Part 2
When you hear the word "theme park," most people naturally think of the attractions.
And they wouldn’t be wrong. Going to a theme park and not riding the attractions is unthinkable. In fact, what else would you do there if not enjoy the rides?
...But that’s assuming it’s purely about having fun.
When it comes to a date (though I doubt Kagehito himself realizes this), you need to broaden your perspective. On that note, I have to say that Otoha’s view is far too narrow.
I had one of the Tendou family staff monitor them with a camera, and when I saw the two of them entering the horror attraction, I immediately understood Otoha’s intent.
She likely aimed to use the horror attraction as an excuse to cling to Kagehito, holding onto him as much as she pleased. Sweet, isn’t it? But if Kagehito could be swayed by such straightforward tactics, he would’ve fallen for me ages ago.
The mistake was thinking such a conventional approach would work in the first place.
No, Otoha’s failure began the moment her focus was solely on the attractions.
(A theme park isn’t just about the attractions, you know.)
My decision to intentionally take the second turn was entirely calculated.
The timing for the switch was just before lunch, which meant I’d get to have a meal with Kagehito. And not just any meal.
The meal itself would be simple: sandwiches you could buy from the park’s food stalls. But these weren’t ordinary sandwiches—they became wildly popular thanks to a hit romantic drama.
The trend, as seen all over social media, involves sitting on a specific bench in an area used for filming the drama and sharing the same sandwiches as the lead characters, emulating the romantic scene with your partner.
That’s right—this is my plan. To do this with Kagehito. He’s bound to notice, “Oh, this is just like the drama!” and then… his heart will start racing for me.
Goodness, what a perfect strategy. It’s so flawless that even I find it terrifying.
Moreover, my choice to go second makes my judgment shine even brighter.
By taking the second turn, I can fully exploit the advantage of sharing lunch together.
(Sorry, Otoha… but this time, victory is mine.)
All I need to do is invite Kagehito to lunch, and success will be in my grasp.
There’s not a single flaw in my flawless strategy!
"Then let’s head out right away. …You know? I’ve already got a spot in mind. It’s super popular among couples on social media—"
"In that case, shall we step outside the facility? There’s a truck waiting outside with Tendou family chefs, ingredients, and equipment," Kagehito interjected.
"………………………………"
The plan fell apart right from the start.
"Y-Young Lady…?"
"……………………Why?"
"Huh?"
"……………………Why is something like that standing by?"
"Well… um… considering it’s only natural to provide a meal worthy of you, Young Lady…"
Well, that’s true, but…!
Pointlessly competent…! My servants are just too pointlessly competent…!
…No, it’s too soon to give up. Tendou Hoshine.
How to navigate this predicament—it’s not just a test of my resourcefulness as a daughter of the Tendou family, is it?
"…I see. By the way, can we contact those chefs who are on standby outside?"
"That is… yes. Of course…"
"…I have something I’d like to discuss. Could you call them for me?"
For now, I take the smartphone from my shadow attendant and get connected to the mentioned chefs.
"Hello. It’s me."
"My deepest apologies, Young Lady…!"
The voice of the chef, who has served the Tendou family since before I was born, sounded more apologetic than I’d ever heard before.
"…Why are you apologizing?"
"Although I tried to deny it with the Kagehito… today was supposed to be a date, wasn’t it?"
What an incredibly perceptive chef.
"That’s right… at least, that’s what I had in mind."
"I thought so too, and I tried my utmost to refrain. But when I was lectured for about five hours on the importance of your health and providing meals worthy of you, as someone serving the Tendou family, I couldn’t possibly refuse…"
"I'm sorry about my Kagehito…"
I didn’t think they’d go as far as giving a five-hour speech. If only that passion could be directed toward dulling their overly sharp intuition.
"I'm sorry for keeping you waiting unnecessarily. You can head back now. I’ll let Father and Mother know to add a little extra to your paycheck this month."
"Oh, not at all. Please don’t worry about it. More importantly, I’ll be quietly praying that your date goes well."
What a thoughtful chef.
They’re excessively competent, even in areas unrelated to cooking. I’ll negotiate with Father and Mother to raise his salary. Perhaps we should also arrange a special bonus.
"The chefs said they suddenly had something come up and are heading back immediately."
