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Rokujouma no Shinryakusha!? (Light Novel) - Volume 17, Chapter 3: The Secret Agreement at the Amusement Park
Volume 17, Chapter 3: The Secret Agreement at the Amusement Park
This chapter is updated by NovelFree.ml
Part 1
Monday, August 23
Unlike the girls of room 106 who were enjoying their summer vacation, Koutarou was busy with his part-time job.
However, since Koutarou was receiving his Knight's salary from Theia, he didn't actually have to work. Totaling up all of the money he had received from Theia so far, he had enough to buy a small house.
However, Koutarou had no intention of using that money for himself. He would save it up and use it for everyone when they went out to play. He didn't have it in him to see the salary he had gotten out of his relationship with Theia as actual money. It didn't feel right to him to see the money he had gotten from Theia turning into instant noodles or toilet paper. However, he didn't feel any resistance if that money was used so everyone could have fun. He felt it was natural that something appeared from a relationship should be used for relationships.
So, Koutarou continued his part-time job despite having a vast fortune for a high school student. The girls around him laughed at him for only being able to live so awkwardly. However, while they laughed, they loved that awkward side of him, because they knew that him continuing his part-time job was his roundabout of treasuring them. Knowing that, the girls didn't stop him from working, they simply watched over him with smiles.
“Koutarou, it's your turn.”
“Ok.”
Koutarou slowly reached out to throw his die before moving his own piece the amount of steps the die showed. Koutarou was currently playing a board game with Sanae, Yurika, Kiriha and the two haniwas. They had already finished everything for today and were currently killing the time until it was bedtime by playing a game.
“It says to draw an event card.”
The objective of the board game was to escape from an old European manor. Many of the accidents in the manor were decided by event cards. The space that Koutarou's piece had stopped on had instructions to draw such a card.
“Then take this.”
“Thanks.”
Koutarou drew a card from the pile of event cards that Kiriha presented to him.
“What did you get?”
“Uhm... 'You broke down a wall and are attacked by a zombie. You can fend it off by discarding a weapon card. If you don't discard, or can't discard, you are chased around by the zombie and lose a turn'.”
“What will you do Ho?”
“Zombies are scary Ho.”
“I don't have any weapon cards. Guess I'm sitting out a turn. Haaah...”
Koutarou glanced at his hand and shook his hand. The next moment he let out a loud yawn. It was getting late and he was exhausted from work, so Koutarou was getting really tired.
“Next is Karama-chan.”
“Brother, the die Ho.”
“Be careful Ho. There are monsters everywhere in this manor Ho!”
“HoHo-!!”
“The haniwas are really into it.”
“They're probably happy because they usually only get to watch.”
Once Koutarou's turn was over, the turns moved from the haniwas, to Yurika, to Kiriha and to Sanae before returning to him. However, since he was skipping a turn he had to wait for another round. The game continued for another round and passed over to Koutarou once more.
“...”
“Koutarou, hey.”
“Looks like he's fallen asleep.”
“While exploring the manor, Koutarou lost to drowsiness Ho-”
“Nice feeling Ho-”
“I'm sure he's tired. He's working his part-time job and playing with us.”
Having sat out a turn, Koutarou had fallen asleep. Waking him up once he's fallen asleep was no easy task and the girls also had a gist of why he fell asleep to begin with. That's why no one in the room tried to wake him up.
“Alright, Koutarou's asleep but let's continue!”
“That's more like it Ho-!”
“This adventure doesn't end yet Ho-!”
“With Satomi-san dropping out, the last place goes to him. Now I really want to keep going.”
The game continued as if nothing happened. With Koutarou being in such a deep sleep, waking him up would be hard work. So fortunately there was no fear of accidentally waking him up by being noisy. There was no worry of causing trouble for Koutarou by continuing.
“You guys continue, I'll properly put Koutarou to sleep.”
“Okay~, then it's Karama-chan's turn again.”
“Fu fu fu, I will show you my luckiness Ho!”
“...Karama, you were lucky Ho?”
