Vol. 2 Chapter 68 – The Irregular Double Date (2) [Phantomask Boost Start]

We followed the two as they headed towards the amusement park, keeping a moderate distance.

We were both wearing hats and sunglasses, plus masks, making our disguises to avoid detection perfect.

It seemed Hikaru also understood well that they weren’t the main characters today.

“So, what’s the date plan for today again?” (Reiya)

Before we reached our destination, I asked Hikaru, wanting to review today’s plan.

“Let’s see… Basically, we use the tickets Kochi-san gave us before to go to the amusement park, let them have plenty of fun, and then for the evening, dinner at that trendy Italian restaurant, I guess.” (Hikaru)

“I see. Well, an amusement park can kill a whole day, so the plan probably won’t be too complicated.” (Reiya)

“But, because of that, I’ve decided on the order of the attractions down to the last detail.” (Hikaru)

“You’ve thought that far ahead…?” (Reiya)

Hikaru puffed out her chest confidently, hmph hmph.

She really seemed to want those two to get together.

She’d jokingly said before it was because she wanted to call Ichiru-san her sister-in-law, but I was starting to suspect she might just have a bit of a brother complex.

“First up, a full course of thrill rides!” (Hikaru)

“Right, they have several famous roller coasters, don’t they?” (Reiya)

“Exactly, they have tons of world-class coasters! He’s going to show off his manly side there, and create an atmosphere where he’s leading the date!” (Hikaru)

“I see, but is Taiju-san okay with thrill rides?” (Reiya)

“…Who knows? But he seemed really into it when I told him the plan, so he should be fine, probably.” (Hikaru)

“I hope so…” (Reiya)

…I had a bad feeling a flag had just been raised.

And so, after listening to Hikaru confidently explain her plan for several minutes, we arrived at the amusement park.

Following the two as they presented their tickets and entered, we also paid the fee and went in.

Although it was a weekday, it was summer vacation season, so the park was bustling with families.

“Come to think of it, I feel like it’s been a really long time since I’ve been to an amusement park.” (Reiya)

“Really?” (Hikaru)

“I mean, the last time was probably a school trip in elementary school… as far as I can remember.” (Reiya)

“Ehh… That long ago? You don’t like them much?” (Hikaru)

Hikaru gaped in surprise at my natural gloominess.

“It’s not that I don’t like them… It’s more like I didn’t have anyone to invite, or anyone who would invite me…” (Reiya)

Outdoorsy friends to go to an amusement park with, or perhaps a girlfriend-like presence.

Needless to say, during high school, and even in middle school, I didn’t have a single such person.

If I’d had younger siblings, I might have gone with my family even in middle school, but unfortunately, I’m an only child.

“Heeh… Is that so.” (Hikaru)

“What about you, Hikaru? When was your last time?” (Reiya)

“For me, the last time was when I went to Disney with a group of friends last fall, I think.” (Hikaru)

“So, pretty recently then.” (Reiya)

“Yeah, Ayaka and Akane were with me then too. It was Ayaka’s first time at Disney, and at first, she was like, ‘Is this childish stuff… really fun?’ but in the end, she was the one having the most fun—” (Hikaru)

Hikaru recounted the memory, looking genuinely happy from the bottom of her heart.

It’s easy to forget when I’m with her, but I remembered that she was, in fact, a hardcore popular type.

As I felt a slight jealousy, a sense of alienation from her, who was so different from me even in these kinds of friendships—

“But today, it’s my first amusement park visit with the person I love most, so it’ll be even more fun, right!” (Hikaru)

Under her mask, she beamed a wide smile and squeezed my hand tightly.

Ah, I’m so simple…

Just that alone made me feel as if everything was saved.

“No, today isn’t about us having fun, it’s about supporting Taiju-san…” (Reiya)

…Even as I said that, my expression had completely softened.

“Ah, right…!” (Hikaru)

Glancing sideways at Hikaru, who was laughing sheepishly, I turned my gaze back to the main couple.

Had they been having a similar conversation? They were chuckling together.

