The rays of the sun dazzle my face and wake me up abruptly. I slowly open my eyes when suddenly my phone rings.
Who dares to resurrect me so early.
I can cut her up if I need to, Kinari whispers to me in a rage.
Shut up, psycho.
—I didn't even hear from you yesterday!
—Yeah sorry, I was pretty busy.
—So, how's your trip going, Big Brother?
—We went to Kamogawa Sea World, you know the aquarium on the outskirts of Chiba.
—Ah, right, I see.
—Anzu had a fever so we only had time to watch the dolphin show. She was feeling really bad, so I accompanied her to the infirmary with our homeroom teacher.
— Anzu? You call Shimizu-senpai by her first name? I didn't know you were so close to her, big brother. Is she better?
What an idiot.
—Yes, she is. By the way, today we have to go to Chiba Kodomo no Kuni Kidsom.
—Oh, right, we've been there together!
—Yeah…
Don't say more, Chizu.
—I'm going to go, see you later sis.
—See you later, Big Brother!
I inhale the air to the maximum, meditate on my memories with Chizu then hang up.
Fucking memories, seriously, get out!
I find Anzu near the bus, then we leave in the direction of the amusement park.
—Have you heard the rumour, Kinari?
The rumour?
—Nope.
—Some students think we're a couple because we wear the same scarf.
What? How could they think an otaku like me could love a girl like that?
—I don't care.
—It's a good thing they don't know everything, she mumbles.
I didn't hear anything, I didn't hear anything.
After the banalities dictated to us by our main teacher, Anzu and I got off the bus.
—What should we do first, Kinari?
—Can we walk to find the frame for our selfie?
—Yes, yes.
I feel like something has inexorably changed in me. The way I talk? The way I act around her? It's so scary, the change.
Maybe I'm not so different from these 3D people after all.
During our adventure in the amusement park, I notice that Anzu seemed to be very attracted to the roller coaster, she gets excited at the mere sight of the rails, the cars going up and down at full speed.
Should I offer her a ride? Is that what she wants from me? Damn, I'm tired of always having to think before I do anything!
Get informed! It is essential not to make a mistake.
—Are you OK Anzu? You seem to be overexcited.
—Me? But not at all! I've never been so calm! And anyway, where are we now? At the amusement park? I don't like that either!
Unbearable.
—Is it the roller coaster that makes you like this?
—The roller coaster? Not at all! You're stupid Kinari, but that's why I like you, you're a cool person, like me!
Now you're pissing me off.
—Follow me and shut up.
We walk through the crowd, then board the car. I sit down next to Anzu.
—Thank you Kinari…
She progresses little by little towards me.
Her thighs, her arms, her skin is so close… What will provoke me more adrenaline between her proximity and the ride?
—I wanted to ride it at least once in my life, I am so happy!
I keep silent and watch him.
I've hated amusement parks for over ten years!
I stare at the ride I was going to have to go through, the anxiety was starting to get to me.
What to do… Turn back? Impossible, I would look like a fool and it is already too late.
She looks at me, her eyes bulging, and asks me with a soft voice.
—Kinari, are you afraid?
I look up to the sky, and answer.
—No, no.
I'm not.
—You know, if we hold hands, you might feel safer.
She interlaces her fingers with mine and the car start to move.
What finesse, this ride turns into a journey. Clouds, cliffs, meadows, fields. But where am I?
—Are you ready, Kinari?
For what exactly?
I open my eyes and discover a monstrous descent.
Don't scream, especially don't scream. I don't want to look like a cowardly fool.
I analyse my comrade.
No anxiety, she smiled, her eyes spoke volumes about her enthusiasm.
Adrenalin, this rare thing in my life, made me dizzy.
We are going down at the speed of sound.
My face is going to fly off.
I look at the heroine on my right, and compare her to Princess Kaguya.
She looks just like her, her hair, her face, everything is so identical…
The softness of the fabric of our scarves was floating.
—AHHH!
Finally, I couldn't stop myself from screaming.
—Wow! It was great, Kinari!
My soul was gone, leaving only an inanimate body stuck to the bottom of the seat.
— Kinari, Kinari, Wake up!
So this is death?
In my field of vision, small stars replaced the clouds.
How sad.
— Excuse me Chizu. Forgive me, mangakas, for not being able to read your next works.
—Are you done talking nonsense? she asks me, slapping me.
—Ouch!
—Come on, let's go down, you idiot.
