716-720

*Chapter 716: Facial Recognition*

As Anson thought about heading to the cinema to spend time with a group of strangers, sharing a moment of movie memories, his mood lightly lifted.

He felt a little excited.

It was even more exhilarating than the cheers and screams from the flash mob event; or perhaps it was just a different kind of experience, one that revealed new possibilities in life.

Anson didn’t stay exposed in the center of the square for long. He moved to the side, found a bench, sat down discreetly, and quietly waited for Lucas to return with the tickets.

Shortly after sitting down, a figure appeared diagonally ahead, casting a curious glance his way.

Anson's heart tightened slightly, silently thinking, This isn’t good.

If he were recognized here, the movie plans might fall through.

But Anson couldn’t understand why. He wasn’t doing anything special, just quietly sitting aside. How could he be recognized?

Hadn’t they only seen the back of his head or a side profile? Could someone recognize him from that alone? AI facial recognition technology isn’t that advanced, right?

That would be impossible.

It didn’t make sense.

Maybe he was overthinking it, and there was a more reasonable explanation: The person was looking for a friend they were supposed to meet here, but hadn’t spotted them yet, and Anson wasn’t recognized at all.

Anson calmed himself a little and, just like at the airport earlier, maintained a composed and dignified demeanor. If he stayed calm enough, he could bluff his way out of this.

So, Anson didn’t avoid the gaze either. Like an average person sensing someone’s stare, he naturally looked up.

"Anson!"

A surprised exclamation.

Anson: ??? Seriously?!

But the next second, Anson saw the figure in front of him and couldn’t help showing a hint of surprise.

"Jack?"

Jack Forrest—the New York teenager who had fled with his mother from domestic violence—had appeared here.

But shouldn’t Jack be in Portland? What was he doing in San Francisco?

Had Jack’s father found them, or had they encountered some other trouble that forced them to leave Portland?

A flood of thoughts rushed through Anson's mind, leaving him unsure what to make of it. All that remained was a mix of surprise and joy.

Not only Anson, but Jack was also full of joy, his smile unconcealed. He even bounced in place a couple of times and gave Anson a solid hug.

Anson’s first instinct was to dodge—

A reflex formed from recent events, as his body had grown unaccustomed to the constant waves of enthusiasm. He instinctively tried to create distance.

However, Jack, full of warmth, didn’t mind at all. He took another step forward and embraced Anson with precision, laughter bubbling from his chest.

"Congratulations!"

"Congrats on the huge success of your latest project. You’re a big actor now."

Anson’s mood lifted as well. The tension and anxiety slowly melted away in the warmth of the hug, and before he knew it, a smile crept onto his face. His previously stiff shoulders relaxed, and outside of Lucas, he found himself again displaying his usual charm.

Anson deliberately put on a stern face, "So that’s the reason you came over to say hi?"

Jack froze, waving his hands repeatedly, "No, no, that’s not it! I just saw you and got too excited. I... I didn’t expect this at all... Sorry..."

He was flustered and tongue-tied.

Now it was Anson who felt a bit at a loss. Seeing Jack’s cheeks flush as if he were about to cry, Anson felt guilty. He shouldn’t have teased the kid, especially knowing what he had been through.

"Jack, Jack!"

"Sorry, I shouldn’t have joked around. I didn’t mean to criticize you."

Anson called out to Jack a few times, his clear eyes meeting Jack’s gaze, helping calm him down, though Jack still looked a bit uncertain.

Anson gave a reassuring smile.

"I mean it. Honestly, I’m really happy to run into an old friend here."

Jack blinked in surprise, "Friend?"

Anson chuckled, this time without any teasing. "Of course, we’re friends. At least that’s how I see it. I hope you see me as a friend too, not just some actor you see on the big screen."

"Heh heh." Jack regained his smile, scratching his head, "That’s kinda hard. I just finished watching your movie. The version of you on the big screen is so convincing, I can’t see you as a regular person right now."

His honesty was simple but showed closeness.

Anson relaxed as well. "That just means I did a good job."

Jack nodded vigorously. "It wasn’t until now that I really realized you’re an actor. Even though I saw you last time in Portland, the big screen is different."

Anson raised an eyebrow slightly, "Oh, I thought you’d already seen Spider-Man."

Jack nodded. "I did." He said it with no hesitation. "But that was just an idol movie, wasn’t it?"

