“…Ah, this is a failure.”

“I agree. It’s much…less scary than I expected.”

Amelia and I couldn’t hide our disappointment.

We had some expectations since they said real monsters would pop out.
–
I guess that’s how it is.

Maybe for safety reasons, the monsters seemed to be missing a few screws, so there was no tension at all.

For a haunted house, there should be something a bit scary.

If there were one or two superhumans, it might have been tense, but… There are three students from the academy here.

It’s a bit awkward to say it myself, but all three of us are excellent students who have experienced real battles.

Did we expect too much from the things coming out in this playground?

“No, isn’t it obvious? If it was tense enough for three superhumans, this place would have to close down the moment an accident happens.”

“That’s true, but…I feel kind of cheated.”

“… That’s just you.”

“What, why are you looking at me like that?”

“It’s nothing.”

…Hmm, the relationship between Amelia and Siwoo feels a bit different from what I thought.

I thought Amelia was the main heroine since the Author didn’t intend to increase the number of heroine candidates.

Her relationship with Siwoo felt more like close friends.

It doesn’t feel like she sees him as the opposite sex, but more like…

The feeling of having silly conversations with a same-sex friend? Something like that.

A few days ago and even now.

Their bickering felt like the atmosphere of just close friends.

Even if their relationship is like that now, will there come a day when Amelia falls for Siwoo?

I suddenly started to worry… It’ll be possible someday, right?

“Ah, that. What about that? Don’t you think even you could enjoy that?”

“…What, the Ferris wheel?”

“Yeah. The Ferris wheel should be fine.”

“…! You’re smarter than I thought!”

At Siwoo’s suggestion, the overly excited Amelia started running toward where the Ferris wheel was.

A Ferris wheel, huh. Well, yeah. Even Amelia could enjoy this.

Since it’s not the type of ride you enjoy for speed or thrills.

Siwoo and I enjoyed the rides, but Amelia couldn’t enjoy them at all due to her ability, so it seems her attention was drawn to this.

“Sigh. Granny said it would be fun.”

“…Granny?”

“My butler. When I said I was going to the amusement park with friends, he told me this and that. It was a bit different from what I expected, though.”

Amelia grumbled that Granny had told a bunch of lies.

I see. Amelia is a young lady from a wealthy family. It wouldn’t be strange for her to have someone like that.

[Ooh. I see. That’s good to know.]

“… Didn’t you set that up?”

I spoke to the Author in a small voice while watching them play around and walk away.

[I only need to touch it when necessary! I tend to leave things alone if they’re unnecessary or look fine. I hadn’t touched anything here either.]

“…Right. That was the case.”

This amusement park is also part of the Author’s puppet show world.

But she had never touched this place, and the visitors laughed and chatted, enjoying the specialness.

That fact was refreshing, as I had watched the area around the academy and even my house change in real time.

That specialness.

The specialness because she left it alone.

It was very enjoyable because I had never seen a place in this world that her hand hadn’t touched.

Is that why?

Even though there were rides that couldn’t exist in reality, like a haunted house and rides just for superhumans, it felt real.

“Author-nim, did you really not touch or do anything to this place?”

[What?… That’s right? Why all of a sudden…]

“No, it’s nothing.”

I swallowed the words I was about to utter.

This isn’t reality.

Even if the Author says she didn’t manipulate the surroundings, in the end, it’s still on a stage.

The world is still full of puppets.

“What are you doing, Arte! Hurry up and come!”

“So impatient. I’ll be right there.”

***

“…We have a problem.”

“What’s wrong?”

“No, well. This was supposed to be a date for you and Arte…”

“Now you realize? It’s way too late.”

“Ugh…”

Amelia fidgeted her fingers while glancing at Arte, who was following behind.

No matter how much urgency she expresses now, it’s already too late.

A date…yeah, right. We came to hang out as a group of three.

No one would think of this as a date.

“Ooh, I got too excited. Okay, there’s a good opportunity, so with this somehow…”

“Opportunity?”

Amelia didn’t answer my question.

She just silently waited for Arte.

…An opportunity, what in the world does she mean?

“Over here, Arte. A huge Ferris wheel! It’s amazing.”

“It really is. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one this big.”

“Let’s get on quickly. Hurry!”

Without even knowing what kind of opportunity she meant, Siwoo and Arte entered the Ferris wheel at Amelia’s urging.

