Shimizu pleaded.
"Nothing!" Mizuha insisted, her pout deepening.
Hikaru couldn't help but laugh at the exchange. "Mizuha, what's up with that face?" he said, referring to her pouting expression. "It's rare to see you making that face."
Mizuha's face suddenly turned bright red. "It's nothing. Let's go, you guys," she said hurriedly, walking out of the cinema.
Both Elly and Zul exchanged knowing smiles, amused by the behavior of Mizuha, Hikaru, and Shimizu.
As they all exited the cinema, they found that night had fallen while they were inside.
"Oh, it's dark already. Time passed so fast," Hikaru remarked.
"You're right," Mizuha agreed. "We had such fun today." She glanced at her watch and added, "I think that's enough for today. It's getting late, and I promised my mom I wouldn't return too late."
Elly, usually quiet, spoke up with a suggestion. "Hey... you guys, how about we do this again next time?" she asked shyly.
Everyone was surprised by Elly's initiative. "Wow, it's so rare to see you suggest something," Zul said with a warm smile.
"Oh, that's a nice idea, Elly!" Shimizu exclaimed excitedly. "We definitely need to do more of this."
Mizuha nodded in agreement but couldn't resist a little jab at Shimizu. "It's okay to do this again, but make sure you tell me earlier, okay, Shimizu?" she said with a yandere smile.
Oh, this is bad. She's still angry about that, Shimizu thought to herself.
As they prepared to depart, Shimizu called out, "See you at school on Monday!"
"Bye bye, Mizuha-chan!" Elly waved.
"See you guys later," said Mizuha.
Zul, Elly, and Shimizu headed off in one direction towards their homes, while Mizuha and Hikaru walked in the opposite direction.
As usual, Hikaru accompanied Mizuha since their houses were in the same direction. Noticing Mizuha's bag from the bookstore, Hikaru offered, "Mizuha, let me carry your things. They seem heavy."
"No need, Hikaru," Mizuha declined, not wanting to burden him. "It's not too heavy. I can carry it myself."
"Don't worry, just let me carry it," Hikaru insisted. "My hands are free except for this notebook I bought earlier."
Reluctantly, Mizuha handed over her plastic bag. "If you insist..."
"Today was great, wasn't it?" Hikaru broke the silence.
"Yeah, I had so much fun with everyone," Mizuha replied. "Thanks to Shimizu for suggesting it."
An awkward silence fell between them for a moment before Hikaru spoke again, his face turning bright red. "Umm, Mizuha... can we hang out like today, but just the two of us?"
"What? Just the two of us?!" Mizuha exclaimed, blushing furiously. Is it a... d-d-date? she wondered to herself.
Aloud, she stammered, "Umm, let me think about that later."
Hikaru chuckled nervously. "I'll wait for your answer."
They soon arrived at Mizuha's house. Hikaru said goodbye and continued on his way home.
Mizuha entered her house, calling out, "I'm home!"
Her mother greeted her, "Welcome back. Right on time. You look happy. Did something good happen with your friends today?"
"Yes, I had so much fun with them today," Mizuha replied with a smile.
"I'm glad to hear that," replied her mother.
"Oh, the water's ready. Go clean yourself first, then we'll have dinner together," her mother said. "Also, if you don't mind, how about telling me about your day with your friends? I'm excited to hear about it."
"Sure, I'll tell you when we have dinner later," Mizuha promised, heading to her room with a spring in her step.
As Mizuha prepared for dinner, she couldn't help but replay the day's events in her mind. From the lively bookstore visit to the competitive bowling match, the thrilling (and for some, terrifying) movie experience, and finally, that moment with Hikaru on the walk home. 122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZ70L2UAfE
It had been a day filled with laughter, surprises, and the warmth of friendship. And yet, as she thought about Hikaru's invitation, she felt a flutter of excitement and nervousness.
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