“It's most exciting if we put it like that Ho.”
“Show them your luck Ho, Karama!”
“The haniwas are getting more and more influenced by the manga and anime of the surface.”
Leaving the game to the haniwas, Sanae and Yurika, Kiriha began taking care of Koutarou. After putting down a futon by the edge of the room, she dragged him all the way to it. With no strength in his body, it was easy to drag him along the grain of the tatami.
You're sleeping completely defenseless... we're invaders you know? Aren't you scared we'll do something terrible?
Kiriha pulled a blanket over Koutarou and quietly watched his sleeping face. It was a loose face without any sense of caution. Seeing that, Kiriha smiled and gently patted his cheek. As she did, she could feel his warmth through her palm. Happy by that sensation she continued patting his cheek over and over.
What would you do if I were to kiss you while you sleep? I'm one thing, but Kii doesn't have that kind of restraint... fufu, fufufufu...
While Koutarou had a surprisingly lack of caution towards the invaders, those invaders were deeply in love with him. Both sides were strange. That's why Kiriha continued to smile.
Part 2
After putting Koutarou in his futon, Kiriha returned to the tea table and rejoined the game. They continued playing until they finished. First place was Sanae, second was Karama, third was Kiriha, fourth was Korama and Yurika was fifth. Since Koutarou ended up falling asleep, Yurika was the actual last place.
“Fuh fuuu~h♪ I'll be able to sleep great toda~y♪”
Despite being the actual last place, Yurika was in a great mood. She happily hummed as she opened the wardrobe and climbed up to the upper half which she was using as her room. The game they had played was incredibly enjoyable to her. With Koutarou retiring, Yurika could enjoy the game without worrying about getting last place. This was the ideal end for her.
“Goo~d niii~ght♪”
The cheerful Yurika was planning on turning in early. Since she was unfortunate most of the time, she had begun going to bed early whenever something good happened. That had become her life philosophy.
“Good night.”
Sanae seeing Yurika off was somewhat dissatisfied. The contrasting behavior was as if Sanae had taken last place and Yurika first.
“What is it Sanae?”
After Yurika had closed the sliding door of the wardrobe Kiriha called out to Sanae. She naturally grew concerned as the normally cheerful and innocent Sanae showed a wry face.
“I was wondering how I should punish Koutarou for going to sleep and forgetting about this beautiful Sanae-chan.”
Sanae's dissatisfaction was with Koutarou. To her, it was his duty to praise her when she got first place. Neglecting his obligation and going to sleep was a major sin.
“So, did you decide on what to do?”
“Yeah, I've decided to think about it tomorrow.”
“That's not deciding on anything, you're just putting off for later.”
“But it's boring to decide on something when Koutarou is sleeping.”
Strictly speaking, Sanae just wanted Koutarou to dote on her. Yet he had gone to sleep, not doing anything for her.
“Well, it's not like I don't understand how you feel.”
Kiriha had a mischievous side to her and she also found it dull that Koutarou had gone to sleep. Unlike Sanae however, it was because she wanted to dote on Koutarou.
“Well then, I'm going to sleep as well.”
“Yeah, good night.”
“Good night.”
After saying her good night, Sanae put on her favorite nightcap. The nightcap had a similar design to a Santa cap and fit the innocent and bright Sanae perfectly.
“Geez, that Koutarou...”
Sanae muttered her complaints as she approached Koutarou. He was currently sleeping on his side and Sanae approached him from his front.
“And there.”
Sanae laid down in front of Koutarou and pushed her back against his chest. She then pulled his arm forward and wrapped her body around it.
“That should do it.”
Having confirmed Koutarou's and her own positions, she nodded with satisfaction and closed her eyes. She was planning on sleeping in this position where she was being hugged from behind. When she was a ghost she used to sleep inside of Koutarou, so this kind of intimate position seemed natural to her.
“...I sometimes get envious of that innocent boldness of yours...”
“Did you say something?”
“No, nothing. Good night, Sanae.”
“Good night.”
