Ch.117Good grief, Ojou-sama (10)

The Ferris wheel, standing tall in the middle of the lake, is considered a symbol of the amusement park.

However, unlike its majestic and special appearance that can be seen from anywhere in the park,

Ferris wheels are usually located in the most secluded corners of amusement parks.

The same was true for Shiznyland, the amusement park we visited on our school trip.

It stood at the very edge of the pamphlet map, separated from other attractions,

positioned on the lakeside, which could be considered the boundary of the park.

Saying that its large size makes it visible from anywhere also means,

in other words, that it cannot coexist with other attractions no matter where it’s placed.

It felt like it somewhat resembled me—standing as the main heroine and symbol of this work,

yet ultimately unable to fit into this world until the very end.

“Yes, two people entering.”

“Huh, just the two of us?”

“That’s right. Since the observation deck was built, not many people use the Ferris wheel anymore.”

When I asked the staff member by holding up two fingers if we were the only ones riding the Ferris wheel,

she seemed to understand my meaning and gave an explanation.

“What did she say?”

“Um, she said fewer people ride the Ferris wheel since they built the observation deck.”

After hearing Doha-min’s explanation, I looked around once more.

The crowd that had been bustling around the Ferris wheel until just moments ago had diminished so strangely that it felt like an illusion.

To the point where we could board immediately without waiting in line, even without using Magic Pass tickets.

“Then let’s go in. Oh, whoa…!”

“Hey, hey, be careful!”

At that moment, I caught Doha-min from behind as he was about to slip on the slightly damp surface around the Ferris wheel.

“S-sorry. The floor was more slippery than I thought…”

“Be careful. The sign over there says it might be slippery because we’re near the water.”

“D-Doyoung, you can read signs in Japanese?”

“Idiot, you can just look at the pictures. There’s English at the bottom too.”

“Oh, you’re right… Ahaha.”

“Sigh. Are you trying to make me nervous already?”

Hey, hey, aren’t these spontaneous events usually supposed to happen the other way around?

What’s with you almost falling before me, when I’m the one who wore heeled shoes instead of my usual sneakers for today?

You’re supposed to catch me, Miss Ban Doyoung, when I stumble because of the heels I’m not used to wearing.

And then casually embrace me,

with our chests pressed together.

And Hamin’s little pepper touching too, you know what I mean.

At this rate, I wonder if I’ll be rejected by the “real” Miss Ban Doyoung after I leave.

Maybe I shouldn’t have dressed up in this butler concept to escort her.

If I get another chance, I should crossdress as a childish young master to stimulate her protective instincts.

Ah, I don’t even know if there will be a next time.

“D-Doyoung, be careful when you come up too. I’ll… hold your hand so you don’t slip.”

“…”

Doha-min, who had already boarded the Ferris wheel before me, reached out his hand toward me.

“…Hmm, then perhaps I’ll accept your escort this time.”

I gladly grabbed his outstretched hand and boarded the Ferris wheel.

“There we go.”

“Now I’ll close the door. Please refrain from any intense activities inside. Have a pleasant time.”

“W-we won’t do anything like that…”

“Huh? What did she say?”

“Oh, n-nothing… it’s nothing.”

With the staff member’s knowing smile and suggestive chuckle,

we began our slow ascent above the ground in the Ferris wheel.

…

Despite being a landmark with a special appearance unique to amusement parks

and being called the symbol of the park, the Ferris wheel itself was far less popular than other attractions.

It doesn’t offer the thrilling speed of a roller coaster that you can feel on your skin,

nor does it allow you to release stress by bumping into things like bumper cars.

And it certainly doesn’t provide the suggestive spectacle like the “Mari★Wana” live stage.

Even its one consolation—being able to see the entire amusement park at once like a pseudo-observation deck—

was overshadowed after the “real” observation deck was built, so I could understand the treatment of Shiznyland’s Ferris wheel.

“Maybe it’s because we’ve already been on all the exciting rides, but even though we’re pretty high up now, it feels more peaceful than scary. Don’t you think?”

“I’m… fine with it. I tend to prefer rides like Ferris wheels that aren’t scary and can be enjoyed comfortably.”

“I see. After hearing what that staff member said, when I look at the view outside, I think the scenery from the observation deck near the entrance was prettier.”

“Then try looking at the lakeside below instead of up there.”

“…Huh?”

Following Doha-min’s suggestion, I lowered my gaze slightly and saw the lakeside glistening as it reflected the sunlight.

“Wow… it’s beautiful.”

“Right? I think that’s the good thing about Ferris wheels—you can see nice scenery from unexpected angles.”

Until just before we boarded the Ferris wheel, it had been a somewhat dull green color.

But in that short time, following the setting sun, it had transformed into a fresh orange hue that sparkled brilliantly.

“What do you call that thing where the lake’s surface reflects and sparkles like that… I’ve heard it somewhere before.”

“Oh, that’s called…”

“Shining!”

“…It’s ‘yunsul’ (water glitter).”

“Hehe, but it’s shining anyway, right?”

I think I just found another good thing about the Ferris wheel.

That even if you say something a bit silly, there’s no one else to hear it but the two of us.

“…Phew. It feels somewhat calming.”

Although there was the creaking noise from the moving mechanism,

compared to other attractions, the inside of the Ferris wheel was quite quiet.

The other rides were so loud, with music blaring so loudly that

it was difficult to even hear what the person next to you was saying.

