Ferris Wheel Reflections

“Are you ready, young master?” Misha called from the doorway. Akari didn’t reply as he stared into the mirror. He had donned a brown jacket draped over a snug black turtleneck paired with faded blue jeans. With care, he fastened a silver chain necklace, allowing it to drape just right. He brushed his hair a bit before securing a delicate white hair clip in place.

“Young master, is everything alright?” Misha’s concern threaded her voice.

“I’m fine, Misha. Thank you.” Akari turned around, a gentle smile gracing his lips. His response held a note of reassurance. “I’m ready to go.”

As he left the building toward the limousine, a gangster held the door open for him and Misha to enter before closing it behind them. As the car started its engine to leave, Akari noticed it was just him and Misha along with the driver.

“Where’s Naoki?” He asked.

“Busy. He was summoned to help Ryoichi with a repair,” Misha explained, sitting across from the young gangster.

“I see…” Akari’s shoulders slumped slightly, a touch of disappointment flashing in his eyes. He had half-hoped Naoki’s mischievous presence would be at his side to provide distraction.

As they pulled up to their destination and Akari stepped out, he was met with the sight of an amusement park. Akari stared at the place nostalgically as he remembered the time he had spent here with Ayano. The sky almost seemed to revert back from the evening to the early noon when he and Ayano were here. It had been a fun hangout along with Chiaki and Momo. Of course, that was ages ago and that wasn’t important right now.

“You’re early,” Himeko’s voice rang out, drawing his attention. She stood before him wearing a navy skirt and a black shirt. Her hair was pulled into a high ponytail, secured by a pink scrunchie. Beside her, Goro stood as stoic as ever in his signature black and white attire.

“You say that like it’s a bad thing,” Akari gave her a sheepish smile.

“It’s not,” Himeko’s demeanor softened, a sigh escaping her lips as she crossed her arms. “It’s just unexpected of you.”

“Apologies, I’ll aim to be fashionably late next time,” Akari chuckled halfheartedly, earning a pouting grunt from the young lady as she rolled her eyes.

“We’ll leave you two be,” Misha and Goro gave their masters a polite bow as they entered through the gates and into the amusement park.

It wasn’t especially crowded today with only a few dozen people around that Akari could see. The squeals of people riding roller coasters seemed calmer. Underneath the golden hue of the sky, it felt more relaxing than the usual energetic atmosphere he felt the last time he was here.

“What shall we do first?” Himeko asked, glancing around at the attractions with a light smile.

“Anything you’d like,” Akari responded nonchalantly.

Himeko's eyes swept their surroundings before alighting on something that sparked her interest. She extended her arm, finger pointing toward a river ride with small log boats. Perched atop the attraction was a heart-shaped cardboard cutout, proudly displaying the words “River of Romance.”

“Really? We’re starting with that?” Akari’s inquiry carried a hint of uncertainty, thrown off by her sudden romantic inclination.

“What? Is there a problem?” She glared at him with stern eyes.

“No… not at all,” Akari let out a deep breath as he followed closely behind Himeko toward the attraction.

The log bobbed gently as it navigated the waterway, the world outside their vessel melting away. Seated side by side, an awkward silence enveloped them, the only sounds were the soft ripple of the stream and the gentle creaking of the log.

Himeko glanced expectedly at Akari, her expression revealing slight discomfort. “So, um, this is quite the... romantic ride, isn’t it?”

“Yes, quite romantic indeed,” Akari calmly replied.

A long pause stretched between them, filled only by the faint splashes of water against the boat’s sides. As they passed into a tunnel, the simulated starlit sky above them added an unintended layer of surrealism to the situation.

Himeko cleared her throat, breaking the silence. “You know, I thought it could be interesting to try something different.”

“Just because we’re supposed to get married, it doesn’t mean you have to force yourself to do these things,” Akari pointed out.

“I…It’s not like I’m forcing myself…” Himeko pouted as she glanced away, her eyes skimming along the black floor of the log boat.

The scenery shifted as they left the tunnel before passing under a simulated moonlit bridge, casting gentle shadows on their faces. The moment was oddly intimate, and both seemed acutely aware of it.

“It’s not bad to try something new every now and then though…” Himeko muttered.

“I suppose so,” Akari agreed as he glanced over at her with a gentle smile. “Though I must admit, I didn’t anticipate quite this level of... romantic ambiance.”

Himeko’s cheeks tinged with a faint blush. “Yes, well, it’s, uh, all part of the experience, I suppose.”

Another pause hung heavily between them, the sound of their breathing mingling with the soft sounds of the attraction. Their silence was luckily broken as the ride reached its end and they softly bumped against the loading dock.

