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V5 Chapter 32: I Like It When Haru Does That:
🕑 Added 2025-06-23 11:36:10 +0000 UTCEven near the end of a sweltering summer break, the amusement park was still bustling with life. With tickets in hand, Kazami Haru led Mutsumi Wakaba by the hand as they weaved through the crowd and entered the park gates.
The moment they stepped in, Mutsumi looked around with wide eyes like a dazed cucumber, staring straight ahead. Even though she tried to keep her gaze in check, she couldn't help but glance around curiously.
"You've never been to an amusement park before, Mutsumi?"
"No."
The girl with pale green hair gently shook her head. From childhood to now, she'd rarely visited any sort of amusement facility.
The few times she had been in such public places, she was always by her smiling parents' side. Coming here purely for fun was a first for her. Giving her a strange, rebellious thrill.
Her already high anticipation began to rise even more.
Haru could feel her grip on his hand tightening. Even in this summer heat, her hand was smooth and cold to the touch. That gentle pressure hinted at a bit of insecurity.
So, without hesitation, he tightened his grip in return.
Wakaba-san never even brought her to an amusement park? Guess I'll gladly play the villain here.
"…?"
Mutsumi slowly looked up, her deep golden eyes staring directly into his.
The sudden movement made Haru think he had squeezed too hard and hurt her, so he immediately loosened his grip and apologized, "Sorry, did I hurt you?"
The doll-like beauty parted her lips, then shook her head firmly.
"No. I like it when you do that."
Then she adjusted her fingers, changing their handhold into a full interlocked grip. As if afraid he might slip away, she clasped his hand tighter.
Such a direct and sincere gesture should've been overwhelmingly powerful, but instead of getting flustered, Haru just raised an eyebrow and chuckled.
You've triggered my trap card.
It was just a date with the sweet and lovely Mutsumi, he had prepared well in advance and was brimming with confidence.
After spending so much time with this elegant young lady, he had developed a resistance. Even her heartfelt emotional strikes weren't the guaranteed K.O. they used to be.
With a grin, Haru said, "Well, since we're finally here, let's make the most of it…"
"Obviously, we should go straight for the thrill rides, right?"
Mutsumi tilted her head in confusion, as if trying to understand what he meant.
Still puzzled, she was led by Haru to a nearby ride. When she saw the roller coaster racing overhead, accompanied by loud screams, the doll-like girl parted her lips slightly.
Seeing the curiosity in her eyes, Haru asked with interest, "Wanna try it?"
To Mutsumi, this sort of ride would be completely new. Given her love for hardcore metal music, maybe she'd enjoy the adrenaline rush too?
She nodded eagerly before he could even finish his sentence and pulled him straight into the queue. In the blink of an eye, they were seated on the ride.
But the moment they sat down, Haru realized something was off.
Wait a second... why does this seatbelt feel a bit loose?
"Mutsumi—"
Before he could finish, the roller coaster shot off.
With no other choice, Haru pulled her into his arms to keep her safe. As the ride flipped them upside-down, he fumbled for his phone. Half-jokingly considering posting a Mickey Mouse-related video might summon Disney’s legal team to rescue him, like they'd deploy a helicopter to the scene.
Sparks flew along the rails as the coaster spiraled twice through the sky before finally slowing to a stop.
Covered in sweat, Haru unwrapped his arms from around Mutsumi, only then noticing a sign on the exit: "Note: Seatbelts are only for show."
What is this, Amagi Brilliant Park?!
He silently cursed as he caught his breath. Still, it wasn't the worst he'd experienced, he'd already been hit by a truck once. A mere roller coaster was nothing.
Then he looked down.
Even though he had already let go, Mutsumi remained nestled against his chest. Her pale green hair clung to his shirt, and she showed no sign of moving.
Panicking a little, Haru asked, "Mutsumi, are you okay?!"
She gently shook her head without speaking, her face faintly flushed. The tiny girl simply rested there, listening to his heartbeat, before slowly lifting her head. Only her golden eyes peeked out, calm and unshaken.
With a soft and slightly awkward voice, she said:
"…I want to go again."
