Ariel said, "We are finally going to do some shopping."
He was actually a bit worried—wearing the clothes he had on, would he even be allowed inside such an expensive mall? But he couldn't wait to fulfill his promise to Ilya. He would give her everything. And now, that would start with clothes and other stuff.
He looked at Ilya. "Are you ready?"
Ilya replied with a sparkle in her eyes, "Of course!"
Ariel chuckled. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go."
He picked her up in his arms.
Ilya started, "I can walk myself, you know."
Ariel looked at her and said, "Oh. I don't remember."
Ilya gave him a glare.
He laughed. "Of course I know, dummy. Let me carry you this time though."
Ilya blushed. "I don't mind."
Ariel nodded and then stepped into a fissure.
In an instant, they were in a dark alley.
Ariel looked around and then told Orryx, "Lead the way, Orryx."
Orryx nodded and started walking toward a very large building. It was luxurious and covered in heavy plate armor—to protect it from monsters.
Ariel looked at the magnificent building. Then at Orryx.
"Woah. That's grand, huh?"
"It sure is, my lord," Orryx replied.
They walked toward the entrance, guarded by two guards and some security inspectors.
They looked at Ariel and Ilya with frowns—what would poor-looking people like them be doing at such a luxurious mall?
But then they saw Orryx in a sleek black formal suit.
Immediately, their doubts vanished. They let Ariel and Ilya in without a single question, just the standard security checks.
Ilya looked at Ariel. "Brother, it's so huge! How many people live here?"
Ariel replied, "It's huge, yeah. But no one lives here. It's just for shopping, I guess."
"What a waste," Ilya said.
"Right? I think the same. But rich people have their weird thoughts. Anyway, let's go to a higher floor first. There are clothes for females on the 5th floor."
Ariel pointed at a nearby board.
Orryx led them to a strange metallic cage. He pressed a button and the cage closed. Ariel and Ilya were startled.
Orryx explained, "It's a machine called a lift. It carries people to higher and lower floors easily."
Ilya gasped, "So this is what a lift looks like? It's amazing."
Ariel looked at her. "You know about this? How come I'm the only one who doesn't know anything?"
Ilya chuckled. "Because I go to school, brother. It was mentioned in a book."
Ariel muttered, "Makes sense. Maybe I should study too. Can't be behind my little sister."
Ilya gave him a teasing look. "Are you envious of me, brother?"
Ariel scoffed. "Me? Envious of you? Why would I be? You think too much, Ilya."
The lift came to a stop and the door opened.
"Not fooling me with that," Ilya said.
"Whatever you wanna believe," Ariel replied with a chuckle.
They walked out of the lift—and were immediately greeted by rows upon rows of beautiful dresses.
They made their way to the kids' section.
Ariel looked at Ilya. "Choose whatever you like. And don't think about the number. We can buy as much as we want."
Ilya's eyes sparkled. "You help me choose, brother!"
Together, they started picking out clothes.
In the end, Ariel had chosen nine dresses.
Ilya didn't like wasting money, so she didn't insist on more, but Ariel bought them anyway—just because they looked good on her.
"Do you like your dresses? Or do you want more?" Ariel asked.
"They're beautiful. I like them. And thanks, but no. I don't wanna waste more money," Ilya replied.
Ariel frowned playfully. "You're worrying about money again, huh? Didn't I tell you to stop thinking about that? I'll manage it all."
Ilya said, "Why wouldn't I? What if you spend everything on my dresses? That's probably something you would do."
Ariel laughed. "Why are you worrying? We can even buy this whole mall if you say so."
"Oh really?" Ilya smirked.
Ariel nodded. They then got back in the lift and went to the 6th floor—for Ariel's clothes.
Ariel didn't waste time—he picked up whatever looked good.
While trying on a jacket, he suddenly heard a familiar sound.
It was Ilya's stomach growling.
He looked at her, surprised. "I'm sorry. I forgot—we have to eat. Let's change first, shall we? Pick the dress you like most."
They both wore their new clothes.
Ilya looked like a living goddess in a white shirt and a cute little jacket.
Ariel looked good too, though he didn't think so.
They then headed to the restaurant Orryx had found. It was another huge building—possibly even more luxurious than the mall.
But this time, Ariel and Ilya didn't look out of place. In fact, they were the center of attention—especially Ilya.
A six-year-old girl dressed adorably drew more than a few looks.
Ariel ordered whatever was best. Ilya followed his lead.
Soon, a waiter arrived with hot, luxurious food in hand.
Its aroma filled the room.
"It smells good, right?" Ilya said.
"It sure does. Now enjoy," Ariel replied.
They ate slowly. The food was incredible.
The moment Ilya took the first bite, her eyes sparkled.
"It's so good, brother!"
"It is," Ariel said. "The taste is something else. Nothing like we've ever had before."
They both finished and leaned back, clearly full.
Ilya looked at Ariel. "Shall we go home now?"
Ariel shook his head. "No."
"But why?" Ilya asked, confused. "We did what we planned."
"Who said? You think my plan was that short? Let's go. It's a surprise."
Together with Orryx, they left the restaurant and headed to another building.
It looked wide but not very tall.
"Where are we, brother?" Ilya asked.
"It's a theater. At least, that's what people call it," Ariel replied. "There aren't many movies these days—not since the monsters and the Quiet Witness came. But there are still a few. Nothing stops humans, you know?"
Ilya's eyes widened. "I've heard of it! So, what movie are we going to watch?"
Ariel smiled. "Mom once told me about her favorite movie. Apparently, it was an anime movie named I Want to Eat Your Pancreas. So, I thought we should watch that."
"Mom's favorite? Really?"
Ariel nodded.
They walked in, purchased tickets, and headed toward the movie hall.
Ariel made sure to buy VIP seats—at the very back, where they could sit in peace.