A Man Who Lost Confidence, to a Gentle Chastity-Reversed World

Chapter 64: Testing the Waters, Playing Together

Passing through the entrance gate, we step into a plaza where characters greet visitors. The main character, Oswald, has a line formed for photos. Yuki told me this rabbit is the most popular, with many girls owning its merchandise.

I’m not particularly interested, and Yukari-san doesn’t seem eager to join the line either.

“Um… Shun-sama, is there anything you’d like to ride…?” she asks, handing me a pamphlet from the gate.

The illustrated map lists various attractions, all unfamiliar to me. Honestly, I’m content just spending time with her. I think it’s right to follow her lead—both because I want her to enjoy herself and because I’m clueless, a pathetic reason.

“Yuki mentioned you’re pretty familiar with this place… So, um, what do you think?” I ask, instantly regretting answering her question with another.

She doesn’t get upset, though. “Y-Yes… I used to come here often with college friends… so, somewhat…”

Yuki’s info checks out. That makes my response clear. “Th-Then… I’d like to know what you want to visit or ride…”

I choose my words carefully, hoping that saying I want to know her preferences will ease her hesitation. A typical woman might clam up if a guy says he’s curious, but I arrogantly assume Yukari-san will accept my words.

It’s a bit scary, but she says, “I-If you say so…!” and starts leading me, matching my pace to stay side by side.

She guides me to a dock-like area with a sign reading “Park Cruise Boat.” “…The park is connected by waterways… This steamboat circles around, so you can see what it’s like inside… And in the morning, the breeze feels nice… I often ride it when I come alone. W-What do you think?”

She chose this to help me, a first-timer, get a feel for the park, revealing she sometimes visits alone. She must love this place—coming to a theme park solo takes real passion, unlike a zoo, which I’ve done alone. I’m convinced I should let her lead today.

I nod, and we enter the queue, which is empty, so we reach the boarding area quickly. “There aren’t many people at this time…” she says.

No one’s ahead or behind us. The boat, with six rows of five seats, could hold about thirty, but it sets off with just us, the staff announcing departure.

“Lucky us, it’s like we chartered it,” Yukari-san says with a smile. With the control room separated, she’s the only one in my view.

“It takes about fifteen minutes since the park’s big… B-But… is it okay, just the two of us like this?” she asks, as if realizing a mistake.

That’s my line. “I-I’m totally fine… But aren’t you bored with me? N-Not just now, but all day…”

For her, it’s like babysitting all day. A slow ride like this, just talking with me, can’t be fun.

“B-Bored? Not at all! I never thought I’d get to talk with you outside like this… I-I’m excited… Ask me anything!” she says, smiling softly despite her nerves, her ponytail swaying in the breeze.

I’m captivated, staring too long, and she looks away shyly. I shouldn’t do that to someone who’s not my girlfriend.

As we cruise, she explains the park—each area’s theme, its attractions. It’s all new to me, but her knowledge shines through. Having a place you love this much must be a joy.

“W-When you take a photo on that bridge… the castle in the center comes out beautifully… I always take one with friends…” she says, her voice trailing off as we pass under a large bridge.

Wondering what’s wrong, I glance at her, and she looks away, embarrassed. “S-Sasai-san and Yamamoto-san suggested… something like this…”

My nerves spike at their involvement. “They said taking a photo together as a memento… would be nice. I told them it’s too much for me… but Sasai-san said she’d love to see it later…”

“S-So… I wanted to tell you properly… C-Could we take just one photo together…?” she asks.

Asagi-san likely planned this to help us relax. It’s a huge hurdle for me—I’m not even used to solo photos. But if Yukari-san doesn’t mind being in a photo with me, as Asagi-san suggests, I can’t refuse.

“I-It’s fine… If you’re okay with it, I’d… love to take as many as you want…” I say, fearing I sound creepy.

“S-So many…?” she says, not sounding upset, I hope. Her humility makes me a bit arrogant—she doesn’t realize how attractive she is. Flustered, she’s not just beautiful but cute, tempting me to impure thoughts if I’m not careful.

“R-Really… you’d take multiple photos…?” she murmurs, pulling out her phone and unlocking it. “Th-This boat is fine for photos… C-Can we take one now…?”

There’s no reason to refuse. I nod, and she activates the front camera. “…W-We need to get a bit closer… Is that okay?”

She’s the one who should decide that. Getting close to me might be unpleasant for her. But I selfishly assume she wants it and choose lover-like words. “…I-If you’re okay with it… I want to take a photo side by side…”

Her face stiffens, and I fear I’ve crossed a line, but she suddenly leans closer. “I-I’m taking it now…!” she says, holding up her phone.

She’s used to selfies, but her trembling hands delay the shot. Meanwhile, her softness presses against my right arm. It should’ve been just arms touching, but her momentum pushes her left breast fully against me—soft, fragrant, with a bra’s presence but undeniable fullness. She’s focused on the camera, oblivious to the intimacy.

“S-Sorry for the wait… Here we go!” she says.

I focus on the screen, seeing her nervous but smiling face and my clearly rattled, slack expression side by side.

