Editing Unlimited Fafnir:Volume 6 Chapter 2 (section)

===Part 3===

Lively background music was playing inside the park. Visitors were surprisingly few.

Only then did I remember that today was a weekday. Rather than families on an outing, most visitors were couples or what seemed to be students on school trips.

Dressed in uniform, we were probably seen as students on a school trip too.

A penguin, probably a park mascot, was handing out balloons to children. However, due to that penguin's oppressive stare, abnormally slender appearance and sinister airs, the children fled as soon as they took their balloons.

That kind of design was probably going for the creepy-cute effect. Although disliked by children, it had a crowd of middle school girls as fans, competing to take photos with it.

"Oh Mononobe! That penguin is so cute!"

Iris' sensibilities also seemed to recognize that thing as cute. With an excited look on her face, she pointed at the penguin mascot.

"Y-Yeah."

I did not really want to approach it but could not bring myself to act as a killjoy, so I agreed in a stammer.

"Eh... Tia finds it scary."

However, Tia frowned and voiced her opinion.

"Mm."

Clutching my sleeve, Ren nodded in agreement. As expected, it was not quite accepted by the lower age bracket.

"Then let us try that ride first? I am very curious about that attraction where screams have been coming continuously for a while now."

Lisa pointed at the roller coaster excitedly. Just as Firill mentioned, she seemed to prefer thrill rides.

"I haven't prepared myself yet... I want to ride something more stable."

Firill objected with a stiff expression.

"Ren is nervous too, so let's go with that. Also, we should start with something that everyone can ride together as much as possible."

Ariella suggested.

"Then how about we begin with that?"

After listening to everyone's opinion, Mitsuki pointed at the most fairy tale-like of attractions in this amusement park removed from daily life—A merry-go-round.

I felt reluctant to ride a merry-go-round at my age, but I did not voice my objections.

Because Ren was tugging my clothing hard with excitement on her face.

"—Then let's go for a ride."

I answered Mitsuki and Ren nodded in joy.

Thus, we headed to the first attraction.



"Wow, this is great! It keeps spinning round and round!"

Riding on a white horse, going up and down as the merry-go-round spun, Tia said happily.

"This brings back memories."

"Indeed, it reminds me of childhood."

Mitsuki agreed with Iris. Having lost my memories, I could not remember, but I had probably gone to amusement parks with Mitsuki and our family many times in the past.

It really did feel sad to lose what were supposed to be shared memories.

"I'm dizzy..."

Firill seemed unwell already. Riding together, she was leaning against Lisa.

Ren, Ariella and I were sitting in carriage-style space, looking at the park scenery spinning around us.

Ren leaned out of the window to wave at everyone. It was hard to associate her excited appearance with her usual behavior.

"Ren, you seem quite happy."

"Mm."

I asked Ren and she immediately nodded in agreement.

"It seems you wanted to visit an amusement park in the first place. Is there a reason?"

However, when I continued to ask more, she fell silent with a hesitant look on her face.

Had I asked something I shouldn't? I looked at Ariella.

"...I don't know Ren's reason for wanting to visit an amusement park either. If there's any reason, it might date back to before I became family with Ren."

Ren nodded at what Ariella said.

"...Mm."

"I see. Since it's difficult to talk about, no need to force yourself. I'm just curious, that's all."

It was rare enough for Ren to enjoy an amusement park. Not wanting to ruin her fun, I decided not to pry.

"Mm."

Ren smiled, somewhat relieved, then turned her gaze outside of the carriage again.

Although I felt a bit impatient to get to know Ren as quickly as possible, questioning forcibly did not seem to be the way.

—I should first tell her about myself.

Of course, one would not carelessly talk about themselves to someone they did not trust. I must get Ren to know me first.

I switched my mode of thinking and motivated myself.

If there was any problem, it was probably that the ''self'' I ought to present honestly was already lost for the most part.

Would Ren be willing to believe in such an ambiguous me...? I definitely had no confidence regarding this point.



After the merry-go-round, we rode the coffee cup and finally challenged the roller coaster.

With seats in pairs, this roller coaster was the most traditional type, but the track was apparently the longest in the entire country. Winding and meandering, the circular course definitely covered the entire premises of the amusement park.