Kiriha started leaving room 106 as she stared at the two. As she wondered how she could do the same thing she left for her own room underneath room 106.
Part 3
The next morning, Ruth instinctively smiled as she arrived in room 106. The reason for that was because both Koutarou and Sanae were sleeping on their backs with their arms and legs stretched out. The two of them sleeping in the exact same position was quite humorous, and to Ruth it looked like it reflected the two's relationship perfectly.
After looking at the two for a while, Ruth headed towards the kitchen, and as she began preparing breakfast, Sanae who was sensitive to the presence of others woke up. She sleepily rubbed her eyes and slowly entered the kitchen.
“Good morning.”
“Good morning to you.”
Figuring that she must be tired as the season was still midsummer, Ruth gave Sanae a glass of water as she greeted her.
“Have some water.”
“Thank you, Ruth.”
“I see you stayed over last night.”
“Yeah. You know Koutarou― Ah, that's right!”
Sanae hurriedly drank up her water and swiftly ran back into the inner room. Her goal was to wake up Koutarou and complain about yesterday.
“My...”
Surprised by the sudden change in Sanae's behavior, Ruth stood there wide eyed for a moment before giggling and returning to her work. The menu for today was ham, egg, salad, miso soup and rice.
Having been woken up by Sanae, Koutarou wasn't sure why she was angry at him at first, but after listening for a while he understood what she was saying.
“I'm sorry for falling asleep half ways through.”
“That doesn't matter! I'm more concerned about you neglecting your most important job, which is to praise me when I win!”
“That's your problem!?”
“What other problems could there be?”
“Normally, falling asleep part way through the game would be the problem.”
“But you've been tired lately right? I'd feel sorry for you if I said you couldn't sleep.”
“Then I could just praise you later right?”
“No way. You spoiling me is the mission given to you by the heavens itself.”
“I don't really get it, but... congratulations on your victory. That's just what I'd expect from the beautiful and adorable Sanae-chan.”
“Hm, very well.”
After praising Sanae, Koutarou began patting her head. Having sensed it coming, she presented her head to him, making it extremely easy to pat. Sanae loved the back and forth before getting her head patted. It was her favorite game.
“Then following up, as an extra reward you'll be taking me to the amusement park you bastard.”
“Can't you ask normally?”
“I'm bored so lets go play at the amusement park!”
“Just say that from the start. You really are a handful.”
“Ehehehe~”
After letting out an embarrassed laugh, Sanae looked up at Koutarou. Her eyes were full of expectation. Having Sanae look up at him with that kind of look in her eyes was one of Koutarou's weaknesses. He couldn't refuse when her eyes were sparkling like that.
“Okay, okay. Let's go to the amusement park.”
“Really!? Alright!! Thank you, Koutarou!!”
“So when do we go?”
“Today!”
“That's awfully sudden. Everyone might be busy.”
“Then that's fine. We can just go again when everyone has time. It's not like it's a place where one day is enough.”
“That's an optimistic outlook.”
“Sanae-chan's method is to do fun things as many times as possible.”
“Yeah, that way sounds more fun.”
Koutarou decided to go to the amusement park with Sanae. He would invite those who were free today.
“Koutarou, Sanae, may I join too?”
The nearby Kiriha expressed her desire to participate. The amusement park they would be going to had the roller coaster that Kiriha loved. Since she'd love nothing more than to ride that whenever she had the chance, she wouldn't overlook this chance.
“Yeah, let's go together! It's more fun with more people! The haniwas should come too!”
“Let's go Ho-! We'll play Ho-!”
“We don't have to hide there so I love it Ho-!”
Of course Sanae welcomed this. While it might be fun to go with just Koutarou, she wanted to have fun with more people. If Kiriha was coming so would the haniwas, bringing up the participants to five.
Part 4
While Kiriha would join, nobody else could. Theia and Ruth had something else to do, Yurika was abducted by the cosclub a moment ago, Shizuka and Maki had made a promise to go hang out with some classmates, and Harumi and Clan had to continue the health check up from yesterday. As a result, Koutarou would be going out with Sanae, Kiriha and the haniwas.
