Chapter 13: Midnight Stroll

                                    

                                          
Viktor's POV
I hung up and reached for Yuuri's hand. He had heard our whole conversation.
                          
"It's time to flee ! The jackals are after us."
                          
I put a pair of tinted sunglasses on Yuuri's face and handed him my coat. There. He was almost unrecognizable.
                          
This was not the date I had envisioned for us.
                          
"I can't see," he complained sheepishly.
                          
"Then you'll have to hold on to my hand." 
                          
We took off into the night.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
                          
Yuuri's POV
                          
The rain was pouring when we left the restaurant through the employee's exit. A bright pink and green ombré taxi was awaiting us. That wasn't very discreet but it was still a taxi.
                          
Viktor let go of my hand for a brief moment, only to open the door for me. He rushed in to sit in the back next to me right after.
                          
"どこに？ " the driver asked us.
                          
Viktor showed him a location in his phone. I couldn't see what it was.
                          
"Hai !" the driver exclaimed. The taxi rumbled to life. 
                          
Something caught my eye. Next to my feet was a yellow tote bag. 
                          
"What's this ?" I asked Viktor.
                          
"Our new identities," he grinned and opened the bag. I took of the sunglasses that left me pretty much blind in the night. Viktor handed me a black baseball cap and a black mask. Now I would like either an undercover idol or a sick college athlete. Great. At least my face wouldn't be all over the news.
                          
Viktor tied his hair back in a low ponytail and put on some thick black rimmed glasses. He would look nerdy if it wasn't for his dreamy body. I blushed at the thought of sexy librarian Viktor. 
                          
"What are you thinking about that-" Viktor crashed into me and stopped talking as the car took an abrupt left turn. He bumped his mouth right on my cheek, almost like he was giving me a peck. His arms landed on both side of my face. Trapped between his powerful muscles, I felt like a blob of Jello. "Sorry !" he pulled himself off me and winced.
                          
I took a peek outside and realized the restaurant was indeed surrounded. At least the front entrance was. I don't think anyone noticed us. 
                          
Running away from the press was both thrilling and frightening. Viktor smiled at me and entwined his fingers with mine. 
                          
"Don't worry, we're safe." Viktor's Russian accent was stronger than at the beginning of our date. 
                          
"Where are we headed ?" I whispered in his ear.
                          
"Togoshi Ginza Shotengai, I am craving some croquettes !"
                          
I had heard of this place online. It was a very long street —more than one kilometre— white hundred of shops filled with delicious foods.
                          
After twenty minutes or so, the taxi came to a halt. We had arrived to our destination. Viktor paid with a card and we got out of the taxi, leaving the tote bag behind. 
                          
The street was packed with people, mostly locals, walking around and enjoying the shops. I wasn't underdressed anymore, I was simply blending in with the crowd. I noticed a lady holding some kind stuffed bread shaped like a fish. It smelled heavenly. I felt my stomach grumble. Viktor was probably just as hungry after eating only a single asparagus.
                          
I smiled and took Viktor's hand, guiding him towards an Okonomiyaki shop. I ordered to fish shaped pastries with a red bean filling. Viktor took his card to pay. 
                          
The lady at the counter shook her head and pointed towards a sign with a dollar bill. It was cash only. 
                          
"I will get this !" I took out my wallet and handed her some money, then Viktor and me left with our pastries. I lowered my mask to eat while walking. I took a bite before heading towards a bench with Viktor. 
                          
"I should have real cash money with me," Viktor sighed. 
                          
"It's no big deal, I can afford some street food ! It may not be French but I hope you will like it !"
                          
Viktor smiled and took his first bite. His eyes widened and he flared his nostrils. He was too stunned to say anything.
                          
"This is... wow." Viktor murmured. He took another bite. Then one more.
                          
"Slow down !" I warned him playfully.
                          
We enjoyed our food in silence. Until my phone buzzed. It was a text from Phichit, with a picture of Viktor's face over mine in taxi, but you could only see the back of my head. There was also a message: Is that you ?