As the Ferris wheel slowly ascended, the city lights spread out below them like a glittering tapestry. Kiyotaka found himself captivated by the sight, but his gaze kept drifting back to Kei, who sat beside him, her eyes fixed on the horizon.
"You don't seem very impressed," she said, her voice soft.
"I am," Kiyotaka replied, turning to look at her. "It's just... different from what I expected."
"Different in a good way?" she asked, a hint of hope in her voice.
Kiyotaka smiled, a rare sight that made Kei's heart flutter. "Yes," he said. "Different in a good way."
As the Ferris wheel reached its peak, Kiyotaka leaned closer, his gaze meeting hers. He could see the vulnerability beneath her cool facade, the uncertainty that she tried so hard to hide.
He reached out and gently brushed a stray strand of hair from her cheek. "You're beautiful, Karuizawa-san," he whispered.
Kei's breath hitched. She had never heard anyone say that to her before, especially not someone like Kiyotaka.
"Thank you," she murmured, her voice barely audible.