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After finishing their shopping on the fourth floor, Blake took the receipt. He had planned to wander around a bit longer, but faced with the glimmering, expectant eyes of the gluttonous girl beside him, he gave in and headed down the escalator with Yanami.
"Let's go!" Anna Yanami clenched her right fist, her smile bright and radiant. "Target: the giant snack bundle!"
"It might not be that easy," Blake said, glancing at the people coming out of the mirror maze. Quite a few of them had empty hands. "Even though the snack bundle is just third prize, it doesn't mean everyone can get it."
"Poke—"
Yanami reached out a slender finger and jabbed him lightly in the waist.
"The battle's about to begin, and you're shaking morale? That deserves punishment, Blake."
Blake pretended to turn away. "Then I'll just leave?"
"Sorry, I was wrong, Lord Blake, please forgive me." She grabbed the hem of his shirt in a panic, firing off a rapid triple apology. "Come on, hurry, let's go challenge the maze!"
"…Fine."
They chatted as they made their way to the event area.
"Good afternoon, you two."
A female staff member quickly stood to greet them. After checking their receipt, she handed them a number tag.
"Once you enter the mirror maze, we'll start timing. When you come out, please return the number tag promptly so it doesn't affect your ranking."
Yanami peeked over curiously, her voice light and sweet.
"Um, about how many people have gotten third prize so far?"
She'd already taken a look earlier. The snack bundle really lived up to its name, packed with all kinds of treats. If she rationed them carefully, it could last her until her mom gave her allowance again.
"Right now, about half the participants manage to win a prize," the staff member replied with a steady smile. Then she added gently, "You two are a couple, right? You can enter through the same door, no need to split up. But to claim two prizes, you'll need to collect two treasure cards."
"A c-couple…?"
The little ahoge on Yanami's head twitched, and her cheeks flushed red at a visible speed.
"Hehe… so in other people's eyes, Blake and I look like we're dating?"
"As expected, those sneaky homewreckers can't compare. Childhood friends are the true winners in this world!"
"…"
"Stop grinning like an idiot," Blake said helplessly, watching her cover her face and giggle. "Do you still want the snack bundle or not?"
Yanami snapped back to reality. "The snack bundle, here we come!"
Blake took the number tag and strapped it onto his wrist. Under the staff member's guidance, they arrived at entrance number six of the mirror maze.
"You can push the door and go in now," she said with a smile, holding a black timer. "It doesn't matter which exit you use. Just make sure to return the number tag as soon as you come out so I can stop the timer. Then you can exchange your treasure cards for prizes… Any other questions?"
"No," Blake nodded lightly. "Got it."
At the end of the day, it was just a mall promotion. The rules were simple enough for elementary school kids.
"Yanami," he said, glancing at the girl who was already itching to go, "let's head in."
Yanami clenched her fists. "Barbara, charge!"
"…"
They pushed the door open and stepped inside. Instantly, mirrors of all shapes and sizes filled their vision.
Underfoot, overhead, in front, behind, left, right… the entire world was made of reflections.
Their figures multiplied endlessly, appearing in countless mirrors, creating a dazzling, almost surreal scene.
"Whoa, this is amazing." Yanami's eyes went wide as she looked around, like a clueless little deer wandering into a hidden paradise. "There are so many versions of me and Blake in here."
Blake scanned the area calmly. "It's just using reflection to create complex paths. Shouldn't be too hard, but be careful not to walk into the mirrors."
"With you here, I'm not scared at all," Yanami said brightly, her trust absolute. "When we were kids, you always got through mazes super fast."
"Don't mix up real mazes with board game ones," Blake shot back. "Anyway, let's move forward for now. And keep an eye out for treasure cards. Getting out isn't enough—we need those to claim the prize."
Yanami put on a serious expression. "I'll find the treasure cards!"
Blake stepped forward, and she followed closely behind, eyes wide as she searched left and right.
He had assumed the maze wouldn't be dangerous.
He was wrong.
Thunk.
A dull sound echoed.
"Ow… that hurt…"
Yanami clutched her forehead with both hands, tears welling up as she looked at him.
"Blake, hurry and blow on it…"
Blake sighed and reached out, gently rubbing her head.
"That's the third time you've hit something. You're not doing this on purpose, are you?"
"Of course not!" Yanami sniffled, eyes watery. "There's nothing there, but I still hit a mirror… I can't tell, I really can't tell…"
"Just be careful and pay attention. Stop looking everywhere at once."
"Okay…"
She answered obediently, then turned to slip behind him.
And then—
Thunk.
Another dull collision.
"Ugh…"
Yanami crouched down halfway, eyes brimming with tears as she covered her reddening forehead. "This mirror maze is so mean… my head's going to spin…"
Blake spoke flatly, "I think I know why you keep running into things."
"Huh? Why?"
"Because you've always had zero sense of direction."
For someone who got lost easily, figuring out directions in a mirror maze was basically a nightmare.
"If this keeps up, my head's going to break…" Yanami looked up at him pitifully, like a little deer begging for help. "Blake, can you hold my hand?"
Blake silently extended his right hand. "Give me your hand."
"Thanks, Blake~"
She quickly stood and slipped her soft hand into his palm.
Warmth spread between them. Yanami's cheeks flushed slightly, her gaze drifting, but the smile on her lips was sweet and unmistakably happy.
"Make sure you hold on tight, okay? Don't let go. Otherwise I'll definitely get lost in this maze and never find my way home."
"You're exaggerating," Blake said dryly. "There are definitely cameras in here. If you really want out, just shout and the staff will come get you."
"Hey, that's so unfair." Yanami hurriedly glanced around, lowering her voice. "There are cameras? Then I can't keep teasing you…"
That's right.
Running into mirrors was real.
But wanting an excuse to hold his hand was just as real.
"....."