Evening came with a rare kind of freedom.
No schedules.
No rehearsals.
No pressure.
Just… a little time to breathe.
---
Karaoke Plan (That Didn't Happen)
Mina was practically glowing with excitement.
"Let's go to karaoke!" she announced, clapping her hands. "Pleaseeee!"
Koharu, sitting behind her desk, didn't even look up from her files. "I'm busy."
Mina pouted instantly. "You're always busy…"
Rinn sighed, already knowing what was coming. "…I'll go with you."
Mina's mood flipped in one second. "Yay! Rinn is the best!"
Rinn muttered under her breath, "I need a raise."
---
Unexpected Encounter
On their way, Mina suddenly stopped.
"OHHH MY GOD—HANA!!"
Before anyone could react, Mina ran straight toward Hana and hugged her like they were long-lost best friends.
Hana blinked. "…We met yesterday."
"Still!" Mina beamed.
OG stood there, slightly confused but amused.
Rinn looked at them and shook her head. "You all are really free, huh? Wherever we go… you're already there."
Aiko smirked. "We're popular like that."
But Sakura…
Wasn't listening.
Her eyes quietly scanned behind Rinn.
Left.
Right.
Once again.
Looking for someone.
Rinn noticed immediately.
She smirked slightly. "Your boss isn't here."
Sakura blinked, caught off guard. "…I wasn't—"
Aiko cut in casually, "Good. The atmosphere becomes tense when she's around."
Sakura frowned a little.
But didn't say anything.
---
Plans Change Again
Mina clung to Hana's arm. "I want to hang out with you!"
Hana laughed. "We were actually going somewhere…"
"Where??"
"Amusement park."
Mina gasped dramatically. "I'M COMING."
Rinn sighed. "…So karaoke is cancelled?"
Aiko shrugged. "Looks like it."
And just like that—
The group turned into 7 people:
OG + Mina + Rinn.
---
Amusement Park Chaos 🎡
The amusement park was glowing with lights, laughter, and loud music.
Hana and Mina ran ahead like kids.
Yuki was already pointing at food stalls.
Kairi smiled softly, enjoying the moment.
Aiko walked like she owned the place.
Rinn… regretted everything.
And Sakura…
Was still a little quiet.
Still a little distracted.
---
The Tilted Wheel Ride
"Let's go on that!" Mina pointed excitedly at a large tilted cart wheel ride.
Everyone agreed.
Tickets were bought.
Pairs were made quickly—
Mina grabbed Hana immediately
Rinn got dragged by Aiko
Yuki and Kairi paired together
And then—
There was one person left.
Sakura.
She stood there awkwardly, looking around.
"…It's fine," she said softly. "You guys go. I'll just stay—"
"May I sit with you?"
The voice came from behind.
Familiar.
Calm.
And somehow—
warmer than expected.
Sakura froze.
Her eyes widened.
She turned—
And there she was.
Koharu.
In casual clothes.
Soft hair falling naturally.
Holding a pink cotton candy in one hand.
Not the CEO.
Not the untouchable boss.
Just… Koharu.
For a second—
Sakura forgot how to breathe.
Her face lit up instantly.
"…You—"
Without even thinking—
She turned and quickly booked another ticket.
Almost like she was afraid Koharu might disappear if she waited.
When she turned back—
Koharu was still there.
Watching her.
Smiling slightly.
Sakura's heart skipped.
She noticed the cotton candy.
"…You bought that?"
Koharu nodded casually. "Impulse."
Sakura stared at her for a second too long.
Her eyes lingered.
On Koharu's face.
Her eyes.
Her soft expression.
She got so lost…
that Koharu had to wave her hand in front of her.
"Should we go?" Koharu asked.
Sakura blinked quickly. "…Yeah."
---
The Ride 🎡
The carts started moving.
Slow at first.
Then higher.
Tilting slightly.
Sakura held onto the bar tightly.
"…I forgot I'm scared of heights."
Koharu glanced at her. "Too late now."
Sakura glared lightly. "Not helping."
Koharu chuckled softly.
The sound…
felt different here.
Lighter.
Real.
As the ride lifted higher, the city lights spread beneath them like stars.
Wind brushed against their faces.
For a moment—
everything felt quiet.
Peaceful.
Koharu tore a piece of cotton candy and held it out.
"Here."
Sakura hesitated.
Then leaned forward slightly and took a bite.
Their fingers brushed.
Just a little.
Sakura looked away instantly.
"…It's too sweet."
Koharu smirked. "You still ate it."
Sakura: "Don't judge me."
Koharu: "I am."
They both laughed softly.
Below them, the rest of the group was screaming and laughing.
Mina yelling.
Hana hyping her up.
Aiko arguing with Rinn mid-air.
Yuki enjoying life.
Kairi smiling peacefully.
And up here—
It was just them.
Sakura glanced at Koharu.
"…You came."
Koharu looked ahead, voice calm. "I was nearby."
Sakura didn't believe that.
But she didn't question it.
Instead, she smiled a little.
"…Good."
Koharu glanced at her.
And for a moment—
Their eyes met.
No tension.
No past.
No fear.
Just…
something quiet.
Something growing.
---
As the ride spun gently under the evening sky, all four pairs laughed and enjoyed themselves.
But for Sakura—
This wasn't just a ride.
It was the moment she realized—
She had been looking for Koharu all along.