Chapter 5

A week after our trip to Tokyo Aqualand, I find myself aboard the shinkansen with Reona and Riona, bound for Okayama City University’s open campus event. I had gently declined their request to join me, citing the overnight nature of the trip, but somehow, they secured permission from my parents.

My mom and dad, it turns out, were complete pushovers. Unable to refuse, I relented, and now the three of us are traveling together. To pass the time, we’re engrossed in a lively game of Daifugo, our cards spread across the tray table.

“Hey, Ryouya-kun, Riona, look!” Reona exclaims, pointing out the window. “You can see Mount Fuji!”

“Whoa, really?” I crane my neck to catch a glimpse. “Guess we’re already in the Chubu region, huh?”

“Onee-chan, you’re way too excited,” Riona teases, her tone dry.

“It’s Mount Fuji!” Reona retorts, undeterred. “It’d be weirder not to get excited!”

The electronic display indicates our next stop is Nagoya Station, meaning we still have a while before reaching Okayama. I glance at the twins. “By the way, have you two ever been to Okayama before?”

“We’ve visited Hiroshima and Takamatsu in the Chugoku-Shikoku region,” Reona replies, “but never Okayama.”

“So both Onee-chan and I are pretty pumped for this,” Riona adds.

“Yeah, it’s not exactly a place you’d visit on a whim,” I agree, my thoughts drifting to our itinerary. After the open campus, we plan to explore Kurashiki’s Bikan Historical Quarter for some sightseeing. The following day, we’ll visit Okayama Mirano Park, a theme park, before returning to Tokyo.

As I mull over the schedule, Riona slaps down two Jacks with a triumphant smirk. “Take that.”

“Ugh, seriously?” I groan, staring at my hand. “I’ll pass.”

“What, an Eleven Back now?” Reona grimaces. “I’ll pass too.”

Riona’s Eleven Back, which temporarily reverses the card strength, leaves us completely outmaneuvered. From there, she dominates the round, her strategy airtight.

“And that’s my win,” she declares, her expression smug.

“Another loss,” I mutter, slumping back. “You’re way too strong, Riona.”

“Riona’s as unbeatable as ever,” Reona sighs, shaking her head.

“This kind of game is my specialty,” Riona says, her poker face unshakable.

We’ve played several rounds since boarding, but neither Reona nor I have come close to beating her. Her sharp mind and unreadable demeanor make her a formidable opponent. Reona, on the other hand, wears her emotions plainly, making her—bluntly put—pretty weak at this game. Despite being identical twins, their approaches couldn’t be more different.

“Wanna switch to a different game soon?” I suggest, hoping for a chance to redeem myself.

“…I feel like Riona’s gonna steamroll us no matter what we play,” Reona says, already sounding defeated.

“Yeah, Riona’s been unbeatable at cards and Othello since we were kids,” I note, recalling past defeats.

Reona’s surrender mode is practically palpable, no doubt honed by years of losing to her sister. We stow the cards and shift to chatting about psychological quizzes and our sightseeing plans, the excitement building as the shinkansen carries us closer to Okayama Station.

“Finally made it,” I say, stepping onto the platform. “Sitting for three and a half hours kinda wore me out.”

“No joke,” Reona agrees, stretching her arms overhead.

“Good job, you two,” Riona adds, rolling her shoulders to ease the stiffness.

The long ride has clearly taken its toll, as Reona and Riona immediately launch into light stretches. I glance around, noting the nostalgic chime of an old Galaxy Railways anime theme playing as the departure melody—a touch of retro charm, even if I wasn’t born when it aired.

“There’s a shuttle bus from the west exit,” I say, checking my phone. “It’s about a five-minute ride to the university.”

“Oh, so it’s pretty close to the station,” Reona remarks.

“That’s some crazy good access,” Riona adds.

“Apparently, some students even commute from eastern Hiroshima or Kagawa Prefecture,” I note as we head toward the ticket gates. The station buzzes with activity, though it’s far less chaotic than Tokyo’s relentless crowds.

“Oh, I heard Okayama Mirano Park is near the station too,” Reona says. “Where exactly is it?”

“It’s on the east side, opposite direction,” I reply. “About a five-minute walk from the east exit.”

“I heard they’ve got tons of attractions,” Riona says, her eyes lighting up. “I’m excited.”

We board the shuttle bus, joining a crowd of high schoolers headed to the open campus. As expected, Reona and Riona draw immediate attention, their striking looks earning admiring stares from the guys onboard. I, meanwhile, catch the usual jealous glares for merely standing beside them—a routine I’ve grown accustomed to.

“Is this your first time at an open campus?” I ask, curious.

“Nope,” Reona replies. “We went to one last year with some friends.”

“Oh, really? It’s my first, so it’s reassuring to have you two along.”

