Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 25: Amusemant Park Date (Tentative) (3)
“Suzu-chan, are you okay?”
“Y-yeah. I’m feeling much better now.”
After carrying Suzu-chan to the bench, I went to buy drinks and gently rubbed her back while she calmed down.
She must have really been scared by the haunted house. Even after sitting down, her breathing was rough, and it took a while for her to catch her breath.
“Ghosts really are scary, huh.”
“Well, yes… but also… um…”
“Hm? What is it?”
“N-nothing at all!!”
Her face turned red again and her breathing got rough—maybe she’s still not fully recovered?
Still concerned, I asked her something that had been on my mind.
“Why did you go into the haunted house if you’re so scared of that kind of thing?”
“Well… This isn’t the right place to talk about it… Let’s ride that instead.”
She pointed to the park’s famous giant Ferris wheel.
“Oh, I see. After what happened, people are staring at us a lot. But with the Ferris wheel, it’s just the two of us—so we can talk without anyone overhearing. I like high places, so I’m looking forward to it!”
“J-just the two of us!? W-well, yes, but… hearing it put that way is kind of embarrassing.”
“Alright then, let’s go!”
We left the bench and headed for the Ferris wheel.
○ ●
We sat side by side in the Ferris wheel cabin, talking.
“Not many people know this, but I’m actually really bad with scary things like ghosts and spirits. I don’t even mention it in my profile. That’s because, as someone who plays male roles, people expect me to be flawlessly cool even in my private life. I’ve been kind of deified at this point…”
In showbiz, image and branding are everything.
Sometimes the kind of jobs you get depends entirely on what people associate with your name.
“That’s why, ever since I was little, I’ve focused more on being ‘manly’ rather than ‘feminine.’ I lived by the idea that I must never show weakness. So… I didn’t want you to see me looking uncool.”
“I see… so that’s what it was.”
There are tons of people who push themselves too hard to maintain an image.
Suzu-chan, who always seemed perfect, was one of them.
“But in the end, I did show you an uncool side… Haha. Go ahead, laugh.”
She gave a self-deprecating laugh.
“I would never laugh at you for that. I didn’t think you looked uncool at all—in fact, I thought you were cute.”
“C-c-cute!?! After seeing me in such a disgraceful state!? A-are you mocking me!?”
“I’m not mocking you at all.”
I looked straight into Suzu-chan’s eyes as I spoke.
“Usually, you’re so poised and composed, but then you were all shaky and hesitant… And that calm, cool voice of yours turned into these loud, surprised squeals when the ghosts showed up. Your knees gave out, and you sat down in shock… All of that—I thought it was adorable. I think everyone would feel the same. It’s a new side of you, and it could even broaden the range of roles you can take on.”
“Broaden the range of roles, huh… That would be a good thing, I suppose. But still, stop calling me cute over and over! I-it’s way too embarrassing to let anyone else see me like that… I’ll only show that side to you, Go-kun!!”
“That’s kind of a waste though… You’re so charming like this. But if keeping it inside gets too hard, you can always show me your weaknesses, okay? I’ll be here for you… Not as a pretend boyfriend, but—”
Spending the day with her, I realized something:
I think we could become even closer.
“Not as a pretend boyfriend…?”
Suzu-chan stared straight at me.
I didn’t know how she’d respond, but now was the time to say it.
“As a friend!!”
“…Huh?”
Suzu-chan looked at me with a blank expression.
“Wait… huh?”
EHHHHHHHHHHH!?
So being friends was a no-go!? I thought we’d gotten closer, but I guess this whole thing really was just about playing her boyfriend!!
It was all just for work—supporting her professionally!!
Oh man. I totally misread the situation. How embarrassing!!
“I-I’m so sorry! It was presumptuous of me to even say ‘friend’! My deepest apologies, Takarazuka-san!!”
“T-that’s not it! And don’t suddenly call me ‘Takarazuka-san’ now of all times. I didn’t mean I wanted to be friends—I meant…”
“Not friends… then…?”
Takarazuka-san, sitting next to me, was slowly leaning in closer.
…Could this be what I think it is?
BAM! BAM! BAM BAM BAM!!!
Suddenly, a loud banging sound came from behind us, so I turned around.
“Huh!? What are you all doing here!?”
In the Ferris wheel car behind us were Himeji-san, Asuka-san, and Acchan—three of our friends.
Asuka-san and Acchan were banging on the inside of their cabin, while Himeji-san simply stared intently at me.
What a coincidence.
Maybe they noticed us and wanted to get our attention.
“Hey everyone—look, it’s Takarazuka-san too!”
We both waved at them.
They smiled and waved back, though their smiles looked a little… forced?
○ ●
“Well, well, good day, Go-kun. What a coincidence.”
Himeji-san said.
“Seriously, what are the chances? I was shocked to see you three too! So you came to the amusement park as well?”
After getting off the Ferris wheel, we all went to eat at a restaurant in the park.
“I was surprised to see you, Acchan. It just happened that all three of us had the day off, so we thought, ‘Why not go to the amusement park?’ Right, Himeji-chan?”
“Y-yeah…!”
(Seems like the three of them got pretty close without me realizing. I’m glad Himeji-san made some friends.)
“By the way, Takarazuka-san, looks like your role research is going well? That last bit—was it acting?”
“Y-yes, thanks to you, it’s going well… and that last part, well…”
Seeing Takarazuka-san flustered for once made me realize something.
“Ah! So that was acting too. You’re such a good actress, I almost thought you were going to kiss me! I mean, there’s no way something like that would happen to someone like me, but I totally misunderstood! Haha!”
Crack—the atmosphere froze.
Himeji-san, Asuka-san, and Acchan all shot piercing glances at Takarazuka-san.
“Y-yes! It was acting! Thanks to Go-kun, I think I understand what it means to feel your heart race. I-I’m in your debt!”
(I don’t think I really did anything, but maybe the haunted house’s fear gave her the “thrill” she needed for her role? Either way, it looks like the pretend boyfriend job was a success.)
Now that the goal had been met, I figured my role as the boyfriend was probably over.
Just as I started wondering what to do next, a good idea came to me.
“Hey, since we’re all here, why don’t we have fun together? It’s more fun with a bigger group, right? What do you think, Takarazuka-san?”
“Y-yeah. Go-kun and I are friends now, after all! Let’s all hang out!”
“Awesome! I’m really glad I got to be friends with you, Takarazuka-san!”
I hadn’t gotten a clear answer from her earlier, so I was relieved to hear that.
I was really happy we became friends.
“Oh? So you’re friends now, huh, Takarazuka-san?”
Himeji said pointedly.
“If you’re Acchan’s friend, then you’re my friend too!”
Asuka added.
“Pleased to meet you.”
Acchan politely.
“Y-yup…”
Takarazuka replied, slightly overwhelmed.
After that, the five of us spent the rest of the day playing together.
(Yeah, having fun with friends really is the best!!)
And so, the amusement park date and my role as Takarazuka-san’s boyfriend came to a peaceful, satisfying end.