Chapter 53: A sunset to remember.

Shibuya Station.

Just like with the other stations in Tokyo, Shibuya station is filled with people going in and out of it at all times.  

'Isn't Shibuya station the one mangakas sometimes use for their stories? Or am I thinking of a different one?' 

While waiting, I decided to busy myself with random thoughts until Karina arrives.

'She told me it could get chilly where we're going, so I put on a jacket, but will that be enough?'  I take another look of my outfit. I'm wearing a pretty casual fit composed of a violet jacket, a slightly large white shirt, and a pair of jeans that hug my lower half just a little bit. 

'Just like with Hina, she didn't tell me where we're going for our date either. They must really like surprising others...'

While I stood still for several breaths, lost in thought, I suddenly felt a sensation on cheek.

"Poke~"

"AH!" 

I frantically take a step back. Snapping to my left I see a familiar face with blonde hair. Her index finger is stretched out, hanging in the air where I once stood.

"What were you thinking about so deeply, Andy?"  Karina asks with a cheeky smile on her face.

"Don't spook me like that!"

"Heheh~ I'll try not to next time~"

'You might as well say you're gonna do it again!'

Ending our little skit, I move closer to Karina.

"So where are we going that you had us meet at 5 PM?"  I ask, curious as to why she chose an hour this late for our date.

Karina raises a finger and presses it against her pink lips. "It's a surprise~ It's better if you figure it out yourself on the way there."  she says, extending her hand out to me.

"Hmph..."  I reach for Karina's outstretch limb and grab it. "It must be amazing if you're smiling this much."

"Fufu~"  Karina's laughed to herself, gripping my hand in hers. "Trust me. It will be a magical experience."

"If you say so..."

With that, our date can finally start in earnest.

.

.

"....."

"........"

"Karina?"

"Yes, Andy?"

"How many checkpoints are there...?"

"This is the last one, Andy."

"You said that at the last checkpoint..."

"This really is the last one. We just need to get on this escalator. I swear."

 Holding each other's hand, me and Karina step onto the escalator. The platforms ascend at a calm, mechanical pace.

"Karina."  I start. Gripping her hand tighter. "I wasn't being annoying, right?"  I ask. Worried my playfulness came off negative.

To answer my worry, Karina smiled gently at me. Gazing at me fondly. 

"Of course not, Andy. I found it to be quite..."

"Cute and funny."¹There are no accidents.

At her reassuring reply, I let out a soft breath. 

The next moment, I curl my lips into a playful smile.

"So you like it when I act a little cheeky?"  

"Mmm. Very much so."

"But be careful. Otherwise-"

Without warning, Karina swiftly sweeped me off my feet into a prince carry.

"Wha?!"

And calmly stepped off the escalator.

"I might have to punish you for going overboard~"  Karina says with a smile that is far from gentle.

Hinting at something more... adult.

'Crap.'  

My cheeks blush a faint red. 

'I might fall for Karina quicker than I thought.'

In contrast to how quickly she took me into her embrace, Karina put me down gently, as if she was handling something fragile.

"Thanks..."  I say. My voice quieter than intended.

Karina observed my flustered state for a solid second. Drinking in the sight of it. 

"Anytime, Andy."

Looking around, the place is impeccably clean. Smooth white floors, glass doors, and walls that have been replaced with glass.

The space is brightly lit through the natural glow of the sun.

The location Karina has chosen to be our date spot today is none other than Shibuya Sky.

A building so tall one can see all of Tokyo.

"Let's move closer, Andy."  Karina says. Taking my hand, she leads me past the glass doors and closer to the glass overlooking the city. Intending to show me the renowned view Shibuya Sky is known for.

With my free hand, I reach out and place my hand on the glass.

I bring my face closer.

And look down.

"Hak-"  

A split second gasp escaped me.

In an instant cold sweat poured down my back. The hairs on my body shot up.

My hands dart out and I cling to Karina as tightly as I can before my legs gave out like twigs.

"Andy?!"  Karina yelled in sheer panic. Seeing me tremble uncontrollably as I cling to her like my life depends on it.

Karina grabs me by the shoulders and drags me away from the glass.

"Are you okay?!"  Karina asked with immense worry on her face.

I slowly turn my head and look at her. "I... Am I afraid of heights..?"  The conclusion left my lips.

Karina's eyes widen even further.  "You didn't know?!"  she yelled aloud. Catching the attention of everyone in the room.

Soon a male staff came rushing to our side. Holding a glass of water in his hands.

"Here. Please drink this."  he said, offering the glass to me.

I reach for the glass, my hands trembling slightly still. 

"Thank you..."  I breathed. 

I grip the glass firmly and bring it to my lips. Pouring the cool water down my throat.

"I'm sorry for the disturbance... I didn't know I have a fear of heights..."  I say, bowing my head to the staff.

