Click. Click.
The ticking clock echoed faintly as Iruma adjusted the long sleeves of his ice-blue hanfu, the traditional silk fabric catching the soft afternoon light. His cloak was left behind—this outfit stood on its own, elegant and serene. White embroidered waves and faint ice-crystal patterns danced along the hem. It was both regal and gentle, much like Iruma himself.
Behind him, Lord Sullivan had just returned earlier that day, his usual jolly demeanor slightly dimmed by the discussions he'd been having with Opera about Netherworld custody and looming threats.
Iruma turned around and bowed respectfully to the two of them.
"I'm heading out now. Please take care, Grandpa, Uncle Opera."
Opera raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. Sullivan's expression softened as he saw Iruma in full formal attire.
"Oho~ Going somewhere important, Iruma-kun?" Sullivan teased with a glimmer of curiosity.
Iruma nodded, keeping his expression composed—though a hint of pink touched his ears.
"A walk. With… a friend." He hesitated. "I'll need a horse-drawn carriage. I don't want this outfit touching the dirt. It's… white. Mostly."
Sullivan chuckled, patting Opera on the shoulder. "A boy's first real outing dressed like that? We must make sure he arrives like my grandson Hmpf..."
As the carriage was prepared, Iruma waited quietly. His heart was calm—but underneath that stillness, nerves twisted faintly. Is this too much? Is she going to think it's weird…? But he trusted his instincts. This outfit felt right. Dignified. Respectful. Beautiful.
At Walter Park, Ameri had arrived fifteen minutes early. Dressed in her sapphire-blue dress, she paced slowly near the entrance, trying to look casual—but her tail betrayed her anxiety, twitching with each passing second.
"He's late…" she muttered, biting her lip. Did I mess up? Did I sound too forward? Is he not coming?
She quickly Remember at the manga again—First Love Memories, Vol. 4.
In it, the boy had kept the girl waiting too. "Is this… teasing?" she wondered. Her cheeks flared as she covered her face with the book. "Ugh! I'm reading too much into it!"
But then—
Distant thunder. Hooves.
Dust trailed behind a shining carriage led by four majestic dark horses.
Ameri froze. Thinking who might that be?
The carriage came to a smooth stop. A moment later, the door clicked open.
And out stepped Iruma.
His ice-blue hanfu flowed like water, the wind catching its fabric just enough to make it ripple with elegance. Embroidered threads shimmered faintly under the sun. His hair, longer now from training, moved gently with the breeze. His white hanbok shoes touched the stone path like he was descending from another world. And yes the smell cherry blossoms.
For a second, he didn't speak—adjusting his hair with a slow, composed swipe of his hand, a reflex born from his recent training and quiet self-awareness.
Then his eyes met Ameri's.
He froze for a heartbeat—clearly stunned.
"Ameri-san…" he finally said, his voice softer than usual. "You look… beautiful."
He meant it.
Ameri, entirely unprepared for those words, suddenly forgot how to breathe.
"Y-you too… I mean, I—your outfit—ah—date—no! I meant—"
Iruma stepped forward, holding out a hand, unsure if it was the right thing but doing it anyway.
"Shall we walk?"
Ameri blinked. Then nodded furiously, slipping her gloved hand into his.
Their walk through Walter Park had just begun—but the beating of their hearts had long since started the dance.
Walter Park shimmered with magic and life. The air was sweet with enchanted scents and music drifted like mist.
From inside the slowly halting carriage, Iruma sat still, staring at his reflection in the frosted window.
This is fine. It's just a walk. With a girl. Who's taller than me. And stronger. And really serious. And this is a date. Wait—
He caught himself breathing a little too fast.
Iruma straightened his posture and looked down at his attire—an ice-blue Hanfu, subtly embroidered with snowflake patterns. Opera said earlier it looked dignified. Not too formal. Not too soft.
He brushed imaginary dust off his sleeve for the fifth time.
Wind blew softly, sending the ends of his Hanfu fluttering as he stepped down. His polished shoes tapped against the stone path. His black hair moved slightly with the breeze.
Iruma paused.
His heart skipped.
She looks…
He exhaled slowly, adjusting his hair with a small, composed motion, trying to reset the storm inside.
Stay calm. You trained under Opera. You fought Sabro , Asmodeus. You faced Kalego. This is just Ameri. This is fine.
