Chapter 42 - 30 minutes

As the trip continued, the girl beside Kira was suddenly quiet. She was still looking at the magnificent view of the huge City A and her face sticking to the window but Kira could tell that she was sulking. She didn't even turn to look at him again.

Kira could only bite his bottom lip as he runs his fingers through his hair. He couldn't believe this. This squirrel was just so damn unpredictable. How could she sulk like this for something so silly? What was so great about that park? What was she? An elementary school kid?

Frustrated, Kira closed his eyes and breathed deep. When he opened his eyes again, he leaned in on her.

"I'm telling you Zeri, the place we're heading to is ten times more magnificent than that park." Kira's lips were so close to the girl's ear. He purposely leaned that close so the girl would feel his breath touching her skin. And yet, it didn't make her budge. She didn't even react.

Kira: ". . ."

The frustration he was feeling intensified. He never thought that dealing with a sulking squirrel was damn so tough. He was not ready for this and he didn't know what to do anymore. He never coaxed anyone in his life to this extent and coaxing a grown-up girl was something he never did before, not until this squirrel came.

Silence reigned between them. And as the seconds ticked by, the lines on Kira's forehead kept getting deeper. He glanced at her and the girl's gaze remained glued through the window.

And then, Kira sighed, looking defeated.

"Fine! We will drop by." Finally, he surrendered. His brows were pulled together as he looked at her, waiting for her reaction.

Immediately, the girl turned towards him. Her eyes were wide in surprise.

"Really?" she asked, looking doubtful.

"You heard me."

Three seconds of silence went by. Zeri blinked at him, and then, she smiled. Her face brightened in pure happiness and her smile caught Kira off guard. It was because her smile this time was just so damn blinding, Kira almost forgot to breathe.

"Yey! Thank you. I'm so happy." The smile on her face didn't fade as she suddenly reached out and held his hand.

Zeri was so hyped up and the expression she was showing that moment was akin to a lightning bolt, stunning him.

But then, Kira suddenly averted his gaze away from her face and covered his lips with the back of his hand. He cleared his throat. "Just for a short while, okay?" he said in a soft voice before looking at her again.

Zeri nodded like a rattle while she was still smiling in ecstasy.

Just like that, the girl's energy immediately returned, no, the level of her energy dramatically intensified. As the trip goes on, her enthusiasm and excitement never dwindle again until the helicopter sets down on a helipad on top of a certain building.

Holding her wrist, Kira dragged Zeri over to the elevator. And in no time, they were already in the bas.e.m.e.nt.

"Get in," Kira said as he opened the passenger door.

As soon as Zeri entered, he shut the door and hastily walked around the front of the car.

Once inside the car, he started the engine and glanced at the girl beside him. She already buckled herself on the seatbelt. Even though she was no longer smiling, the almost excessive excitement in her eyes was still there.

And then, they were out of the building.

Kira was thinking about his plan as he drove. Since he made it clear to her that they will just 'drop by', Kira thought that this will not greatly affect the plan. 'It's fine… we'll just stay there for a few minutes. It won't disrupt the plan.'

After a few minutes, they were finally getting closer to the park. Upon sighting the castle, the stars in Zeri's eyes started to dance in excitement. She was so damn excited her eyes were silently screaming the word 'faster'.

By the time the car finally stopped, Zeri didn't even wait for Kira to speak before jumping out excitedly. Kira could only shake his head and hastily followed her.

Zeri's face was filled with awe as she looked around. And looking at her, Kira just doesn't get why. 'What's so great about this place?' he kept asking himself.

When he saw that the girl suddenly ran, Kira's eyes widened and he followed her. Gladly, the girl's pace wasn't fast. There were people blocking her way so Kira managed to catch her. Damn! That scared him. If this squirrel unleashed her turbo speed, there was no way he could catch her!

"Sq- Zeri Kim!" he called out as he pulled her close to him. "Where do you think you're going? Didn't we agree that we'll just d.r.op.by?"

"Can we stay for thirty minutes?" she asked, her voice pleading as she pulled his sleeve and looked up at him with those big beautiful eyes.

Kira was immediately helpless.

"Fine! Just THIRTY MINUTES! That's the deal, understand?" Kira tried his best to sound as firm as he could. He wanted her to understand that this was the last time he'll agree with her request.

Zeri smiled eagerly and was about to run again but Kira didn't let go of her wrist. He was afraid that this squirrel will disappear once he let go. 'Not a chance my squirrel…'

Just as Kira started to drag her towards the main street, the girl stood her ground, causing Kira to look at her with narrowed eyes.

"No, not there." She said and she started pulling Kira towards the other way.

"Hey. Wait… squirrel. Listen!"

"Here, let's go here! Please."

Kira facepalmed. 'Adventure land? Squirrel, are you serious?!'

"No. We're going to the main street." Kira's voice was decisive. He knew that once he gave in and agree with her plea, it won't be good. Because he just felt that thirty minutes won't be enough at all for this girl.

Trying to avoid her pleading eyes, Kira turned to drag her away but before he could take a step, the squirrel unleashed her gorilla strength and pulled him towards the entrance.

"Let's go!" she said, extremely eager.

"Hey! Zeri Kim! Listen to me! I said…"

Zeri moved behind him and started to push him forward. The girl was really doing her best, using every ounce of strength to push him.

People started looking at them. There was amus.e.m.e.nt in their eyes as they grinned at the somehow adorable scene they were witnessing.

Noticing everyone's gaze, Kira felt his ears turned red and he face palmed again helplessly.

When the girl felt that he was not resisting anymore, she smiled and she grabbed his hand before dragging him towards the entrance.

'Damn! What's going on with me? Why am I letting this girl drag me like this? Why am I this helpless against her?'