Translator: RaidenTL
"You guys go on ahead."
I'd just parked the car, and at my words, Miyuki turned to me with a puzzled look.
"Why?"
"There's a lot of time before first period, so I thought I'd get some volunteer hours in."
"That's surprisingly admirable of you."
I shooed them away with a wave of my hand, and Miyuki giggled before walking off with Tetsuya.
I headed to the main gate and saw the security guard sweeping the area with a long broom.
It was the same man who'd been here when I came to clean the bathrooms over the weekend.
I walked up to him and asked.
"Sir. Can I do that for you?"
"Hm...? Oh, it's you, Matsuda. For volunteer hours?"
"How did you know?"
"I saw your name when I was taking down an old poster on the bulletin board. You came to clean the bathrooms last semester on a weekend, too... You've become much more diligent."
"I'm trying."
"Good. If you have the will to change yourself, people will start to see your true worth and approach you."
After offering some kind words, the security guard handed me the broom and continued.
"Just sweep the area near the school gate clean. I'm counting on you."
"Yes, sir."
Dragging the broom, I went to the front of the gate.
"Oh, hi, Matsuda-kun."
A girl from my class greeted me awkwardly, and one corner of my mouth lifted in a smirk.
Looks like the pen set and notebook I offered as a bribe yesterday worked.
"It's fucking hot today, isn't it?"
"Yeah... it is pretty hot...?"
"Hand over that bread bag you're holding."
"Huh...?"
"I'll throw it out for you, so give it here."
"O-Okay... I will..."
The girl's hand trembled as she held out the bread bag to me.
I was intentionally speaking this way because I wanted to hear things like, 'He's rough, but he's kind...! So cool...!' in the future.
But she seems too soft-hearted to take it the right way.
Taking the bag, which had some ketchup on it, I grinned at her, baring my teeth.
"Was it good?"
"...Cough!"
She must have been scared, because she started choking.
I clicked my tongue and patted her on the back.
Thump! Thump!
"Kehek! Cough!"
It just got worse. I should just stick to cleaning.
I brandished the broom inward and glared.
"Go on."
"Okay... cough! I'm going...!"
She scurried away from me with quick steps.
I'll buy you some milk from the school store later.
Don't think too badly of me.
I was silently sweeping up the small bits of trash and leaves near the gate when...
"Oh? Junior Matsuda!"
Chinami's refreshing voice called out.
Beside her, Renka was watching me with an indifferent gaze.
This was why I'd volunteered to clean the main gate.
It was all to create a point of contact, one way or another.
My affection level with them is starting from rock bottom, so I figured I had to do something, just like when I tried to meet Miyuki last semester on the weekend.
I gave them the kendo-style bow Chinami had briefly taught me yesterday.
I stood the broom straight against the gatepost, came to attention, and bowed about thirty degrees from the waist. Both of their eyes widened.
Surprised I can bow so well? I bet you are.
Of course you are.
Straightening up, I spoke.
"Hello, senpais."
"It wasn't perfect, but I can tell you practiced hard. Well done, Junior Matsuda!"
Chinami's praise really is energizing.
I grinned and gave a slight nod.
"Thank you, Nanase-senpai."
"But why are you sweeping the gate? To get volunteer hours?"
"Yes."
"I see...! Keep up the good work, and I'll see you after class!"
"Yes, see you later."
Chinami waved brightly.
You're not scared of me at all, are you.
I'll give you a lift and thrust as a reward.
Renka, after getting a nod from Chinami, spoke to me.
"The hogu you cleaned is in decent shape, but the deep parts of the howan weren't cleaned well. That's the area most prone to smelling, so pay more attention to it than the other parts."
It wasn't a night-and-day difference, but her tone was softer than yesterday.
If I keep showing this side of myself, I'll probably be accepted as an official club member soon.
"Yes."
"Keep up the good work. See you at club activities."
"See you then."
I want to slowly tame Renka by acting like a delinquent from the start, but my affection level is at rock bottom right now, so I'll hold back.
I obediently performed the bow again, and once the two of them had gone inside, I picked up the broom.
During the break after first period.
I was pressing on my temples, trying to soothe my throbbing head, when the girl who was eating bread earlier came over and placed a candy on my desk.
"H-Here... thanks for throwing away my bag earlier..."
