Chapter 4 - Come, in the land of dreams and magic, by his or her side.
The sea breeze was blowing from the sea.
The tapestry hanging from the street lamp fluttered, and a loud voice echoed from the attraction in the distance.
White's Castle, the symbol of Destiny Land.
In the large square in front of it, everyone passing by seemed to be enjoying a dreamlike moment with a smile on their face.
Of course, there are also students from our school among them. In school uniforms, wearing a headband that resembles animal ears, wearing a popcorn holder around their neck, or enjoying themselves with all their might, I could see them everywhere.
Well, the excitement is understandable.
Fortunately, today was blessed with a warm clear sky. The fresh sunlight of early summer seemed to be a good day to spend. There is also the fact that it is a weekday, and there are fewer people compared to the high season, so it was extremely comfortable. If that's the case, you'll be motivated to enjoy it with all your might.
Having said that, I also enjoyed the morning.
Using the single ride system, I rode each attraction with zero waiting time, and enjoyed Destiny Land alone... but I got tired of it in a relatively normal way.
Thanks to Otomi-chan, or Tomioka-san.
Immediately after getting here, Otomi-chan, who thought I was going to take a look around on my own, was suspicious of me, spoke to me, and naturally started walking around with my classmates.
It was quite chaotic with the composition of Hayama and Ebina-san, Otomi-chan and all of her friends, but I was able to get along without any major problems. It's good because the attraction itself is fun, Destiny Land......
However, after lunch, as my meeting with Yukinoshita drew closer, I began to get a little restless.
We went through the attractions one by one, so where we would go next, we gathered and walked and passed in front of Baek-ah's castle.
This is the place we decided to meet.
At that point when I set foot on the square, I just stopped.
“...Ah-. Me, it's been a little bit since then, so at this point.”
When I spoke as if I had just remembered, my companions just stopped. Everyone was tilting their heads as if suspiciously, but among them there was a guy who looked at me suspiciously.
Of course it's Hayato Hayama. Hayama asked with an unpleasant and refreshing expression, as if he was paying attention on purpose. However, in those eyes, there was an indescribable amusement. “Why? What's wrong?”
“...well, kind of.”
As I pulled the ball, I answered with a smirk. Don't deliberately ask questions about topics you know. I was staring at Hayama with narrow eyes, so Otomi-chan intervened.
“You're going back with Yukinoshita-san!”
Otomi-chan, she gently put her hand to her mouth, and pretended to tell her secret story. However, it's okay if you don't say anything on purpose...
As I smiled bitterly and nodded vaguely, Ebina-sab came to me from the side as a gun and was making noises as if something was happening.
“Then then, let me leave this place for a while...”
Saying that, she looked slightly at Hayama. Hayama accepted that gaze and glanced at his watch.
“That's right......”
Perhaps Ebina-san will join Yuigahama and Miura. Judging from the way he spoke, Hayama seemed to be the same. Does that mean Tobe will be with me? Cheer up, Tobe... As she was sending support, Ebina-san gently waved her hand.
“Well then, see you Otomi and Hikitani-kun... Even if I say ..., maybe we'll meet again soon.”
Ebina-san, who said jokingly. However, those words had a prophetic meaning. In any case, we are all in the same park, and we are likely to meet again somewhere.
It’s really annoying..., I don't want to meet you... The same feeling came out on my face. Tomiokasan, who saw it, asked as if she had no qualms.
“Indeed. What would be better to do at a time like that, although I, for one, think we would definitely see each other.”
How should I answer that urgent question? As I was thinking, Hayama was answering me before me for some reason.
“A normal answer is fine, isn't it? It's annoying to be worried in a strange way, isn't it?”
Isn't it? And he asked me for consent just by looking at me, but that can't be the case. There will still be concerns. It's because I made a mistake with a smile, isn't Otomi-chan has the same expression on her face.
However, if you truly never want to meet, you have to reschedule another day, and I am the one who chose today. It is against the law to demand consideration from other guys. I grinned reluctantly and nodded in reply.
“Well, that kind of feeling. Then...”
Without denying or affirming, I slightly raised my hand and said goodbye. If you stay together like this, I will never be seen by Otomi-chan. I have declared
As I started to walk, waving my hand, everyone said goodbye and started heading to the next place. If possible, I don't want to see you again today. Well, let's go think about it when we meet. Pretend to yawn, pretend you didn't see it, and then turn your gaze away with all your might. I'm really good at that.
