Chapter 39: On the rise

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Translator: Soafp

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“What should we ride first?”

” The first ride should be the classic roller coaster, right?”

I don’t know why I left it to Obata-san, but I’d skip it from the beginning. ……

Miyamoto-san looked at Obata-san’s words with a delicate expression on her face.

“……Are you okay?”

“I’m okay……. If I’m going to, I’d like to go to the toughest one first.”

　Yeah, Well, if that’s what it takes. ……. If I can’t make it, I’ll have you both go on the roller coaster.

“So which one will it be?”

　Yuki says, as if he can’t wait to see it.

　The first is the one with the big roller coaster, and the second is the one with the small roller coaster. There is a big one and a small one, if we want to divide them into two simple categories. The big roller coaster is the usual one, and the small roller coaster is a two-seater that also has a sideways rotating part.

“I don’t mind either way.”

“Me neither. I’ll ride both anyway.”

“What about you, Mizuki?”

“I’m going to go with …… the bigger one.”

I think the bigger one looks scarier, but do you want to go that one first ……?

“Okay! Then, it’s decided! It was that way, right?”

　Obata-san asks me, pointing her finger at me.

　Obata-san is always very excited, but today she is more energetic than ever. Yuki said he was nervous at first, but when we get together, he seems to be having fun, and Miyamoto-san seems more soppy than usual, except when we are talking about the screaming attractions.

　……I should be having fun too.

“Yes. You’re right. Let’s go before it gets too crowded.”

“Then let’s go!”

Obata-san is really excited about this. ……

　We waited for our turn at the roller coaster ride.

　The roller coaster was a two-row ride, so we were divided into two groups. ……

“This way of splitting up is kind of unusual, isn’t it?”

“Well,…… it’s certainly unusual for you and Obata-san to be alone.”

This is a rare combination, as we have been split. I was surprised when Obata-san said that they would decide on the “goppa” method, as I had thought that it would be a male-female split.

　We exchanged a few words after we split up, and soon it was our turn to play. It seemed to be an open day, so there was hardly any line at all.

　I was a little uncomfortable because I was going to ride the roller coaster and I had to take off my glasses, which I always wear outside. I’ll have to be a little more careful when I come back.

When I took them off, two people other than Yuki asked me if I was okay with taking the glasses off, to which I told them that it was okay.

“Well, when I say two people, I mean in front of me.”

　When I said this as we boarded, Obata-san laughed and replied, “Well, yeah”. If anything, they might be able to hear this conversation, too. I don’t know if they are listening.

　We fasten our belts and the safety bar is lowered.

　Then an attendant checked the safety, and after a short wait, the roller coaster started moving with a signal voice.

“Ishikawa.”

“Yeah?”

　That’s pretty nerve-wracking! I was expecting to be told something like that, but the atmosphere was not like that. The tone of voice that had been bouncy earlier became calm.

Just as the front of the roller coaster began to rise, Obata-san continued with her next words.

That ……, are you okay these days?”

“What do you mean, are you okay?”

　I replied reflexively.

“The …… all kinds. Last time they said something about the test results, you know, Hosokawa-san and your…… family.”

I couldn’t see Obata-san’s face because of the safety bar, but I could somehow imagine her expression. Maybe she looks like she did that day, that day at the ball game.

　Why now? I think she was waiting for a chance to talk to me alone. Besides, it was quite timely.

“I’m fine. ……”

　I answered almost sincerely, though I was trying not to worry her.

“Thanks to you guys, I think I have a little bit of leeway now.”

“I….see”

“This time….never mind. I’ve got to enjoy the scenery.”

“No, I’m curious about …… that’s for sure.”

　The roller coaster was about to reach its highest point. As Obata-san recalled, “Uwaa!” That’s so tall! I can see so far!” She shouted bouncily.

　I felt my body being taken forward, and the roller coaster slowed down. Then we entered the ride in front of us. I run my hand through my messy bangs and fix them so that my eyes are hidden.

　I was dropped from the highest point to the bottom in one go, and then dropped down and up twice in a row, and then spun sideways in a circular motion.

It all seemed to happen so fast. I could see the scenery pretty well while falling and spinning, so it wasn’t scary. When I rode it in the past, it was a little scary and had a nice sense of tension. …… Well, the last time I rode it, I was in elementary school.

　When the roller coaster returns to its original position, the safety lever goes up. As we got off the roller coaster, Obata-san spoke to me excitedly.

“Well—-! That was great! The view was great!”

“It was so high! And I love the way it spins around on its side.”

“Oh, that was great, too!”

　Miyamoto-san mumbled a little later as they were talking happily while taking out their belongings they had put away.

“I feel like the world is still turning. ……”

“Ahaha, are you okay? Miyamoto-san.”

Although not necessarily limp, her legs are a little wobbly, as if she is not comfortable.

“Yes, I’m fine. ……”

It doesn’t look like she’s getting sick, but I think she needs to rest on the bench.

When Yuki and Obata were saying that they wanted to ride the roller coaster one more time, Miyamoto said, “I want to rest a little bit, so you can go ahead and ride it.”

　They went back to the roller coaster again. It was probably a popular attraction, and they wanted to ride it while they could.

So there I was, alone with Miyamoto-san on a bench overlooking the roller coaster’s exit.

“It was pretty intense. The roller coaster.”

“Right…… I got a little drunk.”

“These two are very energetic,” Miyamoto-san laughed. I felt at home in this way, as if it was business as usual.

　The two of them are probably still in line, and I wonder if they will come out on something about two or three more.

　I guess Obata-san’s that thing I mentioned earlier …… has been worrying about me for a long time.

　Obata-san sometimes asks me if I’m okay. Also, she sometimes looks into my eyes. …… When I first met her, at a ball game, and a few other times when I lent her my …… notebook.

Many other times, I’m sure she’s usually very attentive to me. And every time it is just the right time.

I was even thrilled when she said that earlier.

　The reason was because I was planning to go back to my parents’ house at the beginning of …… Obon.

　……The timing is really good.

　As I said to Obata-san, thanks to everyone, I think I’ve become more mentally relaxed lately. Lately I sometimes think about the time when I was in the third grade.

　The reason I ended up like that then was because I ran away. Because I didn’t try to get people to believe in me just because they didn’t believe in me once.

　Maybe it’s too late now, but I’ve come to think that it’s not good to keep running away forever. So, I want to take a step forward the next time I go back to my parents’ house. I want to talk to them properly without running away.

　I was just thinking about that, so I was really surprised when I saw you at …….

“Ishikawa?”

　I heard Miyamoto-san’s voice interrupting my thoughts.

“Oh, sorry. What?”

“No, it’s just that …… you seem to have been in a daze.”

　Maybe it’s not a good idea to compare me to my family or old friends, but I think these people really look out for me.

“Oh, …… sorry. Just thinking.”

“Is something wrong?”

“No, it’s nothing serious.”

She asks me worriedly, so I raise my tone of voice a little and answer.

“Is that so?”

“Yes….I thought it would be fun to play together.”

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