"What? Wait, I didn’t hear anything about that…"
"They said they’d like you to get your meal at one of the establishments within the facility."
"Oh, uh, alright…"
Phew. There were a few stumbles, but this will do.
Once I clear the initial hurdle, everything else will be fine.
My perfect plan starts here!
•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•
"I'm sorry. We've sold out."
The sandwiches that the Young Lady had her eyes on were, unfortunately, sold out.
"This stand has other locations, right? Do they have any left there…?"
"Well… thanks to the drama's influence, the demand has been overwhelming. Lately, they’ve been selling out everywhere by the morning."
Apparently, these sandwiches were exclusive to this area, so it seemed unlikely we’d get any today.
"That’s unfortunate. Young Lady, maybe we should try something else…"
"………"
Once again, the light had disappeared from the Young Lady's eyes.
This time, though, it seemed like an added layer of despair had been piled on top.
How strange. On the way to this stand, she was in such a good mood, brimming with confidence as if she’d already won some great victory (though what kind of victory, I had no idea).
"My… perfect plan…"
She was unusually upset for simply missing out on a sandwich. Was she really looking forward to it that much?
Come to think of it, the Young Lady was an avid fan of that drama where these sandwiches appeared. She’s always been the type to watch romance dramas so intently that she’d jot down notes in a notebook. That’s probably why she was so excited about these sandwiches—and why missing out hit her so hard.
"Uh, um, Young Lady? I can go and buy the sandwiches for you next time…"
"That wouldn’t mean anything…"
"Doesn't mean anything? What do you mean?"
I’d seen that drama too… The sandwich itself was nothing extraordinary. Sure, the ingredients were a bit more refined, and the taste was better than your average convenience store sandwich, but it wasn’t anything so special that it warranted this kind of reaction.
…Did I miss something? I wasn’t as invested in the show as the Young Lady was. How careless of me. Perhaps I should rewatch it when I get home.
"…No. Not yet. Not yet!"
It seemed the Young Lady had snapped out of her shock. Her eyes now shone with a fierce determination as she regained her composure.
"Kagehito, we’re moving."
"Understood. And what about your meal…?"
"We’ll eat on the move. Let’s grab something along the way."
"With all due respect, eating while walking is unbecoming of a Tendou family lady…"
"The Tendou family? A lady? Throw that useless title to the dogs for all I care."
"Young Lady!?"
That’s definitely not okay. It’s way too expensive to be turned into dog food. Besides, even the dogs would probably be confused.
"Listen, Kagehito. In this world, there are things far more important than such trivial matters."
"I don’t think the Tendou family name is trivial, but… may I ask what’s so important?"
"The drama’s filming location."
"Young Lady???"
Sure, the drama’s filming location is important… probably. I’ve heard that some locations have been booming thanks to that show’s influence. Yes, important.
But. Still.
(Is it… more important than the Tendou name…?)
She said it so boldly that I’m starting to feel confused.
This can’t be right… No, wait. If the Young Lady is this confident, maybe I’m the one who’s wrong? What’s going on here?
While grappling with my confusion, I followed behind the Young Lady.
"Young Lady, I’ll get lunch, so please wait a moment. Is there anything you’d like?"
"As long as it fills me up, I don’t care. Moving takes priority right now."
"U-Understood…"
As long as it fills me up—isn’t that a bit too wild for someone of her status? Still, I picked up a hot dog and a drink from a nearby food stand. I debated getting churros but went with the hot dog since it seemed closer to a sandwich.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
"Thanks. Now, let’s hurry."
The Young Lady took the hot dog and drink and continued walking briskly ahead.
Her fiery, determined gaze stayed fixed forward as she bit into the bread with her small mouth while on the move—without so much as a glance at the hot dog.
…Surprisingly, it suited her.
This theme park is divided into several areas, each themed after a different "story." In the drama, the emotions of the characters were often linked to the themes of these areas.
Oh, right. One of the most iconic scenes in the drama featured the hero and heroine on a date, sitting on a bench beside an object themed after a rabbit and a pocket watch, eating sandwiches.
…Ah, there it is. The object with the rabbit and pocket watch motif. And over there, the bench where…
"…It’s full…!?"
The Young Lady stood there, utterly stunned.
The bench in question was swarmed with couples, as if they were trying to outdo one another. They were snapping photos, flirting, and enjoying their dates to the fullest.
