Chapter 48
Chapter 48
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: Sudden Acceleration
"...Ah, this one's a bust."
"Right? It's not... scary at all, surprisingly?"
Amelia and I couldn't hide our disappointment.
We'd actually gotten a little excited, expecting real monsters to jump out.
As expected, though—maybe for safety reasons—the monsters were all a screw loose, with zero tension.
It was supposed to be a haunted house. There should have been at least a little scare factor.
A superhuman or two might have felt some tension...
But with three Academy students here.
Not to brag, but all three of us were top-notch students who'd seen real combat.
Maybe we'd set our expectations too high for an amusement park attraction like this?
"No, isn't that obvious? If it was tense enough to rattle three superhumans, one accident and they'd have to shut the whole place down."
"True, but... still feels like we got ripped off."
"...Yeah, that's just like you."
"What? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Nothing."
...Hmm. Anyway, something about Amelia and Yoo Siu's relationship felt a bit off from what I'd imagined.
Since the Writer-nim didn't seem keen on adding more heroine candidates, I'd pegged Amelia as the main one.
But their dynamic felt more like roughhousing buddies.
Not a romantic vibe—what was it... yeah.
Like same-sex friends shooting the breeze about nothing important.
A few days ago, and even now.
Their bickering had this close-friend atmosphere.
They were like that now, but would Amelia ever end up liking Siu someday?
The thought suddenly made me anxious. ...It could happen eventually, right?
"Oh, that. How about that one? You might actually enjoy it."
"...What, the Ferris wheel?"
"Yeah. The Ferris wheel should be fine."
"...! You're smarter than you look!"
Amelia, all hyped up by Siu's suggestion, bolted toward the Ferris wheel.
A Ferris wheel. Yeah, sure. Amelia could probably enjoy that.
It wasn't the speed or thrill type of ride.
Siu and I had fun on those, but Amelia couldn't thanks to her ability, so her eyes were drawn to calmer stuff.
"Sigh. Gramps said it'd be fun."
"...Gramps?"
"My butler. I told him I was going to the amusement park with friends, and he went on about all sorts of stuff. Not quite what I expected, though."
Amelia grumbled that Gramps had fed her nothing but lies.
I see. Amelia was from a wealthy family, after all. Having a butler wasn't weird.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Oh. I see. You've heard something good.] "...Wasn't that something the Writer-nim set up?"
I glanced at the two now playfully shoving each other as they walked, then murmured quietly to the Writer-nim.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [I only tweak things when necessary! If something's fine as is or doesn't need it, I leave it alone. Haven't touched this place either.] "...Right. That's how it works."
This amusement park was part of the Writer-nim's puppet show world.
But the Writer-nim hadn't touched it, and the visitors were laughing and chatting, enjoying the nostalgia like kids again.
After watching the Academy's commercial district and even my house change in real-time, this felt incredibly fresh to me.
That sense of wonder.
The wonder untouched by the Writer-nim's hand.
It thrilled me. I'd never seen any part of this world free from her influence before.
Maybe that's why? Superhuman-exclusive rides, superhuman haunted houses—things that couldn't exist in reality, yet they felt utterly real.
"Writer-nim. This place really hasn't been touched by you at all, right?"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Huh? ...Right? Why do you ask all of a sudden...] "No, just wondering."
I swallowed the words on the tip of my tongue.
This isn't reality.
Even if the Writer-nim hadn't adjusted things around here, it was still just a stage.
The world was still full of puppets.
"What're you doing, Arte! Hurry up!"
"So impatient. Coming right now."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "...This is bad."
"What's wrong?"
"Well, this was supposed to be your date with Arte..."
"Now you say that? Way too late."
"Ugh..."
Amelia stomped her feet, sneaking glances at Arte catching up behind them.
No use panicking now—it was already too late.
Date? This was just three friends hanging out.
No one would mistake it for a date.
"Ugh, I got too excited. Okay, perfect timing—I'll make it work somehow..."
"Make what work?"
Amelia ignored Siu's question.
She just silently waited for Arte.
...What opportunity? What was she talking about?
