176 The Queen of Heart POV (2/2)

As for how I know how much hours it is, I counted my fingers. I can only use one hand to count because the other hand is holding mister Max's hand.

I like holding his hand because it makes me feel very warm and good inside. I think he feels the same way as well because his fingers curl around mine gently and firmly.

I also notice that he has corrected the time on his watch.

It has the correct time now. It is the same time as the clock hanging on the wall.

”Welcome.”

A beautiful woman greets mister Max and me with a bow. I think she is about the same age as mister Max. She looks Japanese, but I don't think she is Japanese because of her blue eyes. All Japanese have black eyes instead of blue eyes. Her hair isn't black either.

”And to you too, Miss. Yumiko. Seems unusually crowded at this hour. Most people are either at home or going home this time. Ah sorry, I am just thinking about something else. Do you have a table for me and my daughter?”

Mister Max asks, making me look up at him.

Did he just call me his daughter? He isn't my daddy, and the only way that I could be his daughter is if he adopts me. I think that is how it works since mummy had thought about putting my baby sister up to adoption before.

Also, how did mister Max know her name? Maybe he has met her before.

Yumiko is also surprised, but she simply smiles in response before nodding and gesturing us to follow her deep into the restaurant.

And on the way to the table, my hand tightens around mister Max's hand. This is because there are a lot of scary people in the restaurant even if they look like normal people and dress like normal people.

The scariest of all is the old man making Sushi behind the glass counter. He is wielding a huge knife as he slices and dices the fishes and meats. He looks up at me, and I could see a huge scar running down and cross one of his dreadful eyes.

I want to tell mister Max that I am scared, but he shakes his head before I did, seemingly understanding my fear fully.

”Don't worry, Christina. We are guests here, even if all sort of animals come out at this hour.”

Mister Max tells me, causing a few people nearby to look him rather suspiciously. Their eyes are also very scary. Some are even reflective in the dark like cat eyes.

I pay attention to mister Max because I didn't understand what he means by animals.

Maybe he is talking about the cats and dogs making all sort of noise outside. They do make quite a bit of noises at night in the dark.

”I suppose there are cats and dogs here, but don't worry, Christina. Animals are still animals.”

Mister Max chuckles and helps me into my seat, which is just a cushion. He then takes his seat on the opposite side of the table from me before picking up the menu and handing it to me.

I accept the menu and have a look at the front cover, which is filled with pretty pictures. I am sure that there is also a lot of pretty pictures inside the menu as well.

”Don't be shy, Christina. You can have anything you want on the menu. Off the menu too. I think there are a few special items not listed on here, but you shouldn't order them because they probably won't taste very good to you.”

I wonder what mister Max means by a few special items not listed on the menu. Wouldn't it be better if it was listed on the menu because it would allow people to order it?

I don't really understand, but I trust mister Max well he said that I probably won't like those off-menu dishes. There are also many dishes to choose from on the menu.

It takes me a long tie to flip through all the pages and look at all the colorful pictures one by one. A lot of words under the picture in English-Japanese. I think it is called Romaji.

I really want some Unagi rolls because it tastes really good, but it costs a lot of money.

Mister Max has a lot of money, I think.

I look up from my menu to see what he is doing. He is already ordering from the menu, requesting for several Unagi rolls along with many other dishes like tempuras.

It is nice to have a lot of money.

Mister Max pays attention to me once he finishes telling Yumiko what he wants.

”Please don't mind me, Christina. I am just ordering what I think we might both enjoy together. Please remember what I have said before. You don't need to be shy. It is my treat for our date. A date means a special outing together with someone you like.”

Mister Max assures me with a smile, teaching me a new word.

A date means a special outing together with someone you like? With someone I like? Does that mean mister Max also likes me? I hope he does because I like him very much.

I nod slowly in response and decide to order what I want to have for dinner. Since mister Max already ordered a lot of Unagi rolls already as well as all assortments of sushi, I ask for a bowl of noodle soup instead.

Ah. I order two because mister Max might like some noodles as well.

I hope that he does because then we can enjoy together.

Mister Max chuckles again as he closes the menu and rests it on the table. He always seems to be very happy and cheerful unlike my daddy who is always moody and angry at everything, frightening me.

Even so, I still miss him.

But daddy doesn't want me anymore.

”You father does care and love you in his own way, Christina, but I think deep down, you already know that. Right now, he just needs a lot of time to himself, figuring out a few things. Once he does, you will get to see him again. It might not be tomorrow, but it will be one day.”

Mister Max tells me with a smile.

”Oh. Your father did tell me that you have a really good memory. While we wait for our foods, do you want to play a little game? It is not a hard game. And if you win three times, I will give you something special.”

Mister Max takes out a deck of card from his pocket.

The deck of card looks really shiny as if each card is made of metal instead of paper or plastic. He then takes out four cards from the deck, all Queens, and place them all on the table in front of him and me.

They are facing down, but I already know what each card is because I have saw them face up before.

I also notice an octopus pattern on the back of each card. But I don't think it is an octopus since each of the tentacles has eyes and a mouth. I am curious what kind of creature that is.

Mister Max pick up one of the cards, holding up to me and showing me that is a Queen of Heart.

”Can you find the Queen of Heart? Oh, if you want to know what this monster illustrated on the back of the card is, it is a Hydra, one of the legendary beasts. It has incredible regenerative power, allowing it to regrow even its head back, and not only one head at a time.”

Mister Max tells me, and strangely, the entire restaurant becomes eerily silence.

I look around, noticing that everyone is looking at me. No. They are looking at mister Max as he places the card back onto the table facedown before shuffling it amongst the other three cards. It is not that hard to follow since he didn't shuffle very fast.

”Now. Show me where the Queen of Heart is?”

Mister Max asks me, but I don't think he is asking only me.