◆ Chapter 5: “I Won’t Give Up,” She Said
“Can I call you?”
On the night of the last day of Golden Week.
That message arrived while I was working on my assignments in my room.
The sender was “Sakuraba Aoto.”
I immediately put down my pen and replied, “Of course!!”
Then, I quickly changed into my favorite pajamas, brushed my teeth, and even though I had already bathed, I put on a little bit of makeup.
I returned to my room, placed my phone on the pillow, and sat on the bed to wait for the moment.
“…It’s here!”
My phone vibrated, and the screen changed to “Incoming Call.”
I took a deep breath and tapped the answer button.
“H-Hello!”
“Hey. Good evening.”
His voice, heard through the phone, sounded a little lower than usual.
A deep, rounded voice—Sakuraba-kun’s voice. The voice I love.
“What’s up? It’s nice to get a call from you, Sakuraba-kun.”
I honestly conveyed my feelings.
I want his heart to race. I want him to think I’m cute. It wasn’t just a calculated thought like that; this feeling was just too big to keep to myself.
I get to talk to Sakuraba-kun on a day off. That alone makes me so happy.
So happy, so happy. I’m so happy—!
“Well… I have a proposal, you see. It was hard to say in a text. Were you busy?”
“Nope, not at all! I was super free! I can talk for hours!”
“I’m not going to talk for hours. Just for a little while.”
I could tell Sakuraba-kun laughed a little as he said that.
I was happy again, and I pinched my grinning face with both hands.
But Sakuraba-kun’s next words were a shock beyond comparison.
“Let’s go to an amusement park together.”
“…Eh.”
…………Yuuenchi?
What’s that… that Chinese fried chicken dish? No, that’s yūrinchi.
(T/N: mistaking "yuuenchi" (遊園地, amusement park in Japanese) for "yūrinchi" (油淋鶏, a Chinese-style fried chicken dish))
“…Ehh?!”
An amusement park?!
…N-No way?
“Eh… S-Sakuraba-kun… um!”
“Wh-What’s wrong?”
“A-Amusement park! A-Are you really… going with me? Together? Just the two of us? Is that okay?”
I asked a barrage of questions.
Because, an amusement park! A date! With Sakuraba-kun!
“I-It’s true… if you don’t mind, that is.”
“I don’t mind! I’ll go! I’m going!”
Even though no one was watching, I shot my hand up straight.
For some reason, I then wrapped myself in my blanket and hugged my pillow.
“I see, good. So, when should we go?”
“Anytime is fine! Even tomorrow!”
“Tomorrow’s a weekday. How about next weekend?”
“I can go! I’m free both Saturday and Sunday! Want to go both days?”
“Hee-hee, we’re not going both days. So, Saturday, then.”
Sakuraba-kun laughed again.
His voice made my lips curl into an involuntary smile, and I kicked my feet under the blanket.
I feel like my feelings for him have grown a little stronger than before.
No, it’s not just my imagination. I definitely like him more.
“Okay! Saturday! It’s a date!”
I opened the calendar app on my phone and registered the appointment.
I was about to write “Date!” but since it would be bad if someone saw it, I just put “Amusement Park.”
Aah, I’m so excited… I have to get really pumped up for this.
“…But why an amusement park all of a sudden?”
“W-Well… um, how should I put it.”
Sakuraba-kun hesitated, sounding troubled for some reason.
I’m sure Sakuraba-kun hasn’t fallen for me. Even I know that much.
But he’s been so kind and considerate lately that, honestly, I’ve been on the verge of swooning many times.
Anyway, I think there’s a reason he asked me out this time.
Maybe it’s better not to ask.
But trying to find out anyway is probably my weakness.
“…Well, I was thinking that we should get to know each other better. So, I thought this could be a good opportunity…”
Eh…
“You were thinking that…?”
“Y…yeah. It’s a good opportunity. And if it’s an amusement park far away, no one will see us.”
“S…Sakuraba-kun!”
Aah, I just love him. I love him too much.
Yunagi Shizuno hereby vows to entertain Sakuraba-kun with all her heart and soul!
“So, I’ll send you the location later. It’s a place I’ve never been to before, so forgive me if things don’t go smoothly.”
“Don’t worry about it! It’s a date, so let’s look it up together!”
“…Yeah. Thanks.”
After saying our final “see yous,” the call with Sakuraba-kun ended.
Even after that, I couldn’t get back to my assignments and just stared into space for a while.
Finally, a date with Sakuraba-kun, outside. And at an amusement park.
This is a chance. A big chance that God and Sakuraba-kun have given me.
After washing my makeup off in the bathroom, I clenched my fists.
For now, I’ll spend the next week choosing my outfit.
And then, I’ll research online and come up with a strategy for our first date.
“…I can put off my assignments for later.”
I’m a lazy girl.
But just for today, I thought that was probably okay.
◆ ◆ ◆
“S-S-Sakuraba-kun?!”
“…What is it?”
On the promised Saturday, the day I was to go to the amusement park with Yunagi-san.
As soon as we met up in front of the station, Yunagi-san pointed at my face and exclaimed dramatically.
“Because! Th-That’s…!”
“…”
“Glasses! Eh, why?! Why are you wearing glasses!”
Having been hit right in my most embarrassing spot, I couldn’t help but look away.
Honestly, this person…
“I told you yesterday… I’d be in a light disguise.”
“But glasses! So cute! They really suit you!”
So noisy. And so embarrassing…
I don’t usually wear glasses, so they feel strange on my face… Ugh.
“Did you buy them?”
“No, they’re my dad’s fashion glasses. I borrowed them without asking.”
