The group was immediately greeted by a warm breeze and the unmistakable hum of life that filled Yukimura Brilliant Park. The scent of caramel popcorn and fried snacks drifted through the air, mingling with the cheerful theme music playing softly over the park's speakers.
Kana blinked as she looked up at the massive archway entrance, where the words "Welcome to Yukimura Brilliant Park!" shimmered in stylized golden letters. Mascots danced at the gate, waving enthusiastically at guests as bubbles floated lazily through the air.
Misa: (grinning wide) Okay, I am not emotionally prepared for how adorable this place is.
Rose: (bouncing) RIGHT?! It's like walking into a dream made of sugar and serotonin!
Kana smiled faintly as she looked around. Everything was bigger than she expected, brighter, louder and more… alive.
John: (stepping beside her) First time at a place like this?
Kana: (nodding slowly) Yeah. I've only ever seen theme parks in videos or anime.
Liam: Then today's going to be a first in a lot of ways.
He said it casually, but the weight of his words landed softly on Kana. She glanced at him, and for a moment, their eyes met. Liam offered her a small smile, not overly expressive, but warm in its sincerity.
Jane: (checking her phone) Alright, before we get swept away in the sugar storm, let's set a meeting point. Just in case.
After a quick discussion, they agreed on the fountain near the food court as their fallback spot, then moved toward the entrance where a staff member scanned their tickets.
As they stepped through the gates, the full force of Yukimura Brilliant Park welcomed them: a dazzling burst of color, people in costumes, families laughing, rides towering in the distance, and a gentle mist drifting from cooling vents along the walkways.
Kana turned in a slow circle, taking it all in.
Kana: (softly) It's… everything I hoped it would be.
Misa: (playfully nudging her) Don't get emotional on us already, girl. Save that for the ferris wheel kiss.
Kana: (blushing) W-What?
Misa: (grinning) What?
Rose: (grabbing Kana's hand) Come on! Let's hit the tea cups before it gets too crowded!
Kana laughed as Rose pulled her along, their hands clasped as they darted past a cotton candy stand and a guy in a bear costume giving high-fives to kids. The group began to split slightly, Rose and Kana rushing ahead to the rides, Misa trailing behind with a map in her hands like a war general barking out directions, and Jane walking with John and Liam, calmly observing the chaos like the responsible sibling of a pack of children.
They spent the next couple of hours losing themselves in the kind of fun that made time blur, Kana and Rose screaming their lungs out on the spinning teacups, Misa dragging everyone to a haunted house that ended with Liam nearly punching a fake zombie in panic, and John winning Kana a tiny stuffed frog at a rigged ring toss game (after failing four times in a row and pretending it was all "part of the plan").
They all grabbed a couple of snacks; churros, popcorn, bubble tea and sat on the curb under string lights while Jane pointed out constellations barely visible through the city's haze.
At sunset, they made their way to the open-air lawn where a movie was being projected on a giant screen. Everyone sprawled out on the grass with borrowed blankets and shared food between them. Kana leaned her head on Rose's shoulder, quietly content, while John sat just beside her, sneaking occasional glances her way whenever she laughed at something on-screen.
For a little while, there was no past, no future, just the present: soft light, warm company, and the feeling that nothing bad could reach them here.
And as the group pressed deeper into the park, the sounds of laughter and music swelling around them, they remained unaware that the joy of the day would soon give way to something none of them were expecting: a quiet collision of truths, long-held fears, and fragile hopes waiting just beyond the glow of the lights.
****
After hours of rides, games, and laughter, the group finally began to slow down. They had just finished lunch, and while the others went to line up for a water ride, Misa gently tugged Kana away, guiding her toward a quieter spot near the garden surrounding the Ferris wheel.
It was peaceful there, the flower beds in full bloom, a few benches tucked under the shade, and the occasional soft squeak of the massive wheel turning behind them.
Misa: (sitting down) My feet are going to fall off. But this is the good kind of tired.
Kana: (giggling, sitting beside her) I know what you mean. I feel like my face has forgotten how not to smile.
