After All, I'm Your Secret Admirer~!!

Ch32 - Warmer Together

Paige couldn't believe it. OJ? The one person he was already crushing hard on? He was Paige's secret admirer!?

"L-let's go ride something!" he yelps suddenly, surprising even himself. "I-I mean, no use just standing around, right?" He pulls off his bag and slips in his Eevee plushie before putting it back on. "Daylight only lasts so long in November!"

"When you're right, you're right, Paige," OJ nods with a cute smile, opening his bag. He gently places the Cyndaquil into it, zipping it so it was secure. "I'm ready to ride whatever you wish!"

The two teens make their way from one end of the park to the other, riding everything that piqued either of their interests. Neither of them would really call one another thrill seekers, but for whatever reason, they were both drawn to higher thrill rides the whole way through.

On one ride, The Tickler, OJ leans over on Paige after the two of them have been flung back and forth and squeaks, "Kyaa—!" Paige freezes for a moment, not ready for OJ to be on him. But he recovers before the other can and retaliates by holding him closer.

By the time they climb off of that ride, both of them look as red as tomatoes.

At some point, the sun begins her descent and the two decide it's time to get a small snack before going on a few more rides and going home. As Paige sits on a bench to take a breather, OJ gets on line for them to get a couple of overpriced hot dogs.

Finally alone with his thoughts, Paige rocks back and forth a bit, legs pulled onto the bench with him. Does he know I know? he wonders. Do we just... pretend like neither of us know? I don't want to push him if he's not ready... but then why would he have said that? It was a direct quote! ...But still... Maybe I should keep acting like I don't know...

Paige's train of thought is interrupted by OJ sitting down next to him, handing him a small hot dog. "Here you are, Paige!" he smiles wide."I made sure they didn't put ketchup on it for you."

"You remembered?" Paige blinks, taking the food. "Thank you!"

"Of course," OJ shrugs. "It's no problem."

The two of them eat in relative silence, sitting rather close to each other. Paige takes longer than OJ to finish, so once the other does, he stretches out. When he puts his hands back down, one of them lands on top of Paige's.

They stay like that until Paige finishes eating. He takes a really long time to finish for some reason.

The pair ride a couple more rides until the sun is really starting to lose her shine. It's time to go.

"So," OJ says, taking out his Cyndaquil plush from its confinement, "How did you enjoy Luna Park after all this time?"

Paige follows along, freeing his Eevee and smiling. "It was great!" he grins, jumping a bit. "There were so many new rides from the last time I was here!"

"The park sees steady maintenance," OJ nods, holding his plush to his chest. "It's unsurprising, but exciting, isn't it? There could be any new ride there next season for all we know!"

"That is exciting!" Paige agrees. "Can we go again?"

OJ's expression grows a little odd, but he replaces it with a soft smile after. "Of course, Paige. I'd love to do anything with you."

Wow! Was it suddenly really warm in here? Or was it just Paige's face?

"Um!" he starts awkwardly. "What—what should we name them?"

OJ blinks. "Name them?"

"Our Pokemon!" Paige smiles, feeling a little more at ease. OJ would no doubt follow this thread and leave the other one alone until Paige could get home and think about it so hard. But that was for then, and not now.