The roller coaster ride had ended, but for Kokoro, the aftermath felt worse than the thrill itself.
His legs wobbled slightly as he stepped down onto the safety ramp. His face had turned pale, his forehead and neck glistening with cold sweat, and his usual energy looked thoroughly drained. He resembled a ghost who had narrowly escaped his second death. Meanwhile, Mika—beaming with joy—was a vision of elegance and vitality, her laughter pure, carefree, and wickedly charming.
"Oh, you poor thing," she teased, voice brimming with amusement. Without warning, she coiled her arms tightly around Kokoro's right arm, pressing her soft body—particularly the lush fullness of her chest—firmly against him.
"H-Hey," Kokoro stammered, cheeks flaring with heat. "W-We're in public…! This is kind of embarrassing…"
Mika only smiled as if he'd said something adorable. "It's a date, Kokoro. Of course we can do things like this. Look around—other couples are being lovey-dovey too."
Sure enough, some of the other couples that had shared the ride with them were holding hands or leaning into each other, giggling and grinning just like Mika. One pair even kissed quickly before walking off toward the next ride.
Kokoro sighed, surrendering to her logic and warmth. "I guess… just don't go overboard."
"I make no promises," she said with a mischievous grin.
Still wrapped around his arm, Mika looked around the park thoughtfully, her eyes flitting from attraction to attraction. Then, after a brief moment of contemplation, her gaze landed on a small crepe and drink stand nestled between two larger food stalls. With a delighted hum, she gently tugged Kokoro toward it.
"Let's recharge first," she said sweetly. "You need to recover before I drag you on to more rides."
Kokoro followed with a grateful smile. "Bless you."
As they stepped through the pastel-colored doors, a cool breeze of air conditioning enveloped them like a soft embrace. The scent of sugar and fruit wafted around the café, mingling with the rich aroma of freshly made crepes and sweet milk teas. The interior was small but charming, decorated in warm wood and soft pastel shades. Families with children sat at corner tables, licking whipped cream from their fingers. A group of teenage girls near the window chatted animatedly about a ride they were too scared to try. Somewhere behind the counter, the soft sizzle of batter hitting the hot plate added to the cozy soundscape.
Mika and Kokoro made their way to the counter and browsed the menu together. She ended up ordering a strawberry-banana crepe topped with whipped cream and chocolate drizzle, paired with a honey-lemon soda. Kokoro chose a matcha crepe filled with mochi and red bean paste along with a cold milk tea. The server handed them a small number plate after taking their order.
They found an empty table near the window, the soft afternoon sunlight spilling through the glass and catching the golden hues in Mika's snow-white hair. As Kokoro sat down, he let out a long, exaggerated sigh.
Mika giggled, sipping her water. "You're going to need that break. We're just getting started."
Kokoro leaned back, giving her a wary look. "How long did you plan today's date anyway?"
Mika's lips curled into a sly smile. "That… is a surprise."
Kokoro chuckled wearily, ruffling his own silver hair. "I don't know whether to be scared or impressed."
The soft murmur of conversations filled the café as they waited. It wasn't loud, but vibrant in its own quiet way. Kids giggled over their sweet treats. A couple near the door were feeding each other bites from their crepes. A mother scolded her son for trying to drink his smoothie too fast.
Eventually, their number was called, and their orders were placed gently on a tray—warm, colorful, and delicious-looking.
Mika's eyes sparkled as she took in the sight of her crepe, while Kokoro found himself genuinely smiling again. The storm of thrills, confusion, and laughter had momentarily calmed.
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The warm golden sunlight filtered through the café window, illuminating the swirl of whipped cream on Mika's crepe like it was crowned in soft light. She leaned slightly forward and took her first bite, sinking her teeth into the delicate, warm pastry. The moment the blend of strawberry, banana, and chocolate hit her tongue, her eyes widened and sparkled like gemstones.
"Mm—!" Mika let out a soft, delighted hum, almost like a purring cat basking in sunlight. "It's so good…"
Kokoro couldn't help but smile at her genuine reaction, the kind of radiant happiness that could only come from something simple and pure. He took a bite of his own matcha crepe, the subtle bitterness of the green tea perfectly balanced by the sweetness of red bean paste and the chewy texture of mochi. His tired nerves started to calm.
"This really is good…" he mumbled between chews.
Then Mika turned to him, her expression innocent and earnest. With both hands gently cupping the paper wrapper of her crepe, she extended it toward Kokoro. "Kokoro, try mine. I swear it tastes even better than it looks!"
He blinked, staring at her—her face was pure, like she wasn't doing anything remotely out of the ordinary. Her bright eyes looked straight into his, gleaming with warmth and a hint of mischief beneath that wide-eyed charm.
Kokoro's heart skipped for a moment, but he leaned forward and took a bite—carefully avoiding the area where Mika had bitten. The taste exploded across his tongue: sweet banana, fresh strawberries, smooth chocolate, all wrapped in warm crepe.
"Not bad at all," he said honestly, giving a small nod of approval.
But then guilt crept in. He felt like he was the only one on the receiving end of her kindness.
"Here," Kokoro offered his crepe to Mika, unsure if matcha and red bean would suit her tastes. "Wanna try mine? Though I don't know if it's your kind of flavor…"
Without hesitation, Mika leaned forward—and unlike Kokoro, she bit directly into the exact spot where he had taken his bite, her soft lips brushing the same place his had touched. She took a generous mouthful and chewed slowly, giving a light, contented nod.
"Thanks, Kokoro," she said sweetly, a soft flush on her cheeks. "It's really yummy."
Kokoro stared at her with a tired smile, unsure if he was slowly being lured into some kind of mischievous trap. She just beamed back, all innocent grace and quiet victory.
They continued enjoying their food in the soft hum of the café until Mika, as if struck by another idea, held out her drink next—her honey-lemon soda, sparkling in its translucent plastic cup with a single straw poking from the sealed lid.
"Kokoro, want to try mine?" she asked innocently, but Kokoro's eyes were already drawn to the straw.
It was clearly the same one she had been sipping from.
He hesitated. If I drink from that… then her lips… and her saliva… The thought made his face slowly flush a deeper shade of red. Every nerve in his body screamed no, but then he glanced up—Mika was staring at him with the same sincere, radiant face, as if this was the most casual thing in the world.
He sighed in defeat and leaned forward to take a small sip.
Sweet citrus filled his mouth—and maybe a faint hint of something else he dared not name.
When he handed the drink back, Mika wore a quiet, successful grin. Then, with a slightly exaggerated glance toward Kokoro's own drink, she tilted her head.
"Can I have a sip of yours too?"
Kokoro glanced at his drink—a tall plastic cup of milk tea, sealed with a plastic film and a thick straw protruding from the top. It was exactly the same type of cup. He gave it a wary look.
But… he was a gentleman.
He handed it over.
Mika took it with a bright smile—almost too bright—and brought the straw to her lips. Her eyes never left Kokoro's face as she took a long, unhurried sip, savoring both the drink and his reaction.
When she finally pulled back, Kokoro could see it—just a faint glisten on the straw where her lips had been. Mika returned the cup and leaned in with a devilish grin on her beautiful face.
"Kokoro's drink tastes wonderful," she whispered, eyes twinkling.
Kokoro's face flushed scarlet.
He looked away, pretending to examine the patterns on the table, pretending not to notice her subtle victory or the heat blooming in his chest.
He couldn't decide if this was a date or a quiet war of attrition on his self-control.
But Mika… Mika was winning.