'Hello there, boss.'
'Hello.' I nodded. 'Can I get five tickets?'
'Sure thing.'
'We cultivators are not bound by your mortal laws.' Saki strode ahead.
'Hmph. We finally agree on something, fellow Daoist.' Eri joined her, looking entirely too pleased about it.
'Too bad.'
I grabbed them both by the collars.
'As long as you're here, you follow our mortal laws.'
Saki flailed before crossing her arms. 'Fine.'
Eri, on the other hand, remained calm.
Like a true emperor.
I let them go, and they stepped aside.
'Hina or Kasumi, can you watch them while I sort this out?'
As long as I can get this sorted. I'm a happy man.
'O-okay.' Kasumi nodded.
She stood beside them, stiff as a statue, while Hina stayed with me.
'That'll be 25,000 yen, but for you, boss, I can knock it down to 20,000.' He winked.
'Sure.'
'Cash or card?'
'Card, thanks.'
As I reached for my wallet, Hina pulled out cash.
'This is for Saki and my share.'
'You don't need to.'
'It's only fair.'
I glanced at the money. Hina needed it more than I did, but, like Kasumi, she wouldn't take no for an answer.
'Then how about I pay you to look after Saki?' I pointed at them.
At that moment, Eri and Saki were 'dancing' around Kasumi… which meant Kasumi was being slowly overwhelmed in public.
'Are you serious?' Hina asked.
'Yeah. I'll even pay extra if I don't get a headache today.'
'Hehe.' She giggled. 'Then… deal.'
I paid for the tickets and offered Kasumi the same deal, this time for Eri.
She hesitated, then agreed on one condition. She'd pay half her ticket.
When Eri and Saki heard, I expected complaints about my 'mortal-like' behaviour. Instead, they were thrilled.
'Come my Daoist companion. We shall step upon fate, together!' Saki pointed her fan toward the sky.
'Heh. I got a Daoist companion too. She's wise enough to know the demonic path is superior.' Eri glanced at Kasumi. 'Am I right?'
'Umm… I don't know.' Kasumi's eyes darted.
'Then let our Daoist companions fight to determine who is superior!'
'To propose a deal that favours me.' Eri shook her head. 'The Dao truly smiles upon me today.'
'Hina! I choose you!' Saki pointed dramatically to Kasumi. 'Show those dumpling cheeks the hands of a chef!'
'Kasumi…' Eri adjusted her glasses. 'Show them why you're better.'
Kasumi and Hina stood face to face.
'So… do we fight?' Kasumi asked.
'Nah… we can do something else.'
'Hurry up, Hina! Use tackle, scratch, peck, anything!'
'Kasumi. Use your head.'
Kasumi and Hina exchanged a glance, then nodded.
Both turned around and charged at their respective companions. Arms wide, ready to hug.
'AHHHH! Betrayal!'
'Kasumi… why? We had a bond…'
I returned with the tickets and brooches, just in time to see Eri and Saki reaching toward the sky.
'Was it a mistake sending them?'
Too late for regrets. It is what it is.
'Here are your tickets.' I handed them out.
Kasumi and Hina let go and took theirs.
Eri and Saki collapsed, gasping for air.
'I knew I chose the right companion,' Saki said. 'Such strength...'
'Hmph.' Eri crossed her arms. 'Still worse than mine.'
'You want to go again?!'
Before round 2 could happen, I handed over the last tickets. They took them without ceremony.
'To think we must use pockets as a means to store items.' Saki complained. 'If only I still had my spatial ring.'
I ignored them.
'So which ride do you want to head to first?' I handed the brochures to Hina and Kasumi.
'Let's see.' They both looked at it.
They studied the map, pointing in different directions.
'Let's go through this path and loop back. We can hit most of the rides,' Kasumi said.
'Hmm… but this way looks interesting.' Hina pointed elsewhere.
'Then maybe this route?'
I left them to decide and approached the cultivators.
'You have any rides you want to go on?'
They looked at me.
'You think a cultivator like me, who has flown on swords and fought hordes of demons, would enjoy these rides?!'
Saki's tone made it sound like a personal insult had just been delivered.
'Hmm… I think it will be fun.' Eri said, completely unfazed.
Saki's jaw dropped.
'You… you… you traitor!' She pointed at Eri. 'How could you side with these mortals?!'
'I mean… it does look fun.'
Saki shook her head. 'Fine. I alone will stand against fate.' She wiped away fake tears.
———————————————-
'Saki, calm down. It's not our turn yet,' Hina said, holding her arm.
'Holy shit! We're next!'
'Language, Saki. We're in public.'
