CHAPTER 348: IT’S A DATE [3]

The evening had deepened over the city, and the sky was now a rich indigo dusted with stars that peeked through the wispy clouds.

The air was cool, carrying the faint scent of roasted chestnuts from a nearby vendor and the distant hum of the city settling into its nighttime rhythm.

As they rounded a corner, the faint sound of upbeat music and laughter drifted toward them, growing louder with each step.

The street opened into a lively district, where neon signs and colorful storefronts cast a vibrant glow across the pavement.

Among them stood a modern building with a sign that read ’Stellar Lanes’ caught Charlotte’s interest.

She pulled his hand gently "Kael, let’s go there..."

Hm? Brandon turned his head and looked at the building, which seemed like a place to play indoor games.

Its facade is adorned with images of bowling pins and glowing basketball rackets.

He was quite surprised ’Charlotte is interested in indoor games...?’

Smiling, he nodded his head "Alright..."

They approached the entrance of Stellar Lanes, where the neon sign pulsed with vibrant colors.

Entering in, they can see some bowling alleys with wooden lanes and arcade machines lined on one wall, flashing with colorful games.

Charlotte paused just inside the entrance and glanced at him "So, you want a regular lane, or should we get a private room? Make it just us."

Brandon smiled gently "Let’s get a private room."

She nodded, and they walked forward when a cheerful attendant in a neon-green visor greeted them "Welcome to Stellar Lanes!"

With a stoic nod, Charlotte asked "Can we get a private room for bowling?"

Keeping her big smile, the woman nodded "Oh sure," she muttered, already tapping at a tablet.

The attendant led them down a quiet hallway to a private bowling room.

Inside, there were two lanes, and the walls were adorned with retro bowling posters, along with a small glass room beside it to relax and eat snacks.

A touchscreen console on the wall allowed them to control the music, and Brandon selected a playlist of mellow acoustic tracks.

Looking around, Charlotte walked to the couch and draped her cloak over the armrest of the couch.

Brandon picked up a blue bowling ball from the rack and tested its weight "I didn’t know you were into bowling, Charlotte."

Upon hearing this, a nostalgic smile appeared on Charlotte’s lips "I used to play it sometime back during my academy days."

She stepped toward the rack, selecting a black bowling ball "Watch closely, little brother. I’ll show you how it’s done."

She stepped up to the lane and stretched her body for a moment before swinging her arm back and then forward in a perfect arc.

The ball rolled down the lane with a smooth spin, striking the pins with a resounding clatter.

*clank*

All ten pins fell in a flawless strike, and the scoreboard flashed as the lane reset.

Charlotte walked to him and softly rustled his hair "That’s how you do it. Your turn, Kael."

Brandon glanced up at her in amazement "Okay, that was... ridiculously impressive..."

"But you know... I have never played bowling before, and I am surely gonna suck at this."

She let out a soft giggle "Just go and try it Kael, it isn’t that hard."

He stepped up to the lane, gripping the blue ball.

His stance was awkward, and his arm was stiff as he tried to mimic her movements.

He swung the ball forward, but it veered sharply to the left, rolling into the gutter with a dull thud.

The scoreboard registered a zero, and Charlotte stifled a laugh, covering her mouth with her hand as her eyes danced with amusement.

"Oh, Kael," she said, stepping closer "That was... a valiant effort. But you need some help."

With a soft breath, Brandon spoke "Good thing we got a private room, it would be embarrassing if this happened in front of people."

With a faint giggle, Charlotte set her ball down and moved behind him as she placed her hands on his shoulders. "Here, let me show you."

Brandon’s heart raced as she wrapped her arms around him from behind, pressing her chest lightly against his back.

He could feel the steady rhythm of her breathing as she spoke "First, relax," she murmured, her breath tickling his ear. "You’re too tense. Loosen your shoulders."

He nodded, trying to focus on her words "Relax, got it," he said as he adjusted his stance.

She guided his arms, her fingers brushing against his as she positioned them on the bowling ball. "Hold it like this," she said, adjusting his grip.

"Keep your wrist straight, and aim for the center arrow." She bent slightly, her body moving with his as she guided him into a forward lean, her hands sliding down his arms to steady him.

"Now, step forward with me," she said and moved with him in synchronized steps as they approached the lane.

"Swing your arm back, then forward, and release when you’re ready." Her hands stayed on his arms, guiding his motion, and as he swung the ball forward, she remained close.

The ball rolled down the lane, wobbling slightly but staying on course, and it crashed into the pins, knocking down eight of them.

Brandon raised his arms in a triumphant cheer and turned to look at her "We did it, Charlotte."

With that, he jumped into her arms.

She was taken aback for a moment and stumbled a step back before quickly hugging him in her arms "Hahaha, Kael..."

Her smile was radiant, and her cheeks were flushed with a mix of pride and affection. "You’re a quick learner."

He grinned from ear to ear to see her smile "Thats because you guided me well."

---

As the evening wore on, the music softened, and the amber lights cast a warm glow over the room.

Charlotte leaned back against the couch and Brandon was sitting beside her, leaning his head on her shoulder.

"This was a good call... Glad we came here; I enjoyed it... Haa."

He stretched his arms slightly, lifting them above his head before letting them fall back to his sides.

Charlotte’s eyes softened as she looked at his face, and the sight of him so relaxed and being genuinely happy stirred something deep within her... a quiet joy.

She reached out to hold his hand, her fingers intertwining with his, and the gentle squeeze she gave him was filled with unspoken affection.

"I also enjoyed it a lot, Kael."

Brandon tilted his head slightly, nestling closer against her shoulder, "You know, I didn’t think I’d ever get you to loosen up like this. Bowling, cute clothes, laughing until you can’t breathe... You’re full of surprises today, big sister."

Charlotte’s lips curved into a quiet smile "I was... just being myself."

Brandon lifted his head slightly, just enough to meet her gaze "You’re beautiful when you’re just being you, Charlotte."

He squeezed her hand gently with a tender smile playing on his lips.

Her heart fluttered, and she felt a warmth spread through her chest.

She leaned closer, brushing her shoulder against his, and rested her cheek lightly against the top of his head "You make it easy for me to be myself, Kael."

Charlotte’s thumb continued its gentle tracing over his knuckles, and Brandon’s head remained nestled against her shoulder, his breathing slow and steady, as if he could stay there forever.

After a moment, Charlotte shifted slightly, her eyes flicking to the touchscreen console on the wall "Want to play one more round?"

Brandon chuckled, lifting his head to meet her gaze "Alright."

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(A-n: Quite busy with exams and stuff at Uni; thats why Chapter updates are irregular.)