After saying so in a timid voice, she scurried back to her seat.
I stared blankly for a moment, then unwrapped the candy she'd left.
So you did recognize my good deed.
You were just surprised before, right?
Thanks, Ppangnyeo.
As I rolled the apple-flavored candy around in my mouth, Miyuki came over and asked.
"What's that? Did you get something from Masako?"
So that girl's name is Masako.
Miyuki's eyes had darkened so subtly you could barely notice.
Is she feeling jealous?
I pointed a finger at my cheek, which was bulging from the candy.
"Candy."
"Why would Masako give you candy, Matsuda-kun?"
"Something happened earlier."
"What happened?"
"Why so many questions? If you want to know, lend me your ear."
I beckoned Miyuki over. With a curious expression, she placed her hands on my desk and leaned in close. I whispered, just loud enough that Tetsuya couldn't hear.
"When I drop you off today, want to leave your bag and come back out?"
At that, Miyuki's head snapped toward me.
Her eyes slowly drifted away.
She must be conscious of Tetsuya behind her.
After a moment, Miyuki moved her lips.
From their shape, I could tell she was asking, 'Why?'
I scribbled on the open notebook with my pen and showed it to her briefly.
[There's a place I want to go.]
Miyuki's face flushed when she saw it.
"Hmph..."
With a little cough, she gave a small nod.
As a smile spread across my face at her consent, Miyuki let out an exaggerated scoff and returned to her seat.
She's so awkward with her emotions.
"Matsuda, did you tell Miyuki a dirty joke?"
It was Tetsuya, who had been observing Miyuki's expression.
He really is a clueless bastard.
I regret ever putting myself in your shoes.
Just keep living like that.
"Well, something like that."
"Miyuki doesn't like that kind of thing. You should hold back from now on."
You keep racking up bad karma. You're going to end up crying your eyes out, you know that?
We'll see later whether Miyuki likes dirty jokes or not.
"Where are we going?"
After school, Miyuki had dropped off her bag at home and quickly come back down.
As she buckled her seatbelt in the passenger seat, I watched her for a moment before slowly taking my foot off the brake.
"An amusement park."
"An amusement park...? All of a sudden...? At this hour?"
"Yeah."
A short drive from Miyuki's neighborhood, there's an empty lot where an old, dilapidated merry-go-round stands alone.
It's a remnant of an amusement park that was shut down, and it's scheduled to be demolished in the fall.
This event features even more intense skinship and a fan service scene.
The affection level increase is a bonus.
It's a limited-time event that hits all the right notes, so I have to do it now.
Originally, the date event is triggered when Tetsuya discovers this place by chance while on a walk with Miyuki, but...
It should be fine even if I drive us there like this.
Why? Because this is the world of DokiAka, where the stage is set for me everywhere I go.
I'm the main character, so of course it has to happen.
"Are you planning to get night passes?"
"Quiet. We're here."
"We're here...? I don't see any rides..."
Ignoring Miyuki, I parked the car in the empty lot and opened my door.
Miyuki frowned and asked.
"What kind of amusement park is this...?"
"If it has a ride, it's an amusement park. Look over there."
Miyuki looked in the direction I pointed.
Her mouth fell slightly open when she spotted the merry-go-round in the middle of the lot.
"It's a merry-go-round...?"
"I found it when I was out for a drive by myself the other day. Let's go for a ride."
I gestured for her to get out quickly. Miyuki let out a small laugh, grabbed her phone, and got out of the car.
"It looks like a good spot for pictures. If we take them before it gets dark, the atmosphere will be great."
She seems to think it doesn't work, but there's a way.
So let's have a romantic date.
As we got closer to the merry-go-round, I said.
"Get on."
"Isn't this illegal...? There must be an owner..."
"You really make life complicated..."
At my weary tone, Miyuki grinned and held out her phone to me.
"Hold this for a second."
I took the phone and chuckled as Miyuki hopped up and down in front of a white horse.
"What are you doing?"
"I-It's too high, I can't get on... There's no footrest or anything..."
The event I knew is proceeding exactly as it should.
Relieved, I walked up behind Miyuki.
"I'll help you."
Then I reached out and grabbed her by the waist.
"Hyaak...!"
She let out a sound like a wildcat and spun around to look at me.
Her face, instantly red, was filled with embarrassment.