Noticing a gathering of ducks by the tranquil lake nearby, Himeko’s face brightened with a childlike eagerness. Her steps quickened as she made her way to the water's edge, drawn by the allure of the gentle ripples and the carefree antics of the ducks. As her fingers curled around the cool metal railings that bordered the lake, a gentle breeze swept through, tousling her hair and imbuing the moment with a touch of whimsy.

Beside her, Akari followed at a measured pace, curiosity sparking in his eyes. He watched as Himeko leaned on the railings, her gaze fixed on the scene before her. The ducks continued their graceful paddling across the water, seemingly unperturbed by the presence of the onlookers.

Intrigued by the peaceful scene and the genuine delight in Himeko’s expression, Akari allowed himself to lean against the railings beside her. He found himself caught up in the simple beauty of the moment, the worries and pressures of their world momentarily forgotten.

“I know we don’t exactly get along,” Himeko’s voice carried a softness he hadn't heard from her before. “But could you at least entertain me for today?”

“I guess I do owe it to you,” Akari held out his hand. “Shall we find another ride, Himeko?”

As the hours unfolded, they embarked on more thrilling rides, from heart-pounding roller coasters to engaging stand games. The amusement park seemed to cast a spell on them, encouraging them to let go of their usual guard and embrace the shared enjoyment.

At one juncture, Akari’s eyes caught the haunted house attraction he had missed during his last visit. This time, he decided to take on the challenge, forcing Himeko to come. As they ventured into the eerie darkness, Himeko’s grip on Akari was almost vice-like, her nervousness palpable. In contrast, Akari found himself grinning at the horrors, thoroughly amused by the jumpscares as they navigated the twists and turns.

After the thrill of the haunted house, they decided to take a break, seeking respite at an outdoor café nestled within the park's ambiance. A decorative parasol shielded them from the sky, which had begun to darken with the approaching twilight. The atmosphere was tinged with a sense of relaxation as they savored parfaits, the sweet flavors mirroring the newfound camaraderie between them.

While Akari silently acknowledged to himself that the day had been unexpectedly enjoyable, he couldn’t shake the sense that something was missing — a void left by the absence of his friends and the memories they had created here.

“Hey, we haven't gone on the Ferris Wheel yet,” Himeko's voice interrupted his reverie, drawing him back to the present moment. Akari glanced up at the ride.

“Shall we go, Akari?” Ayano asked, her voice gently pulling him from his thoughts. Akari blinked, a moment of confusion washing over him as his mind wavered between past and present. It was as though the lines between memories and reality had blurred for an instant.

“Sure, let’s go.”

As the Ferris Wheel gently lifted them into the sky, Himeko’s eyes sparkled with a mix of excitement and wonder. The world below gradually shrunk in size, replaced by an expansive view that stretched as far as the eye could see.

“We’re so high up!” Himeko stated as she turned her attention to the young gangster. Akari exuded an air of tranquility as he leaned against the side of the Ferris Wheel’s carriage, his gaze fixed on the world beyond.

The sights that Ayano had once eagerly pointed out to him stood out vividly in his mind as he looked out over the panoramic view. The landscape below seemed to stretch endlessly, a patchwork of colors and shapes that told stories of the park's visitors, both past and present. He could almost hear Ayano’s laughter, the echo of their conversations carried by the wind.

“You’re not afraid of heights anymore?” Himeko noticed.

“I got used to them,” Akari sheepishly smiled, remembering how Ayano had calmed him down. His gaze shifted from the memory to the present, where the early stages of the dark night began to cast a twilight glow over the surroundings. The sky was painted with hues of indigo and violet, the fading sunlight leaving a lingering warmth in the air.

Once the Ferris Wheel ride came to a gentle stop, Himeko took a few purposeful steps forward, distancing herself from the towering structure. Taking a moment to search for something in her bag, her eyes widened as a subtle undercurrent of distress began to tighten its grip. Her fingers rifled through the items with an increasing urgency before her eyes darted around the area with growing agitation.

“What’s wrong?” Akari asked as he walked up beside her.

“My phone. It’s gone!”

“You didn’t leave it on the Ferris Wheel did you?”

“I think I dropped it by the railings when we were looking at the ducks,” Himeko recalled. “Could you go get it for me, Akari?”

“Sure,” Akari stated.

“I’ll just be waiting here then,” Himeko gave a light wave before Akari left.

As he ran off, Himeko’s hand gradually lowered. The warmth of her smile faded, replaced by a pensive sadness.

“There he goes, Goro,” Himeko whispered, her gaze fixated on the young boy. Her bodyguard stepped out of the shadows, his footsteps treading lightly as he stood just slightly behind her.

“Are you sure about this decision, my lady?” Goro asked.

“I’m sure,” Himeko’s smile remained, albeit tinged with a touch of wistfulness smiled warmly as Akari left her view. “After all, he belongs with her.”