He walked forward with quiet dignity.
Ameri turned. Her eyes widened—just for a second.
"You're late."
Iruma nodded with a carefully timed blink. "There was traffic."
But inside, his thoughts screamed: You idiot, that's not even a good excuse in the Netherworld!
"Such a liar" Ameri said while smile a little.
"Hey-Ameri-san we can go there" Iruma said try his hard to change the subject.
As they went from ride to ride, game to game, Iruma remained composed—but only on the surface.
When Ameri smiled during the Sky Serpent ride, Iruma's heart punched his ribs.
When their hands brushed slightly while reaching for food, he calmly pulled away—but internally flinched.
When her juice turned bright pink and she looked like she'd combust, Iruma nearly choked on his own drink trying not to react.
Each time she paid, his pride itched.
Each time he paid, her glare made him wonder if he'd just broken some Netherworld law.
Their silent competition of "who pays more" masked something deeper—they both wanted to make it meaningful for the other.
Iruma never said it aloud, but his thoughts never stopped:
She brought me here… she didn't have to.
She looks like she tried really hard.
Iruma said to himself in his thought,
Don't ruin this. Don't mess this up. Stay cool.
And somehow—through awkward silences, stolen glances, and moments of perfect alignment—they made it through.
When they reached the fountain and bought the Memory Crystal, Iruma hesitated only slightly before touching it.
He didn't know if it would capture the way his chest tightened whenever she smiled, or how hard he had to work to keep his voice steady. But he hoped it would.
"This one's on me," he said softly, more certain than before.
Ameri looked at him—really looked.
"…Okay."
As they sat beneath the willow tree, neither of them spoke.
Ameri was lost in the sky.
Iruma was still. Calm.
But inside?
That wasn't so bad… right?
Actually… that was kind of… amazing.
He glanced at her—just once. Then quickly looked away before she could catch him.
I want to remember this.
As the sky over Walter Park dimmed into twilight, the magical lanterns began to glow softly, casting a warm, dreamlike hue on the cobbled paths. Iruma and Ameri strolled side by side, a delicate silence hanging between them—comfortable, but pulsing with tension.
Ameri quietly glanced at Iruma, her face still burning pink from earlier.
He… paid for me. My boyfriend bought me snacks… It's just like the manga said! This must be how it feels to be spoiled!
She clasped her hands behind her back, stealing quick glances every few seconds, each time hoping to catch a hint of affection in his stoic expression. But Iruma only looked straight ahead, composed, hands tucked inside his flowing ice-blue Hanfu sleeves, eyes half-lidded like he was planning a battle strategy.
Inside, Iruma was chaos.
Was it okay that I suggested the sea-salt popcorn instead of the caramel? Did she want the caramel? What if she's allergic to sea-salt?? Did I just mess up the whole date?
Then, trying to ease the tension—and because it was weighing on his heart—he turned slightly toward her and said softly:
"It's… kind of amazing, really. Going out like this… with someone who knows my deepest secret. I am after all I AM A Hum---"
Ameri froze.
Her eyes widened like a startled deer. And before she could even think, her hand shot forward and clamped tightly over Iruma's mouth.
"Shh!" she whispered, eyes darting in all directions. "Are you trying to get discovered?!"
The warmth of her hand lingered on his lips.
Her brain short-circuited.
Wh-what did I just—did I just touch his lips?! With my hand?!
Ameri's face exploded in color. Steam practically rose from her hair.
Iruma, frozen in place, blinked once, then twice.
Her hand is… warm. Wait. Why is she this close?
Then it hit him, and his thoughts went into overdrive.
God … I'm a complete fool. Spouting secrets like a child! What's wrong with me? I just about said that OUT LOUD in PUBLIC? In front of a GIRL?! Let me die. Let the earth swallow me whole.
He bowed his head slightly in embarrassment, only to glance to the side—and spot a large magical poster flashing nearby.
It depicted a stage: half decorated with glowing runes for a duo battle, and the other half lit with spotlights for a pair dance. Above it, bold, glittering text floated in the air:
TONIGHT ONLY! Battle & Dance Challenge!Win a Dream Necklace & 2 Tickets to the Akudol Superstar Concert!
Iruma's eyes sparkled slightly. He turned to Ameri.
"Let's do that," he said with calm conviction. "It looks fun."
Ameri's breath caught.