“A-After we’re done… I’m okay with photos, but I’m bad at smiling… S-Sorry if it’s a weird picture,” I say.

“N-No way… It’s a photo with you, Shun-sama, so any expression is perfect…” she says, then gasps, covering her mouth. “S-Sorry… That was creepy, wasn’t it…?”

It wasn’t. She meant to reassure me. “…I’m grateful you say that… W-Whenever you want a photo, just tell me…” I say, smiling awkwardly.

She freezes, almost raising her phone again but quickly stowing it. “Th-Thank you…” she says, slightly stumbling, then resumes explaining the park.

The fifteen-minute cruise ends, and we disembark, returning to the main path where foot traffic has increased. “A-Around this time, attractions get crowded… How about a light snack?” Yukari-san suggests.

I agree without question—she knows better than me. We head to a bakery with a café. I wouldn’t expect a bakery in a theme park, but the display case is full of tempting items.

“I-It gets busy past noon… Eating by the window, looking outside, is my favorite way to spend time here…” she says.

At just past 10 a.m., it’s not crowded, likely her way of ensuring I’m comfortable—a luxury for me. Following her recommendations, we each pick three pastries, pay with drinks, and sit by the window.

“I-I usually sit here alone… Being with you feels like a dream…” she says.

At a two-person table, facing each other, it feels like a couple’s café date—an illusion. Imagining her here alone, gazing outside, is picturesque, though my presence might ruin it.

I start eating, and she asks, “H-How is it?” after each bite. I can only muster, “It’s delicious,” truthful but lacking eloquence.

“Fufu… It feels different from eating at home… Strange, right?” she says.

I feel the same. Eating melon bread while she, in casual clothes, watches me is surreal. I can’t manage witty conversation, only nodding as she kindly says, “We’ll walk a bit after this…” She never shows dissatisfaction.

Outside, the temperature rises, perfect for short sleeves. I roll up my jacket, while she stows hers in her bag, leaving her in just a cutsew. Her crossbody bag accentuates her chest even more than the seatbelt did.

“Th-There’s an indoor ride deeper in… It moves a bit intensely… I-If you don’t mind…” she says.

I nod, trying not to think about how her chest looks larger. Lusting after her in a theme park is worse than a playboy’s mindset.

We reach a building resembling a haunted mansion, with a thirty-minute wait displayed. “I-I got fast-pass tickets on my phone… This way!” she says, taking my hand to lead me to a separate entrance.

I start to accept it, but after a few steps, I realize she’s holding my hand—a jarring sensation. She notices simultaneously, exclaiming, “…Ah!” and letting go, stepping aside to bow. “I-I’m so sorry… I grabbed your hand without thinking…!”

Her subdued but earnest apology demands my response. “…You don’t need to apologize… I didn’t mind at all, really…” I stop short of admitting I liked her soft touch—something I shouldn’t say.

“I-I was unreliable, so you tried to guide me… I’m sorry,” I say, thinking I should’ve moved faster.

“N-No… It’s my fault for remembering…” she says, trailing off.

Curious, I must show it on my face, as she explains shyly, “…Sasai-san told me she holds hands with you when you go out… and suggested I try it. She said you’d like it, but I thought it wouldn’t apply to me… Yet, part of me hoped, and I acted unconsciously…”

Asagi-san seems to know my feelings perfectly. In this world, men wanting to hold hands might be rare, making Yukari-san cautious. But I’d be thrilled to hold her hand—a lover-like move—though I feel guilty with Asagi-san and Maki-san.

“…I really don’t mind… Especially today, I want you to tell me everything you want,” I say, knowing I’ll need to report or apologize to my girlfriends later for holding hands with another woman.

“…Th-Thank you…!” Yukari-san says, looking down, slowly taking my hand again, murmuring, “S-Sorry…” but gripping firmly as we head to the entrance.

Our first hand-holding lasts a few minutes to the staff checkpoint. Her soft, warm touch lingers in my mind.

After the checkpoint, we join others in line, so we stop holding hands—couples doing so would draw attention. Yukari-san, still blushing, doesn’t speak. Feeling awkward, I look around.

The queue features newspaper clippings and radio broadcasts about mysterious events, showing the park’s attention to detail. “I-It’s about a family disappearing in this mansion, with strange phenomena…” Yukari-san says softly, still shy.

To ease her tension, I try something bold. “R-Really? I’d love to hear more… about this and other attractions…” I say, hoping to help her relax by sparking conversation, assuming her nerves come from inexperience with men.

I’m unsure if it’s right, but her expression softens slightly. “Y-You ride that car… and shine a light to trigger actions…” she says, pointing to a small three-person vehicle.

We board, with enough space and safety bars, though she feels close. “A-At first, you can shine the light around… It’s not too intense, so enjoy it slowly…” she explains, showing me how to use the light, which activates effects.

I missed the queue’s explanatory video, distracted, but she patiently leans in to teach me. Her soft scent lingers as she pulls back, saying, “…S-Sorry, I got too close…”

The car starts, moving into the darkness.