They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, just listening to the wind rustling through the flowers.
Misa: (glancing at Kana) So… how long have you liked him?
Kana: (blinks) Huh?
Misa: (grinning) John. Don't play dumb.
Kana: (groans, covers her face) Oh my god, was I that obvious?
Misa: You lit up like a firefly when he hugged you. You didn't even do that when Rose brought snacks.
Kana: (muffled behind her hands) That bad, huh?
Misa: (softly) Yeah…
Kana let her hands fall into her lap. She didn't look at Misa right away. Her eyes stayed on the garden.
Kana: It's weird… I didn't even mean to like him. It just sort of… happened. Slowly. From the first night we talked, to when he started checking in on me every day, to the time he came to see me last December. He just kept showing up.
Misa stayed quiet, letting Kana speak freely.
Kana: And it wasn't even the "he's so cool" kind of crush. It was more like, I'd log in, and suddenly the world didn't feel so scary. Like someone saw me. Not as a patient, or a fragile thing… just… me.
Misa: (softly) That's not weird at all.
Kana: But now that he's here, I don't know what to do. I mean, do I have the right to ask for this much?
Misa raised an eyebrow.
Misa: What do you mean?
Kana sighed deeply before speaking.
Kana: I haven't told anyone this, but… My sickness is getting worse. I've been having frequent seizures for a while now.
Misa's eyes widened in shock.
Misa: What?
Kana: It's been happening for a while, but I didn't want to worry anyone, so I kept quiet about it. And now… what if I tell him how I feel, and… he feels the same, but I can't give him what he wants? What if I hold him close, only to leave him behind? What if I drag him into my world, where hospital visits and checkups and bad news live?
Her voice cracked slightly at the edges.
Kana: (barely a whisper) What if I die… and he's left all alone?
Misa's expression softened. She reached out, gently taking Kana's hand in hers.
Misa: Kana…
Kana: (looking down) I'm finally living again. I'm outside, I'm laughing, I'm with all of you. But this… this body still remembers how fragile I am. And no matter how much I want to be like everyone else, I'm not. I don't know how much time I have. So how can I ask someone to love me in a story that might not have a happy ending?
Misa: (quietly) Maybe… because you're worth loving, even in an unfinished story.
Kana looked at her, eyes glassy.
Misa: You think you'll hurt him by letting him in. But maybe the real hurt would be pushing him away when he already cares about you. He chose you, Kana. Not the version of you without tubes or tests. You.
Kana bit her lip, her voice trembling.
Kana: I'm just scared… that he'll look at me one day and realize he deserves someone who's not… breaking.
Misa: (squeezing her hand) And I think he already knows exactly who you are and still chose to show up. That kind of person doesn't walk away easily.
The Ferris wheel turned slowly above them. A child's laughter echoed faintly in the distance.
Kana: (softly) I don't know if I'll ever stop being afraid.
Misa: Maybe you won't. But don't let fear make the decision for you.
Kana: (after a long pause) Do you think… Is it okay to love someone, even if you're not sure you'll get to grow old with them?
Misa: (gently) I think loving someone even just for a little while, is still love. And maybe that's worth everything.
Kana didn't respond right away. But her hand tightened around Misa's, and her eyes drifted back up to the sky.
Kana: (whispers) Then maybe… I'll tell him. Not today. But someday soon.
Misa: (smiles) I'll be cheering you on when you do.
*****
Jane and Rose had gone to check out the parade, but Liam pulled John aside, claiming he "needed a breather." They climbed to the rooftop observation deck overlooking the whole park, a quiet place with vending machines, a row of benches, and a wide view of the sunset starting to stain the sky in orange and lavender.
Liam cracked open a can of orange soda and immediately turned to John.
Liam: Alright, spill it.
John: (brows raised) Spill what?
Liam: Don't play dumb. The way you look at Kana? The way she looks at you? The sexual tension could suffocate a grown man. I'm just trying to breathe over here.
John: (sputters) What? There's no— I mean, I'm not— dude, shut up.
