After entering the Amusement Park, the colorful decorations and cheerful music failed to dispel the awkward atmosphere between the three.
Shido was stuck between Origami and Chinatsu, feeling as though he were walking on an invisible tightrope.
He desperately tried to start a conversation, forcing a somewhat stiff smile as he pointed at a carousel nearby:
"That... that looks like it might be fun... Should we...?"
"Shido, according to ergonomic data, carousels have limited appeal to adolescents, and the time spent waiting in line is not commensurate with the experience value," Origami immediately analyzed coolly.
Origami immediately analyzed coolly, while simultaneously holding Shido's arm even tighter, her light-blue eyes constantly watching Chinatsu, who was walking slightly ahead, with a scrutinizing side glance.
Chinatsu, meanwhile, looked completely unapproachable.
She crossed her arms over her chest, her icy blue hair swaying slightly with her somewhat forceful steps, deliberately walking a few steps ahead as if she didn't want to be associated with the two people behind her.
From Shido and Origami's perspective, they could only see her elegant figure from behind and her shoulders, which seemed slightly tense due to displeasure.
(This is enough... What is this? When three walk together, one must be the third wheel? And it seems like I'm the third wheel?)
Chinatsu was indeed feeling annoyed internally, mainly dissatisfied with the situation where her rhythm had been unexpectedly disrupted.
(I originally planned to just go through the motions step by step, but now that Origami is here, the whole plan is ruined...)
She looked at the couples and families around them, laughing and paired up, and then contrasted that with their own bizarre atmosphere, feeling a sudden, inexplicable sense of frustration well up inside her.
(Why do I have to suffer like this here? Playing on these childish Amusement Park rides with a blockhead and a stalker?)
However, just as this resentment was about to peak, a thought flashed through her mind like lightning—
(Wait a minute... What exactly am I stressing over?)
(I wasn't actually here for a real date! My core mission is to "get through the date time" and avoid Aha's punishment!)
(As for how the process goes, whether Origami interrupts, or what Shido thinks... why should I care?!)
(Having Origami here is perfect! I don't have to bother acting out those sickeningly sweet interactions, I don't have to deliberately create any "beautiful memories," and I can even... focus my attention on myself!)
Her perspective instantly cleared, like seeing the sun after the clouds part!
(That's right! Since I'm here, why make things difficult for myself? This Amusement Park looks pretty good, and there are lots of rides I haven't really tried before... Since I have to kill time anyway, why not take the opportunity to enjoy myself?)
With this realization, she felt the pressure on her body suddenly lift.
Her tense shoulders unconsciously relaxed, and her crossed arms naturally fell to her sides.
She even began looking around with considerable interest, her gaze sweeping over the screaming roller coaster, the dreamy spinning teacups, and the fragrant snack stalls... In her icy blue eyes, the previous displeasure and annoyance quickly faded, replaced by a sense of ease tinged with curiosity and eagerness.
(That one looks pretty thrilling... Hmm, I can try that later. The chocolate bananas they're selling over there look delicious...)
She was completely immersed in her personal plan of "how to enjoy the Amusement Park," almost forgetting the two people behind her.
Origami's perspective:
Origami, who had been closely monitoring Chinatsu out of the corner of her eye, keenly captured this series of subtle changes in her.
(Target emotional fluctuation: Initial phase showed "displeasure" and "detachment." Current phase: Displeasure significantly reduced, body posture relaxed, attention shifted to environmental facilities.)
Origami's brain rapidly analyzed the data.
(Is it because she realized she couldn't change the current situation, so she chose acceptance? And deliberately shifted her attention to avoid more unpleasant interactions with Shido?)
(This behavioral pattern is consistent with the contradictory psychology of a "tsundere" individual who, after feeling jealous, is unwilling to compromise but also unable to truly leave.)
(Her choice to tolerate my presence and maintain distance from Shido is a form of passive self-protection.)
(Conclusion: My intervention has effectively reduced the probability of intimate contact between the target and Shido.)
(Shido's safety factor has increased. Continue maintaining the current state, and when the scan is nearing completion, look for an opportunity to guide the two of them to the designated area.)
Origami felt her strategy was absolutely correct, and thus clung to Shido's side with even greater peace of mind.
Switching scenes, the situation on the Fraxinus bridge was not good.
In stark contrast to Origami's "satisfaction," the Fraxinus bridge was currently in an uproar!
"We're doomed, doomed, doomed!" Kotori watched Chinatsu's obvious attitude shift on the main screen, going from "pouting angrily" to "not caring at all," and stamped her foot in frustration.
"Didn't you see?! She was clearly angry a moment ago, but now she suddenly isn't! She's starting to entertain herself!"
"The data shows," Kanmoto's voice carried a hint of seriousness.
"Target Chinatsu's attention level toward Shido is continuously dropping, currently below the threshold! Meanwhile, her interest level in the environmental facilities is significantly rising!"
"Th-This is a classic case of interest transference!" Kawagoe exclaimed, looking heartbroken.
"When a woman feels disappointed or bored with her date, she shifts her attention to shopping, food, or other things that provide self-gratification! This is a precursor to relationship burnout! Extremely dangerous!"
"Origami's intervention must have made her feel that Shido was not decisive enough, or that the date experience was terrible!" Shiizaki said ominously.
"Should I apply some pressure to her, to make her realize Shido's importance again? Like stopping the roller coaster halfway up..."
"No!" Kotori immediately refused, biting her precious jewel in frustration.
"Now is not the time for petty tricks! The problem lies with Shido! He's too passive!"
She abruptly leaned into the microphone, issuing instructions in an anxious tone:
[Shido! Can you hear me?! Emergency situation! Chinatsu's interest level in you is plummeting! She has started entertaining herself! This means she is disappointed in you! We can't let this continue!]
[Immediately! Right now! Launch an offensive against her! Forget about Origami! Go talk to her proactively and invite her to try a ride she might be interested in! Show your enthusiasm and initiative! Pull her back from that'self-satisfied' state! Hurry!]
Shido listened to Kotori's nearly roaring instructions in his earpiece, looking at Chinatsu ahead, whose back view exuded relaxed contentment as if she were already immersed in her own world.
Feeling the undeniable grip of Origami on his arm, he felt overwhelmed.
(Offensive? How am I supposed to launch an offensive?!)
He felt like crying, but for the sake of the "mission," he could only steel himself and try to break this delicate balance.
He took a deep breath, mustered his courage, and shouted toward Chinatsu's back:
"Th-That! Chinatsu-san! That roller coaster looks really exciting! Should we... try it together?"
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