Strangely, her laughter causes me phenomenal, but paradoxically, inexplicable joy.
Her laughter is so soothing, and her good mood is so different from mine. Clearly, I am the opposite of him in every way.
My stomach is screaming.
The shame…
—Are we going to eat?
Did she hear that? It's worse…
—Yeah.
We sit on a bench and take out our onigiris. The girl looks at my food and steals it before biting it.
—Thank you, Kinari,' she said, handing me back my onigiri.
Why … why did she do that? We dine the same meal…
Disturbed, I'm about to eat when Anzu cuts me off.
—That's an indirect kiss, Kinari.
What did she just say?
Confused, I sweep my gaze between my sandwich and Anzu until I drop it on the floor. Anzu puts her hand in front of her mouth and bursts out laughing.
—You're so funny, Kinari. I swear I'm so happy I found you!
Found me? But you're completely crazy.
She finishes her lunch and looks up.
— Look… look, Kinari!
—Leave me alone.
—But look!' she says, pointing at the Ferris wheel.
I inspect the ride with apprehension.
No, Anzu, no … I can't stand this activity anymore, seriously.
She approaches me, and confides in me.
—If we go, I will entrust you with my dream.
You mean it? Her dream?
—I follow you.
A smile draws slowly on its expression.
—Me-r-ci she articulates sensually.
What a pain in the ass, the daily life of people in 3D.
In the cabin of the Ferris wheel, there were only two of us.
Her dream? I'm so curious! I've always been too curious about her.
While starting to climb, Anzu sits in front of me.
Where should I put my eyes? If I keep them on Anzu she will probably feel stared at, but if I contemplate the landscape she might think I am blasé to be there and not entrust me with her dream.
It's not easy to satisfy one's own curiosity… I'm stuck in the hard mode of a video game, that's for sure.
I just have to do both.
She admires the horizon. Below us, we notice a crowd of people, children running and dozens of stands. In the distance, we observe this gigantic mountain in front of which the blazing sun was setting.
This world is quite beautiful.
Anzu gets up and sits down next to me.
—You know I told you that my dream was to meet you.
—Uh … yeah.
—That wasn't a lie, that was really my dream, Kinari. Everything that's been happening since school started is a fairy tale for me, I couldn't ask for anything better!
—I… I see.
—And now I want to keep you by my side forever, I never want to leave you alone again!
I'll break.
She comes to me, sticks her legs to mine, and grabs my hands.
These words are as soft as her skin… And her smell, I love it so much.
Our scarves intertwine.
Her face comes up to my ear, then she whispers to me.
—Do you like someone, Kinari?
I feel the game over coming on, for sure.
—Nah, why?
—I was wondering if an otaku like you ever fell in love.
—I don't really know. But my sister told me I was in love with a girl when I was little…
—Co... What was her name?
—Sakai.
Tears streamed down her face.
—Are you okay, Anzu? Did I say something wrong?
—On the contrary, Kinari, I'm so happy for you.
—You know, I've been thinking about it, and I think my dream would be to find her one day.
She caresses my fingers, hugs me, then confides in me.
—I hope you will find her one day, Kinari!
I do too…
When my phone rang, Anzu released her grip.
—Who is it?
—The president. Wait, this might be important.
I pick up the phone apprehensively.
— Yamazaki-kun!
— Ôta-senpai?
—You haven't contacted me at all for almost a week, are you okay?
—Yeah, yeah, I was busy. I'm with Anzu on a school trip, sorry.
His voice doubles in volume.
— Anzu!? You call her by her first name now! Are you that close!?
I pull the phone away from my ear.
Damn, you blew my ears off.
—I don't know if it's the right word, Ôta-senpai.
—That's good! I'll leave you two alone then. We'll meet again tomorrow, Kinari.
His words freeze my muscles.
How cold it is…
Anzu rubs her eyes to wipe away her tears and starts to sulk.
She's completely moody, that girl.
—Why did she call you?
—To ask about me.
—I see she answers me by crossing her arms.
The Ferris wheel finishes its turn. We place ourselves in front of the attraction.
It is here that we take our third selfie.
Noticing the sky getting darker, we decide to go back to the bus location.
Arrived at the hotel, Maeda and Yamaguchi approach and propose me to accompany them to the bath.
The bath? It will do me good.
I nod to agree.
The boiling water flows over my body and relaxes my muscles.
It's another day too complicated for me.
Princess Kaguya: A character from a famous Japanese tale.