Lost in Another World

After riding thrilling attractions like the roller coaster and pirate ship, Aoko and Manaka went to the rest area together.

The moment they heard Tsuchiki Yurihiko was paying for everything today, they started ordering the most expensive items on the menu. To them, a bargain was a bargain.

I remembered an incident called the Carnegie Incident from a side story in the game. A pyramid scheme had sold counterfeit goods to elderly people and swindled them out of their money.

Aoko had taken down the group, then overstated the amount recovered and tucked the extra money into her private stash.

I still remembered the little face she made when I asked her for all those years of unpaid rent: the resentful look in her eyes and the force with which she clutched that money.

Her expression only returned to normal after I took her and Alice out for a lavish meal—the kind that used up every last bit of it.

Watching her order the most expensive dishes like her life depended on it felt exactly like Aoko. As for Manaka, she was just competing with Aoko and could be ignored.

Alice and I simply ordered coffee and cake. Once Aoko and Manaka had eaten their fill, we got ready to leave.

When Aoko saw the Mirror House we had visited years ago, memories of the past came back to her.

"Before we go, let's try the Mirror House again," Aoko said suddenly. "Same rules as last time: whoever comes in last pays. How about it?"

The mention of a competition immediately perked Sajyou Manaka up. She was the first to agree.

Alice suddenly spoke up. "No teams this time. Everyone goes alone."

Aoko immediately wilted. Last time, she'd had Alice's help. If she had to go alone without breaking any