Saki bounced in place as the coaster approached.
'Well, she dropped the whole "standing alone" thing.' I muttered.
'It's here!' Saki pointed.
The rides emptied. The gates opened.
'Hahaha. I got the front seat.' Saki cheered.
'Calm down, Saki.' Hina sat beside her.
I turned to Eri.
She was shaking, gripping Kasumi's hand.
'There's no shame in saying you're scared, Eri.'
'This lord… is not scared... I just—'
Kasumi squeezed her hand. 'How about I hold your hand the rest of the ride?'
'O… okay.' She nodded.
They both sat next to each other.
Of course, my seat partner was a man.
'Greetings.' I greeted him.
He nodded and turned around to talk to his friends.
The restraints clicked into place, and the coaster climbed.
'Don't worry, Eri. Everything will be okay.' Kasumi said gently.
Meanwhile…
'How long is it going to take to reach the top?!' Saki complained.
At the peak, the coaster paused.
'Yes!' Saki screamed.
The coaster tipped over and plummeted down the track.
'HAHAHAHA!' She screamed, arms raised.
Eri clung to the bar for dear life.
The man beside me screamed loud enough to deafen my left ear.
After zooming along the track, the ride screeched to a halt.
'That… was… epic…' Saki panted.
'Eri? Are you alright?' Kasumi asked.
'…'
Eri stared blankly ahead.
'Eri?' Kasumi tapped.
'Ah! What?'
'Are you okay?'
'Better than fine…' She smiled. 'This lord is… impressed.'
'That's good.'
The employees lifted the restraint, and we got off.
'Di-ran, I heard a lot of screaming back there. You okay?' Kasumi asked.
I leaned closer. 'Did you say something? My left ear is a bit deafened.'
'N-nothing.' She shook her head.
Eri and Saki were already bouncing with excitement, any pretence of cultivator dignity gone.
'Where to next?!' They both ran to Hina, the guide.
'Let me see…' Hina checked the map. 'Bumper cars.'
'What are we waiting for?!' Saki grabbed Hina and ran.
Our little emperor followed.
'I wonder how those two have that much energy?' Kasumi said, walking beside me.
'Yeah.'
'…'
A brief silence passed between us.
I glanced at her. 'You sure you want to stay behind and not run after them?'
She shook her head. 'I'm okay, I need a breather.'
'… Right.'
We started walking at an unhurried pace. The crowd flowed around us, but neither of us joined it.
The crowd's noise filled the space they left behind. Without them, the area felt noticeably quieter.
For a while, neither of us spoke.
Kasumi's gaze drifted downward, following the lines of the tiles. Her steps were steady, but quieter than before.
I spoke first.
'Kasumi.'
'Yeah?'
I hesitated. This wasn't something I was used to asking. 'How are things at home?'
She blinked. 'What do you mean?'
'I mean… your parents?'
Her steps slowed. Then stopped.
She didn't look at me. Instead, her eyes fixed on the ground, as if the answer might be there.
'… They're okay.'
'…'
Another brief silence stretched between us.
I contemplated whether I should say it, but decided to say it anyway.
'I'm not going to hide it…' I said. 'I found out… about your parents.'
She froze.
For a moment, it seemed like she hadn't heard me at all.
'Kasumi?' I turned slightly toward her.
Her fingers curled lightly around her sleeve. Her lips parted, but no words came out.
I stepped closer, placing a hand on her shoulder.
'Are you okay?'
She glanced at my hand and stared at it for a few seconds before she gave a small nod.
'I….'
The word faded before it could form into anything else.
I exhaled quietly, searching for how to continue.
Kasumi had once mentioned 'sincerity.'
So I tried.
'You don't have to talk about it,' I said. 'Not right now.'
Her eyes remained lowered. She didn't respond, but she didn't pull away either.
'And… you don't have to handle it alone.'
'…'
Her grip loosened slightly. After a moment, her eyes lifted, just enough to meet mine.
I gave her shoulder a light pat.
'I'm here, Kasumi. Whenever you're ready.'
'…'
She looked at me for a moment longer, then gave a gentle nod.
'… Thanks,' she said quietly.
Her hand moved to her bracelet, fingers resting there as a faint smile appeared.
'… Di-ran.'
'HURRY UP YOU SLOWPOKES!'
Saki's voice came crashing in from a distance.
Kasumi let out a small giggle. The tension eased from her shoulders as she reached out and grabbed my hand.
'Come on, slowpoke. They're waiting.'
I glanced ahead. Then back at her.
'Yeah.' I smiled.
I let myself be pulled along.