The crowds, chiefly consisting of families and couples, poured through the grand entrance of the amusement park. Amongst the throng stood an energetic girl who pointed her right arm toward the sky and declared, “You guys better be ready, ’cause we’re gonna go beast mode all day today!”
“Let’s gooo!” Chiaki yelled out, matching his girlfriend’s enthusiasm.
The display garnered the attention of some other visitors, but the couple didn’t seem particularly bothered by it.
“C’mon, you two, let’s see some spirit!”
“Yeaaah, I think I’m gonna pass on screaming in public—it’s kinda embarrassing for me. I’m sure Fuyuka would agree, right?” Asahi retorted.
“L-Let’s... gooo...” Fuyuka, who was standing beside Asahi, cheered quietly and sheepishly raised her fist into the air. The motion shook her long ebony hair and brushed it to the side, granting the group a glimpse of her faintly blushing ears.
Hinami beamed. “Omigawd, Fuyu-Fuyu! That was super adorable!”
“Yup, now there’s someone who knows how to have a good time!”
“Didn’t think you’d succumb to peer pressure this easily...” Asahi mumbled. He wondered why Fuyuka had pushed herself to keep up with the couple’s rowdy behavior, but something else also weighed on his mind. “I see you’re wearing the earrings I got you.”
“Yes. I figured I’d put them on since we’re going out. I really like them.”
“I’m happy to hear that.”
“I thought you hadn’t noticed them...”
“I just kinda... haven’t been able to find the right time to mention it,” Asahi replied.
In truth, the earrings had gained his attention since he’d met her in front of their apartment complex, but—for one reason or another—he hadn’t been able to make even the most casual of remarks about them until now. Upon some reflection, he realized it was possible that the reason Fuyuka had looked somewhat sullen on the train journey was that she’d mistakenly thought he hadn’t noticed the earrings.
“I don’t want to lose them, so I’m going to put them away when we’re on any of the rides,” Fuyuka said.
“You could always leave them with me, if you’re that worried,” Asahi offered.
“Thank you, but it’s okay—I brought a case to put them in.”
“Smart.”
Hinami, Chiaki, and Fuyuka were brimming with excitement. The three chatted cheerfully as they headed for the ride they’d decided to try out first. Asahi, in spite of his indifferent tone, felt quite similar.
“Man, it’s been a while since we’ve been at an amusement park,” he remarked.
He remembered his last visit almost a year and a half ago, back when he’d still been a third year in middle school.
He’d been enjoying his summer break in the comfort of his air-conditioned room when Chiaki had dragged him out for a trip to the amusement park. A handful of Chiaki’s other friends had also accompanied them. For someone who preferred to seclude himself indoors, the sizzling heat of the summer never did much for Asahi. That said, the sense of satisfaction he’d experienced on his way home after a long day of playing around had been worth it, in the end.
Chiaki hasn’t changed much. He’s still got that same annoying smirk. Suppose the only thing that’s different is that he got himself a girlfriend, he mused as he looked at the joyous duo.
Something had changed for Asahi, too—the friends he’d been with in the previous outing had been replaced by a charming girl.
She scrutinized the attractions with an excited glint in her eyes, then confided to the group that she hadn’t been to an amusement park since she was in elementary school.
“So it’s gonna be your first time on a roller coaster, huh?” Asahi asked.
“Yes, I didn’t meet the height requirements last time.”
“Just let us know if it gets too much for you to handle, okay? These two are gonna make us go on all the crazy rides, just so you know.”
“I appreciate the concern, but I’m worried about you more than anything.”
“Me? Why?”
“Your mother told me you weren’t exactly good with roller coasters.”
“Right, of course she would...” he grumbled.
Asahi recalled childhood memories, back when he was too short to be permitted on the bigger rides. He had been let onto a roller coaster, albeit one designed for children. Even then, Asahi had struggled with that one.
But that was AGES ago. Even real roller coasters don’t bother me anymore—hell, I’ve grown to enjoy the scary ones. And how’d this come up between Fuyuka and my mom?! I’d really like to know!
He resolved to interrogate his mother about it later. For the time being, he devoted his attention toward the calamitous sounds of mechanical, rattling roars and adrenaline-induced screams.
“Just so you guys know, these rides are no big deal. I dunno what my mom told you, but that’s all in the past now,” he stated confidently.
“Which makes me the only person here nervous about the whole thing...” Fuyuka muttered in a defeated tone.
“Wanna hear something cool? They say this one we’re about to ride is the fastest in Japan.”
“How is that cool in any way?!” Fuyuka yelped.
“What? You’re not more excited now?”
“No, I’m just more scared.”
Hinami noticed Fuyuka’s discomfort and jumped to her defense instantly. “Hey! Whadayya think you’re doing, Asahi? Stop bullying our poor angel!”
“I don’t wanna hear that from the person who scheduled us riding this thing three times in a row. I’d say you’re the real bully here, if anything.”
“Ah, um, well... I’ve got a backup plan in case Fuyu-Fuyu doesn’t like it!”
“Do tell.”
“Don’t think I heard anything about this either, Hina,” Chiaki chimed in.
“I-It’s, uh, a secret! Yeah! So you guys just relax and stay tuned!”
Hinami’s stuttering just made Asahi wish they’d planned the trip better. Despite his claims that he had no trouble with big rides anymore, he’d never ridden them multiple times in succession. He had his suspicions that Chiaki was the same, to say nothing of Fuyuka, who was cowering next to him.
“It’s gonna be great, guys! I positively guarantee it!” Hinami tried to reassure them.
The rest of the group—the realization dawning on them that they’d roped themselves into going on a number of thrill rides multiple times in a row—wore strained smiles as they arrived in front of the first roller coaster of the day.