Not long ago, someone said something like that.
Noah, you’re strangely unlucky when it comes to having fun. If so, how should we interpret the current situation?
I was quietly staring at Noah through the rearview mirror of the car while thinking.
Noah was looking at his phone.
“…Haa.”
He let out a long sigh.
It seemed things weren’t going too well.
“Noah, still, this is your first time going to an amusement park. Aren’t you excited?”
“I should be. But…”
Noah said that and looked around.
A huge 12-seater van. Besides me and Noah, three more people were riding in it.
In order: Lee Tae-hwa, Yoo Yul, Seo Jin-a.
While I wondered why these kids were here, upon reflection, it made sense.
“It feels like we’re going on a company trip.”
That was Noah’s complaint.
Well, Noah probably expected to go out just with me, not with all these people together. He likely didn’t want that.
“There’s nothing we can do. Since we belong to the Association, we have to follow orders.”
As Noah’s guardian, I decided to accompany him on this schedule.
Noah looked disappointed, but this was the best we could do.
“Still…”
At that moment, Lee Tae-hwa spoke after seeing Noah’s sulky expression.
“Hey, don’t be like that. This is also part of our Association work.”
“…Tch.”
“That and they’re covering the expenses. Isn’t that sweet?”
Indeed, what Tae-hwa said was true.
The van was provided by the Association, and they even covered Noah’s expenses.
Well, I’m paying my own way, though.
Watching such a sulky Noah, Seo Jin-a showed some consideration.
She turned her head back to look at Noah.
“Noah, don’t worry.”
“What about?”
“We’re not completely clueless either.”
Saying that, she smirked.
“We’ll leave when we see the right moment. It’s your first date, after all. We can’t intrude, can we?”
“Firs…first date?! That’s not—”
“Hmm? Does that mean you’ve already been on several dates? Impressive.”
Noah mumbled “Urk… Urk…” before turning back to his phone screen. He seemed to realize that arguing would only make things worse.
…By the way…
“…Um, wasn’t it Yoo Yul?”
“…!”
“Why are you staring so intensely? Is there something wrong with me, Uncle?”
Why are you staring at me like that?
“Ah…well…”
Yoo Yul trailed off. Her red eyes wavered.
Without saying anything, she fidgeted awkwardly until Noah intervened, unable to bear it any longer.
“Yoo Yul.”
“Eh…? Sister?”
“You promised to apologize to Uncle, didn’t you? Are you lying?”
“No, I’m not!”
Noah really scolded Yoo Yul harshly. Yoo Yul appeared intimidated by Noah’s stern tone.
From my perspective, it just looked like one kid was scolding another.
Yoo Yul’s red eyes looked at me, and a trembling voice reached my ears.
“Uncle… I insulted the food you worked hard to taste… I’m sorry…”
“Huh? No, taste is personal… Don’t worry about it, it’s fine.”
Yoo Yul bowed her head deeply and then turned toward Noah. Soon after, Noah began petting her.
Seeing that, Tae-hwa’s lips curled up into a sly grin. He looked at me with mischievous eyes.
“Hey, Uncle.”
“Hm?”
“Do you usually treat Noah like that?”
“…”
I closed my mouth and focused on driving. Getting dragged into that conversation would be the end. I’d just become another target for teasing along with Noah.
Since I didn’t say anything, Tae-hwa turned his body toward Noah, and soon a small commotion began.
“…Phew. Now I can think properly.”
While everyone’s attention was drawn to Noah, I had a chance to organize my thoughts.
About the current situation.
This overlapping random event at a perfectly terrible time.
‘Sudden Event: The Amusement Park at Dawn’
An event that occurs when all members of Athena Team arrive at the amusement park alive.
Due to the sudden appearance of demons, the amusement park will transform into a nightmare-like place.
And if we fail in the battle…
‘Noah will be trapped in the amusement park, suffering forever.’
Of course, I could suggest not going, but that would be difficult as well.
After all, defeating the boss yields powerful magic energy—not only useful for Iris but also beneficial for raising other magical girls effectively.
Besides…
‘Sigh, he was so looking forward to it, how can I say no?’
After promising to go to the amusement park, how did Noah spend those days? Didn’t he pass the time filled with excitement like a happy child?
It would be hard to suddenly tell him, ‘We’re not going, and you shouldn’t go either.’
Even if he acted okay on the outside, he’d probably stay mad inside for quite a while.
Anyway, this dangerous mission was bound to happen sooner or later. It’s better if I tag along. Even if I have to help by transforming into Kraken.
‘I’ll show up declaring, “It’s my job to eliminate this guy!”‘
‘That sounds good.’
Thanks to normally cultivating the image of being Iris’ stalker—no, rival—it works out well.
Before anything happens, I’ll play with Noah to the fullest.
Hmm, quite a nice scenario—
“It’s a date! A two-person amusement park trip is definitely a date!”
“No, it isn’t! It was just supposed to be a casual outing!”
“Uncle! Right?! You were planning to take her to the amusement park, date her, and then kiss her on the Ferris wheel at night—”
“Tae-hwa, stop!!”
