「The late afternoon sun painted the amusement park in warm golds and oranges, casting long shadows across the cobblestone paths. Laughter drifted by like music on the wind — children chasing bubbles, couples strolling with cotton candy, the faint creak of the carousel turning somewhere nearby. The distant sounds of the amusement park—laughter, bells, the soft music of a carousel—floated around us like a dream just out of reach. Mafuyu and Kanade sat quietly on a bench tucked away from the crowds. This part of the park felt like a pause between moments. Still. Gentle. 」

「 KANADE 」: “I thought you’d like this place,” Kanade said, unsure. “It’s… colorful. Not like our usual spots.”

「 She watched a paper ticket flutter past on the wind and tried not to stare at Mafuyu for too long. Mafuyu’s hair caught the light, every wavy strand brushed gold at the edges. Her expression, as always, was unreadable. But there was something softer in it today—something warm beneath the silence. Mafuyu tilted her head slightly, eyes tracing the edge of the path ahead. 」

「 MAFUYU 」: “It’s pretty,” she murmured. “But… You’re prettier.”

「 Mafuyu stood in front of Kanade, both of her hands gently cupping her cheeks like she was something delicate — something Mafuyu wasn’t quite sure she was allowed to touch, but couldn’t stop herself from holding. Kanade stared up at her, wide-eyed, frozen. Her palms were cool, but the heat spreading across her face made everything blur. 」

「 MAFUYU 」: “You’re so pretty,” Mafuyu whispered again, voice low and trembling in a way Kanade had never heard before. “So pretty, it doesn’t feel real sometimes.”

「 Her eyes searched Kanade’s — not with that empty, lost look she often wore, but with something else. Something clearer. Brighter. Like she was starting to see something and was afraid to let it go. 」

「 MAFUYU 」: “And somehow, you’re still the most beautiful person in the world.”

「 Kanade’s mouth opened to speak, but no words came. Her voice felt stuck somewhere in her chest, tangled in her heartbeat. 」

「 MAFUYU 」: “You would tilt your head when you’re thinking, then listening to music as the rest of us can’t. And when you smile — even just a little — it makes me want to cry.” Her thumbs brushed gently against Kanade’s skin, almost reverently.

「 Kanade swallowed hard. Her vision blurred with unshed tears. Not because the words hurt, but because they didn’t. Because they were soft and real and undeserved and she wanted so badly to believe them. Mafuyu leaned in closer — close enough that Kanade could see every detail in her eyes. That haunting mix of violet and pale sky, like a bruise trying to heal. 」

「 MAFUYU 」: “You could’ve left,” she whispered, like a confession. “You should have. When things got too heavy. But you didn’t.” Her fingers curled slightly, holding my face just a little more securely. She was shaking.

「 MAFUYU 」: “And that’s why you’re the most beautiful person I know. Because you stayed. Because you chose me. Even when no one else did.”

「 Kanade’s breath hitched. 」

「 MAFUYU 」: “You’re mine,” Mafuyu said again, quieter now. “And I’m lucky. I’m so, so lucky.”

「 Silence fell between them — but not the kind that hurt. The kind that felt full. Safe. Like the sound between two heartbeats. Mafuyu’s touch didn’t leave Kanade. She just stood there, still holding her face, like she was anchoring herself. Like letting go would mean waking up from something fragile. 」

「 Kanade didn’t say anything. Not because she didn’t want to — but because she couldn’t. Her voice would crack. Her heart might break. So instead, she closed my eyes… and leaned into Mafuyu’s touch. And she didn’t pull away. 」