As the days went by, Mike grew increasingly worried about Lizza’s emotional state. He noticed that whether in class or after school, Lizza’s smile had become fewer and fewer, and the occasional smile that appeared seemed forced. He felt uneasy, sensing that if this continued, something would eventually go wrong. He thought to himself that he had to do something.
One weekend afternoon, Mike finally made up his mind and invited Lizza to take a walk in a nearby park. Under the dappled sunlight filtering through the trees, he mustered his courage and said, “Lizza, I don’t think this is a solution. How about we go out to have fun every holiday? No matter where we go, as long as I can watch over you and make you happy, that’s enough.”
Lizza was taken aback for a moment, then slightly lowered her head, seemingly deep in thought. A wave of warmth surged in her heart, but it was quickly suppressed by unease. She recalled her isolation at school, and her mood instantly sank. “But I… I’m really useless, why would I trouble you?”
Mike frowned and said firmly, “You’re not a trouble. I just want to be there for you. No matter how sad you are, I want you to know that I’m here by your side. If you want to change, it has to start from this moment. I want to help you find happiness, to fill our memories with more laughter instead of tears.”
Lizza was touched by his words, feeling a warmth in her heart. She looked up and met Mike’s concerned eyes, finally revealing a hint of a smile. “Alright, then it’s settled!”
With this decision made, they began planning their upcoming holiday activities. Mike continuously suggested various fun ideas, sometimes going to browse bookstores, wandering among the shelves and admiring the eye-catching covers; sometimes watching movies, especially those with touching love stories; and sometimes just simply taking a walk in the park, enjoying the sunshine and chatting about their dreams and futures.
For their first date, they chose a newly opened cat café. Upon entering the café, they were greeted by colorful cats leisurely weaving between the guests. Mike smiled at Lizza and said, “Look, the cats here are so cute! We can take pictures with them!” Lizza’s mood lightened, and she couldn’t help but laugh, feeling as if she had rediscovered a long-lost joy.
They ordered their favorite drinks; Lizza chose a rich chocolate drink, while Mike opted for a refreshing lemonade. Sipping their drinks and playing with the cats, the atmosphere between them grew increasingly harmonious, and Lizza’s laughter gradually increased. When she held a small cat for a photo, Mike couldn’t help but joke, “You can take such beautiful pictures like this; you really are the girl I’ve set my sights on!”
As these dates became more frequent, Lizza gradually let go of the burdens in her heart. She enjoyed this time with Mike, and their distance from each other subtly closed.
After returning to school, Lizza’s mood began to improve. Although there was still a barrier among her classmates, every time she thought of the wonderful moments spent with Mike, her heart was filled with strength. Each date became a moment she looked forward to, bringing a glimmer of light into her difficult days.
These days passed in happiness and anticipation, with Mike not only becoming Lizza’s supporter but also gradually becoming her emotional anchor. Although Lizza’s smiles were still few, whenever she was with Mike, there was always a long-lost sense of stability in her heart, allowing her emotions to gradually improve.