…Ah, I see now. That must be why the sandwiches were sold out.
Still, I have to say… it doesn’t really capture the atmosphere of the drama. If anything, the crowd ruins the sweet, romantic vibe that the scene was supposed to have.
Well, those couples probably don’t care. As long as they get to go on a date, or better yet, snap a good photo, that’s likely all that matters to them.
"Young Lady, what would you like to do? We could wait our turn, but..."
"……No, let's not. It doesn't seem like the atmosphere would be right…"
Ah… what a shame. The Young Lady seems quite disheartened. She must have been looking forward to touring the drama's filming locations.
•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•
It was completely unexpected. No, to be precise, nothing had gone right from the very beginning.
I was supposed to dash up the stairs leading to the glory of victory, but instead, it feels like I’ve tripped over a stone and am now tumbling helplessly down.
No. It's too soon to give up, Tendou Hoshine.
One's true character is tested in the face of adversity.
Counting only the things I’ve lost and wallowing in despair won’t improve the situation.
I need to look carefully. There must be something I can do right now—some clue to break through this predicament…!
As I surveyed my surroundings, I noticed the bench I was supposed to use was occupied by a couple feeding each other churros they’d bought.
One of them was plain, and the other seemed to be chocolate.
“Chocolate’s so good! Hey, I kind of want to try your plain one. Can I have a taste?”
“Sure. Here, say ‘ahh.’”
“Ahh… Mmm! So good! Want to try the chocolate one?”
“Yeah, yeah. Ahh…”
They were feeding each other bites of churros, one after the other.
This—this is it! Yes, this is something I can do without being tied down to any specific spot! And… and it even comes with the chance for an indirect kiss! It’s such a natural progression…! What a flawless plan this is!
“H-hey, Kagehito. Could I… could I have a taste of yours? I’ll let you try mine too.”
"Young Lady, there’s nothing to taste; it’s the same hot dog..."
D-drat…! Why did I settle for hot dogs…!?
This doesn’t allow for any tasting at all! If only it were churros—churros would’ve allowed for a plausible excuse to feed each other bites!
No. It’s too soon to give up. I’ll come up with some random reason to make the tasting happen…!
"Thank you for the meal."
He’s… finished eating!?
"Y-you eat pretty fast, don’t you?"
"I often eat during breaks at work, so I’m used to it."
Now that he mentions it, that does make sense. It explains a lot.
But hold on. Kagehito, you’re still a high school student, aren’t you? Isn’t this too much work for someone your age? Shouldn’t you at least take your time with meals? This calls for a complaint—no, a formal protest to Father…
"That can’t be very filling, can it? Here, I’ll share mine with you."
"Thank you, but I’m not so hungry that I’d take food from you, Young Lady. I appreciate the thought."
"Eat more! You’re a growing teenage boy!"
"Why are you so desperate!?"
Of course I’m desperate! Nothing has gone right so far!
My perfect plan is crumbling to pieces!
"Please don’t worry about me, Young Lady. Take your time and enjoy your meal."
"(Nom nom nom… gulp.) Kagehito. Don’t you think you’d like something sweet after your meal?"
"That was fast…!? Y-Young Lady!?"
"You want something sweet, don’t you?"
"Uh, yes… I suppose…"
(I won’t give up here…! At the very least, I’ll manage to pull off an ‘Ahh’ moment!)
Now the question is: what should we eat? I must avoid repeating the mistake of choosing something like the hot dog earlier. I need to think quickly and strategically, finding the best possible option in the shortest time.
This is a difficult problem… harder than scoring perfect marks in every subject on a school exam. At least tests have definite answers—that makes them easy by comparison. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind someone creating a strategy guide for this situation. I’d pay whatever they asked. No, focus! I’m getting distracted. The current issue is what to eat.
Churros are a no-go. Well, they’re not terrible, but eating while walking might get me scolded by Kagehito again. Plus, I’ve just failed with something from a food stall. Repeating the same mistake is unacceptable.
That means something indoors would be better. I’m pretty sure there’s a restaurant nearby. If I order dessert there, it’ll solve everything. Besides, in a restaurant, Kagehito won’t have a reason to scold me, and I can take my time eating.
