Harem Investment System: Getting Money And Women-Chapter 37: Theme Park (Part 2)

At one point, they stopped by a snack stand. Lila eagerly ordered an ice cream cone while Ethan stuck to a simple soda.

She looked at him suspiciously. "So you do hate ice cream."

Ethan took a sip of his drink. "Never said that."

"Then why aren't you getting one?"

He smirked. "Because I knew you'd offer me yours."

Lila blinked. "I — "

Before she could finish, he leaned down and took a small bite from her ice cream cone, straight from her hand.

She froze, her entire face turning red.

"Not bad," Ethan mused, licking his lips.

Lila just stared at him, speechless. Then, after a few seconds, she covered her face with one hand. "You're the worst."

Ethan chuckled. "You walked right into that one."

As the sun began to set, they found themselves sitting on a park bench, watching the Ferris wheel light up against the dimming sky.

Lila hugged her stuffed wolf to her chest, sighing contentedly. "That... was actually a lot of fun."

Ethan smirked. "You sound surprised."

"Well... I didn't think you'd actually enjoy this kind of thing."

He shrugged. "It wasn't bad."

She smiled softly, then looked up at the sky. "...Thanks for coming."

Ethan leaned back, stretching his arms. "Thanks for dragging me here."

Lila laughed, nudging his arm.

They sat in comfortable silence, watching the lights twinkle in the distance.

"Come on, let's climb the Ferris Wheel,"

Ethan paid for the Ferris wheel tickets, slipping a couple of bills to the attendant without hesitation.

Lila stood beside him, her fingers gripping the plush wolf he had won for her earlier, her expression a mix of excitement and nervousness.

"Last ride of the night," Ethan mused, glancing at her.

Lila nodded, shifting on her feet. "Yeah... I always wanted to ride one of these at night."

The attendant waved them forward, opening the small metal gate. Ethan stepped in first, settling into the seat before Lila followed, sliding in beside him.

The carriage swayed slightly as she adjusted herself, and she let out a small squeak.

Ethan smirked. "Scared?"

Lila shot him a glare. "I just wasn't expecting it to move."

The Ferris wheel slowly began its ascent, the soft hum of machinery filling the air. Lila hugged the stuffed wolf to her chest, staring out the window.

From up here, the entire theme park stretched out before them, glowing with colorful lights. The roller coasters, the carnival games, the food stalls — it all seemed so much smaller now.

Beyond the park, city lights twinkled in the distance, creating a mesmerizing view.

"Wow..." Lila breathed. "This is... really pretty."

Ethan leaned back, watching her rather than the view.

She was staring out the window with wide, wonder-filled eyes, her chestnut brown hair illuminated by the soft glow of the Ferris wheel lights.

"It is," he agreed, though he wasn't looking at the city.

Lila turned to him, catching his gaze.

A hint of pink touched her cheeks, but she didn't look away this time. Instead, she tilted her head slightly, studying him.

"You're staring," she murmured.

Ethan smirked. "Noticed that, huh?"

She rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smile. "You're impossible."

The ride slowed as they reached the very top, their carriage pausing as others loaded passengers below. Up here, everything was still.

The sounds of the park were distant, muffled. It felt like they were in their own little world.

Lila exhaled softly. "This is nice..."

Ethan tapped his fingers against the armrest. "You seem different today."

She blinked. "Different how?"

"More talkative," he said. "Less shy."

Lila hesitated, then shrugged. "I guess... it's easier to talk to you now."

Ethan raised a brow. "Now?"

She smiled softly. "You used to feel kinda... unreachable. Like you were always a step ahead of everyone else."

Ethan chuckled. "And now?"

"Now, I think I get you a little more."

He hummed, considering her words.

It was true that most people didn't bother trying to understand him.

But Lila... she was just here, treating him like a person instead of some figure.

The silence stretched between them, comfortable yet charged.

Lila shifted, biting her lip. "Hey, Ethan...?"

He glanced at her. "Yeah?"

She hesitated for a second before speaking. "Do you ever think about relationships?"

Ethan tilted his head. "What kind of relationships?"

Lila averted her gaze, staring out at the city again. "You know... dating. That kind of thing."

Ethan exhaled through his nose. "Not really."

Lila's shoulders slumped slightly. "Oh..."

He smirked. "But I might start."

Her head snapped toward him, eyes wide. "W-What?"

Ethan turned his body slightly, facing her fully. "You're bad at hiding your thoughts, Lila."

She swallowed. "I-I don't know what you're talking about."

He leaned in a little, closing the space between them. "You sure?"

Lila gripped her stuffed wolf tightly, her entire face turning red. "Y-You — ! I — !"

Ethan chuckled, watching her struggle for words. Then, in a rare moment of hesitation, she looked down, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her sweater.

"...Would it be bad?" she asked softly.

Ethan's smirk faded slightly. "Would what be bad?"

She took a deep breath, finally meeting his gaze. "If I liked you."

For the first time that night, Ethan was caught off guard.

He stared at her for a long moment, the weight of her words settling between them.

Lila wasn't the type to say something like this lightly. It took her courage to admit it.

And somehow, that made it feel... real.

Slowly, he reached out, brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear. She tensed at the touch but didn't pull away.

"I wouldn't mind," he murmured.

Lila's breath hitched. "Ethan — "

He closed the distance.

The kiss was slow, unhurried.

A soft brush of lips at first, testing, waiting.

But when Lila didn't pull away — when she leaned in instead — Ethan deepened it slightly, one hand resting at the nape of her neck.

Her fingers clutched his sleeve, holding onto him like she was afraid the moment would slip away.

When they finally broke apart, she was breathless, eyes still closed for a second before fluttering open. She looked completely dazed.

Ethan smirked. "That bad?"

Lila let out a small laugh, covering her face. "I... I wasn't expecting that."

He leaned back, arms resting against the back of the seat. "Neither was I."

She peeked at him through her fingers. "Does this mean...?"

Ethan tilted his head. "What do you think it means?"

Lila pouted. "Stop making me say everything."

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Ethan chuckled, reaching over to gently tug her hands away from her face. "Fine. It means I like you too."

Her eyes widened slightly before a soft smile formed. "Oh."

The Ferris wheel began moving again, descending back toward the ground.

Lila let out a deep breath. "That was... really cliché."

Ethan raised a brow. "You don't like clichés?"

She hugged the stuffed wolf against her chest. "...I think I do."

Ethan smirked, leaning in slightly. "Good. Because I'm not done surprising you yet."

Lila's face turned red all over again.

As the Ferris wheel reached the bottom, Ethan stood up, offering her his hand. She hesitated for a moment before placing her hand in his.

They stepped out together, the cool night air wrapping around them.

And somehow, the theme park lights seemed a little brighter than before.