**Paras City – Night Glow**
Paras City glowed like a living jewel under the velvet night sky.
Streetlights cast warm golden halos on the wet roads, turning puddles into shimmering mirrors of neon pinks, blues, and violets. Neon signs from cafés, shops, and arcades reflected in every surface, making the city feel alive and magical. Cars moved slowly along the glistening streets, their headlights cutting gentle paths through the light mist left by the earlier rain. The air was cool and fresh, carrying the faint scent of wet asphalt, street food from late-night vendors, blooming night jasmine, and the distant sweetness of cotton candy. Laughter and soft music drifted from open restaurants and rooftop bars, mixing with the gentle hum of the city that never truly slept.
Outside Yuki's house, the atmosphere felt intimate and electric, like the whole world had quieted down just for them.
Yuki stood under the soft porch light, holding a small elegant bag in one hand. She wore a cute outfit that made her look both elegant and approachable — a soft white blouse with delicate lace details, a flowing skirt that swayed gently with every small movement, and a stylish hat tilted playfully on her head. Her cheeks had a natural flush from excitement, and her eyes sparkled with nervous joy. She looked beautiful, vulnerable, and full of hope, like a girl who had waited a long time for this moment.
Beside her, Honokage stood in a well-fitted dark suit that made his tall, powerful frame look even more striking and mysterious. One hand rested on the back of his neck — a rare sign of discomfort. He tried not to look at her directly, but his crimson-black eyes kept glancing her way, drawn to her like a magnet he couldn't resist. The suit made him look older, more mature, and undeniably handsome.
Yuki turned to him, voice light and teasing, but with an undercurrent of nervousness that made her even cuter.
"Hono-kun? Are you ready\~?"
Honokage sighed, looking away toward the glowing city lights as if they were suddenly very interesting.
"Yeah… unfortunately."
Yuki tilted her head, her smile faltering for a split second.
"What?"
Honokage quickly corrected himself, voice casual but forced.
"Nothing. I was just looking at the poster over there… It says the fortune isn't too good tonight."
Yuki narrowed her eyes playfully, stepping a little closer, her skirt swaying.
"You are hiding something… I know."
Honokage shrugged, still avoiding direct eye contact.
"I don't…"
Yuki smiled brightly again, trying to shake off the awkwardness as she adjusted her hat.
"Anyways… Let's go—"
She raised her hand to hold his, fingers reaching out with quiet longing and hope.
Honokage didn't take it immediately. He started walking ahead, hands slipping into his pockets.
Yuki didn't say anything right away. She simply elbowed him lightly in the side — a small, affectionate nudge full of playful frustration.
Honokage didn't reply, one hand remaining in his pocket as he walked.
Yuki pouted, her voice turning adorably whiny.
"You forgot that we are dating? We should come closer!"
Honokage sighed deeply, then finally reached out and took her hand — his larger, warmer palm enveloping hers completely.
Yuki's face lit up with a genuine, radiant smile.
"Yeah… That's what I am saying."
Even after the rain, small puddles still dotted the ground, reflecting the city lights like scattered jewels. Their footsteps created soft splashes as they walked side by side, hands linked.
Honokage glanced at her from the corner of his eye, voice low.
"Don't you think… you are an idol, so your fans can find you?"
Yuki shook her head confidently, adjusting her hat with her free hand.
"Nah… I just disguised as normal instead of idol mode. And I can hide myself with the hat as well. No one will recognize me tonight. It's just us."
Honokage gave a small nod, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"Then it's okay… Yu."
Yuki blinked in confusion, tilting her head cutely.
"Yu? What are you saying?"
Honokage smiled faintly — a rare, soft expression that made her heart skip a beat.
"I just gave you a nickname… From now on, I will call you Yu instead of Yuki."
Yuki got embarrassed instantly, moving her head rapidly side to side, cheeks flushing bright red.
"No no no! This name is embarrassing! Don't call me that!! It sounds too cute!"
Honokage's smile widened just a little, voice teasing.
"When you call me Hono-kun instead of Honokage… while I am really an older cursed being… doesn't it sound embarrassing? Still I don't say anything."
Yuki pouted again, squeezing his hand tighter.
"No. It doesn't! Your given name sounds embarrassing!"
Honokage raised an eyebrow playfully.
"Then call me Honokage from now."
Yuki pouted even harder, stomping her heel lightly on the wet pavement.
"You are soo meany!"
She pulled her hand free and walked backward a few steps toward home, pretending to leave.
"Alright, I am going… I don't like to go on a date with yo—"
Honokage's leviathan tail slowly rose and gently grabbed her hand, pulling her back toward him with effortless strength.
He kept his arms folded, voice calm but firm, a hint of amusement in his eyes.
"Since you wanted to go on a date with me for a long time… now you must. No other option."