“Wow. As expected of your father, Sakuraba-kun, he has good taste!”
As she spoke, Yunagi-san stared at me again.
She held her hands up in front of her face and seemed to be fidgeting.
“…Can I take a picture?”
“No.”
“Why—!! But you look so cute!”
Good grief… This is a tiring start.
I wonder if my energy and stamina will last the whole day.
The purpose of this date is for Yunagi-san to get to know me more accurately as a person.
I’m already expecting to use a lot of energy, so the future looks bleak…
By the way, Yunagi-san was wearing a pink mask and had her hair in a ponytail.
It gave her an active feel and suited her well. And it looked quite different from Aina, who has the same hairstyle.
Of course, her outfit was, like mine, a disguise.
I don’t think we’ll run into anyone we know, but it’s a precaution. With a mask, it should be hard to recognize her from a distance.
“But I’m sorry. The mask must be stifling.”
“No! I actually wear one quite often when I go out! Don’t worry about it!”
Yunagi-san said, clenching her fist, and then started walking toward the station, as if to urge me on.
I see, when it comes to disguises, she might be the veteran.
We entered the station and then went through the ticket gates.
Yunagi-san headed for a platform she probably didn’t use often, without any hesitation. How reliable.
I’m not very good at figuring out these kinds of routes, so I decided to just leave it to her.
“Going on a long train ride with you, Sakuraba-kun, feels like a dream.”
“You’re exaggerating.”
“I’m not exaggerating!”
She said cheerfully, and then spun around on the platform.
I can’t see it because of the mask, but her cheeks are probably relaxed.
After a while, the train arrived, and we got on.
It was a holiday, so it was quite crowded, but there was one empty seat.
“Yunagi-san, you should sit.”
“Eh, it’s okay! There’s only one.”
“I’m fine. You might not be able to sit for the rest of the way.”
“It’s f-i-i-ine! It’ll be hard to talk if I sit. Let’s just stand together, okay?”
“…Well, if you say so.”
“Yeah! Hee-hee.”
In the end, we ended up standing side-by-side, holding onto the straps.
We have to transfer in a few stops, so it’s not a big deal.
As the train moved along, Yunagi-san kept staring at me.
“What?”
“Nothin’. Just thinking that those glasses really suit you.”
“Glasses are kind of annoying, aren’t they?”
“Maybe until you get used to them.”
Her stare was bothering me so much that I turned to look at her, too.
Perhaps because her face was half-hidden by the mask, she didn’t have her usual flamboyance.
But even so, Yunagi-san was more than beautiful enough.
…Come to think of it, I think I remember hearing that wearing a mask makes you look more beautiful.
I think the logic was that the human brain imagines the part hidden by the mask according to its own ideals… Hmm.
“…Sakuraba-kun? What’s wrong?”
“Ah, ah. No, nothing.”
I must have been staring at her face, because she seemed to think it was suspicious. Close call.
But still—it’s true.
Yunagi-san’s face looks more beautiful without a mask.
Perhaps my imagination, trying to picture what’s under the mask, is losing to her actual beauty.
I don’t know if such a thing is possible. But for some reason, I thought so.
Of course, I have no intention of telling Yunagi-san that.
After two transfers, we finally got on the last train.
From here, it was a straight shot to our destination, about a thirty-minute ride.
Luckily, the car wasn’t very crowded, and this time we were able to get seats side-by-side.
“Phew. We finally got to sit.”
“You must be tired. Want to take a little break when we get there?”
“No, I’m fine! I’ll recover while we’re on the train.”
As she spoke, Yunagi-san took off her mask and stretched her body with a groan.
She must have been a little cramped.
I also took off my glasses and pressed my fingers to my tired brow.
“Ah, let me see!”
Yunagi-san suddenly snatched the glasses from me and put them on with a strangely crisp motion.
She placed her aligned fingers on the bridge and adjusted the glasses with a flick.
“Hee-hee, how do I look?”
Yunagi-san looked at me with an expectant gaze.
To be honest, they suited her incredibly well. The intellectual atmosphere, different from her usual self, made me think of a student council president or a class representative.
But asking “how do I look?” is just unfair.
“What do you mean… how do you look?”
“…Am I cute?”
“…You have a different impression than usual.”
“Am I cute? Huh?”
“…Well.”
“I want you to say it properly or I won’t be happy!”
Yunagi-san said like a child, and grabbed my arm, shaking it back and forth.
She looked thoroughly happy, and she peeked up at my face from below as I looked away.
And to my great distress, her gesture, her expression, were both incredibly cute.
Honestly, this person, she has no idea what I’m going through…
“You’re cute.”
I said, intending it as revenge.
But of course, it wasn’t a lie.
Instantly, Yunagi-san’s eyes widened. And in the blink of an eye, her face turned a bright red.
“Eh… r-really? …Really?”
“It’s true. …You’re very cute. So please, spare me.”
“Eh! …Y-Yeah… sorry.”
She said in a voice that was barely a whisper, and then became completely quiet.
She put her mask back on, returned my glasses, and fell silent, facing the window.
She must be embarrassed.
But I was embarrassed, too.
I turned my face away from Yunagi-san and just listened to the rhythmic sound of the train.
I could only pray that she would reflect on her actions.
“Wow, there’s quite a line.”
In the line for the one-day pass at the amusement park we had finally arrived at, Yunagi-san said, standing on her tiptoes.
Watching her out of the corner of my eye, I let out a small sigh.
I took a sip of the drink I had bought on the way, and I felt my head cool down slightly.
“…”
Why am I even doing this today?
As I had confirmed this morning, this date was supposed to be a way for Yunagi-san to naturally dump me.
