Then, in a flash, the two slipped out of the stadium before anyone could react.

Inside the live stream chat, on-site, and even in the director's booth...

Everyone was stunned.

They... ran?

What the hell just happened?

The chat erupted instantly with a wave of laughing emojis and "666" spam.

"I knew it! Classic Mizushiro move. The organizers thought they could boost their clout by getting him on stage? Joke's on them."

"Still think Haruki and Ryuko are just friends? Who grabs their friend's hand and bolts like that?"

"My princess! It's been taken away!"

"Actually, with Mizushiro's fame, isn't he the prince here?"

…

Haruki held Ryuko's hand tightly as they ran out through the crowd, vanishing into the night of the amusement park.

After a while, the two finally sat down on a bench, catching their breath.

"Sorry… Ryuko," Haruki panted, still winded. "I dragged you out without asking. That probably ruined the experience for you."

He looked apologetic. If it weren't for his fear of getting mobbed by fans, Ryuko could've just enjoyed the rest of the show with minimal fuss. Sure, she was a popular voice actor now, but at most she'd get approached by a dozen or so fans asking for a photo or an autograph.

But Haruki was different. It had only taken ten minutes in line for nearly a hundred fans to surround them. If they'd gone on stage, even for a few minutes, he couldn't imagine how fast things would have spiraled out of control.

Haruki wasn't exaggerating. His social media had 2.7 million real followers more than many first-tier celebrities bloated by bots and fake engagement. And that was just on paper. In reality, his influence extended far beyond.

How many of his fans were already in this amusement park? He didn't want to find out.

And to top it off, the whole "random selection" felt far too convenient. Haruki had a hunch the organizers had rigged it. He didn't mind doing favors or boosting a scene, but they could've at least asked him. That total lack of courtesy? Yeah, no he wasn't going to play along.

"No, it's fine," Ryuko said softly, still catching her breath. "Watching the match with you… I had a really good time."

Haruki brushed it off as politeness she probably just didn't want to make him feel guilty.

It was already 7:30. The sky had gone dark, and the amusement park was noticeably quieter than it had been earlier.

"It's getting late. Let's get some food," Haruki said, stomach growling.

But Ryuko didn't answer right away. She was staring upward, lost in thought.

"What is it?" Haruki followed her gaze.

The Ferris wheel towered above them, lit in beautiful, soft neon.

"Let's go ride that," she said quietly.

"You still want to play?" Haruki hesitated. He was hungry, and they were still technically hiding out. What if someone spotted them again?

"I just want to sit and rest for a bit," she said with a gentle smile. "After this, we'll leave."

"…Alright," Haruki agreed after a pause. It was the least he could do.

They walked toward the Ferris wheel. Ten minutes later, they reached it. There were still couples in line, but the dim lighting helped them stay unnoticed. Haruki pulled down his hat, just in case.

Soon, the two were seated in a private carriage. As it began to rise, Haruki felt a wave of elevator like vertigo.

The view widened with every second, until Haruki looked down and quickly shut his eyes.

Across from him, Ryuko sat quietly, head lowered, saying nothing.

"…Are you afraid of heights?" Haruki asked, trying to sound calm despite his own unease.

Ryuko snapped out of her thoughts. "What? No! It's not that."

"Your face is red," Haruki frowned. "You feeling okay?"

Ryuko's face was flushed, even under the carriage's dim light.

"I'm fine," she said quickly, though she avoided his eyes.

"…Let me check," Haruki reached over, pressing the back of his hand to her forehead.

Her skin was warm. Definitely above normal.

Did she catch something after leaving the warm stadium into the cool night?

As he pulled his hand back, her blush deepened.

"Haruki…" she began but he cut her off.

"If you're not feeling well, let's stop talking. I'll take you to the hospital as soon as this ends."

The carriage crested the top of the wheel, but neither of them noticed the glittering skyline.

"I'm not sick," Ryuko said, more firmly this time. "Listen to me."

Haruki sighed and nodded. "Alright. What is it?"

"When you were watching the game earlier," Ryuko said, "you mentioned you'd consider dating someone and getting married someday."

"…Yeah?" Haruki blinked.

"Then… is there someone you already like?" she asked.

Haruki raised a brow. "What are you ?"

But he paused when he saw her eyes. She weren't joking or teasing. She were steady. Serious.

"No," he said simply. "Now stop talking. I'll get you checked out."

"Then… what kind of person would you consider dating?" Ryuko pressed.

"Ryuko, seriously, are you feeling okay? You're acting really different today."

"I told you, I'm not sick."

Haruki sighed. "Fine. I don't know, okay? I never really thought about it."

"So that means," she said slowly, "your 'future'… it could start now?"

The carriage was descending now, but neither of them noticed.

Haruki's brain short-circuited.

"…What?"

"Haruki, I like you."

Her voice was clear. Steady.

Haruki froze.

"…You…"

"I know what I'm saying," Ryuko said. "I've never been more certain."

(TL:- if you want even more content, check out p-atreon.com/Alioth23 for 60+ advanced chapters)