Chapter 47
Chapter 47
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: Amusement Park
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"Hey, Arte."
"Yes?"
"Want to go out somewhere and have some fun?"
...What the heck is this now?
Shouldn't you be asking Amelia about stuff like this? Why me?
I was so flustered that a negative response slipped out before I knew it.
"Um, we have final exams coming up soon."
"I know. But we're comrades who went through that dangerous incident together, right? I thought it might be nice to go out somewhere as a group... Amelia's coming too."
"Ah, I see."
💖 HAREM EVENT! 💖 Heart-pounding harem event! This is fun too! Oh, that's what it was. So it's the three of us: me, Amelia, and him?
He must want to go on a date just the two of them but is too embarrassed, so he's dragging me along.
No wonder Amelia's been hanging out with Yoo Siu more than me lately. Looks like she's solidifying her position as the heroine.
I tuned out Writer-nim's ridiculous talk of a harem and thought about the story's progression.
...A short break might not be so bad.
The protagonist hasn't really taken a proper rest so far, and maybe a breather now and then isn't the worst idea.
🎢 AMUSEMENT PARK! 🎢 Amusement park! Aquarium! And, and...! Writer-nim was already excitedly brainstorming all sorts of ideas on her own.
In the end, she'll probably nag me to join, and refusing here wouldn't change much anyway. No real reason to say no.
"Sure."
"...Huh?! Really?"
"You're the one who suggested it, and now you're surprised when I say yes? That hurts my feelings. Were you just saying it for show?"
"N-No, I was just surprised..."
His reaction made it seem like he hadn't expected that at all, so I teased Yoo Siu a bit, feeling a little annoyed.
The protagonist wouldn't act like that, so it must be genuine kindness.
I wasn't sure if he was being thoughtful toward me or if Amelia was the main reason and I was just along for the ride. But inviting me showed consideration regardless.
...No way, right? You're not just saying empty words, are you? Please tell me you mean it.
"Where are we going?"
"Amusement park. ...What do you think? This weekend."
"Sounds fun. I'm in!"
I wondered if even Superhumans could enjoy an amusement park.
The thought crossed my mind briefly, but I decided not to worry about it.
He must have some plan in mind if he's suggesting it.
🎡 AMUSEMENT PARK...! 🎡 This'll be fun. So many heart-pounding episodes to come! Writer-nim seemed thrilled not by the amusement park itself, but by all the episodes that would unfold there.
An amusement park, huh. I think the last time I went was when I was a kid. Should be fun after all this time.
"Then send me the details via message!"
"Got it."
Yoo Siu, who looked a bit flustered, finished up and returned to his spot as if that was that.
He chatted with Amelia for a bit, then suddenly got smacked on the back by her.
...?
"Oh, it's nothing. Arte."
"Okay..."
Did she notice me watching? Amelia waved it off like it was no big deal.
Really nothing?
That looked like a solid hit to me.
Why'd she hit him all of a sudden? What reason would Yoo Siu have to get hit by Amelia...?
"Oh, I get it."
Amelia must have already made plans to go with Yoo Siu alone, and now she's pissed because he dragged me into it.
Hanging out with friends is nice, but this was probably a prime chance for the two of them to get closer.
...Hmm, did I mess up by agreeing to go?
Maybe I should've said no and just watched from hiding. Starting to regret it a little.
I watched Yoo Siu pitifully writhing in an arm lock from Amelia with sympathetic eyes.
Poor guy, so oblivious. But that's the protagonist's fate. Accept it.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Ugh, seriously. I can't even."
"Sorry."
"Why'd you bring me up there! I told you to go just the two of you!"
"..."
Amelia vented a torrent of complaints at me.
Fine, whatever.
I did mess up. In my nervousness, I ended up pulling Amelia in without thinking.
The original plan was just Arte and me, but unintentionally, Amelia got roped in too.
But. But you're not exactly in a position to complain.
I couldn't hold back the words bubbling up.
"...You have no shame, do you, Amelia?"
"W-What?! What did I do?!"
"Nothing. If you don't know, that's fine."
I said that, but Amelia seemed secretly embarrassed too.
Her face flushed bright red as she raised her voice for no reason.
Yeah, you should be embarrassed.
Arte hasn't even arrived yet, and here you were, eyes sparkling with excitement as you looked around the amusement park like it was the most amazing thing?
Where'd you even get that weird heart-shaped headband? It's obvious you're hyped.
"Th-That...! I-I've never been to a place like this! It happens!"
"Sure. Of course."
"Ugh, annoying..."
