Chapter 9

At my words, Tinker Bell scowled nastily but Peter Pan looked flustered, glanced around at the Children, and then spoke.

“W-well, if you don’t want to eat, you don’t have to. This is Neverland, a country for Children after all.”

“Oh really? For a second there I thought you were trying to force-feed me like some adult and got scared!”

“Hahaha! This isn’t that kind of place so don’t worry! B-but still, Mama made this meal with care, so shouldn’t we at least try it?”

“Nah, Peter Pan, your words sound weird. What’s this about showing respect or whatever?”

I stared blankly at Peter Pan while continuing.

“What’s this old geezer talk about showing respect? Huh? Was that just random chatter? Our Peter Pan wouldn’t say such adult-like things, right?”

“H-Hahahahaha! Of course not! That was just random talk! Besides, since we’re here in Neverland, even without eating food, we’re perfectly fine, so you don’t have to!”

Peter Pan burst out with an awkward laugh. Now it begins, clumsy jammin’ fool. I’ll show you the same antics as Korea’s delinquent touch-the-law boys!

With absolute certainty that my plan was working, I sprang up from my seat.

“Ah~ boring. Tasteless too. What’s this supposed to be when Peter Pan promised a party? Nothing fun?”

“Eh… Fun stuff?”

“Yeah. Fun stuff. Like flying in the sky earlier, something exciting like that?”

I pointed at the leather pouch on Peter Pan’s waist.

“Whatever you’re doing with the powder in there, can you share a bit with me?”

“Wha? This…this thing?”

Completely caught in my trap, Peter Pan hastily covered his pocket.

“No way! Only the King can use this!”

“Boo, boring. Peter Pan, you said Neverland is a dreamy land full of hope and dreams. But what’s this? If you start off like this, I’m already disappointed.”

“No, no! Wait! I’ll show you something amazing!”

Peter Pan rushed into the room, opened a nearby door, and went inside. I whistled leisurely as I waited.

“Hey, what attitude is this in front of Peter Pan? How dare you act this way?”

Tinker Bell approached close to my nose, glaring fiercely. Trying to scare me now? Pfft! Compared to Elise’s crazed gaze, this feels like kids’ play.

“Yeah, what’s the problem?”

“You must not know since you just arrived today, but the King here is Peter Pan. You shouldn’t treat him casually like this.”

“But didn’t Peter Pan himself say it’s okay to do whatever? Aren’t you the one going against Peter Pan’s words now?”

“Wh-what?! How dare you!”

“How dare I? You’re acting like you’re the ruler here or something?”

My words turned Tinker Bell’s face bright red like a radish. Annoying little guy who’s not worth a punch. By the way, I need to ask about Wendy’s whereabouts, but Tinker Bell’s presence stops me.

“Y-you, y-you!!!”

Clenching her fists, Tinker Bell glared daggers at me with burning eyes. I shrugged and shouted loudly.

“Peter Pan!!! Tinker Bell’s acting like an old grump!”

Hearing my call, Peter Pan hurried out of the room with something in hand.

“Huh? What’s the matter!”

“Well, Tinker Bell’s being all preachy and won’t listen properly. She talks like an adult telling me to behave, which is completely opposite to what you say about Neverland being a free country for Children. I’m scared to do anything. People might think Tinker Bell’s the King around here~”

My last remark made Peter Pan’s eyebrows twitch violently.

“…Is that true, Tinker Bell?”

“A-actually, I just thought this newbie was being overly disrespectful to you…”

“I’m the King! If I say it’s okay, then it’s okay! Got it!?”

As Peter Pan roared, Tinker Bell’s eyes welled up with Tears. Bowing her head deeply, she sobbed and flew away swiftly.

“Peter Pan’s a dummy!”

“T-Tinker Bell, wait!”

Seeing Tinker Bell crying, Peter Pan tried to follow worriedly, but I quickly stood in front of him and smiled brightly.

“Kyaa! This is how a King should act! You’ve got great charisma! When someone disrespects your authority, you firmly reprimand them – that’s what makes a true King! You’re definitely Peter Pan!”

“Uh? Oh yeah, that’s right!? Hahaha, Tinker Bell did go too far this time.”

“Exactly. So, Peter Pan, what’s that thing you brought?”

Such easy manipulation. In response to my question, Peter Pan proudly showed off what he had brought.

“This is my steed, Phoenix!”

A bicycle with a design resembling a fiery body. Just a regular bike painted entirely red. The kind elementary school kids would love. There was even a wing decoration made by cutting and coloring a box attached behind the saddle.

I exaggeratedly feigned surprise.

“Oh wow, impressive?”

“Heheh, it’s nothing much. You said you wanted thrills, right? Let’s all ride our bikes for a refreshing drive! How does that sound?”

