"Today is a day worth commemorating, and it's also the weekend, so let's not go straight back to the apartment."
Rikuo made the suggestion, as today was Mutsumi's first day of freedom.
"Mutsumi, is there anywhere you want to go to have fun? Sakiko and I can both go with you."
Sakiko: "Yes, Mutsumi, you can tell us anywhere you want to go. Wakaba Takafumi won't restrict you anymore."
"Me? Hmm, an amusement park? Ta-kun said not to go to public places casually."
"Alright, then let's go to an amusement park. Anyway, I have 37 million in cooperation fees from that old man! I don't believe anyone can have 17 cards! The nearest amusement park is Fuji-Q Highland."
...
At the entrance of Fuji-Q Highland.
"Although this amusement park is very big and famous, there are too many people!"
Rikuo saw the queue at the front gate snaking around several times, almost reaching the parking lot.
"Yeah, Rikuo, it seems Fuji-Q Highland requires reservations. Should we go somewhere else?"
Sakiko looked at the crowded people in front of them, estimating it would be almost evening by the time they got in, so she reluctantly made a suggestion.
Rikuo saw that although Mutsumi's expression remained blank, her small hands were intertwined, showing a hint of regret.
"To hell with it, I've been a joker my whole life, I should be able to splurge a bit! Sakiko, we'll buy tickets online, find a deserted wall, and I'll take you two in!"
Rikuo grabbed Sakiko with one hand and Mutsumi with the other, found a deserted spot in the corner of the parking lot, and used the 8 of Spades's magnetic force to shield the nearby surveillance cameras. He held the two tightly and used magnetic control to fly in on a metal plate.
Sakiko: "Rikuo, isn't this against the rules?"
"A crime not discovered isn't a crime, besides, we've already bought the tickets. At most, it's cutting in line! It's not easy to bring Mutsumi out to indulge once; since we're going for excitement, let's see it through!"
Mutsumi felt very warm in Rikuo's arms. As far as she could remember, her parents had never hugged her. Her father would only arrange more training classes for her. Her mother, or rather, Minami-chan, always avoided her, as if she were some kind of monster.
"Rikuo, like."
"?"
"?"
Hearing Mutsumi's sudden remark, Rikuo almost lost control, but thankfully, the 2 of Hearts stabilized his mind.
"Mutsumi, what are you saying? Do you like Rikuo?"
"Mm, like I like Saki."
Sakiko and Rikuo both breathed a sigh of relief, exchanged a smile, and said no more.
They landed smoothly, seeing a few tourists looking at them with surprised eyes.
"Ahem, please keep it a secret, this is the wonderful... stage prop we'll be using tonight!"
Rikuo explained seriously, and the onlookers didn't pay much attention, only starting to anticipate the evening's park stage.
"Is technology already this advanced? They can make a platform float without even seeing wires? Maybe there will be similar magic tonight?"
Of course, whether there was magic tonight was no longer Rikuo's concern; he would have already fled by then.
"Good thing I'm a cut above. Mutsumi, what do you want to play? Although there are many people, we can wait in line for you."
Rikuo saw a stir of excitement on Mutsumi's calm face.
'The poor child, that old man suggested not seeing a psychiatrist, just go straight for SCP-049, that's more potent.'
"I want to play bumper cars! Pirate ship! Drop tower! Haunted house! And roller coaster!"
Mutsumi's voice rose by several decibels; although still very soft, it showed her excitement.
"Is Mutsumi actually the wild type? I thought she'd want to ride the sunny rainbow pony first."
"No?"
Seeing Mutsumi's pitiful look.
'As expected of Sakiko-sensei's other half, in terms of cuteness, if Mutsumi ranks third, no one dares to claim the top two!'
"Of course, Mutsumi! Even if you want me to take the amusement park sign home right now, it's fine."
"Hmm, but, we don't really need that, do we?"
"Anyway, Sakiko, I'm going to queue for the bumper cars, there are a lot of people there. You take Mutsumi to the pirate ship."
After arranging things, Rikuo rushed towards the jeep, no, the bumper cars.
Sakiko watched Rikuo's retreating figure, a faint smile playing on her lips.
"Saki, like Rikuo?"
"I like him, hmm, I think I like him more than Mutsumi likes me."
Hearing Mutsumi's question, Sakiko turned to look at Mutsumi's questioning eyes.
"But, Saki, why not tell Rikuo?"
Sakiko looked back at Rikuo's retreating figure, her eyes filled with determination.
"Because Rikuo said he likes the me who bravely moves forward. I want to be worthy of his affection."
Mutsumi looked at Sakiko's determined eyes.
"Saki, changed."
"Which aspect is Mutsumi referring to?"
"Hmm, not sure. But, it feels, better."
"If that's the case, then there's no problem."
Mutsumi looked at Sakiko's smiling face, feeling as if she had returned to a month ago. But it was also slightly different; the former pure and bright love hid sadness. Now, that pure and bright love hid a small affection.
...
"Are kids these days all so wild?"
Rikuo watched the colorful bumper cars crashing around the arena, the engine noise mixed with screams.
A little girl with a pigtail furiously turned the steering wheel, shouting "Death Charge, crush them!", specifically chasing after other children to hit them.
A bespectacled little boy adopted a "defensive counterattack" tactic, shrinking in a corner and waiting for others to approach, then suddenly accelerating to ambush them.
There was also a tiny tot who looked less than five years old, whose driving skills were astonishingly bad, spinning in circles the whole time, eventually crying loudly in frustration.
"These parents are really carefree, letting such a young child play bumper cars alone."
Rikuo was still sighing when he saw the 5-year-old child unbuckle his seatbelt and get out of the car.
"I don't want to play anymore! Mom, they're all bullying me."
"...Sigh, trouble follows wherever I go."
The little girl with the pigtail's Death Charge, due to her furious steering, didn't notice the child who had gotten out of the car.
Rikuo silently used 8 of Spades to control the magnetic force, bringing all the bumper cars in the arena to a halt.
"Too bad, it seems Mutsumi will have to wait a while longer to play bumper cars. According to the amusement park's safety standards, they'll have to inspect it for some time."
Watching the little tot's parents rush over to hug him, and staff members hurrying to check the situation, Rikuo smiled and turned to leave.
As he turned, he glimpsed Sakiko and Mutsumi on a bench outside the hall, having arrived at some point.
Sakiko watched him with her arms crossed, a faint smile playing on her lips.
"That just now, it must have been Rikuo, right?"
"You knew, and still asked? I couldn't just ignore it."
Sakiko stood up, straightened her skirt, and pulled Mutsumi, who was beside her.
"Rikuo, Mutsumi still wants to play a lot of things. Anyway, let's go play together. More than playing more rides, Mutsumi also wants to be with Rikuo, right?"
"Alright, fine."
'Rikuo always tries to avoid us, does he think I don't know? One day, I will always stand by your side.'
Sakiko's little thoughts were known only to herself.
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