Yuki's face turned bright red again, a mix of embarrassment and happiness.
"You are annoying!!"
Honokage's tail didn't let go.
"Yes… But for you."
Yuki blushed harder, turning her face away with a small squeak.
"Why do you think you are annoying for me? Astra is annoying too!"
Honokage chuckled quietly, the sound low and warm.
"But it's in a different way."
Yuki huffed, still blushing.
"Uhh… I can't win in talk with you!"
Honokage sighed, a hint of amusement in his voice.
"If the argument is done, then can we go?"
Yuki pouted, arms folded, refusing to reply immediately.
Honokage started walking again, his tail gently dragging her along.
Yuki punched at his face in slow motion, half playful, half frustrated.
"Hey Mr. Don't drag me okay?"
Honokage kept walking, hands in his pockets, voice teasing.
"Why have you asked for the date… That's the cause."
Yuki continued punching lightly, voice whiny.
"I thought you were good but you are just annoying and bad."
She placed her finger on his nose teasingly.
"I hate you…"
Honokage gritted his teeth after hearing it, tail shaking her gently.
Yuki also shook with the movement.
"Whhh!!! Put me downnn!"
Yuki threw her hands wildly in the air.
"I hate you, I hate you, I hate you, I hate you, I hate youuuuuuuu!!"
Honokage's voice remained calm, but there was a playful edge.
"Then why can't you sleep alone?"
Yuki stopped suddenly, blinking.
"Umm… That's a secret… You smell like a puffed cat okayyyyy!?"
Honokage didn't answer and kept walking, tail still holding her hand.
Public on the street watched the weird couple with amused or confused expressions.
Someone whispered loudly, "That uncle has a tail… and he is dragging someone? Cute though!"
They finally entered a cozy, warmly lit café.
The bell above the door jingled softly.
Yuki sat on the soft sofa, still pouting dramatically.
Honokage sat face to face with her, expression deadpan and serious.
Yuki rested her chin on her hand, glaring at him with an exaggerated pout.
Honokage watched her back, completely serious.
Both stared at each other for a full 10 seconds in charged silence.
The waiter approached nervously, menu in hand.
"May I ask for the orders?"
They continued staring at each other, ignoring him completely.
The waiter grew more confused.
"Hello?? Want something?"
Kitu suddenly appeared from somewhere, sitting on the edge of the table with tiny legs crossed like a gentleman.
He raised one paw dramatically.
"Ahem… 3 Spaghetti please… Actually they are too much driven in love."
The waiter nodded awkwardly.
"Wait? A cat is ordering!?"
Kitu sat proudly, legs crossed.
"Come on. Can't a cat talk freely and eat spaghetti?"
The waiter nodded hesitantly.
"Yes sir…"
He went to the kitchen, whispering to himself, "Today is weird…"
Honokage finally broke the stare.
"Why are you watching me?"
Yuki raised an eyebrow, still pouting.
"Same question."
They glared at each other angrily again.
Yuki crossed her arms.
"Why… don't you behave normal on a date?"
Honokage shrugged.
"And you were the one rejecting the date earlier."
The waiter returned with two plates of premium spaghetti.
Waiter: "Enjoy the meal. With the bill… 1,000 dollars."
Honokage looked like he had a mini heart attack.
"Why the hell is it so expensive!?"
Waiter smiled nervously.
"Actually those are premium spaghetti with premium toppings."
Yuki pointed at Kitu, who was already munching joyfully on his own plate (and secretly theirs).
"Who ordered it?"
The waiter glanced at Kitu.
Yuki's veins popped, fist clenched.
Even Honokage felt the pressure.
Waiter sweated.
Honokage sighed.
"Why did you even hire this pussy cat, Yu?"
Yuki crossed her arms.
"Now I regret it."
She smiled sweetly at the waiter.
"Sir… he has money, he will pay the bill."
Waiter smiled.
"Oh then it's okay."
He went to Kitu, who was still eating.
Waiter: "Sir… bill time."
Kitu shocked.
"I don't have… money…"
Waiter smiled creepily.
"Then… wash our stingy bathroom for 5 years."
Kitu screamed.
"Noooooo!"
The waiter grabbed him by the waist and dragged him away.
Yuki looked at the table.
There was only one plate of spaghetti left.
Yuki tilted her head cutely.
"Uhhh… He ordered 2 spaghetti… then why is there only 1?"
Camera zoomed on Kitu being dragged — before disappearing, he had eaten both his and theirs in record time, sauce still on his whiskers.
Honokage sighed.
"We need to share then."
Yuki nodded.
"Alright…"
She thought in her mind, cheeks turning pink.
*Eating with Honokage… then at the last string of spaghetti… we both eat from each side and… kiss. Both blush from each side.*
Yuki shook her head quickly.