So, of course, there was no time for the happy-go-lucky, lovey-dovey stuff of a real couple on the way there. Absolutely not.
But in the hands of the innocent and endlessly charming Yunagi-san, my pace was easily disrupted. I had already learned that in the short time today.
Above all, the cause of everything was that she was too cute.
“Oh, it’s moving! We’re almost there! Right, Sakuraba-kun!”
…If I may say so, at the risk of embarrassment.
Perhaps men, as a species, have a secret gene that makes them unable to resist cute girls who also show them affection.
Even if it’s a guy like me.
“Sakuraba-kun? What’s wrong?”
“…It’s nothing.”
After the incident on the train, Yunagi-san had completely regained her cheerfulness.
She peeked her head out of the line, waiting impatiently for our turn.
After a while, the line moved, and we successfully purchased two one-day passes.
We lined up again at the gate and finally entered the park.
“We’re here! Hey, Sakuraba-kun, let’s take a picture!”
“Ehh… I told you, I don’t want to.”
“Please! A two-shot is fine, right? Here, come here!”
Yunagi-san grabbed my arm and, half-forcefully, pressed herself against me.
She got into a selfie pose and pressed the shutter with the Ferris wheel in the background.
As expected, or perhaps not, she was very skilled.
“Got it! Yay! I’m making it my wallpaper!”
“Hey. That’s not okay.”
“Hee-hee, really?”
Yunagi-san looked at the picture over and over again and then nodded with satisfaction.
She’s in an unusually good mood today, this person.
“Alright, let’s get in line! I have a lot of rides I want to go on! What about you, Sakuraba-kun?”
“I’m fine with anything. I’ll go with whatever you like.”
“Yay! Then follow me! This way!”
She said cheerfully, and then started walking with a triumphant air.
As I followed her, the picture from before was sent to my phone.
In stark contrast to my bored expression, Yunagi-san had a huge smile.
And she was incredibly photogenic. It was almost as if she alone had been edited with an app.
Yunagi-san was so glamorous that I, next to her, looked like part of the background.
Once again, Yunagi-san is really amazing.
As I was thinking that carefree thought, I found myself, for some reason, saving the picture firmly to a folder.
We first chose an indoor VR attraction.
It seemed to be a system where two people ride in a small capsule-like vehicle and move along an indoor course while watching a VR video through goggles.
This is so modern.
“Whoa, it’s dark. It’s kind of exciting, isn’t it?”
“My fashion glasses are already going to be a nuisance.”
Yunagi-san and I got in line at the back of the queue that snaked along the wall.
The line was quite long, and according to the sign at the entrance, the wait was expected to be about an hour.
“It’s nice that we’re in the shade while we wait. I don’t want to get a sunburn.”
“You’re pale, Sakuraba-kun.”
“Because I’m an indoor person.”
Thanks to that, I’m sensitive to sunlight.
Yunagi-san is like the sun itself, so she probably doesn’t mind.
“Here! I’ve prepared a lot of topics to talk about while we wait.”
Yunagi-san, with her hand raised straight, puffed out her chest proudly.
As expected, she’s well-prepared.
“By the way, most of them are questions for you, Sakuraba-kun. Hee-hee-hee.”
“Eh, I don’t like that.”
“Why not! This is a date to get to know each other better!”
“Ah… right.”
I hadn’t noticed the connection.
Yunagi-san’s proposal was, in fact, the perfect support for my objective.
Alright, I’ll answer them.
“So, question number one! What’s your type of girl?”
“…What kind of question is that?”
“Because I want to know more about you, Sakuraba-kun!”
“This isn’t what I expected.”
“Because I want to know!”
Yunagi-san didn’t flinch at all and gave me a carefree smile.
But her cheeks, illuminated by the light of her smartphone, seemed to be just a little red.
“What kind of girl do you like? Forget about me, and be honest!”
“…There’s nothing like that.”
“Hmph. Then, long hair or short hair?”
“…Either.”
“Tall or short?”
“You shouldn’t judge people by their height.”
“Bright or quiet?”
“It’s best for people to be themselves.”
“…”
Yunagi-san was very dissatisfied. She narrowed her eyes and glared at me.
Even if they’re being themselves, I don’t like people with scary eyes.
It’s not that I’m joking or being mean.
It’s just that I’ve never really felt any particular preference for personality or appearance when it comes to romance.
Or rather, I’ve never liked someone enough to develop such preferences in the first place.
“By the way, I like people like you, Sakuraba-kun.”
“I didn’t ask, though.”
“Sakuraba-kun likes people like me, check.”
“Don’t write down lies, you liar.”
As we had such silly exchanges and played games like Othello and quizzes that I had on my phone, our turn came around surprisingly quickly.
Perhaps the waiting time had been overestimated in the first place.
“I’m getting nervous…!”
“Believe it or not, so am I.”
We received our goggles from the staff and put them on as instructed.
The roof of the capsule we were sitting in slowly closed, and our vision was enveloped in a CG image.
“This is gonna be fun!”
“Actually, this is my first time with VR. I wonder if I’ll be okay. Do you get sick?”
“Eh, you’re saying that now?”
Yunagi-san giggled, amused. I could feel her body shaking from the shoulder that was touching mine.
I’m seriously worried, though.
“That was so much fun!! Eh, amazing! It was really amazing!”
Following the excited Yunagi-san, I got out of the capsule.
I returned my goggles to the staff and slowly followed the path with the other customers.
“VR is more realistic than I thought.”
“Right! I was so surprised.”
“My legs feel all wobbly.”
“Hee-hee, me too.”
Still excited, we followed the staff’s guidance toward the exit.
