On the carousel, Riko happily sat on a white wooden horse, her skirt fluttering slightly as she turned. Sunlight poured through the painted glass dome, casting a dreamy halo over her.
Satoru sat awkwardly on the wooden horse next to her, looking very uncomfortable, but his eyes never left Riko.
"Teacher Gojo, isn't it fun to spin in circles like this?" Riko said happily, an innocent smile on her face.
Although the teacher seemed reluctant, he still played with me.
Satoru hummed softly. Looking at Riko's happy expression, the corners of his mouth unconsciously rose slightly.
Shoko and Suguru stood by watching, unable to help snickering.
This awkward guy, he obviously enjoys it, but he always pretends to be reluctant, Shoko thought to herself.
Next, they played bumper cars, the pirate ship, and other rides. In the bumper cars, Riko happily chased after Satoru's car, while Satoru pretended to be hit by her and made exaggerated complaints.
When the pirate ship reached its highest point, Riko fearfully grabbed Satoru's hand, and he silently let her hold it.
"Teacher Gojo! That roller coaster looks so thrilling!" Riko said excitedly, pointing at the towering roller coaster track in the distance.
Satoru looked at the steep track and frowned. "That might be a little dangerous."
"It's okay!" Riko tugged on Satoru's sleeve, her eyes full of trust. "With Teacher Gojo here, I'm not afraid at all!"
These words made Satoru's heart skip a beat. He looked into Riko's bright eyes and finally nodded.
This feeling of being trusted is truly amazing, Satoru thought.
As the roller coaster started moving, Riko nervously grabbed the handrail. When the carriage climbed to its highest point, she couldn't help closing her eyes. At that moment, a warm hand gently covered hers.
"Don't be afraid," Satoru's voice came. "I'm here."
Even the thrill of the roller coaster's dive could not drown out the pounding in Riko's chest.
Throughout the day, from the spinning cups to the haunted house, from shooting games to the cotton candy stalls, their laughter and joy were left everywhere.
Although Satoru complained on the surface, he actually accompanied Riko seriously on every ride, and even won a huge panda doll for her at the shooting game.
As the sun set, the orange-red light washed over the amusement park, giving everything a warm glow. Riko sat on a bench, holding the cotton candy Satoru bought for her and hugging the panda doll.
Maki hopes this day will never end. It is really fun to play with Mr. Gojo.
However, fate seems to enjoy playing jokes.
At that warm moment, Riko suddenly felt a familiar chill from behind.
Her body stiffened. She would never forget that feeling, that suffocating pressure. This coldness was the same cursed presence she felt at the Zenin house.
This is the feeling I had that day at the Zenin house. Why is it here...
"Riko? What's wrong?"
Satoru keenly noticed her abnormality.
Just then, a sudden commotion erupted among the tourists in the distance.
Two figures slowly walked out of the crowd, Choso and Uraume. Choso exuded restrained Cursed Energy and wore a strange smile.
"Satoru," Choso said coldly, "hand over the Star Plasma Vessel. It is not wise to keep playing house with her."
Riko felt the air around her suddenly grow heavy.
Satoru, Shoko, and Suguru immediately moved to shield her. The joyful atmosphere shattered and was replaced by a taut stillness that felt ready to snap.
You actually chose to disturb me at this time...
Satoru's eyes sharpened, and his hand was already on the hilt of Senbonzakura. He could feel the powerful Cursed Energy from the other side. This would not be a quick fight.
The amusement park at dusk seemed to transform into a vast battlefield.
The cheerful music kept playing, but everyone could feel the murderous intent in the air.
A fierce battle was about to break out.
...
Why ruin such a beautiful day...
Riko hugged the panda doll tightly, feeling deeply unwilling. But she knew that as the Star Plasma Vessel, this might be her inescapable fate.
Choso and Uraume disappeared from Satoru's sight. When they reappeared, they stood atop the Ferris wheel at the highest point of the park. The cold wind howled, whipping their robes.
In the afterglow of the setting sun, ice crystals had already condensed on Uraume's fingertips, and light blue cold air circulated around her body, forming a ring of crystalline mist. Her hair streamed in the wind and her eyes flashed dangerously.
Finally, I have waited for this opportunity.
Uraume looked at the crowd below, a sneer curling her lips.
"According to the plan," Choso whispered, black Cursed Energy looming on his body, wriggling like a living thing, "we deal with the woman named Ieiri Shoko first. Without healing, the next steps will be much easier."
Uraume nodded slightly, her ice-blue eyes flashing cold light. "I understand. Although Satoru is powerful, his greatest reliance is his teammates' support. As long as we get rid of that woman, their combat effectiveness will drop greatly."
Satoru, let me see how strong you are without any support. This time, I will make you experience losing a companion.
Choso sneered inwardly.
"Ice Manipulation Ritual: Winter Bloom," Uraume whispered, her hands moving with graceful precision in the air.
In an instant, cold air surged from her, flooding the entire amusement park like a tangible tide.
Tourists who had been laughing and chatting began to scream and flee in all directions, leaving behind a frozen paradise. The rides gathered hoarfrost, and ice crystals climbed the metal surfaces, turning the happy park into a cage of ice and snow.
Towering ice walls rose from the ground, dividing the battlefield into several independent zones like a crystal castle.
Satoru and Choso were trapped in the central area, Suguru was isolated on the east side, and Riko and Shoko were on the west side.
Cold air swirled, completely freezing the joyful atmosphere.
(To be continued.)
Check out my new JJK fic: JJK X Fate: The Heroic Sorcerer.