“Since it's just us I've decided to pad out the numbers.”
“Sanae-chan, one of us is enough.”
After leaving room 106, Sanae-chan left her body and was floating in the air alongside the haniwas. This was her way of showing her consideration, but to Sanae-san left behind in the body, this was a trial.
“You need to get used to this.”
“That's impossible... you're always taking the courage with you, Sanae-chan.”
“Well that's because it's mine. You need to squeeze out your own courage. Stop relying on me.”
“But...”
Having only known Koutarou and the others for a short while, Sanae-san still wasn't sure how to act around them. On top of that, Sanae-chan's personality was usually on the surface, and the introverted Sanae-san couldn't really rely on the bright and cheerful Sanae-chan's memories. Sanae-san was still getting a feel for things.
“Koutarou, how about you hold Sanae-san's hand?”
“That's it! Thank you, Kiriha! We should just force her to get used to it!”
“Eeeehh!?”
The Sanaes were split on Kiriha's proposal. Sanae-chan was up for it but Sanae-san was against it. The difference in their personalities was showing.
“...So what should I do?”
Koutarou was of course troubled by that. While he had no objections of holding Sanae's hand, since both of them were the same person, he didn't want to ignore Sanae-san's opinion.
“Koutarou, Koutarou, it's not like she doesn't like you. She's me after all.”
“Kya Kya Kya! Stop it, Sanae-chan!!”
“She likes you so she's embarrassed to hold hands. Isn't she childish?”
“You look more like a child to me though...”
Since the two were the same person, Sanae-chan and Sanae-san shared the same memories and basic thinking. That's why both of them liked Koutarou. However, their expression of that emotion change based on the environment they grew up in.
“So there you have, just grab her hand.”
“N-No way!”
“Do you hate Koutarou?”
“That's not it, but... it's still too early! It's not even been half a year since we met.”
“You're so immature... geez...”
Their personalities were so difference, Sanae was amazed by herself.
“I've come up with a good idea, Sanae.”
“What?”
“How about you hold Karama's and Korama's hands first? I'm sure it'll be a lot easier mentally than starting off with the person you love the most.”
“We'll cooperate Ho-!”
“But don't fall for us Ho-!”
Karama and Korama spun around Sanae-san. Since the two of them loved Sanae, they would gladly cooperate.
“I-In that case, I might manage somehow...”
“I guess it can't be helped... please, haniwas.”
“Leave it to us Ho-!”
“We're full of love Ho-!”
Karama and Korama floated up into the air and held hands with Sanae-san. The next moment they concealed themselves using their camouflage, but Sanae-san could still feel their small hands in her own.
“Alright, I'll do my best...”
With her withdrawn personality she would never be able to leave Sanae-chan's shadow. That would become an obstacle if the two were to completely merge. That's why Sanae-san decided to try her hardest today.
Part 5
Koutarou and the others took the train towards their destination for today. As they rode towards the ocean, the first thing they saw by the coastline was the ferris wheel. The biggest attraction of them all stood out the most. Next they could see the roller coaster. Kiriha was particularly fond of that attraction.
“Oh yeah, Koutarou, we made a promise to ride the roller coaster after the commotion underground settled down.”
As they could see the roller coast past the window, Kiriha smiled at Koutarou. Before the decisive battle with the radical faction, Koutarou had promised the nervous Kiriha that they would ride the roller coaster after everything was over. Those words served to support Kiriha during the fierce battle. That's why Kiriha wasn't planning on leaving the amusement park without riding the roller coaster.
“I remember. That's what I was planning from the point the amusement park was brought up.”
Of course, Koutarou hadn't forgotten. Always upholding his promises was his creed. Especially so towards those special to him, like the girls of room 106.
“Koutarou, if you're a man make sure to fulfill your promises.”
Sanae who had listened in on the conversation poked Koutarou with her elbow, with a mannerism as if to say that those who don't fulfill their promises are the worst.