After breaking up with Hayama and the others, I sat down on the stairs at one end of the square.
Even though it is somewhat empty because it is a weekday, the front of the castle is a popular photography spot, so there are a lot of people coming and going.
I chose this place because it’s easier to spot someone, but I think it would have been better to have an emptier place......
In that way, I was worried, but it seems that I was completely wrong.
Even in the crowd, Yukinoshita Yukino was quickly found.
Flowing black hair, gracious movements, long slender legs, dignified gait, and above all, a white, slender face that is clearly visible from a distance.
Even if I think deeply, she is beautiful. Occasionally, many passersby turn around a little bit to see her beauty again.
Yukinoshita was walking with several girls from her class, but she suddenly saw me, and she stopped walking. Saying something to her friends, she waved her hand slightly and parted, and then she started coming this way with quick steps.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
“No, no, I just got here too.”
I think it's a stupid conversation, but when she asks that, the answer is fixed. When I said that, Yukinoshita smiled softly and said,
“It's really early. I wanted to be there first”
Yukinoshita sat down next to me, and gently rolled up her sleeves. Her slender wrist was wrapped in a cute wrist watch. The pink dial on the golden strap and her fair skin matches very well.
Hmmm, it's rare to see a wristwatch like this these days...she doesn’t wear it normally….
Yukinoshita her fists as if trying to confirm something, she repeats the action.
What, what's going on ... and, looking at her hand, I suddenly noticed.
“Ah, the fingernails.”
Her nails, which looked like a mixture of pink and gold, gleamed and gleamed in the sunlight, giving them a delicate impression like a master craftsman. Her ephemeral beauty, like her words, suited her well.
“...Great. You've noticed it.”
When she opens her mouth and looks at her with me twinkling eyes. Oh my God, to be looked at like that. I can't imagine being looked at like that. I whispered. But it was impossible to ignore. “I couldn't ignore such a loving gaze.”
“That's right. I am good at brain quizzes”
In that way, when I answered appropriately, Yukinoshita seemed to be slightly sullen.
“I'm not happy at all.”
Then, she punched my shoulder like a cat.
“Aww...it hurts”
It didn’t hurt at all but I replied out of courtesy, Yukinoshita turned her face the other way.
“I worked pretty hard...”
She pouted a little awkwardly, lowered her eyes lightly, and stared at the outstretched fingers intently.
No, really, this person...did a manicure for me just because of yesterday’s conversation. Even in that conversation, I definitely did not touch on a physical level. Even if it's so endearing, there must be a limit, right? You have to think about it from my point of view once in a while, right?
“Anyways, your nails are so cute. Would you mind me taking a look?”
I coughed very lightly, cleared my throat, tried to say this in a relaxed tone, and then I stretched out my hand.
Yukinoshita gave me a suspicious look, but after a while she stretched out her hand without saying a word.
I touched her finger lightly. I've touched it a few times, but there doesn't seem to be any sign of getting used to it.
“Heh-, ah, that's really cool-, so cute-. No, seriously... ...you did a pretty good job.”
I want to finish speaking in a straightforward manner like a girl, without showing any embarrassment, but it was not at all, and as a result of pretending to be calm, I became like Nakajima Seinosuke. I ended up completely irrational.
(Annotation: an entertainer who appraises antiques.)
“It's a weird way of complimenting."
As Yukinoshita smiled tiredly, she carefully entangled our fingers together. With a very weak force, as if biting with a smirk, I grabbed it back with the same force.
“........”
“........”
We didn't say anything to each other, we just exchanged the heat of our fingers. It was so comfortable that I didn't feel any discomfort in the silence, and I wanted to spend the rest of my life here.
However, you cannot stay here all the time. No, it's okay to be there, but I came to Destiny Land with a lot of effort. Let's slowly decide where to go next.
“Should we go? Is there something you haven't been able to ride yet?”
When asked that question, Yukinoshita tilted her head and shifted her gaze upwards, thinking. And then, she smiled a little embarrassed.
“There are still a lot of great rides at .......”
“Yes, indeed.”
I also laughed bitterly. It's already past lunch time, and it's probably after all the popular attractions have been ridden.
“For now, shall we go to the Pan-san’s Bamboo Fight?”
“Is that okay?”
I nodded with a bitter smile at Yukinoshita, who had a radiant expression on her face.
“Yeah. It's pretty fun even the second time.”
