「It’s been a while since I came to an amusement park, but isn’t it kind of childish? Definitely not a place you’d come with your female friend.」
Amusement parks and theme parks give the impression of being full of children and families.
Apparently, the public’s perception is similar to mine, as we were surrounded by families.
「You’re noisy… I wouldn’t know either. Maybe my female friend who’s coming with is extremely fond of thrill rides or something?」
「I see, there was that possibility too.」
I had this preconceived notion that high school girls preferred shopping or going to their favorite artist’s concerts, but it seems there are people like this too.
「Look! It annoyed me when you said that, so I just looked it up, and female friends do go to theme parks!」
Hoshino shows me her smartphone screen, and indeed, it says so.
What’s this? Top 10 fun spots to go with the opposite sex?
Oi, you’re showing me the wrong site.
「Oi …it’s really for a date, isn’t it?」
「I-I told you! It’s not a date!! Why are you so suspicious!?」
「I mean, the site you’re showing me isn’t about popular spots for female friends, it’s a ranking of popular spots to go with the opposite sex, you know?」
「T-That can’t be… ah, you’re right…」
As Hoshino slides through the screen, the words “opposite sex” appear prominently.
「Well, you know… some guys think girls who get scared are cute, so I think it’s fine to just go for it without any practice?」
「I told you it’s not a date, and it can’t be! …I’d never want to come to a place like this with a guy I don’t even like, even if I died!」
「I-I see…」
In that case, what about me? A trivial thought crossed my mind, but I didn’t say anything, as it would likely add fuel to the fire.
「E-Enough. Anyway, I want to overcome my fear, so stick with me all day.」
「Yeah, yeah… I’ll stick with you all day…」
Seeing Hoshino happily lining up for the ticket booth, I decided to enjoy the day to the fullest, thinking that was fine.
〇
「I finally understand why you brought me here…」
I had been thinking that Aina-san would have been better, but now it all made sense.
「I didn’t expect it to be for the couple discount…」
This amusement park offers a couple discount on the third weekend of the month, and today happened to be that day, allowing us to buy all-day ride tickets at a 20% discount.
「T-That’s not it. I-I didn’t expect the couple discount either!」
Hoshino protests as if to say it’s outrageous.
It seems she didn’t plan it that way.
「Then there was no need to lie and pretend to be a couple, right?」
「We had no choice, did we? Would you rather miss out on a discount? You could have paid more if you wanted, though.」
「No, that’s…」
「See, you don’t want that either. Okay? This was unavoidable.」
「Yeah, it was unavoidable!」
Paying 20% more or pretending to be a couple isn’t even a question.
Since we’re not doing this in front of anyone from school, there’s no damage at all.
「But even as a couple, this pattern is a bit embarrassing.」
──Light Novels──
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「True, that is… yeah.」
Even with a couple ticket, a design scattered with pink heart marks all over is just too childish.
「W-Well, we don’t have to hang it around our necks all the time…」
「Yeah, I don’t mind it anyway.」
「Eh? What’s that supposed to mean?」
「Never mind, let’s go. I don’t want to get caught in a long line.」
With that, Hoshino forcefully pulls my hand.
With no choice, I was led straight to our target attraction.
〇
「I’ll say this first, we’re only riding roller coasters today as it’s practice for thrill rides.」
「I’m totally fine with that…」
If this were a date, it would be dull, but this isn’t a date, it’s practice for Hoshino to overcome her fear of thrill rides.
We met early in the morning to get as many rides as possible, and quickly bought tickets after the park opened, but when we reached our target roller coaster, there was already a long line of people.
「This is strange… we came pretty early, didn’t we?」
「Well, everyone thinks the same. We don’t have any other plans, so let’s just wait patiently and chat.」
「Y-Yeah… we haven’t talked much recently anyway…?」
「Really? I think our conversations have increased. I’m finishing the chores later than before…」
I’ve felt some awkwardness in our conversations since the sports festival, but the number of conversations has actually increased compared to before.
So, I don’t think our relationship has worsened.
「That’s because it doesn’t matter anymore. You make dinner for me every time, and since dinner time is fixed, it’s fine as long as I make it in time, sooner or later.」
It had already become an unspoken rule that we would eat together.
We talked about recent events and other trivial things, but there was something that had been bothering me about this recent change.
「True, but my work has decreased lately. You say you’ll do the laundry, clean the bath and toilet yourself, so all I do is clean the room, cook, and wash the dishes…」
At first, she was careless about everything, but now Hoshino, I don’t know why, has started taking care of her own things.
「O-Obviously! I can do it if I want to, and besides, it’s weird for a classmate to fold my clothes!」
「That’s normal. I wish I could have told the early you.」
I tried not to think about it, but even I felt uncomfortable folding a classmate’s clothes (except underwear).
At first, I was thrown everything and doubted common sense, but it seems there’s been some improvement.
「Uhh… I have my own thoughts too…」
Hoshino holds her head in embarrassment, as if remembering a dark past.
「I see, I see… But you’re doing great. You’ve learned to do it properly.」
「S-Shut up… It’s only natural I can do it. Don’t treat me like a child.」
Her cheeks flush with embarrassment, but she puffs them out a bit, seemingly dissatisfied.
「Then, you’ll be able to do even more from now on. That way, you won’t need housekeeping services anymore.」
「Eh…? Really?」
「Of course. It’s pointless to call for housekeeping when you can do it yourself.」
「True, but…」
「…You’ll become independent. That’s amazing!」
I thought I was praising her, but for some reason, Hoshino froze on the spot and just stared into my eyes.