Miss Heir wasn't very kind to me.

Chapter 310, Section 27: "Mutual Consent"

For Qian'ai in the past, she had no dreams for the future, no idea what kind of person she wanted to become, or what kind of life she wanted to live.

My plans after graduating from junior high school were, of course, still undecided.

If I had to say something, it's that I like pretty, glamorous clothes. Like other girls around me, I pay attention to my appearance, but it's nothing to brag about.

For her, who was still a student at the time, this was a very common phenomenon, and everyone around her did the same.

That's right, just like everyone around her, she resonates with all opinions – that's Qian'ai's survival strategy.

That being said, however—

When Qian'ai heard that her childhood friend had decided to go to the capital alone to pursue her musical dreams, she was deeply moved.

It must be because Chiai always believed that Masumi would stay by her side, just like when she was ostracized by those around her.

Because Masumi-nii is that kind of person too.

Uninterested in his surroundings, his indifferent eyes always observed everything around him with a detached attitude.

This childhood friend, whom Qian Ai had always considered to be going with the flow, decided on her future before Qian Ai, making her feel abandoned.

But if you think about it carefully, Masumi-san has always been like this.

She thought he was walking alongside her, but without realizing it, he had run ahead.

Masumi is like clay that can change shape at will; she can cleverly fit into any gap, no matter how small.

That's why he can get along well with everyone.

This was true when I served customers at the coffee shop during my final year of junior high school's cultural festival, and it was also true when I joined the light music club and started playing in a band in high school.

In contrast, she...

Qian'ai felt that her steps were slow and she wasn't moving forward at all.

Even though she tells herself, "Others are others, and I am me," Chiai can't stop comparing herself to Masumi no matter what.

Because that's Masumi-nii...

Therefore, Masumi's words when she left caused a complete change in Chiai's feelings.

What kind of person does Qian'ai want to become?

"Eh."

"I want to leave proof that I'm someone special, so I'm going to Tokyo."

Qian'ai thought she had long understood that her childhood friend was an extraordinary person, but the reality was even more remarkable.

Masumi-san, because he has a future he wants to achieve, prepares everything he needs for it, just like he did in high school, leaving his mark step by step.

On the eve of his departure, he expressed his feelings clearly in words; it was his determination.

The determination to change oneself from the past.

Masumi changed not only himself, but also the thoughts of Chiai, who was closest to him.

Seeing this scene, Qian'ai felt that she also had to change.

The future... must be carefully considered.

Just as Qian'ai had hoped, she was indeed slowly changing.

I joined the craft club in high school, solidifying my dream of becoming a fashion designer. I passed my university entrance exams smoothly, however—

Is all of this really what I truly want from the bottom of my heart?
◇

"So...why did it turn out like this?"

Qian Ai opened her eyes wide in confusion.

The place Masumi took her to was the Amagi Seaside Theme Park, which she had visited last summer.

"...Meow!" "...Dragon!" "...Hoo!"

A pink cat, a white sheep, and an orange plush toy stand at the park entrance, welcoming visitors with their adorable expressions, while balloons float in the sky.

A space like this, which can fulfill a child's sweet and innocent fantasies like soft, fluffy cotton candy, is undoubtedly a place that Chiai would love.

Since it was a weekday, it was much quieter than expected, so the two of them could enjoy the rides to their heart's content without worrying about crowds.

"Want to go ride the Ferris wheel?"

Masumi pointed to the landmark building of the amusement park in the distance and asked.

"Huh? They sat down there right away?"

Are there specific order to the rides?

Masumi was stunned.

Qian Ai nodded:
"As for the Ferris wheel... I feel it would be better to ride it after taking a tour of the amusement park, so you can enjoy the view from above while reminiscing about today's... date."

She added at the end:

"Moreover, after sunset you can see both the park lights and the stars in the night sky, which is absolutely beautiful."

"Ah, that sounds great."

Masumi nodded slightly.

"But, doesn't Qian'ai have classes this afternoon? Can she stay until dark?"

"Well, that's true."

Qian Ai was stunned.

"How about we skip that class?"

Masumi suggested with a smile.

"Huh? That won't do!"

Qian Ai's eyes widened in surprise.

"No, no! Absolutely impossible!"

"I love you so much... it's really quite troublesome."

Masumi suddenly said something rude.

"W-Why are you saying that all of a sudden?"

"Because..."

Masumi smiled as if teasing her, her tone very relaxed.

"On the surface, they appear enthusiastic and optimistic, but in reality, they are very fragile and sensitive... They pretend to be nonchalant, but inside they are extremely uneasy."