It’s decided. I’ve memorized the theme park’s map down to the smallest detail and know my exact location to the coordinates. I’ve already calculated the shortest route to the restaurant. Perfect. This time, everything will be flawless! (All of this in 0.002 seconds.)
"I feel like your brilliant mind was just used for something completely trivial, Young Lady."
"Not at all. In fact, you could say this is the most I’ve ever put it to use."
The school tests are a much bigger waste of time. I can fill in all the answer sheets in five minutes, and then I’m stuck, unable to do anything else. So I end up using the rest of the test time to brainstorm ways to win Kagehito over. Though, since every plan I’ve come up with so far has failed, I suppose test time really is wasted.
"Kagehito, let’s have dessert at the restaurant."
And so, we made our way to the restaurant together.
Since it was a busy time of day, there was a bit of a wait, but that couldn’t be helped. It would cut into the time we planned to meet Otoha later, but it was within acceptable limits. No… I’ll just have to force myself to accept it. Yes, I’ll allow it. I’ll make myself allow it.
The restaurant, while presented as such in its world-building theme, was closer in setup to a food court. You ordered your meal at a counter, found an available seat, and waited. When your food was ready, you went back to the counter to pick it up.
I ordered the desserts I had in mind (making sure to choose different flavors for each) and sat down at an open table. After all the walking we’d been doing, it was a relief to finally sit and rest. …Ah, the chilled water is so refreshing. It feels like it’s comforting and soothing me after everything that hasn’t gone right today.
"Who knew water could taste this good…"
"The water you normally drink at the estate should be of an incomparable quality, both in taste and refinement."
True, in terms of cost, that might be accurate. But the water at the estate doesn’t comfort me the way this does.
"…Ah, it seems our desserts are ready."
The small buzzer handed to us at the counter started vibrating and emitting a beeping alarm to signal the food was done. Kagehito immediately stood up.
"I’ll bring it over right away. Please wait here for a moment."
I thought about going with him but decided against it almost immediately.
Either way, someone had to stay behind to keep the table.
"Alright, I’m counting on you. Come back quickly, okay?"
"Understood."
With a smile that made my heart skip a beat just from watching, Kagehito gracefully walked off to retrieve the desserts.
I wanted to keep watching Kagehito, but he quickly disappeared into the crowd.
Left with nothing to occupy my hands or mind while waiting for him to return, I closed my eyes and focused on the sounds around me. It wasn’t as if I was expecting anything particularly interesting—this was part of my research. By listening to conversations between couples or families, I could gather hints for my strategy to win Kagehito over. …Not that it’s ever yielded any useful results so far.
I don’t mean to brag, but I have excellent hearing. It’s not just that I hear well—I can also distinguish sounds with precision. Even now, I can make out the crying of a baby and the conversations around it that are almost drowned out. I could even guess the baby’s gender just from the sound of its cries.
Actually, my abilities aren’t limited to hearing. My eyesight is sharp, my sense of smell is keen, and my taste buds are sensitive. And let’s not forget my figure—it’s flawless. If anyone embodies the phrase "perfect proportions," it’s me. I’m fully aware that my appearance appeals to most boys.
If anything, my excellence might make others feel inadequate around me. That might be a bit of a problem, but hey, I’m Tendo Hoshine. It can’t be helped.
…Still, despite all this, Kagehito remains utterly oblivious to my feelings.
"――――Would you shut up already!?"
As I sat sighing to myself, I heard an unpleasant angry voice coming from a nearby table.
"Can’t you stop that brat from wailing!? It’s so damn annoying!"
"I’m so sorry… I’m really sorry…"
It seemed there was some kind of trouble brewing.
The voice of frustration came from a group of college-aged men sitting at a nearby table, irritated by a crying baby. There were two of them… no, three. They were well-built, with the shortest among them measuring around 183 centimeters tall (by my estimate, though since they were seated, there could be a margin of error down to the millimeter).
"Why the hell would you bring a kid to a place like this!? You’re disturbing everyone else!"
"We’ll leave right away… I’m so sorry…"
The father of the baby seemed to be a naturally timid person. Likely in his early thirties, he was bowing repeatedly to the younger men, apologizing profusely.
The college students grinned smugly, clearly reveling in a sense of superiority. But to me, that father was the one with true dignity.
To endure humiliation for the sake of protecting something precious—that is strength.
