Song 25

Tenma sat on the bench, staring intensely at the range of meals and snacks Lucan had prepared. “Corn?” He asked, looking at Lucan, rolling his eyes to gesture to the food. “You used corn in all these dishes.”

“And strawberry corn,” Lucan spoke proudly. “I wanted to amend the menu to make it easy and quick to prepare, whilst using locally sourced food. This will open up some good business partnerships for you that will benefit both parties.”

Both Meloria and Tenma looked at Lucan with astonished looks. Lucan had really put some thought into this menu, not just from a food perspective, but also from a business perspective, which would mean the menu could always be catered to. Smiling, Meloria was the first to lean over, taking a mouthful of the corn salad. She hummed and nodded, pointing to the dish. “So good,” she complimented through her full mouth.

Tenma hummed, still skeptical about how a kid could come up with so many dishes using limited ingredients, but seeing how much Meloria enjoyed it, Tenma took the plunge. He took a spoon himself and hesitantly placed it in his mouth, closing his mouth before he could change his mind. He chewed slowly, his eyes meeting Lucan’s cocky gaze as he watched him eat. Tenma swallowed, looking down at the bench as he spoke quietly, “It’s delicious.”

Lucan cupped a hand around his ear, leaning in with his cocky grin growing wider. “I’m sorry I didn’t catch that,” he teased.

Tenma’s face heated up, his cheeks burning a bright red. “I said it’s delicious,” he exclaimed, showing his face.

Meloria giggled, her heart fluttering at Tenma’s childish reactions. “That’s what matters,” she tried to reassure him, putting a hand on his back. “And with my songs and Lucan’s food,” Meloria took a moment to think about her following words. “As well as your grandfather’s legacy, I am sure that this theme park will be a huge success.”

“Meloria,” Tenma could feel his back tingle where Meloria’s hand rested.

Throughout the rest of the day, Tenma worked alongside Lucan and the food stall staff to ensure they were familiar with everything they needed to know about the new menu. He helped Meloria design new outfits and plan a route through the city. Although he wasn’t one hundred percent sure of the reason, he couldn’t help but find trust in her.

Later that evening, the stars sparkled above as Tenma lay on the grassy hill, letting the cool breeze and soft grass help him relax. It was strange to think he was entrusting the future of his grandfather’s legacy to a couple of strangers. His eyes glanced over to one of the brightest stars, reminding him of the sparkle he saw in Meloria’s eyes when she first approached the entrance. Not even the employees he hired looked at his theme park that way. Even Lucan had a look on his face that spoke to him, as cocky and punchable as it was. Looking into his eyes, he knew even Lucan wanted to help him. Maybe, if the two of them could pull off their crazy scheme, the future of the park wouldn’t be so dark.

He could still see his grandfather’s stupid grin as he unravelled the plans for the theme park. He remembered the long hours his grandfather would work to afford the land to build on and the contractors to create the machinery. Watching him work so hard was what made Tenma admire him all the more, and it made him want to inspire people.

“Mind if I join you?” Meloria asked, bending over so her face was hovering above Tenma’s, her hair cascading down her face, the tips tickling Tenma’s nose. He smiled, patting the spot to his left, inviting Meloria to lie with him. The grass crunched beneath her as Meloria moved to lie beside him, moving her hair over her shoulder to avoid getting it dirty, and laying her head down. Looking up at the stars, she couldn’t help but wonder if she was looking at the same stars she saw back in her old life. “You can see the stars so clearly here,” she smiled, reaching out as if to grasp one of the stars. “It’s not what I expected from the city.”

“Oh yeah?” Tenma chuckled, turning to face her. “And what did you expect, farm girl?”

Meloria scoffed, turning on her side, bending her arm, and resting her face in her hand. “I’m not a farm girl,” she shoved Tenma’s shoulder playfully. “I’m an idol, and to answer your question. I didn’t expect so much nature, to be able to see clear skies.”

Tenma pulled a face, “What is an idol anyway? You keep spouting that word about, and I don’t understand what you mean. You seem to be obsessed with this while idol thing, and I want to understand it.”

Meloria giggled, scooting into a better position to sit upright. She smiled softly, one hand idly playing with the grass. “If we go by the actual definition, an idol is either someone who is worshipped, a figure on whom people place their belief, or” Meloria sang out the word ‘or’, carrying the syllable a little longer. “The type of idol I like to be is someone who is admired, someone who makes people smile.”

“Make people smile?” Tenma repeated sitting up, crossing his legs.

“If I asked you, who makes you smile, who do you think of?” Meloria asked with a caring smile.

Someone who makes him smile? “Well, I’d say my grandfather,” he grinned. “And you.”

Meloria felt her face flush up, her breath hitching as her heart raced. Why was her body responding this way? Why are her palms sweaty? Why is her mouth dry? This is what she wanted: people to tell her she made them smile. Yet, hearing someone say it out loud made her heart flutter. She moved her hand to tuck some loose strands of hair behind her ear, keeping her hand there a little longer to hide her beet-red face. “T-thanks,” she mentally cursed herself for stammering, losing her composure like an idiot. “Are you looking forward to tomorrow?”

Tomorrow is the grand second opening of the theme park. To give one last push towards the dream he shared with his grandfather. “Meloria, do you think I can make people smile, too?” He asked, his voice last with sadness through the smile. “I’m not an idol, but I do want to make people smile, too. I want to see the bright smile on the faces of every person who walks through that door.”

Touched by his words, Meloria reached over, placing her hand on top of Tenma’s. “Well, you make me smile,” she whispered, just loud enough for Tenma to hear, making him blush. “And we’ve just met. I’d say you’re a natural at making people smile.”

“Meloria,” Tenma whispered, covering his mouth, pulling his knees up to his chest, wanting the ground to swallow him whole.

“Hey Tenma.”

“W-what is it?” He asked, looking through the gap of his fingers.

“When we make the park a success,” Meloria put a hand on her chest, the other reaching out to Tenma. “Will you take me on the Ferris wheel?”