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"How's it going? Nice view, isn't it?"
Yukinoshita Haruno, sitting beside him in the rickety Ferris wheel, seed like a different person. The cheerful tone in her voice and the genuine smile on her face replaced the polished, mask-like expression she usually wore.
But Shiro Sakamaki couldn't bring himself to smile.
No matter how picturesque the view might be, it was hard to appreciate it while sitting in a Ferris wheel that looked like it might fall apart at any second. Sure, even if it collapsed, it wouldn't hurt him—but it still didn't exactly inspire excitent.
Frankly, he'd rather be visiting magical creatures like macarons and tiramis than risking his life in this creaky tal cage.
Still, for the sake of this woman—who had just narrowly escaped death—he forced a reply. "The scenery's not bad."
If only this Ferris wheel were a bit newer, he added silently.
Haruno, seemingly unaware of his lack of enthusiasm, had already drifted into her mories.
"Back then, whenever I failed to et my mother's expectations and got scolded, I'd co here."
"When I was on the Ferris wheel, looking out at the distance, all my problems felt smaller... like they didn't matter."
"There was a doll-like mascot nad Tirami. Whenever I was upset, she'd give sothing to eat."
"I used to think this was the best amusent park in the world. But after my sister was born, we moved back to our ancestral ho in Kamakura... and I never ca back."
Shiro remained silent, letting her speak, listening quietly as she got lost in recollection.
"In order to give my sister the freedom to choose her own life, I pushed myself to excel at everything. I had to be perfect."
Her voice trembled slightly.
"But just now... when I thought I was about to die, I felt so... unwilling. I didn't want it to end like that."
Tears stread down her face. The strong, self-assured Yukinoshita Haruno revealed a fragile side she had never shown before—to soone she'd only t twice.
Fate could be strange like that.
With a soft sigh, Shiro sat down beside her and gently pulled her head to rest against his shoulder. She didn't resist.
After a mont, Haruno realized her tears had soaked into his clothes. Her face flushed with embarrassnt.
"S-sorry for crying like that."
"It's nothing," Shiro said calmly, using a touch of his spiritual power to dry his shirt. "Everyone has mories they'd rather not share. It's nothing to be ashad of."
Even he, if he hadn't crossed over into this world, would probably be living an ordinary life—married to a regular woman, raising kids, worrying about food, bills, and retirent.
Haruno noticed the faraway look in his eyes.
"You too... You have mories like that?"
He smiled faintly. Neither confirming nor denying. So things were better left unsaid.
But that only piqued her curiosity more. As they continued on, Haruno kept asking questions, trying to pry sothing out of him.
No matter what trick she used, though, Shiro dodged every question with ease, never revealing more than he wanted. Eventually, she pouted and stomped her foot in frustration, like a child denied her candy.
After getting off the Ferris wheel, they continued exploring the amusent park together under Haruno's lead.
To its credit, the place was well-equipped in terms of facilities. But the decay was impossible to ignore.
The once-glorious fountain was bone dry, its base cracked and crumbling. A dried-up frog was stuck to the ground, swaying slightly in the breeze, as if protesting the park's tragic state.
Weeds poked through the gaps in the tiles, and the rest area had been taken over by middle-aged n and elderly uncles playing chess. Iron railings were cloaked in cobwebs, and the pool reeked, filled with trash.
It felt more like a war zone than a the park.
Haruno's face twisted in discomfort. Her mories didn't match this reality.
"Ahem... Let's check out [Tirami's Garden Adventure]. I used to love that place," she said, forcing a smile.
"Haruno," Shiro said gently, "maybe not."
He could already imagine how bad it must be over there. He didn't want her last fond mory shattered too.
"You look tired, and it's about ti we grabbed sothing to eat. We can co back another day."
She hesitated. Then, realizing this gave her an excuse to invite him again, she brightened.
"...Alright."
They left the amusent park and wandered into a nearby shopping street.
It was lunchti, and the street buzzed with activity. Office workers filled the area, searching for their go-to spots for a midday al.
For reasons unknown—even to herself—Haruno held his hand as they walked, their figures looking very much like a couple.
Shiro didn't mind. It wasn't like he was losing anything, so he let her be.
As they walked, Shiro suddenly stopped in front of a modest-looking restaurant, catching Haruno off guard.
"What's wrong, Shiro Sakamaki-kun?" she asked.
He pointed at the sign. "Let's eat here. I've got a feeling it's good."
Haruno followed his gaze. The sign read Kohei Restaurant.
Her lips curled slightly in disdain as she looked over the faded photos and dated decor.
"A place like this? Let's go get so steak instead."
"Nope. This is the place. Trust ," Shiro replied with certainty.
"...Alright. If you say so."
Reluctantly, she followed him inside, half-convinced there wouldn't be anything decent on the nu.
But the mont they stepped in, her eyes widened.
Despite the shabby exterior, the interior was bright, tidy, and surprisingly lively. The space buzzed with custors, and the warm scent of food filled the air. The walls were clean, the counters gleaming.
They managed to snag the last open table.
As delicious aromas wafted over from nearby dishes, Haruno's expression softened. Though she still harbored doubts, she couldn't deny the food slled amazing.
Just then, a cheerful red-haired waiter approached them with nus in hand and a big smile on his face.
"Welco! What would you like to order?"
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