"Pathetic, isn’t it? Hey, old man, aren’t you supposed to be a man?"
"Groveling like that—aren’t you ashamed?"
"Hey, kid. Don’t grow up to be a pathetic loser like your dad, alright? Hahaha!"
It was clearly directed at his child, and it was nothing short of cowardly and despicable.
"Your voice is grating. Could you kindly shut your mouth?"
It felt as though the entire place had fallen into silence. No, in reality, a profound stillness had settled over the air.
Was it just a coincidence? Even the baby had stopped crying.
Well, maybe the baby was so moved by my gesture—coming all the way over from my seat just to look at them—that they decided to stop crying altogether.
"...Huh?"
"Wait. Are you talking to us?"
"Who else would I be addressing? Honestly, filthy people like you must have rotting brains."
"Well, well... You've got a lot to say, don’t you?"
The three college students stood up from their seats, looming over me like a towering shadow.
Their demeanor made it clear—they knew exactly how imposing their physiques were.
"What? You got a problem with us or something?"
"Of course I do. Babies cry—it’s practically their job. Sure, it’s understandable that you might find it annoying as unrelated strangers, but resorting to intimidation? How utterly immature."
"You little... Don’t get cocky."
"Oh my. Not as much as you are, though."
The stench of alcohol is overwhelming, and from the looks of it, they’re completely drunk. This place doesn’t sell alcoholic beverages, so... did they sneak it in? I’ll have to make sure they tighten the security checks for contraband next time.
"You think I won’t hit you just because you’re a woman?!"
A massive fist came hurtling toward me. But it never reached its target.
Before that could happen—someone stepped in. Kagehito’s hand gripped the arm swinging the fist, clamping down with a force like a steel vise.
"I believe I asked you to wait."
"I was waiting. That’s why I’m standing here like this, isn’t it?"
"I don’t mind your recklessness, but it’s troublesome when you act expecting me to intervene."
"That’s not going to change. I always rely on you. But... is he going to be okay?"
The man whose arm was caught by Kagehito was turning pale, his mouth opening and closing like a fish gasping for air.
This wasn’t just pain—he might’ve lost all feeling in his arm by now.
"It’s self-defense."
He gave a bright, pleasant smile, but... oh, he’s angry.
"Who the hell are you?!"
"You’ve gotta be kidding me!"
The other two lunged at the shadowy figure. Resorting to violence in a public place like this—they were utterly oblivious to their surroundings.
Against these two thugs-turned-brawlers, Kagehito remained composed. In the blink of an eye, one was sent sprawling to the ground, while the other had his shoulder joint dislocated. The moves were so precise and seamless that to the onlookers, it must have seemed as though the two attackers had simply tripped and fallen on their own.
"Well then, I’ll take these gentlemen outside for a little chat."
"Please do."
"Don’t worry. I’ll handle this discreetly, so as not to bring any disgrace to the family name."
With a cheerful smile, Kagehito effortlessly grabbed the three college students and carried them out of the store.
"Uh... um, thank you so much."
The father of the remaining family bowed his head politely to me, going out of his way to show his gratitude.
"Please make some wonderful memories together."
Leaving behind only those necessary words, I followed Kagehito outside.
In the end, I didn’t get to eat dessert, but that couldn’t be helped. There was no way I could turn a blind eye to something like that—I wouldn’t have been able to forgive myself if I had.
When I stepped outside, Kagehito had already finished taking care of things and was waiting for me.
"Kagehito, let’s go for dessert this time."
The plan had shifted slightly, but the goal remained unchanged.
There was still time, and we could always have dessert at the next place. This time, I’d make sure to do the "say ahh" thing.
That’s what I thought... and yet...
"Honestly... you’re such a troublesome person, Young Lady."
"Ah..."
Thirty minutes later.
I found myself cornered against the wall in a hotel room nearby, with Kagehito standing before me.
•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•
After the commotion at the store, I was determined to finally have dessert this time.
After all, I still hadn’t done the “say ahh” thing. We hadn’t even gotten to enjoy a sweet, romantic moment yet.
"Young Lady."
"Eh? Wh-what is it...?"
But then, Kagehito suddenly took my hand and started leading me somewhere.
"Wh-where are we going...?"
".........."
