Chapter 38
Chapter 38
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter Title: Amusement Park
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Amusement park.
What do people think of when they hear "amusement park"?
Sweet nothings whispered inside a Ferris wheel car high in the sky with a lover.
Chatting with friends while waiting in the long lines for rides.
Riding a carousel with Dad, cotton candy in hand.
Lovers' romance.
Youthful days with friends.
Memories with kids and parents.
That's the usual stuff.
Excitement.
Joy.
Warmth.
But those words were far from me.
I hated amusement parks.
No good memories, so I avoided them.
Not extremely, though.
Just no good memories there.
That was it.
Like being picky with side dishes. Just never tasted good. Didn't know the flavor. Tried it before and it sucked.
Exactly that level.
"Anis!"
"Yeah?"
"Come on, hurry!"
Betty grabbed my hand and dashed off, full of energy. Last night's strangely meaningful vibe was gone, replaced by her usual innocence.
And so, dragged by Betty, we arrived at the amusement park in District D. I didn't really want to go in.
First off, too many people. Way too many.
And as crowded as it was, it was just as noisy. I already dreaded this "side dish" called an amusement park.
"......"
If Betty hadn't whined, I wouldn't have come. A bit annoyed, I shot her a glare.
"What should we ride first? That looks fun!"
Ignoring my glare, Betty pointed at one of the rides.
A massive pirate ship-shaped one. The Viking.
"......Uh. Can't we do something else?"
"Why?"
Why?
I eyed the Viking swinging up to what felt like a 90-degree angle, my gaze shaky.
Whoosh—it swings back and forth. Each time, screams of "Kyaaah!" echo from it.
"...What if we fall?"
No matter the safety measures, could you swear they're 100% foolproof? I couldn't.
What if they fail? Inertia would definitely fling my body outward. That much I knew.
Not that I'm scared or anything. I'm seriously worried about safety. I clicked my tongue watching people scream on the Viking. Tsk tsk. What if an accident happens...
I stepped back from the Viking. Purely for safety.
Betty tilted her head at me.
"Even if you fall, you won't die."
......Huh. Yeah, now that I think about it.
With my superhuman abilities already kicking in, a fall from that height wouldn't hurt much.
"S-still."
Still, that's that, and this is this. I'm not riding.
"Why not! You won't get hurt! Come on!"
I tried standing firm like a rock, but Betty mercilessly yanked my arm, and I helplessly joined the line.
"B-Betty..."
Okay, honestly? I'm scared. Heights freak me out. Sorry. Sorry for pretending not to be scared with the safety talk. Let's do something else.
Betty, anything but this. Not fast, not high. There are plenty like that. You really need the Viking? There's tons of others!
"Then Viking first, then the others!"
Betty showed no mercy. After begging and giving up, I waited for our turn like a condemned prisoner awaiting execution day. Cruelly, time flew, the line shrank, and our turn approached.
We boarded the Viking, sat down, and soon it started moving...
...Ah.
Ugh.
"Urk..."
After the Viking, I rushed to a corner and emptied my stomach. Motion sickness. Probably from tensing up in fear, or maybe I'm just prone to it on Vikings.
"A-Anis. You okay?"
Betty worried at my pale face.
"...Yeah."
After puking, my stomach settled.
"Good. Glad you're fine."
"......"
Motion sickness faded, annoyance rose. Told you I didn't want to.
"Next, that one!"
"...Which?"
"That!"
Betty pointed.
...Gyro Drop.
Shoots up 70 meters, then plummets straight down.
No, unlike Viking, that'd actually kill you if it drops.
"Let's go!"
"W-wait..."
Drained from sickness, I trailed after her like a cow to slaughter, eyes pleading.
"Fun, right?"
Betty said, slicing pork cutlet into her mouth.
I'd spent the day dragged around "rides"—more like torture devices. Mostly fast, high, dizzying ones.
Fun? Sure for you. My stomach still churned.
"Uh... what's wrong?"