"Kyah!"

"So fast!"

Despite fearing the rapidly descending roller coaster, Iris and Tia still enjoyed themselves.

"This is rather fun."

"Since I normally fly faster than this, it is not thrilling enough."

Lisa enjoyed the thrill of the roller coaster with a collected expression, while Mitsuki offered her opinion calmly.

"Let me down—!!"

Among these girls, Firill was the only one screaming her heart out.

"...!!"

Sitting next to me, Ren had her eyes tightly closed, gripping the safety restraints desperately.

"Ren, you won't fall off, so open your eyes and look. The scenery is great."

When going on an uphill stretch and the speed was slowing down, I spoke to her.

"Mm......!?"

Ren opened her eyes slightly but as soon as she saw that we were entering a rapid descent again soon, she hastily closed them again.

"Mononobe-kun, you don't seem fazed at all."

Sitting behind us, Ariella spoke to me.

"Ariella, the same goes for you."

Due to the restraints, I could not look back, but there was no tension in Ariella's voice.

"Well, that's because I'm already used to scary things."

I could sense heaviness in the meaning behind Ariella's reply, causing me to frown.

"Ariella, that's—"

"We're about to make a rapid descent. You'll bite your tongue if you speak, you know?"

Mid-sentence, Ariella cut me off so I stopped talking.

Then the roller coaster descended, bringing acceleration that seemed to make our stomachs rise, as well as the ground rushing towards us fiercely in view.

"Kyah!"

Ariella yelled happily behind me to go with the flow of everyone's screaming.

"I can't take anymore of this!"

I heard Firill's crying too.

Ren kept her eyes shut to the very end, enduring the blowing wind—

After the roller coaster, we headed to a haunted house that was made to resemble a creepy western mansion.

Lisa looked like she wanted to try other thrill rides, but Firill and Ren seemed quite exhausted so we decided to have a break from those.

This time, it was Lisa and Tia's turn to lose composure.

"...Why are you all gathering by my side?"

Advancing along the creepy corridor that was lit by pale lighting, I asked the girls surrounding me.

"I-I simply fear that you would get lost because it's too dark."

Clutching my shoulder, Lisa answered in a trembling voice.

"Yuu... Tia is so scared."

Hugging my waist, Tia walked with her eyes closed.

"Nii-san, you must protect us like a man in times like these."

Mitsuki answered calmly while holding onto my clothing from behind.

"What are you asking me to protect you from...?"

It was not as if the monsters would attack us directly. I could not help but sigh.

Ren was expressionless so far, but she was gripping my sleeve quite forcefully. She seemed quite nervous inside.

"What will show up...?"

"This atmosphere suggests something like Dracula, right?"

Firill and Ariella were chatting in delight.

At this moment, dark silhouettes of monsters appeared at the window along with rumbling sound effects of thunder.

"Kyahhhhhhh!!"

Iris hugged me from behind with Mitsuki in between.

"What... Wait, Iris-san!"

"Uwah!?"

Someone wrapped their arms around my neck, choking me.

"Eeek!?"

Lisa emitted a brief shriek and leaned against me.

Tia hugged me tightly. My entire body was rendered immobile.

The soft parts of girls were in contact with various spots on my body, forcing my heart rate to accelerate.

Ren was hugging my arm from fright but immediately realized in alarm and released me.

Seeing this, Firill's face seemed to be saying: Crap.

"Oh no... They got ahead of me. I've been looking for a chance the whole time."

"Well, I don't think they're doing this on purpose, are they?"

Firill remarked regretfully while Ariella retorted calmly.

"Fine, here I go!"

"Hey..."

I was already stooping from all the girls clinging to me. Firill pounced from the front and hugged my head against her chest.

With my face buried in the soft and voluptuous bosom, a fragrant scent caressed my nasal cavity.

"Firill-san! What are you doing, taking advantage of the situation!?"

Mitsuki frantically scolded her.

"But Mitsuki, aren't you sticking together with Mononobe-kun?"

"T-This is because I am being squeezed from behind—Iris-san, could you please back away?"

Faced with Firill's rebuttal, Mitsuki advised Iris.