The moment I said that, Yukinoshita glanced away.
“...Yes, you can enjoy it no matter how many times, whether it's the 4th or the 5th.”
Ummm, I'm sure you said you rode it 3 times...
Well, on the 4th or 5th, you can ride as much as you like. It's okay if there are only fans in Destiny Land. Freedom is like that.
So, shall we go? And when I asked with only my gaze, a full nod came back.
I immediately stood up, grabbed her hand, and walked forward.
XXX
The second most popular attraction in Destiny Land, “The Pan-san’s Bamboo Fight”, is also enjoyable.
However, by the fourth time, it seems that you can feel a sense of euphoria and uplift without any pleasure. Yukinoshita, who administered Fan's OD (overdose), seemed to be in a fairly good mood, muttering “it’s so good...” and nodding every time we rode it.
The next destination was the Pan-san merch store.
“Because I was with my classmates, I couldn't take my time to shop at my pace......”
Yukinoshita said that with a bit of embarrassment. However, from this point of view, I can only say “Yes”. Pan-san power is scary.
As she entered the store, Yukinoshita's steps became lighter. She proceeded without hesitation. Well, well, feel free to take a look. I felt like watching my grandson, I leisurely decided to follow her from behind.
I followed Yukinoshita step by step for a while.
As she entered a corner where miscellaneous figures and items were placed, Yukinoshita's footsteps suddenly stopped.
“Oh, ears. Let's put on these ears.”
Yukinoshita, who seemed to be in quite a bit of tension, pointed her finger at the animal-eared headband who always said that they were excited kids. There were many different kinds of character headbands, but among them, Yukinoshita had in her hand, of course, the black bear ear with the name Pan-san, no they are panda ears because he’s a panda……. What’s that? It looks like it would be delicious if it was fried and then sprinkled with sugar, right? ......
Yukinoshita gave it to me with a soft smile.
“Come on, Hikigaya-kun, it's yours.”
“Eh... I've got my ears, so it's okay... And the price is quite...”
When I checked the price, it was pretty expensive. Hey, it can only be used in the Destiny land, isn't this price a bit inefficient for its use? No, it's good because it's a fan-oriented product. Anyway, I tried to quietly refuse because of the price.
However, Yukinoshita said with great determination.
“In that case, I will pay for it.”
“Hey, you're saying something very dangerous. Aren't you a little shy in general? I mean, why is this person so excited, aren't we together?”
“It's okay. Did't you come all the way here on purpose and you don’t care what other people think, don’t you? And no one is looking at you.”
Yukinoshita smiled a bit like a grown-up, slightly older sister. No, it's literally that. The way she speaks is a bit annoying. However, that logic had only one big problem.
“Usually. But, today is an outing. Many people know you here”
As soon as I said that, Yukinoshita, who had been so excited up until now, stopped moving.
Then, she glanced back at her school uniform. I also looked at my uniform. And staring at the panda ears in her hands, she put on an incredibly serious expression.
“It makes sense.”
After she breathed a sigh of relief, the coolness of those eyes returned. But, in the end, it was just an exercise in futility. Yukinoshita took the panda's ears and reluctantly turned to the mirror.
“I think it's fine...”
While muttering like that, Yukinoshita lightly tried on the panda ears. She looked in the mirror and smiled sadly as if she had suddenly given up.
Seeing that, this time my movements stopped abruptly.
Wait a minute.
..............................Eh, isn't that good?
I was so shocked that the impulsive words came out of my mouth.
“Very good. It's perfect for you. You have to buy it.”
“Is that right?”
Yukinoshita half-turned to look back, brushing her hand through her hair that were draped over her shoulder and straightening her bangs with her fingertips. No, it's okay if you don't do that.
“I know what you wear suits you, so second of that, your uniform looks great with those ears.”
“Are you complimenting me…?”
Yukinoshita was embarrassed for a moment, but her eyes suddenly narrowed in suspicion, and the tone of her voice dropped an octave. I'm praising you. I'm praising you. As I nodded immediately. Hmmm, arms crossed, mumble and continued thinking.
“It was a blind spot... There will be many opportunities to come to Destiny Land in the future, but this will probably be the last time we’ll come in school uniform...”
In other words, Yukinoshita dressed like this, this is the last time. There will not be a second time, it is a moment much more precious than a total solar eclipse or a grand cross.
After drawing a conclusion, I raised my head slightly and spoke with a particularly heavy, serious face.
