Chapter: 153. The Moment of Conclusion (Part 1)
Time rewinds slightly.
The operational efficiency of the Special Circle SEMA is far greater than Nayoi had imagined.
According to the information provided by Garuda, all the tourists visible to her are personnel arranged by Special Circle SEMA.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that all these tourists are superpowered individuals. If that were the case, even a fool would know that this place is quite strange. So, Special Circle SEMA probably employed a large number of uninformed personnel through some means, mixed in with a few superpowered individuals.
Although it was Nayoi herself who leaked information, allowing Special Circle SEMA to discover that her next destination would be Kawano City, she never expected them to bring in such a large force.
She sensed that there was a flaw at some stage of her plan, but unfortunately, she couldn’t figure out what it was at this moment.
—Anyway, the outcome won’t change…..
Nayoi thought to herself as she shifted her attention from the “passersby” brushing past her and turned her gaze toward the amusement park.
Is it a coincidence?
This amusement park, which holds her past and beautiful memories with Kanade, is unexpectedly chosen by Special Circle SEMA as the site for their plan and has been renovated.
Nayoi remembers that the first time she went to an amusement park with Kanade, they came here.
At that time, Kanade’s relationship with her uncle and aunt at home was still very strained, and her persona was just emerging from an “accident” in the entertainment industry. Therefore, during that summer vacation, they came to this amusement park under the guidance of her parents.
This place may carry symbolic significance representing the complete transformation of their relationship.
—How nostalgic…..
As Nayoi looked at the completely renewed amusement facilities around her, vivid memories of playing here with Kanade flooded her mind.
Back then, she just wanted to increase Kanade’s fondness for her and leave a deep and beautiful childhood memory in his heart. She never imagined that one day, these memories would evoke such nostalgia and emotion within her.
Even though everything started as a plan, Nayoi no longer viewed it as merely that.
The persona and emotions she had shaped around Kanade had unknowingly bloomed into “reality.”
—It turns out that the line between playacting and genuine feelings can appear anywhere? What an incredible FLAG~
—But… is it finally time to say goodbye?
Nayoi smiled bitterly in her heart while secretly glancing at Kanade from the corner of her eye.
Just at that moment, Kanade’s gaze also shifted to her.
The two locked eyes.
Nayoi had so much she wanted to say to Kanade. Clearly, she was his childhood friend, having grown up together and embarked on a journey across half of Japan, but as she reached the final moment of this journey, she realized she had more and more words she wanted to convey to him.
She wanted to tell him her true identity.
She wanted him to know her real interests.
She wanted to lay bare the entanglements within her heart.
……
……
Words that would never end.
Yet this true vulnerability was still masked by Nayoi’s brilliant smile—
“I like you.”
“Huh, huh?”
Nayoi’s unexpected confession made Kanade blush.
Even something as simple as “I like you,” Nayoi felt that saying it a thousand or ten thousand times wouldn’t be enough.
At that moment, they happened to arrive in front of a performance stage in the amusement park.
A large crowd of tourists with children had gathered below, and on stage, there was a play performed by a popular superhero team. Whenever the heroes in suits beat the evil monster on stage, the children in the audience erupted with enthusiastic cheers.
Nayoi and Kanade were also drawn in and stopped in front of the stage.
“Speaking of which… Subaru-kun used to really like such superhero performances~” Nayoi said with a hint of nostalgia.
“Really? I… don’t remember much,” Kanade lied calmly.
However, Nayoi chose not to call him out.
Because she clearly remembered that Kanade’s dream back then was to become a hero.
Part of the reason was that she had deliberately led him to watch popular tokusatsu shows among children, hoping to plant the seed in his heart to become a “world-saving” hero.
But somewhere along the line, Nayoi could sense that this dream had been discarded by Kanade.
Clearly, he was now within reach of that childhood dream, yet he had resolutely chosen to embark on the “avoidance” path that his younger self had despised the most.
“I still remember it clearly… When we were kids, you always shouted that you wanted to be a hero who saved the world.”
“…Don’t talk about it, that childish idea is part of my dark history,” Kanade replied without looking at Nayoi, his gaze fixed on the stage performance.
“That’s not a childish thought! The you who said this… in my eyes, is very cool.” Nayoi lightly laughed, turned her head, and then showed an apologetic expression: “…Was it because of me?”
“What?” Nayoi’s sudden remark caused Kanade to reflexively ask back.
“Clearly you finally have the chance to fulfill your childhood dream, but because of me, you had to abandon that dream?”
As Nayoi spoke, she gently placed her hand on Kanade’s cheek.
“If it weren’t for me… you would already be the hero you dreamed of as a child, right?”
“That’s not the case!” Kanade suddenly grabbed Nayoi’s hand, interrupting her flow.
“That’s all in the past. My current dream is to always be with you; I want nothing else.”
“Thank you~ But still… I really want to see… what you look like as a hero~ Hehe~” After Nayoi finished speaking, she released her hand from Kanade’s cheek and turned away. “Let’s go, I want to ride the roller coaster for a bit~”
“…Ah, ah, yeah. I couldn’t ride one when I was a kid….”
Though Kanade noticed the unusual tone in Nayoi’s last words, he quickly pushed down his curiosity.
