“We're here!” Hisao shut off the car and fell back into his seat slightly. He was still new to this driving thing, and it had taken two hours of dedicated traveling to get here. For most people, that would be enough to take the wind out of their sails, if only temporarily. Not for his companion, though.
 
“What're you slacking off for? Do you need to take a nap?” Grinning madly, Emi prodded his shoulder with her finger. “C'moooooon! We've got amusements to park! Sleep later!”
 
Tired as he was, her good mood was infectious. Hisao found himself playing along. “Wait... I get to sleep later? I thought you were staying over – since when do you let me sleep?”
 
A smack to the arm and a pout were his reward. “I don't recall hearing you complain before.” It was only a matter of seconds before the pout collapsed into a giggle and a peck on the cheek. “Buuuuuut, you're not wrong either. But enough about tonight! Let's go!”
 
With that, Hisao found himself alone in the car, the door slamming loudly as the fastest thing on no legs lived up to her name. He clambered out and peered around, trying to fi- Oh, was that her? There was a small figure with a green tank-top and brown shorts. Had to be. She was already at the end of the row. Taking this as a sign of her birthday present being appreciated, he shrugged and jogged after her.
 
The park sat on top of a rather large hill, and it was said that the top of the Ferris wheel had the best view for miles around. However, the tradeoff of that was the entrance – or rather, the stairs leading to the entrance. It was these that Hisao found himself halfway up just a few minutes later, breathing hard and wishing that his girlfriend had never asked to come here. Or that he'd not remembered that, months later. Or something. Anything that would make these stairs end.
 
Looking up to the peak, he saw two things: first, that there were a scant few dozen steps left, and second, the small head of hair pulled into twintails and peering down at him. Making eye contact with her, Emi's face split into a smile. “Hurry up, Hisao! We've got a lot to do!” She darted back over the edge, and Hisao found himself shrugging and jogging when he really didn't want to yet again.
 
Cresting the hill, Hisao was greeted with a view that made it all worth it – The lights and sounds and smells of the park hit him all at once, forming a halo thrown into the air around them. At the center, framed by it all, stood Emi. Her back to him, she seemed small and innocent, just a girl. When she turned and their eyes met, though, the illusion was broken. She was small, yes; innocent, arguably.
 
Just a girl? Not a chance. She'd never again be just a girl.
 
She smiled softly and held her hand out to Hisao.
 
“C'mon, slowpoke. You've been keeping me waiting.”
 
He laughed and took her hand into his own.
 
“I'd never keep you waiting, Emi.”