The sky began to deepen into a rich indigo, and the myriad of colorful lights throughout "Dreamland" started to twinkle like a million stars fallen to earth. The laughter and chatter of the group of friends still lingered in the air. After everyone had browsed for souvenirs and refueled with delicious snacks, Riku clapped his hands once more, a mischievous grin playing on his lips.
"Alright, everyone!" Riku announced. "Before we grab some proper dinner and wait for the spectacular grand finale light and sound show, let's truly cap off our field activities by soaking in that ultra-romantic view from up there!" His finger pointed towards the "Dream Wheel," the giant Ferris wheel, which was turning slowly amidst the soft glow of evening lights, a striking silhouette against the darkening sky.
All eyes followed Riku's gesture. Himari's eyes immediately sparkled with delight. Ken and Zeno looked just as excited. Takumi merely arched an eyebrow but offered no objection. Iris let out a soft sigh, but a faint smile touched the corners of her lips. Leo glanced quickly at Lumine, noticing her bite her lip slightly. Her beautiful eyes held an unreadable shimmer, but he could sense a faint nervousness emanating from her.
"Wow, a Ferris wheel! It must be super romantic!" Himari exclaimed, already turning to whisper conspiratorially with Iris.
When it was their turn to board the gondolas, a little bit of chaos, or rather, a well-orchestrated plan, unfolded.
"Hey! Leo, Lumine, you two take this one! It's a perfect fit for two!" Zeno said, gently nudging Leo from behind, while Himari quickly ushered Lumine into the departing cabin.
"Wait! Why?" Leo tried to protest, but it was too late.
"The rest of us will take the next one! Don't you worry about a thing!" Riku shouted after them, his voice followed by Ken's laughter and Himari's giggles. Iris could only shake her head at her friends' scheme but didn't intervene. Takumi simply stood with his arms crossed, observing the scene with his usual stoic expression.
The gondola door closed, and Leo and Lumine found themselves in the small, private space, enveloped in a quietude punctuated only by the soft glow of lights from outside. A wave of shyness washed over them both. Leo surreptitiously swallowed, while Lumine looked down at her fingertips, not daring to meet Leo's eyes directly.
The Ferris wheel began its slow ascent, revealing a breathtaking panorama of the amusement park, illuminated by a symphony of colorful lights, as beautiful as a fairytale painting. The boisterous sounds from below gradually faded, leaving only the gentle whisper of the wind and the uneven rhythm of two hearts.
"It's... it's so beautiful," Lumine was the first to break the silence, her voice soft, yet it helped to ease the atmosphere.
Leo turned to look at Lumine's profile, softly lit by the ambient glow. Her fair skin seemed to radiate, and her dark brown eyes sparkled, reflecting the myriad lights. Her golden-brown hair, worn loose, swayed gently with the slight breeze, and the familiar, faint scent of lavender shampoo reached him once more. The sheer loveliness and beauty of the girl beside him made Leo feel as if his heart might stop. He truly couldn't take his eyes off her.
"Yeah... it's amazing," Leo replied, his gaze still fixed on Lumine. "But... the person sitting next to me right now... is even more beautiful than the view outside."
The words, tumbling out before he could stop them, made Lumine's cheeks flush a deep crimson. She quickly turned her head to look out at the view, but a small smile played on her lips. Leo, seeing her blush, felt an endearing warmth spread through him, mixed with his own bashfulness.
"Leo... you're exaggerating."
"I'm serious," Leo gathered his courage. "Today... Lumine, you look... you look incredibly cute. This dress really suits you. I... I haven't been able to take my eyes off you all day," he admitted honestly, despite the heat rising in his own face.
Lumine turned back to look at Leo, her eyes shimmering slightly. "Th-thank you," she stammered, then added, "You... you look very nice today too, Leo."
Her compliment sent a jolt of happiness through Leo. He smiled widely. "Lumine..." he began softly, just as their gondola reached the highest point. The view below was breathtaking, but what was in Leo's heart was far more important. "What I said before... my feelings for you... they haven't changed. Not one bit."
Lumine looked deep into Leo's eyes, seeing the sincerity and determination there. She understood he was waiting for her answer. Her heart pounded harder. She took a deep breath.
"Leo..." her voice was gentle. "I... I'm truly grateful, and very happy, for the feelings you have for me." She gazed out at the glittering lights below. "All this time... especially after what happened... I've done a lot of thinking about myself... about my feelings."
Leo listened intently, not rushing her, allowing her the space to say what she needed.
"I admit... I have good feelings for you too... more than you know," Lumine said, looking down, her cheeks deepening in color. "But... I... I really do still need a little more time. To be absolutely sure of my own feelings... to sort out all the confusion in my heart... before we... before we start anything truly serious."
She looked up, meeting his eyes, a slight plea in her gaze. "It... it won't be long... I promise."
Leo looked at Lumine steadily. He understood and respected her decision. Although a part of him had hoped for an answer today, he knew giving Lumine time was the most important thing. He smiled gently.
"Okay... I understand," he reached out and lightly touched the back of her hand, a comforting gesture. "I can wait... however long it takes."
The warmth from his touch seemed to reassure Lumine. She offered a small smile, her eyes lingering on his hand on hers for a moment before she looked up at him, a surprisingly mischievous glint in her eyes.
"But, you know..." she whispered, a rare, playful smile gracing her lips, "while you're waiting... don't go running off with some other girl, okay?"
Her words caught Leo by surprise, then he chuckled softly at this adorable, playful side of Lumine he was seeing for the first time. "Haha, no way. You're the only one for me."
Lumine giggled, a bright, genuine sound, the most joyful Leo had ever heard from her. The once-tense atmosphere in the gondola had completely transformed, now filled with warmth, understanding, and a hope that shone brighter than any of the lights in the amusement park below.
The Ferris wheel began its slow descent, but those brief moments at the top had become a precious memory, etched deeply into both their hearts. Leo knew his waiting had meaning, and Lumine knew she was no longer alone. The promise made beneath the stars, on this Ferris wheel of hope, was the beginning of a new chapter, ready to beautifully unfold very soon.