“Sahoda University, Aoyama University, and Heisei Gakuin University,” Riona lists off, her tone casual.

“All three were super stylish and had great vibes,” Reona adds. “It was a lot of fun.”

I nod, impressed but unsurprised. Those are all prestigious, highly competitive schools—a stark reminder of the league Reona and Riona operate in. A twinge of self-doubt creeps in, but Riona cuts through it.

“Ryouya, I’ll make sure you get into the university you want,” she says firmly. “Leave it to me.”

“I’ll do my best to support you too,” Reona chimes in, her smile warm. “Don’t worry.”

Their encouragement lifts my spirits. Riona’s academic prowess, proven during last semester’s finals, feels like having a small army in my corner. But then Reona drops a bombshell.

“So, let’s all go to the same university, the three of us.”

“I want to spend all four years of college with you and Onee-chan,” Riona adds, her tone earnest.

“…Wait, are you serious?” I blurt out, caught off guard.

“Hey, Riona, did I say something weird?” Reona asks, tilting her head.

“I don’t think so,” Riona replies, equally puzzled.

They both stare at me, genuinely confused by my reaction. “It just sounded like you were saying we’d stick together even in college,” I explain, still processing. “So I was surprised.”

“Getting shocked over something so obvious?” Riona says, raising an eyebrow. “You’re weird, Ryouya.”

“Are you still half-asleep or something?” Reona teases, her expression dead serious.

Their sincerity is unmistakable—they’re genuinely planning to attend the same university as me. Questions swirl in my mind, but the bus pulls up to the university grounds, cutting my thoughts short. We step off, taking in the sprawling campus.

“It’s bigger than I expected,” Reona says, scanning the area.

“Yeah, it’s a comprehensive university with a single campus,” I reply, still a bit rattled.

“Let’s head to the reception first,” Riona suggests, leading the way.

As we cross the campus, whispers follow us. “Yo, aren’t those girls insanely cute?” one guy says. “They’re both gorgeous. Models or celebrities, maybe?” another speculates. Reona and Riona, as always, turn heads, while I—Mob Character B—earn glares as their apparent sidekick.

At the reception, we check in and head to the multipurpose hall for the university’s presentation. “You can hear all sorts of dialects here,” Reona observes, noting the diverse crowd.

“Apparently, visitors come from the Chugoku, Shikoku, and Kinki regions,” I say.

“Since we speak standard Japanese, I’m kinda jealous,” Reona admits.

“Yeah, something like Kansai dialect would be cool,” Riona agrees.

Growing up in Tokyo, I’ve never had a dialect. My mom, originally from Okayama, spoke the local dialect as a kid but switched to standard Japanese after moving to Tokyo for university.

The presentation lasts about an hour, after which we head to mock lectures. I’m bound for the Economics Department, while Reona and Riona are off to Foreign Languages.

“Alright, Riona and I are heading this way,” Reona says. “Let’s meet up after.”

“Got it,” I reply. “I’ll message you when I’m done.”

“See you later, Ryouya,” Riona calls as they walk off.

The campus is vast, and I can’t help but wonder if navigating between classes will be a hassle. Not that I’ve even been accepted yet, I remind myself, shaking off the premature worry as I head to my lecture.

◇

After the mock lectures, we reconvene for a campus tour and a one-on-one consultation session before heading to lunch. The open campus guide listed plenty of dining options, leaving us spoiled for choice, but we settle on the most popular spot.

“How was your mock lecture, Ryouya?” Reona asks, leaning forward.

“The Economics Department covered stock investing,” I reply. “It was pretty interesting.” The lecture hall, large enough for hundreds, felt worlds apart from high school’s cramped classrooms—a refreshing change, though I suspect the novelty would fade quickly as a student.

“The Foreign Languages Department’s lecture was entirely in English,” Reona says, grimacing slightly. “The technical terms were so tough I barely kept up. Riona seemed to get it all, though.”

“I watch a lot of movies in English,” Riona explains with a shrug, “so I could follow.”

If Reona, who’s a quarter and fluent in everyday English, struggled, I’d have been utterly lost.

“More than that,” Reona continues, “I was shocked at how many people kept trying to exchange contact info with us.”

“It’s exhausting turning them down every time,” Riona adds, her tone flat.

“Both Onee-chan and I are kinda fed up,” Reona sighs.

During the tour and consultations, Reona and Riona were swarmed by high schoolers and even college student guides, all eager for their contact info. In just a few hours, they fielded more requests than I could count on one hand. My presence as a guy beside them didn’t seem to register at all.

“Man, if I were taller and super hot,” I mutter enviously, “maybe girls would ask for my contact info too.” I imagine myself at 180 cm, effortlessly charming, swapping contacts with ease—a fleeting daydream of a cooler me.

