Natsuki nodded in agreement. "Let's do this."
Cracking down on gangsters and eliminating evil was a package deal. In a way, this pink-haired girl had become one of the most crucial people in the world.
"It's been ages since I've been to an amusement park. I miss it," Kaguya's mom said wistfully, looking at her daughter. "Sweetie, want to go?"
"I... um..." Kaguya hesitated, her pretty face scrunching up slightly.
Chika jumped in, "Kaguya's always so busy with after-school classes. Maybe just the four of us could go?"
"What a shame," Kaguya's mom sighed dramatically. "My lifelong dream of taking my little girl to an amusement park, never to be realized."
Just then, Umi burst in, grinning from ear to ear. "Hey, hey! Let's hit the amusement park!"
Kaguya's eyes widened, and she blurted out, "I'm coming too."
"Whoa, Kaguya's in?" Chika cocked her head, confused. "Didn't you have other stuff to do today?"
"We can study tomorrow. I'll reschedule," Kaguya said coolly, clutching her bag as she walked over to Natsuki. "Let's take the driver."
A private car beat a crowded train any day.
Natsuki and the three girls, along with Kaguya's petite mom, headed out of the classroom towards the school gate to catch their ride.
...........
Meanwhile...
"Miko, look! It's Natsuki!" Hana's eyes went wide as she pointed to the corner.
Miko turned, "Yeah, I see him."
"Why's he getting into Kaguya's car again?" Hana whispered, concerned. "You don't think... he's two-timing you?"
Miko just stared, speechless. How could it be two-timing when they weren't even dating?
.........…
The car ride was uneventful. Natsuki sat quietly as Chika and Umi chatted away. He even dozed off for a bit.
Before he knew it, they'd arrived at the amusement park entrance. The chauffeur, all prim and proper in white gloves, opened the door and stood at attention as they piled out.
"Let's hit the haunted house!" Chika pumped her fist in the air.
"Hold up," Umi interjected. "If we go in like this, no one's gonna get scared. We need to gear up first. You know that saying... um, how does it go? Something about a chef and meat..."
Natsuki sighed, "If you want to do a job well, you need to sharpen your tools first."
"Yeah, that's it!" Umi snapped her fingers, beaming. This blonde bombshell seemed to love laughing. "Anyway, we gotta prep before we go in."
"A wig, a white dress, maybe a mask... that should do the trick."
Natsuki had to admit, some preparation made sense. Scaring the staff in a haunted house? Now that was a challenge worth taking on.
They found a mall near the amusement park, quickly grabbed the props they needed, and headed back.
"Amusement park, here we come!" Kaguya's mom said nostalgically. "Last time I was here, I was in middle school. Wonder if they've got any new rides?"
Natsuki, in line for tickets, mumbled, "Hate to break it to you, but this place has been coasting on its old attractions. Nothing new at all."
"Hey, that coaster looks familiar," Kaguya's mom pointed out. "Isn't it just like the one from Detective Conan?"
Natsuki thought, "Geez, good thing normal people can't hear you, or we'd have a mob on our hands!"
Chika bounced over, "The pirate ship looks fun! Oh, and there's a Going Merry in the lake up ahead. Wanna try that?"
"It's getting late," Natsuki said. "Let's hit the haunted house first. You can go wild after."
"Fine," Chika pouted.
They queued up at the haunted house entrance. Once inside, Chika realized a major flaw in their plan.
"Guys... I can't see a thing! How are we supposed to scare anyone?"
"I can't see anything either," Chika whined. "It's so dark, forget about being scary!"
Umi, the blonde, turned to Natsuki sheepishly. "Any bright ideas?"
"Time to call in some backup," Natsuki said, glancing at Kaguya's mom.
She held up her hands defensively. "Sorry, no can do. Ghosts need to follow science too. No light, no sight."
Natsuki thought, "You're a ghost! That's the least scientific thing here!"
Suddenly, a cool voice spoke up: "I can see."
"Huh?" Natsuki turned to Kaguya. "Is this from that weird mission thing?"
Kaguya nodded, touching her forehead. "Yeah, my eyesight's better now. I can kind of see in the dark."
"No way!" Chika's eyes sparkled. "Kaguya's got night vision goggles for eyes?"
"Not quite," Natsuki sighed. "She said it's just vague outlines."
"Can you see through walls too?"
"That'd be a superpower, not just better vision."
"..."
"Alright, Kaguya's our guide," Natsuki decided. "Lead the way."
Chika cheered, "Go, Kaguya!"
Umi added, "We're counting on you!"
Kaguya's mom chimed in, "Have fun, sweetie!"
Kaguya just stood there, not amused at all. She thought, "Great, I'm doing all the work while they reap the benefits. Don't they feel even a little guilty?"
With a sigh, Kaguya steeled herself and stepped forward into the darkness.
The haunted house had a creepy abandoned village vibe, with villagers vanishing overnight. For supernatural thrill-seekers, it was a dream come true... or a total nightmare if it were real.
Natsuki could just make out Heian-era props in the dim light. Whoever designed this place knew their history.
"Natsuki, ever been in a haunted house before?" Chika whispered.
"Does the school one count?" Natsuki replied.
Umi chimed in, "Oh, like in middle school? I played the ghost girl once."
Up front, Kaguya bit her lip, annoyed. Here she was, leading the way, while they chatted it up behind her. So unfair!
Suddenly, Kaguya stopped.
"What's up?" Natsuki asked quietly.
"There's someone... crouching in that corner," Kaguya murmured. "Looks like staff."
A figure in white, hair loose, huddled in the shadows. Definitely an employee, not another visitor.
"I don't know," Chika hesitated. "What if we really freak them out?"
Natsuki thought, "Anyone working here must have nerves of steel. No way you'll scare them that easily."
Out loud, he said, "Just give it a shot. We can always apologize after."
"I guess..." Chika nodded.
Umi handed her a black wig. "Here, for maximum spook factor."
Chika took a deep breath, donned the wig, and crept towards the corner.
The others hung back, not wanting to blow their cover with too much noise.
Chika tiptoed behind the staff member, adjusting her wig. She stood silently, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
Seconds ticked by. The figure didn't budge, still peering down the corridor.
Chika grew impatient. This person's guard was way too low!
"Guess I'll have to make the first move," she thought.
She pulled out a snack bag, crinkling it loudly.
The staff member flinched, starting to turn... then froze halfway.
"Why'd you stop?" Chika wondered. "Aren't you curious?"
Finally, she tapped their shoulder.
Her hand went right through.
"Huh?!"
The crouching figure lifted its head—revealing it was facing backwards, its neck at an impossible angle. A hollow sound echoed.
"You... can see me?" it rasped.
"N-no, I can't!" Chika stammered.
"But you can!"