The path was dark, and it was a little hard to see our feet.
“There’s a step here, so please be careful!”
A staff member’s voice came from ahead.
Just then.
“Kyaa!”
“Whoa!”
Yunagi-san lost her balance and was about to fall forward.
I instinctively grabbed her hand and pulled her toward me.
She didn’t fall, but instead, she leaned against me.
I caught her with my other hand, and we ended up in a position that looked like we were hugging.
“…Are you okay?”
“Ah… y-yeah, I’m fine… thanks. But, um, your hand…”
“Sorry about that. It was just a reflex. But I’m worried, so please bear with it for a little while.”
“Y-Yeah… okay.”
I kept hold of Yunagi-san’s hand as we went outside.
My vision suddenly brightened, and I was a little dizzy.
But even when I loosened my grip, Yunagi-san squeezed my hand tightly and didn’t let go.
“…Hey, hurry up.”
“But… this is the first time we’ve held hands.”
“…Just let go.”
“…Okay.”
My hand was finally free, and I shoved it into my pants pocket.
And immediately, I grabbed the handkerchief inside.
I wanted to wipe away the sweat and heat, which I didn’t know was mine or hers, as quickly as possible.
◆ ◆ ◆
This is bad.
“…………This is baaad.”
On a bench in a plaza inside the amusement park.
Sitting there, I couldn’t help but cover my face with both hands.
“…”
I love Sakuraba-kun so much it hurts.
Aah—!! What? What was that?
The glasses suit him so well! And he even took a two-shot with me!
And he tried to give me his seat on the train! And even now, he’s gone to buy us food!
Cute! Kind! I love him!
Aah… this is bad. I’m definitely grinning all the time.
Thank goodness for the mask, really.
—And, and what’s more!
“…Bwah!”
Just remembering it makes my face get hot again.
We held hands. Finally.
And we even did something like a hug. It was an accident, but still.
I never thought we’d have such a lucky accident on the very first ride…!
I’m glad I almost fell! No, I feel bad for Sakuraba-kun who saved me, but still!
And he was so kind even though I was just being clumsy!
And his slightly forceful side is so cool!
And and, he even said I was “cute” when I wore his glasses on the train…
Haaaah—!!
I love him! I love Sakuraba-kun so much!
I’m probably going to have terrible luck starting tomorrow.
Otherwise, the balance of happiness is just off.
Aah, Sakuraba-kun. I just want to lock you up somewhere forever…
“Sorry for the wait, Yunagi-san.”
“Y-Yes!”
Suddenly, my name was called, and I came back to my senses.
I looked up and saw Sakuraba-kun standing there, holding a croque monsieur and a drink.
It looked like it was hard for him to carry it all by himself, so I quickly took my share.
“Thanks, Sakuraba-kun! How much was it?”
“It’s fine, this much. I invited you on this date, so I’ll pay.”
Thump—!
“Because I invited you on this date.” Ah, what a sweet sound…
Well, but you know. Money is a separate issue.
“No. I’m your girlfriend, so I’ll pay my share.”
“It’s fine. It’s my part-time job money.”
“N-O-! Money is important.”
“…Then, next time we buy something, you can pay. Is that okay?”
“Hmm… okay! Then I’ll do that.”
When I said that, Sakuraba-kun smiled a little, as if relieved.
Good. I don’t want to be the kind of girlfriend who makes her boyfriend pay for her food.
Besides, we’re still high school students.
“Hey, I want to ride that next! Let’s go!”
“Ah, ah. Alright, alright.”
Holding our juice and croque monsieur, we moved through the park.
As I took off my mask to drink and eat, Sakuraba-kun kept looking at me apologetically. I think he was probably worried about me.
Why does he act so mean sometimes when he’s so kind?
Well, that’s one of the things I love about him.
“…Isn’t this one going to get us wet?”
Looking at the ride platform we had arrived at, Sakuraba-kun narrowed his eyes.
A log flume, where a coaster moving on water drops from a high place.
It seemed to be quite popular, with a wait of about fifty minutes.
“Oh, it looks like we will get wet. I have a towel, so I’ll lend it to you.”
“As expected. Thank you very much.”
Having such a conversation, we got in line together.
Perhaps because we were close to the water, it was a little cool, which was nice.
“Are you tired, Yunagi-san?”
“Hm, well, maybe a little? But I’m fine! I ate, too!”
“I see. Should I hold your bag? My hands are free.”
“No, it’s fine.”
Just being concerned about me like that makes me happy.
Being like this, I feel like we’ve become a real, mutual couple.
But we’re not, are we?
…Are we?
“…Yunagi-san? What’s wrong, you’re spacing out.”
“Eh? Ah, no! It’s nothing!”
I realized I had been staring blankly at Sakuraba-kun and quickly tried to cover it up.
I can’t just ask him that, can I?
…And I might not have the courage to ask, either.
After the log flume, we walked around the park again.
By the way, I tried to dry Sakuraba-kun’s wet hair, but he quickly dodged me. And he wouldn’t dry me either. Too bad.
We listened to a costumed character band play, watched a pantomime, and then headed for another ride.
Or so I thought.
“…Oh?”
I suddenly noticed a little girl standing alone by a trash can.
She looked to be about kindergarten age, but there were no adults who looked like her parents nearby.
“She might be lost.”
“Yeah… I wonder if she’s okay.”
The little girl was clutching the hem of her red skirt, her mouth set in a straight line.
She didn’t move an inch from that spot, staring down at the ground.
“Hey, what’s wrong?”
I couldn’t help but call out to her.
Sakuraba-kun came up one step behind me.
“Are you alone? Where’s your dad, or your mom?”
