Time flowed like a river, unstoppable and irreversible.
The sun began to set on the western horizon, ushering in the night. Yet, the darkness became a stage for a new kind of vibrancy at Amagi Brilliant Park.
The park's lights came alive, creating a dazzling sea of twinkling brilliance.
Amid the growing crowd of visitors, Ren and Ichika joined in to witness the highlight of the evening: the night parade.
Hundreds of colorful lights adorned every float and performer's costume. Cheerful music blared, blending with the enthusiastic cheers of the crowd.
With sparkling eyes, Ichika couldn't stop pointing at every character and decoration that passed by.
Beside her, though Ren remained calm, his eyes also caught every detail of the spectacular performance.
The glow of the lights illuminated their faces, casting dancing shadows and silhouettes among the crowd.
After the parade ended, the two left Amagi Brilliant Park with tired but satisfied steps. The joyful atmosphere lingered in their hearts.
"Today was so much fun. It's been ages since I last visited an amusement park. Maybe since a middle school field trip?" Ichika said, gazing at the starry night sky, her breath forming faint clouds in the cool evening air.
Nodding slightly, Ren felt the same. "Yeah. There's a different kind of nostalgia to it."
"By the way, Ren-kun, we haven't had dinner yet." Ichika said, looking at him with a sweet smile. A faint blush colored her cheeks, not entirely from the cold. "I happen to have made a reservation earlier. Want to come?"
Noticing Ichika's slightly different expression and the subtle tremor in her voice, Ren wasn't entirely sure what the woman before him had planned.
But as a Campione, fear was not part of his nature. Instead, curiosity and anticipation stirred within him.
"Alright. I'll trust Ichika-san's choice."
They then took a taxi to their destination.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Soon after, the taxi stopped in front of a luxurious five-star hotel. The staff promptly opened the door for them.
Upon entering, an air of opulence and elegance enveloped them.
A pianist played a soft classical melody in the lobby, creating an intimate atmosphere.
Ichika led Ren to the restaurant on the top floor.
Through the massive glass windows, the city's metropolitan skyline, adorned with jewel-like lights, spread out breathtakingly.
The dining guests were from high society, dressed in formal attire. On their tables, small candles flickered, adding a romantic ambiance.
"Ren-kun, do you drink wine?" Ichika asked, swirling her expensive glass of wine. She suddenly realized, "Oh, right, you're still underage."
"Don't treat me like an ordinary teenager, Ichika-san." Ren said with a faint, confident smile. "Human rules don't apply to me."
With a haughty demeanor, he took the wine bottle, poured it into the empty glass before him, and sipped it calmly.
"That's the kind of thing an antagonist would say~" Ichika teased.
"I know." Ren replied. "Besides, compared to a protagonist, I consider myself more of an antagonist. Don't you think so, Ichika-san?"
"Hmm…" Ichika considered, her face growing redder, perhaps from the wine or the atmosphere. "Ren-kun has a point. Considering your behavior of building a harem like collecting Pokémon, that's not something a protagonist could pull off."
They then enjoyed the lavish meal served to them. Their conversation flowed, though it was mostly dominated by Ichika's stories, with Ren being a good listener.
Ichika began to talk about the darker side of the entertainment industry.
"You know, Ren-kun, the entertainment world isn't always glamorous." Ichika said in a low voice. "If it weren't for my father being a renowned hospital director in Tokyo, I might have fallen into its dark side. It's a world where people prey on each other, where sex trades and greed are commonplace. For some, it's seen as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to achieve fame."
"I see."
Hearing this, Ren nodded slightly. His knowledge of the entertainment industry's dark side went even deeper than Ichika could imagine.
In his previous life as a member of the Nine Dragons Family in Indonesia, he had witnessed firsthand how top actresses and celebrities, idolized by the public, were mere objects of desire for the powerful elite like his family, summoned at their whim.
"Ichika-san, listen carefully. If you ever encounter trouble, if anyone tries to exploit you or force you into something you don't want…" Ren looked directly into her eyes. "Call me. I promise I'll help you."
His words echoed between them. Ichika was touched.
"Ren-kun… Thank you. I really appreciate your concern."
Her genuine smile, illuminated by the candlelight and city lights, made her look both beautiful and vulnerable.
In that moment, Ichika felt that beneath his playboy demeanor, Ren was a reliable man.
(No wonder so many girls fall for Ren-kun, even knowing they'd have to share him with other women. Even Itsuki fell for him.)
The thought crossed Ichika's mind as she watched Ren calmly sip his wine.
(Itsuki is better at judging men than the four of us.)
Ichika recalled their high school days.
Back then, she, Nino, Miku, and Yotsuba were embroiled in a "civil war" over Fuutarou's heart. Only Itsuki stood on the sidelines, remaining rational and treating Fuutarou only as a friend.
Now, Itsuki was the first among them to have a child. And the man she chose, despite having multiple women, clearly provided genuine care and protection.
Ichika's thoughts then turned to Yotsuba's married life.
Fuutarou, once so brilliant and promising, was now trapped as a corporate slave—working from morning until late at night, barely having time for his wife.
Despite their influential father-in-law's connections, which could have easily secured Fuutarou a high-ranking job, his ego and pride made him refuse to rely on "insiders."
He wanted to prove he could succeed on his own, but instead, he was rarely home, leaving Yotsuba to spend her nights alone.
Ichika felt sorry for her sister. Yotsuba, always cheerful and caring for others, now led a lonely married life. In contrast, Ren, despite having multiple women, always seemed present and ensured every woman by his side felt cared for and protected.
(It's better to be the second wife of a man who cares than the only wife of a man who's never home.)
A line she'd read online suddenly echoed in her mind. For the first time, Ichika truly understood it.