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 39
“Now, up next is the main attraction of the day!!”
Excitedly, Ha-chan points to a roller coaster called “Super Rolling Thunder.”
After riding the merry-go-round and trying out a few other attractions as a warm-up, we finally decide it’s time to get on the scream-inducing roller coaster.
…So the time has finally come.
The tracks twist and turn violently.
The sign says it’s the tallest in Japan.
The slope is so steep, it’s hard to believe it’s part of a roller coaster.
It’s definitely going to be scary.
We’ve been distracting ourselves by chatting with Ha-chan while waiting, but it looks like it’s finally our turn to ride.
I don’t want to be in the front! I don’t want to be in the front! I don’t want to be in the front!
“Ju-bei-kun! We’re in the front!”
Damn it!
We’re guided to the front seats.
“Wow, it’s kind of scary now that we’re actually on it.”
Sitting next to me, Ha-chan’s face is tense even though she’s excited. Honestly, I’m not even thinking about that right now.
The coaster starts to climb slowly up the long, long incline.
“Ju-bei-kun? Are you okay? Your cheek is twitching…!”
“Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah.”
“You okay? Want me to hold your hand—”
In an instant, I grab Ha-chan’s hand with a refined, no-nonsense motion.
“Your grip is surprisingly strong.”
Ha-chan’s cheeks look a bit red as she sits next to me.
Finally, the coaster reaches the top, and I brace myself for the sudden drop. I also make up my mind.
…? Wait, why did it stop?
The moment I let my guard down, the coaster starts plunging downhill.
“Whoaaa!?”
“Waaaaa!”
Wait! I’m floating! My body is floating!
Next, we go into a sharp curve.
“Gyaaa!?”
“Uuuuuh!?”
Wait! I’m floating! My organs are floating!
Afterwards, although nearly passing out, I somehow endure the terrifying ride as the coaster’s speed slows down. This means we’re approaching the home stretch. The ride is finally over.
“That was fun! I felt like I was floating! I might want to ride again!”
“…Give me a break, just give me a break!”
“No, it’s okay, Ju-bei-kun. If you didn’t like it, it’s fine.”
No, it was fun. The adrenaline was flowing like crazy. This is probably an experience you can only get on a roller coaster.
But… it’s so exhausting!
“Ah!”
Shoot, I’m still holding Ha-chan’s hand. Realizing this, I quickly let go.
“Sorry for holding your hand for so long.”
“Che.”
“Ha-chan?”
“Ah, I want to go to the haunted house next.”
So, next is the haunted house.
Apparently, this haunted house, themed around an abandoned hospital, is one of the scariest in Japan. Many people give up, proving that it’s not famous for nothing.
As we enter, it’s dark, and our senses are overwhelmed by groans and the smell of disinfectant.
…
Ha-chan’s expression has turned pale compared to earlier.
“…Ha-chan.”
“!! What!?”
No need to be so surprised…
“Do you want to quit?”
“No, I’m fine! We haven’t even seen any ghosts yet…!”
She’s smiling, but it looks forced.
“Are you sure? Do you want to hold hands—”
In an instant, Ha-chan grabs my hand.
“Let’s go, Ju-bei-kun!”
Our roles are reversed compared to the roller coaster as we move on, hand in hand.
We reach a large floor with an operating table. It looks like something is about to happen.
“!”
Ha-chan seems to think the same thing, and instead of holding hands, she hugs me. In a different sense, my heart is pounding as we move on.
“Vaaaaaaaa!”
As expected, a blood-covered patient ghost appears, screaming.
“Kyaaaaaaaa!”
“Uwah!”
I’m more surprised by Ha-chan’s scream next to me than by the ghost.
“…Sorry. I’m quitting after all.”
Faced with her tearful admission, I have no choice but to nod.
After being kindly guided out by the staff playing the role of ghosts, we wander aimlessly. Ha-chan is still clinging to my arm. I could point it out, but I decide to enjoy this happiness a little longer.
“…Sorry. I didn’t think it would be that scary.”
“It’s fine. You shouldn’t push yourself.”
“Ugh! But I feel frustrated! I’ll definitely take revenge! Next time, I’ll at least endure until the second floor!”
“Next time, huh?” I’m surprised that Ha-chan is thinking about a “next time.”
“This haunted house has about 10 floors, but… I wonder how many times it’ll take to complete it.”
At that, Ha-chan freezes.
“…Let’s get an annual pass!”
How many years does she plan to take to complete it…!?
After that, we enjoy other attractions like go-karts, aerial swings, Viking ship, and a second round on the Super Rolling Thunder. Before we know it, it’s evening.
We’re completely drained, but we had fun, so it’s all good.
After about 30 minutes on the train, we’re halfway to our station.
“Are you okay, Ju-bei-kun? Aren’t you tired? You can rest your head on my shoulder if you want. I’ll wake you up when we get to the station.”
“Ah, no… I’m fine.”
It’s a tempting offer, but I’m concerned about what others might think. Besides, I’m not that sleepy. Talking will probably keep me awake.
“I had a blast at the amusement park after such a long time. I wish we could’ve played more.”
“Me too… Today was fun. Time flew by… there were still more rides I wanted to go on.”
“Really? I’m glad you had fun, Ju-bei-kun! When’s the next trip? Oh, we could go during summer vacation!”
Ha-chan shows me a very happy smile.
“But we don’t have to stick to amusement parks, you know~ Alright! Let’s make lots of plans for the summer vacation! Where do you want to go, Ju-bei-kun? Let’s make summer memories together every day!”
Every day!? That’s a bit much…!
“Uh… yeah, I’ll think about it.”
“Hehe~ We could invite Yayoi-chan and Nene-chan too…”
However, after pondering for a bit and looking straight into my eyes, she says,
“…Hey, Ju-bei-kun.”
“What is it?”
She looks different from usual, which surprises me a bit.
“About today and the time with Nene-chan… Ah, never mind, it’s nothing!”
It’s as if she swallowed the words she wanted to say. I want to know, but I also don’t.
And then, she looks down as if to scold herself.
“…Hana. Thanks for inviting me today. Let’s go again. Promise.”
“!! Yes!! You’re welcome!! Definitely!”
We make a pinky promise.
I pray that we’ll be able to keep this promise.