Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 23: Amusement Park Date (Tentative) ①
“As I thought, this is… rather embarrassing, isn’t it?”
“It’s totally fine! You’ll get used to it soon enough.”
After finishing our shopping at the department store, we were now walking through the amusement park.
Takarazuka-san looked like a completely different person compared to when we met up earlier in her otoko-yaku (male role) outfit.
“Hmm, having such long hair makes my head feel heavy.”
“Well, you usually have short hair, right, Takarazuka-san? And since you’re wearing a wig, it probably feels even heavier. But you look really cute!”
First, the hairstyle.
Her short silver hair was replaced with a wig — long hair with bangs.
I curled the ends starting from the midsection and styled it into a rope-braided half-updo, giving her a soft, calm look.
“C-Cute!? Me!?”
“Of course! And the silver hair paired with the pink makeup suits you perfectly. You honestly look like a princess.”
The makeup used pink tones to match her silver hair, giving her a translucent, dreamlike appearance with a touch of fragility.
“A p-princess!? I’ve played the role of a prince many times, but me, a princess? That’s ridiculous… And this fluffy dress feels so unfamiliar, I can’t stop fidgeting. I usually wear crisp suits or skinny pants…”
Her outfit was a long white dress with a frilly neckline and puff sleeves, paired with low-heeled ankle-strap shoes.
She carried a soft pastel-blue micro shoulder bag that matched the color of her eyes.
“Suits have sharp shoulders and slacks with creases, which give a masculine impression. On the other hand, rounded frills and puff sleeves add femininity.”
Besides helping with role preparation, this outfit also served as a disguise.
Earlier, people assumed it was a photo shoot, so no fuss was made.
But if it became known that Suzuka Takarazuka was at an amusement park with a regular guy like me—even if it’s for role preparation—it would definitely be problematic.
Still, in her current look, no one would ever guess she’s the Suzuka Takarazuka.
“And you see, everything—where someone is from, their age, family background, personality—can be reflected in their appearance. So costumes and makeup are really important. I read the script and reference material for the play ‘Snow Magic: The Far Side of the Moon’, and tried to imagine the character. I thought, ‘What would it be like if that character went on a date at an amusement park?’ That’s how I came up with this. It should help you connect more with the role!”
“I-I see…”
“S-Sorry! I probably talked too much, huh…”
Ah, I did it again.
When I get too into something, I tend to ramble—my sisters always tell me I’m annoying when I do that, so I’ve been trying to be more careful…
“No, I was honestly impressed… You put so much thought into designing this outfit and makeup… You really are amazing. Just from that explanation alone, I feel like I made the right choice in asking for your help.”
“I’ve still got a long way to go… Besides, the real role prep starts now. Let’s enjoy our amusement park date!”
“Yeah, you’re right… But when was the last time I wore a dress, I wonder? You say it suits me, but I’m not so sure… Look, people are staring.”
Usually so confident, Takarazuka-san was now glancing around restlessly.
It must be because she looks so different from usual that she’s feeling uneasy.
“No, they’re staring because you look beautiful. The white dress highlights your sapphire-colored eyes—it’s stunning.”
“S-Sapphire!? You’re more poetic than I expected… But really? Do you truly think it suits me?”
“Yes! I’m sure anyone would agree it looks great on you.”
I spoke honestly from the heart.
“I’m glad to hear that… But still, it seems like they’re not just looking at me—they’re also looking at you, aren’t they?”
“Huh? Me? I must be standing out in a bad way, being next to someone so beautiful like you… Sorry about that.”
Looking around, I did notice a lot of eyes on us.
I had styled myself with my bangs up to look more masculine for the boyfriend role, but maybe it just looks out of place.
“No, that’s not what I meant…”
“Anyway, it’s not good to get gloomy! Let’s get going! This is my first time at an amusement park! What should we ride first? Not the thrill rides—your wig might fly off. The parade isn’t for a while yet, so… hmm…”
Trying to change the subject, I brainstormed ideas for enjoying the amusement park.
“Wait, Sakasegawa-kun. Normally, the first thing you do at an amusement park is buy matching head accessories, you know?”
“What!? That’s the ‘normal’ thing to do!? I didn’t know that! The store is… that way! Come on, let’s go!”
And with that, we headed off to enjoy the amusement park together.
○ ●
“Amusement parks are so much fun!”
“Yeah, they really are. I haven’t been in a while, but they’re still enjoyable even as an adult.”
After riding various attractions, we walked around the park together.
“The swing ride felt amazing! Spinning up high like that made me feel like I was a bird.”
“You got so excited back then—you were like a little kid.”
“S-Sorry… I meant to act like a proper boyfriend, but it’s my first amusement park visit, so I got carried away.”
