Our time together went by quickly as our brother returned just in time for Christmas. Midori offered to drive us to the amusement park, but with the addition of my brother and Mei now joining, Reina and I decided to join them instead. Midori would instead be taking Nicole and her two siblings, while Shin and Zhen chose to get by through public transport.
"Everyone buckled in?"
""Yes~""
Reina, Ren and I all reply in unison, causing Mei to chuckle in the drivers seat.
It's not just Reina or me that's nervous about going to the amusement park, but also our brother. He's fine with driving in general, but considering we're driving to a place where our family broke apart, even if I could drive, I know I would feel stressed out doing so.
"Then away we go~"
Early on in the trip though, Reina ended up passing out on my shoulder in the backseat. I swear, when we reunited, I could've swore she said something about being able to wake up on time, and I guess that's true… but she just goes right back asleep given the chance.
Eventually though, we arrive at the amusement park a bit ahead of schedule. The drive there was quite pleasant as even I felt like passing out a few times. It just goes to show how careful a driver Mei must be.
"Reina~ We're here."
"Mmm-mm?"
"Hehe. Good morning~"
"M-morning. Ehe~"
We get out of the car and wait in the car park for the others to arrive. It's the day before Christmas, so the place is crowded with what seems to be hundreds of people, which is why we all collectively decided to wait by the entrance until everyone shows up.
"Surprised to see that we're the first ones here."
"Well you said you wanted to leave early."
"Nah, I think you're just too good of a driver, Mei."
"H-hey. You're making me sound like I'm a delinquent or something…"
While waiting, I pull out my phone to let a certain someone know we've arrived. Everyone who's coming here are all part of a group chat we made a couple weeks back, but at the last minute, someone else wanted to be a part of it. Only I know that they're coming so I'm trying to be discreet about it.
After around 20 minutes of waiting, the next round of people show up. It's Midori's group with what seems to be Alisa the one who's driving; Midori's maid.
"Ah- Luna!"
Midori quickly spots us as her and her group quickly move over to where we're seated, underneath a few trees for some shade.
"Have you guys been waiting long?"
"Nop-"
"Yes."
"H-hey! Ren!"
"Pfft-ahahaa!"
Seems like brother and Mei are getting along as good as ever. I guess I don't blame them as Mei's been looking forward to this for a while. Our brother has been quite busy as of recently.
"Yo."
"Hey, Nicole."
"Let me introduce you two to my younger brother and sister."
Behind Nicole was a small boy and girl, seeming to be half the size of Nicole, both clinging to her shirt from behind.
"This here is Hikari, and this is Akira. Oi, say hi you two."
""H-hello…""
Honestly it seems like they're Nicole's own kids with how they're clinging onto her, but I choose to keep that to myself.
"Ah- wait, is that our school nurse?"
"Fufu. Nice to meet you~ Don't worry about formalities, I'm just here to have fun like everyone."
"I- I see."
Not too long after Midori's group arrived, Shin and Zhen also arrived as more introductions were had. Akari, Nicole's younger brother seemed to be hitting it off with Shin despite the age gap.
"Right, is that all of us?"
"Uh-"
"Wait for meeee~!"
Suddenly, just as we were about to head inside, a yell could be heard behind us as we all turn our heads. There, I see a familiar face, running straight for us.
"Who's that?"
"Do they know us?"
"Maybe they're calling for someone else- wha?! R-Reina!"
Our group talks among each other, but when Reina suddenly bolted out, running straight for the girl, everyone quieted down.
"Yume?!"
"Reina!"
A scene flashes back in my mind during the time when both Reina and I were running into each other during that snowy night, and just like that time then, both Reina and Yume collide with each other, their arms wrapped tightly around one another. They've been talking on the phone almost daily ever since they exchanged contact info that day, but they've yet to be able to meet, that is until recently when Yume said she managed to make time, so I secretly invited her to join us. Thank god she made it.
"Haaaaah~! I'm not dreaming, right?"
"I'm sorry for being a bad friend until-"
"Hey~ Stop with that already. You've said sorry over the phone so many times, hehe."
"I-I'm sorry."
"Aww, come on~ hehe."
They finally part from their hug as our group slowly moves close to us. That's when I see someone else seems to be making their way over to us.
"Gosh, Yume. I know you're excited, but our parents said I have to take care of you. Don't go running off like that."
"S-sorry, bro"
"Heh. It's fine. You must be Reina?"
"Y-yes."
"I'm Yume's older brother. Thank you for looking after her."
