Estimated reading time: 7–9 minutes
Chapter 35
In 2040, there will be even more experiences available. With the advancement of the internet leading to the decline of movie theaters, amusement parks are also being pushed into various positions. The most notable of these is VR.
Given that, there are mainly two ways to survive. One is targeting couples and families, and the other is providing more extreme experiences that can’t be found elsewhere. I was already feeling despair at the abnormally large jet coaster in front of me.
「…If only Reina wasn’t here.」
「Well, well, people trying to sneak away sure say different things.」
I’m also in despair over these two who are already giving off a hostile vibe despite arriving at the station 10 minutes before the meeting time. To be precise, only Momiji is feeling down while Reina is smiling cheerfully. It’s not that these two have a bad relationship. On the contrary, they even get along well. It’s just that because they have similarities, they sometimes have feelings akin to sibling rivalry… or so the Reina of 2060 said.
Well, rather than taking her words literally, it’s probably better to think of it like pro wrestling. If they’re gaming buddies, a little trash talk is a sign of a good relationship. Bluntly exchanging words without any real intention to exclude each other means they trust each other that much.
Their outfits are as usual… or so it seems, but I feel they’ve put in a bit more effort. Reina’s shirt has been replaced by a casual women’s jacket, and Momiji’s outfit is a bit more revealing. However, as always, her hat, gloves, and socks on all four limbs remain the same.
「…Well then, shall we go?」
「What’s wrong, scared of something? If so, we can just stick to the coffee cups all day.」
「There’s nothing I’m scared of! I’m ready for 10 rounds on the jet coaster!」
「Then let’s choose that death course over there. Ah, I’m looking forward to it. I wonder when was the last time… Probably since that landing training without equipment.」
Saying that, Reina points upwards. It’s a jet coaster with a height that seems to violate building codes and safety standards. What’s truly terrifying is the hellish drop from the peak straight down to the ground. The ones that just fell, isn’t their speed too fast…? It’s at a level comparable to the speed of a Strain’s attack.
Creak, I turn around. Reina looks genuinely excited, while Momiji has an expression that says this is payback, but with a slightly odd gaze mixed in. I wonder if we’ll make it back alive today.
I fulfill my promise to them.
It’s already mid-March, a time when the season is starting to get a bit warmer. But my heart was already frozen. The ride in front of me looks like nothing but a symbol of terror. I never thought there would be something scarier than summer vacation homework due on the 31st.
「Don’t worry, I’m here with ya.」
「Look, Kanji, apparently they take pictures of us in the middle of that steep drop!」
「I don’t need that!」
The jet coaster seats are arranged in 4 rows. The three of us sit with me in the center, preparing for the terrifying time ahead. Rather, why are these two so calm? Momiji gently places her hand over my trembling hand, but where does that composure come from? I wonder if I could get a bargain sale on some of that composure for myself.
Since it’s a weekday, the customers are all students. However, each of them gives me envious looks. Certainly, having a beautiful girl on each arm seems like the best situation. But the reality is, these are the demons who dragged me onto the jet coaster. Someone please save me.
「Alright then, let’s go! The Death Train is departing!」
Cheers erupt from the surroundings along with the staff’s voice. Reina is peeking forward excitedly. Seeing that, I also made up my mind. Enjoy everything to the fullest.
「Ah, at this falling speed, it’s about the same as actually jumping off a building to commit suicide.」
「Momiji, what are you saying!? Suddenly this is getting even scarier-」
After enjoying ourselves fully, the two of them were relaxing in the rest area, while I was still trying to recover my life force that was practically reduced to zero. Momiji, looking extremely satisfied with my head on her lap, is fiddling with her terminal with a loose grin on her face. What’s displayed is of course my dark history photo collection. After the jet coaster, every time we rode a scream-inducing ride, photos were taken and saved to Momiji and Reina’s terminals. I’ve made up my mind to definitely delete them later.
「I brought some drinks.」
「Thanks. Here Kanji, some tea.」
「Thanks… Phew.」
「You took quite a lot of damage. You should have just given in instead of being so stubborn.」
「Well, but I feel like I’m starting to understand the fun a little. I was able to confirm that there’s no life-threatening danger in these last few rides.」
「Then how about we go again?」
「I’m sorry.」
That’s physically impossible. Unlike me, Momiji and Reina are looking lively. The more attractions Reina plays, and the more Momiji nurses my damaged self, the more they seem to recover in reverse. I wonder what their resistance to those scream machines is. It’s as if they have the confidence that even if the machine malfunctions and their bodies are thrown into the air, they won’t die.
Putting that aside, I sit up. How many times have we met face-to-face like this? To tell the truth, after that Strain battle the other day, for some reason 『HAO』 went into maintenance. That’s why Reina, Momiji and I, who had free time, started going out to play together. The two of them seem busy with something, so I’m a little curious what they’re up to.
「You seem busy, Momiji.」
「And whose fault do ya think that is? I heard there was someone who hid from me and incited GullyZone Industries and Horizon Ventures to commit robbery. Thanks to that, the plan’s ruined.」
「Well, if it was me, I would do that. Just to see that troubled face of yours.」
「Yer a mischievous one. Because of that, look at GullyZone Industries and Horizon Ventures who suffered damage, that hopeless press conference.」
It seems the two of them are having a conversation based on the wrong premise, so I interject a little.
「It’s a large-scale production for a game, isn’t it?」
When I say that, the two fall silent. Huh, did I say something wrong? I add to my words while thinking that.
「『HAO』 is set 20 years from now, but there’s no way a game could be the real future, right? Despite that, they’re able to expand the story on this large of a scale. If only there wasn’t maintenance…」
「…He really charges ahead once he’s convinced of something.」
「…He’s only flexible within a fixed framework. He’s a bit too logical, so he can construct his own logic, even if it differs from reality. That’s why he won’t budge unless a truly critical situation occurs.」
「…For example?」
「…Hmm, can’t think of any. The premise that the game isn’t real is too strong.」
They’re whispering about something. But I can’t hear it, so I ignore it. Could they be the type of people I see online lately who believe 『HAO』 is the real future? I don’t think Reina would believe something like connecting to 8G through injections… so I guess it’s just my imagination.
「You two are saying all sorts of things, but what have you been up to lately?」
「Hmm, land acquisition and blackmail?」
「I’ve been helping out Kōmitsu Solutions.」
「Were you playing Yakuza or something? Only one of you gave a violent answer.」
「Well, there’s a lot of things to do. It seems everything will come down to the game once 『HAO』 resumes.」
「Hmm, I’m hesitant about whether it will resume or not.」
Huh, astonished gazes gather on me. But that’s how it is, right?
「A game that goes into maintenance for this long seems like it would end service soon, so I feel like it’s a waste to take it too seriously.」
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