Saturday morning arrived with a bright, cheerful sun. Aiko nervously adjusted her hair in the mirror, smoothing her dress one more time. Today was special—her first official date with Ren.
Her phone buzzed:
Ren: "Ready?"
Aiko: "Y-Yes! I'm waiting outside."
She rushed to the school gate, and there he was, leaning casually against his bicycle, backpack slung over one shoulder. He smiled when he saw her.
"You look nice," he said softly.
Aiko's cheeks flushed. "You too…" she whispered, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
They decided to go to a small amusement park near the city. The park was colorful, filled with laughter and the scent of popcorn and cotton candy.
"First stop?" Aiko asked, bouncing slightly on her toes.
Ren grinned. "Whatever you want. You lead the way."
They rode the Ferris wheel first, sitting side by side in the slowly ascending cabin. The view of the city spread beneath them, and the gentle sway made Aiko's heart flutter.
"It's beautiful," she said softly.
Ren glanced at her, meeting her gaze. "Not as beautiful as you," he said, and Aiko felt her cheeks heat. She quickly looked away, hiding her blush behind her hands.
Next, they tried the ring toss, laughing when Aiko missed repeatedly and Ren teased her gently. "Maybe we should practice more," he said, handing her another ring.
"I'm not that bad!" she protested, giggling.
By the afternoon, they shared a crepe, feeding each other bites and laughing when Aiko smudged a little chocolate on her nose. Ren leaned over and gently wiped it away with his thumb, making Aiko's heart race uncontrollably.
As the day came to an end, they walked through the park under the soft glow of evening lights. Their fingers brushed, then finally intertwined, naturally and comfortably.
"I had a really great time today," Aiko said softly.
"Me too," Ren replied, squeezing her hand gently. "We'll have lots more first dates."
Aiko smiled, heart full. Being with him was simple, sweet, and perfect. The little moments—the laughter, the teasing, the quiet touches—made her feel like she was exactly where she was meant to be.