"No way! I'm so scared. I'll keep my eyes closed so please lead me to the exit like this!"

However, Iris kept Mitsuki sandwiched between me and her, refusing to move away.

"Mononobe Yuu, hurry and move forward! Because you stopped, we cannot leave."

Holding onto my shoulder, Lisa commanded.

"Yuu! Husband must protect wife!"

Hugging my waist, Tia yelled loudly. Ren kept tugging at my sleeve.

"No way? You're asking me to move forward in this posture...?"

I replied in disbelief. At this time, Ariella laughed at my misfortune, far away from us.

"Do your best, Mononobe-kun. This is the time to show your mettle as a man."

"......Sigh, got it."

I gave up resisting and sighed, then poured strength into my entire body.

Dragging all the girls clinging to my body, I finally reached the exit, exhausted and drenched in sweat.



"I'm dead tired..."

Having used up plenty of stamina at the haunted house, I sat on a bench and looked up at the sky.

Split by the roller coaster track, the blue sky showed white clouds moving slowly.

Right now, we were at a food court in the amusement park.

The sun had climbed up to the very middle of the sky. Since everyone looked like they needed a break, we decided to have lunch here.

I was sitting next to a large table on the edge of the food court, saving seats. Leaning my weight against the backrest, I focused on recovering my energy.

The others had gone to the shops surrounding the food court to buy food. Since I had asked them to buy my share, all I had to do now was wait.

"Mononobe-kun."

While I was spacing out at the sky, Ariella's face suddenly appeared in my view.

"Oh... You're already back? I can't believe you suppressed the sound of your footsteps to approach me. That's a nasty hobby you've got."

Feeling shaken, I grumbled at her. Even though I was in a relaxed state, I could not believe I had failed to notice her approaching at all.

"Fufu, because I wanted to scare you. The others are arguing about what to buy you for lunch, so I decided to come back alone first."

Ariella smiled mischievously then sat down beside me. She was holding a hotdog.

I swept my gaze throughout the food court and saw Mitsuki and the girls definitely in a dispute over something.

"I was definitely startled. You're no ordinary person, Ariella, whether the way you conceal your presence or the martial arts I saw last time. And you said you're Director Miyazawa's adopted daughter... Can you explain a bit of this to me?"

I asked nervously.

Since yesterday, I had been very curious, but because it was not the right moment, I gave up asking at the time. But given the current mood, I felt she probably would answer.

"—Very well. I guess I'd better tell you to help improve your relations with Ren, Mononobe-kun."

Ariella took a bite of the hotdog then nodded and began to recount the past.

"I mentioned before... I was born in a country where conflict was constant. My loved ones got caught up in human conflict and lost their lives. The yellow dragon—'Yellow' Hraesvelgr—ate their souls. Back then, I hated Hraesvelgr extremely so I joined a certain organization."

"A certain organization?"

Hearing this vaguely worrying term, I frowned.

"An organization embracing an ideology opposite to dragon worshiping cults like the Sons of Muspell, in other words, a dragon hating organization. They were quite a radical organization. That was where I learned combat arts."

"What... But I remember that those types of organizations hated Ds too, right?"

While feeling surprised and puzzled, I asked Ariella.

"Yes... That's why I could only stay in that organization until my dark matter powers awakened. Having become a D, I was that close to being killed, but due to the organization's mercy, I was sold to Miyazawa Kenya through black market trading."

"W-Wait, isn't that human trafficking!?"

Ariella spoke lightly but selling Ds was undoubtedly a crime.

"That's right. At the time, he was exiled from academia due to his Ether Wind paper. To conduct private research, he intended to obtain Ds as research samples through illegal means. I've heard that he amassed a large fortune through many patents but almost spent it all."

Ariella shrugged and spoke in a tone of resignation.

"Then the title of adopted daughter is..."

"Merely for appearances to the outside world. However, he did treat me with courtesy and never did anything I hated. Initially, I thought he was a good person, but after he introduced Ren to me as my 'little sister' and I saw his attitude towards her, I realized I was wrong."

