𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 -𝖼𝗁𝗈𝗌𝗈

FIVE: Breaking Out

Third PoV

Choso watched as she wolfed down the food in a very appreciative manner, making him feel glad that he took her here and love the food that was on the menu. He didn't expect her to eat in quite the messy way and thought she'd be more wary of how she appears to others, but it seems like she's doing things without being concerned about what others would say about her since... she's with him and not just anyone.

He takes his phone out to take a few pictures of this special moment that might not happen again, at least there's proof that there was something interesting that happened in his college life that he once thought would just be plain and boring. Well, he didn't mind having that kind of college experience, but meeting her was a variable that caused a shift in his viewpoint.

"I'm hearing the shutter sound, I know you're taking pictures." She said while chewing on her food, eyes sharply looking at the camera. "I am, but swallow your food first before you speak or you'll–" too late, she was coughing and slightly choking on her food. "–...choke." He sighs and puts his phone down, standing up and going behind her, patting her back with one hand and the other picking up the water pitcher and poured water in the glass, giving it to her so she can drink it.

She drinks the water and emptied the glass and he poured another until she was no longer coughing. She takes a few deep breaths. "I have never been glad to breathe again." She says, putting her hand on her chest. "Thanks, Choso." She didn't forget to thank him for the assistance and he nods his head, "You're welcome. Be careful next time."

"Mhm." She takes a spoonful of warm soup and it soothed her throat that was a bit hurt from all the coughing. Meanwhile, Choso was using his phone and messaging somebody. Ayako notices this and got curious who he's talking to.

He stops typing midway and glanced at her, seeing how she wanted to know who he was talking to, he remembered that she's quite the jealous type and realized that this was not the time to be using his phone so he set aside his phone.

"I was replying to my siblings." He told her who he was messaging and she didn't say anything but only a nod in response. What she meant by that, it means that she knows that he's not lying. Choso knows this already and went back to paying attention to her as she finished her, hopefully, last rice bowl.

"My, you really have a big appetite, young lady. That's a great news for Choso right here." The old man places his hand on Choso's left shoulder, "He learned how to cook from us so you won't have to worry about who cooks when you two get married." He laughs proudly and his wife slaps him on the back.

"You! Don't rush them like that." She scolded her husband. She turns towards the two, "I can see that the both of you just started being in a relationship. Whatever comes your way, you should face it together and don't leave the other behind. Lean on each other whenever you have your hard times, build trust and respect for each other. Well, I'm just an old woman who's still married to this man for forty-five years, but remember my advice, you two."

They looked at each other and back at the old lady. "Thanks, granny. We'll surely remember your advice." Says Choso. "Thank you, I learned a lot from your advice." Says Ayako. "Now then, looks like the day is not yet over for you two. Everything is on the house." Ayako suddenly stands up and walks over to the couple, "I can't let you do that. Here, this is a token of my gratitude for the delicious food and for the hard work that both of you keep doing for this restaurant."

"But this is.. too much. We can't accept this, young lady." She shakes her head, "I want you to have it. And if they ask you questions, just mention my name and they'll get what I mean. Oh, I nearly forgot," She politely bowed in front of the old couple, "My name is Ayako Mizuno. It's an honor to meet you and be able to discover such good food."

Choso watches from a distance as she got familiar with the people who took care of him with a smile on his face. He was impressed by her polite attitude and when she was done talking with the owners of the restaurant, she turned around and walked towards him who was waiting for her.

"Where are we headed to next?" She asked him, putting her arm around his. He pulls the door open, "Somewhere fun." Both of them walks out of the restaurant and walked to their next destination which is...

"These still exists?! Arcades?!" She looked at the place with wide eyes. "We are in the area where there are mostly kids after all. So, yes, arcades stil exist." He answered her question.

"This is so cool!" She got a little excited from seeing an arcade again and ran inside. "Ayako! Wait!" Choso ran after the excited Ayako who he found dancing on a dance machine game.

He stood in an appropriate distance from her while watching her hit every moves perfectly. Looks like someone spent some time in arcades back then. "I wanna join too." He said to her when she finished the song. "Then come on!" She grabs his hand and he stands on the platform for the second player and she inserts a coin to the machine.

They might've bickered a little to what song should they pick but in the end they settled it in rock-paper-scissors. He let her win.

30 Minutes Later

When he thought that it was finally over, they're now in a karaoke bar and she surprisingly sang a few songs and her voice was mesmerizing that it caught him in a trance from how the words flowed in a melodic tune.

"You should sing too, Choso!" She hands her another mic and the screen was showing a song that requires a duet. He looks up at her since he was sitting down just sipping on the juice that he ordered. "I'm not.. really confident about my singing ability." He said, but she insisted and pulled him up. "Come on, I'm here to back you up and hype you up!"

It made him feel quite happy that she was encouraging him and at this point it would be rude of him to decline when she's the reason that he's starting to come out of his shell even more and express himself. He was feeling freedom with her but,

What does she feel when she's with him?