8 – Trial of Wisdom
There are so many people…
“Woo… what should we ride first…?”
“Well… it seems like there will be crowds everywhere we go.”
Seeing so many people walking around, it was clear that no matter which ride we went to, there would be a long line.
“At this rate… we won’t be able to ride much.” Stella said with a dissatisfied voice.
As she said, we came to have fun together, but there were so many people that we had to wait a long time every time we tried to ride something.
I heard that amusement parks during peak season are unbelievably crowded, but I never imagined so many people would come…
“Hoo…”
I secretly sighed deeply.
It’s natural since it’s the weekend, but usually, people want to relax and have fun, so I couldn’t help but feel disappointed.
Just standing here feels suffocating, and because there are so many people, the air is stuffy, making it painful to even stand.
I was worried about Evan, so I looked at him, and thankfully, he didn’t seem to be having a hard time. Come to think of it, I feel like my stamina, or overall body condition, has improved a bit compared to when I was in my original world.
‘Seriously…’
Really, can’t you give me a break? Good grief…
Even if I created this world by pulling out things from my memories, what’s with creating a world that makes me so homesick?
…
Was I missing my original world that much?
Even though… the world before I came to this world is one I could never enjoy in my lifetime.
I chuckled.
‘I should end this soon.’
Today was the day I would return to my original world.
As expected of the Hero, he figured out what this world wanted without being told anything. He’s really amazing.
I should stop being stubborn starting today. This short vacation is over.
Although the vacation ends today, I still want to have fun and leave with good memories since it’s the last day.
“Then, should we eat first?”
“… Ah! Good idea! I happen to know a good restaurant!” “You’ve never been here before, have you? How do you know?”
“Hmm… Before coming, I naturally looked up where the most delicious restaurant is!”
Indeed, do you have to go that far before coming to an amusement park…?
I thought about it for a moment, but since we came all the way here, we should eat something delicious to make it a more enjoyable memory.
Of course, if that becomes the main focus, it defeats the purpose of coming to have fun, but if we eat something bad, our excitement will fade, so I think it’s a good thing she did that.
I don’t know what kind of food it is, but if we’re eating in a place like this, I hope it’s not only delicious but also looks fancy.
I won’t be able to see anything for a while after I go back, so I want to see as much as possible.
“Then, should we eat first?”
Evan turned his head and asked, so I smiled brightly. We headed straight to the restaurant.
After finishing our meal, we went outside and wandered around, enjoying the amusement park to the fullest.
It was a shame that we had to wait at least 10 minutes for each ride, but it couldn’t be helped, so it didn’t bother me that much.
And riding rides isn’t the only way to have fun. Looking around and trying snacks is also a treat.
Anyway, we had a really fun time for our first time coming here without knowing much.
“Haa… that was fun…”
“What should we ride next?!”
“It’s getting late, so shouldn’t we go back…?” Uriel made a disappointed face at my words.
Seriously, what’s with making that face after playing all day? How much do you have to play to be satisfied…?
“Then, since it’s the last one, how about riding that?”
Stella pointed to something, suggesting we ride it for the last time… “… Ferris wheel?”
It was the Ferris wheel that had been visible since we first entered the amusement park.
At Stella’s suggestion to ride it last, Uriel immediately raised her hand and shouted in agreement.
“…”
I can feel the stares around me…
Thinking about it now, Uriel seems to react excessively to even the smallest things.
It’s not necessarily a problem, but she’s showing that side of herself in a situation like this with so many people, so to be honest, it’s a bit embarrassing.
I want to tell her to tone it down, but I can’t bring myself to get angry at Uriel, who’s smiling so innocently, so I end up letting it go again.
She’s only like this in this world anyway. She’ll go back to normal when we return.
“… I want to ride it.”
At that moment, Aria said, looking at the Ferris wheel with sparkling eyes.
It was the first time Aria had shown such a noticeable reaction, so everyone seemed surprised. I, too, was taken aback by Aria’s sparkling eyes and stood still. Stella, who was the first to come to her senses, approached me and nudged me with her elbow.
“Ah… ahem, then let’s go ride it.”
Could I refuse when Aria wants to ride it?
Taking Stella, Uriel, and Aria with me, we approached the Ferris wheel.
.
.
.
Is it because there are so many people trying to ride the Ferris wheel at this time?
The line was very long. “The line is really long…” “I know…”
I was starting to get tired.
It’s not like the Ferris wheel takes only a few people, but there are so many people in line that we had to wait a long time for our turn.
Still, I patiently waited, and little by little, our turn approached. Finally, it was our turn to ride.
Thud, “Eh…”
Aria, pushed by the people in line, was pushed forward and entered the Ferris wheel first. Surprised, I quickly reached out to grab Aria and walked forward, naturally separating from Stella and Uriel, who were talking.
The employee who was watching us from the side seemed to think we were a couple and blocked Stella and Uriel from entering as soon as Aria and I entered the Ferris wheel.
“Eh…”
“E, Evan?!”
Uriel and Stella called out to me in surprised, urgent voices, but it was already too late.
Aria and I, pushed inside, ended up riding the Ferris wheel together. “Sorry for not catching you sooner…”
Looking down at Stella and Uriel, who were riding in the Ferris wheel right after us, I apologized to Aria, who was sitting next to me.
Aria laughed, saying there was no reason to apologize since she didn’t do anything wrong.
I scratched the back of my head, feeling awkward. ‘Come to think of it… I’m alone with Aria…’
I wanted to be with Aria alone. I don’t know why…
I think it’s probably because I like Aria.
Of course, I’d be too embarrassed to say that out loud. Looking at Aria, who was looking out the window, I smiled.
I thought I shouldn’t do this just a while ago, but seeing Aria enjoying herself while looking outside, I wonder if that matters.
Rather…
“… I guess that won’t work.”
If I had such thoughts, I would never be able to escape this world.
It’s fortunate that at least Aria has memories of the previous world like me, but what about Stella and Uriel?
I have to go back.
Go back and… defeat the Demon King and bring peace to the world. That’s what I have to do.
“Aria, did you have fun today?” “Of course. I had a lot of fun.” Aria answered with a smile.
I was glad she seemed to be genuinely enjoying herself.
While I was looking at Aria and smiling contentedly, Aria, who had been looking up at me for a moment, lowered her head.
Then, she got up from her seat and moved closer to me. “… Aria?”
Why is she coming closer to me? I wondered.
Aria didn’t say anything.
She was just sitting next to me, continuing to look out the window.
After a long time of no conversation between us, Aria, who had been looking down and not saying anything, finally opened her mouth.
“… Evan.” Calling my name. “…?!”
Something was wrong.
Aria had never called me without adding ‘Hero’ or ‘Brother’ except when she called me Hero.
She had never called me like that… without any honorifics. I sensed that Aria’s atmosphere was unusual.
“Really… I guess the Hero is really the Hero.” “What are you talking about…?”
“I didn’t tell you anything… but I didn’t think you’d figure out what this Trial wants.”
Aria’s expression as she said that was, “…”
So sad.