The Best Smile

Sunday, the last day before the new year, and I was determined to make it unforgettable for Kokoro. After learning about her background from the woman in the black suit, I felt a sense of responsibility to bring happiness into her life.

As I prepared for the day, I stood in front of the mirror, checking my outfit. It had to be perfect for this special occasion. A mixture of nerves and excitement ran through me as I adjusted my clothes, ensuring everything looked just right.

I took a deep breath, mentally preparing myself for the day ahead. Today wasn't just about creating memories; it was about bringing joy to someone who had missed out on so much. With a newfound determination, I set out to meet Kokoro.

When I arrived at her mansion, I was greeted by Kokoro's enthusiastic voice. "Kyo! You're here! Today's going to be great, right?"

Holy crap... This mansion is way too huge...

My confident smile faltered for a moment, and I blinked at Kokoro's question. "Oh... You're right..."

The realization hit me like a ton of bricks. I hadn't intended for this to be a date, but with the sparkle in Kokoro's eyes and her excited tone, it seemed I inadvertently set that expectation.

Kokoro, however, didn't seem bothered by it at all. In fact, she beamed at me, "Yay! It's a date then! Let's make it super special!"

I couldn't help but chuckle at her enthusiasm. "Sure, Kokoro-chan. It's a date."

"Erm... Kokoro-chan, may I ask you to turn around for a bit?"

"Hm? Sure!~" She turned around, humming a cheerful tune.

And then... OVER-DRAMATIC SCENARIO, I dropped down to my knees, smacking the floor, face flushed. 

"Shit... She's cute! She's seriously so cute!!" I mumbled to myself, trying to contain the embarrassment that flooded over me.

Kokoro turned back, a puzzled expression on her face. "Kyo-kun, what's wrong? Did something happen?"

"N-Nothing at all! Just tripped a bit. Let's continue our date!" I replied, doing my best to hide my flustered state.

"Hmm~ Wait here! I'll go change my clothes!"

"O-oh... right." I looked away, trying to distract myself by observing the grandeur of the mansion.

As I waited, Kokoro came back wearing a stunning outfit that sparkled with elegance. The dress accentuated her charm and radiance, making her look even more enchanting.

"Ta-da! How do I look, Kyo-kun?" Kokoro twirled around a bright smile on her face.

My jaw dropped a bit as I was genuinely impressed. "You look amazing, Kokoro-chan. Absolutely stunning!"

"Hehe~ Thank you, Kyo-kun! Now, where should we go first on our special day?"

Yes, I see now. I haven't made any plans whatsoever, and this is also my first dating experience. But that's okay because it's time to put my love simulator gaming skills to use!

Given that we're discussing Kokoro-chan here...

"How about we take a leisurely stroll through the park?"

"Yeah! That sounds wonderful! Let's go!"

And so, we hopped onto my bike that I had used to get there.

"Woah!~ We're riding this?"

"Of course. Is this your first time?"

She nodded, grinning.

"Hehe, then why don't you sit here in the bicycle saddle and hold on to me."

"Okay!~"

Excitement radiated from her as she sat down and embraced my waist, hugging it tightly. "Hehehe~ I'm excited!"

"Right, hold tight."

We set off towards the park. A few minutes later, I parked the bike and locked it.

Kokoro dismounted the bike, stretching her arms. "Kyo-kun! The air feels good!"

"Right, right. Let's walk now."

As we walked through the park, enjoying the scenery, I couldn't help but notice some of Kokoro's bodyguards attempting (quite poorly) to blend into the surroundings. It was like watching a terrible spy movie.

... This is supposed to be a date, but why can I see some of these bodyguards blending in with the crowds!? They suck at blending!?

How did a black suit guy get pregnant?! That's a lame-ass disguise if you ask me! Also, can't you all take your shades off?!

"Why are your bodyguards following us so closely? And what's with the terrible attempts at blending in?" I whispered to Kokoro.

"Hehe~ I thought it would be more fun if they joined us, but they seem to lack the stealthy skills," Kokoro replied with a mischievous grin.

I sighed. "Well, I appreciate the effort. But, they seriously need to work on their covert operations."

"Hmm~ I thought it would make them look cool! Oh, speaking of which, let's try something fun!" Kokoro grabbed my hand and pulled me towards a lake with ducks swimming there.

"Hm?" I raised an eyebrow.

As we approached the lake, Kokoro's eyes sparkled with delight as she pointed at the ducks swimming gracefully.

"Look at them, Kyo-kun! Aren't they adorable?"

I nodded, enjoying the simple joy on her face. "Yeah, they're cute."

