Chapter 42

It was almost sun set when the two made it back to the amusement park. The reason for that was Shino's constant stopping and stores she found interesting. Most of them were music stores and restaurants selling any sweets. Her jovial mood remained. It was obvious to Momo that Shino was planning something. What it was she didn't know. She was curious none the less.

"Shino what are you planning? "Momo asked as she fell in step with Shino. She was making a straight line to the ferris wheel. She seemed really intended on riding that thing. Momo wondered where her obsession over the ride suddenly came from. Maybe it was just her love of being in the air.

"You like romance movies, don't you Momo? " Shino asked, although she already knew the answer to that question. She busied herself with the boy minding the ride. She's a natural when it comes to negotiating. She always knows what to say. How to say it and when to say it. All it took was a few complimenting words and some extra cash. Just like that Shino got the ferris wheel for thirty minutes. It would just be her and Momo.

"It was a pleasure doing business with you"

Shino motioned for Momo to follow her into one of the cars. Once they were both inside it was set into motion. The two sat opposite each other. Shino seemed perfectly relaxed while Momo was squirming in her seat. Shino was staring at her with that teasing smile. Her hand was in her pocket, playing with the boxes she stored there.

"So, Momo. You're the romantic movie expert. Tell me what's so special about ferris wheels at sunset" she leaned forward supposedly curious. In her new position her smile was hidden behind her scarf.

"I wouldn't call myself an expert I just like them" Momo was beginning to feel self-conscious. Shino was just staring at her with those eyes. Her gaze was... It was... Momo didn't know how to explain it or decipher it. It was a new emotion or two. One she hadn't seen in those eyes before.

There was also the familair amusement.

The ferris wheel at sun set. It was also one of the romance cliches. Although it isn't used as often as the others. There are a couple of things that the scene is used for. But it is often used for confessions. First dates. First kiss.

And that's what Momo told her.

Shino hummed and finally looked away from Momo. Her attention was turned to the sunset. Her look was pensive.

"I still don't get romance movies. There is always a sunset. Why is it so special in the ferris wheel? " Shino was genuinely curious.

It was Momo's turn to stare. Shino was like that. There are somethings about human emotions that she doesn't understand. Or is it the way humans behave. It could be both. This is Shino after all. In all honesty Momo didn't know how to answer her question. She figured that it just brings a romantic atmosphere. Just two people in the sky with the beautiful sunset in the background. Now she couldn't get it either.

Leave it up to Shino to make her question movie scenes.

"I've got a question " Shino's attention was back on Momo. Momo met her gaze and immediately looked away. She had that look again.

"What is it? " Momo had to try very hard not to fidget under Shino's gaze.

Shino retrieved one of the boxes from her pocket. She rolled it around in her palm before opening it.

"Tell me, what do you think of this? "

The box contained a bracelet. It appeared to be made out of silver. Upon closer inspection Momo discovered that it was made out of white gold. It glimmered in the sun giving it an alluring appeal. It had small patterns adorning it. The thing that caught Momo's attention was the heart that connected it. It had small diamonds inside and a key hole.

Momo snapped out of her trance when Shino took her hand. Shino had a happy smile on her face as she put the bracelet around Momo's wrist. There was a small "click" as the bracelet was successfully secured. Shino pressed a finger to the side of the jewelry. There was soon a dim light. When she removed her finger her initials were proudly displayed in intricate twists.

Shino hummed in satisfaction at her accomplishment.

"You like it right? " Shino was now in front of her on her knees. She was staring again as she played with Momo's fingers.

Momo only nodded. She wasn't very trusting of her voice at the moment. The look on Shino's face was so sincere. There wasn't a trace of amusement in her eyes anymore. It wasn't an expression she was accustomed to, but she would have no problem getting used to it.

"I knew you would" Shino smiled brighly. "It's locked so no one can take it off. I also added my own touch as you've just seen" Shino indicated her added engraving. She seemed very proud of it.

"Where's the key? "

"With me" Shino fished the other box out of her pocket. She opened it to reveal a necklace made from the same material. At it's end was a small heart containing a key. She took it out and easily wrapped it securely around her wrist. It made a good bracelet.

