Have you ever played a game to 100% completion? That's how I feel about my city; every secret spot, every exploit, every event — I know it all... Or rather I did...
The loop is over, so knowing what, when, and how is an advantage I lost. But the where... I know every "where" in the city...
One of my favorite spots is a small park hidden in between several skyscrapers, with a 7/11 that only corporate workers knew about. It's not exclusive, it's just hidden...
The perfect place to call my base of operations back during the Loop.
"I don't think we're supposed to be here..." My little sister worriedly said as we weaved through what looked like a courtyard filled with businessmen.
"It's alright, I go here all the time... It's a great place to just think." I said as I led her around.
We went through a building entrance with a tough looking guard. My little sis hid behind me...
"Oh, you're back! With a girl this time! Hahaha, on a date are we?"
It was around the second year of my loop when I first met this guard... The despair of being in a loop just sank in at that time, and I was wandering around aimlessly... Lost.
When the old man saw me... He thought I needed a quiet place to think, and showed me the secret park.
"Ew!!! I'm his sister!" She exclaimed, jumping out from behind me and bravely reprimanding the guard.
I chuckled and said "I really liked the place you recommended, and wanted to show my sister before it gets popular. Thank you by the way."
"I'm just surprised you knew about the place. While not exactly a secret, aside from everyone working in the area, people tend to be too intimidated to go through the building entrance."
It's probably because of that tough looking face of yours.
"Hehe~ an old friend told me about it, he thought I needed a quiet place to center myself."
Though, you're actually a really warm and kind person...
"Well then, please come in sir! The 7/11 is straight through the hall, to your left."
"Thanks!" I said as we entered. My sister did a little bow.
"You dragged me all the way here for a 7/11? I thought you were going to treat me to something nice!"
"No, I said I was going to take you somewhere nice."
"I hardly think that a 7/11 inside a corporate building would be 'Somewhere Nice.'"
"Give it a chance..."
I pushed through the glass doors. "Good afternoon~" a worker said as we entered.
"So what will you be having?" I asked my sister.
"Hmmm... I'll have a steam bun, some chips, and a can of cola. And some ice cream for later."
"...You're not holding back, huh..."
"Nope! I was expecting a nice restaurant, but I guess this will do for now."
"Ugh..." I sighed as I pulled out my poor wallet.
"Thank you~!"
"Thank you for your patronage!" The clerk said as she handed us our bag and drinks.
"So, where are we gonna eat this? That courtyard outside?"
"No, just follow me." I said as I led the way through the 7/11 aisles, to the back, where a smaller glass door was located.
It was an automatic sliding door, and the natural light blinded us for a second as we passed through. It revealed a small park with picnic tables, benches, and even a tiny gazebo in the center. Adorned with lamps and string lights, though they weren't illuminated, being the afternoon and all.
"Whoa! What is this place!?" She screamed. The two corporate looking workers sitting on the bench eating their sandwiches looked our way.
"Shh! Not so loud! Mind the other people, will you!?" I reprimanded her.
"Oh, sorry." She said as she bowed towards the two people looking in our direction.
"It's a (not so) secret park I found... It's a great place to think. While this building allows anyone inside, both the people who work around here and those who find the place keep it a secret, keeping it peaceful. So—" I said as I reached for her phone and gently pushed it down. "Let's keep it that way, and not post it online, shall we?"
"How stingy~" she pouted.
"Come on, the gazebo's free."
We sat down. I took a sip of my coffee as my sister ruffled around the convenience store bag.
"So... what'd you bring me out here for?" She asked as she readied herself to munch on her steam bun.
"I want you to be my partner," I said as I reached into my pocket.
Shocked, her mouth went wide open, dropping the piece of steam bun she'd been nibbling on.
"Big brother.... So you've become that desperate..."