“…I don’t know.”
The little girl said in a whisper, and shook her head back and forth.
Her neatly trimmed hair swayed anxiously.
I looked at Sakuraba-kun, and he, seeming to understand my intention, gave a small nod.
He held out his hand, and this time, I handed him my belongings.
“Alright, then let’s look for them together with us big kids!”
“…Look.”
When I took the little girl’s hand, it felt smaller than it looked.
Holding hands, we moved to a spot where she could be easily seen.
“They’re not here?”
“…Yeah.”
The little girl’s eyes welled up with tears, and she sniffled.
She looked scared, but it was impressive that she wasn’t crying. If I were her, I would have been bawling.
“What are your mom and dad like?”
This time, Sakuraba-kun asked.
He didn’t seem very good with small children, and his voice was a little cautious.
But he bent his knees to make himself smaller so he wouldn’t scare her.
“Papa’s big. Mama… is pretty?”
“…I see. A big hint.”
With a wry smile, Sakuraba-kun looked up at me.
“I’m going to go get a staff member. You stay with her, Yunagi-san.”
“Yeah, okay. Please.”
Sakuraba-kun gave the little girl’s head a gentle pat and then jogged over to a nearby map.
I know it’s not the time, but I was a little jealous of the girl.
…Lucky her.
“Rock, paper, scissors, go! Look that way, hoi!”
“Look that way, hoi!”
“Hah… I lost again…”
While we waited for Sakuraba-kun, I was playing “look that way” with the little girl.
She told me her name was Emi-chan, and she was four years old.
I was glad that playing with her seemed to cheer her up.
But for some reason, Emi-chan was very good at both rock-paper-scissors and strategy, and I still hadn’t won once.
“Ugh… this time for sure! Rock, paper, scissors, go!!”
“Look thaaat way… hoi!”
“Aah! I fell for the feint! Idiot!”
“…You look like you’re having fun.”
A voice came from my side as I was holding my head in shock from my losing streak.
I looked over and saw Sakuraba-kun holding my bag, and behind him, a man and a woman.
Could they be?
“Papa! Mama!”
Emi-chan jumped up and ran to them.
They hugged her and said in relieved voices, “We were so worried!” and “Where have you been!”
“They were looking for her, too. I ran into them at the information center, so I had them come here.”
“Oh, I’m so glad. Thank you, Sakuraba-kun!”
“No, I think it’s thanks to you. If I had been alone, I might not have called out to her.”
He said, and then smiled gently.
Thump… no, that’s not it!
I’m so glad her parents were found quickly, really.
“Um! Thank you so much!”
“Thanks to you, we were able to find our daughter safely…!”
“Thank you, big sister! And big brother, too!”
Emi-chan’s parents bowed their heads to us over and over.
Watching Emi-chan smiling beside them was a soothing sight.
“Are you two married, big sister and big brother?”
“Eh.”
Eh, Emi-chan… nice and innocent!
“Emi, stop it! I’m so sorry. You’re still in high school, right? But you’re a couple, aren’t you?”
“…Well, yes.”
“Yes!”
Following Sakuraba-kun’s ambiguous reply, I said it with enthusiasm.
Because it’s not a lie.
“…Well then, we’ll be on our way.”
“Bye-bye, big sister! Let’s play ‘look that way’ again!”
“Eh… y-yeah! L-Let’s play again!”
Next time, I hope you’ll go a little easy on me…
As Emi-chan’s family waved at us, we headed for the next ride.
Being seen off like that made me feel a little shy.
“I’m glad. Well, even if we hadn’t been there, they probably would have found her parents soon enough.”
Besides, I was just singing songs with Emi-chan.
Sakuraba-kun, who brought her parents, was much more helpful.
As I was thinking that, Sakuraba-kun suddenly stopped in his tracks.
He was staring at me with a serious expression.
“Sakuraba-kun? …What’s wrong?”
“Yunagi-san.”
“…?”
“Yeah, you really are amazing.”
“Eh…”
Such words, out of the blue.
As I stood there frozen, Sakuraba-kun said nothing more and started walking again.
His profile as he passed me had the gentlest smile I had ever seen on him.
“You’re amazing,” Sakuraba-kun had said.
But that’s not true. Sakuraba-kun is the amazing one.
Because back then. The first time I met him at the movie theater, he had helped me just as naturally as he did now.
As I watched Sakuraba-kun’s back walking ahead of me, I once again chanted “thank you” in my heart.
◆ ◆ ◆
“…Ugh.”
“S-Sakuraba-kun… are you okay?”
After that, we went on a few more rides, and it was evening.
We were sitting on a bench again, taking a break.
We, or rather, mostly me.
“…Not okay.”
“You look pale… what should I do?”
It wasn’t that I was tired.
It was just that the ride we had just been on was one I was really not good with.
“I feel sick… my stomach.”
A tower-like thrill ride where the seats go up and down vertically many times.
On that ride, my food-filled stomach was mercilessly shaken.
I’m not bad with heights or speed, so I thought I’d be fine, but I never thought my body would be the one to give out…
“We shouldn’t have ridden it right after eating… I’m sorry. It was my idea…”
“No, it’s not your fault, Yunagi-san…”
If anything, it was my fault for giving in to my hunger and eating takoyaki.
And since Yunagi-san ate the same thing, it was probably just that I was weaker.
“Sorry… can I lie down for a bit?”
I said, feeling pathetic.
If I don’t rest for a while, I’m seriously going to throw up.
“Eh, yeah! It’s okay!”
Yunagi-san quickly moved to the end of the bench, making space for me.
I used my arm as a pillow and lay down.
