Ocean Eyes

Chapter - 12

*Next Day*

As usual, Mew met up with everyone to get ready for practice. However, as they all approached the athletics complex, Professor Itthipat was there waiting for them.

"I'll be cancelling practice today." Itthipat announced once they reached near him.

Mew frowned, "Are they doing maintenance or something?"

Professor Itthipat looked hesitant for a moment, "Actually.. I received word from your father."

"My F-father?!" Mew looked bewildered.

"Indeed. I was rather shocked when I received the email." Itthipat said.

Mew frowned, "Wait, they have email in the ocean?"

Itthipat chuckled, "How else do you think I send my weekly reports to him regarding you and your mother's health?"

'Is that why he was at the cafe all the time with his laptop?' Mew thought. 'No surprise there!' Mew had come a long way to be surprised by things happening around him anymore.

"Back to the matter at hand." Itthipat's voice brought Mew back from his thoughts. "Your father expressed concerns that this contest isn't quite living up to his expectations. He thought for sure someone would have won your heart by now. I assume he's getting rather impatient."

Mew blinked, "If I'm honest, I haven't really thought much about the competition at all."

Itthipat tilted his head in thought, "So, you're not interested in any of the suitors before you?"

Mew looked over at Tul, Tae and Earth. 'We've become such close friends..' Mew then thought fondly of the one who's found his way into his heart. "I wouldn't say I'm not interested.. But despite my future as a ruler, I have to think about the present. And right now, I'm just a third-year student trying to pass my classes." He bit his lips, "I hope he can understand that this is a part of me carving my own path and making my own happiness. I can only hope that the person who also has my heart will be patient with me."

"Hmmm.. You make a convincing argument." Itthipat nodded with a smile. "I will aspire to delay any rash actions from your father."

Mew grinned at the Professor, "Thank you, I appreciate that."

Itthipat shrugged his shoulders, "Well, regardless of what your goals are, I have been ordered to give you and your suitors some quality time together." He waved his hands in shooing motion, "So go and spend the rest of the day together. See how you feel after that." He shooed everyone away, and they suddenly found themselves with quite a bit of free time on their hands.

"So, any ideas about what to do?" Tae asked others.

Tul shrugged, "I had been fully prepared to practice until it got dark.."

"I'm willing to go wherever you go, Tae." Earth said. "I don't know  city  very well, so I'll rely on you or Mew to make a choice."

Tae smirked, "Well, it's supposed to be a chance to get to know Mew better, right?" He looked at Mew, "Where do you want to go?"

"The weather is really nice today. Lets head to the beach!" Mew grinned, "It's been a while since I've gone."

Earth nodded with a wide smile. "I think that sounds like a lovely idea. There's a lot of little stores I'd like to stop by."