He didn’t answer my question. Before I realized it, we had already left the theme park, but Kagehito didn’t stop. Curious about where we were heading, I silently followed him until…
(A h-hotel...?!)
Without hesitation, Kagehito led me straight into a hotel affiliated with the theme park. He secured the highest-ranking room available on the spot and, without any explanation, took me there.
"Um... Kagehito...? Why are we at a hotel...?"
".........."
I tried asking in the elevator, but as expected, there was no response.
At this point, I had no choice but to stay quiet. Or rather, I was too flustered by Kagehito’s resolute demeanor to think about anything else—my heart was pounding uncontrollably.
…A hotel. A hotel is, well, a lodging facility. A place where you rent a room to sleep and stay overnight.
But for a man and a woman to stay in the same room… that’s what it means, right? It’s okay. I wasn’t expecting this, but I’m always prepared. My innerwear is always impeccable.
(...Wait. Hold on.)
Calm down. I might’ve gotten flustered, but I need to think this through.
Let’s review the pattern so far. How many times have I let myself get carried away, only to end up completely misreading the situation?
I’m Tendou Hoshine. I don’t make the same mistake over and over again.
…Well? Maybe just a little. Yes, maybe just a tiny bit. I might’ve repeated the same mistake before. But that’s all in the past.
(This is probably another misunderstanding on my part... But still, why did Kagehito bring me to a hotel?)
I turned over the possibilities in my mind, lining them up one by one.
Hypothesis One: To let me rest because I’m tired from all the walking.
…Hmm. It’s not entirely out of the question. But would he really go out of his way to bring me to a hotel for that? A bench somewhere would’ve been more than enough. Even if the earlier restaurant isn’t an option, there are other places we could’ve gone. This hypothesis? Rejected.
Hypothesis Two: To eat a meal together.
...This isn't an entirely impossible scenario. After all, this hotel does have a restaurant. But if that were the case, wouldn’t they at least explain it to me? There’s no need to forcibly drag me all the way to the hotel like this. And even now, the elevator has already passed the floor with the dining area. So, this hypothesis is rejected.
Hypothesis three: To do that with me on the bed.
...No way. Absolutely not. The thought alone makes me want to cry.
In the end, with no idea what was going on, the elevator stopped, and the shadowy figure led me into a room on the top floor of the hotel.
Even though I’d been brought here, I felt strangely out of place. To be precise, I was so nervous I couldn’t do anything.
Because... this was different.
It wasn’t like being alone together in a room back at the mansion. …Well, okay. Sharing the same bed while in our sleepwear was a pretty big deal, but let’s set that aside. Nothing happened then, after all.
But being dragged into the same room in a hotel was something entirely new.
...Oh no. This isn’t good. The more I try to stay calm, the more nervous I get.
“Young Lady.”
“W-What…?”
“Please take it off.”
“Wha—huh…?”
The words I heard were so unbelievable that I reflexively asked for clarification.
“Huh? With you? What…?”
“I’m telling you—please take it off.”
“You don’t mean… my clothes, do you?”
“Yes, your clothes.”
“Wh-what!?”
I stuttered. Of course, I stuttered. Anyone would in this situation.
“Y-you want me to take off my c-c-c-clothes!?”
“That’s correct.”
“W-why!?”
“There’s no ‘why’ about it. Just take them off.”
“Ahh, ahhh…”
This is bad. My brain isn’t functioning properly. This can’t be happening. There’s no way this is real. The thought of him, Kagehito, dragging me into a hotel and telling me to take off my clothes—it’s absurd. This has to be a dream. It must be a dream. After all, this is way too convenient for me…!
“How much longer are you planning to keep those clothes on?”
Kagehito took a step closer.
I instinctively took a step back to match.
But he didn’t stop. He kept advancing, and soon I found myself pressed up against the wall…
“You really are a troublesome young lady, aren’t you?”
“Ahhh…”
To keep me from escaping, Kagehito placed his hand against the wall, boxing me in.
No, I can't escape... No, but could I? I shouldn't. Oh, but I'm so nervous. I was prepared, but I never thought this moment would come so suddenly.
"I want you to take off those clothes, Young Lady. If I could, I'd tear them off with my own hands."
"U-Understood, but... but…"
"But?"
"M-My legs are trembling... I can't walk by myself..."