"Well……"

I feel like Masumi-san hit the nail on the head.

Although I can never calmly evaluate myself, some of her recent behaviors due to anxiety do seem to be troubling Masumi-san, so what he said must be right.

Masumi took a step closer, her smile playful:
"A troublesome woman."

"Ugh, so annoying! Masumi-nii is so awful!"

Chiai threw a tantrum at Masumi, though she said it like that, she was certain in her heart that she didn't actually dislike it.

If you were to ask Qian'ai who she most wants to know about her true self, there would only be one answer.

Only with Masumi-nii does Chia feel that it's not a bad thing to let her true self out.

Just like last year at Fushimi Inari Shrine during the Obon festival, after expressing my guilt and self-blame and receiving Masumi's understanding, I felt inexplicably relieved.

Masumi looked at the thoughtful Omega and pulled her thoughts back to reality.

"I understand. Let's go ride the carousel first."

"Eh."

Before Chiai could react, Masumi grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward the carousel not far away.

His palms were large and warm, like a warm towel wrapped around Qian'ai's skin.

The carousel at Amagi amusement park feels dreamy, with its carefully decorated pillars and top reminiscent of the Western-style architecture of the Kitano Ijinkan.

No, it's even more magnificent and extravagant than that; it should be described as a palace from a fairy tale.

The staff member nodded after looking at the two people's one-day pass tickets and opened the door.

Just as it's as if an invisible hand is deliberately creating a private space for the two of them, very few people ride the carousel.

There are reasonable reasons, though. Perhaps it was because it was so early; the two of them entered the park as soon as it opened.

Moreover, it's currently the time for the popular Elf Theater performance, so very few tourists would specifically come to ride the carousel at this time.

Chiai approached the seat, which was made to resemble a horse. Because it was early spring outdoors, the surface of the terracotta horse was cold.

Upon closer inspection, even the scattered mane is meticulously and vividly reproduced, creating an astonishing level of realism.

"Qian'ai, sit down with me."

"Ok?"

"There are two seats over there."

Masumi pointed to the brown Bactrian camel on the other side, its design perhaps inspired by the Bedouin nomads from One Thousand and One Nights.

The camel has two saddles on its back, decorated with ornate Persian art patterns from the Safavid period.

"If you don't like camels, there are also horse-drawn carriages over there that can seat two people."

"Huh? We don't need to be too concerned about two-seater seats."

"It has nothing to do with whether you care or not. I'm asking Qian'ai if she wants to."

"It sounds like a quote from a philosopher or a famous person."

"Indeed, but that's actually a line from an anime."

Masumi chuckled and continued to ask:

"Sit?"

“…Sit.” “Okay.” Masumi nodded. “Then I’ll stay in the back.”

Upon hearing this, Qian Ai's eyelashes suddenly trembled, as if she had thought of something, and she subconsciously pouted her lips and said:

"Does Masumi have some obsession with what's behind her?"

"Uh..." Masumi blinked, "Why are you suddenly asking that?"

"No, it's nothing!"

Realizing she had almost let something slip, Qian'ai quickly shut her mouth and shook her head vigorously.

I accidentally saw him with Mami-nee... How could I possibly say something like that?!
"so."

Masumi didn't care either.

“Then I’ll help Qian’ai sit down.”

"No, I can't! I'll feel uneasy if I can't see Masumi-nii."

Qian Ai resisted.

This is a lie.

Actually, this reminded her of how she had witnessed Masumi bullying Asami yesterday.

All her knowledge came from the school's health class. There, they only taught how to take safety precautions and a classic position advocated by Catholic missionaries.

I never imagined it could be like this.

"That's why I want to sit in the back!"

"Is Qian'ai the type who cares a lot about this?"

"Is Masumi-nii trying to steal my seat?"

Qian Ai pouted and acted sullenly.

"No such thing."

Masumi helped Chiai up and helped her use the camel's stirrups—can a camel's footrest really be called a stirrup?—as a footrest to mount the saddle behind the camel.

Once Chiai was seated, Masumi mounted the camel as well.

"How does it feel? Last time I came here, Qian'ai was tortured by the roller coaster and didn't even ride the carousel."

"I don't know, it hasn't started moving yet."

"Oh, right, sorry I was in such a rush."

"Masumi-nii, you don't need to apologize for such a small thing~"

After the broadcast broadcasted safety warnings such as "Do not change the position of your feet or turn your body after the Trojan horse starts running," a bell rang.

The music is a ensemble of brass and percussion instruments, with a cheerful style. As the music plays, the base of the carousel begins to move slowly.

