Rick immediately slowed down.
His eyes practically sparkled beneath the cute black cat-ear hat Jay had won for him earlier.
Jay himself wore the matching one.
Though somehow on him it looked less cute and more annoyingly handsome.
"So cute," Rick muttered while pressing against the glass watching a group of tiny glowing sea otters floating together holding paws.
"Hey Jay." Rick didn't even look away from the animals. "Go buy food so I can feed them."
Jay shoved both hands into his pockets lazily. "Don't you have your own money?"
"But I want to spend your money," Rick replied immediately while raising an eyebrow at him.
Jay stared at him for a few seconds.
Rick blinked innocently.
Jay sighed heavily in defeat.
"Fuck you. You owe me money."
"What's yours is mine," Rick replied proudly while waving his hand dramatically. "And what's mine is mine."
Jay clicked his tongue before stepping closer suddenly.
He pinched Rick's cheek lightly.
"You are lucky you're cute," Jay muttered near his ear.
Rick grinned instantly. "Hm. I know." He winked shamelessly. "You can't resist."
Jay smirked before finally turning to buy the feeding snacks.
Big V stood nearby the entire time pretending absolutely none of that happened.
He calmly kept taking pictures around the aquarium while replying to messages from his girlfriend.
At one point he accidentally captured Rick and Jay flirting in the background.
Big V stared at the picture for two seconds.
Then silently cropped them out.
Meanwhile
On the other side of the zoo section
Kai and Derek were still near the land-animal habitats.
Kai leaned forward over one of the railings trying to look into a massive enclosed pit where giant prehistoric deer wandered through artificial forests below.
"…I can't see properly," Kai muttered.
Without even thinking.
He stepped directly onto Derek's shoe to gain height.
Derek looked down at him. "You know normal people ask first before climbing others."
Kai ignored him completely while holding Derek's shoulder for balance. "Ohhhh." His eyes lit up softly. "That one's huge."
Derek glanced toward the animal lazily. "It's literally sleeping."
"Still huge."
Kai shifted again trying to lean farther forward.
Derek immediately grabbed the back of his hoodie before he could fall into the enclosure.
"You're one second away from becoming animal food."
Kai looked back at him calmly. "You would save me."
Derek snorted. "Confidence."
Kai smiled sweetly. "Because you like me
Derek went silent for half a second.
Kai immediately noticed.
"…Wait." Kai slowly narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Why are you quiet?"
Derek instantly looked away. "Shut up and get down before you fall."
" You look cute being shy Derek" Kai teased
Kai and Derek completely ignored the stares
Meanwhile the people around them absolutely did not ignore them.
Some girls nearby were already whispering behind their hands while secretly taking photo
"They're so cute together…"
"Wait are they dating?"
"The taller one looks dangerous…"
"The other one looks so sweet oh my god—"
Kai acted like he heard absolutely nothing while still standing on Derek's shoe comfortably.
Derek looked even less bothered.
Honestly the more people stared
The calmer he looked.
A female staff member nearby finally gathered enough courage to approach them.
"Young masters," she greeted politely with a professional smile, "our shop is currently hosting a couple challenge event."
Kai blinked curiously.
The staff quickly continued before they could reject her. "The winning pair will receive a special private boat date prepared by our aquarium section."
Behind her smile though her manager instincts were screaming.
Because these two standing together looked ridiculously eye-catching.
Kai looked warm, gentle, soft like sunlight with hidden sass underneath while Derek beside him looked like the exact type of rebel parents warned people about
Sharp edges.
Dangerous vibe.
Yet right now he stood beside Kai lazily smiling in a way that softened everything about him.
The contrast was lethal.
If these two joined the event
The shop would definitely gain customers.
"Sure," Kai agreed immediately with a smile.
The staff nearly blushed from relief before quickly guiding them inside.
The event shop connected directly beside the aquarium section.
Half cinema.
Half restaurant.
Blue ocean lighting reflected softly across the walls while transparent glass tanks filled with glowing fish surrounded the entire room.
Couples already filled most of the seats while a small stage stood near the center decorated with floating lights and artificial flowers.
The moment Kai and Derek entered
Everyone looked over instantly.
Even the host paused midway speaking.
"Wow," the beautiful middle-aged host laughed dramatically into her microphone. "I was definitely this handsome when I was younger too."
The crowd burst into laughter.
Some girls immediately started taking photos while others whispered excitedly wondering if the two boys were actually dating or just friends.
Derek ignored everybody completely while shoving both hands into his pockets lazily.
Kai meanwhile smiled naturally at the crowd making several people clutch their hearts immediately.
The host grinned seeing the reactions. "Looks like our audience already loves you two."
Kai tilted his head slightly. "We're popular."
"You're narcissistic," Derek replied calmly.
"And yet you still follow me everywhere."