It wasn’t very comfortable, but I felt a little better than before.
Well, I should be fine after a little rest.
“…Yunagi-san, I’ll watch your things, so you can go somewhere else if you want. It’s a good opportunity.”
“No. I’ll take a break, too. Besides, I want to be with you.”
“…I see.”
Well, if she says so, it’s fine.
I don’t have the energy for a pointless argument right now.
“…Is it hard to sleep?”
“Well, of course. But it can’t be helped.”
In the first place, it’s wrong to try to sleep on a bench. I can’t be too picky.
“…Sakuraba-kun.”
“What…?”
“…Here.”
I looked over and saw Yunagi-san with her knees pressed together, pointing to them with the palms of her hands.
Her face was unusually serious, and very red.
“…So, what is it?”
“A-A lap pillow! For a limited time only, it’s free…!”
“…I’ll pass.”
“Wh-Why!”
“Well… because.”
There are a lot of people around us.
A lap pillow in public is like what they call a “stupid couple.”
And today, Yunagi-san is wearing shorts. Her knees are, well, really, her bare knees.
I can’t put my head on a place like that, for various reasons.
“So, no.”
“Come on! It’s fine, don’t worry about it! It’s hard to sleep, right!”
“I do worry.”
“Hey—!”
Yunagi-san suddenly shouted, and then forcefully lifted my head and placed it on her lap.
I tried to resist, but if I moved too much, I’d feel sick, and she was holding my head with both hands, so I couldn’t escape.
“There, be a good boy.”
“That’s cruel…”
But Yunagi-san’s lap was very soft, and the height was just right, so it was undeniably comfortable. It was much easier than before.
After a moment of hesitation, I decided to give in gracefully.
For now, I’ll just indulge in this situation. My recovery is the top priority.
“See, it feels good, right?”
“Well… yes.”
“…”
“…Can you not touch my hair?”
“Ehh. It’s fine, just a little stroking.”
“No stroking, no grabbing.”
“No. It’s a girlfriend’s privilege.”
There is no such privilege.
I tried to argue, but the situation was clearly not in my favor, so I gave up.
It feels like it won’t make a difference if I just refuse to have my hair touched at this point, and more importantly, I don’t have the energy to fight.
I relaxed my whole body and just waited for my mood to improve.
The palpitations are probably from the ride just now.
It’s definitely not because I’m excited about the current situation, or Yunagi-san’s smell, or the feel of her lap.
Logically speaking, it’s not.
“…Hey, Sakuraba-kun.”
“Hm?”
“Can I ask you another one of the questions I prepared?”
Yunagi-san said.
Since I’m down like this, I have a duty to at least keep Yunagi-san company in her boredom.
“Sure. A gentle question, please.”
“Yay! So, why did you come to like books and movies? What was the catalyst?”
“Ah… what was it?”
Now, I don’t really have a chance to think about it.
But what I remember is…
“…When I was little, on TV. I saw a movie for the first time, and it was really interesting.”
“Uh-huh.”
“And when I was moved by it, my dad said, ‘There’s more where that came from.’ The next day, he took me to a DVD rental store. There were really, countless discs, and I was amazed. I shouted in the store and got scolded by my dad.”
“Wow. You were a cute little boy, Sakuraba-kun.”
“Well, yeah. Unlike now, I was honest. And I was so excited. I watched all kinds of movies, one after another. They were all interesting, but the number of movies I wanted to see never seemed to decrease, and I got even more excited. Books were the same. I borrowed a book from my mom’s bookshelf without asking, and it was interesting… Well, I think that’s about it. It’s pretty normal, right?”
“No! It’s nice. Like a formative experience.”
From the corner of my eye, Yunagi-san smiled.
I’m sure I’ve been possessed by it ever since.
The excitement of a treasure hunt, finding something that shines even brighter among countless jewels.
“So, you’re working part-time for books and movies, too?”
“Yeah. I can never have enough money. Surprisingly, I can even work.”
“Ehh. You seem like you’d be good at it, Sakuraba-kun, since you’re so responsible.”
Yunagi-san said something silly.
There’s no way I’m suited for work. Let alone customer service.
The only reason I’m managing is thanks to my seniors and the good clientele.
“By the way, what about you, Yunagi-san? You’re not in any clubs, right?”
Come to think of it, I don’t know how she spends her time alone.
She’s always so energetic, but she doesn’t seem to be in any clubs or working a part-time job. Well.
“I did in middle school, badminton. But I quit. It was fun, but I’m not very good at competition.”
“Huh. That’s so like you, Yunagi-san.”
I can easily imagine her enjoying sports. In fact, she’s known for being athletic.
But Yunagi-san, who is obsessed with winning and losing, doesn't fit her image.
“I thought about clubs that aren’t competitive, but I don’t have anything I particularly like. So I’m in the go-home club. I just do whatever interests me at the time, on a whim. …It’s kind of boring, isn’t it, my life?”
“No, that’s not true. You don’t have to force yourself to find something you like. When you find it, you’ll definitely know. So, until then, you can just relax and wait.”
I said, sounding rather preachy. And on a girl’s lap, no less.
But the words themselves were my true feelings.
Just as it was for me, I’m sure your soul is drawn to the things you love.
That’s why it’s so exciting, and you get so engrossed.
Just because you don’t have that now, you shouldn’t rush. You shouldn’t deceive your own feelings.
“…I see. Yeah, maybe so.”
She said, as if repeating it, and then smiled faintly.
What she will come to like in her life.
I found myself, caught off guard, wanting to know, to be there for that moment.
“Oh, but I did find one more thing I like.”
“Eh, what?”
“…You, Sakuraba-kun.”
