I’m an Introvert, but After Taking Care of the School’s Most Beautiful Girl Who Lives in an Apartment When She Was Sick, She Became Attached to Me and Started Inviting Me Over to Her Place! - Chapter 39

Chapter 39

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“We’re here!!!”

“We got here faster than I thought.”

“Well, that’s what happens when you get that hyped playing Werewolf.”

As students poured out one after another from the six-class-worth of buses, Sorato and the others stepped down onto the pathway leading from the parking lot to the amusement park’s entrance gate and gave a big stretch. The trip had taken about an hour and a half, and the five of them, who had spent the time enjoying a Werewolf game on a smartphone app, felt as though the journey had passed in the blink of an eye.

And then—

“Mmm… Good morning, everyone…”

“Good morning, Tenma. You slept really well.”

“Hehe, Kudou-kun never woke up even once, did he?”

Tenma, who had slept like a rock the entire time and only just now reached this point without waking up once, squinted his eyes and rubbed them as he let the outside air wash over him. Spread out before them were the towering framework of a roller coaster and a large Ferris wheel. In the distance, people were already lining up at the entrance gate.

“—Alright, alright! Since we’re already here, let’s get going right away! If we’re lucky, maybe we can ride something that’s still empty before the schedule fills up!”

“Yeah.”

“Thaaat’s riiight…”

“I agree with Kohaku!”

“Sounds like a good idea.”

“Deeeeepaaart!”

They had already heard all the precautions and instructions on the bus, so once they got off, it was free time for everyone. Watching the students who were starting to gather here and there, along with other visitors, it was clear the amusement park would start getting crowded soon after opening. Seeing there was no time to stand around chatting, Kohaku called out to everyone and hurried ahead down the pathway, with Sorato and the others following close behind at a jog.

“You guys know what we’re riding first, right?!”

“Of course! To the roller coaster!!”

““Before that, headbands, right!?””

“Wow, you two are perfectly in sync.”

“You’re really close.”

As if to stop Kohaku and Saki from charging ahead, Sorato and Kaon’s voices harmonized perfectly. Of course. At an amusement park, of course we needed to start with the merchandise first.

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“So, what do you think? These bear ears of mine?!”

“Saki, you’re so cute! They suit you perfectly!”

“Hehe, Kaon, those horns of yours suit you too.”

“And Kaede’s frilly ribbon as well!”

Once Sorato and the group passed safely through the entrance gate, they immediately headed straight to the nearest shop. After everyone bought matching accessories to wear, they hurried toward the queue for the roller coaster they planned to ride first.

Although more people had arrived by now, they were relieved they had managed to line up fairly quickly. They were taking the time to look over each other’s purchases again. The girls squealed as they swapped headbands for photos, added bizarre alien-like effects to the pictures, and burst into laughter. Even though they hadn’t ridden a single attraction yet, they were clearly enjoying the field trip to the fullest.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen Kaede get this excited over something like this.”

“You say that, but you bought those sparkly sunglasses and you’re enjoying yourself too.”

“Ahaha, Tenma, I didn’t expect you to wear something like that.”

Seeing Kaede—who usually gave off a particularly cool impression—unusually animated, Tenma wore a smile like a doting mother. That said, he himself was going against his usual character, wearing flashy sunglasses with a sparkly character motif. He had apparently brought a proper digital camera as well, and had been capturing every possible view in photos since earlier.

“I don’t really get many chances to come to places like this with everyone, you know? Everything feels fresh, and it’s just fun.”

“So the one who looked the calmest was actually the most excited.”

“Then since we have the chance, why don’t we all take a picture together?”

Tenma apparently liked preserving memories through photos. In fact, he took pictures of ordinary scenery and filmed videos while they moved. He practically never let go of his camera. As a suggestion for Tenma, they proposed using this stretch of time, when the line barely moved, to take a group photo together.

“Ah! That sounds good!”

“I’m in favor too!”

“Alright, let’s take one together!”

“Do you want to use the selfie stick I brought?”

“Oh, thanks, Kaede. You’re well prepared.”

“No. I was looking forward to this too.”

The girls, who had been chatting excitedly on their own just moments ago, naturally joined Sorato and the others’ circle and eagerly squeezed into the smartphone camera attached to the selfie stick. Kaede stood in front of Tenma, Saki in front of Sorato, and Kaon in front of Kohaku, the girls lining up side by side as each struck a pose.

“Here we go, say cheese!”

Click.

As the shutter sound rang out from the phone, everyone huddled close around Tenma’s smartphone as he retracted the selfie stick.

“Ooooh.”

“This is good!”

“I look great today!”

“Me too… Hey! Natani-kun! You totally stuck a peace sign next to my head on purpose, didn’t you?!”

“Huh? What are you talking about~?”

Looking closely, there was a hand making a peace sign growing right beside Kaon’s face as she tilted her head cutely. Realizing it was clearly not an accidental shot, Kaon checked the photo with everyone and then closed in on Kohaku with the expression of a puppy about to bite.

“Hey! I ended up looking like a crab!”

“Hehe, you really get along well.”

“It’s like watching a comedy duo.”

“………”

Both Kaede and Tenma watched the exchange with warm smiles, but there was one person who, while clearly smiling, wore an expression as if thinking of something much deeper.

Hiiragi-san…

Saki Hiiragi harbored feelings for Kohaku Natani. However, the arrow of that person’s affection was pointed toward her own friend, the absolute idol, Kaon Natsuki. Because they had ended up in the same group, she felt the joy of being able to share time with him, all while carrying her feelings and trying to gather her courage. And Kohaku, using this opportunity, was trying to close the distance between himself and Kaon, even if just a little.

The happiness of enjoying things together, even as she chased after something she could never quite reach and the unmistakable direction of those arrows of affection. But…

“Hey! Kohaku-kun!? You’re always putting your hands all over Kaon-chan! Do you want to become a stalker or something?!”

“Huh!? That’s none of your business! And what’s with the stalker thing, you jerk?!”

“Shut up, idiot! Bleh~!”

“You’re seriously annoying! You…!?”

She didn’t break here and that strength was exactly what defined the girl known as Saki Hiiragi.

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