The second evening in Lavis arrived wrapped in gold and rose.
The canals shimmered like flowing glass, reflecting lanterns that slowly flickered to life as the sun dipped lower. Music drifted across the city, light and playful, and the great Lavis Tower stood tall at the heart of it all—elegant against the painted sky.
Yuki was adjusting her hair in front of the mirror when Sun stepped behind her.
"Close your eyes," he said.
She blinked at his reflection. "Why?"
"Trust me."
She narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Last time you said that, I ended up eating something with too much garlic."
"That was one time."
"It was traumatic."
He sighed softly. "Yuki."
She smiled.
Then obediently closed her eyes.
"Okay. But if this is another food experiment, I'm filing a complaint."
He chuckled and gently tied a soft cloth over her eyes.
She reached out instinctively and grabbed his sleeve.
"I can't see."
"I know."
"That's the problem."
He took her hands carefully.
"I'm right here."
Her grip relaxed immediately.
He guided her slowly through the streets of Lavis. The sounds of water brushing against stone echoed around them. Bells chimed somewhere far away. The air smelled faintly of flowers and warm bread.
"Sun," she whispered while walking, "where are we going?"
"You'll see."
"I can't see."
"You'll feel it."
She pouted. "You're being mysterious again."
"Maybe."
After a few minutes, the ground beneath their feet changed—from smooth stone to metal steps.
She paused. "Are we climbing something?"
"Yes."
"How high?"
"Very."
"…Sun."
He squeezed her hand reassuringly. "I won't let you fall."
Step by step, they climbed.
The city sounds grew softer.
The wind grew stronger.
Finally, they stopped.
He positioned her gently.
Then untied the blindfold.
"Open."
Her eyes fluttered open—
And she gasped.
They were standing at the very top of the Lavis Tower.
The entire city stretched beneath them—canals glowing like silver threads, lanterns lighting up balconies, music floating upward like whispers. The sky above was a deep violet, the first stars blinking awake.
Her breath trembled.
"Sun…"
He stepped closer.
"I borrowed the Lavis Tower for the evening."
She turned slowly toward him. "You what?"
"For a few hours," he corrected calmly. "It wasn't easy."
Her eyes were shining.
"You're unbelievable."
He smiled softly.
Around them, small golden lights flickered on—like floating fireflies, carefully placed along the platform. A small table stood near the railing, lit gently. And at the center—
A familiar round shape.
She looked down.
"Pizza?"
"Yes."
Her eyes widened like a child discovering treasure.
"You actually made it."
"It took more effort than the pasta."
She laughed softly, half emotional, half amused. "You brought food from another world… to the top of a tower… for me."
"For us," he corrected.
The breeze moved her hair across her face. He brushed it aside gently.
They sat.
The pizza was warm, the cheese slightly melted, the scent rich and comforting. She took a bite carefully.
Then froze.
"…Sun."
He stiffened. "Is it bad?"
She shook her head slowly.
"It's amazing."
He exhaled in relief.
"You're spoiling me," she whispered.
"I don't mind."
They ate slowly, talking softly between bites. The city below seemed distant—like a beautiful painting they were watching together.
Then—
Music began.
Soft.
Elegant.
Somewhere below, musicians had started playing for the evening crowd. The melody floated upward, reaching them gently.
Sun stood.
"May I?"
She blinked.
"You dance?"
"I can try."
She placed her hand in his.
He pulled her gently to her feet.
They moved slowly at first—slightly awkward, slightly unsure.
She giggled.
"You're stiff."
"So are you."
"I am graceful."
"You just stepped on my foot."
"That was strategy."
He smiled faintly.
Gradually, they found rhythm.
The wind circled around them. The lights shimmered. Her dress moved softly with each step.
She looked up at him.
There was something different in his eyes tonight.
Not just calm.
Not just protective.
But openly romantic.
"You're looking at me strangely," she whispered.
"Because you're beautiful."
Her heart skipped.
"You're dangerous when you're confident."
He pulled her a little closer.
"And you're dangerous when you smile."
She laughed quietly.
Then—
Fireworks exploded in the distance.
Color burst across the sky—gold, blue, red, reflecting in her wide eyes.
She gasped again.
"You planned that too?"
"Maybe."
"You really borrowed the tower, didn't you?"
He didn't answer.
He simply wrapped his arms around her from behind as they both watched the sky bloom with light.
She leaned back into him naturally.
Her hands rested over his.
The fireworks painted her face in shifting colors.
And in that moment—
She looked like royalty.
He lowered his head near her ear.
"Until the sun rises," he murmured softly, "and the moon sets… you will be my princess."
Her breath caught.
She turned slowly in his arms.
Her eyes were full—not of tears—but of overwhelming happiness.
"Say it again," she whispered.
"You are my princess."
Her hands slid up to his shoulders.
"And you," she said gently, "are my hero."
He shook his head faintly. "No."
"What?"
"I'm just someone who loves you."
Her lips trembled into a smile.
Then she pulled him down slightly—
And kissed him.
Not rushed.
Not shy.
But long.
Full.
Warm.
Fireworks burst above them as their lips moved softly together, the world dissolving into light and wind and shared heartbeat.
When they finally parted, she rested her forehead against his.
"Kitty."
He blinked.
"…What?"
She grinned mischievously.
"That's your new nickname."
He stared at her.
"Kitty?"
"Yes."
He raised an eyebrow. "That's… awkward for a man."
She laughed softly and poked his cheek.
"But you're my kitty."
He sighed dramatically. "Do I have a choice?"
She shook her head happily. "No."
He pretended to think.
"…If you like it, then it's fine."
Her smile exploded with brightness.
"Kitty."
He narrowed his eyes.
"Kitty."
He crossed his arms.
"Kitty~"
He turned slightly red.
How can someone have this level of cuteness?
She said it again, softer this time.
"Kitty."
He pulled her closer suddenly.
"If you keep saying it like that, I might start liking it."
She giggled triumphantly.
"Good."
They stayed there until the fireworks faded and the city grew quieter.
Eventually, they descended the tower hand in hand.
The next morning, Lavis was bathed in gentle sunlight.
They stepped into a narrow boat waiting at the canal.
Lavis, built on water like a dream, felt even more magical from the surface.
(Almost like from his old memories.)
The boat glided smoothly through the canals. Bridges arched above them, flowers hung from balconies, and musicians played soft tunes near the water.
Yuki dipped her fingers into the canal carefully.
"It's cool."
"Don't fall," he warned lightly.
"You'll save me."
"Yes."
She smiled at that certainty.
They bought ice cream from a small floating vendor—two different flavors.
She took a bite of his without asking.
"That's mine."
"Ours," she corrected.
He sighed.
She held her cone toward him.
"Try."
He leaned forward and took a small bite.
She watched his reaction intensely.
"Good?"
"Yes."
She nodded proudly, as if she had made it herself.
The boat drifted slowly under another bridge.
She leaned against him, her head resting on his shoulder.
"Kitty."
He didn't even protest this time.
"Yes?"
"I'm happy."
He looked at her.
So simple.
So pure.
"I am too," he said.
The canals carried them gently through Lavis—through light, through laughter, through the beginning of a love that no longer felt fragile.
Not built on pain.
Not built on loss.
But built on choice.
On effort.
On shared dreams.
And as the boat moved forward beneath the soft morning sun—
Sun realized something quietly.
No tower.
No fireworks.
No borrowed city—
Could ever shine brighter than the girl beside him.
And for once—
He didn't need to protect the moment.
He simply needed to live it.
With her.
Always.