"Matsuda-kun... y-your hands..."
"Should I turn my head?"
"My head isn't the problem..."
"Stop acting like a child and get on."
"....."
She mumbled something, as if she had more to say, but soon gave up and placed both hands on the saddle.
Seeing that, I put all my strength into my hands and lifted her.
As I did, my hands slid up to her chest, and her uniform top rode up with them, revealing her pale skin.
Miyuki's slender waist, right before my eyes...
The deep grooves of her erector spinae muscles were incredibly sexy.
And... through her top, I could faintly see the underwear Miyuki was wearing.
A beige full-cup bra covering her large breasts.
A plain design. I'll have to get her a sexier one later.
"Matsuda-kun...! Use a little more strength...! Why are you so weak...?"
Miyuki suddenly started complaining.
It seemed like she was pouring all her focus into getting on the saddle, regardless of whether I was looking at her body or not.
I unleashed the strength I'd been saving while admiring her figure, placed her on the wooden horse, and dusted off my hands with a grumble.
"You're damn heavy."
At my words, Miyuki, who was adjusting her clothes, looked flustered and then snapped.
"W-Who are you calling heavy...!"
I laughed off her cute reaction and ignored her outstretched hand asking for her phone, instead heading for the control panel standing starkly in front of the merry-go-round.
I shot Miyuki a mischievous grin, and while her eyes were clouded with confusion, I kicked the device as hard as I could.
KRAANG!
The machine tilted slightly to the side with a loud noise.
Startled by my sudden action, Miyuki scolded me.
"Matsuda-kun! What are you doing!!"
Then she clamped her mouth shut as the lights on the merry-go-round flickered on with a pop!
I looked at her and shrugged.
"Sometimes you have to hit a machine to make it listen."
"...You're unbelievable... If we get caught, we'll be reported..."
"Don't be so uptight. Let's just have a little fun before we go."
"F-Fine..."
Whirrrr...!
Soon, the merry-go-round began to move slowly.
Miyuki, holding onto the pole next to the horse, immediately brightened up.
"It's been so long... I don't think I've ridden one since elementary school. But is there no music?"
She's going to enjoy it, but she still has to be prickly.
I snorted and, matching the rotating speed, hopped onto the horse next to Miyuki's.
At that moment,
"Whoa, whoa...?"
A surprised gasp escaped Miyuki's lips.
The speed of the merry-go-round had suddenly increased.
"M-Matsuda-kun...! Why is it so fast...?"
I was just as surprised by the situation.
This isn't right...
The core of this event was supposed to be us riding the slowly moving horses, making eye contact, smiling, and then having a serious conversation...
But now, things were a little different.
Could it be that I kicked it too hard and caused an error?
And that triggered a surprise event?
Considering how all the existing events had proceeded without a hitch, that was the only explanation I could think of.
"Matsuda-kun...! I think we need to stop it...! C-Can we get off...?"
Miyuki's urgent question snapped me back to my senses. I silently felt the speed of the merry-go-round.
It had reached a certain speed and wasn't getting any faster.
This was more than enough to enjoy a date.
But Miyuki was clinging to the pole with both hands, terrified.
If this keeps up, it'll end with just the fan service scene... This is a problem.
As I quickly tried to figure out what to do, I decided to take charge of the situation, just like during the extra event that happened before.
"Are you scared?"
"A little... I'm scared..."
"Then hold this."
I turned my palm up and extended my hand toward Miyuki.
She flinched, then stared at me with her large eyes.
"....."
After a moment, she swallowed hard, then reached out and placed her hand on top of mine.
Our fingers laced together naturally.
I could feel her hand, clasped in mine, tighten.
"See? It's okay, right?"
I broke the silence with a gentle tone after a quiet moment.
"...Yeah..."
Miyuki answered in a barely audible voice.
Perhaps because the merry-go-round's lights were so bright, I could see her face clearly.
Her cheeks were flushed as red as strawberries, so much so that I could tell at a glance that her feelings for me had grown.
Right. Even if an unexpected situation arises, all I have to do is lead the story.
I've done this plenty of times, haven't I?
The process might have deviated a little, but the result is the same, or even better.
That's all that matters.
And so, without another word, we rode the music-less merry-go-round until the time ran out and the machine came to a stop.