After taking a series of trains, we arrived at our destination amusement park. We showed our tickets to the staff and immediately entered.

“Now then, let’s enjoy our double date!”

Shiori-chan, who had organized this outing, said energetically. The guy next to her, Hayabusa Shu-kun, remained as quiet and cool as ever. Was this what made a man attractive these days…?

Mina poked me in the side. She spoke in a low voice.

“You were thinking something weird just now, weren’t you?”

“I was wondering if I’d become more attractive if I reduced how much I talk…”

“I knew you were thinking about something stupid.”

“It’s harsh to call it stupid! I’m just trying to become worthy of Mina—”

“Mina-chan and her boyfriend are whispering to each other~ You two must be close!”

“Ah, th-that’s not what—!”

Shiori-chan, who seemed to misunderstand something, was looking at us enviously. She was also watching with a calm expression as Mina blushed and shook her head in denial… This girl had potential!!

After briefly introducing ourselves to each other, we headed to the attractions since we had time.

Thanks to the girls getting fast passes for each attraction, we were able to smoothly hop from one thrilling ride to another, including roller coasters.

Next was the merry-go-round. There were some attractions you enjoyed by experiencing them, and others you enjoyed by watching others have fun. Since it was daytime, elementary school children were enjoying themselves while their parents watched with pleasure.

“Hayabusa-kun~!”

“Big bro— I mean, Shotaro…kun.”

“You two are having fun~”

“…”

I waved enough for the quiet Hayabusa-kun too.

As for us, we were a bit tired from the attractions, so we sat down on a bench beside the merry-go-round.

The merry-go-round rotated slowly while playing music as we watched it.

“Um, Shotaro-san.”

“Hm? What is it?”

“Can I ask for some advice…?”

It was unusual for this cool and quiet guy to ask me for advice since we’d arrived at the amusement park.

“If it’s something I can help with.”

“Th-thank you. I have this kind of personality, what you might call being cold… I can’t honestly express my feelings to my girlfriend…”

“I see…”

It seemed Shu-kun wasn’t just playing a cool character but was actually a shy boy who couldn’t express his feelings. That gap between appearances and reality was charming. Handsome guys got away with anything, didn’t they?

“Hmm… What do you most want to tell your girlfriend?”

“Well… that I like her… and stuff.”

He scratched his cheek and spoke softly out of embarrassment. Even that looked handsome, damn it!!

“Your voice is too quiet! One more time.”

“Eh?! Um, I want to say I like her…”

“One more time!”

“I want to tell her that I like her!”

On the third try, his voice became clearly audible.

“So Shu-kun likes his girlfriend.”

“Well, that’s obvious, isn’t it…? I was the one who confessed in the first place…”

“I see. Hey, Shu-kun. Those words ‘I like you’ are something you need to say even if you’re embarrassed, you know? Because you do like her. You need to confirm to yourself that you truly like her by telling her so. Then it will naturally lead to action. Besides, the more you say ‘I like you’, the more your partner will shine in your eyes.”

I tried giving him a wink.

“I see… That’s true. I’ll try my best!!”

“Yeah, do your best!!”

I was glad I was able to motivate him.

But still, liking someone, huh… Depending on the time and circumstance, those three words could easily change human relationships. Love was complicated…

Since we were getting hungry, we decided to buy whatever we wanted at the food court, which meant splitting up for a while.

“Phew, I might be a bit tired…”

“Of course you are, after riding all those rides back-to-back.”

“But we’re at an amusement park! It’d be a waste not to ride everything, right? Though I’m thinking of going to some more relaxed places in the afternoon.”

I was tired too. I thought Mina and I would be all lovey-dovey, but she’d been non-stop on the attractions… I lost out by having strange expectations.

“Shotaro-kun, what are you going to eat?”

She seemed to have gotten used to calling me by my name.

“I’m really hungry, so… maybe that hamburger place?”

“Okay. Then I’ll have that too.”

“Are you sure? I thought Mina would want pancakes.”

“W-well, it’s a special date, so I want to eat the same thing as you…”

“…”

This unexpected honesty was not fair at all, tsundere little sister!!!

“Ah, there they are~!”

As we were purchasing our hamburgers and wondering what else to get, Shiori-chan approached us at a run.

“Huff, huff… I forgot to tell you the purpose of today!”

“Purpose?”

“Yes. Actually, today’s double date has a separate purpose. That is…”

“That is?”