Across the table, Reona and Riona’s expressions go blank, their eyes unnervingly devoid of warmth.

“…What, so you want to exchange contact info with other girls, Ryouya?” Riona asks, her voice deceptively calm.

“What exactly are you planning to do with those contacts, Ryouya-kun…?” Reona adds, tilting her head.

“It’s not something you can’t tell me and Onee-chan, is it?” Riona presses.

“If it is,” Reona says, “I don’t think I can forgive you.”

Their usual tone belies the chilling intensity in their gazes, like predators sizing up prey. My heart races as I scramble to defuse the situation. “No, no, that was just a joke! I wouldn’t even know what to talk about if I exchanged contacts with a girl!”

“Oh, good then,” Riona says, her expression softening.

“If you were about to make a mistake, Ryouya-kun,” Reona adds with a teasing smile, “I was ready to dish out some serious punishment.”

Relief washes over me as they return to their usual selves. I’m not sure what just happened, but I clearly dodged a massive landmine. I resolve to watch my words more carefully.

After lunch, we dive back into the open campus programs. As expected, Reona and Riona continue to draw attention, brushing off persistent admirers with practiced ease. The glares I receive from jealous onlookers are practically murderous, but I shrug them off. We complete our planned activities without incident and board a train from Okayama Station to Kurashiki City.

Our destination is the Bikan Historical Quarter, a preserved townscape from the Edo to Meiji eras and one of Okayama Prefecture’s top tourist spots. After disembarking at Kurashiki Station, a fifteen-minute walk brings us to a retro-modern vista of white-walled storehouses and namako walls.

“Whoa, so this is the Bikan Historical Quarter, huh?” Reona marvels, her eyes wide.

“It’s like we’ve time-traveled to the past,” Riona says, already snapping photos with her phone.

Summer vacation has drawn a crowd, many likely out-of-prefecture tourists like us. Reona points out a group nearby. “There are a lot of people wearing kimonos.”

“It’d look amazing to wear one in this townscape, right?” Riona muses.

“I think there’s a rental shop nearby,” I suggest. “Wanna try it?”

“Obviously, we’re wearing them!” Reona exclaims.

“I want to try too,” Riona agrees instantly, her enthusiasm matching her sister’s.

We head to a nearby rental shop, where the staff explains the process. Reona selects a vibrant red kimono, Riona chooses a deep blue one, and—after some pleading from the twins—I end up in a navy one. I hadn’t planned on dressing up, but their insistence wore me down. The staff’s expertise makes the process smooth, and soon we’re ready.

“Wow, you both look amazing in kimonos,” I say, genuinely impressed.

“Thanks!” Reona beams. “You look great too, Ryouya-kun.”

“Seeing you in a kimono feels fresh,” Riona adds.

I shift uncomfortably, unaccustomed to the attire, but their compliments ease my nerves. If they think it looks good, it was worth the effort.

“Alright, shall we start exploring?” I ask.

“Yup, let’s roll!” Reona cheers.

“Onee-chan, your voice is too loud,” Riona chides.

“Oops, my bad,” Reona laughs.

We begin our stroll through the Bikan Historical Quarter, pausing for photos, sampling snacks from local shops, and ambling along the Kurashiki River. At one stall, I hand Reona and Riona a denim manju, a blue steamed bun.

“…Ryouya-kun, is this really edible?” Reona asks, eyeing it skeptically.

“It’s so blue it doesn’t look appetizing…” Riona mutters.

“Yeah, I get that reaction,” I say, chuckling. “But it’s actually delicious.”

They exchange dubious glances but take a bite, their expressions shifting to delight. The denim theme—manju, burgers, even soft-serve—reflects Kurashiki’s status as the birthplace of domestic jeans. We visit an art museum showcasing world-famous paintings and spend time at a Shiba Inu café before resting at a lounge on the second floor of the tourist information center.

“This is my first time here, but there’s so much to see,” Reona says, leaning back. “It’s fun.”

“I can see why it’s such a popular tourist spot,” Riona agrees.

“Right? I’ve been here tons of times since I was a kid, and I still never get bored,” I say, nostalgia creeping in.

“I totally get how you feel, Ryouya-kun,” Reona says warmly.

“Yeah, I’d love to come back,” Riona adds.

Their satisfaction confirms I made the right call bringing them here. I’ve enjoyed revisiting after so long, too. Reona perks up suddenly. “Oh, I heard there’s a place where you can have weddings. I wanna check that out.”

“Cool, let’s head there next,” I say, guessing she means the ivy-covered red-brick hotel complex, a highlight of the area.

“Thanks, Ryouya-kun!” Reona says brightly.

“I’m excited to see what it’s like,” Riona adds.