So direct, yet so sincere—

As people grow up, they become less fond of hearing the truth because truth often hurts. Then life gets wrapped in layers of lies until the real truth is no longer reachable, leaving people stuck in an empty space in between.

That’s why truth is good—it reminds people that gravity still exists.

Anson felt like he’d been hit head-on, leaving him momentarily unsure how to respond. After being surrounded by the dazzling, colorful world of fame for so long, suddenly being confronted with reality made him feel grounded again. This was exactly why he wanted to visit the cinema.

So.

"I can’t deny it." Anson admitted with a candid expression, spreading his hands.

Jack, looking a bit embarrassed, scratched his head again, his mouth twitching as if unsure what to say next.

Anson continued, "But that’s fine because the paycheck went through. They paid me well for my work, and honestly, I like jobs that make things simple."

"Hey, why should we resist that?"

Anson’s straightforwardness made Jack pause. He tilted his head and studied Anson until he was sure there was no joke or forced sentiment behind his words. Then he opened his mouth in surprise. "I didn’t know you could see it that way. In that case, maybe starring in a bad movie isn’t that bad after all."

Anson shrugged lightly, "As long as the paycheck has enough zeros. Whether money can buy love is up for debate, but it can definitely buy a project."

"Haha." Jack couldn’t help but laugh. "You’re one of a kind. Haha."

His laugh was pure and genuine.

And it brought a smile to Anson’s face as well.

He missed moments like these—chatting freely with friends, without a care in the world. Sure, Jack might just be a high schooler, seen by others as just a kid, but to Anson, he was a friend.

Then.

Anson suddenly remembered an important question—he had almost forgotten in the excitement. "Why are you in San Francisco? Did something happen? Is your mom okay?"

*Chapter 717: Youthful Thoughts*

Anson didn’t hide his concern, firing off question after question, trying to find any clue from Jack’s expression to answer his doubts.

This time, Jack seemed briefly stunned, not quite understanding Anson’s worry. After a moment of hesitation, he responded, waving his hands with a big smile, “No, no, everything’s fine. I’m okay.”

“Well, not totally fine. During Christmas, my mom’s old habit kicked in again. She felt soft-hearted, said holidays are the loneliest, and she couldn’t resist calling that man. God!”

“But that man was too drunk to even answer the phone. Otherwise, who knows what would’ve happened. Thankfully, Mom was worried I’d find out, so she snuck out to use a payphone. If I hadn’t noticed her shoes were all covered in snow, I wouldn’t have even known she went out. But at least this way, that man couldn’t call back.”

Halfway through, Jack took a deep breath.

Even though his words were simple, you could sense the turbulent emotions behind them. Clearly, things weren’t that simple. Even though they had escaped New York, the shadow of violence still loomed over them, always threatening to upend their lives.

Jack’s young, fragile shoulders were almost at their breaking point.

But.

Before Anson could speak, Jack smiled again and waved his hand. “Don’t worry, everything’s fine now. No need to stress.”

Then, he changed the subject.

“I came to San Francisco because my class is on a holiday trip. We’re all here for three days and two nights. I’ve always wanted to see the outside world, so I worked part-time to save up the money and signed up.”

“This is my first class trip.”

As he spoke, joy began to radiate from his face. At that moment, Jack’s youth and innocence were evident, the way a high schooler should be.

Yet, beneath his words, you could still detect the strength and courage of a boy taking charge of his life.

Anson tilted his chin slightly, a trace of doubt in his eyes. “So, why are you guys out here so late at night?”

“To see a movie,” Jack answered without hesitation, the words spilling out.

After a pause, Jack looked embarrassed. “We were planning to see a midnight show, because we heard the midnight shows here…”

He mumbled something but couldn’t bring himself to finish.

Midnight shows are a world of their own. Some theaters, to attract audiences, get creative, turning them into playgrounds for niche movie fans with themes like horror, sci-fi, gore, and more, all shining in the cover of night.

But what really made them famous was their original and most straightforward meaning:

Restrictions.

In other words, movies that minors aren’t allowed to watch.

Back in the 80s, midnight shows were all the rage. Underage viewers would sneak into theaters during the ticket-seller's sleepy moments, eager to peek into the adult world, making it a thrill-seeking adventure.

Sadly, after the 2000s, chain theaters became more dominant, squeezing independent theaters out of business. Operating midnight shows became too expensive. Add to that the rise of VHS rentals and internet downloads, and the tradition of midnight shows slowly faded into history.