He… wants to dance with me…? Like the main couple in Chapter 12…?
She nodded before she could even process the question. "Y-yes. Absolutely."
And so, hand in hand—or more accurately, shoulder to shoulder with awkward space between them—they headed toward the event stage, unaware that tonight's little detour was about to become the most talked-about moment in Walter Park history.
The stage was divided in two—half battlefield, half dancefloor. Walter Park's enchanted coliseum had drawn quite the crowd. Pairs of students, couples, and friends competed for the prize of a lifetime: a star-shaped crystal necklace and two VIP tickets to the Akudol concert, including a chance to meet the idols and perform a song on stage.
When Iruma and Ameri stepped forward, murmurs echoed.
"Isn't that the Student Council President?"
"Wait—who's that guy with her?"
Ameri stood tall, masking her nervousness behind her usual steel composure. Iruma, by contrast, looked calm—but inside, his thoughts were a storm.
Okay, just focus. It's like a combat drill... and dancing… is just a rhythm game, right?
The announcer boomed, "Round One: Tag Battle!"
Two animated fire golems appeared on the opposite side, conjured by the staff.
Iruma narrowed his eyes, stepping forward just slightly. "Ameri—cover the left. I'll distract the right."
She blinked, then nodded. "Got it."
The fight was short—but electric. Iruma used bursts of elemental magic to redirect the fire blasts. He wasn't fast, but precise—dodging at the last second, channeling a barrier through his ring with Ali's support.
Ameri, graceful and powerful, struck with explosive palm thrusts. Her martial technique was sharp—honed—and surprisingly elegant.
The crowd roared as the last golem burst into sparkles.
"Clear!"
Then the floor transformed—runes glowing beneath their feet, music rising.
"Round Two: Pair Dance!"
Iruma stiffened. Wait. I didn't practice dancing—this isn't training! This is… this is worse than Opera's fireball drills!
He glanced at Ameri—who was frozen in place.
Chapter 22. The dance chapter. This is exactly like Chapter 22…
Ameri reached out a hand, trembling just slightly. "I… I'll lead."
Iruma took it.
The music started slow—graceful, orchestral. Ameri guided them through the steps, but Iruma soon adapted. Their bodies found rhythm together—hesitant at first, then steady, almost flowing. Iruma's footwork became sharper, Ameri's movement more relaxed.
The crowd around them vanished from their thoughts.
It was just the two of them.
When the final note hit, they spun gently, Ameri's crimson dress flaring in the light, Iruma's ice-blue robes catching the wind. Their eyes locked—just for a second.
Then—BOOM!
A burst of magical confetti rained down.
"WINNERS: Contestant Pair Number 7!"
Cheers erupted. The necklace, star-shaped and shimmering silver, floated between them on a silk pillow. The two Akudol tickets and they will have the front row hovered beside it, sparkling with golden light.
---
Under Moonlight
Later, as the park grew quieter and lanterns dimmed, Iruma and Ameri walked slowly toward the exit path. The moon hung above them like a quiet blessing.
Ameri clutched the tickets to her chest, still in disbelief.
"That was… really fun," she said softly. "Even if it started weird… and I grabbed your face… and…"
Iruma chuckled lightly. He stopped beneath a cherry tree still in bloom.
"Here."
He held the necklace up to the moonlight. It glittered.
Ameri blinked. "Wha—?"
"You should wear it," he said simply.
She hesitated, but turned. Iruma gently placed the necklace around her neck, the clasp clicking shut like a quiet promise.
"It suits you," he added.
Ameri couldn't speak. Her heart thumped loudly in her ears.
Then Iruma walked beside her again, neither saying much more.
As they arrived at the split in the path—one road to the Student Council dorm, the other toward Sullivan's estate—they paused.
Ameri smiled, clutching the necklace lightly.
"Thank you for tonight."
Iruma nodded once. "You too."
"Do you know what is sign of caring?"
"What Iruma?"
"We often used a two-finger tap on the forehead as a sign of affection, a form of head-pat. It's similar to how a parent or sibling might gently tap someone's head as a gesture of care. "
"So this is how You do?"
They talk about many things in human world which draw attention on Ameri face.
Their hands almost touched. Almost.
As they turned away to head home, both had soft smiles on their faces.
And for the first time in a long time… they each felt a little less alone under the moonlight.