Derek snorted softly but didn't deny it.
The host clapped her hands excitedly before gesturing toward the stage. "Alright then! Since our beautiful contestants are all here, let me explain the rules."
Couples and pairs slowly gathered near the stage.
Some looked shy.
Some excited.
One boyfriend already looked like he regretted existing.
"The game has three stages," the host announced dramatically while the giant screen behind her lit up blue.
"Stage one—"
"Compatibility questions."
Several couples groaned immediately.
"Stage two—"
"Trust challenge."
Now people looked nervous.
"And finally…"
The lights dimmed slightly while the aquarium walls glowed deeper blue.
"Stage three."
The host smiled wickedly.
"Skinship challenge."
So we are have ten couple but five would be removed first stage so our first stage we are going to ask you questions the host said as everyone clapped.
"So let us test how much you know your partner" the host said then walk to the first couple a girl and a guy.
"If you guys want to kiss who take the lead?" the host asked as everyone burst into laughter.
The girl covered her face as the boy laughed awkwardly.
"You can't liar we have a liar detector, so come on answer."
"I don't know we are not dating just friends," the boy said.
"You don't know? That means you guys aren't even dating just want to enjoy the fun not on my watch eliminated," the host said as the boy lead the girl down the girl laughing.
Before the host can go to the second couple two girls they ran away laughing as they weren't real couple.
"Wow so they aren't even dating they want to try the fun," the host said as some whistled while the girls went back to their friends.
The host asked the third couple another question who answered then the fourth and fifth who answered then sixth and seventh failed.
So which of your girlfriend friends do you like the host ask the 8 couple as everyone whistle. The boyfriend open and closed his mouth looking around.
"What are you not answering?" the girlfriend asked.
The boyfriend laughed. "I should like all her friends cause they are my girlfriend friends," the boyfriend said.
"I mean which of your girlfriend friends do you like like like and have something going on with," the host asked jokingly.
"What is the meaning of that are you trying to cause trouble you can't afford do you know who I'm don't you like your job," the boy said the crowd went quiet.
"Cough...cough... Cheater," a girl said as everyone burst out laughing.
The boyfriend face twisted instantly.
"What the fuck do you mean by this ? Look what you cause are you trying to disgrace me were us your fucking manger" he yelled.
"Don't change the topic, Which of my friends do you like? Fucking answer," the girlfriend said coldly.
" I'm not dating anyone what the fuck fine you want answer then I like your blond friend," the guy said.
The machine beeped red immediately.
The crowd reacted at once.
"OHHHH!"
"Red means lie!"
The boyfriend visibly relaxed.
The host clapped quickly, trying to steer things back. "Wow! It means he didn't cheat—he doesn't like her!"
"What about my other friend?" the girlfriend asked, already having doub when he refused to answer since .
The boyfriend's expression shifted again.
"You don't trust me?" he asked.You're imagining things — I never cheated. Where did you even get that idea? You always jump to conclusions and make everything about you."
"Fucking answer me if you are not answer me then ," the girlfriend roared, snapping her fingers at him.
The boy continued answering while the girlfriend started calling all her friends' names one by one.
The lie detector flashed green every time he said he didn't like them, confirming he was telling the truth.
When she reached her cousin's name, the boyfriend suddenly refused to answer.
"You're spoiling the moodike always what is your problem I'm not playing this stupid game ," he snapped. "Don't do this. I'm leaving if you keep doubting me ."
"I love you so much — I would never want to hurt you. Let's forget this and start fresh; I'll do anything to make you happy. You're the only one who really matters."
" If you love me you would answer why aren't you answering do you like my cousin answer me i know you are cheating what are you not answering me why are you refusing if you are able your image you would answer the "
girl yelled hitting his chest
"It was just one I didn't answer the question cause we are fucking in public and you are making a scene you always this selfish I love you yet you are acting like this "
" This is all the stupid host falut I will make her life hell " he said glaring at the host then turn pointing at his girl "as for you arguing with your boyfriend in public taking my love for granted I could leave you if I want yet I stayed there are girls out there willing to supportive and caring and u are acting like a bitch cause I stay "
"it meant nothing if I do cheat You're blowing this way out of proportion. If you cared about me, you'd let it go." The
The girlfriend ignored him completely and called her cousin anyway.
"Do you like my boyfriend?" she asked directly.
"What? Hell no I don't like him," the cousin replied immediately.
The machine flashed red showing she is lying.
The crowd went silent for half a second still digestion all the nonsense the boy have been saying then everyone raised their phones instantly.
The girlfriend narrowed her eyes. "Are you fucking my boyfriend?"
The cousin panicked slightly. "What? No! I would never! What is going on?, who is telling you stuff like this?"
Red light again.
The crowd exploded into laughter.
"OHHHH SHE LIED TOO!"