We finish our break and walk to the complex, a ten-minute stroll from the tourist center. “This place used to be a Meiji-era factory,” I explain as we approach. “They repurposed it into this facility.”

“Now that you mention it, I can kinda see the traces,” Reona says, studying the structure.

“The contrast between the red and green is really beautiful,” Riona observes.

“Yeah, that’s why it’s a must-see spot,” I say.

We pass through the red-brick arch at the main entrance, traverse a wide hallway, and reach the courtyard. “The wedding venue you mentioned, Reona, is probably held here in the courtyard plaza or at the ceremony space over there,” I say, gesturing.

“If it’s in this plaza, it’d be an open, greenery-filled wedding,” Reona says, picturing it.

“I’m curious about the ceremony space too,” Riona adds.

“Since we’re here, wanna check it out?” I suggest. “I think it’s open to the public when there’s no wedding.”

We head to the ceremony space and step inside. Riona surveys the room. “It’s got a calm vibe. The red carpet and a white wedding dress would look stunning together.”

“The plaza was nice, but this place is amazing too,” Reona says, her excitement growing.

The twins buzz with enthusiasm, imagining a wedding in vivid detail. I try to picture my own but draw a blank. Instead, a bizarre image flashes through my mind: a future me, tied to a chair, forced by Reona and Riona to sign a marriage certificate. I shake my head, dismissing the absurd daydream. I must be exhausted from all the fun.

We continue wandering the Bikan Historical Quarter, losing track of time until evening settles in. Now, we’re at the rental shop, returning the kimonos we wore.

“I’m exhausted from all that walking,” Reona says, stretching her arms.

“We covered a lot of ground, the three of us,” Riona adds, her tone content.

“It was fun,” I say, echoing their sentiment.

“Alright, let’s head to tonight’s lodging,” I suggest, ready to move on.

“Sounds good. Lead the way, Ryouya-kun,” Reona replies with a grin.

We leave the Bikan Historical Quarter and make our way to Kurashiki Station, chatting lightly. Tonight, we’re staying at my grandma’s house—my mom’s already cleared it with her. Reona and Riona, it seems, meticulously planned this with my mom, leaving no detail unchecked. From Kurashiki Station, we take a train one stop east, then walk a short distance to a house beside Grape Stadium, a local baseball venue.

“We’re here,” I announce, stopping in front of the familiar gate.

“So this is your grandma’s house, Ryouya,” Reona says, looking around.

“Being so close to a baseball stadium,” Riona observes, “it must get super lively on game days.”

As they share their impressions, I press the intercom under the Kamiki nameplate. A moment later, a warm voice crackles through.

“Yes, who’s this?”

“Oh, Grandma, it’s me, Ryouya.”

“Oh, Ryouya! I’ll unlock the door, so wait a bit.”

My grandma’s thick Okayama dialect, as comforting as ever, fills the air. The front door swings open, and there she stands, her face lighting up. “You came all the way from far off, huh? Are you well?”

“Yeah, you look healthy too, Grandma,” I reply, smiling.

“Ain’t you gotten bigger since we last met?” she asks, squinting at me.

“Sadly, I haven’t grown much taller,” I admit. Every visit, she asks the same question, but I’ve only gained a centimeter since last year. My dream of hitting 170 cm feels like a long shot now, with my growth spurt nearly done.

“Mio-chan ain’t with ya?” Grandma asks, referring to my sister.

“Nah, we just came for the open campus today,” I explain.

“That’s a shame. By the way, those tall, real pretty girls behind ya—are they the friends Saya mentioned on the phone?” Her voice rises as she notices Reona and Riona, her curiosity piqued.

“Yeah, they’re my classmates,” I say quickly. “We came to Okayama City University’s open campus together.”

“Nice to meet you!” Reona says brightly. “I’m Ryouya-kun’s classmate, Tsurugi Reona.”

“Same, Tsurugi Riona,” Riona adds with a polite nod.

Grandma’s face softens, clearly charmed. “Such polite young ladies! I’m Ryouya’s grandma.”

“Grandma-sama, thank you for having us tonight,” Reona says warmly.

“Here’s a little gift,” Riona adds, pulling a box of sweets from her backpack.

“Thank you! Y’all are such good girls,” Grandma beams, accepting the gift with delight. The twins’ flawless manners are no surprise, but then they drop a bombshell.

“We hope to have a long relationship with you, Grandma-sama,” Reona says, her tone earnest, “so we chose something nice.”

“We’ll make Ryouya happy,” Riona adds matter-of-factly.

“What’s that supposed to mean!?” I blurt out, my face heating up. “D-Don’t tell me…”

“Yes, it’s exactly what you’re thinking, Grandma-sama,” Reona confirms with a mischievous smile.

“Hey, what are you casually saying something so outrageous for!?” I protest, my voice rising. Their words are a recipe for a massive misunderstanding, and Grandma’s wide-eyed look confirms she’s already misinterpreting.

