Friends

"Then let's go have fun together, just the two of us-and Pochita."

Asaba Kotone said this to Kobeni Higashiyama.

"O-okay!"

After spending more time with Asaba Kotone, Kobeni Higashiyama had gradually become less shy around him, though she still looked a little flustered, and her cheeks flushed just as easily as ever.

As they walked, Asaba Kotone chatted with Kobeni Higashiyama.

He learned that Rika Matsumoto had given Kobeni Higashiyama her ticket. She had said she won two tickets in a free prize drawing, then gave one to Kobeni and came to the amusement park with her.

But as for whether she had really won them for free, Asaba Kotone figured Rika Matsumoto had probably made that up. Most likely, she had paid for them, but saying she had won them would make Kobeni more willing to accept.

He had to admit that Rika Matsumoto was a truly thoughtful friend. Kobeni certainly couldn't afford to come out and have fun on her own. Forget amusement park admission-she couldn't even afford to grab a bite to eat.

Taking Kobeni to the amusement park also kept her from being so bored at home.

What Kobeni Higashiyama was too embarrassed to tell Asaba Kotone, however, was that Matsumoto had originally intended to give her both tickets and have her invite Asaba.

But she didn't have a phone herself, nor did she know his phone number or where he lived. She had neither the means nor the courage to invite him.

Since they had come to an amusement park, a roller coaster ride was naturally a must.

Unfortunately, amusement parks in this world weren't allowed to have roller coasters or haunted houses because devils existed.

Thrilling attractions like roller coasters could easily make people panic over heights and weightlessness, and haunted houses went without saying. Both attractions would inspire fear.

Roller coasters had evolved into the Sky Cruise Car, which took passengers on an aerial tour of most of the amusement park without the thrilling climbs and drops.

Haunted houses, meanwhile, had evolved into the Maze, where visitors had to find their way out of an enormous maze.

Either way, all the elements likely to frighten people had been removed.

Still, Asaba Kotone asked Kobeni Higashiyama what she thought first. "Which ride do you want to try first?"

"Huh? Me? ...You should pick first, Asaba..."

In truth, Kobeni Higashiyama had never been to an amusement park, so she didn't know which rides she liked.

Although she had learned about amusement park attractions on television and in books, that was completely different from experiencing them herself.

"Are you afraid of heights, then?"

Asaba Kotone asked.

"Heights? I... don't think so?"

Kobeni Higashiyama had never felt afraid of heights, but she wasn't entirely sure. If she went too high, she would probably be a little scared.

"Then let's try the Sky Cruise Car first. That one over there. What do you think?"

As he spoke, Asaba Kotone pointed toward the Sky Cruise Car attraction.

Unless someone had a fear of heights, there was nothing frightening left in this ride.

"Okay."

Kobeni Higashiyama nodded.

As they were getting ready to board, a staff member specifically asked whether anyone was afraid of heights. Anyone who concealed such a fear would be responsible for the consequences if something happened.

Once everyone had fastened their seat belts, the cruise car set off.

As for Pochita, Asaba Kotone held him in his arms, secured under the same seat belt.

Normally, pets weren't allowed on this ride, but Pochita was a devil, and Asaba Kotone had a special status himself, so the staff didn't dare interfere too much.

The cruise car looked much like a roller coaster car, but its track was almost entirely level, with only a long, gentle slope at the beginning and end.

They didn't even dare make the slope too steep, which was why it was so long.

The ride was essentially a leisurely aerial tour, letting passengers enjoy the view of the amusement park.

"Um... this probably isn't your first time at an amusement park, is it, Asaba?"

Up in the air, Kobeni Higashiyama thought for a moment and took the initiative to find something to talk about.

"Actually, I've never been to an amusement park before."

Asaba Kotone replied.

"Huh?"

Kobeni Higashiyama was a little surprised.

She hadn't expected this to be his first visit too. In her own case, she had never had the means to come. She simply couldn't afford the admission.

"I never thought it would be the first time for both of us."

Kobeni Higashiyama sounded surprised.

"Amusement parks aren't much fun unless you come with friends..."

Asaba Kotone sighed.

In his previous life, his family hadn't been particularly interested in amusement parks, so he had never gone as a child.

When he got older, his schoolwork grew increasingly demanding through middle and high school. Even when his classmates had free time, they were busy playing on their phones or computers. Hardly anyone ever suggested going to an amusement park together.

Besides, he hadn't been particularly eager to go himself and couldn't be bothered to invite anyone. Going alone wouldn't have been any fun, either, so he had never visited one.

However, Kobeni Higashiyama somewhat misunderstood Asaba Kotone's offhand remark.

She mistakenly thought he hadn't had any friends before.

At that thought, she looked as though she wanted to say something but couldn't get it out. Her heart began to beat a little faster. After silently encouraging herself for a while, she finally found the courage to speak. "Then! ...Then I'll be your friend, Asaba..."

Her voice was fairly loud at first, but it grew softer as she went on. The word "friend" was almost inaudible.

Fortunately, this was a cruise car rather than a roller coaster. Otherwise, Asaba Kotone wouldn't have heard her even if he leaned right up beside her face.

Having finally said it, Kobeni Higashiyama felt as though she could barely breathe, and her heart kept beating faster.

Although she had only said "friend," this was still an important step forward for her. Even this much took tremendous courage.

She was afraid he would think she was a frivolous girl, so she only dared to think of starting out as friends.

But now, she was even more afraid that he might reject her.

"Sure."

Although Asaba Kotone felt there was something odd about what Kobeni had said, as though she had misunderstood something about him, he didn't dwell on it.

Kobeni Higashiyama couldn't help breaking into a delighted smile.

The anxiety weighing on her heart finally eased.

[Kobeni Higashiyama's affection +5%]

Asaba Kotone was a little surprised by the text that appeared before his eyes.

Was Kobeni really this happy just to become friends? Even her affection had gone up.

If he remembered correctly, Kobeni Higashiyama's affection had already reached 45%. Another 5% would unlock the fifth page of the character catalog.

Finding Reze on the fourth page had already been a pleasant surprise, and he couldn't help wondering who would appear on the fifth.