Red Balloon

Anniversary

Reiko paced up and down the walkway, worried and annoyed, with her phone clasped in her hands. "Where is he? Fancy him for being late on a date! He's not even picking up his phone...What's the time now? My...it's already almost an hour! What's wrong with him.... Sigh I should have met him at a place nearer to his home..."

Ring......Ring....Rin----

"Reiko!" A familiar voice called out to her from a distance.

The girl removed the cell from her ear and looked behind her.

Pant...Pant... " I-I'm so sorry that I'm late--"

"What happened?! You were never this late before! Do you know how worried I am?"

"I'm sorry....something cropped up at home. But hey, I'm here now right?" He smiled brightly.

"Hmmph.."

"Aww...C'mon. Smile...I just want to see you smile." It was never easy getting mad at him, he was like the best boyfriend one could ever find. Not only was he kind, he was patient, smart and just...Wonderful. She could also never forget how long he carried her in the rain, back in a school field trip, all the way from a high mountain to the village's clinic because she had a high fever. After that incident, she fell straight for him.

"Reiko! The bus is here!"

"...E-Eh?! Oh coming!" She did not even realize that she was staring into thin air. Her partner was already up and about to go. A white classic bus with the sign "Tokyo Disneyland Shuttle" was parked at the stop. Several families and couples were on board, chatting happily. Reiko stood up, almost tripping over her heels and followed along clumsily. The boy could not help but to laugh.

(light slap)

"Wha..? Alright...Alright..lets get on the bus ahhaha.."

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"Hey..." She whispered, leaning her head on his shoulder. "How long have we been... together?"

"Ha. Don't try to test me! Its clearly 3months now. Its our third month anniversary today!" He beamed, giving her a tight hug.

"Hee..." Reiko grinned, hugging back. She felt so happy and excited. It was going to be another lovely day with her boyfriend and this time, her much anticipated anniversary celebration to her favorite theme park in Japan.

"Look! We're here!" Reiko pointed out of the window cheerily. A view of the majestic Sleeping Beauty castle along with rows of colorful flags and signposts could be seen. They arrived at 11.30am, so quite a lot of people were there already. They alighted and proceeded straight to entrance.

"Thank God, Aunty gave us these passes! So we need not queue up for them! I mean...look at the queue...H-Hey...you alright, Keito? You look kind of pale."

"Huh? Really? I'm fine! Maybe just the sun...Let's go in shall we?" He laughed, fanning himself with the theme park's pamphlet.

"......okay."

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"Oh my god. Look at that roller coaster!" Reiko squealed in delight, pulling Keito towards the horrifically tall ride. "Can we go up there?"

"Uh..." Though he was the best student during physical lessons, he had a problem with rides like this. To be honest, he was afraid of heights, even for a tall guy like him.

"Oh ya...You dislike tall rides right? It's okay then!" She smiled, hiding her disappointment. "Let's go to the--"

"Its okay, Reiko. Let's go." Keito took her hand and walked bravely into waiting area of the ride.