“Hehe, it’s okay. Seeing you enjoy yourself makes me happy too.”
Thinking back to how excited I was, I felt a bit embarrassed.
I must’ve looked less like a boyfriend and more like a kid being looked after by his big sister…
“When you were on the merry-go-round, you really looked like a princess on horseback. Your posture was perfect, too.”
“Isn’t that a bit of an exaggeration? Though… I do have horseback riding experience, so compared to a real moving horse, a carousel is a piece of cake.”
Even as she dismissed the compliment, Takarazuka-san looked quietly proud and pleased.
Her smug expression was like a kid who’d just been praised—it was adorable.
Maybe amusement parks really do bring out the kid in everyone…
“Haha, you were totally in control on that ride. Did you start horseback riding when you were a kid?”
“No, I started after I joined the theater troupe. I was cast as Napoleon, and wanted to learn firsthand. I’m the type who wants to physically experience things for my roles. I got hooked, so I’ve been riding ever since.”
“I see, so you always try to experience things for your roles, like today.”
To make her acting more realistic, she personally experiences things and makes them her own.
As I thought, Takarazuka-san seems to really value her own experiences and memories when it comes to acting.
“Aah, that’s right. Because of that, I’m sorry for dragging you into all this.”
“No, please don’t worry about it. I’m the type who just can’t leave a girl in trouble alone!!”
“Ha ha, you got me there. However, even though we’re playing the roles of lovers right now, don’t you think we’re still a bit too distant?”
Takarazuka-san stopped walking and looked straight at me.
“Eh, really…?”
“That’s it! You’ve been using formal language with me this whole time! We’re the same age, so you can talk casually, you know?”
(I knew we were the same age, but Takarazuka-san always gives off such a mature vibe… so I ended up being formal without realizing.)
“Uh, well… that’s a bit…”
“Could I ask you to try…?”
Despite her tall, slender figure and cool features, she looked up at me with puppy-like eyes.
(C-cute…! With her outfit and hairstyle, it’s like a princess from some faraway kingdom is asking me for a favor…)
“Alright… I mean, okay. I might slip into formal speech sometimes, but sorry in advance if I do.”
“Very well, that’s fine. Now one more thing—let’s change how we call each other.”
“Our names?”
“Yes. Calling me ‘Takarazuka-san’ the whole time doesn’t feel right for a couple. I believe that when a girl deeply loves someone, she calls him by name with a ‘kun’. From now on, I’ll call you ‘Go-kun’. So, could you also stop using my last name and call me by my first name instead?”
(She already started calling me Go-kun… She adapts so quickly.)
“Th-then… Suzu.”
I said her name, blushing a little but trying my best.
“Mm, it has a nice ring to it.”
“You’re already calling her by name with no honorifics!?”
“Eh?”
Suddenly, I heard a voice.
I looked around, but there was no one nearby who might’ve said it.
(Was I imagining things…? Now I’m starting to feel like I shouldn’t be calling her that.)
“Uh, um… Suzu-chan?”
“Yes, I like that!”
“Only childhood friends get to use ‘-chan’ though!?”
“Eh?”
Again, I heard a voice.
It was different from before, but again, there was no one around.
(What’s going on!? More importantly, what should I even call her…? ‘Suzu-sama’ is way too much, and if I say ‘Suzu-san’, she’ll probably say it sounds too distant… Suzu-kun? No, that’s weird.)
“After thinking about it, I’ll go with Suzu-chan.”
“Yes, please do!”
That was the conclusion I came to.
Since she was calling me with a “kun,” I figured using “chan” would feel natural in return.
“Go-kun.”
“Yes?”
When she called my name, I responded.
But Suzu-chan didn’t say anything back.
She looked slightly pouty.
“Go-kun.”
“What’s wrong?”
Again she called me, and again I responded, but just like before, she said nothing in return.
This time, her pout was much more obvious.
“Go-kun.”
That’s when I finally realized the response she was waiting for.
“Suzu-chan.”
Her pout disappeared, and she gave me a bright, warm smile like sunshine.
“Yes?”
In a sweet, gentle voice filled with affection, she tilted her head cutely. It was just like a loving girlfriend responding to her boyfriend calling her name.
I dropped to my knees on the spot.
(Ugh, what is this!? My chest feels like it’s being squeezed—too cute, too slyly adorable! The gap from her usual self is massive!!)
“Hm, so this is what it feels like to be a doting girlfriend… I’m still not quite sure…”
Suzu-chan murmured to herself like she was trying to confirm something.
(So that’s what it was… She was in character for the role. The atmosphere felt so different from her usual self that it caught me off guard. Actors are amazing…)
While I was still flustered and impressed, it happened.
“Woo! Hey, hot couple over there! You two are burning it up!”