“I know. I'm a man after all.”
“Alright!! Karama-chan, Korama-chan, we're going to ride on the roller coaster!!”
“I can't wait Ho-!”
“I love going round and round Ho-!”
“...You're more interested in riding it yourself than in me keeping my promise...”
The Sanae and the cloaked haniwas rejoiced. It might have been a strange sight to others, but not when Koutarou and Kiriha were with them. Sanae and the haniwas began discussing the attractions as they stared out the window. At the same time Kiriha began talking to Koutarou again.
“By the way, Koutarou.”
Since she only wanted Koutarou to hear, she spoke in a quiet voice, almost whispering.
“Hm?”
“When we went there last year... do you remember that other promise?”
“A year ago? What?”
“Fufufu... you really are unconcerned with promises others make...”
Koutarou always tried to fulfill promises he made with others, but he didn't demand the same from others. The girls had let him know that this was because he didn't expect things from others, but it was a habit that was hard to lose.
“I'm trying to be careful, but it's not that easy.”
“Back then, I promised you that in return for helping me find my first love, I would introduce you to a cute underground girl.”
“Ah, right, I remember you talking about something like that.”
Koutarou recalled when he went out to play with Kiriha last autumn. Back then, he had struck that kind of deal with Kiriha to cheer her up. Kiriha agreed, and a promise was made. Since Koutarou only wanted to help Kiriha, he had completely forgotten about it.
“Now is the time to fulfill that promise.”
“Eh? But I don't really―”
―need that, is what Koutarou was about to say. Koutarou already has Kiriha, Sanae and several others precious to him. There was no need to introduce him to someone else. But before he could say that, Kiriha placed her slender finger on his lips, not letting him continue.
“I'll be introducing you to the daughter of the Kurano family. Since the Kurano family is a distinguished family with over a thousand year long history, she should be perfect for you.”
“Hey, isn't that―”
Koutarou's eyes opened wide. The daughter of the Kurano family was none other than Kiriha herself. Having found her first love and with the situation underground calming down, Kiriha decided to introduce herself.
“Her name is Kurano Kiriha. She is 17 years old, just like you. I don't mind if it's just to play, but I wish you two would stay together happily ever after.”
Kiriha smiled innocently. It was as if she really was introducing him to a friend.
“Kiriha-san.”
“Yes?”
Kiriha slightly tilted her head, placing it on Koutarou's shoulder. The gesture was incredibly natural, as if she had been doing so for years on end. Seeing her like that, Koutarou swallowed his own words.
“...It's nothing. I was just thinking that I should get along well with her since you've introduced us.”
“I'll be happy if you'll do that. It means my efforts in introducing you weren't for nothing.”
“You would... go that far for me, huh.”
“I love you after all, or is that not enough?”
“...No. I'm probably confused because of my own faults.”
Koutarou still didn't fully understand his own heart. The fact that the girls of room 106 were precious to him was no longer beyond doubt, but maybe because of his faults that originated from childhood, he rejected those feelings at the very last moment.
“Koutarou, let's end this difficult topic here. Let's play a lot before we go home today.”
“Yeah, let's!”
But even then, another one of Koutarou's mental wounds was closed. Koutarou was happy knowing there were people that would gladly volunteer for that job.
Part 6
Arriving at the amusement park, Koutarou and the others started from one end of the park and rode each and every of the attractions in order. Since there was no reason to go through the entire park in a day, they thoroughly rode everything. There were only a few attractions that they needed to go to. Those were the roller coaster that was brought up before, and the Kabutonga attraction they would never be able to visit with Ruth around.
“Neo Scarab King sure was strong. But there's no way my Kabutonga would lose.”
“It's ours and Sanae-chan's victory Ho-!”
“Friendship comes out victorious Ho-!”
“Well done, Hercules, Atlas!”
“Ho-!”
“HoHo-!”
Koutarou and the others had just finished visiting that Kabutonga related attraction. It's name was Kabutonga The Ride. It was an experience where you got on a ride to assault the enemy base with guns, shooting the attacking enemies, it was one of the most popular attractions of this amusement park.