In small cities like Portland, unless there’s a summer blockbuster premiere, midnight shows have become rare. After 10 p.m., the city falls asleep under the night sky. What little nightlife there is exists in bars, and theaters are no longer the go-to place for young people.

However, in a big city like San Francisco, where nightlife thrives, some theaters still keep the tradition alive.

Seeing Jack’s slightly awkward and shy expression, Anson didn’t need any more explanation.

Anson tilted his chin again. “An adventure?”

Jack grabbed onto the lifeline, nodding repeatedly. “Yes, an adventure.”

“Haha,” Anson couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “So, you already saw one movie, and now you’re waiting for the midnight show? What’s playing tonight?”

Jack mumbled something under his breath, not loud enough to be heard.

Seeing Jack like this was rare. It was clear: he was still just a kid.

A smile tugged at Anson’s lips, but he held it back, not wanting to embarrass Jack further. Instead, he sincerely offered, “Do you need me to help buy tickets?”

For midnight shows, most films have strict age ratings, making it hard for minors to purchase tickets—

Which is why it’s an adventure.

First, you have to figure out how to get in.

Second, even if you manage to sit inside, there’s a chance someone will patrol during the movie, grabbing underage viewers by the collar and throwing them out, so you can’t let your guard down.

Naturally, being able to watch a midnight show and stick it out till the end instantly boosts your status among friends.

Jack jerked his head up, almost about to nod, but stopped himself just in time. “No, better not.”

As if suddenly remembering something, his cheeks flushed, and his ears turned bright red.

That look, clear as day, said it all.

Anson did his best to suppress his smile, trying not to expose the teenager’s little secret—

Even though he still looked like a college student on the outside, Anson’s soul was already mature enough to know that giving teenagers some space was the right thing to do.

So.

Anson spread his hands. “Whatever the case, I hope your adventure goes well.”

Just then.

There was a noise behind them. Anson looked back and stood up from the bench to check:

Lucas had returned, carrying a bunch of stuff.

Without turning around, Anson said to Jack, “Oh, my brother’s here. Hold on, I’ll introduce you guys.”

“Hey, Lucas, need any help?”

Popcorn. Soda. And two bags of chips.

Clearly, Lucas hadn’t forgotten Anson’s favorite, using chips to bribe him like a kid.

But it worked. A smile crept back onto Anson’s face. “Lucas, I swear I won’t tell Mom.”

Lucas rolled his eyes at Anson and stayed silent.

Anson picked up a bag of chips, ready to tear it open, while Lucas, seeing his hands full and realizing the “young master” in front of him had no intention of helping, sighed in resignation.

Anson didn’t forget Jack. “Lucas, this is Jack, a friend I made while filming Catch Me If You Can in New York—”

Suddenly, everything clicked into place.

Back then, Anson had met Jack while filming Catch Me If You Can in New York, and now Jack was here at the theater to watch Catch Me If You Can, forming a perfect circle.

Lucas looked at Anson, puzzled. “Where’s your friend?”

Anson: ?

His smile froze as he turned around to look behind him. There was no one. Jack was gone.

Anson glanced over to the other side of the bench. It was empty, no sign of anyone.

What’s going on?

Anson was just as confused. “Did his friends call him away? Or…”

Maybe he’s shy. Doesn’t want to make new friends.

It reminded him of last time on the Elephant set, when Jack didn’t want to socialize with the crew.

The words were on the tip of his tongue but swallowed back. After scanning the area again and confirming there was no sign of Jack or any other students, Anson looked back at Lucas.

“Sorry, you’re just too scary. You scared off my friend.”

Lucas: … Whatever makes you happy.

*Chapter 718: Hold Your Breath*

"Anson..."

Lucas' call pulled Anson's wandering gaze and scattered thoughts back into focus. He quickly spotted the concern in Lucas' eyes and waved his hand with a smile.

"It's fine, no need to worry."

After scanning the area, Anson still couldn’t find Jack, nor did he see any other students or children, which made him a bit anxious.

Lucas noticed. "Do you want to contact mall security? They could announce a search, or maybe even help us look around?"

"Hah." Anson laughed out loud. "No need, no need. If we do that, we’ll ruin their plan."

Lucas asked, "What plan?"

Anson mysteriously said, "Teenage plan."

Lucas thought for a moment and understood, his eyes showing a trace of helplessness. "You're just messing around with those kids."

