The morning sunlight spilled across my desk as I finished preparing my bag. Today felt brighter than usual, warm with the kind of excitement that made my footsteps lighter. A day at the amusement park with Hinata, Shuuta, and Makoto. It had been a while since all four of us went somewhere together.
"Yukito," Yumi called from downstairs, "your friends are already outside."
I blinked. "Already?"
"And Hinata-san looks cute," she added with an annoyingly teasing tone.
I sighed, grabbed my jacket, and headed down the stairs.
The moment I opened the door, I saw them waiting at the gate.
Hinata stood with her hands gently clasped, wearing a soft pink blouse under a light cardigan. Her skirt fluttered with the breeze, and just seeing her there made my heart beat a little faster.
Beside her was Shuuta, casual as always in his hoodie and jeans, and next to him was Makoto, his cheerful girlfriend. She wore a cap, shorts, and a loose jacket, giving off the lively vibe of someone ready to sprint into fun at any moment.
Makoto waved excitedly. "Morning, Yukito."
"Morning," I answered.
Hinata smiled sweetly. "Good morning, Yukito."
I tried to smile back without looking awkward. "Morning."
Shuuta nudged Makoto. "Let's get going before lines get crazy."
"Right right," she replied. "We have a whole day to conquer."
We began walking. Shuuta quietly leaned toward me.
"A date with friends included, huh?" he whispered.
"It is not a date," I muttered.
Makoto overheard and pinched Shuuta's arm. "Stop messing with him. We came here to have fun, not to bully Yukito first thing in the morning."
"Fine fine," he winced.
Hinata giggled softly. "You two are always like this."
"And you like it," Makoto said proudly.
The amusement park entrance was already bustling. Children darted around with balloons, mascots posed for photos, and the sound of merry-go-round music floated through the air.
Hinata's eyes sparkled. "It is so colorful today."
"It is perfect weather too," Makoto added, stretching her arms upward.
Shuuta pointed at the towering roller coaster. "First stop."
The metal track loomed high above us, twisting into wild loops that scraped the sky.
Hinata tensed a little. "That looks scary."
Makoto patted her back reassuringly. "It is scary. But also fun."
"I will try it," Hinata said bravely. "Even if I scream."
"You will scream," Makoto said confidently. "Trust me."
As we joined the line, Hinata stood beside me, nervously holding her arm.
"Yukito," she whispered. "If I panic, please do not laugh."
"I will not," I promise.
"Thanks."
Makoto and Shuuta sat behind us once we boarded the coaster. Makoto pretended to adjust her cap but was clearly smirking at Hinata clinging to the safety bar.
"Hang on tight," she said.
The coaster began its slow climb. Click. Click. Click. Each sound made Hinata grip the bar tighter.
"Why is it moving so slowly?" she asked.
"It is building suspense," I replied.
"I do not want suspense…"
At the top, the entire park stretched beneath us like a colorful map.
And then we plunged.
Hinata screamed at a pitch I did not know humans could produce.
Shuuta yelled dramatically behind us. Makoto screamed for fun. The wind blasted against us, whipping hair and clothes as loops and drops blurred together.
Midair, Hinata grabbed my arm tightly.
"I am falling," she cried.
"You are not. You are safe."
"I do not feel safe."
"Just hold on."
She clutched harder, and even in the chaos, the warmth of her grip spread through me.
When the ride stopped, Hinata stumbled out like a newborn deer. Shuuta and Makoto followed, laughing and clutching each other for balance.
Makoto placed her hands on her knees. "I love this ride but wow. My legs are shaking."
Shuuta ruffled her hair. "You look adorable when you are dizzy."
Hinata exhaled. "Terrifying. But also fun."
"That is the charm," Makoto said.
Next was the haunted house, a gothic building decorated with lanterns and fake cobwebs.
Makoto grinned. "I love scary stuff. Let us go."
Hinata glanced at me nervously. "Are you scared?"
"No."
"You say that, but last time you jumped at a cat," Makoto said.
"That cat attacked me," I protested.
Shuuta chuckled. "It walked near you."
Inside, the air was cold. Fog drifted around us. The hallway was dim and narrow.
Hinata grabbed my sleeve. "Something touched me."
"It is fog."
"That fog had fingers."
That was impossible, but she held my sleeve like it was a lifeline.