"...Sorry, am I a little late?"
I was in the rare position of teasing Amelia and venting my frustrations when the voice I'd been waiting for rang out.
Amelia whipped her head around in a panic.
"No, no! You're not late! Come on... over. Oh my god. Arte, you look so pretty."
"...Really? I don't know... A friend picked it out for me."
"You look amazing! ...Hey, what are you doing? Compliment her already!"
Poke, poke.
Out of Arte's sight, Amelia subtly nudged my back and whispered.
I finally snapped out of it and opened my mouth. ...But what do I even say?
After hesitating forever, what came out was a line even I thought sounded half-hearted.
"...You look pretty, Arte. Unrecognizable."
Right after I said it, Amelia slammed her palm into my back.
That means "not like that." I know.
It wasn't much of a compliment. Luckily, Arte didn't seem to mind.
"Thanks. You two seem to have already started having fun. What should we do first?"
"Hmm, how about that one? It's made for Superhumans—you need mana reinforcement to withstand the speed!"
"...Wow, is that really a ride?"
"I heard sometimes regular people try it for the thrill and accidents happen. ...Whatever, we're Superhumans, so no problem! Let's go!"
Arte in casual clothes. Caught me off guard.
She's always in her uniform with a white hoodie over it.
I figured it'd be the same today.
Ankle-length women's jeans and a black short-sleeved tee. A leotard peeking out at the neckline.
Plain clothes aside from the leotard underneath. ...Plain clothes, but maybe because of her usual image.
She looked so bright and lively, like a regular girl her age.
Not the villainous, unpredictable Arachne Arte Isis.
Just a student, Arte Isis, out enjoying the amusement park with friends.
"What're you doing, Yoo Siu! Come on!"
"...You're just dying to ride it, aren't you?"
"Ugh... Y-Yeah! I wanna ride it! Hurry up!"
Haa.
Amelia said that herself but seems to have forgotten her own goal.
She was trying to leave me and Arte alone together, right? Said she'd bow out gracefully?
Bow out my ass. She's the most excited one here.
"Coming, coming. Calm down, Amelia."
"Wh-Who said I was excited? I'm not!"
"Ahaha. No rush. We have plenty of time to enjoy ourselves."
Yep, no mistake. This isn't the usual Arte.
She had a fresh, different vibe.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "...It's not as fun as I thought. Too slow, Yoo Siu. Right?"
"Th-This is slow...?"
"No, if I ran at full speed, I'd hit this kind of velocity..."
Yoo Siu and I both stared in shock.
Full speed gives her this much? Is she insane?
Even Yoo Siu and I were barely hanging on toward the end.
If Writer-nim hadn't slapped a penalty on Amelia's abilities, she might've been the strongest in the world.
She could've one-shot most enemies just brushing past them.
Her dad, a current A-rank hero, said he couldn't catch her last time—and now I knew it was true down to my bones.
How are you supposed to catch a girl like this?
"Hmm... What next..."
While Amelia pondered deeply and Yoo Siu recovered from the dizziness, I casually adjusted my clothes.
Hmm, is it because this is the first time wearing casuals in this body?
Feels so awkward. I've only ever worn uniforms.
"Oh, let's try that next. The haunted house. It has a regular course and a Superhuman course."
"Superhuman course?"
"Yeah. The pamphlet says it's from a dungeon where undead monsters appeared hundreds of years ago, and they kept the dungeon intact."
"Not a haunted house—actual ghosts..."
"The regular course isn't like that, I guess? Anyway, we're Superhumans, so we'll get the real ghosts!"
Short-sleeved tee and jeans—stuff I wore often as a guy.
Outfit picked by Laira and Spira.
As plain and un-feminine as possible.
So why does it bug me so much...? I never thought twice about skirts before.
Today's just... off.
"Arte, you okay with ghosts?"
"...Ah. Yeah, no problem. Ghosts don't exist anyway. They're just monsters."
"Ah, so that's your type?"
Of course.
Ghosts don't exist. This world's just Writer-nim's model garden. Her puppet show.
Ghosts come from dead people. No way they'd exist here.
I glanced at Amelia as I fiddled with my now less bothersome outfit.
"Hmm, but haunted houses are usually for couples, right? Three's a crowd, don't you think?"
"...Ah."
Amelia jolted like she'd completely forgotten.
What? You forgot...?
This was supposed to be your date with Yoo Siu.
Shouldn't you remember something like that?
I figured it fit her personality from what I've seen, but still, it was mind-boggling.
If you're the heroine, pay attention to the protagonist. What are you doing?