“Absolutely, I'll pay for it.”
“When you say it like that, I've lost the desire to buy it....”
However, it seemed that Yukinoshita was shattered, perhaps because I spoke in such a heavy tone.
No, because you said the same thing just before... But my enthusiasm must have been conveyed. Suddenly, her lips loosened, and she pulled out another panda ear from the shelf.
“Well then. Here’s yours.”
“No, I'm fine.”
She reached out, but I stopped it with my hand and shook my head.
Then, Yukinoshita exceptionally shrugged her shoulders and sighed heavily.
“That's a pity.”
Having said that, after putting it on the shelf, I even tried to take off the panda ears that I was wearing on my head. The first thing I did was to take off the panda ears I was wearing on my head. “...... Wait a minute. ...... Let's talk about it again. “
After much deliberation, my voice was shaking. On the other hand, Yukinoshita raised her voice.
“Come on, take it.”
I quietly accepted the panda ear handed to me with a smile, and the two of us headed to the counter.
After finishing paying and leaving the store, Yukinoshita immediately put on the panda ears. And then, she stared at me, and sending me silent pressure as if to wear it quickly.
Well, I've seen people using it at my school, so it’s okay....... Even if I run into people I know, it won't do much damage now. Even if it did, I would think about it at least once every half a year, mutter, “...ah-. I did it. Whoa...”, and suddenly it would end up making me want to die. If I don't die, it's practically no damage. Having made that decision, I also put on the panda ears.
“Can I take a picture?”
Yukinoshita, who had a smartphone in her hand with an excited face, asked, and I nodded without making a sound. What could be more embarrassing than this? It's just a photo, it's nothing.
I thought so, but when Yukinoshita stood next to me shoulder to shoulder, I felt overwhelmed by the proximity. As much as I am not shy, I am usually shy and my heart is pounding.
Yukinoshita grabbed her smartphone and pressed the shutter a few times. Every time she took a picture her grip strength increased.
After taking the picture, Yukinoshita said, “How is it?........”, shyly showing her smartphone. Without even needing to check it on purpose, Yukinoshita's panda ears were so cute that it made me smile, and mine was a very regrettable level of perfection.
“No, it's not for me. ......”
Without realizing it, I said it myself. Then, Yukinoshita tilted her head slightly. “Really? I think it's fine.”
“Where?”
When asked that question, Yukinoshita grinned and put a hand on her chin, and started thinking.
Tick tock tock tock. ......Then, please announce the answer. I looked up, and Yukinoshita raised her head and smiled teasingly.
“Well it’s fun.”
“Ears don't matter.”
“Ears are important. Just having them makes you feel like you are at Destiny Land.”
“Well, I feel like I'm having fun...”
Even if it was the result of getting into the atmosphere on the spot, in a broad sense, it could be said that I like Destiny. The guy who hates it won't come here in the first place.
“By the way, this is a story I've heard somewhere...”
When Yukinoshita groaned and coughed a little, looking in the far direction, strangely hesitating something, he made a premise.
"I heard that the person who declared to me that he likes Destiny Land wants to touch my hand right away."
And then, she smiled as if she was trying to make fun of me. At the story she had heard somewhere, I smiled bitterly involuntarily. Then, this side also coughed once, and bounced back with a very light flow.
“Is it real, what is the source of this information? Is there such a great guy out there? It doesn't matter, but those nails are so cute. Can you show them to me?”
Instead of answering, Yukinoshita smiled happily and stretched out her hand. I straightened the collar of my blazer, wiped the sweat from my hand and gently touched her hand. Interlacing our fingers so that they are tight and cross each other. I grabbed it as gently as possible.
“So, what’s next?”
“That's right......”
Yukinoshita tilted her head slightly, waving our connected hand, thinking a little, then raised her index finger slightly.
“Would you like to ride it?”
The Blue eastern sky stretched to a long distance. Beneath it was Sprite Mountain, a gigantic mountain illuminated by the sunset.
(Note: Sprite Mountain is the same ride at which Yukino said to Hachiman “save me someday” in season 2.)
XXX
As I was just standing in line at Sprite Mountain, the reverberation of the western sky glowed red by the afterglow of the setting sun.
The waiting time in line was not great. There was no fast pass, probably thanks to the weekdays, but the queue quickly moved forward, and I was able to get on it surprisingly quickly. So far there have been no problems. But there was only one problem, Yukinoshita Yukino is afraid of heights.
