The J City hasn't seen much rain recently, nor much wind.
The scorching sun made the air feel stuffy, and the cicadas were more noisy than usual.
When Jasiah arrived with Lailah and Noe to pick up Dakota, she had just returned from somewhere outside carrying the birthday gift she had prepared for Curtis.
"Wow." Noe poked his head out from the passenger seat, "What's in that big box?"
Dakota ignored him.
She stood proudly by the passenger door, "Move aside, I'm sitting here with the box."
"Alright, alright."
Noe opened the passenger door, "I mean, can't you just put that thing in the trunk? Why do you have to squeeze in with it?"
"What do you know?" Jasiah snorted. "If this gift for Curtis gets messed up in the trunk, are you gonna take responsibility?"
"A gift?" Noe was shocked.
His eyes widened like saucers. "Oh my God, Dakota actually gave me some credit! She really got Curtis a gift!"
Dakota: "..."
She looked at him disdainfully, "What are you thinking? You think you've got pride? Your ego isn't even as big as your head."
As his words hung in the air.
Dakota carefully hugged the box in her hands, got into the car, fastened her seatbelt, and placed it on her lap.
Noe grumbled under his breath, "Look at her, she's still denying it! Clearly, she's giving me face after listening to me. Otherwise, given how they fight, how could Dakota possibly prepare a gift for Curtis on her own?"
Lailah didn't comment.
But Jasiah looked at the box in Dakota's hands with interest, suddenly feeling that his love-struck friend might not be entirely hopeless.
The drive to N City was nearly three hours.
Halfway there, the birthday boy also posted a photo of the steering wheel from inside his car, indicating he was getting ready to leave.
Dakota always gets sleepy once she gets in the car.
She was just about to lean her head and sleep until they reached the sea, but unexpectedly, her phone vibrated.
"Buzz—"
Dakota supported the box with her left hand and fished out her phone with her right hand, then saw the message from Curtis.
【谢狗】：1
【谢狗】：Where are you?
【谢狗】：Share your location.
Curtis initiated the location sharing on the phone first, and Dakota clicked on the entry above the chat window.
She then saw an orange dot on the same highway, with Curtis's profile picture showing the reflection of a post-rain city skyline, gradually approaching.
Dakota put her phone on top of the box, tapping on the lid to send a message, "Playing with your phone while driving?"
Curtis placed his phone where he could see it.
He casually steered the wheel, using Bluetooth voice input with a lazy smirk, "I want to see you."
He recently enjoyed this feeling of gradually getting closer.
After all, Dakota had just returned from D City.
He had been daydreaming about her and couldn't see her, suffering from her on-and-off presence, and Curtis now wished he could keep her by his side.
But Dakota secretly rolled her eyes.
She sent a string of ellipses.
Curtis glanced at his phone screen and saw two new messages pop up.
【 Tease 】：……
【 Tease 】： If a car comes and crashes into you, I wouldn't mind your birthday turning into your memorial day, and I'll place the gift on your grave myself.
Curtis didn't pay attention to the memorial or grave talk.
He was relaxed, but his gaze fixed on two words on the screen. At a congested section, he hit the brakes, took his phone down, and typed nonchalantly.
—Did you prepare a birthday gift for me?
—"You're dreaming."
—"How could there be a birthday gift?"
—"No."
Dakota denied it quickly.
But right then, Noe sneakily took a photo from the backseat and sent it to Curtis.
"Curtis! Look! This year, Dakota actually prepared a birthday gift for you out of the blue!"
A beautifully wrapped box.
Tied with a pink bow.
This decoration wasn't Curtis's style, making it seem more like Dakota had prepared it herself, though it was unclear what sentiment lay within.
Curtis curled his lips into a light laugh.
He didn't expose Dakota's denial, "Alright, I'll wait for you. I've prepared a gift for you."
【 Tease 】：?
Dakota looked at the message on the screen, clearly stunned, and brought her phone closer in disbelief.
【 Tease 】：Really?
He prepared a gift for her?
It was his birthday, what gift did he prepare for her?
But Dakota felt a softness in her heart.
She had always loved these little surprises since childhood. They didn't have to be expensive. As long as they were surprises, they could easily make her happy.
Dakota curved her lips.
She put her phone away without replying, not wanting Curtis to be distracted while driving, but she secretly looked forward to the gift he had prepared.
It better not be a lie!
Otherwise, she would definitely be angry if the surprise turned out to be a disappointment!
Fortunately, Curtis had indeed prepared a gift for Dakota.
He didn't care whether it was his own birthday. He was just thinking of it as a beach vacation with his wife and three third wheels.
Recalling the item she had lingered on a few days ago, and finding it suitable today, Curtis arranged for it to be delivered to Aranya.
It should be on its way now.
For the latter part of the journey, Dakota fell asleep. After playing with her phone for five minutes, she felt a bit carsick.
To avoid throwing up in Jasiah's car and ruining her appetite for tonight's camping barbecue, she decided to put her phone away and get some rest.
When she woke up, they had already arrived at N City.
It was sunset time.
As Dakota got out of the car holding the box, she looked up and saw the romantic orange sky, with the sunset blending into the sea in a scene reminiscent of a pastel blue oil painting.
"Wow, we came at just the right time," Lailah also got out of the car, "The sunset is so beautiful."
Noe took out his phone to snap a few photos.
He proudly puffed out his chest, "Look, the sunset knows to give me some face, coming out to celebrate Curtis's birthday."
"That's also being considerate of Curtis."
Jasiah went around to the trunk to grab some stuff, "What does it have to do with you? Come help!"
"Alright!" Noe went to help set up the barbecue grill.
Lailah and Dakota each carried their luggage, two small suitcases, while Noe and Jasiah's belongings were in backpacks, which they took out first.
"Find a suitable spot first, I'll take the suitcases to the hotel front desk with Dakota and come back to help."
"Alright," Jasiah nodded.
So Lailah and Dakota went to the hotel that Noe had booked ahead of time. Dakota was holding the box and had no free hands, so she asked Lailah to carry the suitcase for her first.
But Noe suddenly stuck his head out.
He couldn't help but wonder, "Dakota, why are you taking that box away? Isn't that the birthday gift for Curtis? Why not leave it here to give it with everyone later?"