I spend dinner and the hours after desperately trying to clear things up, but the misunderstanding only deepens. Exhausted, I give up—let her think what she wants. But the ordeal isn’t over. After we bathe, Grandma pulls out my childhood photo albums, and my embarrassing past unravels before Reona and Riona’s gleeful eyes.

“Oh, look, Ryouya’s crying with his face all scrunched up!” Reona laughs, pointing at a photo.

“Looks like he dropped the soft-serve he was eating,” Riona says, smirking. “His crying face is kinda cute, huh?”

“…I’m so embarrassed I could die,” I mutter, slumping in defeat. My life gauge is at zero; I just want to disappear. Meanwhile, the twins are having the time of their lives, clearly reveling in my misery.

They’re definitely sadists. They pore over every album in the house, leaving no humiliating moment unturned.

“Riona and I are satisfied,” Reona finally declares. “Shall we head to bed?”

“Yeah, we’ve got the theme park tomorrow,” Riona agrees.

“I’m excited for tomorrow too,” I say, eager to move on.

We head to the bedding Grandma prepared. I’m in my late grandpa’s room, while Reona and Riona are in the guest room next door. “You already know this,” I warn, “but don’t even think about sneaking into my bed. Grandma might have a heart attack.”

“Ehh, we already explained everything about us and you to Grandma-sama,” Reona teases, “so it’s probably fine.”

“No, no, you two just fed her a bunch of lies!” I retort, exasperated.

“Then we just need to make it real from now on,” Riona says with a sly grin.

“That’s not okay at all!” I shoot back, but their energy is relentless even this late. Wait—Riona’s admitting it was a lie? Shaking my head, I let the chaotic day come to a close.

◇

The next morning, we leave Grandma’s house and arrive at the entrance to Okayama Mirano Park, a quick five-minute walk from Okayama Station’s east exit. “Alright, shall we head in?” I say, feeling the morning’s excitement.

“Let’s have tons of fun together today!” Reona cheers.

“Theme parks always get me excited, no matter how old I am,” Riona adds, her eyes sparkling.

Their childlike enthusiasm is infectious. I’d bought all-you-can-ride tickets online, so we breeze through the entrance gate after showing our phones to the staff. Towering attractions—a Ferris wheel, a roller coaster—greet us immediately.

“Which one should we ride first?” Reona asks, scanning the park.

“There’s so many, it’s hard to choose,” Riona says, flipping through a pamphlet.

“I’ve got a few recommendations,” I offer, “but I’m not sure if they’ll suit your tastes. Let’s check the pamphlet and decide.”

“Sounds good,” Reona agrees.

We huddle over the pamphlet, debating our options. After some discussion, we settle on the Viking as our first ride. When we reach it, a sizable line already snakes around the entrance.

“Looks like the Viking’s pretty popular too,” I note.

“Judging by this, we might be waiting a while,” Riona says, eyeing the crowd.

“Everyone loves thrill rides, huh?” Reona adds.

“Let’s get in line,” I say, joining the queue. I recall the roller coaster and water ride we passed earlier, both with equally long lines—thrill rides are clearly the park’s draw.

“Oh, once summer break’s over,” Reona says suddenly, “we’ve got the school trip and the school festival right away, don’t we?”

“I’m looking forward to this year too,” Riona adds.

Their words remind me of the upcoming events. For a loner like me, the school trip and festival are torturous. Amaki High School’s festival blends cultural and sports elements—two days of cultural events and one for sports. “The school trip’s one thing,” I grumble, “but the after-school prep for the festival is such a drag. I wish they’d just cancel it.”

“Hey, don’t say such cynical stuff, Ryouya-kun,” Reona scolds lightly.

“This year’s gonna be fun, I bet,” Riona says optimistically.

“But this year’s theater, right?” I counter. “No matter how you look at it, that’s torture for a loner like me.” The second-year theater project demands teamwork for costumes, props, and rehearsals—prime conditions for me to be sidelined.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got that all figured out,” Reona says confidently.

“Just leave it to Onee-chan, and it’ll be fine,” Riona adds.

“I’d really like some specifics on this ‘figured out’ part,” I say, uneasy.

“That’s a surprise for later,” Reona replies, her smile cryptic.

Her refusal to elaborate only heightens my anxiety—she’s definitely plotting something wild. As I stew over the future, our turn arrives. We board the Viking, the safety bar lowers, and an announcement signals the start. The ship sways gently at first, almost soothing, but the swings grow sharper, the thrill building.

“This is pretty wild…” I say, gripping the bar as the ship tilts steeply.

“That’s what makes it fun, right?” Reona laughs, clearly in her element.

