No Way, Wizni Park!

Lou Millionaire had a pretty close senior-junior friendship with Vita Shama. They weren't from the same dorm, but they bonded over shared hobbies and similar personalities. And with two whole days of sweet golden holiday ahead, as soon as afternoon classes ended, Lou's heart was racing. He'd just had a great idea. But because of that incident last time, he hesitated for a moment.

That damn Nathan... pulling such a dogshit stunt.

After hearing the full story, his teeth ground together in fury. The senior who had turned into a girl was undeniably way too pretty, drawing stares from everyone around. Honestly, if Lou himself hadn't known the truth, he might have fallen for her too? But while he and the other otaku seniors were drunk, he never imagined that bastard Nathan would pull something so stupid.

That was right after the incident. Things got a bit awkward between Vita and the other seniors. Lou had apologized too, saying he was sorry, but all he got back was a curt "No need."

"Argh, damn it."

Lou ruffled his hair and finally made up his mind. Still, Vita was a soulmate comrade. Their tastes matched perfectly, and they got along like crazy, so he couldn't just leave things like this.

Ding-

And right on cue, his phone buzzed. Lou's eyes went wide as he checked the message.

What the hell?! The place his senior used to rave about. The spot with the collab for the top anime, Magical Girl Eve Rosalyn! ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠No way he could sit this out. Lou called immediately.

A voice that sounded so manly in tone but clear and pretty. Lou paused at the unfamiliar sound, then yelled.

"No, Senior-!"

"Is that what's important right now? Where'd you get the tickets?"

Like hell some big shot acquaintance just handed them over. Lou's excited face turned weird.

Wizni Park tickets cost...

Enough for five or six steaks at that pricey place?

"Don't lie."

"Introduce me too."

Giggling laughter. She was so hyped she just bragged and hung ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠up, but Lou felt relieved deep down.

"Guess she's really okay..."

Of course she was. The Vita Shama he knew was straightforward ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and cool. A bit stubborn and competitive, sure. But who the heck was it? Lou was honestly curious. His senior was pretty cute as a girl, and her passion for anime was second to none, so dirty thoughts popped up.

Did she hook some sucker?

With that looks, she could snag any guy. Rumors were even flying that she was dating the academy's alpha male, Carlyle Schultz. Nah, no way.

"...Pfft, as if."

Those rumors couldn't possibly be true. His senior, who chased pure masculinity and had insane competitive drive—her and Carlyle Schultz? No chance.

Lunch together every day? Must be competition-related...

He didn't know what the competition was, but no way could he picture his senior going to an amusement park on a date-like outing with Carlyle Schultz. So he just grumbled to himself.

"Damn... jealous."

Lou had no idea that his own guess was closest to the truth.

She couldn't stop laughing. Lying on her bed, Vita muttered at the ceiling.

"Heh... that idiot Lou. He's gotta be super jealous right now."

Probably dying of envy. Wizni Park, of all places! Tickets were insanely expensive—no way he could've dreamed of it. And here they were, right in her hand.

When Carlyle said that, Vita's mind was already made up. Hell yes! But people have pride. So she pretended to think it over. Until her roommate Shasha started reading from the amusement park pamphlet.

"The world's tallest rollercoaster, a theme park decked out like a fairy-tale castle. Evening parade carnival, the scariest haunted house. Oh, and... Magical Girl Eve Rosalyn? What's that about? Anyway, they've got everything."

Vita was practically drooling by then, making Shasha jump when she turned.

"Whoa-!"

Carlyle smirked and said to Vita,

It stung her pride. Come along quietly?

Ugh...

But the rewards were too good to stubborn out. Vita steeled herself.

"F-Fine, I'll go."

She reached for the tickets in Carlyle's hand, but they didn't budge.

"One condition."

And soon it was three o'clock. Time for the meetup.

"Dress up nice?"

That was Carlyle's condition for the tickets. Vita pouted unconsciously and muttered,

"What a clown. Does he think I'm his girlfriend or something?"

She blurted it out without thinking. Then her face heated up. Suddenly, she felt kinda grossed out. Or was it just that? She wasn't even sure herself.

No, wait.

Places like that require dressing up anyway. Can't show up shabby to a crowded spot. Vita ruffled her hair and sighed deeply.

Why say crap like that and mess with her head? Vita blamed every stray thought on Carlyle.

"Just dog barking. Snap out of it, me."

She'd be late at this rate—better pick an outfit first. Vita resolved herself.

"So, what to wear...?"

The closet full of unfamiliar clothes. All prepared by her thorough father.

Well, if I'm dressing up...

She didn't know why she was agonizing so much, but if she was gonna do it, might as well do it right. Just a feeling. Common sense for a crowded place. Skirt or pants? Didn't take long. Last time was just to tease friends and it felt weird—pants it was.

"Yeah, good."

A while later, fully dressed, Vita arrived at the fountain where she'd meet that jerk Carlyle. And there he was. Messy black hair, lazy golden eyes. Brown leather jacket over a thin white turtleneck and beige slacks. Standing under autumn street trees, he looked annoyingly hot.

Vita froze for a second. Even from a guy's perspective, she'd stop and stare.

Then Carlyle spotted her and walked over slowly.

In front of the city fountain. Carlyle's slow gaze lingered on Vita. It dragged on, making her tense.

What, why?

"Nothing I can do if you hate it."

She grumbled. He'd said dress up, so she did—but she wasn't originally a girl. A bit awkward was normal.

