Chapter 56: Date With Natsumi (1)

Unlike when Chinatsu and I had our date, my date with Natsumi was at the park. I decided on this myself because I wanted each of them to have a unique experience, especially to make it clear that I wasn't just replicating activities with one from another. Chinatsu had her date filled with movies, shopping, and a night walk, so for Natsumi, I opted for a bike ride and a visit to the amusement park. The nearest amusement park wasn't within walking distance, but it wasn't too far either. Hence, I brought my bike along. It felt like a more romantic and memorable experience than just commuting there.

As we cycled through the quiet streets, I couldn't help but appreciate the serene atmosphere. The city lights glowed in the distance, creating a soft ambiance around us. The cool breeze tousled our hair, and the rhythmic sound of my bike ride formed a melody of its own.

I stole a glance at Natsumi, her eyes reflecting the night sky. There was a sense of tranquility in that moment, something different from the bustling energy of a daytime date. It felt like we were the only two people in the world, exploring the mysteries of the night together.

"Wow... I never thought a night ride with a bike could be this beautiful," she said, not addressing me in particular.

I replied to her anyway, "Right?" I said. "That's why I brought you here, so you could see this."

"You're such a smooth talker. Is that how you made Ichinose-san fall for you?"

"What? It's not like I did something to Ichinose or anything. And anyway, we were just fake, remember?"

Tomorrow, Ichinose and I would be officially boyfriend and girlfriend, or at least on the surface. We were going to play a lovey-dovey couple in school. The act was a strategy to deter persistent guys like Hondou, who wouldn't take no for an answer, from pursuing Ichinose. She had a career as a model, and she was famous for it. However, a mystery lingered in the back of my mind. If she had a job like that, why was she working at a convenience store? It seemed like an important question. Whatever her reason, there was probably something she didn't want anybody to know. I remembered how she looked when she saw me there. It was as if her face said, "Oh, crap!" or something. Her reaction told me that she didn't want me, or anyone she knew in particular, to see her there.

"Here we are!" I stopped at the entrance, where many people were coming and going.

The amusement park sprawled out in front of us, alive with vibrant lights and the distant echoes of laughter. Various attractions towered into the night sky—ferris wheels spinning gracefully, roller coasters roaring with excitement, and colorful lights outlining the paths. Stalls with cotton candy, popcorn, and all sorts of goodies lined the lively walkways.

We found a spot to park my bike, securing it among the rows of other parked bicycles. The air was filled with the scent of cotton candy and the distant hum of rides in motion.

I turned to Natsumi, a grin spreading across my face. "Welcome to our kingdom of Fun and Adventure! What do you want to do first, my lady?"

"Can you stop that way of talking? It's starting to get to me," she said, but she was grinning from ear to ear. 

I chuckled at her response. "Alright, alright, I'll tone down the knight-in-shining-armor act. So, what's catching your fancy? Roller coaster, Ferris wheel, or maybe something a bit more laid back like cotton candy and a stroll?"

She looked around, eyes wide with excitement.  "Let's start with something not too extreme. How about the Ferris wheel? It's been ages since I've been on one."

I nodded, "Excellent choice, my lady. To the Ferris wheel, then!"

As we approached the towering structure, I couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia. The last time I rode one of these was with my family. Now, here I was, sharing the experience with Natsumi.

As we boarded the Ferris wheel and started ascending, Natsumi sighed, "This is nice. It's been a while since I've done something like this."

I smiled, "Glad to be your partner in crime for the night. Anything else you'd like to try after this?"

She leaned against the side of the cabin, looking out at the twinkling lights below. "Surprise me, Tsubasa-kun. I'm up for anything tonight."

Anything, huh? Well, I'm 'up' for anything as well, if you know what I mean.

The gentle whir of machinery started, and we felt the slight sway as the ride began its ascent. The cabins were gradually filling up with excited chatter and laughter from other park-goers.

"Looks like we're in for a popular choice," I remarked, glancing around at the lively crowd.

Natsumi chuckled, "Well, it is a classic. People love a good Ferris wheel ride."

As our cabin lifted off the ground, the view expanded, revealing the brightly lit amusement park beneath us. The night sky added a touch of magic to the scene, and I couldn't help but steal a glance at Natsumi. Her eyes reflected the shimmering lights, and her smile mirrored the enchantment of the moment.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" I said, gesturing toward the panorama of the park and the city beyond.

"Yeah, it really is," she replied, her gaze fixed on the twinkling lights below. Then, she looked at me. I was staring at her as she admired the view, and our eyes met. She smiled at me, her expression as angelic as ever. "Thank you for bringing me here, Tsubasa-kun," she said.

"No, thank you for coming with me, Natsumi."

As the Ferris wheel started to rotate, our faces gradually drew closer. The night lights illuminated us, casting shadows, and then our shadows intertwined. The gentle hum of the ride and the distant sounds of the amusement park created a serene backdrop to the moment. The world seemed to fade away, leaving just Natsumi and me suspended in our own enchanting kingdom.

As our lips parted, we just stared into each other's eyes for a moment. Natsumi's cheeks were tinged with a blush when she asked, "Hey, Tsubasa-kun... Did you do something naughty with Chinatsu-chan during your date?"

"N-Nothing too wild. I promised you we wouldn't go all the way, right?"

"Y-Yeah, but you still did something, right?"

"Well, we did get a bit handsy in the movie theater... It was something intimate but not over the top."

"W-What exactly did you do, then?"

Wait... There was something about this conversation that felt like it was leading somewhere... Whatever that somewhere was, I couldn't deny that I was kind of looking forward to it. Particularly, the guy down there seemed to be anticipating it.

"Uh, a little bit of mutual masturbation..." I said.

Natsumi grinned at me, "Is that all?"

"Y-Yeah."

I felt like I was walking into a trap. Whatever that trap was, it didn't seem like a bad thing.

"You know, Tsubasa-kun, doesn't the mood feel just right for something a bit naughty?"