"That one, it looks big, here's how it's shaped, and there's this part too," Watanabe Tetsu said, gesturing as he explained.
Mai Asuka stared at him, waiting until he looked utterly embarrassed, almost collapsing under the weight of his own awkwardness, before finally answering.
"Baritone saxophone."
"Thank you, senpai," Tetsu said sheepishly. "I saw it briefly before and have been wondering what kind of instrument it was ever since. It's been bothering me for a long time."
Mai nodded as if she believed him and then walked over to Hanada Asako.
Rin Seino rubbed her temples. "Couldn't you have asked a harder question?"
"I was afraid she wouldn't be able to answer," Ichiki Aoi replied.
"Fair enough," Rin agreed. "Not everyone is as knowledgeable as I am, capable of answering every question from an inquisitive person like Watanabe."
"Even if what you say is true, must you sound so narcissistic about it?"
After a brief break, feeling emboldened, Kunii Osamu suggested they ride the roller coaster next.
Standing at the foot of the coaster, they had to crane their necks to see the top of the structure, which loomed like a towering electrical pylon.
The coaster seats two per row, so naturally, the four girls sat together.
Tetsu gave up the chance to sit next to a stranger for Kunii.
Before departure, a staff member asked, "Are you okay with it spinning around and around?"
According to park rules, all passengers had to shout: "No problem!"
Then the staff began clapping and chanting: "No problem~! No problem~!"
The roller coaster launched to the rhythm of this chant.
Tetsu thought he had nothing to fear—except for ghosts and maybe Yuki Miki.
But as the coaster began rotating along the track, and even spinning itself, he realized he was still too inexperienced.
This coaster not only revolved along the track, it also spun on its own axis!
Tetsu's feet dangled in the air as his body twisted 360 degrees with the seat. He couldn't see the track at all—only sky and ground!
The whole ride carried a strong sense of weightlessness.
Ascending felt like he might derail; plunging downward, he feared they wouldn't stop in time.
His heart never left his throat.
"I want off!"
"Pause! Pause!"
"Ahhh—"
He couldn't tell who shouted what, apart from the ever-expressionless Mai Asuka—confirmed later in the souvenir photos.
"Senpai Mai is amazing!" Ichiki bought the digital photo immediately.
After a brief rest, the seven, pale-faced, decided to have lunch first.
Though they initially had no appetite due to the roller coaster, after a few bites, hunger returned full force.
After lunch, they opted for more relaxed attractions: the Ferris wheel, bumper cars…
As the sun dyed Mount Fuji red in the distance, the group returned to Tokyo by bus, dispersing at Shinjuku Station.
On the train back to their rental, the three chatted again in "Ichiki Aoi's Brain Trust" group.
Ichiki Aoi: Rin-senpai, Watanabe-kun, any conclusions yet?
Rin Seino: Mai-senpai today only spoke to one male—Watanabe-kun.
Rin Seino: Conversations with females were always guided by others. Same with talking to me.
Rin Seino: Hard to draw conclusions.
Watanabe Tetsu: Learning to segment information, good child.
Rin sent a sticker of a dolphin spouting water.
Tetsu knew it meant "shut up," but to an outsider, it looked like playful teasing.
Ichiki Aoi: So what do we do??
Rin Seino: Sorry.
Ichiki Aoi: No need to apologize!!!
Ichiki Aoi: Thanks to Rin-senpai's advice, I got to play with Mai-senpai today! I'm so happy!
Rin Seino: I'll help you figure out the next step.
Ichiki Aoi: Thank you!!
Watanabe Tetsu: Why must we always figure out the other person's orientation?
Ichiki Aoi: Huh?
Rin Seino: To avoid being disliked and to succeed.
Rin Seino: If I recall, I already explained the reason. Watanabe-kun, I overestimated your memory.
Watanabe Tetsu: Avoid being disliked? To succeed?
Watanabe Tetsu: Ichiki, even if you knew Mai-senpai liked women, could you guarantee success?
Ichiki Aoi: No.
Watanabe Tetsu: Another question—if success isn't guaranteed, would you still confess?
Ichiki Aoi: Of course! This is my last chance!
Watanabe Tetsu: So I understand—you want to confess no matter what, whether disliked or rejected, just to make your feelings known?
Ichiki Aoi: Yes!
Watanabe Tetsu: Then it doesn't matter if she likes women or not.
Rin Seino: I see.
Tetsu pictured her on the train, resting her chin on one hand.
Watanabe Tetsu: When you like someone, you should say it, no matter the circumstances.
Watanabe Tetsu: Feelings should be expressed purely, without doubt.
Ichiki Aoi: Then I should just confess?
Watanabe Tetsu: Do it! Let her know how you feel!
Watanabe Tetsu: Even if rejected, at least she'll care more. If you give up, you'll end the unrequited longing faster.
Rin Seino: True, you are a member I respect.
Watanabe Tetsu: Your respect is unnecessary.
Ichiki Aoi: I'm going!
Watanabe Tetsu: Wait—don't confess over LINE! Pick a situation she likes; the details will show your sincerity.
Tetsu had learned this the hard way during a confession in the courtyard—almost a suicidal act—but the reward had been astonishing: the Yuki heiress became his girlfriend.
Though he didn't feel happiness, he knew the principle: the right setting amplifies a confession.
Ichiki Aoi: Got it! Thank you, Watanabe-kun!
Ichiki Aoi: And Rin-senpai, I'll write that love report you asked for!
Watanabe Tetsu: Love report?
After Ichiki explained, Tetsu realized Rin had asked her to document the entire pursuit process, creating a "love report."
It sounded complicated, but really it just meant recording events and Ichiki's feelings truthfully.
Tetsu sent Rin a friend request; she accepted quickly.
He privately messaged: "You went this far just to make me like you? Did you succeed?"
"Yeah, like a researcher studying a three-armed monkey."
Tetsu forwarded the dolphin sticker from the group to Rin.
Rin Seino: Childish.
"This is Yotsuya Station, Yotsuya Station."
Tetsu put away his phone, exited, and returned to the rental.
Unlocking the door, he wondered whether to study or go straight to the swimming pool.
Upon opening, the narrow space came into view.
Sitting atop a table, legs crossed, arms folded, was Yuki Miki. Her graceful posture, long legs, and beautiful face immediately captured Tetsu's gaze.
"Come over," she said coldly, with a smirk.