The teams were divided into Koutarou and Kiriha, and Sanae and the haniwas. They competed by comparing final score, and the winners were Sanae and the haniwas. With her spiritual powers Sanae had superhuman reflexes, and the haniwas were able to show off the power of the state of the art spiritual energy technology. They obtained todays high score.
“Looks like we lost, Koutarou.”
“It can't be helped, in the end you and I are just ordinary people that can move a little fast.”
While Koutarou and Kiriha had lost, they were satisfied with their result. While they had lost on score, they were still second on the high score board. It was a satisfactory result. They only lost because their opponents were too good.
“I have objections to you calling yourself ordinary.”
“Well that goes both ways.”
“Our talents couldn't be fully used in a simple firefight.”
“Something like that.”
Kiriha was a genius, and Koutarou had some skill with the sword. Neither of them were suited for firefights on vehicles. Even more so as the enemy only attacked in waves.
“No no, we didn't win because of ability or talent.”
“We didn't Ho-!”
“You don't get it Ho-!”
“Our victory comes from our hearts filled with justice and from our bonds of friendship!”
“Justice Ho-!”
“Friendship Ho-!”
Sanae and the haniwas were cheerfully walking in front of Koutarou and Kiriha. Since they won, they got to decide what attraction to ride next, and they were headed for the haunted mansion. This was an attraction were two people got on a ride together through a haunted mansion.
“Sanae, let's change teams again.”
“Last one was me and Koutarou, so... this time it's me and Kiriha.”
“Let's do our best, Sanae.”
“Yeah!”
“Koutarou, now that it's come to this, you are only hope Ho-!”
“The monsters at the haunted mansion don't show on our sensors and suddenly appear so they're scary Ho-!”
“...That's a surprising weakness you have.”
On attractions where Koutarou and the others couldn't ride all together, having the same groups all the time was boring, so the groups were changed each time. Taking the Kabutonga attraction and the one before that into consideration, this time it was Kiriha and Sanae, and Koutarou and the haniwas. And so the five headed towards the new attraction.
Part 7
Unlike the Kabutonga attraction, the haunted mansion was dim. Karama and Korama didn't need to conceal themselves and they took up position to the left and right of Koutarou.
“Koutarou, there it is Ho-!”
“Save us Ho-!”
The two pressed up against Koutarou and shook. Unlike normal ghosts, the type of monsters that appeared on this attraction which they couldn't sense was something they feared, and they had been clinging on to Koutarou frightened for a while now.
“Like I said, that's not a real ghost.”
“We know that Ho-! It's not about logic Ho!”
“It's the same as being scared of high places Ho! You don't stop being scared of high places even if you have a lifeline Ho-!”
“...I kinda get what you mean. So just leave it to me.”
“You're so reliable Ho-!”
“Brother!”
Like that, the ride in front of Sanae and Kiriha was very lively, but theirs was rather quiet in comparison.
“Hey, Kiriha, how is that being projected into the air?”
“It's probably being displayed on a diagonal, transparent glass panel and that doll is probably drawn behind it.”
“I see, so because a human shape is being reflected off the glass it looks like a real ghost.”
“That's right.”
Having been a ghost just a while back, the haunted mansion didn't scare Sanae at all. However, since she loved surprised, she liked this kind of attraction for a different reason. Moreover, when she left her body, the haunted mansion could serve as a reference for pranks. So Sanae was quite fascinated in the haunted mansion for two reasons. Ever since the start she had been asking Kiriha how each of the tricks worked.
“Uhm, Kiriha.”
However, as they were around the halfway point of the attraction, the tone of Sanae's voice dropped a little. Kiriha could tell from the change that Sanae was about to bring up a different topic.
“What?”
“Can I ask you about something else? It's just the two of us right now...”
“I don't mind.”
“Thank you.”
Sanae began speaking with a serious expression completely unlike her normal self. It was a more conservative expression that Sanae-san was more likely to show.