I feel like my knees are about to give out. It's not fear, it's just so much excitement. I wonder if he can hear my heart pounding. My face must be bright red. I'm so hot. There's no way I can walk to the bed on my own.
"That's alright," he whispered in my ear with a slight smile.
"But please take off your clothes yourself."
"...You won't help me take them off?"
"Of course not. Please do it yourself."
Myself. So, he wants to watch me take off my clothes slowly and shyly, I guess.
“S-So, that's your... hobby?"
"Hobby?"
Kagehito tilted his head slightly, but maybe that, too, was part of his… preferences.
Perhaps he was the type who cared a lot about the situation or the atmosphere.
“Well then, I’ll carry you.”
“Ah…!”
As he spoke, Kagehito effortlessly lifted me into his arms and began walking.
“...!”
I instinctively shut my eyes. I was too nervous and embarrassed to look directly at his face. I could only let him do as he pleased. But that was fine. This was fine.
I hadn’t expected it to happen today, but I was prepared. It’s okay. I’ll be fine.
“Open your eyes, Young Lady.”
“Mm…”
I opened them. The lights from the ceiling filled my vision, and the room came into focus.
“…The bathroom?”
It wasn’t the bed that he carried me to—it was the bathroom.
While I stood there confused, Kagehito gently set me down.
“Um… Kagehito?”
“Once you’ve removed your clothes, please place them in this bag.”
“Huh…?”
“There’s a bathrobe over there for you to change into.”
“O-okay…”
With that, Kagehito left the bathroom, leaving me alone.
…Why the bathroom?
Left alone, a question mark floated in my mind. But I quickly realized the reason.
“O-oh, right… I should take a shower first…”
Kagehito must value proper order in things. I appreciated that too—it was nice to clean up beforehand. I’d walked a lot today and had worked up a sweat.
With that, I stepped into the shower. Afterward, with trembling hands, I changed into the bathrobe and then made my way to where Kagehito was sitting on the bed.
“U-um… Kagehito… I’ve finished my shower…”
“I see.”
Kagehito stood up from the bed and walked toward me—
“...!”
I instinctively closed my eyes. …Ah, this is it. He’s going to carry me to the bed. Then Kagehito will push me down, have his way with me, and I’ll ascend the stairs to adulthood. We’ll have five kids—two boys and three girls. The boys will surely be handsome, just like Kagehito, and adored by the girls. The girls, on the other hand, will probably be confident, just like me.
On our days off, we’ll go on family outings, and I’ll share stories of romance with them. Oh, but before all that, we’d have to go on dates as lovers. Then comes the wedding… Wait, isn’t the order a bit off?
No, it doesn’t matter anymore. Who cares about order? What matters is making it a reality. Once that’s settled, the rest will work itself out. After all, I’m Hoshine Tendou, a daughter of the illustrious Tendou family. Money? We have more than enough to silence any obstacles in our way. With overwhelming financial power, I can kick aside anything that threatens to stand in our path.
“Young Lady.”
“Ah! K-Kagehito! I-I was just thinking… I’d like to start with a boy first—”
“I’ll have these clothes disposed of immediately and arrange for new ones.”
“…Huh?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll ensure we get an exact replacement for these clothes as well.”
"Um, Kagehito?"
"What is it?"
"...Is that all?"
"All of what?"
"I mean... uh..."
"Ah, don’t worry. I’ve prepared a change of clothes that will neither compromise your beauty nor your dignity, Young Lady."
"That’s not what I meant."
I felt like we were completely talking past each other.
…Calm down. In moments like this, it’s best to untangle things from the beginning.
Why did this all even happen in the first place? Let’s see... oh, right. It started when I was suddenly brought to the hotel.
"Hey... why did you bring me to the hotel in the first place?"
"Because I wanted you to change into something else."
"...Change? You brought me to a hotel just so I could change clothes?"
"I brought you to a hotel just so you could change clothes."
"Nothing else?"
"Nothing else. What do you mean by 'else'?"
".................."
I sank to my knees without thinking.
All the tension, the excitement, and everything else melted away in an instant, crumbling into sand.
•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•
"Changing... just changing clothes... Does this mean I got all flustered over a simple outfit change like some kind of pervert...?"
The light had vanished from the Young Lady's eyes as she sank to her knees in defeat.
