The launch of Jake Soda changed everything.
Within days—
It spread across markets.
From the capital's busiest streets to the quiet corners of distant towns—
People talked about it.
Shops displayed it proudly.
Customers gathered.
And once they tasted it—
They didn't forget it.
---
One Week Later
Inside Sun International—
The atmosphere was tense.
Not with fear—
But anticipation.
Jeff stood in front of a large table, papers spread everywhere.
Rebecca leaned forward.
"Say it already."
Mary crossed her arms.
"…You're taking too long."
Henry stood silently.
Rose observed quietly from the side.
And Sun—
Watched calmly.
Yuki stood beside him, holding his arm.
"…This is exciting."
Jeff adjusted his glasses.
"…Alright."
He looked up.
And said—
"The sales…"
A pause.
Everyone leaned in.
"…Are beyond expectations."
Silence—
Then—
Rebecca jumped.
"WE DID IT?!"
Jeff nodded.
"It's the highest-selling product in Sun Land right now."
For a moment—
No one spoke.
Then—
The room exploded.
Laughter.
Cheers.
Relief.
Mary smiled widely.
"…We actually did it."
Henry exhaled deeply.
"…Worth all the work."
Rose's lips curved slightly.
A rare smile.
Yuki turned to Sun—
Eyes shining.
"…You did it."
Sun looked at everyone.
Then smiled.
"…We did it."
---
Later that day—
Yuki clapped her hands suddenly.
"We're celebrating."
Sun raised an eyebrow.
"…We are?"
"Yes."
"No arguments."
Rebecca nodded instantly.
"I support this."
Jeff sighed.
"…We just got results."
"Exactly," Yuki said. "Which means we party."
Henry chuckled.
"…Fair enough."
Ard, who had just arrived, shook his head slightly.
"…A big one?"
Yuki grinned.
"The biggest."
---
That night—
A luxurious hotel in the capital was filled with light, music, and life.
The entire team gathered.
Elegant clothes.
Soft music.
Golden lights reflecting across the hall.
Tables filled with food and drinks.
Laughter everywhere.
Sun stood beside Yuki, watching everything.
"…This is a lot."
She smiled.
"…You deserve it."
Rebecca was already dancing.
Jeff stood nearby, trying to act normal.
"…You're enjoying this," she said, grabbing his hand.
"I am not—"
She pulled him anyway.
"You are now."
Henry and Mary stood together, talking quietly.
Ard observed everything from a distance.
Rose stood beside him.
Silent.
Calm.
---
After the Party Begins to Fade
As the night deepened—
Groups began to drift apart.
Yuki looked at Sun.
"…Let's go."
"…Where?"
She smiled softly.
"…Somewhere quiet."
He understood.
And nodded.
They walked away from the noise.
Through quiet streets.
Under soft lights.
Until they reached a peaceful open area.
The night sky stretched above them.
Filled with stars.
Yuki took a deep breath.
"…This feels better."
Sun stood beside her.
"…Yeah."
She turned to him.
"…You're happy, right?"
He didn't hesitate.
"…I am."
She stepped closer.
"…Good."
Silence.
Then—
She leaned her head against his chest.
"…I love seeing you like this."
He wrapped his arms around her.
"…Like what?"
"…Alive."
He smiled softly.
"…That's because of you."
She looked up at him.
"…Then stay like this."
"…I will."
He gently brushed her hair aside.
"…Always."
---
Meanwhile—
Rebecca dragged Jeff into a busy marketplace.
"Look at this!"
"…We just came from a party."
"And now we're shopping."
He sighed.
"…Of course we are."
She held up two outfits.
"Which one?"
"…The first one."
"You didn't even look properly."
"I trust you."
She paused.
Then smiled slightly.
"…That was smooth."
He adjusted his glasses.
"…It was efficient."
She laughed.
"…You're interesting, Jeff."
"…I try not to be."
---
On a quiet street—
Henry walked beside Mary.
"…You're quiet."
"…Just thinking."
"About?"
"…Everything."
She looked at him.
"…We really built something amazing."
He nodded.
"…Yeah."
A pause.
Then—
"…Mary."
She turned.
"…Yes?"
He hesitated for a moment.
Then—
"…Would you like to go on a proper date with me?"
She blinked.
Then smiled softly.
"…I thought we already were."
He chuckled.
"…Then I guess I'm doing it right."
---
Back at the hotel—
Only Ard and Rose remained.
Silence.
Ard glanced at her.
"…Everyone left."
Rose nodded.
"…Yes."
A pause.
Then Ard said—
"…Should we go somewhere too?"
She looked at him.
Surprised.
"…You want to?"
He shrugged slightly.
"…No reason to stay here."
A small pause.
Then—
"…Alright."
---
They stepped outside.
The city was quieter now.
Lights dim.
Air cool.
They walked side by side.
Not speaking much.
But it wasn't awkward.
Just… calm.
After a while—
Ard spoke.
"…You don't talk much."
Rose replied simply—
"…I talk when needed."
"…And now?"
"…Not needed."
He smirked slightly.
"…Fair enough."
They entered a quiet café.
Warm lights.
Soft music.
They sat across from each other.
Ard looked at her.
"…You're always observing."
"…It helps."
"With what?"
"…Understanding people."
He leaned back slightly.
"…And what do you understand about me?"
She looked at him calmly.
"…You carry a lot."
Silence.
Then—
"…Accurate."
---
For the first time—
Ard relaxed.
"…You're different from the others."
Rose tilted her head slightly.
"…How?"
"…You don't try to impress."
"…There's no need to."
He smiled faintly.
"…That's rare."
They walked again.
This time slower.
More natural.
At one point—
Rose slipped slightly on a stone.
Ard caught her instantly.
"…Careful."
She looked at him.
"…Thank you."
A brief pause.
Then—
She didn't step away immediately.
Neither did he.
Then slowly—
They continued walking.
---
Two Weeks Later
The atmosphere was different again.
This time—
Decorated.
Elegant.
Warm.
A wedding.
Henry stood at the altar.
Nervous.
Mary walked toward him.
Beautiful.
Calm.
Smiling.
Sun stood beside Yuki.
"…Another wedding."
She smiled.
"…I like this one too."
---
Two weeks earlier—
Henry had stood in front of Mary.
Heart racing.
"…Mary."
She looked at him.
"…Yes?"
He took a deep breath.
"…Will you marry me?"
Silence.
Then—
She smiled.
Soft.
Warm.
"…Yes."
---
In The Wedding
Now—
They stood together.
Hands joined.
Eyes filled with emotion.
"I do."
"I do."
And just like that—
Another promise was made.
---
That night—
The group stood together again.
Laughing.
Talking.
Celebrating.
Yuki leaned against Sun.
"…Everything feels perfect."
He nodded.
"…It does."
And as they looked around—
At their friends.
Their journey.
Their future—
They knew one thing.
This was only the beginning.
Of success.
Of love.
And of countless stories yet to come.