The scenery that came into view changed.

Chiai subconsciously gripped the back of Masumi's clothes with her fingertips.

"What? Worried about falling?"

"Stop joking with me, Masumi-nii."

Chiai wanted to punch him hard on the back, but she was worried that doing so would make Masumi unsteady, so she just stared at him with a sullen look.

Unfortunately, from this angle, all you can see is the back of Masumi's head and his back.

Come to think of it, Masumi-san looked at Asami-nee in the same way back then...

"Well!"

Suddenly, a scream escaped her throat, and Masumi, who was sitting in front of her, immediately tensed up and turned to look.

"Qian'ai, what's wrong?"

"No! I'm fine... I was just startled when the Trojan horse suddenly rose up..."

"Really?"

"real."

"……All right."

Silence returned between the two, the camels slowly rising and falling, the cheerful music, and the ceiling decorated with gorgeous colored lights—it all looked like a scene from a fairy tale.

That's why Chiai was able to relax, holding Masumi's clothes with her left hand and gripping the support bar with her right.

"Speaking of which, when we went to the zoo last time, Qianai told me that alpacas and camels are close relatives, right?"

"They belong to the same family, Camelidae."

"That sounds really nice. I'd love to ride a real camel someday."

"You can find them at Kobe Zoo."

Horse riding costs 500 yen per ride, while camel riding costs 800 yen per ride.

"I'd much rather ride a camel in the real desert than be in a zoo."

Does Japan have deserts?

A thousand loves are perplexing.

"There's a sand dune on the coast of Tottori Prefecture, it's quite small, but you can ride camels on it."

"Wow, I didn't know Masumi-nii liked traveling so much."

"I would say I enjoy traveling with you all."

"Hmm! Why are you suddenly saying such cheesy love words?"

"Is it cheesy? To me, it's just saying what's on my mind."

Masumi said nonchalantly.

"That's what makes it even more cheesy!"

"Chiai is really troublesome," Masumi sighed. "I was just thinking about how to please you."

The carousel stopped at this moment, and Masumi took her feet off the pedals and helped Chiai down from the camel.

The childhood sweetheart's face was flushed, and feeling the warmth emanating from her through the fabric, Masumi also sensed the burning passion in her heart.

This is more than just liking someone; it's closer to love.

If one word were to describe it, "precious" would be the most fitting.

Because "love" is simply one's own feelings for another person, while "precious" is a word that expresses the intrinsic value of something.

My childhood sweetheart lives her life correctly and strongly in her own way, which makes me cherish her even more.

Masumi believed in the theory of inherent evil, and that just as water flows downhill, people become increasingly complacent with the status quo.

But this is only natural, even for him.

Without a specific opportunity, one will not deliberately change oneself.

That's why people who are determined to change themselves are so dazzling, because it takes awareness, conviction, and extraordinary courage.

"I hope that girls like Qian Ai can find happiness with me."

Masumi wanted Chiai to receive this "precious" praise, and if possible, he was willing to give it indefinitely.

At this point, Qian Ai was completely confused.

"What does Masumi-nii mean by 'a girl like me'?"

"That's literally what it means."

Masumi gently stroked the hair of the oblivious childhood friend as she gazed at her face and spoke.

"I want to bring happiness to Chiai... Well, I mean I want to register Chiai as a World Heritage Site and protect her forever and ever."

"To that extent!?"

A dumbfounded expression appeared on Qian'ai's face.

"Yes, because Qian'ai is worth it. Is there anything Qian'ai wants me to do?"

"No, well... saying that so suddenly, I also..."

"It's okay, take your time to think about it. If it's Qian'ai, I'm willing to do anything for you."

"Anything, anything!"

Qian Ai jumped up.

Anything, anything...

The girl kept repeating the word, her fair cheeks gradually turning red.

...It seems like he's thinking about something unhealthy.

Masumi sighed quietly.

Qian Ai's expression was so easy to understand; most importantly, her whole body exuded an aura of hormonal elation.

Upon closer inspection, one can see that her expressions are incredibly rich, making her exceptionally adorable.

Because everything about Chiai is so charming, I want to see more of her expressions, actually because I want her to be happy.

But I want to see her angry expression, her sulking expression, and her shy expression.

And so, without realizing it, Masumi began to want to do something naughty.

"—Ahem! Two guests."

Not far away, staff members who kept their hats low and were careful not to pry into the privacy of tourists spoke up to remind them.

"Ah! Sorry."

Chiai then came to her senses and walked side by side with Masumi once again in the world of the amusement park.

(End of this chapter)