His heart may have skipped a beat.
Haru couldn't look away from the innocent eyes staring up at him. He didn't even notice the growing number of onlookers in the crowd.
Among them, Yuutenji Nyamu was trailing behind with a milk tea in hand and sunglasses over her face. The amusement park's holiday crowd was making it hard for her to move through unnoticed.
Especially since she knew how sharp Haru's instincts could be, she had to stay far behind. But now, with the swelling crowd, even Nyamu couldn't help but complain:
"This place is way too crowded!"
Why did she even come here on impulse in the first place?
As an influencer, Yuutenji Nyamu was always on the lookout for content to boost her video views, but somehow, every time she went scouting, she ran into Kazami Haru!
And not only did she keep running into him, but every time she did, he was always caught red-handed… on a date with a different girl!
At first, she thought it was just something going on between him and Togawa Sakiko. But then he got involved with that perpetually cold-faced cool girl Yahata Umiri, and even the top idol Misumi Uika had a suspiciously close connection with him…
And now even Wakaba Mutsumi, the daughter of Minami Mori, was added to the mix?
"Are you kidding me~? He even managed to win over Mutsumi, the emotionless type?"
Nyamu took a sip of her milk tea, a weird look on her face. Seeing it with her own eyes gave her a very complicated feeling.
What a messy band dynamic!
She should've never gotten involved in this cursed ship!
"Seriously, why is Haru so gentle with every girl in the band, except me? With me, he's always lukewarm at best!"
Nyamu clicked her tongue in frustration, her pride and charm both feeling bruised.
She didn't even like younger guys like Haru, aside from his face fitting her taste, his personality wasn't her type at all and yet, the fact that he treated her differently from the others irritated her to no end.
Wait! Where'd he go?!
...
In high spirits, Mutsumi Wakaba dashed around the amusement park like an energetic child, pulling Haru along as they tried every ride.
Especially when she sat on the carousel, expressionless, holding up a peace sign as that blank, adorable face nearly made Haru keel over from the cuteness.
Before he realized it, she was wearing a soft white cat-ear hat on her head. It was a gift from Haru, and she clearly cherished it, not wanting to take it off for even a second.
He ended up taking at least a dozen photos before she finally let him stop.
"…Haru, do you want a crepe?"
Her soft, gentle voice reached his ears.
Wearing the white cat-ear hat, Mutsumi pointed toward a nearby shop. Her light-golden eyes shimmered under the sunset glow. Haru smiled in response.
"Then I'll go buy one right now. Let's share it together."
"No."
Just as he stepped forward, a small hand tugged on his sleeve.
The petite girl with pale green hair held onto his jacket with a calm expression, then slowly pulled out a slightly crumpled 10,000-yen bill from her pocket and held it out to him.
"…"
Mutsumi looked up at him, mouth slightly open as if about to speak.
"No, no~ Today's my treat, remember? I promised to take you out. Plus, I haven't been able to make time before…"
But before Haru could finish his sentence, he swallowed it back.
Mutsumi quietly let go of his sleeve, head slightly lowered, and a subtle sadness washed over her face, like a lonely little puppy that had just been abandoned.
Who could resist that?!
Haru instantly understood the situation.
A wry yet fond smile formed on his lips. He gently pressed his hand over hers, then said in a playfully troubled tone, "Oh no, I think I might not have enough cash on me…"
"…!"
The doll-like girl instantly perked up and stood on tiptoe, like she was presenting a treasure.
"Sorry, Mutsumi. Could I ask you to treat me this time?"
Her eyes sparkled.
The always quiet and obedient Mutsumi nodded solemnly and ran off to the crepe stand. After working hard to communicate with the staff, she returned with two cucumber-flavored crepes.
The sight stirred something nostalgic in Haru.
It felt just like the day they first met... Back then, he had gone to buy a crepe for her while trying to comfort the shy girl.
Not much had changed. Only now, she was the one going to get the crepes.
"Mutsumi, thank you for treating me."
"You're welcome."
Holding her cucumber-flavored crepe, Mutsumi gave a faint shake of her head. As she took a bite, the corners of her lips gently curled.