The male staff calmly shakes his head. "It's alright. We've been trained to handle emergencies like this."  he says, presenting a smile towards me. 

Meanwhile Karina looked at me with a guilty expression. "... I'm sorry, Andy. I should have-"  But before she could finish, I cut her off. "Please don't blame yourself, Karina. I, myself, didn't know I have a fear of heights."  I say, hoping she won't feel guilty anymore.

Karina stared at me for several seconds.

Then closed her eyes softly.

Opening them again, the guilt has mostly disappeared.

"... Let's leave. We can have our date somewhere else."  Karina says, already moving to carry me in her arms like before.

"No, wait."  I push away from Karina before she could take me.

Karina in turn stares at me with confusion.

"But Andy you're scared of heights. You won't enjoy yourself here."  Karina says, concerned for my wellbeing.

I shake my head in response. "As long as I don't look down, I should be fine." 

Karina stared at me again for a single breath. "... Fine. But if that happens again, I'm taking you away from here. Whether you like it or not."  she says, yielding to my plea.

I nod.

"Thank you." 

Strength having returned to my legs, I rise from the floor.

I take a step towards the glass.

Karina's hand tighten around mine, silently telling me that she'll be with me every step of the way. Yet also prepared to yank me away the second I react like before.

Together we approach the glass. This time stopping an arm's length away.

There I gazed beyond the glass wall, and at the famed view of Tokyo City.

Buildings that are tall from below now look so short from up here. I've seen similar sights in media, but never in person before.

'This somehow reminds me of my nephew. A child just a year old. Looking up at me while clinging to my legs. Pestering me to carry him.'

Soon, the corner of my lips dropped. 

Reminiscing the memories of my nephew had reminded me that I can never see him again.

The fact that I won't be there to guide him, to watch him as he grows up. Fills me with deep sorrow.

Without realizing, tears had formed. Slowly trickling down my cheek.

"Andy?"  Karina asked in a soft, concerned voice. Looking at me from the side.

"Sorry."  I reach up with my free hand and wipe the tears away. "Just remembered something sad."

'I have to stay healthy, and be more cautious.'  I say to myself.

'I mustn't die young like before. I need to live a long life for my loved ones. For the children I plan to have.'

I slowly turn to my right, gazing at the woman by my side. 'And I have to decide whether Karina will be part of that future or not.'

I look inward. Looking at Karina's face, I begin to dismantle the feelings I have for her. To find out if what I feel for her is romantic love, or something different.

"... Let's go."  Karina spoke up. She then began to pull me along.

"Karina? Where are we going? I didn't freak out like last time." I say with the assumption that she's taking me back down.

To that, Karina simply shook her head. "We're not going down."  she says, lips curling up.

"We're going up."

Following that statement, Karina guided me to another escalator. Different from the one before. This one is taking us to the top floor of Shibuya Sky; The Roof.

Reaching the top, the wind began blowing on us. 'It feels amazing.'  I thought, immersing myself in the sensation.

"Over here."  Karina tugged my hand twice. I nod and follow after her. 

The place we stopped at looked like a small bar. 

'A mini bar this high up? Sick.'

"I'll have a bourbon."  Karina said to one of the bartenders before turning to me. "What will you do have, Andy?"

"I'll have..." I quickly rack my brain for a suitable drink.

After a few seconds, the drink that came to mind is...

"A vodka sprite please."

'I had it once in class and it was pretty good.'

"One bourbon and a Vodka sprite. Understood."  The bartender gave a quick bow before moving to assemble our order.

"Vodka? Are you sure you can handle that, Andy?"  Karina voiced her concern next to me.

To that, I give a brief shrug. "I can take it no worries."  I say with a smile on my face.

'I remember old Andy tasting all sorts of alcohol in class, so I shouldn't be a lightweight at least.'

Not long after that, the bartender returned holding a tray with our drinks. Or rather, a bottle of bourbon and a highball glass of vodka sprite.

"I'll carry it."  I say, reaching for the tray. My confidence stemming from the training I received in college.

However, Karina gently grabbed my wrist. I look and see her shaking her head. "No. Let me."  she says. 

Karina takes the tray and proceeds to balance it on one hand with surprising skill. 

My eyes widen slightly. "Did you work in a bar before, Karina?" I ask, noticing how still the tray is on her hand.

 Karina smiled in response. "I guess you could say that."

With her left hand holding the tray and the other holding my hand, Karina led me to a roofed section near the bar. In it were white couches generously spaced in between. Each facing glass overlooking the city.

Arriving at an empty couch, Karina lowered herself and placed the tray on the coffee table without so much as a spill.

Still holding my hand, she guides me to sit by her side. My rear meeting the soft cushion underneath.

"Ahh..."  A low sigh echoes past Karina's lips as she sat down.