But Carlyle was actually captivated. He'd only seen her in uniform lately, so casual clothes felt fresh. And by coincidence, her colors matched his outfit. Neat jeans, ivory knit top, brown cardigan on top. No skirt was a shame, but her fashion sense was on point. He'd asked her to dress up hoping for this effect, just an excuse to see her dolled up. She was prettier than expected, leaving him speechless.

"You told me to dress up."

But she mistook his prolonged silence, her face hardening. Carlyle found even that amusing and stayed quiet.

Ha, really.

Vita felt wronged. He'd told her to dress nice, she put in effort, and this reaction? Pissed her off. She knew she probably looked awkward. She didn't know makeup anyway, and wouldn't bother even if she did. But still, wasn't this effort enough? The more she thought, the angrier she got, about to snap.

"Kh-"

Finally, Carlyle chuckled lowly.

"Looks like you're misunderstanding."

Misunderstanding what?

"You're prettier than I thought. Couldn't find words for a sec."

Carlyle's honest impression. What?!

"Why assume the worst?"

Her face burned at his question. A misunderstanding? He'd led her on purpose? She'd fallen for it hard. But spilled water can't be gathered. His smirking face looked so smug.

"I'm out."

"Where to? Going?"

He grabbed her wrist as she turned. "Really going?"

You'd regret it more.

Carlyle was certain she wouldn't leave. When he offered the tickets, her sparkling eyes gave it away.

Well, in the end...

Soon enough, Vita turned back. Face full of embarrassment, tomato-red.

"Only 'cause of Eve-chan."

"What's that?"

Pride matters, but sometimes other things outweigh it.

"Take me to Wizni Park, please."

So they hopped in a taxi together. Thirty minutes later, a grand sight unfolded before them.

Huge colorful signs. Perfect autumn breeze. Chattering crowds, theme park like a fairy-tale castle.

"Hey, princess. Nachos?"

"Don't fall for it, princess! That's not nachos...!"

"No poison?"

Costumed staff hawking food in character. Laughter like background music.

First time since she was a kid. Vita's excitement bubbled over, forgetting her embarrassment.

"Wow-"

"First time here?"

Carlyle teased lightly. Vita shook her head.

"Nah, but... it's been forever. Too pricey on allowance, and no family trips like this."

"Perfect then."

Carlyle took her marveling hand.

"...?"

She tried to pull away at first.

"Can't lose you in the crowd."

"I'm not a kid."

"Better safe."

True enough. Place was packed.

Not the first time anyway.

Bickering over this felt childish, so Vita gave in.

"Do whatever."

Hand in hand, they bypassed the long line via a side path.

"Hey, no line?"

"What're you talking about?"

Carlyle dangled two tickets in front of her.

"These are Golden Passes."

Shiny gold ones—no waiting required.

Oh, sweet.

Vita's face lit up. A warm-smiling staffer welcomed them.

Money was king. Skipping the line hyped Vita up. But part of her wondered,

Is it okay to get all these perks for free?

Golden Passes were expensive. No clue it was all part of Carlyle's scheme.

"Waaah!"

"Kyaaah-!"

Vita screamed.

Why does my scream sound like this?

That thought vanished in the crowd's cheers.

"Kyaaah-!"

Her body wouldn't obey. Vrooom—whoosh— Jerked every which way, safety belt holding her.

"Waaah-!"

Park thrill, screaming with everyone. Vita felt the refreshing rush after so long.

"Whoa—insane."

Still buzzing after the rollercoaster, she gushed.

"Wasn't it so fun?!"

Face flushed, unable to stop marveling.

Carlyle enjoyed it too.

"Eh, pretty good?"

More because of her joy than the ride.

When he naturally took her hand again, Vita looked awkward—but only briefly. They held hands tight the whole way. Better not lose each other in the massive crowd.

"Wanna do carousel, Viking too."

Her wishes came true. Her original goal? Long forgotten.

She'd wanted to come, sure—but before leaving, Vita had resolved:

Figure out why Carlyle's nonsense got to me.

But now? Clean forgotten.

"Can't miss the robot cars."

Robo-car racing too. The headband and wand clipped to her waist? Not her idea.

"Why buy it if it's a hassle to carry?"

"R-Really...?"

Magical Girl Eve Rosalyn symbols. Heart-shaped wand with wings—souvenir buy. And Carlyle's insistence. That's why she wore them.

"Me daring to wear this... doesn't suit me..."

Awkward at first, but Vita adapted quick. As a guy, she'd never dream it. Cute, pretty. Only she didn't know. Current Bianca Shama drew eyes. Guys glancing, sneaking peeks. Carlyle got possessive, gripping tighter—like claiming his girl.

Evening carnival. Costumed staff paraded the avenue. Cheers, lively music. Dusk sky mixed with colorful fireworks.

"Here, try this."

Vita took the sweet, long churros from Carlyle without thinking, then froze realizing it.

Eh, wait...

What am I doing?

The hyped atmosphere. Drunk on fun, absurd acts felt natural here. But refusing now would be weird.

Munch-munch—

She stopped agonizing. Damn, good churros.

"Th-Thanks..."

Fumbling, Vita spoke up.

"Feels like I'm just taking all day..."

But Carlyle had plans. She'd get it all back—no need to worry. He kept that to himself, leading her post-carnival.

In front of a building.

"Haunted house and Ferris wheel left—that's everything."

Half-expected, but a bonus win. Her face paled.

"Uh, wait. Gotta do this...?"

Jackpot. If a girl's scared, guy must go in.

Carlyle pondered, then baited the hook.

"Could it be... you're scared?"

He knew exactly what worked on her.