Kokoro suddenly took out a small bag of duck feed from her purse. "Let's feed them together! It'll be so much fun!"

"Sure, why not?" I chuckled.

As we fed the ducks, Kokoro's laughter echoed in the park. The ducks eagerly gathered around us, quacking happily as if they knew they were the stars of the show.

As we strolled through the park, the serene atmosphere and the rustling of leaves added to the charm of the day. I caught myself stealing glances at Kokoro, her infectious joy making the day even brighter.

After a while, we came across a small open area with a beautiful fountain. Kokoro's eyes lit up as she saw it.

"Kyo-kun! Look at that fountain! It's so pretty!"

I smiled, "Yeah, it is. Do you want to make a wish?"

"Can we? That's so exciting!" Kokoro clasped her hands together.

We approached the fountain, and I handed her a coin. "Make a wish and toss it in."

She closed her eyes for a moment, silently making her wish, and then tossed the coin into the water. We watched as it shimmered in the sunlight before disappearing into the depths.

I leaned against the edge of the fountain, "What did you wish for, Kokoro-chan?"

"It's a secret, Kyo-kun! If I tell, it might not come true!"

"Hehe, fair enough."

As we wandered, Kokoro came closer to me, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Say! I heard that you have a surprise later. What is it?"

"That... will be for later, that's why it's a surprise, isn't it?"

"Hehe, I'm curious and excited."

"For now, let's enjoy our date together."

"Yeah!"

I feel like I'm treating her like a little kid who couldn't wait to open her Christmas gift but no... It's part of her cuteness so I don't mind at all.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink, our day continued to unfold in magical moments. From the ice-skating rink to the mesmerizing seasonal lights, each activity added another layer to our shared experience. Laughter echoed through the air, creating an atmosphere of pure joy.

The final stop of our unforgettable day was the illuminated shrine. The soft glow of the lights bathed Kokoro's face, reflecting the radiance of her smile.

"Kyo-kun, this is amazing! It feels like a fairy tale!" Kokoro's eyes sparkled with wonder.

"I'm glad you like it, Kokoro-chan," I replied, genuinely pleased.

As we stepped into the shrine, the hush of the surroundings urged us to offer our prayers for the upcoming year. The air was filled with a sense of anticipation and hope.

The countdown to the new year was about to begin in just 5 minutes, and the excitement in the air was palpable. As we stood in the illuminated shrine, the anticipation and hope for the upcoming year enveloped us.

I turned to Kokoro, "Kokoro-chan, would you kindly turn around for a moment?"

"Hm? Sure~" Kokoro complied, facing away from the entrance.

In that moment of anticipation, the shrine door swung open, revealing the rest of Hello, Happy World and Poppin'Party, along with Afterglow and Roselia.

"Happy New Year, Kokoron~" Kasumi exclaimed, engulfing Kokoro in a warm hug. "You look cute today!!"

"Eh?" Kokoro's eyes widened in surprise, taking in the presence of her bandmates from Poppin'Party.

"Happy New Year, Kokoro." Saaya greeted with a grin.

The others joined in, expressing their well wishes for the upcoming year. Kokoro's face transitioned from surprise to pure delight.

"Everyone..." She paused, then broke into a radiant smile. "Yeah! Happy New Year!"

As everyone shared joyful moments, laughter, and cheers, I gradually stepped back, choosing to observe the celebration from a distance. However, just as I was about to leave the shrine, someone caught my attention.

"Wait, Nakasone Kyo-san."

I halted, turning to the mature woman who had approached me earlier.

"Thank you for everything. I hope Kokoro had a wonderful day today," she expressed, a genuine smile on her face.

I nodded, "It was my pleasure. I'm glad we could create beautiful memories for her."

The mature man approached me, wearing a warm smile. "You must be Nakasone Kyo."

"And you are?" I inquired.

He smiled and bowed gracefully. "Thank you for doing this..."

I shook my head in surprise, "Old man... Kokoro is pretty important to me. She's like the sun that shines through darkness... I've learned something valuable from her."

Curious, he asked, "And what is that?"

"Smiles... are the best weapon to defeat sadness."

As my words lingered in the air, I glanced over to where Kokoro was.

A bright sun.

The clock struck midnight, and the sky burst into a spectacular display of fireworks. Colors painted the canvas of the night, illuminating the surroundings with a vibrant and breathtaking glow. The cheers and laughter of the gathered friends and bandmates blended harmoniously with the dazzling bursts of light.

Kokoro's eyes sparkled with excitement as she gazed at the fireworks. "Wow! This is amazing, everyone! Happy New Year!"