Nice scenario…
“If you suddenly disappear from school, they’ll assume it’s because of that!”
“What?!”
“Quitting school to get married—”
“I’m really gonna die…!”
…Oh dear.
‘Just hurry up already…’
I wish I could be alone with Noah soon.
—
After buying tickets and entering the amusement park, we experienced a small commotion.
“Wouldn’t you agree?”
“Nope.”
“Your words say otherwise, but your body seems honest.”
“You forced me to wear it!”
The bickering between Noah and Tae-hwa that started in the car was still going on.
Curious about why they were arguing now, I found out it was over a headband.
“Noah, pick one quickly.”
“I said I don’t want to.”
“C’mon, when you come to an amusement park, you should try things like this once in a while.”
Noah looked down at the red devil horns he wore on his head.
“I don’t understand why people waste money on things like this…”
That was Noah’s grumbling.
True, I understood Noah’s perspective.
Just because others do it doesn’t mean I have to.
You can enjoy yourself without doing such things.
Well, that’s probably what he thought.
And also, the cost mattered.
Normally, I would have understood Noah’s thoughts.
But this time, it was a bit different.
“Noah, why don’t you give it a try?”
“Ah… Does Uncle think so too?”
“You might discover something by trying it yourself.”
Noah kept glancing at the headband.
He probably wanted to try it but refrained due to his habit of saving money.
And most importantly,
“You got that card to use on occasions like this, right?”
If it’s not your money, what’s the harm?
Sure, it’s taxpayer money, but we’re not embezzling like certain high-ranking officials. It’s clearly intended for travel expenses, so there’s no problem.
After hearing my words, Noah thought for a moment before speaking to me.
“Well…”
“Hm?”
“Could you… please choose a nice one for me?”
Is he saying this now?
With that, Noah moved to the nearby headband stall.
Why does he insist on going to the side? Just as I thought that,
I felt warm gazes directed at me.
“Go ahead, Uncle.”
“…I know, but why are you all staring at me like that?”
“Just like that?”
“…”
So that’s why.
To avoid those burdensome stares, I followed Noah.
Thus, we arrived at the adjacent stall.
More elaborate and diverse headbands were displayed.
“What would suit him…”
I hesitated since I don’t have much experience with this kind of thing.
The horns seem too strong for Noah’s impression. Stars or hearts are too flashy.
After pondering for a while, I found a plain one.
Though simple, if it suits him, it could emit a devastating cuteness.
“Noah, want to try this one?”
“This…one?”
“Yeah.”
Noah alternated his gaze between the headband and me before sighing.
There’s no helping it. If you didn’t want it, you shouldn’t have asked me.
Noah closed his eyes and slowly approached.
Apparently, asking me to put it on for him.
‘What a spoiled brat.’
Thinking that inwardly, I helped him put on the headband.
The result…
“How does it look, Uncle?”
“…Wow.”
“What do you think? Stop just gaping and—”
“Cute. Go check yourself in the mirror.”
In the mirror reflected:
Noah wearing a white cat headband.
His hair is white, and the headband is white too.
Because of this, the awareness of even wearing a headband almost disappears.
Who would think that’s a headband?
They’d just think it’s a cat.
“Doesn’t it look weird?”
“…It looks fine.”
“Then that’s good.”
I patted Noah’s head.
His slightly blushing face while concentrating with his eyes closed truly resembles a cat.
I wouldn’t be surprised if he starts purring next.
It was a peaceful moment.
The events that would soon unfold felt almost unreal.
Thinking about it, I regretted wasting the time.
While petting is nice, it’s something I can do every day.
Leading Noah back, I rejoined the group.
During our absence, the destination was already decided.
Tae-hwa, who has visited this place a few times, led us to a certain spot where a fairly long line was already formed.
Seeing the line, Noah froze stiff.
His hairs stood on end.
“Tae… Tae-hwa, do we really have to go here?”
“Yeah, this is a great spot to split up. The exits are different too.”
“Ugh…”
“You’re reacting this way, but Yoo Yul is staying calm, aren’t you?”
“…”
“Is there no response from the kid? Did he die already?”
“It’s fine, it’s fine.”
As the turn approached minute by minute, Tae-hwa waved his hand.
“Then we’ll go in first and keep moving ahead.”
“Wait… Tae-hwa!”
Saying that, Tae-hwa took Jin-a and Yoo Yul and went straight in.
Through the gate shaped like a giant monster’s mouth.
[The Monster House]
Leaving only me and Noah behind.
…Tae-hwa, isn’t it obvious what you’re doing?
“Ah… Uncle…”
“Noah, if you’re scared, we don’t have to go.”
“…No… Still, since we came all this way, we should try it at least once…”
Noah was scared.
Why is the kid who fights demons afraid? Though briefly crossing my mind, this is different.
Noah’s trembling gaze turned toward me.
Tightly.
“Still… can you…”
“Can I what?”
“Please hold my hand…”
I held his hand.
As if my hand was some kind of lifeline.
Really, there’s nothing to be done with this kid.
“Alright, then let’s go in.”
“Yes… Yes!”
