The giant Ferris wheel towered at the edge of the park, its silhouette framing the evening sky that was beginning to change colors. Golden-orange light slowly painted a glow on the iron frame, while the long shadows of the visitors beneath overlapped one another. Amid the cheerful sounds of children and laughing couples, Raku glanced at his phone screen—it was exactly four o'clock.
He looked up. The sky wasn't dark yet; it was at its most beautiful moment. Sunlight sparkled softly, as if painting the clouds with a brush of orange and purple. Raku took a deep breath, then turned to the blonde girl beside him.
"Chitoge…" he said softly.
Chitoge, who had been busy looking at the ride board, stopped and turned with a hint of confusion. "Hm? What is it?"
Raku gave a slight smile, a bit hesitant before continuing. "How about we ride the Ferris Wheel? From up there… we can see the sunset more clearly."
Chitoge's eyes sparkled for a moment, though she quickly tried to hide it with a half-reluctant expression. "Tch… well, if you say so… I'll go along." But the corners of her lips lifted slightly, showing a hint of enthusiasm she couldn't hide.
They stepped into the line. Around them, a few couples held hands, some giggling softly as they entered the glass gondola, others sitting side by side with blushing faces. Chitoge glanced briefly and quickly looked away, her cheeks slightly warm.
When their turn came, the gondola door opened. Raku bowed politely, gesturing for Chitoge to enter first. "After you, Miss."
"I-idiot…" Chitoge stepped in with small steps, but her cheeks were blushing. Raku followed, and the door was shut tightly. The gondola began to move, slowly rising off the ground.
At first, only the sound of the machine and the wind could be heard. The city began to shrink below, Amagi Brilliant Park looking like a colorful miniature. From above, the sparkling fountains and castle-like rooftops appeared stunning.
"Waaah…" Chitoge pressed her hands to the glass, her eyes shining like a child discovering treasure. "It's so beautiful, Raku! I can see almost the entire park from here!"
Raku watched her silently. That pure smile, those eyes full of awe—something that made his heart beat faster. It wasn't just the view outside that was beautiful, but also the girl sitting across from him.
"Chitoge…" Raku finally spoke, his serious tone making Chitoge turn in confusion.
"W-what now?"
"I want to ask something."
Chitoge tilted her head. "Ask what?"
Raku tried to calm his racing heart. With a gentle but firm voice, he said:
"Can you close your eyes for a moment? I… want to give you something."
Chitoge blushed immediately. "Don't tell me it's something weird again? If you try anything, I swear—!" she said quickly, though her hands clutched her skirt tightly. Raku just smiled calmly, not answering, waiting.
Finally, with reluctance but curiosity, Chitoge closed her eyes. "J-just for a second, okay."
Raku looked at her face. Her blonde hair caught in the sunset light, her long lashes trembling gently, her thin lips slightly pursed from nervousness. His heart trembled.
He moved in slowly, both hands reaching for Chitoge's shoulders, then without many words, he hugged her tightly and pressed his lips to hers.
Chitoge instantly froze. Her body stiffened, her hands almost pushing him away. "Mmm—!" But Raku held her tighter, embracing her with all his strength as if not wanting to let go. Only the creaking sound of the gondola and the breeze of the evening wind bore witness.
Several seconds that felt like an eternity passed. Finally, Raku pulled away, his face still close, his eyes looking deeply at Chitoge who remained silent with a face red as the sunset.
"I… like you, Chitoge."
Chitoge was stunned. Her voice caught, her hands trembled. "I-idiot… why say something like that all of a sudden?" She lightly hit Raku's chest, more out of embarrassment than anger.
But Raku didn't back away, still looking at her seriously. "I really like you."
Chitoge looked down, her heart pounding, her eyes starting to tear up. From the start, she hated that fake relationship—three years of falsehood and small arguments. But now… it was different. Raku who lost his memories, who acted innocent and sincere, was slowly entering her heart.
In that uncertainty, a faint voice echoed in her mind. Words she once heard from the goddess Amaterasu—"Feelings that begin as false, when cared for sincerely, can sometimes become real. Don't let go of that hand."
Tears fell. Chitoge whispered softly, almost inaudibly. "I… want to confirm something. That locket."
Raku took out the golden locket he always kept. Chitoge, with trembling hands, tried inserting the key she had. Click. It didn't fit. The key couldn't open it.