Liam: Uh-huh. (takes a sip) That's the sound of denial.
John: (gritting his teeth, then sighing) …It's not that simple.
Liam: I'm not asking you to write poetry about it. I'm just asking: do you like her?
John hesitated. He leaned on the railing, staring at the park lights flickering on in the distance. He watched a family walk by below, a little girl riding on her father's shoulders.
John: …Yeah. I do.
Liam didn't interrupt. He let the confession hang there for a moment.
John: Kana's… she's not like anyone I've ever met. She doesn't fake who she is. She doesn't ask for pity or try to impress anyone. She just… speaks from the heart, even when it scares her. Even when she's hurting. And being around her— I don't know— it makes me want to stop running from things.
Liam: (quietly) Oh yeah?
John: (softly) But I don't want to be another thing that weighs on her.
Liam's expression shifted. He sat down on the edge of the bench.
Liam: Because of her condition?
John: Because I see the fear in her eyes sometimes when she thinks no one's watching. Like she's terrified of being left behind or worse, of dragging someone down with her. And if I tell her how I feel, I don't want her to feel like she's obligated to feel it back.
Liam: But you're not doing it out of guilt, are you?
John: Hell no! That girl saved me. She made me feel like I wasn't alone in the thing I went through. I don't care if we can't do "normal." I don't care about the hospital crap, or her past, or how much time we have. I just… I want to be with her now. While we can.
Liam: (after a pause) So what's stopping you?
John: I'm scared too, man. What if I'm not strong enough to handle it? What if she lets me in, and I have to watch her… (he stops himself, jaw clenched) …I don't know if I could take that.
Liam didn't have a smug reply this time. Just quiet understanding.
Liam: (gently) You already care. And you're already hurting for her. So whether you admit it to her or not… you're in it. Heart and soul.
John's eyes were full of thought as he watched the rowdy environment around them.
John: I just don't want her to think she's a burden. She's the best thing that ever happened to me.
Liam: (after a pause) Look… I dunno much about love or whatever. I've never told anyone I liked them before. Still trying to figure out how to say hi without overthinking it, honestly. But—if it were me? And I felt about someone the way you feel about Kana… I think I'd just want them to know. Even a little.
John: (quietly) Yeah…
Liam: I guess I'm just saying that feelings are heavy, y'know? Keeping them to yourself doesn't make it easier. And maybe… maybe she wants to hear it. Even if she's scared too. You don't gotta do the whole romantic movie speech or anything. Just… let her see it in the way you talk to her and the way you stay that stuff matters.
John: (quietly) You really think so?
Liam: I mean… I hope so. Also if it all doesn't work out, don't blame me for giving you advice.
John: (laughing softly) …You're insane.
Liam: Yeah, well, takes one to know one.
****
The park lights shimmered as dusk settled in, casting a soft golden hue over the bustling Fountain Plaza. Water jets danced to cheerful music, and laughter echoed around from nearby food stalls and performers.
Misa, Liam, Kana, and John were making their way back from different directions, reuniting where they had agreed to meet: at the large water fountain in the heart of the park, where Rose and Jane were already seated, chatting and sipping cold drinks.
As the group gathered, John lagged a little behind as he scanned the crowd and then he saw her.
Kana, just a few steps away, coming from the carousel path, her hair gently tousled by the breeze, her eyes already searching.
Their gazes met.
The chaos of the plaza faded. The lights. The people. The sound of water. All of it dulled into a hush as they locked eyes.
She smiled first.
He smiled back.
Both of them blushed at the same time.
Neither said anything, just a silent exchange full of warmth, nerves, and something almost blooming.
But then—
As Kana walked forward, still looking at John, she bumped shoulders with someone in the crowd. She stumbled slightly.
Kana: Ah—! I'm so sorry!
She turned instinctively and then went still.
The woman she bumped into had the same dark eyes. Older, weary, but unmistakably familiar.
John watched Kana's expression shift from flustered, to confused and her lips moved and then she whispered, barely loud enough, but he heard it:
Kana: …Mother?