As we approached the gates of the water park, it was finally time for Hikari to realize where I had brought her.
"Souta-kun. Isn't this a water park?"
"We could still swim here, right?"
"You're not wrong, but still…"
"I wanted to have some fun with you, Hikari-san. Since you haven't swam in a while, it's a great way to loosen your body up."
"Humph. It's fine, I guess."
There was a faint pout on her lips, a little dissatisfaction in her voice, yet her eyes betrayed her. She couldn't hide the spark of excitement bubbling inside her.
After parking the car, I slipped out quickly.
"I'll go open the door for you, Hikari-san. Don't move a finger."
"Okay." She smiled warmly, accepting the gesture.
We lined up at the ticket counter together.
"Two couple's tickets, please."
"That will be 6,000 yen."
"Here you go."
"Thank you, here are your tickets."
Once we stepped away from the booth, Hikari tugged lightly at my sleeve, her face tinged pink.
"Couple's tickets?"
"It's cheaper."
"I could've paid for it…"
"I can't let you do that since I invited you."
Seeing her flustered expression was irresistible. I leaned in a little, teasing.
"I guess we're couples for the day."
"I-I suppose we are."
"I think we look pretty good together."
"Souta-kun, I-I'm old."
"Don't say that. You're still young and beautiful. If you don't believe me, you'll probably receive a lot of attention today."
She turned her face away quickly, but her ears glowed red.
Inside, the water park was lively with sound and color.
Sunlight glittered across the pools, streams of water arched from fountains, and the air was filled with laughter, the crash of waves from the pool, and the distant shrieks of kids racing down slides. The smell of chlorine mixed with grilled food from nearby stalls, warm concrete underfoot already heating the air.
We headed to the changing rooms.
"Hikari-san. I'll wait for you by that pole after I finish changing."
"…Okay."
For me, it was simple: strip, trunks on, locker shut. It barely took a minute.
I figured Hikari would take longer, so I stopped by a vending machine. She liked fruity things, so I picked up a melon soda for her and a can of coffee for myself.
When I came back, the scene froze me. Hikari stood wrapped in a towel, clearly uncomfortable, while two flies buzzed around her. They weren't literal insects but delinquents. Tanned skin, piercings, the type who thrived on bothering women at places like this.
What was this cliché scene doing here?
"Onee-san, did you come alone?"
"Let's go have some fun, onee-san."
"Why are you hiding your body under a towel, onee-san? Let us have a peek."
I strode over immediately, voice sharp.
"You bastards, why are you bothering my girlfriend?"
The two stiffened, faces paling.
"O-oh. Our bad, we didn't know she had a man."
"Go."
They scattered quickly, not daring to push further.
I turned back to Hikari, a pang of guilt hitting me.
"I'm sorry, Hikari-san. I should've been faster."
"No, it's okay. I didn't think I would receive that kind of attention…"
"I told you, right? You look beautiful."
"Thank you, Souta-kun. For earlier as well."
"No problem. I got you melon soda."
"Fufu. I'll enjoy it."
"Should I hold onto your towel for you?"
She hesitated for a moment, holding the fabric tightly to her chest. Then, slowly, she let it go, placing it in my hands.
For a second, I thought I glimpsed paradise.
She wore a sleek black one-piece with tasteful cutouts along her waist.
The design was modest enough to conceal the essentials, yet the deep line of her cleavage drew the eye irresistibly.
The fabric strained to contain her chest, making her size impossible to ignore. The wet shimmer of the suit hugged every curve, emphasizing just how perfect her figure really was.
"Wow… it looks super good on you, Hikari-san!"
"…Does it?"
"Yeah! You look wonderful! Gorgeous!"
"You're embarrassing me, Souta-kun!"
"Super beautiful!"
"Stop it already!~"
Even though she said that, she was smiling.
She looked more comfortable after my barrage of compliments, it put my heart more at ease.
I could understand her unease since water parks are for young people. But Hikari didn't look out of place at all.
In my mind, I thought this was the perfect place to her regain some confidence.
We walked further inside. The cries of children echoed around us, fountains spraying arcs of water, waves crashing against the artificial shore.
Sunlight danced on the surface of the pools, the scent of sunscreen and fried food drifting in the breeze.
"Where do you want to start, Hikari-san?"
"How about the lazy river? It's been so long since I swam."
"Perfect. I'll keep you afloat if you get tired."
"Fufu, then I'll rely on you."
We grabbed two inflatable tubes and slipped into the cool water. The current carried us along slowly, palm trees swaying above. Families floated past, children splashing each other. Hikari leaned back in her tube, her hair damp and clinging to her shoulders.
"This feels nice…"
I drifted closer until my arm brushed against her tube.
"Don't fall asleep, Hikari-san. If you drown, I won't have anyone to cook for me."
"I might as well drown if I'm just a cook to you."
"No! You have other uses as well!"
"Like?"
"Cleaning."
"Hah. My life is so depressing."
We laughed together.
The river carried us on, and I let myself enjoy the sight. The water droplets on her thighs, the way the suit cut across her waist, the valley of her chest glistening in the sun.
I was rock hard.
…I would need to stay in the water for a little longer to calm down.
Later, we moved to the wave pool. She hesitated at the edge, clutching my arm.
"Souta-kun, this looks rough…"
"Don't worry, I'll stay right beside you."
The siren blared, and waves rolled in.
She yelped softly as the water surged, stumbling against me. My arms went around her waist, steadying her. Her body pressed into mine, warm and slick from the water.
I got to hold her for the first time in a while. I felt like a drug addict getting his fix.
"Ah… thank you…"
"Careful, Hikari-san. I'll hold onto you."
By the time the waves settled, she was laughing breathlessly, a little out of breath. She pushed damp hair behind her ear, droplets sliding down her neck.
"That was fun. I haven't done that in years."
"You should do it more often. It suits you when you laugh like that."
"Souta-kun, you talk like a playboy."
"Are you hitting on me?"
"No!"
We took a break by the food stalls, grabbing yakisoba and shaved ice. She insisted on paying this time, and I let her win, though part of me enjoyed watching her pout when I tried to cover it.
She lifted a spoonful of melon-flavored ice, offering it to me. "Here, try some."
"Sweet."
Getting fed by Hikari, I felt like my soul was healing. I almost cried on the spot. Hikari-san, should we have romantic sex in a hotel with the lights off?
"You're like a little kid, Souta-kun."
"I've grown!"
"How?"
"I can drive."
"I've seen monkeys drive."
"Fine, you win this time."