Only after 5 minutes did she finally calm down enough to remove herself from Ken's embrace.
The moment she took a step back, her face flushed red with embarrassment. Ai hadn't expected for this to happen, nor had she planned for it.
"I'm sorry, I—"
"There's no need to apologize." Ken said, cutting her off.
His face wore a supportive smile, one that filled her with reassurance. There was no judgment, nor expectations within his gaze, just pure and unadulterated support.
"Come, let's keep walking."
"Ah"
Ken grabbed her hand once more and pulled her along gently until she was beside him. It was unexpected, yet she didn't resist, feeling a genuine smile creep onto her features.
He wasn't sure what had made him so bold, but there was a part of him that thought he might not get a chance like this again in the future.
The two walked a bit longer in silence as they took in the scenery.
"Hey, do you remember this place?" Ken said, pointing at a place on the path.
Ai followed to where he was pointing and let out a small laugh.
"Yes, that's where you bulldozed into me."
"A-Ah, I don't know if bulldoze is the right word." He replied, feeling a little embarrassed.
This only caused Ai to laugh even more, seeing his coy expression.
"You know, I'm glad we collided on that day." She said wistfully.
"Eh?"
Ken felt it was a little weird to say such a thing. Who would want to be thrown off their bike by someone after all.
Ai nodded, her tone serious.
"If it didn't happen, then I don't think we would have ever gotten to know each other properly. I mean, all you think about is baseball."
"H-Hey, I think of other stuff besides baseball." Ken said, feigning being offended.
"Oh?" Ai raised her eyebrow and turned to him with a suspicious look.
"And what were you daydreaming about when we collided back then?"
Ken paused for a moment before letting out a defeated sigh.
Technically he was spinning the Gold Lottery wheel, but he couldn't exactly use that as his defense since he would just sound crazy. However, at the same time, it did have something to do with baseball.
"Pfft."
"Hahaha!"
Seeing his myriad of expressions, Ai suddenly broke into her trademark giggle, filling the air with her velvety laughter.
Ken's expression softened as if the sweetest music was playing in his ears. It was so infectious that even he couldn't help but laugh as well.
The two continued on their walk shortly after with no clear destination in mind. It was as if they were a couple, just enjoying each others company.
As they continued down the road, an older lady happened to be out the front of her house and spotted the two. Her eyes widened in the next moment before she called out to them.
"Well if it isn't Ai and her boyfriend." She said with a wicked grin.
These words caused both Ken and Ai's face to turn red. It was only now that they both realized they were still holding hands.
Ken resisted the urge to yank his hand back out of embarrassment, not wanting to offend the woman next to him. It was just as well since Ai gripped onto his hand tightly, not wanting to let go.
"Hi Mrs. Masuda. I hope you're doing well." Ai said sweetly.
"Ah, it's the ninja Grandma." Ken muttered, suddenly recognizing her.
Mrs. Masuda grinned even more after hearing that she didn't deny her claims.
"Don't mind me dear, you two continue your date." She said, quickly ascending her stairs and entering her house. Yet in the next moment they could see the blinds in the window flutter, as if someone was peaking through.
Ken's jaw dropped once again after seeing the supreme speed of the Grandma. Now he might actually believe it if someone said she used to practice Ninjutsu.
Ai was unfazed as she used her free hand to wave at the window on the way past.
The two chatted for a while longer as they continued their walk, the mood lighthearted. However, Ken felt as if something was looming over their head.
But he knew once the subject of Ai leaving was broached, it would mean it was the end.
Perhaps Ai also felt the same way, which was why she never brought it up again. She wanted to enjoy his company, without worrying about what would happen next.
All of the unknowns were currently not her problem. Even if this was the last time that she saw him, she could look back at this moment with happiness in her heart.
'This is enough'
'I'm satisfied with just this…'
However, the longer Ai thought about it the more upset she got.
As they rounded the corner, Ai's house came into view. She wasn't sure why, but her body froze in place and refused to move, causing Ken to look back with concern.
"What's wrong?"
Ai was silent for a while as she tried to sort through her emotions. She bit her lip hard, almost causing blood to be drawn.
"I don't want to go home…"
"Eh? What do you mean?" Ken asked, clearly perplexed at her words.
She shook her head, almost like a child about to throw a tantrum.
"If I go home this will be over… I don't want it to end."
Her eyes started to water after saying so. She felt as if the world was mocking her.
'Why couldn't this have happened months ago before I decided to go to Tokyo?' She thought, her emotions in turmoil.
However, instinctively she knew that if it had happened earlier, she would never have decided to chase her dreams. So while it could have been a happy period in her life, would she still be able to live without regrets?
Ken could see Tetsu and Tsukasa out the front of the house, staring in their direction.
Yet he didn't care.
Once again he brought Ai into his embrace and hugged her tightly, his mind feeling calm and composed in that moment.
"Let's chase our dreams together. I'll take you wherever I go, as long as you promise that you'll do your best."
His words were said softly, yet it caused a large shock wave to move through Ai's body.
"R-Really?"
Ai's soft words were full of hope, showing just how vulnerable she was in that moment.
"Mmm. I'll make it to the Major League with my Fashion Designer girlfriend by my side."
At the word girlfriend, Ai buried her head deeply in Ken's chest, feeling her face redden in embarrassment. However, in the next moment she lifted her head and stared directly at him.
"It's a promise okay?"
Ken looked down at her from his vantage point, feeling the warm breath from the beautiful woman in his embrace. His face flushed yet he did not look away, keeping his gaze upon her.
"It's a promise." He said.
The next series of events happened in a blur. One moment he was gazing into Ai's beautiful eyes and in the next he felt a hand grab the back of his neck and pull him down.
Suddenly he saw Ai's eyes close and something soft pressed up against his lips. A shock ran through his body as he was frozen in place, yet he felt warm in the next moment, feeling his strength leave him.
Instinctively he closed his eyes and got lost in the sweet sensation.
'My first kiss…'