359: I Hate You

"I feel like my whole body has been healed. As expected, Kazusa's performance is the best."

Chisato clapped his hands as he gave his straightforward and sincere praise.

Hearing his voice, Kazusa turned around, looking somewhat flustered, momentarily unable to figure out where this guy had come from.

But she did not dwell on that and instead immediately refuted Chisato's words.

"What's so great about this messy piano playing? You really have the nerve to say such insincere things."

Chisato chuckled and shook his head.

"I'm not being insincere. Everyone has different tastes, which means the standards for judgment also differ. 

Since that's the case, it's completely normal for me to have a different opinion than you. Don't deny other people's words just because of your own subjective feelings, Miss Kazusa."

Kazusa didn't say anything more, simply letting out a small snort from her nose.

I really do love this slightly tsundere side of hers.

"So, is there a specific reason you had me stay home and wait for you today? I specifically cleared my schedule for this."

"Other plans? You, Kazusa?"

"That tone of yours—are you looking down on me!?"

"Sorry, sorry. I just honestly can't imagine you having any plans. In my impression, whenever you have free time, you're just holed up at home."

"Shut up! Even I go out normally—to shop, to play games at the arcade, or to read at the bookstore."

"You read at the bookstore?"

Would a girl who hates studying really go to a place like that? Chisato had serious doubts.

"You're so annoying! Manga counts as books too, okay!?"

Kazusa's face turned slightly red. Not wanting to argue any further, she angrily shut the piano and stomped toward the stairs.

God knows what's wrong with her—whenever she faces this guy, her temper just flares up uncontrollably!

Chisato, however, didn't mind at all. He followed behind her and took her hand.

Kazusa tried to shake him off a few times, but his grip was too firm. When she looked up and met his smiling gaze, she ultimately gave up and let him be.

"Don't be mad. I planned something special just for you today. Go get changed, and let's head out."

"Where are we going?"

"Don't ask so many questions. You'll find out soon. Just hurry up."

Chisato deliberately kept it a secret.

It wasn't until an hour later, after she had changed and followed him out, that Kazusa finally understood what he had planned.

Wherever she looked, there were people everywhere. 

Beloved childhood anime characters had come to life, surrounded by laughing children. 

The cheerful voices of kids filled the air, and beyond the fences, the brightly colored buildings created an almost otherworldly utopia.

Kazusa stared at the scene for a few seconds, then turned around with an unreadable expression. 

She looked at the man who had been holding her hand since they left home, the same man who had leaned on her shoulder to nap during the entire taxi ride, despite her protests.

"...Disneyland?"

"That's right! Not bad, huh?"

Chisato grinned expectantly, waiting for praise.

But Kazusa's lips twitched.

"Do you think I'm a child?"

"Now that's just plain prejudice. Who says only kids can come to an amusement park?"

"The fact that the place is packed with children says plenty."

"Then look at the people accompanying them."

"Huh?"

Kazusa, puzzled by Chisato's words, instinctively scanned the area, quickly gathering information from her surroundings.

"...Parents?"

She hesitantly gave her answer.

Chisato nodded approvingly.

"Not bad. That's already very close to the correct answer."

Kazusa, unconvinced, raised an eyebrow.

"Then what do you think the correct answer is?"

"Obviously, it's people like us…"

Chisato lowered his head and leaned in, gently pressing his forehead against hers. 

Their gazes locked at an extremely close distance, creating an inexplicable and profound reaction.

"…Family."

Gulp.

A stone had been thrown into the still water, sending ripples across the surface.

Kazusa froze, completely stunned.

It wasn't until Chisato moved closer, brushing against the corner of her lips with a light kiss, that she snapped back to her senses, her face burning red.

For that brief moment just now, she had been utterly captivated by his devoted and tender gaze, leaving her defenseless against his sneak attack.

This bastard…

"Mommy, can family members kiss each other on the lips like that? Does that mean I can kiss my little sister too—"

Smack!

"Stop saying nonsense! You can't even keep your mouth shut with candy in it. Hurry up, let's go!"

A little troublemaker holding a balloon and a candied hawthorn skewer happened to pass by the unmistakably couple-like pair, witnessing and overhearing their interaction. 

When he curiously asked his mother about it, he was immediately met with a firm disciplinary fist.

Hmm, judging by the sound, that was a solid hit.

It wasn't until the mother and child had walked far away that Kazusa finally dared to lift her head.

However, before she could voice another protest, Chisato firmly held her hand and swiftly led her deeper into the amusement park.

Although Kazusa had initially acted completely unimpressed by Chisato's plans for the day, as time went on and she tried out a couple of rides, she gradually found it harder to maintain her usual aloof, distant demeanor.

She wasn't fond of interacting with people she wasn't close to, that was true, but Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, and Aladdin—these mascots played by the staff—did not fall into that category at all.

With Chisato going all out to entertain her, constantly finding ways to make her laugh, she slowly began to let herself enjoy the moment. 

A warm, lingering smile settled on her face.

It had been a long time since she had felt this carefree, able to simply enjoy herself without reservation. 

The trip to the aquarium had also been fun, but back then, she had been sick with a fever. 

No matter how enjoyable it was, the burden on her body had prevented her from feeling as unrestrained as she did today.

However, no matter how much fun she had inside this fairytale-like amusement park, she would eventually have to return to reality.

_______

50 advanced chapters on p@t re on (.) com/SenatusTheta

_______

If any of you noticed an error, please point it out in comments!