FORTY-NINE
"There's an aquarium nearby that we'd like to go to, if you want, Elfnein," Maria says as they step out of the café.
Elfnein perks up at that, nodding eagerly.
Knowing that Maria wanted them to take the car to the aquarium, which is a couple blocks away, Tsubasa begins to guide them to where they parked the car. However, as they wait at a crosswalk, a double-decker bus passes by in front of them—it gives her an idea.
"Have you ever ridden a double-decker bus, Elfnein?" she asks, nodding her head at the one that has stopped for its passengers.
Twitching slightly upon being addressed, Elfnein takes a moment to respond, "No…." Her gaze is focused on the bus, which has resumed its course away from them. "I… I would like to," she says, glancing up at Tsubasa briefly, "if—if it's okay…."
Smiling, Maria looks at Tsubasa in approval. "Of course it's okay, darling," she reassures the child, taking her hand once again while they cross the street. Once they reach the opposite side, Maria pulls out her phone.
"Let's see… we can take bus route 49, east, from here to just past the aquarium."
And so they wait at the nearest bus stop for a few minutes; when the next bus arrives, she notes with relief that there are few people on the upper level.
Maria pays for all of them, letting Tsubasa and Elfnein go ahead to choose seats.
It surprises Tsubasa that Elfnein goes directly to the railing. "You are not afraid of heights?" she asks, taking a seat on the bench.
"No," Elfnein shakes her head, entranced by the view afforded by their standpoint, "I like it…. I've been on hot air balloons before. I really like how small everything looks from way up high."
Distracted, Tsubasa notes, Elfnein appears to let her words flow more freely.
Maria joins them; they sit in silence for the most part, letting Elfnein look around to her heart's content—though Maria keeps a firm grip on Tsubasa's hand.
"Are you scared she'll fall?" she murmurs.
"Just a bit," Maria admits, and Tsubasa laughs lowly.
That makes Elfnein glance back at them, a small smile on her face. Maria squeezes Tsubasa's hand a little more.
a/n: Better late than never, and it's still 12/16 here for another hour :P
Please review!