"Y-yes…"
So this is Yume's older brother? I don't recall her ever mentioning that she had one. He looked to be quite tall, even taller than my own brother.
"Hmmm, so it's… twelve of us? Dang~ It's nice to meet you all. I hope my sister and I aren't intruding."
"No no, it's alright. Anyone's who's a friend of my sister is a friend of mine."
"Thanks."
Our brother and Yume's brother smile at one another, as they both exchange contact info before we finally start moving inside.
With it being 12 of us, we decided to make smaller groups, with 1 adult taking one group each. Obviously, our brother is in charge of both Reina and me, but Midori also wanted to join in as our 4th member. Mei would then be in charge of Nicole and her siblings, which left Yume's brother with his sister, Yume, along with Shin, Zhen. We'd all be together still, but it's just to make things easier to keep track of everyone this way. Alisa chose to wait behind in case something pops up with work.
"Man~ Most of the lines are packed…"
"Well we have all day, let's go where there's less people for now and come back later?"
""Mhmm!""
And so, we as a whole group decided to ride on some of the less popular rides, that first being a roller coaster that seemed quite exhilarating, having a couple loops along the track as well.
"W-w-wait! We're going on this?!"
"What? You scared, Mei~?"
"H-hmph! I-I'm not scared!"
"Great! Then let's go!"
"W-wait~!"
Our brother pulls Mei along as the rest of us follow behind. Honestly, I'm a bit scared about the loops as well, but at the same time, a thrill boils over my blood which completely takes away the fear.
…
"KYAAAAAAH!!!"
"HAHAHAA~"
"WOOOOOOOOOH!~"
Mei's cries could still be heard, piercing though the wind blasting by us as well as everyone else's excitement and my brother's laughter. I look to my side where Reina is seated as she too looks my way at the same time. Our smiles telling us all we need to know as we both start laughing as well.
"L-let's not do that again, please?"
"Awww, come on~ It was fun, right?"
"H-How in the world was that fun?!"
"Don't worry Mei, our brother was just as scared as you."
"Huh?"
"Mhmm. When we were little, he would scream at the top of his lungs on rides that were far less scary than that."
"Fufufu. Yeah. I remember he even got sick that one time and we couldn't go back on the ride."
"H-hey! Luna! Reina!"
"Ohooo? So I'm not the only one?"
"W-well… Hearing you scream made me feel like I needed to support you is all! How could I scream as well in that situation?"
"Pfft-fufufuu. Why thank you, my valiant, hero~"
"Hnnn…"
With the truth unveiled, it was decided that both our brother and Mei would sit out for the second ride and instead watch us from the entrance.
"Hey, Luna. Your brother and our nurse. Are they like… dating?"
Nicole peeks her head around, prompting everyone around us to also look our way.
"That's what I'm saying. Apparently they're just friends, but I honestly can't wait for their wedding."
"Pfft. Well they do seem kind of like newlyweds when you say that."
"...You think they'll start dating after today?"
Midori speaks up, joining in on the conversation.
"Maybe it'll be better to leave those two alone then?"
"Good idea!"
I look at Reina as we both end up nodding as well to the idea.
"They both don't like scary rides, so we just need to make sure to ride all the scary ones!"
""MHMM!""
We all join hands at the idea as we set our plan to get my brother and Mei together begins.
After a few hours of riding as much scary rides as we could, even a few of us that were okay before started to feel a bit queasy as we all decided to take a break for lunch at the nearby restaurant that's housed inside the amusement park. With such a large group however, we had to split up on different tables, but we're still all together to an extent. The older adults all sat together, talking among themselves as the rest of us managed to fit around a couple booths.
"You alright, Zhen?"
"Ughhhh."
Zhen was one of the ones, along with Hikari that felt a bit sick after that last ride, Hikari being the one that's currently sitting on Nicole's lap to make some room.
"I think we'll be splitting up after this, right?"
"I think so?"
"Well I'm not leaving my younger brother or sister, so we'll probably take it easy for a bit."
"S-same here…"
Zhen looks like he's the worst one between him and Hikari as his face is quite pale now that I'm looking at him closely.
"Hmmm, then what about you, sis?"
"Hmm? Uhm, I was thinking we could go on a couple more roller coasters if there's any we haven't tried yet."
"Mhmm! I feel the same!"
"Jeez… You two are demons."
"U-uhm, then do you mind if I come along as well?"
"Of course, Midori."
"Ah! Same here!"