Was she this exhausted because we had been walking so much today? Maybe that’s why. She still hadn’t gotten to eat dessert either. Once her change of clothes arrived, I would take her to the hotel restaurant right away. At the very least, the food here should be far more suitable for her than anything at the theme park.
".........."
I glanced at the clothes prepared for the Young Lady, neatly folded inside a bag.
Flashes of the earlier scene at the theme park restaurant came to mind—her bold, unwavering stance as she confronted those drunken college students.
…To be honest, even standing near them, the stench of alcohol was overwhelming.
The thought that those wretches had stood so close to the Young Lady, that their disgusting alcohol fumes might have clung to her beautiful hair or pristine clothes, made my blood boil. I couldn’t bear the idea of her wearing this outfit again.
"…Maybe I’m being overly protective."
I knew it myself. This was probably taking things too far. No, perhaps it wasn’t just overprotectiveness. It was something more selfish. Possessiveness, maybe.
"How pathetic..."
What right did I have to feel possessive?
The Young Lady was my master, someone I was sworn to serve. And I was nothing more than a mere servant.
What right did I have to harbor such possessiveness? It was disrespectful to the Young Lady.
".........."
For a moment, I found myself lost in thought.
Was this really okay?
If I continued to be this overprotective, wouldn’t I just end up holding her back?
I might be hindering her growth, her experiences. Thinking back, the fact that she didn’t have many friends before Otoha-san came along might have been my fault. I was always by her side, always focused on supporting her in the present, without considering what lay ahead.
"…I need to rethink things, don’t I?"
To be honest, I never realized just how strong my possessive feelings were. I never thought I would feel that way toward the Young Lady.
Lately, I’ve been discovering sides of myself I didn’t know existed. But whether these feelings are truly for her benefit… that’s another matter.
"I still have a long way to go."
•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•
By the time the arranged clothes arrived and we stepped out of the hotel together, the sun had almost fully set. Otoha-san, having returned from her errands, rejoined us, and we finally resumed our plans for the three of us to spend time together. Unfortunately, there was barely any time left to play.
".........."
".........."
To make matters worse, both the Young Lady and Otoha-san looked visibly dejected.
Even when I tried to talk to them, their responses were distant and half-hearted.
"Haah.........."
"Haah.........."
It was clear that something had left them feeling down. But for some reason, their synchronization was uncanny—even their sighs were perfectly in sync.
"Um… you two… did something happen?"
"More like nothing happened..."
"Uh, well… the parade will be starting soon, you know. There’s even supposed to be fireworks!"
"…Oh, really…"
"…Is that so…"
This isn’t good...! Both of their eyes are completely lifeless...!
No matter what I say or how I try to engage them, their reactions remain flat. It seems I’ll just have to give them some time.
The parade and fireworks are the main attractions of this theme park.
I can only hope they lift their spirits, even just a little...
•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•
The main street came alive with a dazzling parade of LED-lit characters, their vibrant displays weaving a joyous spectacle. Overhead, fireworks in a spectrum of colors painted the night sky, blooming like vivid flowers in the dark canvas.
...Yet, despite the magnificence, I couldn’t bring myself to feel excited.
"............"
Next to me, Otoha was quietly gazing at the night sky, her reaction subdued.
Sure, she’s always been someone who doesn’t easily show her emotions, but now she looked genuinely devoid of any. Her eyes… were lifeless.
"…Hoshine. Your eyes look dead."
"You too..."
"…I’m aware."
"I figured as much..."
Ah, it’s beautiful—the fireworks, the parade, all of it. If I’d been watching this under different circumstances, I’m sure I’d have found it breathtaking. But for me and Otoha right now, that dazzling brilliance only served to highlight our defeat.
"I guess… we’ll call this one a draw."
"…More like mutual annihilation."
"I was trying not to say that…"
This date had been a quiet battle between me and Otoha. At least, that’s what I thought. And I’m pretty sure she saw it the same way. But that in itself was our mistake from the start.
This was, in a way, a battle against Kagehito…
The moment we failed to focus on the person we should have been paying attention to, our defeat was sealed.
“"Haah..."”
Our synchronized sighs, a perfect harmony of defeat, drifted into the night sky, blending seamlessly with the fading echoes of fireworks.
Chapter 5 END
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