Ariella's voice conveyed slight anger. She continued:

"The reason why he took care of me thoughtfully was because his research needed me... He was cold to Ren who was unrelated to research. The more I got closer to Ren, the more anger I felt towards him... I did not lack freedom in my life and I was quite contented about that, but—"

Then Ariella's expression turned gloomy.

After checking that Mitsuki and the others were not returning yet, I urged her to continue.

"But what?"

"...Ren's dark matter generating ability also awakened. After finding out, this was what he said: 'Now that there are two samples, I guess it's fine to up the intensity in the experiments.'"

"What...? He intended to use you or Ren until one of you broke?"

Hearing what Ariella said, I gasped. Anger gradually surged in my heart.

"Probably. That's why I took Ren and ran away, seeking police protection. As a result, he was arrested for human trafficking and concealing Ds, whereas we were sent to Midgard. However... In the end, he was not punished by the law and went on to climb to his current position."

"Why...?"

Unable to accept it, I asked. Ariella replied without disguising her discontent at all:

"Probably because his research has value to Asgard. Maybe some sort of plea bargain using the content of his research. I don't know the details but he's someone who belongs in jail, that's for sure."

Ariella spat on him with a look of disdain.

"You hate him, Ariella?"

"He didn't do anything to me. If he hadn't taken me in from that organization, I might have been killed, so I shouldn't hate him. It's just that I'm furious about Ren. It's all his fault that Ren almost never speaks."

Ariella turned her gaze to Ren who was together with Mitsuki and the girls, then said clearly.

"What happened there?"

"Ren's mother passed away a long time ago, far earlier than when I was adopted. After that, he buried himself in research. Even when Ren tried to talk to him, he'd only go 'shut up' and ignore her. I think because those kinds of days lasted for too long that Ren gave up speaking."

"Gave up speaking..."

That was extremely sad. Heartrending words.

"But Ren actually wants to speak, because she's clearly talkative when she types."

"—Yeah."

I smiled wryly and agreed.

Ren's typed speech was always so overbearing, it even made me feel that she was very foul-mouthed. But this meant that her mind was filled with words she wanted to speak.

"Ren is scared of being scolded 'shut up,' so as long as you make her feel reassured, Mononobe-kun, it'll be fine once she knows you won't say anything like that. Don't worry, I'm sure you'll succeed."

Ariella smiled cheerfully and asserted.

"I'm happy to hear that from you... But it makes me uncomfortable all over. I thought you'd say harsher things to me, Ariella."

I scratched my head in embarrassment.

"We've lived together and fought side by side till now. This is my revised view of you after many observations. Although I said a lot of harsh things when you first came to Midgard, I trust you now."

Ariella looked away in embarrassment too and took another bite of her hotdog.

The conversation halted. We were plunged into an uncomfortable silence.

"Oh right, Mononobe-kun, wanna have a bite?"

As though trying to dispel that atmosphere, Ariella presented her half-eaten hotdog to me.

"Huh, I can?"

"Yeah, the others are taking so long, you must be hungry."

Without turning her head back after looking away, Ariella extended the hotdog closer.

"Okay... Thanks for the food."

I accepted Ariella's kind offer and took only one bite of the hotdog.

The hotdog's sweetness from fat and ketchup, spiciness from the mustard, and the soft texture of bread expanded in my mouth.

"Mmm, it's good."

"Glad you like it."

Ariella smiled after hearing my comment.

"But I thought you wouldn't want to do this, Ariella."

"...Why?"

Eating the hotdog I had bitten, Ariella tilted her head in puzzlement.

"Uh, because this is an indirect kiss, right?"

The instant I said that, Ariella's entire person froze. Instantly, she went red in embarrassment.
[[image:UnlimitedFafnir v06 129.jpg|thumb]]

"I-I didn't mean to—"

Seeing her reaction, I realized she simply had not realized.

Although Ariella was greatly flustered, since the hotdog was already in her mouth, she had no choice but to chew and swallow the mouthful with a reddened face before glaring coldly at me.

"...So you ate in despite clearly knowing that, Mononobe-kun?"

"Well... Because you didn't seem to mind, I thought I'd better not mind either."

I answered awkwardly.

"I-In that case, then keep it to yourself to the very end."

Licking off the ketchup on her fingers, Ariella muttered with her face red.