Makoto, in front, squeaked when a mannequin head turned toward her.
"Stop staring at me," she muttered, swatting it lightly.
Shuuta laughed behind her. "It is not alive, Mako."
"Still creepy," she said with a pout.
A fake corpse suddenly dropped from above.
Hinata screamed and jumped into my arms.
Makoto also screamed and jumped into Shuuta's arms.
Shuuta panicked. "Why are you jumping on me too?"
"Protect me!" Makoto demanded, clinging to him.
After escaping alive, Shuuta gave Makoto a bottle of water.
"Are you alright?"
She nodded. "Yes. I am fine. But if something grabs my ankle today I am going home."
The next ride on the list was the Ferris wheel.
Makoto folded her arms. "It is cute but boring."
"Romantic," Shuuta whispered near her ear.
Makoto's cheeks pinkened. "If you say that one more time I will throw you off the wheel."
Hinata smiled at them. "You two are sweet."
They both froze, embarrassed.
"You heard her," I said. "She called you two sweet."
Makoto hid her face behind her cap.
"Let us just get on."
Hinata and I took one cabin, while Shuuta and Makoto boarded the one behind us.
As the Ferris wheel rose higher, the scenery spread out beautifully below. The wind was gentle, and the cabin swayed lightly.
Hinata pressed her hand to the glass. "So pretty…"
"Yeah."
We sat quietly at first, enjoying the view.
Then Hinata leaned slightly toward me.
"Yukito."
"Hm?"
"Today is really fun."
"I am glad you are enjoying it."
She smiled softly. "Being with everyone makes me happy. Being with you… makes me even happier."
My heart tightened.
"I feel the same," I admitted.
Her cheeks turned a soft shade of pink. "Can we do things like this again? Days filled with silly fun?"
I nodded. "Of course."
Hinata moved closer and let her head rest gently on my shoulder.
"Thank you," she whispered.
The cabin's warm silence said more than words could.
When the ride ended, we stepped out to find Makoto and Shuuta waiting.
Makoto crossed her arms playfully. "We were watching from below. Looked romantic."
Shuuta nodded. "Very romantic."
Hinata flailed slightly. "It was not like that."
"Sure," Makoto said.
The rest of the day was chaos in the best way.
We raced bumper cars. Makoto aggressively chased Shuuta until she hit the side wall instead.
"My pride," she groaned dramatically.
Shuuta laughed and checked her forehead gently. "Are you okay?"
"Yes. But my pride is crushed."
Hinata and I shared cotton candy. She got some on her cheek again. When I wiped it for her, she froze, flustered.
We played a shooting game. Hinata won a plush bear.
"Here," she said, offering it to me.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. As a memory."
I accepted it carefully.
Makoto nodded approvingly. "Cute."
We visited the arcade. Shuuta and Makoto battled fiercely in a rhythm game, banging on the buttons with teamwork and shouting proudly when they won.
"Couple victory," Makoto said, raising her hands in triumph.
Hinata and I tried a racing game. She beat me without mercy.
Then photos. The photo booth printed a strip of pictures where Makoto and Shuuta made ridiculous poses while Hinata and I tried to look normal. One picture showed Hinata smiling softly beside me.
"This one is mine," she said, hugging the photo.
After hours of rides and snacks, we gathered near the central fountain as the sky turned orange.
Makoto stretched. "I am tired but happy."
Shuuta nodded. "We should do this again."
Hinata smiled at us. "Thank you for today… all of you."
Then she looked at me more softly.
"And especially you, Yukito."
I swallowed. "I did not do anything special."
"You did," she said gently. "You stayed beside me the whole time."
She took my hand. I did not resist.
"Let us go home together," she said.
Makoto grinned and whispered to Shuuta, "Look at them. They are adorable."
Shuuta whispered back, "We are adorable too."
Makoto elbowed him. "Do not ruin the moment."
We walked out of the park under the glow of evening lights. The breeze was cool, and laughter lingered in the air.
Hinata squeezed my hand lightly.
"Yukito."
"Yeah?"
"Today is one of my happiest memories."
Mine too.
"Let us come back again someday."
"Definitely."
She smiled, glowing softly in the fading light.
And the four of us walked home together, ending a perfect day filled with screams, smiles, friendship, and something a little deeper.