As the curtain closed on the conversation with Seiya, Isuzu, and the mascots, Chitoge's face was already red like a ripe tomato. She couldn't take it anymore hearing the teasing and cheers from the park characters who kept talking about "what happened in the gondola."
"Uuuhhh… idiot! Don't tell me everyone already knows?!" Chitoge covered her cheeks with her left hand, then with her right hand immediately grabbed Raku's arm.
"Eh—Chitoge, wait, why are you pulling like that?" Raku tried to maintain his balance as he was nearly dragged.
"Shut up! We need to get out of here fast before everyone starts talking about weird stuff too!" Chitoge snapped, her voice high but trembling.
Raku could only sigh in resignation, letting himself be pulled through the crowd. Some park staff who happened to pass by gave friendly greetings, but their expressions clearly showed curiosity.
"Congratulations, you two!" one staff member in a blue uniform waved.
"We heard about you on the Ferris Wheel…" whispered another staff member while chuckling.
Chitoge nearly tripped in her hurry. "What the heck?! Why does everyone know?!"
Raku glanced back, his face stiff. "I think… the Ferris Wheel operator spread the gossip…"
As if to confirm, the voice of the gondola operator echoed from his booth: "Hehehe, hot news, hot news! A new couple was born on the sunset Ferris Wheel!"
Chitoge immediately covered her ears. "Huuuuuh, I can't take this anymore!" She looked down, her face turning even redder, then quickened her pace, still pulling Raku away.
Moffle, still standing behind, folded his arms and shouted, "Hey kid! Don't make the girl cry again, fuaaa!"
Tirami added in a teasing voice, "If you two get married someday, don't forget to invite usss~"
"CAN YOU SHUT UP?!" Chitoge yelled again without turning around, her voice nearly cracking.
Raku could only gaze at the evening sky that was now a deep orange, then muttered softly with a faint smile. "Really loud… but somehow, it feels warm too."
Chitoge looked down deeply, her grip on Raku's arm only tightening. Even though she tried to hide her embarrassment, her pounding heartbeat couldn't lie—she didn't want to let go of that hand, even as everyone watched.
The sky had begun to turn to dusk, golden-orange light blanketing Amagi Brilliant Park. The cheers of visitors had begun to fade, replaced by soft music playing from the park's speakers. After walking for quite a while, Chitoge finally stopped pulling Raku's arm.
"Haaaah… I'm tired…" Chitoge wiped her forehead, her breath a little labored. "I need a cold drink or I might faint right here."
Raku also sighed, patting the dust off his pants. "In that case, how about we head straight to the restaurant? I'm hungry too."
Just as Raku finished speaking, a voice was heard from the direction of his shadow, a small but clear voice, as if coming from nowhere.
"I'm hungry too."
Chitoge fell silent. Her eyes widened, then she quickly looked left and right. There was no one around them except a few visitors already walking toward the exit. She then moved closer to Raku with a questioning look on her face.
"Raku… you heard that voice too, right?" Chitoge leaned down slightly, staring at him suspiciously.
Raku smiled awkwardly while scratching the back of his head. "Ah… that's… Shinobu."
"Shinobu?" Chitoge squinted. "Who's that? Don't tell me… another woman?!" Her tone instantly rose, her cheeks red not just from exhaustion, but from a mix of jealousy and irritation.
"Uh… yeah, you could say that. But… our relationship is kind of… complicated." Raku tried to explain, but it only sounded more suspicious.
"Complicated, huh?" Chitoge leaned closer, their faces just inches apart. "If she really exists, then show her to me now."
Before Raku could calm Chitoge down, the shadow under his feet suddenly rippled. From it emerged a small girl with golden hair, wearing simple clothes, with golden-yellow eyes that were calm yet piercing.
Shinobu lightly jumped out, standing beside Raku with her hands on her hips. "Fufufu, summoning me so rudely… I finally came out."
Chitoge leapt back nearly a meter, her face pale. "W-what is that?! A ghost?!" She gripped Raku's shoulder so hard it hurt from the pressure.
Shinobu chuckled softly, covering her mouth with her small hand. "Hahaha… I'm not a ghost, Miss. I'm a vampire. My full name is Shinobu Oshino."
Chitoge still stared in disbelief. Her eyes scanned Shinobu's figure from head to toe, then slowly turned to Raku. Her gaze was full of suspicion and accusation.
"…You're a lolicon, aren't you?"
"Haah?!" Raku nearly choked on his own spit. "N-not true! Don't accuse me like that! I'm not a lolicon!"
