Chapter 53: Amusement Park

As we were on our way to the hotel we booked for tonight, we were able to stumble upon an amusement park. 

"Want to stop over there? It's a bit early anyway." Said Yukino pointing at the Amusement park from the car window. 

"It's only 6 PM so I guess that'll be fine. Are you not tired yet?" 

"I'm good. Don't worry too much." 

We stopped by the amusement park just to fulfill her request. I'm a bit worried considering that we've been moving a whole lot since this morning which might actually strain Yukino. But if she says she's fine then I guess she is. 

The amusement park was still a bit crowded but not too much. Different colors of light surrounded the whole place and varieties of music could be heard. The chatter of the people made it almost impossible to hear Yukino's voice whenever she talks. All of these made me feel nostalgic and made me think of the last time I went to such a place. 

The last time I went here was probably when I was still a kid way back in elementary school. I went here with my family and Shin's to celebrate our graduation day. We had lots of fun and enjoyed the rides. I wonder if that can still happen in the future. Well, most likely not. 

"Let's get an ice cream!" Suggested Yukino.

"We just arrived and you're already asking for food. You'll get fat, you know?" 

"Don't be such a bore. Just look at it, doesn't it seem delicious?" 

"Fine. Do as you like." 

I followed Yukino to a colorful ice cream stand decorated with colorful lights. There was a bit of a queue so it took a few minutes before we could order.

"I'll get a strawberry flavored ice cream Aoi."

"Then I guess I'll just order the same one." 

"Pick a different one so that we could compare hehe." 

"It seems to me that you just want to try different flavors." 

"Hehe. I've been caught" 

I guess I'm right. I ordered one strawberry ice cream and one banana flavored. I'm not really a fan of bananas, it's just that I'm craving for one after seeing the kid in front of me earlier enjoying it. 

"Banana? That's kinda boring." 

"It's good. Here, give it a taste." 

"Well, it's surprisingly good. Let me have another scoop." 

"Don't upset your stomach, we haven't even tried the rides just yet." 

After eating our ice cream, I aimlessly followed Yukino in her journey of finding a ride that she wants to try. 

"Hey Aoi! Let's try that!" Said Yukino pointing at a rollercoaster. 

"Can you even handle that?" 

I was hoping that Yukino would back off after hearing my question. I'm not really a fan of extreme rides but I also don't want to back off in front of my girlfriend. 

"Are you perhaps scared?" 

"No I'm not! Why would I be? I'm just concerned. Let's go then!" 

As we waited in line, I contemplated my decision to show off. I could've just told Yukino that I'm scared instead of acting all high and mighty. But there's no turning back now since we'll be the next batch aboard. I'm really starting to get nervous but I'll just swallow it all and man up! 

We sat at the very front of the rollercoaster that made me so nervous. It's like I'll be experiencing this ride firsthand. I just hope that I don't get a heart attack in the middle of it.

3..2…1 go! 

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" 

I was shouting my lungs out the entire ride. It felt like my soul was being left from one place to another. I wanted to cry but not in front of my girlfriend. Yukino on the other hand was laughing at me the entire ride. Well, I guess it's nice that she's happy. But one thing's for sure. I'm not doing this again in my entire life. Never. 

"It looks like you really weren't scared back there Aoi considering how much you shouted and how your eyes looked like they were about to jump." Said Yukino, still laughing her guts out.

"That. I'm never doing that again. Even if you insist, I will never ride that again!" 

We roamed around the park to try different games that we stumbled across. Yukino seemed to be enjoying every moment that made me smile whenever I would lock my gaze on her. I wish she can always be this happy. She sparkles the most when she's smiling like this. Even among the colorful lights, she stood out the most in my eyes. Her being happy is priceless.

"Should we try that before going home?" Said Yukino pointing at the ferris wheel.

"Sure. I'm thinking of that as well." 

"I just hope you're not afraid of heights." 

"I'm not!" 

We made our way to the ferris wheel as Yukino walked while skipping steps like a child. I've been thinking of riding the ferris wheel as well just because it seemed romantic. I've seen in movies how main characters ride a ferris wheel and I've been meaning to try that for a long time. 

The ferris wheel started moving slowly as we made our way up to the highest point. The view indeed was nice. We were able to see small bits of light shining through all the darkness as the stars in the sky accompanied our whole ride. 

"The view's beautiful isn't it?" Said Yukino.

"Yeah. I can't disagree with you on that." 

"Aoi. Was I able to make you happy?" 

"Of course. Isn't that already obvious?" 

"Then I'm glad. It's a shame that we got to do all this stuff when I'm close to dying. I wish I could've made you happy for a much longer time." 

"Just remembering all this will forever make me happy. These memories will definitely have a special place in me." 

"I'm sorry Aoi." 

"Why?" 

Yukino never answered the question and just went to me for a tight hug. She never let go the whole ride. I felt sadness behind the tight and warm hug that she gave me. I wonder what she's been thinking the whole time but I decided to not ask. All I did was hug her back and hoped that it'll be enough to convey how much I'm thankful. I wished that we could freeze time during those couple of minutes just feeling each other's warmth.