Upon hearing Peter Pan’s suggestion, the Children’s faces lit up more than any other expression I’d seen so far.

“Cool! It sounds super fun!”

“Agreed! Let’s all zoom around!”

“Yahoo, I’m pumped!”

The Children entered a shabby room and pulled out their own worn-out bicycles. Their bicycles, looking questionable if they could even roll properly, contrasted sharply with Peter Pan’s shiny well-maintained Phoenix.

“Alright everyone, follow me outside!”

Leading Phoenix, Peter Pan headed outside. As I was about to follow, someone grabbed my sleeve. Turning back, I saw Cassandra, who took on the role of Mama.

“You might not remember, but I’m Cassandra. I prepared a bike for you. You can use this.”

“Oh, thanks.”

I received the worn-out bicycle from Cassandra. Testing the pedals produced a squeaky noise. Cassandra hesitated for a moment, checking my reaction, then quietly spoke.

“You might not realize it since you’re new, but you’re currently doing something very dangerous. If you upset Peter Pan, it’ll be a huge problem. Even though you’ve just arrived here and may not be used to it yet, you need to cater to Peter Pan’s mood.”

Catering to the feelings of a jammin’ brat who can’t fly without Magic Powder? The reason I could spontaneously plan after coming here was because I sensed Peter Pan wasn’t strong like Elise, just a proud kid.

Thinking he was merely a child king ruling over abducted Children, I dismissed Cassandra’s warning and asked casually.

“Hmm, I get it. I’ll try. By the way, do you know someone named Wendy?”

At the mention of Wendy, Cassandra jumped in shock and her face turned pale with fear.

“H-how do you know about Wendy…”

“What are you doing over there?! Everyone come out quickly!”

Hearing Peter Pan’s voice from outside, Cassandra became flustered.

“Let’s talk later. When Peter Pan sleeps tonight, I’ll visit your house and tell you more.”

Saying that, Cassandra hurriedly left. This confirms it. Something happened to Wendy and she’s not here now. Could Wendy also have angered Peter Pan like me?

Dragging my bike outside, I thought. There’s no solid information yet. I can only wait until night.

Outside, the Children were riding their barely functioning bikes while Peter Pan sat confidently atop his prized steed. I glanced at my bike, tossed it aside, and approached Peter Pan.

“I want to ride that.”

“Huh?”

Cassandra gasped in shock, slapping her forehead, while the Children gaped wide-mouthed. Peter Pan blinked repeatedly, clearly confused by what I said.

“What?”

“I said I want to ride that. Why not?”

“Uh? Well, this is only for the King to…”

I deliberately cut him off and yelled loudly.

“Seriously? The great King of Neverland won’t even lend his bike? And you said we can do whatever we want, right? Are you going back on your word like an adult? Right, Peter Pan? Surely not, right? Eeeeh~ Can’t be~ Right~?”

An earthquake shook through Peter Pan’s pupils. Having lorded over as the children’s king, this situation must be entirely new to him.

“W-well, you see, this is my beloved steed…”

“Ah~ Where I come from, this is normal. If kids want, we borrow cars and drive around. Can’t we do that in Neverland, a land for children? Surely not, right Peter Pan?”

“Uh? Uhh… R-right! I-I’m not a stingy adult but the cool King of Neverland, so sure, you can ride it!”

“That’s the spirit, Peter Pan! This is how the King of Neverland should act!”

With almost teary eyes, Peter Pan stepped down, and I climbed onto his beloved steed Phoenix with an evil grin.

Peter Pan hovered nearby like someone worried about scratches on an expensive car. He sat on a worn-out bike, anxiously watching me atop his treasured steed. Time to meet his expectations.

“L-l-et’s go!”

As Peter Pan gave the signal, everyone pedaled forward laboriously on their squeaky bikes. Meanwhile, I smoothly pedaled ahead at lightning speed. Naturally, the distance between Peter Pan, the Children, and me widened considerably.

“S-slow down! Don’t push Phoenix too hard!”

Ignoring Peter Pan’s frantic shouts from behind, I kept accelerating. I had no intention of slowing down. I applied more force to my pedal-pushing legs and scanned for an appropriate Target.

Finally, I spotted it.

A sturdy, heavy rock straight ahead. A rock that, if collided with at full speed, could likely destroy a bike! I squeezed every ounce of strength from my legs, and the runaway bike gained uncontrollable momentum, charging directly toward the rock.

Just before impact, I leapt off the bike. CRASH! With a loud bang, the jammin’ brat Peter Pan’s prized steed lost a wheel, its frame tube shattered, and it split into two. Its durability was weaker than expected.

“NOOOOOOO!!!!”

Arriving belatedly, Peter Pan rushed to the remains of what was once Phoenix, fell to his knees, and wailed in despair.