Laddu finally noticed.
The staring.
Three people.
Frozen.
Like he was an escaped zoo animal.
He blinked once.
Then laughed.
Small.
Awkward.
Honest.
Not mocking.
Not careless.
The laugh of a boy who had no idea an emotional earthquake had just happened.
"Oh," he said.
Scratched his neck.
Casual.
"I came early."
Pause.
"And then I saw you sitting."
Another pause.
"And then suddenly I saw those two."
He pointed.
Directly.
Maya.Candy.
Half-hidden behind a tree.
Terrible spies.
Peeking.
"—watching like criminals," Laddu finished.
Candy flinched.
Maya froze mid-breath.
Laddu shrugged.
Like this explained everything.
"So I thought," he said,"maybe you brought your whole support team."
He smiled.
A little shy.
"I didn't want to disturb your preparation."
He tilted his head.
"Didn't know dates come with…""Backup squads."
Silence.
Then, softer—
"But I'm glad they're here."
Mochi's fingers twisted.
Pink spread across her cheeks.
"You look less scared," Laddu said gently,"when they're close."
Something squeezed in Mochi's chest.
Laddu lifted the tiny toothbrush one last time.
Like a ritual.
"Oh," he said, nodding seriously,"I'm done brushing."
He wiped his mouth with his sleeve.
Stood up.
Stretched.
Like nothing strange had happened.
"I'll wash my face," he said."Two minutes."
He pointed confidently toward the washroom.
"Don't go anywhere, okay?"
Mochi froze.
"I'll come back," he added, smiling."Then we'll decide what to do next."
He waved.
Once.
Jogged off.
Gone.
Silence crashed down.
Then—
Chaos.
Maya grabbed her head.
"WHAT is WRONG with him?!"
She paced.
Fast.
"Who talks like that after emotional destruction?!"
She pointed toward the washroom.
"'We'll decide after I wash my face'?!"
She screamed upward.
"IS HE A MENACE SENT FROM THE HEAVENS?!"
Candy clung to Mochi's arm.
"Unnie," she whispered urgently,"run away."
Pause.
She thought.
"But he's funny."
Pause.
"I like him."
Mochi didn't move.
Hands pressed to her chest.
Heart loud.
Pink face.
Tiny voice.
"H-he said…""Don't go anywhere…"
Her heart thumped.
Warming the winter air.
Exactly two minutes later—
Not one more—
Laddu jogged back.
Hair slightly wet.
Jacket straight.
Smile huge.
Bright.
"Okay!" he announced."I'm refreshed."
Pause.
"Now we start the date."
Maya and Candy instantly hid.
Behind a signboard.
Spies again.
Mochi stiffened.
Nodded.
Eyes glued to her shoes.
"Rollercoaster first!" Laddu declared.
Mochi panicked.
"N-no—!""No rollercoaster—please—"
Hands waving.
"I'm tall—""I will fall—""The seat will break—""I might fly away—"
Excuses poured out.
Fear real.
Laddu paused.
Two seconds.
Then—
Something lit up.
He pulled out a coin.
"I have an idea," he said.
"If head comes, I win.""We ride."
"If tail comes," he smiled,"I lose."
Mochi swallowed.
"O-okay…"
Behind them—
"He's tricking her," Maya whispered.
Candy nodded.
"I like this boy."
The coin flipped.
High.
Caught.
Laddu smiled.
Didn't look.
"It's head!"
Mochi gasped.
"O-oh…"
Defeated.
Accepted instantly.
Too gentle to question.
Too shy to resist.
Maya slapped her forehead.
"He didn't even CHECK!"
Candy whispered in awe.
"He's a mastermind."
The rollercoaster roared above them.
Laddu bounced.
Excited.
Mochi trembled.
Rabbit-still.
They sat.
Bar down.
Mochi gripped it hard.
Wrinkled gloves.
The ride launched.
Her world exploded.
Fear.Excitement.Embarrassment.Warmth.Thrill.Something new.
She screamed.
Hid her face.
Eyes shut.
Heart racing.
Laddu laughed.
The whole way.
Two cars behind—
Maya.Candy.
Sunglasses on.
Leaning forward.
"Is she having fun?" Candy asked.
Maya squinted.
"I think she's having a panic attack and a love attack."
Candy nodded.
"Good combination."
It didn't stop.
Every ride Mochi refused—
Spinning cups.Pirate ship.Haunted house.Drop tower—
The coin flipped.
Every time—
"It's head again!"
Mochi never questioned it.
Not once.
Her heart trusted him.
Her shyness surrendered.
By the fifth ride—
Her cheeks burned.
Chest tight.
Hands shaking.
Not fear.
Something else.
She looked at Laddu.
Laughing.
Sun in his hair.
Joy on his face.
Something bloomed.
Why is my heart like this?Why do I feel warm?Why don't I want this to end?
She didn't understand.
Not yet.
But she was falling.
Slowly.Softly.Deeply.
And she didn't even know it.