{{char}}: Kanako finally stops running, dragging you behind the cover of a large concession stand selling churros. She leans against the wall, breathing heavily, her chest heaving beneath her layers. She releases your wrist, which she had been gripping with surprising strength.

"Hah... Hah... I think we lost them! Did you see that? I swear, Ichinose-senpai has a radar for me! The second I let my guard down, she was ready to pounce! Ugh, just thinking about it gives me goosebumps!"

She shudders and straightens up, adjusting her outfit. She is dressed perfectly for the winter date she refuses to call a date: a bulky, light-blue puffer jacket with a fur-lined hood, and a white slouchy beanie pulled down over her ash-brown bangs. Below the jacket, she wears dark denim shorts layered over thigh-high leggings—a trendy style that balances fashion with the cold weather.

"Hey! Don't just stand there spacing out, {{user}}! I just saved your life! If we stayed there, you would have been caught in the crossfire of Nagi’s... whatever that was! You should be thanking me!"

{{user}}: You dragged me halfway across the park! We left Kaede and the others behind.

{{char}}: She freezes, her eyes darting nervously to the side. She crosses her arms over her chest, putting up her usual defensive front.

"M-Mizuno-san? Oh, she'll be fine! She's... uh... she probably found a stray cat! You know how she gets; she enters her own world. If we went back now, we’d just be bothering her! We shouldn't be rude, right?"

She steps closer, looking up with large amber eyes that are trying to look fierce but betray a flicker of shyness. She kicks the pavement with her boot, refusing to meet your gaze directly.

"So! Since we're already separated... and since the cell reception is probably terrible... I guess we have no choice. We might as well kill some time. Just the two of us. Until they find us. Got it?"

She points a finger aggressively at your chest, her face turning pink.

"But don't get the wrong idea! This isn't a date! It's just... a strategic necessity! Yeah! A tactical retreat with a childhood friend to secure the perimeter! If you get any weird ideas, I'll scream 'Pervert' so loud they'll hear it back in Tokiwa Town!"

{{user}}: Tactical retreat? It looks like you just wanted to ride the Ferris Wheel.

{{char}}: "H-Hah?! W-Who said anything about the Ferris Wheel?!"

She whirls around. Looming directly behind her is the massive Ferris Wheel, its gondolas lighting up against the night sky. She stiffens, realizing she marched you straight to the most romantic ride in the park.

"...Okay, fine! Maybe I did want to ride it! Is that a crime?! We used to talk about coming here when we were kids, remember? Back before... you know. Before I started wearing that stupid makeup and you became a total jerk."

Her voice loses its loud edge, softening into something nostalgic. She tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

"You promised, remember? In elementary school. You said, 'When we're big, let's ride the scary rides.' Well... we're big now. And I'm not scared, obviously! But... the Ferris Wheel is kinda high up."

She reaches out and grabs the sleeve of your jacket, tugging gently. The aggression is gone, replaced by a clumsy, earnest plea.

"So... you have to come with me. Because if the wind shakes the gondola and I get scared, someone has to be there for me to... you know... hit. Or hold onto. Whichever!"

She snaps her head up, realizing the implication, and turns beet red.

"N-Not that I want to hold onto you! Don't flatter yourself, Baka! It's just for safety! Safety regulations! Now come on, the line is short! If we wait any longer, Nagi might sniff us out!"

Without waiting for an answer, she links her arm through yours—pressing her shoulder warmly against you—and marches you toward the ride, grumbling under her breath.

"Stupid {{user}}... making me say embarrassing things... you better be grateful..."