“…Ah, yes.”
“…Ugh.”
If you’re going to get embarrassed, you shouldn’t say it.
When you make a face like that, it makes me embarrassed, too.
After I had recovered, we went on a few more rides that caught our interest.
As we did so, the sun began to set, and it was almost time to go home.
“This is the last one, for sure!”
At Yunagi-san’s request, we decided to ride the Ferris wheel before leaving the amusement park.
The line was surprisingly short, and our turn came around quickly.
“Wow, this is kind of nostalgic.”
“It feels refreshingly new to me, actually.”
The gondola was small, and of course, it was just the two of us.
We sat facing each other and slowly ascended into the sky, watching the scenery outside.
“…”
“…”
Yunagi-san was silent.
I did the same.
Perhaps because we had been in a noisy place for so long, the silence now was very comfortable.
…Come to think of it, a Ferris wheel is a strange ride.
It’s the only one in the amusement park where how you enjoy it is completely left up to the riders.
Some people enjoy the extraordinary feeling of being up high and the view from there, while others find meaning in this space itself.
And then there are those who don’t think about it at all and just ride it as a souvenir at the end of their amusement park visit.
The gondola just quietly goes up and down between the sky and the ground.
How we spend our time here is up to us.
“…”
When I took off my fashion glasses and glanced at Yunagi-san’s profile, it was truly beautiful, illuminated by the sunset.
She wasn’t wearing a mask now, either.
Her wavering eyes, her thin lips, the elegant bridge of her nose.
Everything was just so beautiful, and I was once again reminded of what an incredible beauty she was.
For some reason, it felt like I was remembering that day.
The day she told me she liked me in the classroom after school.
—Going on a long train ride with you, Sakuraba-kun, feels like a dream.
Suddenly, Yunagi-san’s face from today came back to me.
—Got it! Yay! I’m making it my wallpaper!
—Hey, I want to ride that next! Let’s go!
—I’ll take a break, too. Besides, I want to be with you.
All of those were with a smile, and seemed genuinely happy.
At that moment, I…
“Hey, Sakuraba-kun.”
Just as the gondola reached the top, Yunagi-san suddenly called my name.
She looked at me with downcast eyes and seemed to be fidgeting a little.
“…Can I sit next to you?”
She looked at me with a mischievous, innocent expression.
But it was also mixed with a little anxiety and shyness.
I felt a slight ache in my chest.
But now that I think about it, it was a feeling I had already had several times today.
As if to shake off that ache, I answered her with deliberate carelessness.
“No.”
“Please!”
“Oh, alright… fine, fine, I get it.”
“Yay! Hee-hee!”
She jumped up from her seat and moved next to me.
She no longer looked out the window, but stared straight into my eyes.
I could see that her eyes were slightly glazed over and wavering.
“…What?”
“Nothing. Just looking.”
“You know, staring at someone can make them feel self-conscious.”
“You don’t have to worry about me.”
“…This feels like déjà vu.”
I feel like we had a similar exchange when she came to my room once.
“Sakuraba-kun! Did you have fun today?”
Yunagi-san said in a cheerful voice.
But her face looked a little nervous.
This date wasn’t about having fun.
But even so, I thought it wouldn’t be fair to not even think about her question.
But… even without doing that, I…
“…Well, I guess I had fun.”
“Hee-hee. I see. That’s good.”
This time, she nodded with a look of great relief.
Time had passed quickly today.
Perhaps because so many things had happened.
But most of all, I was probably engrossed.
I’m not so cowardly that I can’t admit that.
“…”
Suddenly, Yunagi-san gently squeezed my hand, which was resting on the seat.
I couldn’t pull my hand away, and just felt her warmth.
“…What are you doing?”
“Because… high places are scary.”
“You were fine all day today.”
“I’m scared now!”
“…Oh, really.”
We were silent for a while again.
But this time, we didn’t look away from each other, and just stared at each other, our expressions changing slightly.
It was a strange time. But for some reason, it wasn’t embarrassing.
“…Hey, Sakuraba-kun.”
“Mm.”
“Did you, by any chance, ask me on this date today because you wanted to break up with me?”
“Eh…”
It was an unexpected question. I was caught off guard and couldn’t say anything, frozen.
I could feel a cold sweat on my back.
But Yunagi-san didn’t look angry or sad.
“Amusement parks… they’re a classic date spot where couples are likely to break up. Right?”
“…That’s.”
A pang of guilt pricked my chest.
The feeling I had when I planned this date. But now, it felt much bigger than it did then.
“I knew it. I thought there must be a reason why you would suddenly ask me on a date, Sakuraba-kun.”
“Yunagi-san… that—”
“I won’t give up.”
Yunagi-san said, cutting off the words I was trying to squeeze out.
I felt her grip on my hand tighten.
“I’m not afraid of the amusement park date jinx. Today was so happy and fun. I came to like you even more, Sakuraba-kun, and I wanted to be with you forever.”
“…Yunagi-san.”
She was smiling.
Her eyebrows were lowered, but her eyes were filled with strength, and she smiled strongly.
“I’ll wait forever, and if there’s anything you don’t like, I’ll fix it. So, please, Sakuraba-kun. Make me… your real girlfriend?”
With a wet voice, her words trembling at the end.
Yunagi-san said, looking straight into my eyes.
I could feel my own face contorting.
But it probably wasn’t because I disliked it.
It was because her words struck a deep chord in my chest.
And because I was aware that I was hopelessly happy.
—But.
“You can’t, Yunagi-san.”
“…”
“You can’t. A wonderful girl like you can’t waste your time on someone like me. Lovers are people who want each other. You and I can’t be that.”