Anson spread his hands. "That's why they’re nowhere to be found. Teenage rebellion. Didn't you ever go through a rebellious phase?"

Lucas nodded slightly. "Of course."

Anson’s eyes lit up. "Wait, what rebellious things did you do as a teenager? I can’t imagine it. I seriously can't picture you doing anything wild. The thought—haha."

Seeing Anson’s increasingly amused expression, Lucas chose to ignore him, silently turning and walking toward the screening hall, leaving only his back behind.

Anson almost called out to him, but at that moment, the previous screening ended, and a large crowd rushed out. Startled, Anson quickly stepped forward, quietly hiding in Lucas’ shadow, trying to blend in as calmly as possible.

Out of the corner of his eye, Lucas noticed Anson suddenly becoming low-profile, and a small smile appeared in his eyes. He deliberately sped up his pace.

Sure enough, Anson hurriedly followed.

Lucas' lips twitched slightly, holding back a laugh, just a bit painfully.

"Oh my God, Anson is so full of charm."

"I can't understand the bond between Little Frank and Carl. Did Steven romanticize it?"

"Wow, now I finally get why everyone is all about Anson."

Chatter filled the air.

From just a few snippets of conversation, it was clear that Catch Me If You Can was still a hot topic. The back-and-forth banter showed that the film's buzz hadn’t died down.

However, no one realized that the very person they were discussing was right next to them.

"I think Anson's just okay."

"Haha, if Anson's just okay, what does that make you?"

"Shut up. Anyway, I don't like Anson."

"Jealousy makes you ugly, and you're already ugly. Seriously, stop."

Lucas turned to Anson and mouthed, Just okay.

Anson shrugged lightly, looking calm: I agree.

True confidence isn’t easily shaken by a few casual remarks.

After the crowd dispersed, Lucas and Anson didn’t immediately enter the theater. Instead, they sat nearby, patiently waiting. Once everyone had gone in and a bit more time had passed, they finally strolled over to the ticket counter and entered.

Inside the theater, the lights were completely out. The two brothers, Wood and Lucas, stuck close to the walls as they climbed to a secluded area and found empty seats. This minimized the chances of Anson being recognized.

The sound from the big screen filled the space in 360-degree surround sound. From the first few moments, it was clear the movie had begun, with a fictional game show featuring three young Frank Abagnales introducing themselves. The seemingly mundane opening quickly captured the audience's attention.

In an instant, the theater fell silent.

So, no one noticed Lucas and Anson.

After settling in, Lucas swiftly set down the soda and popcorn. He noticed that Anson's first bag of chips was almost empty, and paused for a moment:

Did I not buy enough?

He hesitated slightly, but ultimately decided against getting up to buy more chips. Turning back to the screen, he focused on the movie.

Lucas had paid for the entire office to see Catch Me If You Can, but he hadn’t stayed for the screening himself. Seeing Anson on the big screen now felt strange.

Moreover, he couldn’t stand the scene where a group of women screamed in adoration of Anson. It made him cringe, his skin crawling all the way to his scalp.

Tonight, if it hadn’t been for Anson, he would’ve skipped this too.

But now, looking around, the number of people in the theater wasn’t too bad—a good thing, at least for Lucas.

However!

What Lucas hadn’t expected was that someone came in even later than they did. Over five minutes into the movie, a figure slipped into the theater.

They moved cautiously, tiptoeing and hunching down.

Clearly, the person realized they were late and tried their best to avoid disturbing others, carefully finding a seat.

It looked like they were about to succeed—

Plop.

Their entire bucket of popcorn spilled onto the floor.

In the darkness, the figure visibly stiffened, and even though their expression was hidden, the despair in their movements was unmistakable.

"Sorry," the person whispered, then paused, unsure whether to offer a proper apology or quietly watch the movie. In the end, they sat down, trying not to make any more noise.

But from their silhouette, it was clear they reluctantly glanced at the spilled popcorn, exuding an air of sadness.

This scene almost made Anson burst out laughing, just barely holding it in, though the corners of his mouth curled up.

"… Over the years, only a select few gentlemen have had the honor of becoming lifetime members. It is a privilege. There are now 57 names on this wall of honor, and tonight we will add the 58th…"

On the big screen, the movie continued, finally diving into the heart of the story.

The scene shifted, and bright light illuminated young Frank Abagnale’s youthful, handsome profile. His confident, cocky smile immediately captured everyone’s attention.

Just then, the latecomer turned around, and her gaze accidentally locked with Anson's.