A vague memory emerged—of a messy past. When she and Marika were little and argued about who the real key owner was, when Raku briefly looked toward Onodera, and… saw the confession on the hill, "I like you, Kosaki." He even gave the princess key to Kosaki.
Chitoge returned to reality. Her tears fell heavily. "Why? Why me?"
Raku, though surprised, immediately hugged her tightly. "Even though I have amnesia, even though I don't know the childhood promise… these feelings are real, Chitoge. I may not be the Raku you knew, but I… want you to know that I truly love you."
Chitoge looked up, her eyes wet. "You mean… not Raku?"
"There are other memories in my head. Of crazy things—Outer Gods, Trihexa, creatures that should only exist in fiction. Sometimes I feel… maybe I'm not the Ichijou Raku from before. But now I'm asking again. Even if I'm not the Raku you knew as a child… will you still accept me?"
Silence. Only the Ferris wheel continued to rise slowly.
Chitoge bit her lip, then looked down, her face still red and tear-streaked. "I… like you too."
Raku pulled her back into a hug. This time, Chitoge didn't resist. She returned the hug, burying her face in Raku's chest.
From the gondola, the sunset showed its most beautiful colors. The sun slowly descended, leaving a golden light that illuminated two hearts that had finally found each other.
On that beautiful evening, two people once bound by falsehood, were now tied by real feelings.
The gondola finally stopped at the bottom. The door opened, the soft evening air welcomed them back. Raku stepped out first, then offered his hand to Chitoge.
Chitoge hesitated, her face still red, but eventually took the hand. "Tch… idiot," she muttered softly while looking down. But her grip was firm, as if she didn't want to let go.
They walked down the platform, passing a few other visitors who were about to board. The sunset light fell on their faces, adding to the blush already there.
At the base of the Ferris Wheel, a few park staff stood. One of them, Isuzu Sento, in her neat military uniform, was already waiting. Her eyes briefly glanced at Raku and Chitoge's still intertwined hands.
"…Congratulations," said Isuzu shortly, but her voice was softer than usual.
Chitoge was surprised, quickly letting go of Raku's hand. "W-what do you mean congratulations?! That's not—!" her face turned even redder.
Raku just scratched his head, smiling awkwardly. "Hehe… thanks, I guess."
From behind, Seiya Kanie appeared with his usual elegant pose, arms crossed. "Hm, hm… wonderful." He gave a sly smile, his eyes sparkling as if he had found new material to exploit. "Ferris Wheel at sunset, love confession, tears, and… ah, even a first kiss, right? A complete package that will make this park even more famous."
"Idiot! Don't say that out loud!" Chitoge screamed, covering her face with both hands.
Raku panicked, "Heeey! Can you not shout that in public?! Now everyone will know!"
Several park mascots—Moffle, Macaron, and Tirami—who happened to be passing by, immediately stopped.
"Oooh, what's this?" Moffle said in his shrill voice, pointing. "So this kid finally grew a spine, fua?!"
"Waaah, so romantic!" Tirami stared at them with a naughty gaze. "Ferris Wheel, sunset, and then… chu~ on the lips, right? Right?!"
"Uwaaahhh, new couple! New couple!" Macaron joined in, cheering while doing a little dance.
Raku and Chitoge shouted together, "CAN YOU ALL JUST SHUT UP?!"
However, that small commotion made a few passing visitors glance and smile. The atmosphere turned warm, as if the park was filled with light not just from the sun, but also from human feelings.
Isuzu bowed slightly, her voice low but sincere. "I… feel relieved. It turns out this park is not just a place of entertainment… but also a place where people can find something precious."
Raku turned, somewhat surprised by that gentle tone. Chitoge also looked at Isuzu, her eyes softening.
Meanwhile, Seiya took a deep breath, staring at the evening sky that was beginning to darken. "Even so… the road is still long. The goal of 500,000 visitors a year is no small feat." He gave a small smile, not his usual sarcastic one, but a smile of relief. "But… if today could make people like you smile and speak honestly about your feelings… maybe, just maybe, this park still has hope."
Raku and Chitoge looked at each other briefly. Without words, they both gave a faint smile—an awkward but sincere one.
In the distance, a small bell rang, signaling that evening was about to turn into night. The park's lights began to glow, adding a warm sparkle all around them.
That day, not only did Amagi Brilliant Park live a little longer, but also two hearts that had finally found their answer.