Chapter 158: Ferris Wheel
[10:00 a.m., you go on a trip into the haunted house.]
[Inside, the staff wearing zombie and vampire masks fail to scare you, but in the end one staff member removes his mask, and it turns out to be Tezcatlipoca. The memories come flooding back, frightening you so much that you bolt straight out without daring to look back.]
[Luckily, this time there were no security cameras recording your scene.]
[10:30 a.m., the three of you ride the carousel together.]
[11:00 a.m., you are stunned by the prices of lunch in the amusement park.]
[12:00 noon, you and Jeanne Alter bet 5QP on who dares to try bungee jumping. In the end, after both of you jump, lunch ends up coming right back out.]
[1:00 p.m., Jeanne Lily drags you onto the Pirate Ship, only to end up crying in fright herself.]
[2:00 p.m., the three of you go to a 3D theater to watch Saber Wars starring Mysterious Heroine X and Space Ishtar. When Space Artoria kills Darth Knight Mordred, Mordred, in her dying moment, removes her helmet and says: "I am your father." Everyone, including you and the audience, is left wide-eyed in shock at the twist.]
[By 5:00 p.m., the sun is sinking toward the horizon, and the breeze in the amusement park has grown cooler.]
That late afternoon, the sunlight slanted gently, streams of golden honey light flowing between the layers of clouds.
Jeanne Alter and Eikou strolled aimlessly down the paths of the amusement park, weaving through the bustling crowds.
"Hey, Eikou—"
"Shhh…"
Just as Jeanne Alter was about to say something, Eikou pressed a finger to his lips, signaling her to stay quiet.
"Your little sister's asleep…" he whispered.
A whole day of playing had worn Jeanne Lily out so much that she couldn't keep her eyes open. She rested peacefully on Eikou's back, arms wrapped around his neck, her soft breaths faint and light—like a little stuffed cat dozing off by a warm fireplace.
"It's fine, the amusement park is noisy by nature anyway." Jeanne Alter said indifferently.
"You're really strict with your little sister."
"You're just too gentle with her! Let me make it clear—I hate guys who 'act gentle toward kids thinking they're cool,' got it?!"
"Haha, I already told you, I don't like kids at all. It's just that your little sister is really cute." He smiled, "Doesn't she look just like a little angel when she clings to people like that?"
"Not one bit. I only find it annoying."
Jeanne Alter said in frustration.
"Alright, alright, anyway she's already tired out. We should head home too." Eikou said cheerfully, "Thankfully I got to spend today with you, otherwise I might've died of stress."
"Did you go and do something stupid again? You really have too much free time." Jeanne Alter said.
"Uh-huh."
He thought to himself: What else could I do? Was I supposed to just stand there and watch Yu Ji get dragged into Sesshouin's Singularity and assimilated? Not to mention, this also ties into my paycheck.
"Hey, wait a minute."
Just as Eikou was about to head toward the amusement park's exit, his sleeve was suddenly yanked back firmly by Jeanne Alter.
"What is it?" He turned his head, puzzled.
"It's not like you're really in a hurry to go home…"
Jeanne Alter looked a little tense and flustered. Her pale, beautiful face showed a faint trace of nervous hesitation. Her golden eyes deliberately turned away, not daring to meet his, as if she were testing the fragile boundary between them.
But in the end, she mustered all her courage, her face flushing red as she softly asked: "Before we leave… do you want to ride the Ferris wheel with me once?"
His eyes widened in surprise.
"I—"
Before Eikou could even open his mouth, she rushed out at lightning speed:
"I just casually asked! Anyway, we already played so many rides but haven't tried the most classic one, the Ferris wheel—it really would be a shame. It's just for a bit of fun, don't overthink it —— and by the way, even though it's just a spur-of-the-moment thought, I'm not allowing you to refuse. If you embarrass me like that, I'll burn you!"
"Actually, I was going to say, of course I'll go." He smiled, pretending to ask back, "Why did you need to put up so many layers of defense?"
"None of your business! Since you agreed already, then just follow me!"
Jeanne Alter's voice carried both irritation and embarrassment.
With that, she grabbed his arm tightly and dragged him forcefully toward the Ferris wheel.
The Ferris wheel—symbol of the lovers' sanctuary—turned slowly, and through its windows one could faintly see couples boarding in pairs.
They sat inside the cabin, gradually rising into the sky. What they did after that—whether awkward small talk, intimate kisses, or lewd hand-holding—only they themselves would know.
For Jeanne Alter to gather the courage to invite him here was already a huge effort.
[You wait in line for about ten minutes, finally boarding.]
[You bring along Jeanne Lily, who is still fast asleep. You carefully let her continue sleeping on the seat, while you sit opposite Jeanne Alter.]
[The Ferris wheel moves slowly, lifting you into the sky.]
[Neither you nor Jeanne Alter say a word, and the atmosphere turns ambiguous and shy.]
"…"
Eikou and Jeanne Alter sat together, quietly watching the scenery outside the window.
He glanced sideways at Jeanne Alter, noticing the Dragon Witch unconsciously crossing her long slender legs in leather high-heeled boots, showing off curves that were both alluring and lazy. Yet the hand gripping tightly at the hem of her shirt betrayed the tension and restraint in her heart.
Because he had spent the whole day busy playing with Jeanne Lily, Eikou hadn't had a proper chance to observe Jeanne Alter carefully. Only now did he notice how much she had put into her appearance.
Her long white hair had been carefully curled, her lips painted with a light shade of pink lipstick, and a stylish handbag hung over her shoulder—a bag that clearly wasn't her style, most likely suggested by France Class's Marie.
Jeanne Alter, of course, noticed his gaze. Her golden eyes would occasionally sneak a glance his way, then quickly dart aside, pretending nothing had happened.
Perhaps unable to withstand his stare, she finally turned her head, pretending she had only just noticed.
"W-Why are you looking at me like that, like some kind of pervert! Careful or I'll burn you!"
"Because you're beautiful." Eikou said directly.
"…"
She was instantly struck speechless, unable to say anything.
"…So then… did you have fun today?"
After a long silence, Jeanne Alter asked softly.
"It was really fun... except for the part in the haunted house with Tezcatlipoca-sensei." Eikou said, "Today was great. Jeanne Alter, you gave me a wonderful date."
"Is that so…"
The Dragon Witch nodded thoughtfully, then suddenly said:
"But I still want to go on another date with you."