Shinobu instead smiled with satisfaction, as if enjoying the situation. "Hoh? So in other people's eyes, our relationship seems like that, huh? Interesting."
"Don't make it worse!" Raku waved his hands in panic.
Meanwhile, Chitoge stood with her hands on her hips, her lips pouting in frustration, her cheeks still red. "I can't believe it… after everything, you even have some weird creature clinging to you."
Raku let out a deep sigh, his face filled with despair. "Today just keeps getting more complicated…"
...
That night, Yukihira Restaurant felt different than usual. Simple hanging lamps lit the wooden tables with a warm yellow glow, while the aroma of broth, soy sauce, and freshly stir-fried meat filled the air. Though it was already a bit late, one or two customers still sat far in the corner, but overall the atmosphere was quite calm.
As soon as the sliding door rang cling—cling, Raku, Chitoge, and Shinobu entered almost at the same time.
"Welcome to Yukihira Restaurant, please have a seat!" Souma greeted with his signature confident smile.
The three of them chose a table near the window. The wooden chairs creaked softly as they were pulled out. Chitoge and Shinobu sat side by side, while Raku sat across from them.
"Is there a recommended menu here?" Raku asked, his tone flat but polite.
Souma stroked his chin, as if trying to seem serious though the answer was obvious. "Donburi. Honestly, everything's good, but our Donburi is quick to serve and suits the night mood. The rest depends on your taste."
Chitoge raised her hand without hesitation. "In that case, Donburi for me!" she said enthusiastically.
Shinobu nodded quickly, her face still a little shy, but her eyes sparkled. "Me too… Donburi, onegai."
Raku just gave a small smile, giving in. "Alright, three Donburi then. Cold water too."
"Okay, three Donburi and cold water coming right up!" Souma replied energetically, then quickly entered the kitchen. From inside, the sound of pans clashing with spatulas rang out, accompanied by the fragrant aroma of garlic, sweet soy sauce, and meat being stir-fried.
Not long after, Souma returned carrying a tray with three large bowls. Hot steam rose, dancing in the air. Tender meat pieces combined with slightly caramelized onions, drizzled in a sweet savory sauce that made anyone's stomach beg for food, along with 3 glasses of cold drinks.
"Here you go, Yukihira's special Donburi!" Souma placed the bowls in front of them one by one.
Chitoge looked at it with sparkling eyes. "Waaaah, it looks so good!" Without waiting long, she grabbed her chopsticks and immediately took a bite. As soon as the first bite entered her mouth, her cheeks turned red. "Haaah! This—this is amazing! It's sweet, savory, the meat is super tender!"
Shinobu was just as eager. At first she looked shy, but once the first bite landed, she forgot everything. "Uuuh… this… this is too good… I can't stop…." Her hands moved quickly, chopsticks transferring nonstop, her eyes half-closed in satisfaction.
Raku watched the two for a moment, then picked up his chopsticks. With calm movements, he picked up rice and meat, then slowly put it into his mouth. Moments later, he gave a small nod. "Hmm. Pretty good." His voice was casual, not as exaggerated as the two girls in front of him.
Chitoge immediately turned. "Heh!? 'Pretty good'? That's all your reaction? This is the best food I've ever eaten, you know!"
Shinobu nodded quickly, agreeing with her mouth still full. "Y-yeah… Master… how can you stay so calm after this…?"
Raku only shrugged, his expression still calm. "Yeah… it's good. But if you eat too fast, you might choke."
Chitoge huffed, her cheeks puffed. "You're hopeless, Raku! How can you eat with such a relaxed face…."
Meanwhile, Souma and Jouichirou, who were standing near the cashier, glanced at each other.
"Oi, look at that," Souma said while nodding toward them.
Joichiro gave a faint smile, lighting his cigarette casually. "Very interesting. Two girls totally immersed in the taste, while the guy eats calmly like he's used to world-class cuisine."
Souma sighed, half impressed, half bewildered. "It's rare for customers to react like that. Usually, everyone is instantly shocked by the taste of the special Donburi. But him… too calm."
Joichiro added with a teasing tone. "Maybe his palate is already trained… or he's the type of guy who doesn't easily show his feelings."
Souma snorted while smiling. "Or maybe… he's someone interesting to keep an eye on."
At the table, Chitoge and Shinobu had already devoured more than half their bowls, their faces red from the heat of the food and happiness. Raku was still halfway through, staying calm, sipping cold water before continuing with the next bite.
The night at Yukihira Restaurant was filled with the sound of clinking chopsticks, soft laughter, and the comforting aroma of warm dishes.