The Ferris wheel cabin suspended in the air felt like

a completely different space from the rest of the amusement park.

“Oh my, finally a break from the torture. My ears can rest a little too.”

“…”

“…Ah, not yet, I guess.”

Now wasn’t the time to enjoy the tranquility inside,

considering what I needed to hear from Doha-min as Miss Ban Doyoung.

“It’s been so long since I’ve been to an amusement park. How many years has it been for you, Doyoung?”

“Ah… let’s see.”

Since it was impossible to remember when Miss Ban Doyoung last went to an amusement park,

I naturally searched for the last amusement park visit in my own memory.

“Five years… no, maybe six.”

The most recent memory I found was from 5 or 6 years ago when I went with my buddies

after receiving my military enlistment date.

Since I went with a half-resigned mindset, I couldn’t remember the exact year.

Haha, then and now, it’s always been with a bunch of guys.

Ah, but now I’m with an officially recognized goddess, so maybe it’s okay.

“So you haven’t been to an amusement park in a long time either, Doyoung. When I saw the photos of Solyoung’s brother on a family trip, I thought you probably went to places like this often with friends or family. Sahyang and Hyerang like going to these places too.”

“Well. That’s just how it is with amusement parks.”

“I… first came when I was 7 years old. My only memory is going with my mom on a kindergarten field trip.”

“So this is your first time in 10 years? Are you making sure to enjoy it properly so you won’t have regrets?”

“Hehe, well. I was a scaredy-cat then and still am now… I don’t really remember riding anything properly back then. The only thing I remember is riding the Ferris wheel while holding my mom’s hand.”

“…”

“…So the time we’re spending now feels like a dream. Me dressed like this with this hairstyle… coming to an amusement park like this, riding all these attractions I wouldn’t even look at normally because they’re scary, filling the pamphlet with stamps… and riding this Ferris wheel with you, Doyoung.”

*Thump*

“I’ve already enjoyed far more than I deserve… but I still find myself wanting more. If possible, I want to stay like this a little longer. I want to be close to you, Doyoung, a little longer… I want to be greedy.”

A slight trembling as the Ferris wheel’s center of gravity shifted ever so slightly.

Doha-min approached me with his legs straight in that swaying space.

“Are you okay? You’re wobbling.”

They say the body doesn’t lie, and Doha-min was particularly prone to this.

When doing something beyond his means, his legs would immediately weaken,

and whenever he said something he wasn’t confident about, his speech would visibly buffer.

“If you know you’re doing something beyond your means and still try to be greedy, how can you stand properly in here? Last time, your legs gave out and you just collapsed. The staff member said to refrain from intense activities, remember?”

“…I’ll accept a scolding when we get down. I’m not a model student anymore anyway.”

“Hmm… I’d rather not end up having to support you on the way out.”

The feelings of Ban Doyoung going up

might be different from those of Ban Doyoung coming down.

It wouldn’t be great to start by immediately losing favor with the “real” Miss Ban Doyoung after finally meeting her.

“I know I’m weak and worry I might crumble soon. But I feel like I shouldn’t say this sitting down.”

“…”

Even in the slightly off-balance Ferris wheel cabin,

Doha-min stood firmly with both legs straight as he spoke to me.

“Have I become someone you could like, even a little?”

Normally, he would have said this with his head down, unable to make eye contact,

but this time, Doha-min’s golden eyes were fixed directly on Miss Ban Doyoung’s eyes.

“If so, I want to be close to you… closer than now.”

“…”

“If not, please tell me. I’ll try harder and say it again.”

*Clunk*

The Ferris wheel, which had been rising toward the sky, soon reached its peak and began to descend.

The space swayed as the Ferris wheel prepared to transition from ascent to descent.

“Ah…!”

At that moment, as Doha-min was adjusting his posture,

the glasses hanging around his neck couldn’t withstand the swaying and fell.

“Phew… got it.”

I instinctively

reached out for the glasses that had fallen from Doha-min.

The only trace I had left for Doha-min in this world, not knowing the flow of the original work.

A trace of Ban Doyoung, not Miss Ban Doyoung.

I didn’t want it to fall to the floor.

No, I didn’t want it to fall away from Doha-min’s side.

“…”

“Are you okay… Doyoung?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. Me, and your glasses too.”

Doha-min’s glasses, which I caught just before they hit the floor.

Fortunately, they didn’t seem to have any scratches or damage.

I had chosen a sturdy pair despite their unattractive appearance.

“Why don’t you sit down for now?”

“…Okay.”

Doha-min took a short deep breath and sat down.

“…You asked earlier if you’ve become someone I could like?”

“…Yes.”

“Hmm, honestly, based on today, I think you’re still far from what Miss Ban Doyoung would want.”

“…”

“Let’s be honest. You tried to take pictures with another girl when I wasn’t looking, you couldn’t actively lead throughout our time at the amusement park, and you weren’t escorting me properly at all. Even when we were boarding the Ferris wheel earlier, I had to catch you when you almost fell. How could any woman trust and follow you like that?”

“…Yeah, I completely agree with everything you said. I felt the same way.”

As Doha-min tried to compose himself after his courageous confession was ruthlessly rejected,

his head gradually lowered, unable to overcome his distress.

“But still…”

*Reach*

“But still, you pass for ‘me.'”

“…Huh?”

I placed my hand over Doha-min’s dejected hand.