The Swingset
It was a playground on a grand scale, packed with all kinds of things to play with.
Right in the center sat a jungle gym made of twisting, climbing structures.
Next to it ran a straight slide and a spiral one that spun as it dropped.
Beside those were smaller, younger-friendly rides.
And then there were the machines.
You turned a crank and gears spun a distant windmill.
You pedaled a bike and an automatic car-racing machine zoomed along at whatever speed you set.
Plenty of attractions that kept kids glued to their feet.
As expected, the children zeroed in on the huge central slide and the bike race right beside it.
Which, honestly, made perfect sense.
“Siu! I wanna ride that!”
“The slide?”
“Yeah! Let’s go fast!”
Sia was set on the big slide.
The problem was the little ones had to stand in line first, and it looked too narrow for my dad to squeeze in.
We could’ve figured something out if it was just the two of us, but…
“Yay!”
“Again!”
“Hurry!”
The slide was so popular that kids were everywhere.
“Ugh… guess I’ll stay out here.”
I had no choice but to hang back outside.
From here, though, I could still see Dad waiting near the slide entrance.
“Sia, come on up.”
“Okay!”
We climbed slowly.
At first I thought it was just a straight climb, but the inside was a full-on maze.
Slides on both sides, open transparent space on the opposite wall.
Since we were just here to ride, I steered us toward the exit ramp.
“Um… where do I go?”
Sia was completely lost.
The maze had her completely confused, so I stepped ahead to lead the way.
“Follow me.”
“Okay!”
I slowed my pace so Sia stayed close, and finally we reached the platform right in front of the slide.
There were other kids waiting already.
We waited our turn patiently.
“Can we ride together?”
“Huh?”
“I-I’m a little scared.”
Her sudden request threw me off, but with no other option, I nodded.
“Sure.”
“Heehee! Best!”
She sat in the front seat, then turned back with a grin.
“Come on, sit behind me!”
“Um… that might be—”
“Siu, wrap your arms around me from behind!”
“Um…”
It probably would’ve been awkward, but the kids behind us were already lining up.
I had no choice but to settle in behind her.
—Shwoooooosh!
“Kyaruk!”
Sia and I slid down together.
At first the speed was gentle, then it built.
Sia’s hair whipped in the wind and brushed my face.
But I had no time to worry about it.
All my focus was locked on the girl in front of me.
I’d always watched Sia from the side, but seeing her this close… it was the first time.
And the way her hair danced in the breeze sent little sparks across my chest.
For a second.
We reached the end of the slide.
I stood up first to help her, but she took my hand without a word.
My heart gave another little jolt.
Then, the moment I stepped aside, Dad approached.
“Did you have fun?”
“Yeah! It was super fun!”
“I did too.”
“Ah… but look there…”
“…?”
“…?”
Kids had already gathered again in front of the slide, and it looked like it would be packed for the next round.
“Um… maybe try something else? I’m worried you’ll get tired.”
“I’m fine.”
“…! If Siu’s fine, I’m fine!”
“Sure, thank you, Siu.”
“…?”
“I’m not doing anything big.”
“I-I see.”
Dad looked a little uneasy, and I wondered why.
“Siu! Let’s go ride this one!”
The moment Sia grabbed my hand, all doubt vanished.
We ran around the playground happily.
Light tag in the small area, who-crosses-the-balcony-first bets, and even some bike-pedaling races with Dad.
The bike race had been my favorite.
Especially since Sia had pedaled so hard after losing the balcony bet earlier.
I pedaled at full speed at first, then slowed down just enough later to let her win.
Result:
—Bwaaaam!
“Whoa! I won this time!!”
She jumped up and down, completely thrilled.
We slid down the slide again, the line thinned out.
Before I knew it, an hour had flown by.
“Huu…”
“You okay?”
“Ah… yeah… I’m fine.”
Dad and I sat on a bench near the playground, catching our breath and sipping cold drinks.
—Gulp gulp
We’d run around so much that even the usual soda tasted heavenly sweet.
It was the one the auntie had brought.
She came over out of curiosity, saw us having a blast, and said it was too hot for her so she bought one for us.
Sia had taken a sip too.
Halfway down she put it down.
“More running!”
She dashed off.
I tried to follow, but the sun was blazing and I was wiped out.
I forced myself to move anyway.
“Siu, just sit.”
Sia suddenly appeared beside me and worriedly told me to stay put.
I said I was fine and started to stand, but my head spun.
“Then I’ll take a little break.”
I sat next to Dad and caught my breath.
While I rested, Sia sat right beside me, watching my face the whole time.
She even fanned me with her hand fan and pressed a cold drink to my neck.
She felt guilty for having so much fun on her own, but I knew it wasn’t her fault at all.
I pulled a tissue from my pocket and handed it to her.
“Go play more. I’ll catch up soon.”
“Um…”
“And play only up ahead here. That way I can see you better.”
“……”
Sia glanced at her dad.
“It’s okay if I play.”
“…Yes!”
Dad gave permission and she dashed off immediately.
Then she stopped, turned around, and looked back at me as if checking whether I was watching.
I waved my hand and she giggled.
“Heehee!”
She started playing again.
Dad was right there beside her, so I felt a little more at ease.
I’d been on high alert all day because so many kids kept trying to talk to Sia.
Maybe I was just imagining it, but something felt off.
Luckily, every single one of them got completely ignored by Sia.
Even when another kid’s parent came over and asked if Sia wanted to play together.
“No, thank you. I only play with Siu.”
She turned them down firmly.
The parent looked startled for a second, but once Dad arrived the situation ended.
As a result, Dad seemed a little more on edge.
“Ah… it’s so hot…”
Maybe it was just the heat.
Dad had been fishing, so his skin was tanned, and he was tall and muscular.
He looked intimidating at first glance.
But talking with him made him sound like a really nice person.
Other people probably didn’t know that and still found him scary.
Because Dad kept glaring at Sia so fiercely, no one dared approach her.
I wiped the sweat off my forehead, thinking how impressive he was, when suddenly Dad spoke.
“Siu, are you having fun?”
“Y-Yeah.”
“Hmm? Following Sia around and taking care of her isn’t a bother or too hard?”
He paused for a moment, then asked the real question.
A bother or too hard…
Honestly, at first it had been both.
I was basically being dragged around by Sia.
But…
Now it was different.
If Sia ever left me out, I’d feel a little lonely.