"Pfft- You made the noise. Heheh..."  I comment with a cheeky smile on my face.

"💢 Why you little...!"

Karina suddenly shoves her face onto my neck.

"H-Hey! That tickles! Hahah!"

Giggles echo from me brought on by tickling me in retort.

"Heheh- Whooa!"  I gasp. Losing balance, I fall onto the couch. Karina falling with me.

 When I realized what was happening, Karina was pinning me down. Her hands trapping my head between them.

"".....""

Both of us stared wide-eyed at the other. Unsure what to do next.

The urge to sit up and kiss her cheek arose inside me, but I soon rejected the idea.

Why?

Because we're not in that kind of relationship. At least not yet.

'I... I should make up my mind soon.'

Finally, Karina pulled away. Sitting up right. 

"Sorry..."  she mutters, avoiding eye contact with me. Her cheeks flushed red.

"... It's alright. I, didn't mind."  I say, feeling the heat growing in my cheeks as I sat up.

Karina looks over, stealing glances at me. "... Have you, no, nevermind."  she stopped herself. Leaving me to wonder what she was going to ask.

"..... Damn it..."  Frustrated by the awkward mood between us, I reach for my drink with both hands. Gulping it down, I can taste the carbonation and the hint of citrus from the sprite, while the subtle yet noticeable burn of the vodka hides underneath.²never had vodka so just guessing xd

"Pah!"  I put down the half empty glass, and snap to Karina staring at me with wide eyes.

"Karina!"

The name comes out a little slurred. Maybe the alcohol is getting to me already.

"! Yes, Andy?"

Karina responds, looking straight into my eyes with a flustered look on her face.

"You like me, right?!"  I ask outloud, shoving my face close to hers. Unaware of the growing attention on us.

Karina's eyes dart around, noticing the looks we're receiving. "Andy I think you're drunk-" 

"Do you like me or not?!"  I cut her off . Demanding an answer to my question.

"Well, yes? That's why I asked you out."  Karina says, shifting her attention back to me.

"Well I like you too!"  The declaration leaves my lips without hesitation.

Karina went wide-eyed at my announcement.

Her jaw dropped.

"You do?"

 I nod once. "Mhm! Since we both like each other, let's start dating!"  I say with a big smile on my face.

"W-What?"  Karina blurts out, staring at me with a dumbfounded expression.

Without warning, I press a kiss on her cheek. Acting on what I couldn't earlier.

Pulling away, I can see Karina's expression in all its glory. 

"A.... a... ah..."

If I had to use only one word to describe her face right now, it would be "gobsmacked."

Having enjoyed her reaction enough, and still relying on the false confidence the alcohol has given me, I part my lips. "Dating... is the phase two people enter when they want to learn about each other on a deeper level, right?"  I say, taking a deliberate pause to let my words sink in.

"Karina, I like it when you treat me like a gentleman. How you focus on me so much that it falls short of following me to the restroom- Actually, ignore that last one."  I couldn't help but laugh a little at my own words.

"And even though I miss your plump figure, I admire your choice of slimming down. Because that... That means we'll be together longer."  I say, imagining the before and after.

It was then that I noticed Karina's throat flex.

"Andy!"  Without warning, Karina's hands dart out and grab my shoulders. Her eyes stare intensely into mine.

"I want to date you with marriage in mind!"  she declares.

"... Pfft- Isn't that obvious?"  I say, laughing a little after. "But marriage, huh? You're thinking that far ahead already? Did you also think of the names our kids will have too?"  I joke, doubtful she had gone that far.

"........"

Karina slowly looks away. Her cheeks growing red from embarrassment.

".... No way... You actually did...?"

"E-Enough of that!"  Karina suddenly points to the glass. "Watching the sunset is the highlight of this place, so let's enjoy it."  

"Heh- Okay. I'll stop teasing you....."  As I turn to look at the glass, the words die in my throat.

My eyes widen, mouth hanging agape as I stare at the sight Shibuya Sky prides itself in.

Beyond the glass, the sun paints the city in an amber glow as it slowly disappears past the horizon.

The soft light touches everything. From the tallest skyscraper to the city sidewalk. 

A few twinkled under the light, some reflected its glow, while others were illuminated by it.

Without uttering a word, I fell back onto the couch. Quietly admiring the spectacle before me.

While I did, I felt something on my hand.

A familiar sensation.

I look and see Karina's hand on top of mine.

'I never realized how big her hand is compared to mine.'  I thought.

Flipping my hand over, I interlock my fingers with Karina's. Her expression widened briefly, but quickly softened in satisfaction.

Our eyes met, but neither said a word. 

We simply turned back to the glass and watched the sunset.

'I'll never forget this moment for the rest of my life.'

Hand in hand, we watch as the sun slowly disappears. Only standing up once night fell.

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