Riona, however, looks less enthused, her face slightly tense. Reona’s love for thrill rides shines, while Riona seems less convinced, their contrasting reactions as stark as ever.

“That was fun!” Reona exclaims, her eyes sparkling as we step off the Viking. “Let’s hit the teacups next!”

“Yeah, two thrill rides in a row might be rough,” I agree, catching my breath.

“I’m in,” Riona says, nodding.

The teacup line is mercifully short, and we board quickly. “Man, it’s been forever since I rode the teacups,” I say, settling into the colorful cup.

“You don’t always ride them at a theme park, right?” Reona remarks.

“It’s been a while for me and Onee-chan too,” Riona adds.

“Let’s go back to basics and have a blast,” I say, grinning.

The teacups start their gentle spin, but Reona grabs the wheel with enthusiasm, cranking it hard. “Hey, Ryouya-kun, Riona, wanna spin it too?” she calls, her voice brimming with excitement.

“Sure,” I reply, gripping the wheel.

“Just sitting here feels like a waste,” Riona says, joining in.

We turn the wheel together, the scenery blurring as our teacup whirls faster. Laughter spills out—it’s way more fun than I expected. But when we stumble off, Reona’s face is pale.

“…Ugh, I feel sick,” she groans, clutching her stomach.

“Onee-chan, you okay?” Riona asks, concerned.

Apparently, the spinning hit Reona hard. Riona and I are fine, so she must be especially sensitive. “Carbonated drinks help with motion sickness,” Riona says. “I’ll grab something from a nearby vending machine. Onee-chan, wait with Ryouya on the bench.”

“Got it,” I say. “I’ll stay with Reona.”

“…See you,” Reona mumbles weakly.

I guide Reona to a bench, where she lies down, looking drained. “Getting sick right at the start’s pretty rough, huh?” I say, trying to lighten the mood.

“…I got a bit too carried away,” she admits, her voice faint.

“We’ve got a long day ahead, so don’t push yourself too hard,” I encourage.

Reona suddenly grabs my hand. Normally, I’d pull away, flustered, but seeing her so vulnerable, I let it slide. Her grip is weak but warm.

“Sorry for the wait,” Riona says, returning with a cola bottle. “Here.”

“…Thanks, Riona,” Reona murmurs.

“Drink that and perk up,” Riona urges.

Reona chugs the cola and, after a few minutes on the bench, starts to recover. “I’m feeling a lot better now,” she says, her color returning.

“Good,” Riona replies, relieved.

“Yeah, it throws me off when you’re not your usual self, Reona,” I add, half-teasing.

“If Ryouya-kun fed me mouth-to-mouth,” Reona says with a sly grin, “I bet I’d feel even better.”

“If you’ve got the energy to say weird stuff like that, you’re fine,” I retort, exasperated but relieved.

We move on to go-karts, a river rapids ride, and a merry-go-round, each attraction fueling our excitement. Now, we’re lining up for the haunted house, its exterior a chilling Nordic mansion, complete with eerie details that promise scares. Screams echo from inside, hinting at its intensity.

“Wow, it’s got a great atmosphere,” Reona says, eyeing the facade.

“Right? The exterior’s pretty elaborate,” I agree. I vaguely recall visiting this haunted house as a kid and crying my eyes out, but the details are fuzzy.

“By the way, Riona, you’ve been super quiet,” I say, noticing her silence since we chose this attraction. “You okay?”

“Ryouya-kun,” Reona whispers, leaning in, “Riona’s actually been scared of ghosts since we were kids.”

I blink, surprised. Riona, always so composed, afraid of ghosts? “If you’re scared, you don’t have to force yourself,” I say gently. “Reona and I can go in together.”

“I-I’m fine,” Riona stammers, her voice unsteady.

“You don’t look fine at all,” Reona says, concerned.

“G-ghosts and stuff like that are unscientific and don’t exist,” Riona insists, speaking quickly. “So I’m not scared.”

Her rattled demeanor says otherwise. I check on her several times as we wait, but she stubbornly claims she’s fine. When our turn arrives, we step into the dimly lit haunted house, faint groans echoing around us, amplifying the eerie atmosphere.

“H-Hey, Ryouya, is the exit coming up soon…?” Riona asks, her voice trembling.

“No way, it hasn’t even been a minute,” I reply.

“If it ended this quickly, it’d be way too short,” Reona adds.

“It’s not short at all! I’ve had enough already!” Riona snaps, her cool facade crumbling. Her panic is oddly endearing—gap moe at its finest.

A sudden flash of light and a thunderclap jolt us. Reona and I flinch, but Riona screams, “Kyaaaah!” and clings to me tightly, refusing to let go. As we creep forward, I spot a blood-soaked woman with a knife in her chest lying by the path.

“R-Ryouya… she’s not gonna get up, right…?” Riona whispers, trembling.

