Viktor and Sayana came upon an escalator since they had to take on to go to the bookshop on the first floor.
However, just as Sayana got on, she realized that Dorian wasn't beside her and turned back to see him hesitating to step on the escalator.
"Dorian, it's fine. You just have to step on one of the 'steps,' and it will do the rest of the work," Sayana knew that Dorian wasn't used to escalators, and so she continued to step down on the running escalator to help him get on.
"Wow, you are walking backward," Viktor said with an awed expression as he pointed at Sayana's feet, continuously 'walking' against the running escalator.
Sayana let out a slight chuckle and extended her hand, "Here, take my hand. I will help you get on."
Viktor showed a hesitant expression before slowly extending his hand to catch hers.
Just as his hand caught on to hers, Sayana pulled him with all her strength, making him step on the escalator, but he lost his balance and was about to fall on a startled Sayana.
Sayana felt her heart jump out, thinking that she was going to hit her head on the escalator and shut her eyes in a panic since she even lost her grip on the handrail.
But suddenly, an arm enveloped her waist and twisted her around before she felt herself being embraced, feeling the warmth from that person.
She slightly opened her eyes in surprise to see that her body was pressed against Dorian, who looked quite shocked, but somehow he managed to grab the handrail and maintain his footing instead of falling.
She couldn't understand how he managed to do all these, including twisting her around in such a short span of time.
But all those thoughts went out the window when she realized that her face was quite close to his, and she could even hear him breathing.
Still, seeing his dark brown eyes up close, she felt that they were quite entrancing as if she could get lost in his eyes.
Viktor felt a pair of soft dumplings pressing onto his chest and couldn't help but wonder if she inherited her mother's genes at those places as well.
Sayana's thoughts somehow pulled themselves together when she realized how embarrassing it was to have her face so close to his and think of unnecessary thoughts.
She also felt bad that she was making Dorian uncomfortable by leaning on him and not allowing him to raise his body.
So she quickly caught on to the handrail and pulled herself up, "I am sorry! I...didn't mean to…" However, her heart was racing like never before, making her wonder if it was because of the panic from almost falling or if it was because of something else.
Viktor grunted as he pulled himself up and said with an unfazed smile, "It's fine. I should be the one apologizing since I almost made you fall. Sorry."
Sayana shook her hand, "No, don't be. I understand that you are not used to getting on to this. Oh, look out! We are almost on the first floor," Sayana said as she pointed ahead.
Viktor saw that the escalator had reached the first floor and made an exaggerated jump to exit the escalator, making Sayana amusedly smile.
"By the way, thanks for catching me otherwise…" Sayana said with a soft inner glow in her eyes. Thinking about that moment again, Sayana felt like her heart was galloping again.
Viktor only shyly nodded as the two entered the bookstore.
The two had a good time going through the various books on computers and even exchanging knowledge, as the two got increasingly surprised at each other's knowledge.
Just because Viktor wasn't used to modern tech didn't mean that he had no knowledge about the history of various things. In fact, if there was one thing he was knowledgeable at, it would be history.
Sayana felt glad that she took her backpack since the number of books and notebooks she and Dorian had to buy was more than what they could carry in their hands.
The two decided to stop shopping for books since they had already decided to buy too many, but Sayana still had fun discussing computers with Dorian. She felt that going shopping with Dorian again would be fun.
After paying for the books and putting them in her backpack, Sayana tried to lift it but grimaced when she realized that it was heavier than she expected. She felt that it should at least weigh 10 kg.
But she somehow put on one of the straps, and even Viktor was surprised she was able to lift such a heavy bag.
Viktor saw her struggling and offered with a smile, "Let me carry it for you."
"No, it's fine," Sayana shook her head, but she saw that Dorian was strangely insistent as he removed the straps from her shoulder and placed the bag on the floor.
"Ngh!" He then let out a grunt as he lifted the backpack with both his hands and somehow put the straps over his shoulders.
Sayana had her hand on her mouth, seeing how he managed to lift such a heavy bag, and felt bad for making him do it and said, "Dorian, you don't have to. Isn't it too heavy? How about we both hold the straps? You don't really have to carry it on your own. It could hurt your back."
"It's better than letting your back hurt," Viktor said with a pure smile.
Sayana felt a tingling sensation in her chest hearing his words and could only dip her head down, not knowing what to say.
"Come on, let's go."
Sayana shyly nodded and looked at him apologetically from behind as she followed him outside.
But just as they got outside, they saw five youngsters, three girls and two boys approaching in their direction.
"Hello Saya darling, do you still remember us?" Pinkie said with a sardonic wink.