“Uhm, Kiriha, do you like Koutarou?”
“Yes, I love him.”
In response to Sanae's reserved question, Kiriha gave a clear answer. She didn't seem all that different from usual. If there was a difference, it was that there was a deep gentleness residing within her eyes.
“How big is that love?”
“Most likely as much as yours.”
“I see... yeah, you would...”
Sanae nodded with a convinced expression. She suspected that was the case. Before she knew it, the aura that Kiriha directed towards Koutarou was no longer that between friends. That was proof that they had the same feelings for Koutarou.
“But, Kiriha.”
“Hm...?”
“Since it's the same, won't it become troublesome in the future?”
“The possibility for that is quite high.”
In what will likely be the distant future, Koutarou's wounded heart will eventually heal. When that happens, Koutarou will be able to truly love others. He would be able to choose someone to be his lover, and they would eventually marry. But when that time came, only one could be chosen. But there were already two here. So there would inevitably be trouble.
“Do you think you could give up, Kiriha?”
“That would be hard. I probably couldn't. What about you?”
“I think it's impossible for me too. I don't want to imagine a life without being able to see Koutarou...”
Koutarou had already become an important existence for the two girls. Having him forcibly torn away from them would bring about great pain. The two of them wanted to avoid that, but the chance of that happening in the future wasn't small.
“So, Kiriha. Why don't we make a promise?”
“A promise?”
“Yeah. That regardless of if Koutarou chooses me or you, there are no grudges. In return, the one not chosen is allowed to have an affair with Koutarou.”
“...That's an interesting proposal.”
Sanae's proposal was easy to understand. Kiriha was planning on invading Koutarou's life while taking utmost care not to destroy anything, and Sanae's proposal was quite similar to that. And since Sanae's idea would lead to an even more optimal result, it was very interesting to her.
“Since this is Koutarou we're talking about, that affair would probably be just as serious.”
“I don't know about that. He's an awkward man after all.”
“So, what will you do, Kiriha? Will you make the... promise?”
Sanae restrained her unease and asked Kiriha. Since this was a question that would greatly affect their future, Sanae couldn't smile like she always did. The desperation in her eyes shined through.
“Let's promise.”
“Really!?”
“It's not like making that kind of promise is a complete loss for me either after all.”
“Thank you, Kiriha!”
The moment Kiriha said she'd promise, a smile returned to Sanae's face. With a sigh of relief she dropped her shoulders. Since this was one of the most tense moments in her life, the relief she felt was enormous.
“...Aaahh, thank god... with this there's no need to worry about Kiriha for now...”
“We'll eventually need to bring this up to everyone.”
“You're right. That might be for the best.”
Kiriha and Sanae weren't the only ones that cared for Koutarou, and those others who did were irreplaceable to both Kiriha and Sanae. They wanted to avoid any scenario that would make it difficult to look at each other. For that purpose, this promise was a very useful measure.
“But I think it might be better to aim for the opposite.”
“The opposite?”
“Rather than making sure Koutarou can choose anyone, we make it so he can't choose anyone.”
“Not choose anyone... what do you mean?”
“It means getting along with Koutarou even more than now. Doing that would make it next to impossible for Koutarou to choose only one and reject the others.”
“That's a good one.”
“Normally one would make a choice before that happens, but with Koutarou's psychological problems, that choice is being delayed. That's why we should just deepen our bonds before he makes his decision.”
“How would we do that?”
“There's nothing special about it. We only need to act like normal, just by doing that our invasion will advance to the next stage.”
“Hehe, I'm sure Koutarou would be troubled.”
Sanae flashed a small smile. Sanae normally had no intention of bothering Koutarou, but regarding this one point, she needed him to be troubled.
“Yeah. He's a very serious man. If that kind of situation happens, he would be incredibly troubled.”
“But we want him to be troubled. I bet everything would be a lot more fun together.”
“Fortunately, we are invaders. We've had the right to trouble Koutarou since we arrived.”
“Let's do our best to invade.”
“Yeah.”
