The amusement park sprawled before Sayu, bathed in the bright, warm glow of the afternoon sun. The Ferris wheel turned lazily in the distance, its colorful cabins glinting in the light.
Stalls selling cotton candy, games, and prizes lined the walkways, while the mingling scents of popcorn, grilled snacks, and sweet treats filled the air.
Laughter bubbled from every corner, blending with the mechanical clatter of rides and the cheerful shouts of children, creating a lively, chaotic melody that made her chest tighten with anticipation.
Sayu stood frozen at the entrance, her eyes wide as she tried to take it all in. The sheer energy of the place was overwhelming, almost surreal, and she found herself tugging at the hem of her sweater nervously.
How… exactly did this happen again?
Her mind drifted back to just a few days ago—when she and Hayato had sat across from each other, not even sure what being a "couple" was supposed to mean.
* * * * *
A Few Days Ago...
"So… what do we do now?" Sayu asked, her voice laced with hesitation.
"Well, if we want my parents—and everyone else—to believe us, we should probably have some proof like... take some pictures," Hayato said after a pause.
"Pictures? Just… normal ones will do, right?" She tilted her head.
"I don't think so." He scratched his cheek, thinking. "My parents aren't exactly going to believe I suddenly have a girlfriend after all these years of being single. Maybe if we could have a setting to what real couples have in their pictures and posts maybe it'll be better? You know… for proof."
Which led them to do what any normal 21st-century person would when they didn't know the answer—ask the internet. Or more specifically: Artificial Intelligence.
They pulled up CatGPT, the world's most popular chatbot. Its round cat avatar blinked at them from the screen, tail curled neatly, as if it were waiting to be asked anything.
Sayu typed hesitantly: What do couples do?
The screen flickered.
[ Prompting… ]
[ Spend time together on dates (a walk, a café, or a trip to the amusement park).
Hold hands, offer comfort, and show affection in small ways.
Try new things together: cooking, games, or exploring. ]
The list kept going, detailed yet simple, leaving them both staring at it in silence.
"So… a date, then?" Hayato muttered, scratching his cheek awkwardly.
Sayu nodded. "A date…"
When they asked where their first one should be, CatGPT hadn't hesitated at all.
[ The number one choice: the amusement park. ]
* * * * *
And so here she was... standing at the gates of the amusement park.
'When is he going to get here?'
It had only been a few minutes since she arrived, but it already felt much longer.
She glanced around. The place was packed, the lines for the rides stretching far. Maybe the AI had been wrong when it said weekends were less crowded or maybe it was right, and too many people trusted the same advice.
Just as she was about to sink deeper into her thoughts, a hand tapped her shoulder. She turned and saw him—Hayato, dressed casually but put together enough to stand out.
"Oh, you came?"
"Sorry I kept you waiting."
"It's nothing."
"Shall we?"
The moment they stepped inside, Sayu could already feel eyes drifting toward them. Or rather—toward him.
A group of girls waiting in line for a cotton candy stand giggled behind their hands as Hayato passed by, their gazes lingering. Sayu smiled slightly, amazed by the teenage girls.
'I guess Rin wasn't exaggerating when she said he was one of the three heartthrobs…' She stole a glance at his face under the bright sunlight. His features looked sharper in the open air, his expression calm, almost unbothered by the attention.
Hayato, however, seemed focused on his phone. "Right," he muttered, pulling up a note.
Sayu leaned in to peek, her shoulder brushing against his arm. "What's that?"
"The plan," he said, tilting the screen toward her without thinking.
She leaned closer to read, close enough for him to catch the faint scent of her shampoo. Heat pricked at his neck. Sayu suddenly realized the distance too, and jerked back, flustered. "Ah—s-sorry, I was trying to peek…"
Hayato cleared his throat, forcing his eyes back to the screen. "It's fine. I made a list so we don't just wander."
Desperate to steer the mood elsewhere, Sayu asked, "Have you been here before?"
"Yeah. Last year with some classmates." He glanced at her. "You?"
Sayu shook her head, her ponytail swaying. "Not in years. I almost forgot how magical it feels… it's like stepping into another world."
For a moment, her voice carried a genuine awe that caught him off guard. He tucked that thought away and looked back down at his list. "So, first we—"
Sayu suddenly grabbed his sleeve. "Come on, the photos can wait, let's have some fun first." Her eyes sparkled, daring him to loosen up.
He sighed, but couldn't help the small smile tugging at his lips. "Fine. One ride. Then we follow the plan."
They drifted toward the rides, colorful banners fluttering in the sunlight, and the cheerful clatter of roller coasters and carousel music filling the air.
A tall structure loomed in the distance—the drop tower. Its seats lifted riders dozens of meters into the air before plunging them down with a scream that echoed across the park.
Sayu stopped, eyes wide. "Oh! That one!"
Hayato raised a brow. "Are you sure you want to start with… that?"
"I'm not scared," she said quickly, though her fingers tightened on her bag. "Are you?"
Hayato gave a small, wry smile. "Well… I can't back out now."
They made their way to the line, the chatter around them mixing with the clatter of the ride. Surprisingly, the line moved faster than either of them expected. They exchanged awkward glances, trying to keep the conversation light.
Then the conductor's sharp, slightly exasperated voice cut through. "The couple over there! Come on, it's your turn!"
Sayu's eyes widened. "Oh—we're not a co… I guess we are."
Hayato's cheeks colored faintly as he looked at her. They both froze for a moment, caught between flustered and amused.
The conductor sighed, tapping his clipboard impatiently. "Come on, kids! Don't hold up the line—we need to keep things moving!"
Before Sayu could overthink it, Hayato guided her forward. The attendants strapped them in, metal bars clicking into place. The ground fell away as the seats began to rise, the park shrinking beneath them.
Sayu's breath hitched, and without thinking, her hand shot out, clutching his.
Hayato turned in surprise, his mouth opening to say something
Then the ride dropped.
Their screams were lost in the rush of wind as the world blurred past them.