Although I had various concerns, the atmosphere seemed good for now.

Watching the two with a worrier’s gaze that I couldn’t really criticize Hikaru for, we arrived at the location of the first attraction.

“Oooh… This is incredible…” (Reiya)

“It says ‘world’s best’ on it…” (Hikaru)

We looked up at the rails that stretched to an astonishing height and twisted and turned, letting out voices of admiration.

According to the pamphlet we received at the entrance, this roller coaster apparently holds multiple world records.

As if to prove its world-class terror, tremendous screams echoed from the coaster gliding through the sky above.

So, how were the two who had immediately lined up to ride such a monster doing?

Concealing our presence, we approached and strained our ears—

“This is my first time riding something like this… Is it really okay? Like, will it fall or something…?” (Ichiru)

“You don’t have to worry. It surely meets all safety standards, and it won’t fall. Be-besides… I-I’ll be right next to you…” (Taiju)

To Ichiru, who was worried about something slightly off-kilter, Taiju was appealing to her as the reliable man Hikaru had produced.

“Taiju-kun, are you okay with these things?” (Ichiru)

“Of course. I’ve prepared by riding every thrill machine in the world in VR, so I’m past okay, I’m practically invincible.” (Taiju)

Taiju boasted with magnificent confidence, a smug, handsome look on his face.

Ah, this looks bad… I thought. Ten-odd minutes later—

“HGYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!” (Taiju)

As expected, his scream rained down on the park from above.

“Aah… Looks like fun…” (Hikaru)

Hikaru looked up enviously at her brother, who was letting out bloodcurdling screams over and over.

The coaster, having sped around the park, returned to the boarding gate.

Then, the two of them emerged from the exit.

“Ahh, that was fun! Right, Taiju-kun?” (Ichiru)

“Y-yes… I th-thought I was going to die… I mean, it was so fun I could die…” (Taiju)

Compared to Ichiru, who was smiling like a child again, Taiju looked so haggard he seemed about to collapse.

It was as if he had aged about ten years in those few minutes.

“It was a little scary at first, but once I got used to it, the feeling of falling was like, whoosh, flying through the sky… Hey, are you really okay? Maybe you got sick…?” (Ichiru)

“N-no… Not at all, this is nothing… It’s about the same as when I first piloted a hovercraft in Half-Life 2…” (Taiju)

In other words, he was incredibly sick.

In a way, he was displaying the exact kind of patheticness we expected.

“Hey, do you think it’s okay for him to continue like this…?” (Reiya)

“Hmm… He was so confident yesterday, though…” (Hikaru)

“Maybe we should consider changing the schedule a bit?” (Reiya)

According to Hikaru’s plan, a whole lineup of thrill rides awaited them.

If he was like this after the first one, I couldn’t imagine him enduring the upcoming boss rush.

“Ah, but look, look!” (Hikaru)

As I was suggesting a change of plans, Hikaru, noticing something, pointed towards the two.

When I turned to look, I saw Ichiru gently rubbing the back of Taiju, who was hanging his head, looking utterly exhausted.

“That’s actually pretty good in its own way, isn’t it?” (Hikaru)

“Well, if you put it that way… I guess so…?” (Reiya)

It was the complete opposite of the original plan for him to lead manfully, but it certainly looked like their distance was shrinking.

“…And so, the objective has changed from the initial plan, but the plan continues!” (Hikaru)

Hikaru took out her phone and sent instructions: ‘As planned, proceed to the next attraction.’

She’s a demon… I thought, but I had no way to stop her.

Seeing the message, Taiju’s face looked like it was the end of the world.

After a few seconds, he somehow managed to recompose his expression, told Ichiru, who still looked worried, “Well then, shall we go to the next one?” and started walking.

His footsteps carried the determination of a man prepared for death.

—Several minutes later.

“HGYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!” (Taiju)

Once again, his scream echoed through the park from high above.

Next to me, Hikaru was smiling with satisfaction as she listened to her brother’s cries.

We’ll collect your bones, so please die a proper death.

All I could do was pray for him.