I open my mouth to warn her, but the woman lurches upright. “Iyaaaah!” Riona shrieks, grabbing my hand and bolting forward, dragging me along with painful force.

“Hey, don’t leave me behind!” Reona calls, hurrying after us, unwilling to be left alone in the dark.

Riona’s screams punctuate every scare—clinging to me, sprinting from threats, or freezing until Reona and I pull her along. Finally, we spot the exit’s light. “Oh, finally, the exit!” I say, relieved.

“For real, that was a pretty long haunted house,” Reona agrees.

“Yeah, way more intense than I expected,” I add.

“F-Finally, we can get out…” Riona mumbles, loosening her grip on my arm.

But haunted houses love a final twist. A blood-covered severed head drops from the ceiling. Reona and I brace ourselves, but Riona wails, “I can’t take this anymoreeeeeee!” and yanks me toward the exit at breakneck speed, her terror fueling unnatural strength. Reona and I tumble out, breathless.

“I told you not to leave me behind!” Reona pants, catching up.

“…Can you let go of me now?” I ask Riona, whose arms are still locked around mine.

“Just a little longer,” she mumbles, still shaken.

Once she calms down, we scout our next ride. “Ryouya-kun, Riona, wanna ride that one next?” Reona asks, pointing to the Panda Car, a cutesy ride swarming with kids and parents.

“It’s so cute! I wanna ride it too,” Riona says, her enthusiasm back.

“That’s for kids,” I protest. “We’d stick out if we rode it.”

“We’re still minors, so we’re basically kids too,” Reona counters.

“No way, that’s a stretch,” I argue.

“Don’t overthink it,” Riona says, brushing off my hesitation.

I waver, but as usual, the twins overpower me. “Ryouya, just try riding it,” Reona urges, grabbing one arm.

“You’re seriously making me do this?” I groan as Riona takes the other, dragging me to the Panda Car.

“…Is this okay?” I mutter, climbing aboard, feeling ridiculous.

“It suits you,” Riona says with a teasing smile.

“Yeah, Ryouya-kun looks about ten percent cooler right now,” Reona adds.

“Stop saying stuff you don’t mean, and both of you, stop taking pictures!” I snap, mortified. A photo of me on a Panda Car would be social suicide. “If you rode that to school, Ryouya-kun, maybe you’d make some friends,” Reona teases.

“Finally, Ryouya could escape being a loner,” Riona piles on.

“I’d stand out so much I’d die,” I retort, “and I’d probably get stopped by cops on the way to school.” The image of me riding a Panda Car to school going viral on SNS is a nightmare I can’t unsee. At least, as a lifelong virgin, I won’t have descendants to shame.

After a few more attractions, we settle into the food court for a late lunch. “Theme parks are fun no matter how old you are,” Reona says, biting into her food.

“Time just flies by,” Riona agrees.

“Maybe because we don’t come often,” I muse.

“I can’t believe it’s already past two o’clock,” Reona says, glancing at her phone.

Despite Reona’s teacup mishap and Riona’s haunted house meltdown, the day’s been a blast. “Where should we go after lunch?” I ask.

“How about the roller coaster next?” Reona suggests, flipping through the pamphlet.

“I wanna ride the roller coaster too,” Riona agrees.

“Cool, let’s do it,” I say, seeing no reason to object.

“Then let’s finish eating and go,” Reona says. “The roller coaster’s probably got a crazy long line.”

“It was packed when we saw it earlier,” Riona notes.

We finish our meal and head to the roller coaster, where a massive line awaits. “Since we’ve got time,” Reona says, “how about some psychological quizzes like on the shinkansen?”

“Those were fun, so I’m in,” I reply.

“There’s an app I recommend,” Riona says, pulling out her phone.

We download the love-themed quiz app, boasting a hundred multiple-choice questions for “super accurate” results. The questions range from light—“What would you do if your crush was in trouble?”—to heavy—“If you could save your dying lover at the cost of your life, what would you do?”

“Alright, I’m done,” I say, finishing.

“Me too,” Reona says.

“I just finished too,” Riona adds.

Our results load after some ads. “It says I’m the tsundere type,” I say, reading the description.

“Yeah, Ryouya-kun’s got a bit of a tsundere vibe,” Reona says, grinning.

“Even when Ryouya complains, he ends up doing it anyway,” Riona adds.

“What about your results?” I ask, curious.

“Mine says I’m the yandere type,” Reona says, showing her phone.

“Same as Onee-chan, I’m also the yandere type,” Riona says.

Reona’s result suggests she’d lock up her crush’s partner to secure them, while Riona’s claims she needs to watch her lover 24/7. “Whoa, that’s some wild stuff,” I say, half-laughing.

“Even I probably wouldn’t go that far…” Reona says, her voice trailing off. “A last resort, at best.”

