While the student inside the library is busy doing their assignments or research papers and Hansel is playing games on his phone, Keith's focus did not leave Rhianne's face. She is currently writing the answers she found on the thick book beside her. While looking at her, Keith suddenly remembered what happened two years ago on the day of his birthday.
After spending and having a birthday dinner with his family, he specifically asked Rhianne to end his birthday by riding a Ferris wheel. Of course, Rhianne gladly joined him. They visited an amusement park owned by Keith's family. It turns out he already made preparation so they ride the Ferris wheel at midnight.
Rhianne was very excited that night. It was rare for her to go to this kind of place in her last life because she was trying to save money as much as she can. Rhianne heard from her classmates before that in case she can visit an amusement park, riding a Ferris wheel at night is a must. She did not have a chance to do it before. That is why Rhianne was really excited that night.
After helping Rhianne to enter the cab, Keith sat in front of her. He observed the delighted expression on her face. Although he was a bit nervous, he still cannot resist and shook his head with a smile on his face. If someone will see them, they will think that Rhianne was the birthday celebrant because of her happy expression.
Before riding the cab, Keith gave a specific order to the operator not to stop the Ferris wheel until he click the emergency button. Keith needed a lot of time to prepare himself. That day, he made a firm decision. For him, this decision will decide what will happen to him and Rhianne in the future.
Rhianne was too fascinated with the view inside the cab. Her eyes were focused on the window as if she was memorizing every detail she can see from the inside. Rhianne did not notice Keith's movement of closing and opening his palms. It was a secret habit of his every time he was nervous. When they reached the top part of the Ferris wheel, Keith called her name.
"Rhianne."
"Yes?" Rhianne asked without looking at him.
"I like you."
Rhianne's body stiffened a bit when she heard those words. And slowly, she turned her head and saw Keith looking at her with an earnest gaze. Rhianne blinked her eyes twice before observing Keith's body language. Unlike earlier, his body was relaxed.
Keith thought confessing to the girl he likes is the hardest thing to do in this world. But when he opened his mouth, those words smoothly escaped from his lips. He did not stutter or choked on his words just like he had expected before.
When Keith discovered that he has a feeling for the young girl who always stays with him, he felt it was convenient and inconvenient at the same time. It was convenient because they were close to each other as well as he can always see the girl he likes. However, having that girl on his side is really frustrating for him sometimes.
The girl he likes is dense. She must be the densest girl in this city.
No matter how much he tried to hide it, the people around them had already noticed it. His brother never missed a day to tease him about it. He was even poking to his sore spot by saying there is a huge chance that Rhianne will only treat him like a brother forever. But before Keith can attack his brother, Calvin quickly left their house to go to the hospital.
Naturally, Keith already realized this problem from the start. After being with Rhianne for a lot of years, he can already read her like an open book. Rhianne is a little bit...unique. There are times where she acted like an aunt who is worried about her daily life. But most of the time, she was saying weird things which would take a while for Keith to understand her meaning.
Rhianne is also a smart student. He heard that before she lost her memories, Rhianne despised reading a book. But now, she was studying as if her life depends on it. But despite being studious, she has a huge weakness named Mathematics. No matter how much he tried to give her the easiest formula, Rhianne would still struggle to understand it.
But above all, she is really dense. Rhianne may be smart and witty most of the time. But when it comes to the matter of feelings, she is really hopeless. Rhianne never realized that half of their class have a crush on her. If not because of his presence, their male classmates might have made their move a long time ago. But thinking about it, they will surely fail because Rhianne is slow when it comes to romance.
Keith thought he can patiently wait for Rhianne to realize that he has feelings for her. But because of his brother's words, he decided to change his plans. Since that girl cannot see his intentions no matter how much it was obvious to this whole city, then he will inform her about it verbally. And Keith decided to confess on the night before his birthday ends.
"You like me as a...friend?" Rhianne answered.
When Keith saw her confused look, he slowly let out a sigh. Yes, he already anticipated this reaction. Instead of being disappointed with her, he gently took her hand and kissed the back of it.
"I like you, Rhianne. Not as a friend or as a sister. I like you like a young lady I cherish the most."
Rhianne was genuinely surprised.
In her past life, no one approached her or took a liking to her. There were a few reasons for it. First, she was only an average-looking girl who does not have any good qualities that a woman should have. Second, her personality was a bit aloof and distant. In short, she was the type of girl that you can easily forget.
She also has zero dating experience. Rhianne never had a suitor or a boyfriend in her past life. She has a small idea about romance, but it was all a fictional theory based on the few romance novels she read in the past to kill some time. For her, those things were not important. Rhianne was already busy getting a lot of different jobs to support herself, so where can she find the time to date?
While looking at Keith, he suddenly raised his head a little and their eyes met. She finally broke out from her surprise. Rhianne planned to pull her hand but Keith firmly holds it. There was no way for her to escape from here. Avoiding his eyes was the only thing she can do.
She was not looking at him, but Keith saw the blush on her pale cheeks. It was his first time to see a blushing Rhianne. He was pleasantly surprised which made Keith's lips curved upward.
Smiling, Keith gently squeezed her hand signaling her to look at him. Though hesitating, Rhianne slowly turned her head to look at Keith.
"I really like you, Rhianne."
"Well... I..."
"You do not have to give me an answer now. I only want you to know about my feelings for you."
"...Oh."
"Rhianne."
"Yes?"
"You should not avoid me after this, got it? Not because I told you my feelings does not mean we cannot stay with each other's side. I am still the same Keith that you know. Nothing will change."
Rhianne's eyes trembled a bit. After a few seconds, she slowly nodded her head. This girl has a unique way of thinking. He already thought of this scenario that is why he already prevented it by blatantly telling her about it. Keith looked at Rhianne's blushing face before he kissed the back of her hand for the last time before releasing it.
"Two years from now, we will ride on this Ferris wheel again. When that time comes, I will ask you again about it. Okay?"
"Asked me about what?"
"I will ask if you want me to be your boyfriend."
"...I..."
"Rhianne, I will court you and show my sincerity and feelings for you."
"...Oh."
"I will ask you again after two years, okay?"
"...Are we having a sort of a deal or what?"
Keith laughed when he heard her foolish question. After that, he deliberately changed their topic to avoid making Rhianne more flustered. As much as he likes to make her blush, it was also a bad thing to do in their current situation. After a few more minutes, colorful and large fireworks decorated the night sky. This indicated that his birthday had come to an end.
Fortunately, Rhianne did not really avoid Keith. Their status and relationship were still the same. But there were times when Keith was intentionally making Rhianne blush. This greatly satisfied him because it only means that he was also affecting her.
After that day, the onlookers noticed something different from them. Those two were still having the same routine just like the usual, but there is an unspeakable ambiguous atmosphere around them. Though it was a bit obvious, they never dared to speak about it on their faces.
The only people who dared to blatantly talk about it were Calvin, Hansel, and Francis. Even Andrew who was not in their city was texting him about it.
Looking at Rhianne who was blushing while finishing her research papers, another small smile formed on Keith's lips. Looking at his phone, he saw the current date displayed on it. Keith still has four more months before he can ask Rhianne if she can be his girlfriend. He just hopes that Rhianne's answer will make him feel like the luckiest man in the world.