In the vast amusement park, the number of attractions was countless.
Though Yuu had only been here once, and Yukino had visited many times since childhood, spending a whole day like this, they never felt bored or tired.
Was it because the old or new rides brought them joy?
Or because the excitement of the haunted house and the tension of the escape room made them lose track of time?
Perhaps yes, perhaps no.
They both knew well that the place wasn't the key—it was the number of people.
Humans are social creatures. Except for a few individuals, the number and closeness of those around them affect the facades they put on and their mood swings.
Even with many smiles around, if they disliked those people, they'd naturally feel displeased and want to escape the joyful atmosphere. Conversely, even in pouring rain, as long as someone they liked was by their side, their mood would automatically lift, and they'd wish time would slow down.
Clinging to beliefs they deemed right, yet their emotions easily swayed by others—humans are deeply contradictory creatures.
Both Yuu and Yukino were largely no exception to this.
"I'm going to buy drinks. Wait here."
"Mm."
By late afternoon, the drinks they bought in the morning were long gone. After another round of rides, they naturally felt thirsty.
After answering softly, Yukino, sitting on a long bench, unconsciously swung her legs.
She shifted her gaze before turning back, looking at the sky covered with thick clouds. A relieved smile curved her lips, her cheeks warm with lingering heat. She seemed oblivious to the increasingly chilly evening breeze.
She hadn't expected strolling through an amusement park with the opposite sex could be this joyful.
It felt completely different from coming with family or alone. It was as if every ride had a new way to enjoy it, as if every scene had a fresh interpretation.
As if just meeting his gaze could naturally curve her lips upward—let alone boredom, even wandering the Panda shop to her heart's content wasn't as delightful as this feeling.
Whether in the Service Club or the amusement park, time spent by his side was always like this.
At this point, Yukino had no reason to keep denying—she wouldn't twist the feelings rising from her heart for any foolish reason or pride.
Time didn't matter, place didn't matter.
The person was what mattered.
(He's not overly polite. He agrees when it's right and sneers when it's not. His pretend-angry look is adorable.)
(He's not lewd or crude. He openly appreciates my legs and jokes less about my chest.)
(He's not quiet. He can keep up with any topic, giving annoying yet funny responses.)
(He's not full of deceit. Knowing his lies would be exposed, he drops his pretense in front of me.)
(Dating someone like him, whether at an amusement park or a library, would bring memorable joy, wouldn't it?)
"Is this… the feeling of liking someone?"
Yukino touched her chest, feeling a steady, warm heartbeat.
The flush on her cheeks deepened quietly. She shook her head, sighing softly as if exasperated with herself, but without much displeasure.
She twirled a strand of her beautiful black hair, playing with it between her fingers. Her thoughts rippled repeatedly.
He said he didn't like ambiguity. So, she had to resolve it now.
Indeed, Yuu was a guy with a bad personality, acting on whims, a natural flirt who teased left and right and spoke freely.
His flaws were countless. He was the complete opposite of the ideal man in her heart.
How could Yukino like someone like him?
On the contrary, he was a natural enemy, the type that disgusted her at first sight.
…A few weeks ago, she truly thought this way.
That's why love is such a strange thing.
Despite the other's many flaws, when just one strength captures your heart, you keep looking back—once, twice, thrice… more and more.
Until you grow used to their presence, accept all their flaws, and like yourself when you're by their side, it's incurable. You can only accept fate and say:
"I like him."
Yukino couldn't say this when he was beside her.
But alone on the bench, she covered her mouth with her hand, lowered her face, and read the words slowly and seriously: "Mm… Like."
At first, she only covered her mouth, making a small gesture that wasn't even a disguise.
But when her ears heard her actually say the word, she couldn't help feeling flustered and shy. She pulled a scarf from her bag, wrapping her burning face in it, even hiding her ears. Then she began taking deep breaths.
"Inhale—Exhale—"
Her lungs filled with cold air, finally cooling her overheated head.
Pressing the scarf with her fingers, she left a gap. Her soft, pink lips exhaled white mist slowly, startling her into widening her eyes.
(It wasn't there earlier. Is my body temperature that high?)
(Am I running a fever?)
Quickly, Yukino shook her head as if laughing at herself, pursing her lips.
Her gaze returned to the back of the boy buying drinks. Her heels unconsciously tapped the ground cheerfully.
Perhaps too focused, Yukino only noticed someone speaking to her when a voice sounded in front of her.
"Hello, pretty girl, are you alone? Do you have some time?"
It was two adult men with blonde hair and blue eyes. Their English was slightly awkward, mixed with some French words. They looked at her with admiring, enthusiastic gazes, using hand gestures in case she didn't understand.
(Flirting? Or just asking for directions…)
Thinking to herself, Yukino reflexively frowned.
Their tall shadows enveloped her. A strong perfume scent hit her face. Used to Yuu's scent, this smell only made her feel more disgusted and nauseous.
After a moment's thought, Yukino remained seated, speaking to the two strangers in standard English: "Sorry, I'm here with my boyfriend. I don't have time now."
After a brief explanation, she calmly lowered her gaze, signaling she had no intention of continuing the conversation.
Politeness shouldn't be forgotten, but when it was time to refuse, Yukino didn't beat around the bush. She'd rejected countless flirting attempts and confessions since childhood.
But perhaps she was too polite, or maybe the others were used to rejection. Instead of leaving courteously, the two strangers laughed heartily with interest, looking like mercenaries ready to challenge an evil dragon.
"WOW, your English is great! We're French. Do you speak French? It's the most romantic language in the world!"
"No problem if you have a boyfriend. I also like hanging out with handsome guys. No issue at all~ Plus, I heard Japanese people are very friendly. It's our first time in Japan. How about we be friends? I hope your boyfriend is as handsome as me~"
They laughed uproariously in front of the bench, for reasons unknown.
The girl remained silent. Her small hands on her knees slowly clenched.
"Sss… Hah…"
Struggling to suppress her unpleasant emotions, Yukino took a deep breath and exhaled like a sigh.
Her slightly lowered face was expressionless. Her eyes were icy cold, hiding a chilling intent.
For context: Whether domestic or international, she was used to being flirted with. She didn't get angry over it and knew the fastest way to get rid of them.
So, there was only one reason Yukino didn't do so.
(…What did that squinting, crooked-mouthed guy on the left, who combed his hair like a stud, say?)
(Who's as ugly as you? Who's the boyfriend you want to mess with?)
An inexplicable anger burned in her chest, but Yukino's mind was calm.
Think carefully. What should an ordinary girlfriend do when faced with foreign guys insulting her boyfriend's appearance and even having bad intentions toward him, to protect her rights?
Hit them? Insult them?
Or report them to the police directly?
After seriously considering feasibility, Yukino shook her head. She raised her eyes with slight regret, her gaze piercing the two tall figures. She suddenly thought of the best approach.
After silently saying something to herself, she couldn't help but smile brightly, like melting ice.
That sincere, gentle smile stopped the laughter of the two men in front of her. They showed awestruck expressions.
Unfortunately, Yukino paid no attention to the two extras. She only looked past them, her eyes narrowing into adorable crescent moons from joy.
"Don't give them that scary look. They don't have, and won't ever have, a chance to do anything to me."
"No one's flirting either? I can only decide how many teeth to knock out depending on the situation."
"Relax. They're just saying they're interested in you… I'm the one who should be mad."
"Wow, looks like we're both getting more aware of our couple status."
The two strangers, hearing the voice, snapped out of their awe at the stunning smile. They turned around in shock.
"Hey…"
"Here he is…"
Not waiting for them to finish, the handsome youth holding drinks smiled and tilted his head. His tone was like that of the most perfect waiter, polite and friendly:
"Hello, both of you. Since you understand English, speaking in English should work too…"
Without giving them time to react, Yuu stared coldly, his voice low and heavy:
"Stay away from my girlfriend, or I'll kick your balls until they burst."