“Watching all the time’s too much for me… maybe just while I’m awake,” Riona mumbles, barely audible.

Their voices dip, but I shrug it off. We keep answering quizzes, laughing until our turn arrives. The roller coaster starts gently, lulling me into confidence, but the mid-course intensity hits hard. Even I, unfazed by most thrill rides, feel a jolt of fear. Riona’s face is rigid with terror.

“That was so much fun!” Reona beams as we disembark.

“Yeah…” I manage, drained.

“…Sure,” Riona mutters, equally spent.

“Considering when we need to head back, this might be our last attraction,” I say, checking the time.

“It’s already that time? It went by so fast,” Reona says, surprised.

“Then, as promised, let’s go to the Ferris wheel,” Riona reminds us.

We’d agreed on the Ferris wheel as our final ride, so we head over. The line is shorter than expected. “More people than I thought,” I note.

“Still, it’s probably only a fifteen-minute wait,” Reona says. “Way faster than the roller coaster.”

“Fifteen minutes’ll fly by,” Riona agrees.

Our turn comes quickly, and we board a gondola, which rises slowly. “Ryouya-kun, Riona, look!” Reona says, pointing. “Isn’t that the Viking we rode first?”

“You’re right,” Riona says. “I can see the roller coaster, teacups, and Panda Car too.”

“It feels different seeing them from up here,” I say, the view sparking nostalgia for the day’s adventures.

Suddenly, Reona and Riona blush and fall silent. Curious, I turn and spot a couple in the next gondola, locked in a passionate kiss. “Man, they’re going at it right in plain sight and don’t even notice us,” I say, unfazed.

“…Ryouya, why are you so calm about this?” Riona asks, her tone sharp.

“Yeah, you’re way too chill,” Reona adds, eyeing me suspiciously.

“I mean, it’s just a kiss…” I say, shrugging. In a world where explicit content is a tap away, a kiss barely registers for most guys. If they were doing more, I’d probably lose my cool.

Reona and Riona exchange a glance, then lean forward. “Don’t tell me, Ryouya-kun, you’ve actually kissed someone before…?” Reona asks, her voice laced with suspicion.

“…Ryouya, is that true?” Riona presses. “If you’re lying or hiding something, things’ll get ugly.”

“Whoa, how’d we get there?” I say, baffled.

“Wait, maybe it was with that childhood friend you had a crush on…?” Reona speculates.

“That’s something I can’t forgive,” Riona says, her eyes narrowing.

They lean closer, their expressions intense, when a sudden gust rocks the gondola violently. The jolt sends them tumbling toward me. I close my eyes instinctively, then feel a soft pressure on my lips and a weight on my lower body.

Opening my eyes, I find Reona’s face inches from mine, our lips touching, and Riona’s face buried in my lap. We freeze, the moment surreal, before I hurriedly pull them off. “Ryouya, you perv,” Riona mutters, her face scarlet.

“I never expected Ryouya-kun to make a move in a place like this,” Reona says, equally flushed.

“No, no, I’m the one being attacked here!” I protest, but their blushes and the awkward silence that follows drown out my defense. The gondola reaches the bottom in tense quiet.

◇

“That was fun,” Reona says as we exit Okayama Mirano Park, souvenirs in hand.

“Yeah, but I’m totally wiped out,” I say, feeling the day’s weight.

“I’m exhausted,” Riona echoes, rubbing her eyes.

We board the shinkansen back to Tokyo, settling in with ekiben and flipping through photos from the past two days. The sunset outside casts a warm glow, distinct from the trip here. “Ryouya, have you been keeping up with your summer homework?” Riona asks, glancing at me.

“…Not really,” I admit, sheepish.

“Right? I haven’t done any either,” Reona says, grinning.

I’m a chronic procrastinator, suffering every year before the deadline, and Reona seems cut from the same cloth. Riona, I bet, is methodically chipping away at hers. “I bet you and Onee-chan won’t do it until the last minute,” Riona says, “but that’s no good. So I’ll help you both until you finish.”

“Thanks, Riona, that’s a huge help,” I say, genuinely grateful.

“Wait, really?” Reona asks, surprised.

“Yeah, I don’t want to see you and Onee-chan suffer,” Riona replies.

Her offer is a godsend—I waste so much time on problems I don’t understand. With Riona’s help, I might finish early for once. “So, we’re starting tomorrow, no slacking,” she declares.

“Ehh, can’t we start the day after?” Reona pleads. “I’m wiped out from the past two days.”

“Yeah, I need a break too,” I add.

“No way, tomorrow,” Riona says firmly, unmoved by our protests. She insists we’ll work daily until it’s done. These two days were a whirlwind of fun, but starting tomorrow, it’s going to be a grind.