Frank's face overlapped with hers for a moment, then shifted, gradually revealing her delicate, radiant features.

As the light fell upon her, it became clear—it was Anne Hathaway.

Anne also spotted Anson. By now, Anson had taken off his baseball cap, revealing his entire face. She was stunned, clearly not expecting to see him there.

Neither had anticipated running into each other.

And suddenly, both of them held their breath.

It was just a brief moment of crossing paths and pausing. The camera on the big screen continued to roll, and light and shadows kept flowing. Their faces dimmed again as their gazes parted, and the theater returned to its calm.

Yet neither of them moved.

The light continued to shift, and their eyes met once more. This time, they both smiled, their moods instantly lifting.

Then Anne turned back to face the screen, watching the version of Anson on screen in a completely different light. A gentle smile played on her lips.

Chapter 719: Drowsy

The movie had ended—

Seamless, smooth, and perfectly executed.

Steven Spielberg's magic in commercial filmmaking lies in how effortlessly time flies. Before you even realize it, the film is over, leaving you with an easy and enjoyable viewing experience, fully immersed in the story.

No wonder Catch Me If You Can garnered universal praise from the media.

For a brief moment, Anne Hathaway felt the urge to stand up and applaud. It was pure entertainment, pure relaxation, and enjoyment, turning the time spent in the theater into a distinct and memorable experience.

But at the last second, Anne managed to stop herself just in time.

She reminded herself not to stand out, to avoid drawing any attention.

Biting her lip, Anne realized that no one else was clapping, though the room was filled with murmurs of excitement and admiration. It wasn’t quite enough to trigger a standing ovation.

Surprisingly, however, no one left their seats.

Anne found this unusual.

In North America, unlike Europe, people usually leave the theater as soon as the movie ends. No one waits for the credits to finish rolling.

And this wasn’t even a premiere.

So, what was going on? Had the sun risen in the west today?

Anne was momentarily confused until she overheard snippets of nearby conversations.

“... Is Anson going to make a surprise appearance?”

“Wasn’t the flash event over?”

“Who knows? I read somewhere that he wasn’t coming.”

“I heard Anson is in Toronto, getting ready for his next flash event in Canada.”

“Maybe that’s all a smokescreen, and Anson’s going to surprise us again?”

“Oh, I’d love to see Anson in person.”

“Don’t you think Anson’s incredibly charming?”

The film was over, and though no one had left, it seemed movie theater etiquette was no longer a priority. Conversations started to get louder.

It took Anne a moment to connect the dots—Anson, Catch Me If You Can, flash events.

Wait, where was Anson?

Suddenly, Anne turned to where Anson had been sitting, only to find the seat empty.

She had no idea when he’d left. Like the rest of the audience, she had been completely engrossed in the story, captivated by young Frank’s choices, and hadn’t noticed anything happening around her.

In hindsight, Anson had been smart to leave when he did. Otherwise, staying in the theater could have drastically increased the risk of his presence being discovered.

Still—

Anne scanned the crowd stealthily. If they only knew the person they were so eagerly waiting for had been right there, watching the movie with them, they would lose their minds.

At least, Anne herself felt that strange sensation, as though the fourth wall of the film had been broken. The line between reality and fiction blurred, making everything feel surreal.

“Oh no.”

Anne suddenly realized she had been so absorbed in the film that she had forgotten to leave early. Now, getting up would draw too much attention and risk exposing her.

What should she do?

Her best option was to stay put. She decided to wait until the entire audience had left before getting up.

With that thought in mind, Anne leaned back into her chair, curling up like a small Persian cat, blending into her seat as her mind drifted back to the film’s world of light and shadow.

...

In the restroom, Anson splashed cold water on his face, trying to cool his flushed cheeks. It wasn’t enough, so he soaked his hair and the back of his neck. Finally, he felt a bit of relief as the heat and tension left his chest, and his shoulders relaxed.

The heating in the theater was way too high!

Anson was convinced the temperature in the screening room had to be over 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Wrapped in warm air, combined with his recent travels and exhaustion, he had nearly fallen asleep during the movie.

So, was this a failure of the film?

Anson recalled a joke among film buffs:

“You know how hard it is to fall asleep during a movie? If the sound is too loud, the editing is weird, or the cinematography is bad, your eyes and ears are constantly being tortured. How could anyone fall asleep? Only a truly great movie, blending reality and fiction so seamlessly, could create the perfect environment for a peaceful nap.”

