Arakawa Amusement Park wasn't very large.
Ayatsuki Ayaka felt she had been deceived.
The ticket was supposed to be 1,800 yen for all-inclusive access to the park's attractions. Once inside, she discovered that many of the attractions required an additional fee. For example, the toy cars required coins to operate, and feeding the small animals also cost extra.
This was commercial fraud!
When she bought the ticket, they had told her it included unlimited access to all the park's facilities. But once inside, she learned the toy cars weren't included, and Arakawa Amusement Park didn't even manage the small animals.
Ayatsuki Ayaka was disappointed. If the toy cars and animal feeding had been included in the ticket, she would have happily done them. Since they weren't included in the ticket…
Ayatsuki Ayaka wasn't sure what others thought, but she personally hated the feeling of being tricked. No matter how cute the animals were, she wouldn't feed them a single bite.
She dragged Aozawa to the merry-go-round, an attraction included in the ticket price.
Truth be told, Ayatsuki Ayaka rarely visited amusement parks. On holidays, she usually stayed home watching TV shows or chatting. Occasionally, she'd go shopping with Saeko and the others, but amusement parks were generally not her scene.
Before getting on the merry-go-round, Ayatsuki Ayaka was brimming with excitement. But once the merry-go-round started, she felt like a complete idiot.
She didn't understand the appeal of the merry-go-round at all. Bobbing up and down with the music—wasn't it just something to amuse small children?
Come on, she was a high school student! The merry-go-round didn't match her Hot Girl vibe at all.
They really should have gone on the Ferris wheel instead.
Aozawa saw her gripping the merry-go-round pole, a helpless expression on her face. If I let her lead the date, it'll probably be incredibly dull, he thought. That's not how you ride a merry-go-round, just holding onto the pole by yourself. A couple should be holding hands, swinging together like on a swing set.
Although Aozawa didn't have practical experience with these things either, he had watched TV dramas.
"Iroha, let's hold hands."
Aozawa rarely got to go out like this and didn't want to spoil it, so he made the suggestion.
Ayatsuki Ayaka paused. Only then did she remember she wasn't on the merry-go-round alone; her male companion was right beside her. She'd been so focused on criticizing Arakawa Amusement Park that she'd completely forgotten Aozawa was even there.
"Haha, sure~"
Ayatsuki Ayaka extended her right hand.
A smile touched Aozawa's lips as he took her soft, wheat-colored hand and began swinging it gently in the air, like they were on a swing.
Suddenly, the soft, lively music took on a new meaning for Ayatsuki Ayaka.
The wooden horses swayed leisurely.
It's incredible! Ayatsuki Ayaka's eyes widened in surprise, her heart thumping with excitement.
She took back her earlier thoughts; approached differently, the merry-go-round was actually quite nice.
「…」
After the merry-go-round, the two of them went on the roller coaster.
This was a child-friendly roller coaster, not as thrilling as typical ones, appearing relatively tame. This "tameness" was relative to other roller coasters, of course, so it still managed to draw screams from a group of children.
"Iroha, are you okay?"
Aozawa stepped off the roller coaster, a look of concern in his eyes.
Forgetting how loudly she'd just screamed and ignoring her slightly trembling legs, Ayatsuki Ayaka stood up straight. "No problem! How could something meant for little kids scare me? I was just playing along with the atmosphere, shouting a bit."
Aozawa really wanted to point out it was more than just "a bit" of shouting. Just moments ago, Ayatsuki Ayaka had grabbed his hand—gripping it so tightly, her fingers felt like they might crush his.
However, he didn't call her out on her bravado, despite her being clearly scared yet acting tough.
"Oh? Then let's go ride the Ferris wheel."
"Okay." Ayatsuki Ayaka nodded. Suddenly, she felt something was off. Wait, didn't I say I was taking the lead? Why does it feel like I've just been following Aozawa's instructions this whole time?
Ayatsuki Ayaka felt a brief internal conflict but quickly brushed the vexation aside.
Oh well, it's rare for me to have this much fun. As long as I'm enjoying myself, who cares who's in charge? Theoretically, as long as I'm happier than Aozawa, then I'm the one in control of this date!
Having thus consoled herself, Ayatsuki Ayaka reached for Aozawa's hand and started swinging it back and forth, humming a little tune.
The initial nervousness and heart-pounding were gone. Now, she just noticed that Aozawa's hand was bigger than she'd imagined.
It makes sense for a guy, I guess. Holding his hand feels different from holding Saeko's or the others' hands. It's so strong and substantial.
They lined up to ride the Ferris wheel.
Ayatsuki Ayaka leaned against the window, asking excitedly, "Do you think we can see Mount Fuji from here?"
"Impossible."
"Then can we see Tokyo Tower?"
"We'll find out once we go up. I don't know either," Aozawa replied.
"HMPH." Ayatsuki Ayaka pouted her lip-glossed lips and crossed her arms. "Aozawa, your answer just now was incorrect! The correct answer should have been 'I don't know' or 'Yes, we can see it.' Short answers make a guy seem more masculine and decisive!"
"Then my answer is: we won't see it."
"Correct!"
Ayatsuki Ayaka gave him a thumbs up.
Aozawa noticed Ayatsuki Ayaka smiled a lot. During their time at Arakawa Amusement Park, it felt like she had smiled more than Morimoto Chiyoda and Phoenix Academy Maggie combined would in an entire week. He didn't dislike her smiles, though. They were like sunshine breaking through clouds—pure, cheerful smiles that could banish any unease from one's heart.
"Is there a reward for the correct answer?"
"I'll buy you ice cream when we get down," Ayatsuki Ayaka offered. She knew another reward would be better, but she was too shy to suggest it.
「…」
"The view from the Ferris wheel just now was beautiful."
"Yeah."
Aozawa agreed, feeling this Saturday afternoon hadn't been wasted; it had been quite meaningful.
Ayatsuki Ayaka spotted a claw machine by the path. A cute cat plushie inside seemed to beckon to her. She stopped. "Aozawa, do you know how to play claw machines?"
Aozawa chuckled, "Didn't I tell you that I'm officially recognized as the Claw Machine Prince by the Japan Claw Machines Association?"
"Really?"
Ayatsuki Ayaka looked somewhat dubious.
"Let me show you the power of one-coin wins."
Aozawa, with an air of calm, prepared to use his Telekinesis on the claw machine. With this, it's a guaranteed win every single time, he thought.
"I want that plushie!"
Ayatsuki Ayaka decided to test him. She pointed at the cat plushie above and handed Aozawa the game tokens.
He inserted a token and began maneuvering the claw over the cat plushie.
GULP. Ayatsuki Ayaka swallowed nervously, her expression tense. She wanted to grab Aozawa's arm but hesitated, afraid of interfering with his attempt. Please let him get it, please let him get it! she prayed silently. Her funds were definitely not enough for several tries.
Aozawa pressed the button. The claw grabbed the cat plushie. He then used his Telekinesis to guide it to the prize chute and released it.
"Amazing! Aozawa, you really are the Claw Machine Prince!"
Ayatsuki Ayaka was convinced. She excitedly hugged him, beaming. "Then, could you please get four more? For my sister, Saeko, and the others!"
Aozawa felt the pressure of what he mentally dubbed the 'Ayaha Mountain Range' and said solemnly, "Leave it to me."