"Fufu. I didn't picture you being a thrill seeker as well, Yume."
Seems like it's only us four that still have some bite left for the rides.
After some time waiting, our food finally arrived as we all fuelled up for the next round of rides. With it now being past noon, the place is even more packed than before as we're currently stuck behind a line for another roller coaster. Yume's older brother decided to accompany us, but chose to sit out on the ride and watch from below.
"Do you wanna sit next to me, Reina?"
"Mhmm! Is that's okay, sis?"
"Of course. Then that means you'll be next to me, Midori?"
"Ah- y-yes! I-if you'd have me…"
Huh?
"Next please~"
Before I knew it though, we were next up on the ride as we took our seating arrangements like we planned as Midori sat next to me, with Reina and Yume sat directly behind us.
"...Hey, Luna?"
"Hmm? What's up?"
"Can I talk with you later? Alone, if that's okay?"
"Alone?"
I'm guessing this might be something to do with the upcoming new years speech for the student council? Ah-
"…"
"…"
We both fall silent as Midori looked away from me, her ears quickly turning red, even I'm feeling a bit embarrassed. I mean, the last time we talked about speeches would be during our practice together… when Midori suddenly-
Cutting me off from thoughts, the ride begins to take off.
"..Nn."
However, despite Midori choosing not to look my way, she grabs my hand in her own, squeezing it tightly as we slowly begin ascending, awaiting for the sudden drop of the roller coaster.
"...It's alright. We can talk when you're ready."
"...Thank you."
"I also wanted to talk with you… about that."
"...Mhmm."
In the next moments, we start flying through the roller coaster at intense speeds, but neither Midori or I could fully enjoy it as she kept clinging onto my hand throughout the whole ride, meanwhile my sister and Yume are screaming with joy just behind us. Just seeing my sister having fun like this eases my worries as I too slowly find some enjoyment in the ride as well, which seemed to have also affected Midori as she too slowly began smiling once more.
Once we got off the ride, all the pressure seemed to have left Midori and I as we continued to enjoy the day out with everyone else. After some time, we meet up with everyone else, taking a more leisure time with the slower rides and other places like the haunted houses.
"KYAHH!"
"Pfft."
It was then that we discovered that both Yume and Shin both scream at pretty much anything. I honestly didn't know Shin could scream like a girl more than Yume, much to everyone else's enjoyment.
Before I knew it, the time flew right by as the sun slowly began to fade. It's only then do I think back to what I discussed with Midori as I look her way. When exactly are we meant to have that talk?
"Right, I think it's time we head back-"
"Wait, Ren. You forgot one last ride."
"Hmm?"
"The Ferris Wheel, stupid! It's like the perfect time!"
Midori seemed like she was the one to speak up, until Mei stepped in instead, proposing we continue just a little longer.
"Hmmm~ Fine. Is that okay with everyone?"
""Yes!""
Everyone seemed to be pleased about it, especially Nicole's younger sister and brother as they look about ready to sprint to the Ferris wheel until Nicole catches them by their hands.
"Well it looks like it's 4 people per carriage, so we need to figure out-"
"What if Luna and I take one ourselves?"
Everyone's eyes turn to Midori who proposed the idea, and everyone seemed to be okay with it; except for-
"Sis?"
Reina doesn't seem too happy about it...
"I think that's okay? We can share a ride ourselves, Reina!"
Yume seems to be onboard with the idea, but I can still see the displeasure in Reina's eyes...
I'd normally also be displeased by it as I too would love to ride the Ferris wheel with Reina. It's been almost a decade since that time… back when we were little. I'd love to re-write that memory with her, but at the same time, this might be the last chance for Midori to talk to me alone before new years…
"Reina. Is that okay?"
Reina steps in closer before leaning in close so that only I can hear while the others seem to be arranging who goes where.
"...Are you sure you're fine with this?"
"Pfft, I mean I'd love to ride one with you, but Midori said she wanted to talk with me alone."
"Alone?"
"Yeah."
"...Okay."
"It's alright. You got Yume, right?"
"Yes but… I'd still prefer riding with you, sis."
God she's too adorable. I want to hug her right now but I'll save that when we get home.
"Just bear with me, okay? I'll make it up to you when we get home. Promise."
"Oh?"
"Mhmm."
"...Hehe. Okay."
With that now sorted out, I guess it's time to finally settle this. I'm not about to continue this awkward atmosphere with Midori once we start working together in the student council next year, but now the pressure on being alone with Midori…