Chapter 198: 'The Three of Us'
Arriving at the entrance of the amusement park, Hikigaya Hachiman took out his phone to check the time.
There were still over twenty minutes until the time he had arranged to meet Kawasaki Saki.
"Today, the train was unexpectedly fast…"
Muttering to himself, Hachiman found a seat near the entrance and sat down.
"Come to think of it, the last time I came to an amusement park was with Rimuru…"
Thinking of that senior who was prettier than most girls, a faint smile appeared on Hachiman's face. He felt it would be especially interesting if Rimuru and Totsuka Ayaka were to meet.
"Hachiman!"
Just as Hachiman was imagining their meeting, a voice called out from a distance.
He looked up toward the source of the voice.
A silver-haired little girl was waving at him from afar, and next to her was the exasperated Kawasaki Saki.
"Nice to see you again, Keika…"
Hachiman raised his hand in greeting as well, smiling warmly at Kawasaki Keika running up to him.
"Mm!"
Keika nodded vigorously and then gave Hachiman a reproachful look.
"Hachiman, you haven't come to visit our house at all since that day."
"Ahem…"
Seeing the look of a betrayed lover in Keika's eyes, Hachiman quickly coughed twice.
He was completely innocent. Without Saki's invitation, suddenly showing up at the Kawasaki house would have looked suspicious.
"Well, anyway, today you have to spend time playing with my sister and me!"
As she spoke, Keika reached Hachiman's side, took his hand, and together they headed toward the amusement park ticket booth. From a distance, it really looked like a little family of three.
"Two adults and one child. We have a family package—three people for 5,000 yen. Thank you for your patronage~"
Seeing the three of them coming to buy tickets, the ticket clerk cheerfully calculated the best discount and smiled at the only male, Hachiman.
"Wait, we're not—"
Kawasaki Saki started to explain that they weren't actually a family of three, but Keika tugged her arm to stop her.
"We can save 2,000 yen, Sis!"
"..."
Even though she had already received a large sum of money from Hachiman, Saki hesitated when reminded by Keika. After all, 2,000 yen was a lot! She would have to work more than two hours at her part-time job to earn that much.
"Here…"
Seeing Saki remain silent and understanding Keika's desire to save money, Hachiman pulled a 10,000-yen bill from his wallet and handed it over.
"Okay, 10,000 yen received. Change is 5,000 yen. Please check."
After confirming the bill's authenticity with a bill checker, the clerk handed Hachiman the change and the three tickets.
"Let's go."
Taking the tickets, Hachiman glanced back at a slightly blushing Saki and the smiling Keika, then led them into the park.
"Wow, it's so lively!"
Entering the amusement park, Keika, who usually stayed at home, shouted excitedly.
"Keika, don't shout so loudly."
Seeing her sister's excitement, Saki scolded her briefly, then turned to Hachiman apologetically.
"Sorry, she's always at home, so…"
"It's fine."
Hachiman shook his head, indicating he didn't mind at all. He then crouched down and gently asked the little girl in front of him, "Keika, what do you want to play today?"
"That!"
Feeling supported by Hachiman, Keika immediately pointed toward the distant roller coaster.
"..."
Hachiman and Saki exchanged a glance.
Kids nowadays are already this daring? Right after entering the park, she wants to go on such a thrilling ride?!
"Uh, Keika, maybe we should choose something else? The roller coaster is very dangerous."
Considering her sister's age, Saki objected.
"No, it's fine since Hachiman is here, right?"
Pouting, Keika clung to Hachiman's arm, stubbornly insisting on her choice.
Seeing her cling to him, Saki's eye twitched. Looking at Hachiman, a flicker of suspicion and vigilance appeared in her gaze.
What on earth did he feed her? They'd only met twice, so why is Keika so attached to him?
"Uh… Kawasaki-san, shall we go play?"
Looking to Saki for approval, Hachiman asked tentatively.
"You two are already voting yes. Even if I oppose, it won't matter, right?"
Saki rolled her eyes at him, then reluctantly nodded in agreement.
"Hehe…"
Hearing her words, Keika grabbed Saki's arm with one hand and smiled sweetly. Then she dashed toward the roller coaster line with all her energy, dragging the two of them along.
As a highly popular ride, the roller coaster line was long. But fortunately, each ride could accommodate dozens of visitors, so after about ten minutes of waiting, the three of them finally boarded.
Four seats per row.
Hachiman naturally took the seat on the edge, with an excited Keika beside him.
Saki sat on the other side of her sister, with an unnamed stranger in the remaining seat.
After the staff confirmed all safety measures, the coaster started moving.
It slowly climbed upward, and as it hung in midair, Hachiman clearly felt the little girl beside him trembling.
"It's okay…"
Patting Keika's hand, Hachiman gave her a reassuring smile. Even if the ride's safety failed, he would make sure the Kawasaki sisters were completely safe.
"Mm!"
Keika felt much more at ease, smiling sweetly at him. Suddenly, as the roller coaster reached the peak, it paused briefly…
Then, with tremendous force, it plunged toward the ground!
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