NOVEL NEXT Chapter 102: 102: Date [II]
The moment Aiden left Honey's room, she practically launched herself out of bed and over to her closet with the speed of an Olympic sprinter.
A date. An actual date. With Aiden.
She felt a rush of excitement, followed immediately by a wave of panic. What am I going to wear?!
With a dramatic flourish, she flung open her closet doors, revealing a veritable mountain of clothes—dresses, skirts, jackets, blouses, scarves, and accessories in every shade of pastel and earth tone imaginable.
She had always prided herself on her style, effortlessly blending professional chic with a touch of vibrant playfulness. But today was different.
Today, she needed the perfect outfit.
Honey dove in headfirst, pulling out outfit after outfit and tossing them onto her bed in an ever-growing pile of fabric. She tried on a lilac sundress first.
Too casual.
Next, a sleek, off-the-shoulder black number.
Too formal. I'm not going to a gala.
She grabbed a bright yellow cardigan and a floral skirt.
Too much like my usual look. I want to step it up!
A few minutes later, the room looked like it had been struck by a fashion tornado. Jackets and skirts were draped over the chair, scarves hung precariously from her bedpost, and shoes were scattered everywhere.
Baymax entered the room and blinked at the scene before him. "Honey Lemon, are you in distress?"
Honey let out a small yelp, clutching a scarf to her chest as if it could shield her from her robot roommate's judgment.
"No, Baymax," she said breathlessly. "I'm just… having a small wardrobe crisis."
Baymax tilted his head. "Would you like medical assistance?"
"Nope! Nope, I just need… time." Honey turned back to the chaos, hands on her hips. "Okay, Honey, focus. You need something elegant, but not stiff. Something stylish, but not over the top. Something that—"
Nimbus hopped onto the bed, poking his tiny nose through a pile of discarded tops, then scurried onto her shoulder.
"Nimbus, you are not helping," she whined.
The chinchilla just squeaked, clearly unimpressed by her struggle.
Then, as if the universe heard her prayers, she spotted it—the outfit.
A light beige button-up blouse with a delicate yellow bow at the collar, paired with a tailored brown blazer that hugged her shoulders just right.
She wrapped a tan belt around her waist, accentuating her slim yet curvaceous figure.
She paired it with a caramel-toned skirt and knee-high boots, completing the look with soft waves in her golden locks.
She gave herself one last spin in the mirror and gasped.
[Image here]-->
"I love it."
She grabbed her purse, threw a fist in the air like a victorious anime protagonist, and marched out of the room.
Meanwhile, in his own room, Aiden didn't have nearly the same struggle.
Dressing up had never been a big deal for him—he had his signature look: dark, sleek, and just a little bit mysterious. But today, he wanted to go the extra mile. Honey always had a way of looking effortlessly stylish, and even though he wasn't one to fuss over his appearance, he figured it wouldn't hurt to put in some effort.
He opted for a high-collared, tailored black shirt with silver embroidery along the sleeves—subtle but refined. A dark overcoat, fitted yet sleek, added an air of quiet sophistication.
To complete the look, he chose a pair of long, silver earrings with intricate geometric designs, their subtle shine catching the light just right.
Around his neck, he fastened a necklace with a circular black pendant—a simple piece but one that carried weight.
As he examined himself in the mirror, he smirked slightly.
[Image here]-->
Not bad.
Just as he was finishing up, Honey knocked on his door.
"Aiden, are you ready?!"
"Yeah, yeah, don't rush me," he called back, smirking as he grabbed his boots.
When he opened the door, he found Honey standing there, dressed to impress. For a split second, his words caught in his throat.
Honey tilted her head. "What? Is there something wrong?"
Aiden blinked. "No. You look… really nice."
A pleased smile spread across her face. "Thanks! You look amazing too!"
Aiden gave her a lazy grin. "Naturally."
She rolled her eyes but laughed, slipping her hand into his. "Alright, come on! As your official guide to all things San Fransokyo, I've got the perfect places in mind for our date."
-
-
As soon as they stepped outside, the crisp morning air filled their lungs, carrying the faint scent of the ocean and street food vendors preparing for the lunchtime rush.
The city buzzed with life—flying cars zipped past, neon billboards flickered with new advertisements, and the scent of fresh mochi and roasted coffee drifted from nearby cafés.
Honey, in full "San Fransokyo expert" mode, turned to Aiden with an eager sparkle in her eyes. "Okay! First stop: The Cherry Blossom Pier!"