“The difficulty of catching some good sleep during a film festival.”

Of course, it was a joke. But the truth was, a movie that could lull someone into a comfortable sleep wasn’t necessarily a terrible film.

Catch Me If You Can couldn’t be considered a flop... right?

Luckily, Lucas had stayed alert.

He hadn’t forgotten that lingering in the theater after the movie ended, waiting for the lights to come up, would risk exposing Anson. Lucas had quietly woken him up, and the two had slipped out before the audience’s attention fully returned from the screen, avoiding any danger.

Now, Anson was in the restroom, shaking off his drowsiness, while Lucas stood guard outside.

Anson exhaled deeply, looking at his reflection in the mirror, now covered in water droplets. His mind was clearing, and the tension and fatigue were ebbing away.

He realized that if this were still during the flash event, he wouldn’t have been able to relax enough to fall asleep. He would have remained on high alert, only catching brief moments of rest during transit, never truly letting his guard down.

From that perspective, being able to nap so soundly was a good sign. The weight pressing down on his chest had finally lifted.

Anson was surprised. He had thought it would take a week or two to fully recover, but apparently, one night had been enough.

Not bad.

After wiping his face, Anson turned to leave the restroom, just as Lucas approached, whispering, “The crowd’s dispersing.”

Anson: ???

“Catch Me If You Can doesn’t have that short of an end credit sequence, does it?”

Lucas quickly caught on. “It’s the end of a different screening—Lord of the Rings.”

Ah, that made sense.

Lucas leaned in and whispered, “You should wait in one of the stalls for a bit longer. It’ll take some time for the parking lot to clear out.”

Anson spread his arms, joking, “Life of a superstar.”

The quip made Lucas chuckle. “Just a little longer. I’ll check things out up front. The theater doesn’t seem too crowded tonight.”

Anson didn’t protest, throwing out a casual, “Superstar!” before returning to the restroom.

The wait turned out to be longer than expected.

Anson ended up waiting in the stall for at least twenty minutes. The restroom had been busy, with people constantly coming and going. Clearly, tonight’s crowd was larger than anticipated—good news for the film industry, but not for Anson.

Finally, when the restroom quieted down, Anson decided he’d waited long enough. He put on a baseball cap, pulled the brim low, and stepped out of the stall.

But just as he walked out, a group of friends came toward him.

Crap!

Anson quickly turned to the side, lowering his hat as he passed them. He caught snippets of their excited conversation, his name mentioned several times. Anson hurried his pace, glancing around the lobby, which was still dotted with people. He veered off course, heading toward the aquarium for cover.

Using the aquarium to shield himself from view, Anson finally allowed himself to breathe a little easier.

For now, he was safe.

*Chapter 720: The Chase*

Night deepened.

Inside the mall’s movie theater, aside from those there specifically for a film, customers wandered in and out casually. Approaching midnight, the mall was about to close. The only light came from the theater showing the midnight screening, beckoning moviegoers with its red glow, while other customers gradually left, either heading outside or down to the underground parking lot. The flow of people was steady but not overwhelming.

A soft, beautiful melody played, bidding farewell to the customers—

It was likely the eighth piece from Claude Debussy's Preludes, Book I, more commonly known as The Girl with the Flaxen Hair. The piano notes, serene and ethereal, carried a mysterious and romantic mood.

Quietly, gently, a girl sat among blossoming cranberry bushes, jasmine flowers dotting her hair, emitting a faint, elegant fragrance. She gazed into the distance with a calm expression.

The world around her was bustling and chaotic, but encased in the aquarium’s soft blue glow, Anson's scattered thoughts began to settle.

It felt like he was the only one truly listening.

His gaze followed the tropical fish gliding through the tank. The movement of their bodies seemed to reveal invisible water currents, silently flowing past his fingertips. He imagined the sound of the water rushing in his ears as his heart slowly sank into the endless blue.

Floating, sinking, drifting.

Then—

In the midst of the deep blue and quiet, the fish suddenly scattered, and Anson saw an eye staring back at him through the glass.

Their gazes unintentionally collided—

They blinked.

Both were startled, their hearts skipping a beat in the lull of the piano’s melody.

Anson straightened up.

The other person did the same.

His heart raced, and for a moment, he was nervous—until he looked again and saw her clearly through the aquarium.

It was Annie.