With their secret discussion over, Sanae and Kiriha exchanged smiles. A year and four months had already passed since the girls invaded Koutarou. And now their invasion was finally about to begin for real. However, it was a large-scale invasion where they would be holding hands.
“Koutarou, save us Ho-!”
“Hoaaaa, if we're important to you, do your best to protect us Ho-!”
“Calm down already! Nothing worse than that will happen!”
“You don't know that Ho-!”
“Don't be so irresponsible Ho-!”
“Owaaaaaaa!!”
Koutarou didn't know anything.
He had no clue of the frightening plans being formed by the invaders behind him, and that what he himself was vaguely noticing was about to become a reality.
Part 8
After Koutarou and the others got out of the haunted mansion attraction they were wrapped in the red light of the evening sun. The sun would be setting soon. It was time to think about going home.
“Kiriha, the day is almost over.”
“Then we should head back soon.”
“Alright, so let's go for that one before we go.”
“You're right, let's ride that one before we go.”
“Koutarou, let's go.”
“Y-Yeah.”
Before Koutarou and the others headed home, they would enjoy one final attraction. While they hadn't mentioned its name, everyone headed towards it. They all already knew what it was.
“Koutarou, we have decided to follow you Ho!”
“Ane-san was right Ho-, you're a man that we can rely on when needed Ho!”
“I-I see. I'm glad I was of use.”
“What a modest man Ho-!”
“As expected of Big Brother Ho!”
“It looks like Koutarou and the haniwas are getting along better.”
“Something must have happened at the haunted mansion.”
“Ehehe, just like with us.”
“Looks like it, fufu.”
The five cheerfully chatted as they headed towards the attraction. As they walked, they got closer to a certain huge structure. Metallic rails supported by a strong frame. On top of it were metallic vehicles riding along the rails at frightening speeds. It was the always popular roller coaster.
“Hey, Kiriha, we should go too.”
“Yeah, let's do so.”
About 100 meters away from the roller coaster terminal, Sanae and Kiriha smiled and nodded at each other before running up to Koutarou.
“Koutarou, Koutarou!”
“Ei!”
The two ran up to Koutarou from different sides and each grabbed one of Koutarou's arms, pressing their bodies against them. Sanae took the right arm and Kiriha took the left. Both of them drew closer to Koutarou like lovers.
“H-Hey...”
Koutarou was confused by the girls' sudden action. Not sure what to do, he stood there, at a loss for words and eyes wide open.
“Aren't you lucky Koutarou! You get to get along with two cute girls!”
“Nobody is looking, so act as you please, Koutarou.”
“Wow, Kiriha, you're so bold!”
“You guys... what's up with you all of a sudden?”
Koutarou couldn't hide his surprise from Sanae and Kiriha doing this kind of thing at the same time. While they had done similar things individually, this was the first time they had acted at the same time.
“Nothing's up. Both Kiriha and I just love you.”
“Isn't this normal? Is our relationship so shallow that you can't forgive something like this?”
“Well, that's not it but...”
Koutarou didn't have a shallow relationship with neither Sanae nor Kiriha. Up until now, the girls had just been holding back for one another. But now they no longer had any reason to do so, and there were no people around.
I'm sure something happened between them...
That's what Koutarou thought as he looked at the two. They must have made some form of agreement, that's why they took action at the same time. Up until now, they had shown consideration to others. Just as Koutarou began thinking more about that the haniwas hugged his head from each side.
“Koutarou, get along better with us too Ho-!”
“We don't want to be left out Ho-!”
Since the haniwas were so noisy, Koutarou decided to stop thinking for now.
“We can't lose to them Kiriha!”
“Ei!”
“H-Hey! Stop clinging onto me!”
“Now now, we know you're happy~”
“Koutarou is surprisingly pure and shy.”
“You're only playing around.”
“Ah, he found out.”
“As expected of Koutarou.”
“Ho-”
“HoHo-”
The five noisily chatted away as they disappeared into the roller coaster terminal. They still had some time before the sun set. Their special time would continue for a little while longer.
