Chapter3:

The man with blue hair. Yes, I can still remember the day when I first saw him. It happened when I was hired as a part-timer in a cotton candy shop.

Exactly five days ago…

“Your job is really simple,” the shop owner said. “All you need to do is to wear a mascot costume and attract customers by dancing outside the shop. You came at the right time because the person who’s in charge of this has already quit this very day. So, if you want to start right away, you can do it today. Then, I will give you the payment right after.”

I was happy at the idea that I would get my own money by working. But about dancing, I AM NOT HAPPY AT ALL.

HOW THE HELL DOES SOMEONE LIKE ME, A PERSON WHO HAS TWO LEFT FEET, DANCE IN THE PUBLIC?!

“You can do it, Ryan. You can achieve success with hard work,” I cheered myself before I wore the mascot costume, which is a big pink bunny.

I tried to be positive as much as possible. However, after 10 minutes…

“Mom, look at the mascot. He looks weird and crazy,” the boy said as he passed by with his mom. He pointed in my direction while laughing so hard.

“Baby, that’s not a good thing to say,” the mom replied. “If you speak like that again, the weird mascot will take you away,” she added.

Although I could not see myself, I was aware of how stupid I looked right now.

‘This is so embarrassing! Should I just give up?’

I turned around and at that exact moment, I saw the shop owner who was watching me like an eagle. Therefore, I danced crazily again.

"Woah! Bunny!" gasped after gasping.

When I tilted my head toward the direction where I heard the shouts of admiration, I saw a group of elementary students who were running to my side.

‘Oh no.’

They came to me like a storm.

“W-Wait!” I groaned.

These stubborn and energetic kids kept on pulling and pushing me until I was pushed backward.

“Wait, kids! Calm d-down…!”

It was too late for me to realize that I flipped over the fountain near the store. In a panic, I wriggled my feet because the water kept on coming inside the costume. In no time, I would drown!

“Help!” I shouted.

Then I heard a splash of water. Someone took me out of the water and lifted me in a bridal way. Because the water made the head of the costume heavy, it fell from my head and my face was revealed to the public.

I slightly opened my eyes which were blinded by the sun.

“Are you okay?” asked the man who saved me.

Our eyes met in close distance.

Looking at him, I thought two suns exist. He has thick brows, rounded yet small eyes, a pointed sharp nose, and alluring lips. His face is small, but his jaws are sharp. He has a refreshing aura, something like the new drop of the morning dew. But what caught my interest more is that small mole on his left cheek and his dark blue hair.

‘Who is sane enough to dye his hair blue, unless you are going to dance on stage?’ I wondered for a moment.

“Wooh!” loud shouts resonated around.

My widened eyes roamed around, and that’s when I realized that everyone was feasting over us. Some even took pictures!

I quickly hopped down and stumbled on my way out of the fountain.

“Miss! Wait a minute!” he shouted before I escaped the scene.

I was unlucky that day, and unlucky today to meet my savior again.

Back to the present…

The blue-haired man with a happy-go-lucky attitude grinned at me. Then he said, “Hey. Don’t be too close to Kyle. This man is so so weak to cute women. If you are too kind to him, he will fall in love very easily.”

Kyle’s face turned from sulky to someone ready to kill the man standing beside him.

“Shut up, Slyv. This is not funny anymore.” I saw Kyle pinch Slyvester’s waist.

“Ouch!” The silly guy winced in pain.

Thinking he succeeded in hiding what he did to Sylvester, Kyle smiled at me as if nothing happened.

“Don’t care about him. He is crazy,” Kyle explained then let out an excessive fake laugh.

That was really my plan. I don’t want to meet this blue-haired guy the most, not because I hate him, but because we had the most embarrassing encounter together.

For that, I made my final cue to leave.

“Ahhmmm, okay. I need to arrange my things so…”

This Sylvester placed his feet between the closing door.

“Stop! Stop! Stop!”

Both Kyle and I were surprised at his sudden action.

“You greeted Kyle in a very nice way. But what about me? You closed the door even though I haven’t properly introduced myself. This is unfair,” he protested, squinting his eyes at me.

I couldn’t find the right words to defend myself. Luckily, Kyle is too kind to be my knight in shining armor for a moment.

“We know each other because we already met before,” he said.

‘Wait. If he said it like that, then Sylvester would likely say that…’

“Huh. We also know each other,” Sylvester proudly uttered while sweeping his bangs.

‘I knew it! He will bring that up!’

“You remembered me, right?” Sylvester directed the question to me.

On the other side, Kyle looked alternatively at the two of us.

“You know each other too?” he inquired.

Sylvester gave his answer most annoyingly. He laughed so hard, holding his intense belly that he almost sat on the floor.

“Every time I remember your dance step,” he murmured, wiping his teary eyes. “You never fail on making me laugh,” he added then gave me a thumbs up.

‘Oh god. I just wanted to disappear right now.’

“What dance step?” Kyle curiously asked again.

Before this Sylvester would tell him in detail how I danced that day, I opened my mouth and changed the topic.

“I w-would like to…!”

Their gazes went back to me. Thankfully.

“I m-mean,” I stuttered, “I would like to thank you for helping me that day. And also, sorry for suddenly leaving you.”

“Just really what happened?” Kyle murmured, tilting his head.

Sylvester, as if he could read my intention for changing the subject, shook his head and tapped Kyle’s shoulder.

“You don’t need to know, because it’s a long story,” Sylvester said.

Phew~

Breathing for a second, Sylvester continued while looking back at me.

“No worries. I really came here to say that I am happy to see you again. Who will though that we will meet as board mates? That’s pretty amazing~”

I guess… he’s a green flag too, just like the kind Kyle.

“Me too,” I answered, chuckling. “I was also surprised.”

“Ahh, I haven’t introduced myself,” he gasped then put his hand together. “My name is Sylvester. I am… Ah!” He suddenly winced and cupped his cheek. “It’s aching again. Geez~”

“Your tooth?” Kyle noticed. “You’ve been complaining about that last week. Then you still dared eat cotton candies? Tsk tsk.” He shook his head and continued, “You need to go to the dentist, Slyv.”

“Argh,” Sylvester growled as if he did not like the suggestion he heard from Kyle.

“Ahhh,” Kyle uttered, nodding. “I almost forgot that you have a trauma in a dentist.”

Before I came here, I decided to stay low. But if these guys will be my friend, I don’t think it’s a bad idea. They look kind, gentlemanly, and somewhat… crazy like me.

Kyle and Sylvester left after bickering in front of my room. Then I continued arranging my stuff until I finished at 4 pm.

The first place that I considered visiting is the kitchen, mainly because I could feel the growing monster inside my tummy.

On my way, I passed by a room. The door was opened so I could not avoid peeking inside due to my silly curiosity. It took me seconds to realize the mistake I have done.

“Oh my god!” I gasped when a man appeared in front of me, there inside the room I was looking at.

“Who gave you permission to peek inside my room?” he asked me in a cold tone.

Aha! He was that guy before!

‘The handsome man who parked beside the ‘No Parking’ sign.’