discord.gg/q5KWmtQARF

Join my Discord!

---

After bidding Asuna a delightful farewell at the Observation Tower, Orion felt a small jolt of excitement as he remembered his next date. Mikasa. Their shared history meant there was always an underlying electricity between them. Heading towards the Go-Kart tracks, he couldn't help but think about their playful banters and memories they'd shared.

Spotting her from afar, Mikasa's silhouette against the setting sun was as striking as he remembered. Her raven hair flowed effortlessly, giving her an almost ethereal glow. Orion approached, smirking, "Didn't think you'd go for Go-Karts. Expected something more... I don’t know, intense?"

She shot him a teasing smile, "Surprises keep you on your toes, don't they?"

He chuckled, "Well, let’s see if you can keep up with me on the track then."

She smirked, leaning in just a little closer. "You always were a bit overconfident, Orion."

As they stood in line waiting for their turn, the surrounding sounds of laughter and chatter blended with the distant roar of the go-karts.

"You remember our race back when we were kids?" Mikasa murmured, leaning in close enough that Orion could feel her warm breath on his ear.

He grinned, recalling the memory vividly, "The one where you tripped and I waited for you to catch up? How can I forget?"

A playful glare met his eyes. "I didn't trip. You rigged it." She muttered, nudging him with her shoulder.

The line moved forward and the attendant handed them their helmets. Orion held his out for Mikasa to take, but she was already strapping hers on. "Ready to eat my dust?" She quipped.

"Bold words for someone who's about to be left in mine," Orion retorted.

They both got into their respective go-karts, engines rumbling beneath them. The race began with a thrilling jolt. Mikasa took an early lead, her kart zipping around the bends with ease, while Orion trailed just behind, the gap between them minimal.

"Haven't lost your touch, I see," Orion yelled over the roar of engines, admiration evident in his voice.

She cast a swift glance over her shoulder, her eyes filled with mischief. "Did you ever doubt it?"

The chase was thrilling. Mikasa's agile movements contrasted with Orion's strategic overtakes, making it an exhilarating experience for both. They flirted with danger, teasing each other with near collisions and risky shortcuts. Their laughter echoed across the track.

Soon, the finish line was in sight, and it was anyone's race. Mikasa, sensing Orion's impending move, veered left, trying to block him. Orion, however, had other plans. He sped up, using a short ramp to launch himself, and for a brief moment, their karts were side by side in mid-air.

They landed almost simultaneously, their laughter echoing louder than the engines' roar.

"That was cheating!" Mikasa exclaimed, feigning indignation as they pulled over.

The engines' roar faded as they came to a stop, but the buzzing energy between Mikasa and Orion was palpable. The setting sun bathed the track in an amber hue, casting long, playful shadows around them.

Mikasa removed her helmet, shaking out her raven locks. "Alright, Mr. Show-off, what was that about?" She said with a playful twinkle in her eye.

Orion leaned on his kart, smirking. "What? It was a legitimate move. And you know it."

"I think someone's been practicing." Mikasa noted, observing Orion's flushed face. She approached, her steps light, reminding him of their childhood escapades.

"Maybe," Orion admitted, running a hand through his hair. "Or maybe I just didn't want to let you win too easily."

Mikasa's lips curled in amusement. "That sounds like you. Always wanting the upper hand."

Orion took a step closer, gazing down into her eyes. "Well, you always did bring out the best in me."

A laugh bubbled up from Mikasa's throat. "And you, the most competitive side of me."

The two continued to exchange playful jabs as they decided to try one of the more fun go-karting activities – bumper karts. The idea was to gently bump into each other's karts, almost like a dance, moving in synchrony and rhythm.

Mikasa, being the reserved one, usually shied away from such activities, but with Orion, she felt at ease. They selected their bumper karts, and soon they were gliding on the floor, trying to bump into each other.

"You know," Mikasa began, narrowly avoiding Orion's bump, "we should do this more often."

Orion smirked, "Oh? Missing our adventures, are we?"

Her cheeks tinted a slight pink. "Maybe just a little."

They continued their dance, swirling, bumping, and laughing. Their chemistry was undeniable. Every move, every turn, seemed to be in perfect harmony.

Eventually, they took a break, opting to sit at a nearby bench. Orion fetched two soft drinks, handing one to Mikasa. Their fingers brushed briefly, sending a familiar jolt between them.

Mikasa took a sip, her gaze drifting to the horizon. "You remember that time we sneaked out of school to go to that amusement park?" she mused.

Orion's lips twitched in amusement. "Oh, the one where Luna and Aurora nearly got caught?"

Mikasa chuckled. "Yes! And you took the blame."

He shrugged, a playful glint in his eyes. "It's what brothers do."

The sunlight dimmed, casting a softer glow over the go-kart track. The mellow orange of the sunset deepened, painting the sky with strokes of crimson and purple.

Orion leaned back, propping himself up on the bench with one arm. His other hand, holding a cold drink, left condensation drops on the wooden surface. "You know, we've had some wild adventures together," he started, looking at Mikasa, a teasing glint evident in his eyes.

She tilted her head, a smirk playing on her lips. "Oh? Like the time you tried impressing me by jumping off that high dive and belly-flopping into the pool?"

He grimaced at the memory, chuckling, "Ouch, I'd almost forgotten that. But hey, it worked, didn’t it? You did look concerned for me."

Mikasa playfully rolled her eyes, taking a sip from her drink. "Only because I thought you'd flooded the entire park with that splash."

Orion laughed, pointing a finger at her. "You always did have a way with words. Sharp as ever."

Mikasa raised an eyebrow. "That's me. Always keeping you on your toes." She paused, her gaze settling on his, softening slightly. "But speaking of adventures, remember the mountain hike with the class?"

Orion’s eyes widened in mock horror, “When Luna nearly slipped and you grabbed her hand just in time? Or when Aurora got lost and we found her having a picnic with bunnies?"

The laughter lingering from their playful exchange continued to cast a warm aura around them as Orion and Mikasa lingered on the bench, reminiscing about the past with a fondness that only shared memories can evoke.

"I remember your face," Mikasa began, leaning slightly towards Orion, a gentle glimmer of mirth dancing in her eyes. "You were so determined to find Aurora, searching every nook and cranny... and there she was, peacefully sharing her sandwich with a family of bunnies."

A chuckle rumbled deep within Orion’s chest as the memory vividly flashed before his eyes. "I was ready to comb through the entire mountain," he confessed, his gaze catching hers with a flirty gleam. "But I wouldn't have had it any other way. Those misadventures shaped us, didn't they?"

Mikasa nodded, her eyes reflecting the glow of the dwindling sunlight. "They sure did."

As they comfortably settled into a cozy silence, Mikasa's eyes wandered towards the horizon, where the sun continued its descent, casting a spellbinding array of colors across the sky. Orion, sensing the shift in her demeanor, playfully nudged her.

"Lost in thoughts, are we?" he teased, his eyes softening as they lingered on her profile, admiring the way the dying light gently caressed her features.

A playful smirk quirked at the corners of Mikasa's mouth, "Maybe. You always had a knack for making my mind wander, after all."

Orion’s heart fluttered, the warmth in her words coiling a sweet sensation around it. Leaning in slightly, he whispered, "Wandering towards anything exciting?"

Her eyes met his, a gentle spark igniting in their depths. "Memories, possibilities, the unknown future that lays ahead," she mused, her voice barely above a whisper.

Orion leaned back, a carefree grin etching across his face. "The unknown can be quite an adventure, don't you think?"

Mikasa's gaze lingered on his, a silent acknowledgment of the unspoken words between them. “It can.”