They reached the marketplace first.
Stalls lined both sides of the wide street, selling everything from fresh fruit and baked goods to small accessories, handmade crafts, and light clothing.
Lyra frowned faintly, folding her arms as she stepped in beside him anyway. "It’s crowded."
"I mean... that’s how market places are. Stick close to me."
At the beginning she remained stiff.
Klein stopped at a small stall selling handmade hair accessories.
Simple pins, soft ribbons, and a few clips were arranged neatly on a dark cloth.
Lyra glanced at them once and immediately looked away.
Klein, however, picked up a simple dark ribbon that matched the tone of her hair and held it out toward her.
She stared at it "You’re not seriously buying that for me. It’s... so childish."
"I already did."
Lyra opened her mouth to refuse, then stopped when she saw he was already paying.
She reluctantly took the ribbon and slipped it into her pocket instead of putting it on as a faint flush colored her cheeks ’Such a bastard...’
They bought skewers from a corner stall and ate while walking.
When Klein stopped at a secondhand book stall and flipped through a few titles, she occasionally pointed out one or two that looked interesting.
At a small café terrace they sat down for a short rest.
She ordered tea. He ordered coffee.
By the time they left the café, Lyra started to loosen up and began to enjoy the date.
When Klein suggested trying a street dessert stall, she didn’t argue.
When he later stopped at a quiet corner selling small potted plants and asked which one looked better, she actually considered the question for a few seconds before answering.
A faint, almost reluctant smile touched her lips once when a child nearby nearly dropped an ice cream and the vendor laughed it off.
They continued walking until the market began to thin out near its far end.
Lyra looked ahead at the quieter street that led toward a small public park visible in the distance.
The ribbon he bought earlier remained in her pocket, and every so often her fingers brushed against it without her seeming to notice.
By the time they reached the edge of the park, it was already afternoon.
A wide stone path stretched ahead beneath rows of trees, while sunlight filtered through in scattered patches across the ground.
Lyra’s steps slowed slightly as they entered.
They walked along the path until they reached a quieter section near the pond.
Klein sat down on the bench, and Lyra also sat beside him without hesitation.
She shifted slightly on the bench, her shoulder brushing lightly against his arm as she took the ribbon from her pocket.
She looked at it for a moment, turning it lightly between her fingers.
Then, without saying anything, she lifted her hand to her hair.
Carefully she gathered a portion of her slightly loose hair and tied it back using the ribbon.
When she finished, she adjusted it once, before lowering her hand.
Klein glanced at her and smiled faintly.
Lyra caught the look "...Don’t misunderstand," she muttered and a faint warmth crept into her cheeks.
"It was just sitting in my pocket. It would’ve been a waste not to use it."
He couldn’t help but chuckle, "Yeah... right."
Her lips twitched in irritation ’This guy annoys me.’
---
At some point, Klein stood up without saying anything, stretching his arms lightly as he glanced down at her.
Lyra followed after a short pause, brushing a few stray strands of hair away from her face as she adjusted the ribbon she tied earlier without thinking about it.
"...What now?"
Klein looked toward the street beyond the park, "Lunch."
Lyra let out a quiet hum and walked beside him as they left the park together.
The place he picked wasn’t extravagant.
Just a clean, modest restaurant tucked along the side of a quieter street.
"...Wow, I am surprised you didn’t bring me somewhere expensive," she said as they took their seats.
Klein shrugged lightly, picking up the menu. "I am sure you already have enough of that."
She blinked at that and lowered her gaze slightly, without commenting on anything further.
---
After that, Lyra suggested going to watch a movie, and Klein went with her.
He was surprised that she actually picked a romantic movie.
After they stepped out of the cinema, the afternoon was already leaning toward evening.
They walked a little further before Klein slowed slightly, glancing toward a café.
"Let’s sit for a bit," he said.
Lyra followed his gaze, then gave a small nod without arguing this time.
Lyra rested her chin lightly against her hand, watching the street outside for a moment before her gaze drifted back to him.
They stayed there longer than they intended.
Talking.
Sometimes about nothing in particular.
Sometimes about things that mattered just enough to keep the conversation going without making it heavy.
Lyra found herself speaking more than she had expected about small things and how rigid her days usually were and each time she did, she caught herself afterward, as if surprised she had said that much at all.
By the time they left the café, evening had settled properly.
The streets were lit now, a gentle glow stretching across the city as people moved more slowly.
"...Dinner?" Klein asked.
Lyra glanced at him, then away again. "...You’re still going?"
"Why not?"
She paused for a moment, then gave a small nod. "...Fine."
When they finally stepped out of the restaurant, the night air had cooled further.
Their steps naturally fell back into sync as they made their way toward the hotel.
Lyra glanced at him once as they walked, "...You damned rascal, youreally dragged me around the entire day,"
With a chuckle, he replied "Yeah. I had a lot of fun."
She let out a soft breath, her shoulders loweringslightly "...I had fun too."
They soon reached the hotel, and both of them entered Lyra’s room.
Removing her blazer, she muttered "Today, you are not going to sleep here. Go and sleep in-"
As she turned her head, she saw Klein already lying on her bed.
’...Motherfucker.’
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter