Chapter 321: Sky Paradise!
After washing the pots and bowls together at the campsite's public sink, Ryohei and Yurine followed the GPS to the nearby Fujimidai Highlands Ropeway Station.
Next, they were going to take the gondola up to an altitude of 1,400 meters to the "Sky Paradise" for stargazing!
The two of them quickly boarded the gondola.
Sitting inside the cabin, Yurine turned her head to look out the glass window—
Under the cover of night, the gondola was like a moving "observatory," gliding lightly over the dense mountain forest, bathed in the shifting starlight that filled the sky.
In her ears was a natural symphony of wind and chirping insects.
"I thought it would be pitch black outside while riding the gondola, but the scenery isn't bad at all!" Yurine said softly.
Ryohei glanced at the star-filled sky outside the window, gave a hum of agreement, and replied, "The starry sky here is really dazzling! Even with the lights on inside the cabin, we can see them so clearly!"
"It's truly incredible..."
"The night is beautiful, isn't it?"
At that moment, Yurine sighed with emotion.
Ryohei's ears twitched. He looked at her and chuckled softly, "I think I just heard someone say they love me."
"You're so narcissistic!"
Yurine scolded him with a smile.
Ryohei caught her slender hand and gently pulled her onto his lap.
"What are you doing...?"
Before Yurine could finish her sentence, Ryohei lowered his head, buried his face in the crook of her neck, and took a deep breath, inhaling her scent like it was life-sustaining oxygen—
"I love you~."
"..." Yurine's gaze softened instantly. She actively wrapped her arms around Ryohei's neck.
"I love you too, Ryohei-kun~."
"..."
The two shared a kiss for several minutes inside the gondola.
Meanwhile, the gondola continued its glide—
This line to the Sky Paradise was 2,500 meters long with an elevation gain of 600 meters, taking about fifteen minutes for the full trip.
Perhaps to calm her racing heart or change the subject—or maybe she was genuinely interested—Yurine, still sitting in Ryohei's embrace, spoke up:
"The scenery outside the window must be amazing during the day too!"
"Definitely."
Daytime was better for appreciating the beauty of nature itself!
One could imagine the feeling of flying over the mountain forests in a gondola under a blue sky and white clouds.
Ryohei looked down at Yurine and suggested, "Shall we come back and ride it again tomorrow morning? We can admire the Sea of Clouds while we're at it."
"..." Yurine was a bit tempted. Looking at Ryohei's sharp profile, she thought for a moment and said, "Then why don't we get up a bit earlier and watch the sunrise too?"
"We could, but if we do that, we'll have to call for 'outside help'."
The gondola to Sky Paradise didn't start operating until 8:30 AM. By then, the sun would have long since risen, making it impossible to see the sunrise unless they stayed up there overnight.
Camping was allowed at Sky Paradise, but private tents were prohibited.
The park itself provided "luxury tents" equipped with floor heating, private bathrooms, and air conditioning/sound systems—they called it "glamping," but it was basically no different from staying in a hotel.
Ryohei had discussed it with Yurine before coming, and they had ultimately chosen the traditional camping experience.
It was probably too late to book a tent now.
After all, it was peak tourist season, and booking a tent usually required a reservation well in advance...
"Then go ahead and apply for outside help."
Yurine understood what Ryohei meant. She paused, then added, "Ah, wait a second!"
She took her phone out of her skirt pocket and looked up the sunrise time for Achi Village.
"The sunrise time for these couple of days is around 5:10 AM..."
Yurine looked up at Ryohei.
"Have your 'outside help' come find us at 4:40 AM tomorrow. Let's set two alarms."
After all, they would need time to use the restroom and wash up after waking.
"Mn, alright."
Ryohei agreed and made a call to Lucoa.
After a brief conversation, he put down his phone and chuckled.
"Done!"
Moments later, the gondola arrived at Sky Paradise.
As soon as they stepped out of the cabin, the crisp mountain air washed over them, forming a sharp contrast with the temperature at the base of the mountain.
However, since they had changed into thicker jackets before coming up, they didn't feel cold, only pleasantly cool.
"Ryohei-kun... the stars are so close!"
Yurine tilted her head back, her eyes wide as she gazed up at the starry sky.
Without the need for any equipment, she could see the Milky Way with her naked eye!
In the blue-black curtain of night, billions of stars shone in the vault of heaven—clear, bright, like scattered diamonds sparkling above.
The scenery was breathtakingly beautiful, enough to make one hold their breath!
Yurine was mesmerized for a few seconds before raising her hand. "It feels like I can touch them!"
"Yeah..."
Ryohei was equally mesmerized for a moment before laughing softly.
"It's shocking, isn't it? It's a kind of awe that photos just can't convey..."
"There are some things that you can only truly appreciate by experiencing them in person!"
"You're right!"
Ryohei smiled at Yurine, took her hand, and they strolled together under the stars.
There were activities at Sky Paradise at night—
Ryohei and Yurine joined the "Starry Sky Guide Tour"!
This was an activity where they lay on picnic mats, listening to a "guide" explain the celestial bodies while admiring the beauty of the stars.
Afterward, the two went to the observation deck and used astronomical telescopes to get a closer feel for the mysteries of the universe.
They also took a look at the so-called luxury camping area.
By 8:30 PM, satisfied and content, Ryohei and Yurine took the gondola back down the mountain.
Grabbed a change of clothes, they followed the GPS to Achi Village's core attraction—Hirugami Onsen, known as the "Beauty Bath"!
They soaked happily in the Hirugami hot springs for half an hour before returning to the campsite together.
"Goodnight, Ryohei-kun."
"Night."
Since they had to get up early for the sunrise, they went to sleep shortly after nine.
A peaceful night with no further words!
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