When Nayoi mentioned the topic of dreams earlier, he could not deny that he still harbored that “hero dream” from back then. But if asked whether he would be willing to realize that dream at the cost of the girl before him, the answer would be no.
—Right now, my dream…
With Nayoi pulling his hand forward, Kanade unconsciously placed his other hand into his pocket, gently holding the ring he had put inside.
—Is to be with you forever.
—————–
“Wedding, wedding photos?”
Kanade and Nayoi looked at the staff member handing out promotional flyers with curiosity.
Although there were many places in the amusement park to take commemorative photos, this was the first time Kanade heard of wedding dress commemorative photos.
“Of course, we can also take other commemorative photos.” The staff member seemed to sense Kanade’s puzzled expression and explained further: “However, ‘wedding dresses’ are the main selling point of our store—after all, you know, in a small amusement park like this, we can’t obtain the copyrights for princesses and princes from fairy tales.”
“I really don’t want to hear such a realistic concern in such an innocent place as an amusement park…” Kanade couldn’t help but rant.
“Haha~ I’m really sorry, but on the bright side, a bride and groom are the most beautiful princess and the most handsome prince in everyone’s heart~ So our store manager decided to focus on this aspect~ Although most people still think taking wedding dress photos in an amusement park is a bit strange, so we don’t have many customers here~”
The staff laughed self-deprecatingly, even winking at the two.
Kanade had to admit what the staff member said was quite persuasive.
Moreover, he felt very fortunate to encounter this perfect scene to propose to Nayoi with the ring.
However, to Kanade’s surprise, Nayoi displayed a hesitant expression.
“Um, well, about the wedding dress photos… I think it might be a bit…..” Nayoi’s hesitance puzzled Kanade.
But the staff member seemed well-experienced and immediately noticed Nayoi’s unusual reaction.
“Ah, of course, we have many other commemorative photos, and even if you don’t plan to take wedding dress photos, you can try on our wedding dresses for free~”
“Really?” Upon hearing this, Nayoi visibly relaxed.
And when the staff saw the curious glance from Kanade, they quietly leaned in and whispered to him:
“Some innocent girls might think the idea of taking wedding dress photos before getting married might feel too burdensome to their other half, so they generally aren’t willing to accept it… By the way, young man, you really found a good girl; it’s rare to see girls with such pure and gentle thoughts nowadays.” The staff continued and patted Kanade’s shoulder. “It’s very rare to meet a girl who still believes that ‘a person only wears a wedding dress once in their lifetime’~”
Thanks to the staff member’s reminder, Kanade finally understood what Nayoi’s earlier reaction meant, and a warm current rose in his heart.
He hadn’t expected this kind-hearted girl, even at such a moment, would still be considering his feelings.
“Little… Sakura, it’s a rare opportunity, how about we go experience it?” Kanade proposed actively.
He wanted to use this opportunity to let Nayoi know that he would not be moved by any other girl besides her, nor would he ever have the possibility of walking down the aisle with another girl.
“Okay~ Please come in, you two~”
…..
…..
Once Kanade and Nayoi entered the store, they learned about the process at the front desk.
Because they were in the free trial period for the store’s opening, the two could select and try on suitable outfits first before deciding whether to take commemorative photos.
“Um, um, Subaru-kun, is this really okay?”
On the way, Nayoi appeared a bit worried, frequently glancing at Kanade.
“What do you mean, Sakura?”
“Well, well, it’s about the wedding dress photos… What if such photos end up—”
“—Nayoi, are you the type who would feel shy seeing your own photo?” Kanade lowered his voice and interrupted Nayoi.
In the empty corridor.
Kanade slightly lowered his head, placing his forehead against Nayoi’s.
“Your own photo?” Nayoi was momentarily taken aback but soon seemed to grasp the meaning of his words, and her adorable face visibly flushed.
“But, but, I-I still haven’t decided with Subaru-kun—”
“—No, this one thing will definitely not change. Apart from you, Nayoi, I absolutely won’t take such photos with anyone else, even if you actively leave my side….”
“Not at all! Me too, I definitely won’t take such photos with anyone besides Subaru-kun….”
Nayoi anxiously interrupted Kanade’s assumptions.
“So… Nayoi, would you be willing to take such photos with me?” As Kanade spoke, he reached into his pocket.
Although he knew this wasn’t the ideal place.
He felt it was necessary to alleviate the anxieties within the most beloved girl before him at this moment—by promising with his whole life.
Meanwhile.
Outside the store.
The sky changed.
The azure sky was suddenly stained with a disturbing crimson.
Countless black crows screeched as they flew through the air.
“What’s going on!?” Adam, who had been observing the movements of Kawano City, was the first to notice this anomaly.
Everything was proceeding according to his plan.
Kanade and Nayoi had been under his surveillance.
As long as the two decided to take photos, he could use the time spent changing clothes and the photo-taking process as an excuse to separate them, facilitating Special Circle SEMA’s next move.
“Mr. Adam! It’s a fantasy monster! The door to the underworld has opened in Kawano City!!!”
The black door slowly opened above the city—
Countless shadows fell from the sky like raindrops.
Just like the curtain on a stage symbolizing the end.