"Here, Arte. Huge Ferris wheel! So cool."
"Yeah, first time seeing one this big."
"Let's get in quick! Come on!"
Clueless about whatever "opportunity" she meant, Siu and Arte let Amelia drag them into the Ferris wheel cabin.
"Folks, we'll be departing soon, so get ready..."
"...Urk, ugh. Sorry, guys! My stomach just started hurting... You two go ahead!"
"Huh?! Amelia! Where are you going?! Hey!"
...Gone.
That speed—she definitely used her ability.
Stomachache my foot. She was fine moments ago, and if it really hurt that bad, she wouldn't bolt using her power.
Siu suddenly recalled what Amelia had said earlier.
...Opportunity. That's what she meant.
"Uh, well."
"Let's get in, Siu. People are waiting."
"...Okay."
Siu inwardly grumbled at Amelia.
Opportunity? This was straight-up sabotage.
Locking him and Arte in a confined space alone?
He didn't think he'd die, but he had no clue what to even talk about.
"Ah, it's going up."
But it was already moving—nothing to be done.
One loop around the Ferris wheel... what should he do?
"Waaah!"
"Whoa?!"
"Why so tense? Am I that pretty? ...Haha, kidding. Relax."
"Y-Yeah..."
Arte had snuck across to strike a playful pouncing pose, startling him, then grinned and backed off.
...A faint fragrance lingered at the tip of his nose.
"...? What's wrong?"
"Oh, nothing."
He couldn't say it.
Even if Arte wasn't a villain but just a normal student, no way could he admit it.
That he'd caught her leotard scent before, so he could pick up her body odor.
Or that his eyes had unconsciously drifted to the leotard peeking at her nape because of the smell.
Saying that would kill him. Not Arte killing him—he'd hang himself from shame.
"It's been ages since I rode a Ferris wheel. ...First time since I was a kid, actually."
Luckily, Arte just looked puzzled for a second and didn't press.
Whew, saved...
As he watched Arte gaze at the rising scenery, Amelia's instructions popped into his head.
The whole point of coming here: flirt with Arte.
Make a good mood if any chance came up. Something like that.
...What was she expecting from a guy with zero dating experience?
But if he did nothing after she forced this chance, she'd nag him to death.
No choice—he mustered his courage.
"...Hey, Arte."
"Yeah?"
"Do you... have someone you like?"
Oh no.
Siu inwardly screamed he'd blown it.
What lunatic starts a conversation like that?
Clueless on what to say, he'd cracked under Amelia's mental pressure, and nonsense spilled out.
Damn you, Amelia.
Infecting me with your pink delusions.
"No. ...Are you trying to flirt with me?"
"N-No. I just realized I'd never heard about your love life."
Nice, good save. Yoo Siu.
For botching the opener that bad, he'd dodged pretty well...!
Arte seemed to brush it off casually too.
"No real need to talk about it."
"...I see. Maybe someday you'll meet someone."
"No."
"...?"
The mood shifted abruptly. Siu couldn't miss it.
The slowly rising Ferris wheel, Arte's suddenly cold gaze fixed on him.
Her eyes looked at him like he wasn't human.
"I have no intention of dating anyone."
"R-Really...?"
"I'd never stoop to puppets who can't even forge their own paths."
Puppets?
Siu couldn't comprehend Arte's words.
Who was she talking about?
"H-Hey, Arte. You seem worked up. My bad, I misspoke. Sorry."
"I won't connect with mere puppets. No matter what, I'll break free. I can't stay trapped in this puppet show forever."
What had set her off? Which word? Siu had no idea.
Only one thing clear: Arte was struggling with something, unlike her usual self.
He didn't know what.
So, as she kept mumbling to herself, Siu pulled her into a tight hug.
"?!"
"It's okay, Arte. Whatever it is, it's okay. Don't worry."
The chameleon incident—she'd comforted him then.
Now it was his turn. Help her.
That simple thought filled Siu's mind.
He didn't care if she was a villain. Friends help each other after being helped.
Even if she didn't see him as a friend. Even if she was a villain-killing vigilante.
Right now, before Siu's eyes was just a friend in pain.