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The city of Paris had many parks, Aoba had learned, and the Bois de Vincennes was one of the most well-known among tourists. Fortunately, Kou's prediction that since it was nearly the end of the year, there would be fewer tourists out in this cold had proven correct. There was even snow on the ground, just enough to cover the grass and trees a white sheet; usually a rare sight in Paris, Kou had told Aoba.
"Watch your step," Kou said, glancing at Aoba over her shoulder. "You definitely don't want to fall into the water here."
"Don't worry, I'm fine," Aoba replied with an awkward laugh. She and Kou walked along the shore of the Lac Daumesnil, and while Kou said she wanted to keep their destination a surprise, Aoba had a fairly good idea of where they were heading. She had spent nights researching all sorts of tourist-friendly places in Paris, after all.
Aoba dashed forward and fell in pace beside Kou. Although Kou was still the taller of the two of them, Aoba hoped she appeared a bit more mature lately. With all the time they had spent together since Kou's return to Eagle Jump, Aoba's own feelings had come rushing back like a wave. Their most recent game was a success, and when Kou had suggested a vacation to Paris, just the two of them, it had taken all of Aoba's willpower to stay calm and say yes.
If she was dreaming, she didn't want to wake.
As they walked a worn path, the lake soon became obscured by trees. "What do you think of Paris so far?" Kou asked Aoba.
"It's… big," Aoba answered, and her cheeks flushed upon realizing how stupidly simple that statement was. "I mean, it's more than I imagined! And I think my body's finally getting used to the differences in time zones."
Kou chuckled. "Yeah, that part's a real shock, isn't it? And we'll have to deal with it again when we return to Japan."
Aoba shuddered. She was most definitely not looking forward to that. As excited as she was to leave Japan for the very first time and visit France, she couldn't deny either how overwhelming everything was as well. Alone with Kou, the woman she admired most, it was almost too much. She had imagined romantic nights in the City of Lights, but the reality was that it was hard enough to stay focused in such a foreign place. But she was an adult, a grown woman, and if she had the courage to come this far, she had enough courage to go even further.
Soon the lake came into view again, and on the cliff overlooking the water stood a small stone structure. It was Romanesque in design, its domed top held up by white pillars. "It's a nice spot, huh?" Kou said as she approached the steps leading into the structure. "And we get it all to ourselves right now!"
"Oh, lucky us!" Aoba said.
Kou scratched her cheek, a lopsided smile on her lips. "This place can be popular, but since it's winter now, I hoped there wouldn't be anyone else here. I really wanted to bring you here specifically."
Aoba stifled a laugh. She rather liked this bashful side to Kou, being so different from her usual bravado. But her words also kindled hope in Aoba's heart; from her research, Aoba knew the name of this place - "Temple d'Amour." That couldn't be a coincidence. Returning Kou's smile, she placed a foot on the first step, but then froze.
She gulped. Despite her research, there had been some answers she hadn't been able to find. "Are we actually allowed in this structure?" she asked Kou. Some photographs she had found online showed a fence around the structure, but others didn't, and there was no fence right now, so she couldn't be certain.
Kou tapped her chin thoughtfully. "I think it'll be fine." She grinned and held out her hand for Aoba. "Besides, it's just the two of us right now!"
Her cheeks blushing, Aoba accepted Kou's hand and together the two of them stood at the center of the structure, staring out at the lake. It really was a beautiful sight; the waters were still, as if frozen, and snow covered the grass and trees in a sparkling white. A cold wind nipped at Aoba's cheeks, but she was also acutely aware of Kou's warmth beside her. A new year was almost here, and Aoba truly was grateful to see it with the woman she admired most.
The woman she loved most.
Kou stepped forward, her fingers slipping from Aoba's. "We've been through a lot, haven't we?" she said, her voice strangely gentle. "When you first started at Eagle Jump, I could hardly believe you were eighteen. You looked so young."
"You also started when you were just out of high school," Aoba replied. "We were alike in that sense, huh?"
"Yeah, we are." Kou rubbed the back of her neck. "You've grown so much since then. When I returned from France, it was like meeting you all over again. I just can't stop being impressed by you."
Aoba straightened her back and inhaled a deep breath. "It's all because of you. I've always looked up to you, and it's a dream come true to be with you like this." She paused. "Even if I'll never get used to you lounging around in your underwear at your desk."
"Hey, I only do that when I'm working overnight." Kou cleared her throat, and her face was a bright shade of red. "But what I mean is, um… we're coworkers and friends, and I know I'm older than you, but what I want is…" Her blush deepened as she raked her fingers through her hair. "Ugh, this really is hard…!"
"I…" Aoba tried to say as she clenched her hands over her racing heart. It wasn't a coincidence that Kou had brought her here to a place whose name meant "temple of love." She'd read online that this place was a popular tourist spot for couples. She had to believe that Kou felt the same way about her. So then, why was it so hard to actually put her feelings into words?
She had to do something. She didn't want to end another year without Kou knowing how she truly felt.
Her gloved hands shaking, Aoba cupped Kou's face, and their eyes met for a breathless moment. Time itself seemed to freeze, and Aoba lifted herself onto her toes to press her lips against Kou's.
Something sparked within Kou and she threw her arms around Aoba as she deepened the kiss, hungry for more. Over and over they kissed, simply savoring the taste of each other's lips, and when they finally stopped, their eyes met again, then they both broke down laughing.
"Sheesh, you're really gutsy, aren't you?" Kou said, grinning widely. "But that's why I love you."
Again Aoba touched Kou's face. "Yeah, same here!" she exclaimed. "I'm really glad I came with you!"
Kou reached her hand out between two of the structure's pillars. "You know, I picked this place specifically because I had a whole love confession planned. So much for that romantic cliché, huh?" A snowflake fell on her outstretched hand. "Oh, it's snowing again."
Aoba shivered and pulled her scarf tighter around her shoulders. "I thought it didn't snow often in Paris."
"Well, consider yourself lucky to see such a rare sight!" Kou put her arm around Aoba's waist. "It's getting late, so let's head back to the hotel."
As they left the structure, Aoba rested her head against Kou's shoulder. "This is great way to end the year, huh?" she whispered.
"And a great start to the new year," Kou replied, brushing her lips against Aoba's hair.