Momo giggled lightly when she realized something. "Why did you get a necklace when you obviously don't plan on wearing it like it's supposed to? "

"Because I'm a rebel" Shino had her chest puffed out in pride.

Momo let out another giggle at that. She didn't know if Shino was serious or not, but her childish behavior was funny.

"Why did you get me the bracelet? "

"Just because " Shino adorned a small smile. "I have another question"

"I'm listening "

"Do you like me? "

The rate at which redness overtook Momo's face was astonishing. It had to be a new record. It definitely was. Shino had never seen Momo's face get that bright that fast. It was adorable.

"O-Of course I do. You're my friend "

Shino chuckled as she increased their closeness. Momo's cheeks only got impossibly brighter at the new closeness.

"Let me rephrase that" Shino gripped Momo by the waist. "Do you like me romantically? "

Shino already knew the answer to that question. She pays very close attention to people. Specifically Momo. She took great interest in her for obvious reasons. She picked up a lot of things. She was aware of Momo's feelings and had been for some time now. She thought it was cute. It also made her very happy seeing as she had similar feelings.

For the moment she took great joy in watching Momo stumble over her words. She was trying so very hard to form a correct sentence. She was nervous. And so embarrassed. Shino knew how she felt. Momo knew that. She knew Shino. And it was because of that reason she found herself a stuttering mess. She let out an embarrassed whimper and rested her head on Shino's shoulder.

"You ok there? "Shino asked. This time she was amused. She always enjoyed watching a flustered Momo.

"I'm not sure"Momo sighed.

"Can you answer my question? "Shino rested her chin on the top of Momo's head.

"Yes" Momo's reply was barely a whisper.

"Yes? "

"Yes"

"Yes, you'll answer my question or... "

Momo sighed and could hear the smile in Shino's voice. She was clearly enjoying the moment.

"Yes I like you romantically " Momo admitted this quietly as if she was afraid of the words and what they meant. Maybe she was. She didn't want things to change and admitting her feelings will do just that. "You already know this. I know you do"

"Yeah" Shino tightened her grip around Momo's waist. "I know. I always did. I just wanted to hear you say it. It feels a lot better"

"Do you... "

"Do I feel the same? " Shino finished Momo's sentence. As an she pulled Momo closer, hugging her. "Of course I do. I wouldn't behave the way I do if I didn't. Although it is fun to tease you"

Momo giggled happily. She held onto Shino tightly, enjoying the warmth she radiated. She felt warm inside. She liked the feeling. She liked it very much. She was ecstatic at the moment. Shino just confessed to having romantic feelings for her. Something she wasn't sure would ever happen. She giggled again. She was finding it hard to contain her joy and couldn't stop giggling.

"You ok there? "Shino could feel Momo's happiness. It had the effect of fueling her own joy.

"Yes. Yes. Yes"

"Wow. You said yes three times" Shino laughed causing Momo to break into another giggling fit.

"I'm so happy "

"I can feel it flowing off you like a river"

"So can I "

"Wait. You can feel my joy? "

"Your temperature increases when you're happy "

Shino blinked and pulled away from their hug. She looked Momo in the eye for some time. Momo returned her gaze with curiosity.

"My temperature increases when I'm happy? "

"You didn't know? "

"No, I didn't "

It was Momo's turn to stare. Did Shino really not know about that? Momo thought she would know. It had to do with her own body.

"Wow. I thought you knew"

"To think I didn't know such a thing "

Shino sighed and pushed the new Info to the back of her head. She stared at Momo again. This time Momo met her gaze with a happy smile.

"I have another question"

"You can ask me anything "

Shino grinned and got closer. Momo's blush instantly returned. Shino's face was just inches away from her.

"May I kiss you? "

Momo nodded slowly and Shino's grin grew.

And so Shino kissed her and the world fell away. It was slow and soft, comforting in ways that words would never be. Her hand rested below her ear, her thumb caressing her cheek as their breaths mingled. She ran her fingers down the other's spine, pulling her closer until there was no space left between them and she could feel the beating of her heart against her chest.

Shino smiled into the kiss, content with how her day turned out. Her depressing thoughts were forgotten. For once there weren't a billion thoughts bouncing through her head. All she could think about is Momo.

It was a welcome change.

Her weekend turned out pretty good after all.