Betty asked as I stared. Her wide-eyed innocence made me want to flick her forehead hard.
"...Put your hand on your heart and think."
"It's squishy."
"Not that one."
Smack. I swatted her hand. I meant conscience, not boobs.
Looking out the restaurant window, the sun dipped west. Guess Han U-sol's not coming.
"Parade soon. Let's watch that and go."
"Fireworks too?"
"Probably."
We left the restaurant. Outside teemed with parade-goers.
Soon, music played. Costumed folks and mascots danced, waved, passed by.
"Oh."
Betty and I gave perfunctory sighs. Too old to go nuts over it.
The parade passed, and fireworks began.
Boom—fireworks burst in the darkening sky, scattering light.
"Ooh."
This time, genuine awe. First fireworks—loud, but worth it.
I scanned around. Even post-parade, crowds thronged for the show.
Too many. Way too many.
Noise everywhere.
Lovers whispering.
Friends chatting happily.
Kids shrieking excitedly, calling parents.
Sounds mixed into chaos.
But not as uncomfortable as before entering.
I turned to Betty. Why? After a day of nausea and dragging, the park didn't feel as hateful.
Betty's eyes fixed on the colorful falling sparks.
Boom—boom—
Without looking away, she spoke softly, barely audible.
"Anis."
"Yeah?"
"Today was fun."
"...Me too."
Betty continued.
"We're really alike."
A girl with a painful past like mine. Didn't know details, but her old stories carried a familiar vibe.
Maybe that's why. Among people here, Betty made me feel most at ease.
Most similar, most like me. We bonded fast. Not just me, apparently.
"Anis. Like you, my life was miserable."
Betty went on, eyes on bursting fireworks. Mine followed skyward.
"Dunno if it's why, but talking to you was truly fun."
"......Same here."
"Anis."
"Yeah."
"I have a confession."
"...?"
...Confession?
No, her face wasn't flirty.
"Truth is, meeting you wasn't chance. I approached on purpose. Kahatel told me to bring you."
Whoosh—fireworks shot up. Reflected straight in our eyes.
Kahathel. Name Betty dropped sometimes. She'd clam up with "secret" when asked.
"...Who's Kahatel? Why bring me?"
Betty dodged, saying instead:
"...Anis. Lately, magic beasts keep showing up in the city, right?"
"...Yeah."
"I summoned them all. With this summon stone."
Boom. Fireworks exploded.
For a moment, the noisy, crowded square felt silent.
People laughed on, but a brief hush hung between us.
"The chimera in District C? That was me too."
I turned to her. She met my stunned gaze.
Betty pulled a palm-sized purple gem from her pocket.
"Magic beast summon stone. Infuse mana, summons three high-rank ones."
"......Betty? You're joking."
"...No joke."
Being with you was fun, true. And I summoned those beasts, true.
And now, I'll summon more here.
Boom. Fireworks burst, crowd noise assaulting ears.
But Betty's low voice pierced clear.
Her bombshell left me reeling. I stared blankly.
"...Anis. You said you want to be a hero to save people."
"......Yeah."
"...I don't get that."
Why? Betty asked.
"Why save them?"
They only hurt us. Tormented us, ignored our pain.
Don't you hate them? The ones who pushed us down. Who watched us fall.
I hate them so much I can't bear it.
Want to reduce it all to nothing.
You don't?
"........."
I looked at Betty. Familiar eyes.
Hating the world. Eyes I saw in the mirror in my past life.
"...Betty."
Words stuck. Confusion swirled.
"Anis. You get me, I get you. That's why I know."
"Even with some trigger, risking life to save people? That's off."
Others might see you as ideal hero, but I know.
Risking life with no reward? Impossible for cowardly, selfish folks like us.
Is that really you?
No way.
You hate the world like me.
"Anis."
We're alike.
Only you get me, only I get you.
"Come with me."
Betty extended her hand.
Boom. Fireworks kept bursting.
The grand finale approached.
The biggest one yet.