The Word Bullet, unused for so long, pierced sharply into their ears.
The next second, almost reflexively, they raised their hands high and shouted:
"'J, Je suis vraiment désolé!'" (French: Very sorry!)
Then they hurriedly fled in different directions, showing no shame for being intimidated by a high schooler. They ran so fast, as if afraid he'd chase them.
"With such little courage, they dare go out flirting…"
Yuu shifted his gaze from their fleeing backs, sneering. He casually handed the drink to the girl on the bench, as if he'd just swatted a mosquito. "Couldn't you have gotten rid of them in two or three sentences? Why wait to ask for my help?"
"Oh, did I ask for your help?" Holding the drink, Yukino smiled like a naughty cat biting a remote and jumping onto a cabinet. "I didn't say anything."
"Your eyes." Yuu rolled his eyes, sitting casually beside her. "When you looked at me just now, in your heart, you were thinking, 'If you don't come help me quick, you're dead.'"
"Mm… Not quite, but close enough." Yukino shrugged, neither confirming nor denying, even using old-fashioned language.
Yuu glanced at her wordlessly, too lazy to say more. He just sipped his drink slowly, enjoying the relaxed moment.
Yukino bit her straw gently, smiling happily, oblivious to those around. She seemed to have found something delightful.
Only she knew.
When she locked eyes with Yuu, she wasn't thinking, "If you don't come help me quick, you're dead," but a sentimental line:
'Though your personality's bad, you're never serious, and you want to see my scared expression…'
'You won't do anything bad to me. And as long as I ask for your help, no matter where I am or what danger I face, you'll always come save me.'
Despite so many flirting attempts, this was the first time she felt safe.
Because of that safety, Yukino could smile without hesitation. Because she was certain she truly liked him, she unconsciously let go of her pride, acting spoiled with him.
"So, next time I get hit on, you'll still come help me, right?"
"That's a given… Wait, don't tell me you're deliberately getting hit on to let me save you?"
"Am I someone who'd do something that boring? You can apologize to me now."
"You talk tough, but it'd be better if you weren't heartlessly resting your head on my shoulder…"
"Pillows stay quiet. Don't overthink or talk nonsense."
"Oh, right, right… Wait, are you secretly sniffing my scent?!"
"Poor thing. So young and already can't distinguish reality from fantasy. Looks like you'll only calm down after dunking your head in a fountain. You're not delicious food—why would I sniff you?"
"Because I smell better than those two! Are you going to lie and deny that fact?"
"Hmm…"
After resting on the bench briefly and sharing small, intimate interactions they'd never have done before, Yuu pulled Yukino to stand. They prepared to head to the day's final stop—the Ferris wheel.
Along the way, the pure, adorable girl with long, straight black hair sighed listlessly.
"Honestly, I don't like Ferris wheels… How about we just go find Yuigahama-san?"
"Scared of heights?"
"Just don't like them."
"That means scared of heights."
"Hah, Tenkuji-kun."
"What?"
"Shut up."
"Oh…"
The sky grew darker. The cold wind rustling dry branches and leaves seemed increasingly eerie.
Yet in the still-lively amusement park filled with smiles, light and melodious music dispelled all anxiety and fear. Bright lights banished loneliness and cold.
The clasped hands were a talisman for safely passing through the night.
Alone, Haruno stood in front of the bench.
She watched their intimate backs heading toward the Ferris wheel, her gaze fixed on their linked arms.
Until they vanished into the crowd, her focus didn't shift an inch. No light appeared in her dark eyes.
"Arriving late makes you lose easily—turns out that applies to me too… Heh, so annoying."
Her eyes narrowed coldly. She slowly gripped her tote bag's handle tightly. But her soft, warm lips curved upward.
Smiling brightly and honestly, Haruno whispered toward the disappearing backs:
"Finally, I found you."
"My dear Yuu-chan~"