Something as simple as treating him to a crepe brought her joy. That fear of being a burden, the desire to give something back, it all found comfort in that small act.
Crepes had been the "gift" from the day they met. This time, she didn't want Haru to be the only one giving.
Whether it was helping him or doing something small, Mutsumi just wanted to do anything she could to make him happy, even if it was the tiniest thing.
Watching her breathtakingly beautiful face light up with a subtle smile like something out of a painting, even the supposedly "immune" Haru couldn't help but stare.
"…Haru? You don't like cucumber flavor? I'll go buy strawberry instead…"
Mutsumi furrowed her brows slightly. Seeing Haru hesitate to eat made her a little anxious, and she turned to head back to the stand.
But before she could take two steps, Haru quickly grabbed her hand.
"No, it's fine! I was just… thinking about the Ferris wheel."
Like hell I want strawberry!
Haru immediately took a big bite of the crepe, and only after eating it all did Mutsumi's expression finally relax into another soft smile.
But his offhand remark about the Ferris wheel seemed to spark something in her. Even with her blank expression, Haru could tell.
"Mutsumi, do you… want to ride it?"
Kazami Haru raised an eyebrow and smiled as he held his crepe. The doll-like beauty beside him finally gave a slow, shy nod.
Without changing her expression, Mutsumi Wakaba began rapidly nibbling away at her crepe like a little hamster. Once she finished, she eagerly grabbed Haru's hand and started walking toward the Ferris wheel.
Maybe it was because dusk was settling in, but the crowds at Tokyo Amusement Park had started to thin. Thanks to good timing, the two of them were lucky enough to be first in line.
"Ui-chan, what are you looking at?"
A beautiful girl in a baseball cap licked her ice cream curiously, glancing toward her friend.
Misumi Uika, who had just been chatting with her with a gentle smile, now stared blankly ahead. Her breathtakingly delicate features looked almost dazed as something caught her attention.
Wearing a beige cap, Uika's violet eyes widened as she gazed at Kazami Haru and Mutsumi Wakaba boarding the Ferris wheel, not far off.
The moment she saw them, her brows subtly furrowed, and a wave of inexplicable irritation welled up inside her.
"Hm? Isn't that—?"
Sumita Mana followed her gaze and caught a glimpse of a black-haired boy just as he vanished from view.
Even she, an idol used to seeing handsome men in showbiz, was taken aback by his stunning looks. She couldn't help but sigh in admiration.
"What a good-looking guy… Eh?! Wait, Ui-chan, is that your type?"
"What a surprise!"
Suddenly catching on, Mana spun toward her friend with wide, astonished eyes. Her voice carried the tone of someone connecting the dots, snapping Uika out of her trance.
"…It's not like that, Mana-chan. Don't tease me."
Caught off guard, Uika had momentarily forgotten to keep her usual poker face. Even as she tried to cover it up, there was a faint trace of nervousness in her voice, just enough for Mana to pick up on.
Something's off... Way off...
Mana had been Uika's partner for long enough to know her moods. This reaction was clearly different. If she didn't care, why would she have stared so long?
Could it be she actually knows that black-haired boy?
Wait a minute!
Come to think of it, Uika had been spacing out more often lately, even flipping through her phone with a dreamy look. Whenever Mana asked, she would just smile and say:
"Just some old chat logs from a friend." Totally brushing it off.
For an idol, putting on a fake smile was second nature, but Mana was no amateur.
Detective Mana had cracked the case!
That boy was at least 70% likely someone Uika knew. If they knew each other, there was an 80% chance he was the reason she'd been so distracted.
In other words, that gorgeous black-haired boy was probably Uika's secret crush or even her secret boyfriend!
"This is unbelievable…"
Detective Mana couldn't help muttering to herself.
What surprised her wasn't that Uika might like the guy but that such a guy existed and could be around someone like Uika without falling head over heels.
Raising an eyebrow with intrigue, Mana flashed a teasing grin.
"Hmph! Suddenly I feel like asking that guy for his Line~"
"How about it, Uika-chan? Want to wait here with me until he comes back down?"