“…?”

“To kiss during the date.”

“Huh?” we both said in unison.

For a moment, that bombshell statement took my consciousness away, but somehow I managed to keep my sanity.

No, actually I couldn’t. I couldn’t hide my confusion.

K-kissing my little sister!?!?

“…Hmm, that’s interesting to hear.”

Chapter 14: This Time The Mob Character Gets Interrupted

In the afternoon, we split up to do our own things. The reason being, during lunch, Shu-kun must have honestly expressed his feelings because he and Shiori-chan were acting extremely lovey-dovey, so I suggested we separate. It didn’t feel right for us, the fake couple, to intrude on their genuine romantic atmosphere.

“Hey, want to check out that place over there?”

“Which one… oh.”

I pointed ahead. In that direction was a haunted house.

I didn’t miss how Mina trembled for a moment.

“I heard rumors that this haunted house is seriously haunted… Oof!!”

Just as I was about to scare her more, Mina punched me in the stomach.

“D-don’t say things like that!”

“Ow, sorry…”

She really hated this kind of thing…

“Well then, enjoy yourselves~”

After being shown some eerie footage at the beginning, we entered the haunted house accompanied by the cheerful staff member’s voice. In the end, despite her fear, Mina had insisted on going in.

The creepy background music and wind blowing from somewhere. And then…

“Kyaaaa!!!”

“Eep!!”

The screams of customers who entered before us heightened the fear. As for Mina, she was clinging to my arm so tightly I could barely breathe.

“Mina-san, I can’t walk like this.”

“Sh-sh-shut up! Big brother’s job is to protect me!”

Of course I wanted to protect her, but this haunted house was pretty scary.

From behind the walls came knocking sounds and rattling noises, sending fear through both our eyes and ears. The flashlight we received upon entering was weak and only illuminated a short distance ahead. With each step, the sense of fear grew stronger.

The red light made the atmosphere even more eerie.

“Aaaaah…”

“Th-there’s something there!!!”

The moment we turned a corner, a pale-faced woman appeared crawling on the ground.

We carefully sidestepped to avoid stepping on her.

“This is too scary! Why did you suggest coming here?”

“Well, you’re the one who insisted on entering.”

“That’s because you made fun of me for not being able to go in!”

“True, but I also told you that you didn’t have to force yourself.”

“A-anyway, it’s all big brother’s fault!!”

She turned her face away with a huff, though she still held onto the edge of my shirt.

Come to think of it, I’d heard that haunted houses brought out people’s true nature, and some couples broke up after the boyfriend showed his pathetic side… or maybe I was just imagining that.

Well, since I was the one who’d suggested entering the haunted house, I should take responsibility.

I extended my hand toward Mina.

“Wh-what…? Money at a time like this?”

“No, not that. I thought holding hands might reduce the fear by half. To be honest, I’m terrified too. We’re supposed to be a couple today, right? Let’s split the fear between us.”

Mina looked at me with a dumbfounded expression. Wh-what was up with that look? Was trying to be cool so bad?

“H-hmph, if big brother is scared too, then I guess I have no choice…”

She took my outstretched hand.

We started walking again. Both of us fell silent out of embarrassment, but thanks to this, the fear was somewhat reduced. Was this what they called the suspension bridge effect?

“AAAAAAAAAHHHH!!”

“UWAAAAAHHH!!”

We decided to believe it was just our imagination that the volume of the haunted house actors seemed to increase.

We managed to safely exit the haunted house. Our skin had been crawling the entire time, and if the experience had been just five minutes longer, our bodies might not have held up.

Mina said she felt sick and went to the bathroom. I was also taking a break on a bench, drinking a beverage. When Mina returned, I’d give her the drink I’d bought for her and we could chat a bit.

“Ah… today is a good day…”

From days of monitoring and interfering with the main characters to going on a date with my sister.

If this were an eroge where I was the protagonist, a faithful ending with my sister would be nice…

While I was daydreaming about such things, I sensed someone behind me.

“Hello. The weather is nice today, isn’t it?”

Someone was talking to me. A staff member, perhaps?

“Ah, yes it is… wait.”

As I turned around with a smile, there was a familiar face.

Short black hair and a seemingly pure appearance. That was just her appearance though; inside she was the boyfriend-stealing heroine.

“Why are you here…”

“What’s the problem? Anyone can come to an amusement park, right?”

Nanaka smiled brightly.