Aiden raised an eyebrow. "That sounds… surprisingly normal."
Honey nudged him playfully. "I know what you're thinking, but trust me! The view is amazing this time of year, and they have the best taiyaki stand in the city. And since you love food—"
Aiden sighed dramatically. "Fine, fine. But if I don't get mind-blowingly good taiyaki, I'm blaming you."
The Cherry Blossom Pier was as breathtaking as Honey had promised. Lush pink petals fluttered in the breeze, creating a picturesque view over the bay.
The water reflected the golden light of the sun, while small boats drifted lazily along the shore.
Honey immediately dragged Aiden to the famous taiyaki stand, where an elderly woman greeted them with a warm smile.
"Two of your best, please!" Honey chirped.
The vendor handed them two golden, fish-shaped pastries, their crispy exteriors steaming hot. Aiden took a bite, his eyes widening as the sweet red bean filling melted in his mouth.
"Okay, I'll admit… this is good," he muttered.
Honey giggled. "Told you so!"
As they walked along the pier, Aiden casually threw an arm around Honey's shoulders. "Alright, what's next, tour guide?"
"Well," Honey hummed, tapping her chin, "I was thinking we could go to the San Fransokyo Tech Museum! They have a brand-new AI exhibit, and I know you'll love it."
Aiden chuckled. "So basically, this date is just an excuse for you to nerd out."
Honey gasped dramatically. "How dare you imply that I have an ulterior motive! I am simply an enthusiastic tour guide."
Aiden smirked. "Sure, sure."
"...."
"..."
-
A little later~
Aiden and Honey walked down the bustling streets of San Fransokyo, their hands still intertwined, Honey was in the middle of an impassioned speech about the wonders of cutting-edge AI technology.
As they continued walking, Aiden noticed Honey suddenly slowing down. Her head turned slightly to the right, her eyes widening as if she'd just seen something incredibly enticing.
Following her gaze, Aiden spotted a giant, colorful billboard advertising the San Fransokyo Grand Aquarium.
The display was vibrant and animated, featuring a mesmerizing deep-sea scene with glowing jellyfish, playful otters, and a massive whale shark swimming lazily across the screen.
The words "Come Experience the Wonders of the Deep!" flashed in bold letters beneath the moving images.
Honey gasped softly.
Aiden knew that gasp.
It was the I-just-got-a-new-idea-and-we-are-immediately-changing-plans gasp.
Sure enough, Honey spun around to face him, practically bouncing on her heels. "Aiden. Aiden! We have to go to the aquarium!"
Aiden crossed his arms, tilting his head. "Wait, I thought we were going to your precious tech museum?"
Honey grabbed his hands and squeezed them excitedly. "Yes, but look! Look at that ad! Glowing jellyfish! Giant sharks! Playful otters! Otters, Aiden!"
Aiden chuckled. "Now I see your true weakness. Forget AI—cute sea creatures are the real deal."
"Well, duh!" she giggled, practically vibrating with excitement. "Come on! Please? Please, please, please? I'll buy you snacks!"
Aiden sighed theatrically. "Bribing me with food… how dare you use my one true weakness against me?"
Honey beamed. "I learn from the best."
He shook his head with a smirk. "Alright, fine. Aquarium it is."
As they arrived at the entrance of the San Fransokyo Grand Aquarium, the massive glass building loomed before them, its sleek, curved architecture resembling the waves of the ocean.
Through the transparent outer walls, they could already see enormous tanks filled with shimmering blue water and all kinds of aquatic life.
Honey's excitement reached maximum levels as she all but dragged Aiden inside.
The moment they stepped through the doors, they were greeted by a beautiful, dimly lit space filled with soft, glowing blue light.
The sounds of gentle bubbling water and faint oceanic music created a peaceful atmosphere, and the faint scent of saltwater filled the air.
"Wow…" Honey breathed, spinning around to take it all in. "It's so pretty!"
Aiden had to admit, the place was impressive. The entire ceiling was made of reinforced glass, with a giant, cylindrical tank stretching from the floor all the way up.
Inside, a school of colorful fish swirled in mesmerizing patterns, while a few small stingrays glided gracefully through the water.
Honey practically skipped toward the first exhibit. "Come on, Aiden! Let's go see everything!"
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[A/N: Writing Honey's character is honestly exhausting]