Hoshimi: "Yeah, it's nice to have a memento."
Yukino: "Since you want it, let's get it."
Honestly, even if Hoshimi hadn't mentioned it, Yukino would have still bought the photo. After all, it was their first date; having something to commemorate it seemed important.
Actually, they should buy several copies: one for the bedside table at home, one for a keepsake, one for Hoshimi, and even one to display in the club room. That pesky little girl had provoked her too many times, and it was time to respond. Otherwise, people might think she was some spineless pushover.
"Alright, let's go in, Yukino."
"Yeah."
The two walked in hand-in-hand, closely together.
Soon, they found themselves seated in the "boat" ride. Unfortunately, the boat didn't just seat the two of them—it held eight people total, with four rows of two. Hoshimi and Yukino sat in the front row, the second and fourth rows were empty, and in the third row sat a pair of girls who seemed really close. Hoshimi wasn't sure if they were best friends or perhaps something more intimate...
The boat began to move slowly. At first, it was steady, and the surroundings resembled a quiet cave, filled with various cartoonish sculptures. Bathed in dim light, the sculptures emitted a strangely eerie vibe.
At first, it felt novel, but after a while, it began to evoke a sense of dark fairy tales—subtly unsettling and vaguely creepy.
Luckily, before long, the boat approached the exit—the drop.
"Hoshimi..." Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, Yukino instinctively tightened her grip on his hand.
"What? Scared?" Hoshimi teased with a grin.
"..." Yukino hesitated for a moment, then bit her lip and gently nodded.
Hoshimi chuckled, interlocking his fingers with hers. "Don't worry, I've got you."
Feeling the warmth from his hand, Yukino's rapid heartbeat slowly began to calm. If anyone else had said those words, she would have scoffed. But when Hoshimi said it, she couldn't find any reason to argue.
Because this was Hoshimi... A person she could never best in any way. Even her older sister, whom she regarded as her "sun," had often found herself outwitted and powerless against him.
So, she trusted Hoshimi—trusted everything he said, believed he could handle anything.
Well, except when it came to other women! You couldn't believe a word out of his mouth then!
Just as Yukino was beginning to feel a bit resentful, the boat started its descent...
Water splashed, sunlight glimmered, and the excited screams of others filled the air, combining to create a moment of pure, joyous exhilaration.
…
Afterwards, Yukino and Hoshimi strolled hand-in-hand through Disneyland.
Yukino asked, "How was it?"
Without looking up from the photo, Hoshimi replied, "Didn't feel anything. It wasn't thrilling at all. Plus, those two girls behind us were screaming way too loud—it hurt my ears."
"Oh, really?" Yukino snatched the photo and pointed at the image of Hoshimi with his eyes tightly shut. She asked teasingly, "Then, can you explain to me why the brave Hoshimi in this photo has his eyes closed?"
Hoshimi took the photo back and said seriously, "Water splashed into my eyes, so I had to close them. It's just a normal physiological reaction."
"Oh?" Yukino raised an eyebrow, her smile growing. "And can you also explain why you were gripping my hand so tightly during the drop?"
Hoshimi replied in a matter-of-fact tone, "That was for your sake, Yukino. I was worried you'd be scared, so I held your hand tight to remind you that I was right there with you."
"..."
Yukino rolled her eyes.
She hadn't expected Hoshimi to be so stubborn. Getting him to admit he was scared seemed impossible.
Fine, let him be. It wasn't a big deal anyway.
Still, it was a shame the photo didn't turn out great—they both had their eyes closed, and it looked a bit awkward. Maybe they should take another one later, a better one. This one didn't seem fit to be displayed in the clubroom...
"Hoshimi, is it time for the next ride yet?" Yukino pinched the back of his hand.
"Let me check." Hoshimi pulled out the FASTPASS card. "It's time for the Roger Rabbit Cartoon Spin."
"Alright, let's go. I think it's this way." Having been to Disneyland many times, Yukino led Hoshimi toward the ride.
…
By 3 PM, after hours of fun, both Yukino and Hoshimi were starting to feel tired.
As they passed a small rest shop, they sat down at one of the outdoor tables. Soon, a waitress dressed in a formal maid outfit approached them. "Excuse me, would you like to order something?"
Hoshimi, slumped over the table, waved lazily. "Do you have a menu? I'll take a look."
"Here you go." The waitress handed him the menu.
Hoshimi quickly glanced through it. "I'll have coconut water, mousse, cheesecake, macarons, and... hmm... actually, that's it. Yukino, you can order whatever you want."
He passed the menu to Yukino.
Yukino looked through the entire menu and then politely said to the waitress, "I'll have a coconut water and a chocolate soufflé."
"Alright, please wait a moment." The waitress smiled sweetly and left.
"Yukino, is that all you're getting?" Hoshimi asked, raising his hand while still lying on the table.
Yukino, resting her chin on her hand, looked at Hoshimi with a soft gaze. "You shouldn't eat too many sweets."
Hoshimi protested, "But Yukino, you don't need to diet, so why not eat more?"
"Oh? Diet?" Yukino narrowed her eyes and asked, "Is there someone around you who needs to lose weight?"
"..."
Hoshimi's heart skipped a beat, but he kept his expression calm. "Yuigahama. She's mentioned dieting a few times, hasn't she?"
"Yuigahama, huh..." Yukino muttered softly.
Then she looked at Hoshimi with a faint smile. "Hoshimi, it seems like you pay a lot of attention to Yuigahama. You even remember her dieting concerns."
"..."
Hoshimi was speechless.
Oh, dear Yukino, is this really necessary? Just because a cute waitress tried chatting me up while you were in the restroom?
I didn't even do anything, just made some small talk. Why are you so jealous?
If you're like this over a brief chat, what would happen if you ever found out about Kasumigaoka? Would you tear me to pieces?
===
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