New Eden City was the Capital of the United Nations as well as a hub where many famous people gathered. People who lived in this city often met with their idols and celebrities, so the sight of them walking on the street was pretty common.
The citizens didn't bother them nor stare at them, making the celebrities comfortable walking outside. It was a kind of unwritten rule in this city. However, some celebrities sometimes took the limelight of people's attention. However, people didn't stare at them for so long as it was considered rude.
Willow Park was a famous date spot in New Eden City, located near the center of the city. It was the busiest spot, filled with people every night, no matter whether it was weekdays or weekends.
Trees were decorated with blinking lights. Many night stalls selling various food lined up adjacently on the right spot. Every day in this park looked like a festival.
A young boy and girl walked side by side in this kind of park, linking their hands. No matter how people saw them, they were clearly a couple who went on a date.
"It's beautiful."
"It is."
Max looked around the park with a smile before settling his gaze at the companion next to him. He was nervous. Just holding her hand made him happy and nervous at the same time.
As someone basked in the spotlight from his parkour and streaming career, he was confident he wouldn't be nervous easily. Even when he was competing in the Midnight Heist tournament, he never felt this nervous before.
And he knew that Lily was also nervous. It was apparent in her flushed face and trembling hand. And it made him happier knowing she felt the same way as him.
"I found this place when I was looking for a good streaming spot on the trip this morning. In the end, Flexy took me to the sports center, so I had no chance to visit this park." Max explained as he scratched his cheek.
He paused slightly and looked at the fountain in front of him. Water spurted like a geyser, dancing with diffused golden gem-like lights shining behind.
"But I am glad I can visit it now. This park is truly beautiful. I would regret it if I didn't see this scenery."
"Un." Lily nodded and tightened her grip. "I agree. I got... the inspiration to finish my new song too. Thank you for bringing me here." She looked at him and smiled.
"But when we met at the park, I changed my mind. I wanted to learn the wall run, so I asked you directly. And that changed my perspective. Even when I introduced myself as Lily Spencer and not LilyPixel, you didn't change your attitude at all. And then, as time passed, I changed."
Max remembered their first meeting. He thought Lily was beautiful then, and he was slightly charmed, but that was it. His priority at that time was having fun and doing parkour, which he hadn't done in 3 years due to his past life accident.
For him, getting to know other people wasn't important. And that apparently helped Lily.
Knowing someone who was not only interesting but treated her as just Lily instead of Peter Spencer's little sister, or LilyPixel's the world record holder, or even White Lily the talented singer, was refreshing and... new.
"Knowing you changed me, and I liked the change. Having someone who wasn't interested in me was really uncommon. Atlas is a different case, as he is not interested in people other than Ferin. But you, while not changing your attitude, retain your interest in me. I know that, hehe. Because I am the same."
Max and Lily used a similar method when approaching other people. What was different was that Max liked to talk more, while Lily liked silence. Not only that, but she only had a few friends close to her, and that naturally formed her reserved attitude, making her talk less.
The more he knew about her the more he was interested in her. He wanted to tell her about his parkour journey, but that was impossible. He wanted to tell her that he had an accident that led his love to streaming, but that was also impossible.
"I have talked a lot, and now I am thirsty." She said, holding his hand tighter and looking at him. "Shall we buy something to drink?"
All he could do now was one. Holding her hand tighter and smiling. Assuring her that he would be there for her and never change... But the latter was impossible. Maybe he would change a little, but that change would bring him closer to her.
"Yeah."
Once again, they didn't need confirmation. They didn't need confession.
As they secretly harbor their feelings, which both knew very well, the two clumsy youngsters made their way back to the stall to buy a drink. On their way, the girl spoke to the boy.
"When I finish my next song, please listen to it. I want you to be the first one to listen to that."
"Alright." The boy nodded, secretly looking forward to it. "And after you finish your next song, please hear me out. I have something to say to you."
"Un." The girl nodded next. "I am looking forward to it."