I'm a Shy Loner and I Was Confessed to by a Beautiful Girl Who Has All the Boys in School Smitten, but It Turned Out to Be a 'Fake Confession,' So I Politely Declined. As a Result, I Ended Up Learning About Her Hidden Side and She Started to Cling to Me - Chapter 38

“Come on, Juubei-kun! Hurry, hurry!”

“Ah, yeah, I’m coming!”

On a certain holiday, as promised, Hana and I were at the amusement park.

Let me say it again, we were at an amusement park.

It took us about 2 hours to get here by train and bus. By the way, it was Hana’s fervent wish to come to the amusement park.

Honestly, it’s quite an energetic place to be.

I always thought amusement parks are places you go to with a large group or with a lover, but maybe social butterflies think differently?

Countless attractions spread out before us. As we wander the park with the upbeat BGM, the roaring sounds of coasters and the screams of the passengers in the background, I notice Hana’s enthusiasm is at an all-time high.

I’m also excited, but the journey here already exhausted me.

“Wow! That looks fun! Super Rolling Thunder! We have to go on that!”

Well, looks like we just casually decided to go on a dangerous-looking ride…

But, more importantly, I had a certain goal in mind for coming to this amusement park today.

That is to call Hana by a nickname.

After all, we’re best friends. In my opinion, calling each other by nicknames makes the friendship feel closer.

Like Kise-san calls her “Hana-chi” or “Nene-chi,” I also want to call Hana by a nickname.

So today, I’ve decided to call her by a nickname.

I will do it naturally… as if I’ve always called her that.

“Well, let’s start with a lighter ride, Haa-chan.”

I can’t look her in the eye while saying it, so I glance away and say it quickly at the end.

“Hmm. Sure… huh?”

Yes, she reacted to ‘Haa-chan’! It’s a nickname I thought up after much deliberation.

Next, she’ll probably ask, “What did you just call me?” and then I can smoothly explain the merits of using nicknames…

“Juubei-kun? What did you just say?”

“Ah, um, ah, well, ah, nickname… Ah! Before that… we’re best friends, so, um… nicknames bring us closer, or something! Haa-chan is what I came up with after putting in some thought… Sorry, I got carried away.”

No good… I got nervous, and the flow is all over the place. Moreover, I’ve lost track of what I was saying and ended up apologizing for something unclear. It’s over…

“Juubei-kun?”

Haa-chan holds both my cheeks, lifting my face that was looking down.

Her face is too close…! It’s like we’re about to kiss.

“Say it again, while looking into my eyes?”

I can’t, no way! But I have to say it…

“Haa-ha! Ha! Ha!”

“Juubei-kun, calm down! You’re almost hyperventilating!”

“Ah, sorry…”

“It was your idea, right? Say it properly!”

“But saying it again feels embarrassing…”

“Just accept the nickname… I’ll be calling you that a lot from now on.”

“Huh? Really?”

“Yup, decided! From today, if you don’t call me Haa-chan, I won’t respond!”

“What? Really?”

“It’s a matter of getting used to it, Juubei-kun. Let’s start with the merry-go-round!”

Her back looked delighted as she said that and pointed to the merry-go-round. I was led by Haa-chan to the entrance of the merry-go-round.

“Ah, this one has a two-seater horse if you’d like!”

A staff member offered us a white two-seater horse. No, this is clearly for couples…

“Actually, we—”

“Is this your first date? You’re holding hands and everything, so cute!”

“…Oh.”

Haa-chan quickly lets go of my hand, but the staff member just smiles warmly.

“You can take photos on this two-seater horse, too! How about it?”

Wait, why are you asking me?!

“Um, well… fine.”

I handed over my smartphone, and we got on the horse. I have trouble saying no, the worst part of being socially awkward showed itself.

“Come on, you too, miss!”

“Uh…”

Haa-chan seemed a bit hesitant.

Well, of course. She probably doesn’t want to ride a two-seater with someone like me. Moreover, it would be embarrassing to be seen by a crowd.

“Let’s just go with it.”

“Ah! Didn’t you say you wanted to go on the carriage at the back, Haa-chan? How about that?”

I tried to throw her a lifeline by suggesting the carriage at the back.

“Eh? But then—”

“I’m fine alone. It’s actually more spacious!”

I am a bit embarrassed, but this is better than being coerced into a two-seater by the staff.

“Come on, hurry or someone else will take it.”

“Alright…”

Reluctantly, she looks at me and goes to the carriage at the back.

“…”

Hey, staff member? Could you stop with the silent pressure? We’re not even a couple, so stop looking at me like I’m a pitiful guy…

More people start to ride the merry-go-round, and it’s almost full.

I would have gladly switched if any couple had asked, but no such luck. Maybe even couples find it embarrassing.

“We’ll be starting in one minute,” announces the PA system.

“…Hehe, let’s ride together after all!”

“What?!”

Haa-chan hops onto the two-seater horse and tightly hugs me from behind.

As a result, we end up riding together.

The staff’s gaze feels like it’s saying, “Good for you!”

And then the merry-go-round starts to move.

“Wow, it moves up and down quite a bit.”

Haa-chan’s grip tightens, maybe because she’s a bit scared.

“…You don’t have to force yourself.”

“I’m not forcing myself. I was just embarrassed, but I don’t mind riding with you, Juubei-kun.”

“…Haa-chan, you’re so kind.”

“I’m not being considerate or anything.”

“…Huh?”

“That carriage would have separated me from your horse, right? I didn’t like that.”

I can’t see Haa-chan’s expression as she hugs me from behind, but it feels a bit lonely.

“Plus, the merry-go-round is fixed, right? My carriage would never catch up to your horse.”

“Well, that’s how merry-go-rounds work.”

“…That’s exactly what I didn’t like. I want to be close to you, Juubei-kun.”

“What do you mean—”

“Look, Juubei-kun! The staff is holding up your phone! Do a peace sign! Peace!”

“Ah, ye-yes!”

After that, Haa-chan didn’t say anything until the merry-go-round stopped.