The ride proceeded extremely slowly, and as the comical tagging story of Weasel and Ferret unfolded.
The course had a small drop in the middle, but it was generally flat, and the last drop was the only the biggest thrill.
However, Yukinoshita, who was sitting next to me, was holding her safety bar firmly with both hands from the beginning, as if bracing for an impact.
When she was in line, she said, “No problem.” “Because I got used to it to some extent.” “I want to take revenge.” She waved her head and expressed her ease, but after riding the ride, she got into the state of scared cat.
I thought of something that would at least distract her and relax her, so I lowered my voice and talked to her.
“Are you scared?”
“No, nothing like that. It's the same as usual.”
Yukinoshita spoke confidently, then smirked and nodded in response. However, it is not convincing at all because of her moving eyes, broken words, and stiff cheeks.
Well, as long as she could still smile, I can say that she is more relaxed then last Christmas. If the tension was released a little more, I think I would be able to ride surprisingly normally. With that thought in mind, I said.
“I also rode the monorail, and I'll be fine. It's even safer than the monorail.”
“Hearing that, I'm afraid to ride the monorail...”
“Relax. Considering the safety of the Chiba City Monorail, it’s running well enough. It's the best monorail in the world.”
“Your tone of voice is full of consideration...”
Yukinoshita suddenly smiled as if tired of it, and shrugged her shoulders a little. The strength of her back, which had been stretched out, was lost, and the tense expression on her face seemed to have loosened to some extent.
The attractions are already over the middle of the course. While the group of frogs were singing while making splashes of water, a weasel ball and a ferret were running towards the goal. If you get out of here, all that's left is a climax, a thrilling big drop awaits.
“Well.”
Yukinoshita released her grip on the safety rail and gently extended her hand towards me. Although there were no explicit words, the palm of her hand was directed toward me and seemed to be waiting for something.
What does this hand mean? Is it okay to hold it because I'm scared? Are you okay? Are you fine? Looking suspiciously at Yukinoshita's hand and face, I alternately looked at it.
However, Yukinoshita didn't say anything either. She was just sending a timid, anxious look.
...Well, that would be fine. After coming to a conclusion, I wiped my hand on my uniform and gently overlapped her hand.
Then, Yukinoshita laughed softly. Her previous anxious expression had disappeared, and she leaned her body forward a little bit and looked up at my face, she said teasingly.
“Is it okay if I don't compliment the nail now?”
“You don't need to praise nails anymore?”
Saying she was tired, Yukinoshita quietly shook her head.
“No, it's okay. It's better to hold hands without saying anything...”
As she finished her words, Yukinoshita gently turned her gaze away from me and looked in front of her. It's like she's deliberately trying not to look this way. However, on the other side of the shiny black hair hanging from her side face, the cheeks had a very slight vermilion tint, my face also turned red.
I sighed and relaxed, and instead applied a little more force to the intertwined fingers.
“That's right...... I'm glad all of my completing patterns have already run out.”
“You only had one pattern, right?”
With a sigh, Yukinoshita laughed.
Obviously, we're getting rid of excuses one by one in this way.
We go through an excuse-like process, turn around and compare them, and pull each other's words out little by little, giving them an outline.
Let it be conveyed without saying anything. Until that happens, I'll say it over and over again.
Before long, ride made its way down the dark course. It made a rattling noise, and began to slowly climb up. I saw her face in the night sky through the empty cave as I progressed.
“Ne, Hikigaya-kun.”
As we were about to reach the summit, Yukinoshita called me in a low voice. Turning to her side, she gently reclined and whispered as if telling a secret.
“......I love you.”
Just three letters, she said.
The sweet breath that she exhaled nibbled on my earlobe, the woven fingers were weaving all the way to her chest. I spoke suddenly, and my voice was cut off.
Yukinoshita was embarrassed, but she never looked away. She looked up as if squinting, as if she was still waiting.
Just as the cart reached the top, before it fell, it stopped for a moment, and the eyes were filled with a jewel-like night light.
...Ah, I got hit. I've fallen into her trap completely. I didn't have to press hard, but I was already in it, I can't help but say something.
I gave strength to the connected hands and opened my mouth when we were about to fall. I only whispered two or three letters from my mouth? Maybe five or eight letters.
Without even having time to count it, without even thinking about it, the voices and words disappeared with the night breeze.
It fell a long time ago, but it continued to fall further down.
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