Chapter Five: “The Princess Wants to Seize the Chance” — Part Three
“Right, let’s ride that one last.”
Senpai pointed at the carousel. Last made something in me ache a little, but it couldn’t be helped. There was still dinner to come after this, at least.
We bought our tickets and joined the queue. Mostly children, but a fair number of couples too.
“Which one do you want to ride, Himena-chan? Want to share a carriage?”
The horses were single-rider, the carriages seated two. A carriage was the only way to actually ride together with Senpai.
But Iori-senpai would look incredible on a white horse, surely.
I love seeing Senpai’s soft, adorable side, but the baseline truth underneath all of that is that I love cool, striking Senpai just as much.
Which meant the desire to see her on a white horse was overwhelming.
“Himena-chan, why the serious face?”
“I’m torn. Between riding the carriage with you, or letting you ride a white horse, Senpai.”
“That serious about it?”
“Yes.”
Hm, Senpai murmured, looking pleased. Pleased, but offering no preference of her own.
If only she’d just decide for me!
“…Actually, Senpai, please ride the white horse.”
“You’re fine not riding with me?”
“I’ll take the horse next to you and be your photographer.”
I’d wanted to share a carriage too, but I couldn’t give up on a prince on a white horse.
I needed proper photos and video of Senpai enjoying the carousel!
Out of the whole carousel, only four horses were white. And only two of those were positioned well for filming. I had to get Senpai onto one of those two, no matter what.
The moment the previous group finished, everyone waiting began moving forward. I rushed ahead toward the white horses.
“Senpai, over here, ride this one!”
Somehow, I managed to secure the white horse I wanted. One more treasure secured: footage of Iori-senpai on a white horse.
“I want to get video, so look this way, please!”
I climbed onto the brown horse beside her and pointed my phone. If you insist, Senpai murmured, and then, with full enthusiasm, struck a perfect pose.
Ugh, she’s so cool it’s almost dangerous for my heart…!
“…Himena-chan, what kind of me do you actually like?”
“Isn’t that obvious? All of it!”
Cool Senpai, cute Senpai, every version of her without exception.
I’ve made my case this many times already, and she still hasn’t gotten the message?
“…Hey.”
Senpai laughed softly and held out her hand. Her eyes, through the camera, looked straight at me.
“Your hand, princess? …Just kidding. Do you like this kind of thing too, Himena-chan?”
The perfect prince smile, her voice pitched just slightly lower than usual.
Deliberately, almost theatrically performed — and it suited her so well I wanted to scream.
But also!
The fact that she throws herself into doing this kind of thing wholeheartedly is unbearably adorable in itself!!
Cool and adorable hitting me at the exact same moment. I might actually drown.
“I, Iori-senpai…”
“Yes?”
“Thank you for being born.”
Out of the jumble of feelings inside me, what came out of my mouth was simple gratitude toward Senpai.
“You really are dramatic, Himena-chan.”
She laughed, and at the same moment, the carousel began to turn. Whimsical music started up, and Senpai looked happily at the camera again.
Wanting to sit in the front row for the dolphin show. Getting carried away on the carousel.
Senpai really does have a childlike side, doesn’t she. She’d probably get just as excited at a theme park.
I want to go more places with her. I want to see more and more sides of her.
I really do want to be her girlfriend.