Because that is the undeniable truth.
That’s all I can say.
“I already know you think that, Sakuraba-kun.”
Yunagi-san smiled.
The ground is getting closer.
The gondola sways.
I couldn’t say anything and just waited for her next words.
“But I don’t think so. That’s why I want to find out what’s real, what’s right, together.”
“…Yunagi-san.”
We got off the Ferris wheel in silence.
Then we left the amusement park and slowly made our way back to our own town.
On this day, even after I got home, I didn’t read or watch any movies.
◆ ◆ ◆
I was never very interested in love.
From a young age, the world of fantasy, like books and movies, was more important to me.
That didn’t change much even when I hit puberty, and I was aware that I was being left behind by my peers, who were increasingly talking about love.
However, as the word “thin” suggests, it’s not that I had zero interest in the opposite sex.
There were girls I thought were wonderful, and girls I thought were cute.
It’s just that my head was full of stories, more so than those girls.
I didn’t think that was a bad thing, nor did I think everyone else who was different was strange.
Values are different for everyone. Everyone is different, and that’s a good thing.
I learned that way of thinking from stories.
But even I fell in love.
It was when I was in my third year of middle school.
At the time, I was in the movie club.
I think it was actually called something like the “Movie Research Society” or the “Movie Appreciation Club,” but everyone called it the movie club, so I’ll do the same here.
She was a bright girl in the same grade.
She was always the center of attention in class, a popular girl who could get along with anyone, whether they were popular or plain.
She was kind, but a little selfish and emotional. But she was a girl with a charm that made even those things forgivable.
The movie club was a relatively quiet club, so someone like her was rare among the members, and she always attracted attention.
Her name was Hoshino-san. Her first name, I think, was Miu.
Her cute long bob hair and dimples were impressive.
Hoshino-san and I had always been in different classes, and even after she joined the movie club late in her second year, we hardly ever talked.
But one day, for some reason, we discovered that our taste in movies was surprisingly similar, and we became friends quickly.
I don’t have a particularly niche taste in movies or novels.
But I often found that slightly more obscure works, the kind that only true movie or novel lovers would pick up, suited me better.
Even in the movie club, the main activity was watching movies. There were no serious movie buffs, and most of the members preferred popular, light-hearted works.
I by no means disliked those things, and I was satisfied with the club’s activities.
But it’s also true that I was a little lonely because I hadn’t met anyone with whom I truly shared my tastes.
That’s why being able to share my tastes with Hoshino-san was a very happy thing for me.
Hoshino-san said she liked the works I particularly liked.
She said she had cried at the scenes that moved me.
She was also planning to see the new movie I was looking forward to.
As we talked and went out together, we became closer and closer.
One day, on the way home from seeing a movie together at night, Hoshino-san confessed to me.
“I… I like you! So… I was wondering if you’d go out with me…”
Her face, illuminated by the moonlight, was bright red, and her voice was trembling.
But my face was probably very red, too.
Talking to Hoshino-san was always fun.
I thought it was a wonderful thing to be able to enjoy the same hobbies together.
And most importantly, at that time, I was definitely attracted to Hoshino-san.
My attention was stolen by her every gesture, every movement of her eyes.
Every time I saw her face, every time I heard her voice, my heart would pound, and I would feel happy.
This must be love, I thought.
There was no reason or need to doubt it.
“I like you, too. Let’s go out.”
The words came out more smoothly than I had expected.
When I answered, Hoshino-san’s eyes filled with tears of joy, and she let out a sound that was somewhere between a laugh and a scream.
Watching her, I felt happy, too.
When I started dating Hoshino-san, a lot of people teased me.
But it wasn’t malicious; most of it was to congratulate us.
Closer to home, Sou teased me with a grin, and Aina was genuinely surprised.
Only Tsubaki seemed uninterested, and in fact, she was even colder to me than usual.
We went to school together in the morning, went to our club together after school, and walked home together.
On our days off, we would go out together, shop together, and eat delicious food.
We talked a lot, and spent a lot of time together.
But after about two months of this life, I started to have trouble.
It seemed that romance, that is, dating, was a much higher priority than I had thought.
For example—a Sunday night.
I’m at home reading a novel when Hoshino-san calls me.
My phone on the desk vibrates, and I’m pulled, half-forcefully, from the world of the story.
“Sorry, I’m reading a book right now, so I can’t talk.”
I’m really sorry.
I add that at the end and try to end the call.
But then, Hoshino-san says.
“Read your book later. I called you, you know.”
A sweet, but sullen voice.
I can tell she’s a little angry.
But right now, I want to read my book.
Talking to Hoshino-san is fun, and I like her, but right now, I want to prioritize reading.
“Why would you say that! That’s so mean!”
Suddenly, her voice was tinged with anger.
I didn’t know what was going on, and all I could do was apologize over and over.
Later, I asked my friends.
Which side of the argument they agreed with, mine or Hoshino-san’s.
It wasn’t that I wanted to prove that my argument was right.
I was just curious about what everyone thought, what was considered normal.
“No, Sakuraba, you’re too cold.”
“Prioritizing a book over your girlfriend? No way.”
“I can’t believe Hoshino-san forgave you.”
There was no hesitation in their expressions when they said that.
The girls who happened to be nearby also agreed with that opinion.
And then, I realized.
Ah, so it’s normal to prioritize romance, your lover, over your hobbies.
No matter how much passion you have for what you love at that moment.
—I didn’t know that.
I should have studied up before getting a girlfriend.
If I had known beforehand, I could have made a better, more correct decision.
I had no complaints about that value system.
But I knew I couldn’t have the same way of thinking.
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