"Mehh ewww…"
Camera focused on Honokage, who was looking out the window calmly.
Yuki thought again.
*I am never gonna kiss this person… I have doubt that he even brushes or not…*
Yuki smiled sweetly and said.
"Okay I am taking some of the spaghetti on my plate."
She grabbed a cutting spoon and tried to gather some.
Honokage warned.
"Don't do…"
Yuki pointed the cutting spoon at his face playfully.
"Don't dare… We are not sharing the same plate.."
Honokage's gaze sharpened. The spoon caught faint black lightning on its edges.
Yuki watched him seriously.
Again, 20 seconds of intense staring.
Yuki's pupils shone.
Honokage's pupils shone too.
Finally, Yuki took some spaghetti.
She picked it up with her spoon and ate, but while eating she kept glancing at Honokage.
Honokage ate gently, elegantly.
Yuki blushed slightly. Then she looked at her own plate. She was eating messily.
Yuki thought.
*He really eats like a gentleman. Why doesn't he eat wildly? He is a curse…*
Yuki spoke between bites.
"You forgot something, Hono-kun…"
Honokage continued eating calmly.
"No I didn't."
Yuki leaned forward.
"Don't you think you became too gentle? It's because to impress me."
Honokage shrugged.
"Nope… I just like to eat like a normal being. Unlike you."
Yuki narrowed her eyes.
In the background, Kitu could be heard screaming faintly from the kitchen.
They continued eating in silence for a moment.
Honokage suddenly spoke while eating.
"Yu…"
Yuki raised her head.
"Yes?"
Honokage continued eating, voice quieter.
"You know something… I was once a human too."
Yuki stopped the spoon mid-air. It stayed frozen like time had stopped.
She didn't even dare to look up.
"You were a human before??"
Honokage sighed, putting his spoon down.
"Yes… I didn't mean to be inside you… I was stored inside your soul even before you took birth…"
He continued, voice heavy with old pain.
"They bullied me, attacked me… sealed me and made me a curse that I never deserved."
He paused, eyes distant.
"I watched my family die, my mother's tears, the clan's death… All in front of my eyes."
He stopped eating completely.
"That's why I can relate with Astra… And the difference is he found a new family but I didn't…"
Yuki felt the pain like a knife in her chest. She placed her hand gently on his shoulder, voice soft and trembling.
"Hono-kun… You aren't alone… I am with you… Don't feel sorrow."
Honokage looked at her for a long moment.
"I know… But my name, 'Honokage'… was named after my Honokage clan. My father was the leader… But I was too weak then… and it made him mad, evil. He thought I would be the strongest of the entire clan but it was the opposite. He killed my mom, others, elders… Everyone. Every single person… He didn't even spare children…"
Honokage's voice grew quieter.
"But in time… my mother sealed me on time so I survived… But I am bounded with you now… We are actually sharing a soul."
Yuki broke down completely by his words, tears flowing freely.
"I am sorry Hono-kun… For what I have done in the past… I never thought that was your past… Forgive me please…"
Honokage reached out and gently wiped a tear from her cheek.
"It isn't your fault… I am sorry too. I was rude slightly."
Their plates were finished.
They stood up and started walking on the street together.
Yuki didn't look at Honokage.
He didn't look at her either.
Both felt uncomfortable… and somehow guilty.
Honokage tried to glance at Yuki's face.
He noticed a small tear sliding down her cheek.
She hid it instantly.
Honokage felt it — she was hiding her emotions… and staying strong for him.
Honokage spoke softly.
"Okay… Forget what I said… Let's enjoy the date we came for."
Yuki nodded slightly, still quiet.
He approached and held her shoulder gently, pulling her a little closer.
They walked through the glowing bridge.
The Ferris wheel in the distance glowed brightly.
Cars and vehicles passed below.
Fireworks suddenly bloomed in the sky, painting the night in brilliant colors.
Yuki stopped walking, still holding Honokage's hand like she was afraid he might disappear.
Honokage noticed.
"What happened?"
Yuki removed her hat slightly with her free hand, eyes glossy, voice breaking.
"Hono-kun… Thanks for the date… It was really small but not bad."
She paused, then continued softly.
"I think I am in lov—"
Before she could finish, she turned away.
Honokage tilted his head.
"What did you say?"
Yuki shook her head quickly.
"No… Nothing… Let's enjoy the fireworks."
She placed her head gently on his shoulder.
Yuki whispered.
"I feel safe around you… Hono-kun… Don't leave me again… I can't live without you."
Honokage didn't reply this time.
Like he wouldn't leave for her… but he couldn't promise either.
Two souls existed side by side.
Yet they still had so many questions and unspoken feelings for each other.
The fireworks continued lighting up the night sky above them — beautiful, fleeting, and full of unspoken promises.