Anson froze. He could see the tropical fish swimming across Annie's flawless face, their movement tracing the contours of her features. Her eyes, dark and indistinguishable in the dim light, gleamed with the aquarium’s bluish glow, resembling stars falling into her deep pupils.

They sparkled.

Annie, also startled, saw Anson’s damp hair and wet face, his eyes filled with a clear ocean. A colorful tropical fish swam right in front of his face, causing Annie to hold her breath as she anxiously searched for his face again.

The fish moved, and his face reappeared.

Even with a baseball cap on, his handsome features couldn't be hidden. It was enough to make her hold her breath, as the world seemed to freeze in place.

Annie suddenly became aware of her eagerness. Embarrassed and nervous, she lowered her gaze but couldn't resist sneaking another look, her eyes tracing his face cautiously. The soft light created a dreamlike haze, making it hard to distinguish between the movie and reality.

In her daze, she felt like she had been transported back into the film, seeing that carefree young Frank Abagnale once again.

Anson moved forward.

Annie, unconsciously, followed.

In the aquarium’s reflection, Anson and Annie walked side by side. But in the distorted reflection, Annie appeared slightly ahead, their positions shifted by the water's distortion. They chased each other, unaware of the closeness, their faces overlapping as if they could feel the warmth of each other through the glass.

Before realizing it, a smile had already spread across their faces.

For a brief moment, as The Girl with the Flaxen Hair played, emotions beyond words fluttered like butterflies, light and electrifying.

They quickly averted their gazes, only to find themselves drawn back together. The chase continued, their steps quickening, creating a breeze that rippled through the air.

Pop.

The air seemed to shatter as they reached the end of the aquarium. The soft blue light disappeared, and Anson and Annie stood face to face. All the illusions and haziness melted away as their eyes locked, their bodies close enough to feel each other’s warmth. Their hearts raced, pounding hard enough to echo in their ears.

“...Ugh, what a letdown.”

“Yeah, I really wanted to see Anson.”

“Didn’t he say the event was over? You guys didn’t believe him.”

A noisy group rushed by, like a storm breaking the peaceful surface of a lake.

Anson and Annie broke eye contact, turning their backs to each other, both lowering their heads as they tried to hide their nervousness, pretending nothing had happened.

Annie, flustered, fumbled with her bag and pulled out a book. She leaned against the aquarium, flipping through the pages as if reading, though none of the words registered.

Luckily, the passing group of people was too absorbed in their own world to notice. They swept through like a storm and disappeared just as quickly.

“Pfft.”

Anson’s laughter broke the silence. Annie instinctively hid the book, looking up to see his clear eyes, and she relaxed a little.

“So, are we Romeo and Juliet now?”

Annie blinked, confused. “I don’t think my parents know your parents.”

Anson’s grin widened, “No, I’m Leonardo DiCaprio, and you’re Claire Danes.”

Annie paused, then it clicked—

In the movie starring Leonardo and Claire, Romeo + Juliet, there was a famous scene where the two first met, gazing at each other through a fish tank.

A smile tugged at the corners of Annie’s mouth as she teased, “Are you comparing yourself to Leonardo?”

Anson shrugged lightly, “I think you’re prettier than Claire.”

Annie quickly looked up at him, catching the humor in his eyes. Embarrassed, she hurriedly looked away again, unsure if her flushed face had given her away.

But realizing this, Annie gathered her courage and looked up again, no longer hiding her shyness, trying to meet his gaze confidently—

Though her eyes still darted nervously around his face.

At least she wasn’t awkwardly trying to cover it up anymore. “Judging by how smooth you are, I can tell I’m not the first girl you’ve complimented like this.”

Anson nodded lightly, surprisingly agreeing. “True. In fact, you’re the 317th girl I’ve complimented today.”

He spoke nonsense with a straight face.

Annie fought to keep a straight face but couldn’t help the smile that spread across her lips.

Anson didn’t stop there and asked, “So, what brings you here?”

Annie raised an eyebrow, her confusion clear as she looked at him like he was an idiot. “To watch a movie.”

Wasn’t it obvious?

Anson raised his hands in surrender, admitting it was a dumb question. “Okay, fair. Let me ask a better one: did you like it? The movie, I mean.”

Annie tilted her head thoughtfully, putting on a serious expression. “Let me think. I liked Steven’s direction, Tom’s performance, the music, oh, and the costumes. The outfits were amazing.”

Then she looked at Anson with a sincere smile, her lips curling into a perfect arc.