“Dear guests, we’ll be departing soon, so please prepare…”

“…Ugh, hngh. Sorry, you two! My stomach suddenly…! You guys get on first!”

“What?! Amelia! Where are you going?! Hey!”

…She disappeared.

That speed, she definitely used her ability.

What stomach ache. She was perfectly fine until just now, and if she had one, there was no way she would escape while using her ability.

Suddenly, what Amelia said earlier came to mind.

…Opportunity. Is this what she meant by that?

“Uh, well.”

“Let’s get on, Siwoo. People are waiting.”

“…Right.”

He dumped complaints at Amelia in his mind.

She said it was an opportunity, but this was undoubtedly an act of sabotage.

‘Putting me with Arte in an enclosed space?’

He didn’t think he would die, but his social death was fast approaching.

“Oh, it’s going up.”

But it had already started moving.

During the time it takes for the Ferris wheel to make one revolution, how in the world should he…

“Boo!”

“Whoa?!”

“Why are you so stiff? Is it because I’m too pretty?… Haha, just kidding. Don’t be so nervous.”

“R-Right…”

Arte, who had suddenly surprised me by jumping at me with outstretched hands, smiled and moved away.

…At the tip of my nose, a subtle scent lingered.

“…? What’s wrong?”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

Siwoo couldn’t say it.

Even if Arte was a normal student and not a villain, there’s no way he could say it.

Being able to recognize her scent because of her leotard.

Or that his gaze was unintentionally drawn to it, peeking out at her nape because of that smell.

‘If I say it, I’m dead. Not that Arte would kill me, but I would hang myself.’

“It’s been a long time since I rode a Ferris wheel… It’s the first time since I was little.”

Fortunately, Arte only expressed doubt for a moment and didn’t question him further.

‘I-I’m saved…’

While watching Arte gaze at the rising scenery, he remembered what Amelia had told him.

The purpose of coming here was to seduce Arte.

‘If an opportunity arises, create a good atmosphere no matter what. ‘

…What does she expect me to do when I’ve never had a romantic relationship?

But since she forcefully created this opportunity for him, if he doesn’t act, she’ll start nagging again.

Siwoo decided to muster up his courage and try striking up a conversation.

“…Hey, Arte.”

“Yes?”

“Do you have someone you like or anything like that?”

Ah.

Siwoo inwardly repeated that he was doomed.

What crazy person starts a conversation with something like this?

In a situation where he didn’t know what to say, he couldn’t withstand the pressure from the Amelia in his mind and blurted out nonsense.

Damn you, Amelia.

How dare you infect me with your rose-colored delusions!

“No, I don’t…Are you trying to seduce me?”

“Oh, no. I just. I never heard about your personal life, so I was curious.”

Good, well done, Siwoo.

For having majorly messed up the beginning, this is a good save…!

Fortunately, Arte also seemed to breeze past it nonchalantly.

“There is no need to talk about it.”

“…I see. Maybe someday you’ll have someone you like.”

“Never.”

“…?”

The atmosphere suddenly changed. Siwoo couldn’t help but feel it.

As the Ferris wheel gradually rose, he saw Arte’s cold gaze at him.

Her eyes looked as if she was looking at something inhuman.

“I have no intention of dating anyone.”

“I-Is that so…?”

“I wouldn’t date puppets who can’t even forge their own paths even if they died.”

Puppets?

He couldn’t understand Arte’s words.

Who in the world is she referring to?

“Uh, Arte. I think you’re getting too worked up. I think I misspoke. I’m sorry.”

“I won’t fall for lifeless beings. No matter what, I’ll go back. I can’t keep staying in this puppet show.”

What was the problem? What made her like this? Siwoo didn’t know.

But there was only one thing he could tell right now.

Arte was struggling with something, so much unlike her usual self.

Siwoo didn’t know what it was.

So, he tightly embraced her.

“?!”

“It’s okay. Arte. I don’t know what’s going on, but it’s okay. Don’t worry.”

During the Chameleon villain incident, she comforted me.

This time, I’ll help her.

That simple thought filled Siwoo’s mind.

He didn’t think about whether she was a villain or not.

Friends help one another.

Even if she doesn’t think of him as a friend,

Even if she really is a villain killer,

Right now, in Siwoo’s eyes, there was only a struggling friend.

Author’s Notes

Why did they only hug!!!

Amelia! Hurry up and do something more!