"His right leg is going to cramp again. I absolutely guarantee it."

-Hugo to Julia-

Julia couldn't help but frown. The green-eyed Galbadian solider failed to approach her. Again. She wondered if he ever would.

She remembered the first time she laid eyes on him. He was drinking and arguing with his dark-skinned friend. Before she captivated Laguna, she had glimpsed him earlier and was captivated.

He had lovely and expressive eyes, and Julia wanted to convey the feelings he inspired inher.

The bartender, sensed that she too was lovestruck, told her his name. "I heard his name is Laguna Loire. Fascinating name, isn't it Julia?"

"Indeed" She agreed. "Laguna… like a lagoon." From that time, she kept his name close to her heart and looked forward to seeing him.

Laguna became a frequent visitor of The Galbadia Hotel. Sometimes he visited with his friends and sometimes, he was alone. Laguna always sat and stole glances by the corner of the lounge room, hoping that Julia would look at him. Julia, on the other hand, sat by her piano and wondered if he noticed she was stealing glances from him as well.

Eventually, Hugo caught the two lovestruck lovebirds exchanging glances with another. He couldn't help but sit close with Julia after her show and put an arm around her shoulders. "Ah, young love at its finest!" he exclaimed. "A dashing soldier crippled by a bad case of leg cramps, and the young pianist waiting like a sitting duck. How will their story unfold, I wonder?"

"Hugo!" Startled, Julia looked up to him. So he had noticed!

"Oh love, sitting pretty won't help you at all." he gently stroked his chin."Why don't you get some inspiration from General Caraway? Remember how he asked me for a private meeting with you?"

Appalled, Julia's eyes widened with amazement. "I just can't go up to him and ask him out."

He chuckled. "Why are you stuck up with gender inequalities? A woman can ask a man out too. She just needs to do it…creatively." He grinned at her. "And besides, are you such a devil to witness the pitiful sight of his face, full of pain and agony, during a leg cramp? You're not that cold-hearted, are you?"

Julia looked into his eyes, and he observed the emotions that played across her face. She bit her lip and looked away, hesitating.

"Go and get him, woman."

Carefully, she removed his arms around her shoulders. She looked across Laguna's table and drew a deep breath. "Wish me luck."

Mother of Marlboros, his right leg screwed him again.

"You have bad luck with women, Laguna." Ward told him. "I can't count the number of times your legs cramped already."

"I can't count the number of times how pitiful you look." Kiros added, pouring salt over the wound.

Laguna balled his fist and pounded it on the table. He was so close- This close to approaching her!

Frustrated, he had no idea how to handle this ailment anymore. Months had passed as he tried to talk and approach her. Each encounter ended with embarrassment and pain.

If I could just have a nice chit-chat with her before I'm deployed, it'd would really be great.

But lady luck was fortunate for the green-eyed hero. Kiros and Ward noticed a young woman make her way to their table. Laguna was too pre-occupied to bother why the two were giggling like idiots.

"Excuse me, may I sit with you?"

That voice. It can't be. His head snapped to stare into the face that melted his brain and heart. "J-J-J-J-ulia!" he stammered. She was right in front of him! What do I do? What do I say?

"Actually we were about to leave, Ms. Julia." Kiros stood up. He elbowed Ward to follow suit.

"Yeah! Uh, Kiros and I wanted to go… stargazing!" Ward lamely added.

Laguna's brow arched. Stargazing!? How could there be stars when it was so cloudy!

"Is that so?" Julia asked, "I love stargazing too! I hope both of you will enjoy. " She waved the two Galbadian soldiers goodbye, as Laguna incredulously stared at them.

"You can do it." They mouthed and giggled once more.

Lubdub. Lubdub. Lubdub.

Laguna's heart pounded as if a Tonberry struck him with the knife of death.

Is this a dream? Man, I don't need a Phoenix Down if it is!

"Relax, I won't eat you. She assured him, sensing his distress.

Your presence devours me. "Ah, uh…" he stammered. " I know. It's just that, I can't help myself. Have you ever been in a situation and you felt that you were dreaming?"

"But this isn't a dream, Laguna. We're talking" she shyly smiled at him. "And I'm glad that you're not having your leg cramps right now."

She actually noticed what was going on with him? Laguna had never been more embarrassed in his life, but it was short-lived as he realized that she knew his name. Julia Heartilly knew his name!

He flushed scarlet. "Y-y-y-y-yes! I'm actually talking with you!"

His scarlet face concerned her and she frowned. "Are you having another attack?"

Laguna shook his head. "No! Of course not Julia."

Pleased, she leaned closer and murmured to his ears. "Say… it's pretty loud here. And I don't like the idea of people eavesdropping. I have a private room upstairs. Can we meet there?"

The Tonberry had delivered its killer blow. Definitely no Phoenix Down needed for this dream!

"I-i-in your room?" He stammered, not quite believing what he heard.

"Unless you want all these people listening to us." Her eyes darted to the people who surrounded them, and blast it, even Kiros and Ward didn't leave for stargazing. They were peeping around the corner!

Still unreponsive, Julia asked another question. "You don't want to?" She looked at him sadly. "I've been wanting to talk to you."

He vigorously nodded to her request, and Julia smiled. "Just ask the lobby for my room number. See you later, Laguna." Julia stood up and left.

Alone, Laguna slapped his cheek. Maybe this is a dream, he told himself. Maybe I should use this Phoenix Down and realize I just passed out from a battle.

Laguna went to the nearest men's comfort room and locked himself. He then took a piece of Phoenix Down from his pouch and used it. One. Two. Three. He opened his eyes. I'm still awake and this is not a dream. Julia Heartilly just asked me out.

He splashed water on his face and looked at himself in the mirror. Kiros and Ward should never know she was the one who asked me out.

Author's note:

The inspiration for this chapter title came from 2015 Miss Universe, Pia Wurtzbach's response to Square Enix's invitation.

Oh boy. 5 chapters, and chapter 6 isn't even finished yet.

But i'll continue to write and do my best!

I also have plans of adding illustrations to this fic, which will be posted in my blog . (haven't drawn the scenes ywt though!)

But it's nice to have a hobby/side project asides from work.