"THIS IS CRAZY!"
The boyfriend quickly tried to grab the phone. "Baby, baby I'm sorry—she's the one who seduced me!"
"Fuck you," the girlfriend snapped instantly. "We're over. I'm going to make sure your life is hell."
She turned and walked off stage.
The boyfriend immediately chased after her glaring at the host before he ran out while the crowd kept laughing and recording.
They left the aquarium restaurant and headed toward the fourth floor where the food district was located.
The moment the elevator doors opened
Warm fragrance immediately flooded toward them.
Fresh bread. Roasted meat. Sweet pastries. Coffee. Sugar. Spices.
The entire floor looked like a fantasy food city built indoors.
Above them the ceiling displayed a moving artificial twilight sky filled with floating lantern lights drifting slowly across painted clouds while soft instrumental music echoed around the massive space.
Different food stalls stretched across the enormous floor yet every section had completely different decorations like entering different countries one after another.
One side looked like an elegant European street lined with glowing bakeries and flower-covered cafés.
Another looked like an old Asian night market with hanging lanterns, neon signs, steaming grills, and open dessert carts.
One dessert section looked entirely candy themed with giant fake macarons decorating the walls and glowing jellyfish-shaped chandeliers hanging above pastel tables.
The drink section resembled a futuristic cyber café with transparent walls flowing with glowing liquid lights beneath the floor.
Meanwhile the luxury restaurant area looked calmer and expensive with golden waterfalls, glass gardens, and floating crystal lights.
Crowds moved everywhere.
Families. Couples. Students. Tourists.
The entire floor buzzed with life.
"Where have you guys been?" Felix asked while carrying three snack bags already.
"Playing a game at the aquarium restaurant," Kai replied while looking around. "Lost track of time."
"Did you guys win?" Rick asked curiously.
"Nope." Derek shrugged lazily. "Lost because of your call."
Rick looked offended immediately. "So you're blaming me for your failure?"
"Yes."
"Shameless."
Meanwhile Ava was already dragging Matthew around excitedly exploring different food stalls.
Matthew still looked completely calm despite now carrying half their shopping bags already.
"So let's split up and buy whatever we want first," Big V suggested while .
Everyone agreed instantly.
Meanwhile
Ava bought snacks like someone preparing for the apocalypse.
At some point Matthew looked at her basket in disbelief. "Are you stocking a supermarket?"
"It's called emotional support food," Ava replied seriously.
Matthew looked at the pile silently. "You'll forget half of this exists once you get home."
Ava gasped dramatically. "How dare you insult my children."
They suddenly ran into Adrian.
He stood beside two boys Paul and King while a pretty girl folloi closely beside him almost like a tail following everywhere he moved.
Adrian noticed them first.
His gaze paused briefly on Ava and Matthew together before smiling lazily.
Meanwhile Ava eyes instantly lit up with interest.
Drama.
Her favorite food.
"Well well," Ava said slowly while sipping her drink. "Seems someone has a side piece."
The girl's face changed instantly.
"No wonder you aren't fazed after getting rejected by Sophia countless times," Ava continued thoughtfully. "You already have someone warming your bed."
Matthew beside her looked completely uninterested in the conversation.
Honestly he already looked like he wanted to leave.
He didn't even bother greeting Adrian or the others.
Adrian laughed softly instead of getting angry.
"It seems you're more interested in my relationship life than I am." His eyes curved slightly. "Why? Want to share my bed too?"
Then his smile deepened lazily.
"But sadly I don't sleep with crazy monkeys."
Paul instantly choked on his drink nearby.
King turned away laughing.
The girl beside Adrian hugged his arm tighter while glaring at Ava victoriously.
Ava ignored her existence completely.
Instead she turned toward Matthew naturally.
"Handsome," Ava called sweetly while pointing toward another snack stall nearby.
"What else should we buy?"
Matthew glanced down at her. "Nothing."
"I want dessert."
"You already bought dessert."
"I want more dessert."
Matthew sighed softly like someone exhausted with life itself before following after her anyway as if Adrian and his group were nothing more than background noise in a crowded floor.
Adrian watched the two walk away side by side.
The girl beside him smiled smugly thinking she had won.
"Is Ava dating that guy?" King asked curiously after watching Ava drag Matthew away again.
Adrian leaned lazily against the counter holding his drink. "Didn't you see her just now?" he replied casually. "Why not ask her yourself?"
Then his gaze shifted toward the girl still clinging tightly to his arm.
Adrian looked down at her quietly for a second before suddenly leaning closer.
His fingers traced lightly across her cheek almost gently.
The girl's expression softened immediately thinking he was comforting her.
"I thought I already told you something," Adrian said softly.
His tone remained calm. Too calm.
"No physical contact outside the bedroom."
Paul immediately looked away. King took one step back instantly.