Chapter 413 - 413: Tokyo Land

Previously, she and Byakuya-senpai had confessed to each other, but that had been going along with the mood set by Akira-san and Byakuya-senpai at the time.

In Hairu's mind, that occasion was just joining in on the moment.

If they were going to make it official, it needed to be done properly. She cared about and valued that.

"..."

Byakuya paused briefly as well. "You're right. I need to give you a proper answer. If you don't mind that there are other girls around me, then of course I have no reason to refuse."

"How should I put it... I still don't really understand love and romance between men and women. I just know that being with Byakuya-senpai makes me happy, and I really like that feeling. So... I guess I don't mind?"

Hairu expressed her feelings honestly.

"Then there's nothing more to say."

Hairu's innocence moved Byakuya deeply.

He even felt a twinge of guilt—as if he were some scoundrel corrupting a pure maiden...

"So that means Byakuya-senpai and I are officially a couple now, right?"

Hairu said happily.

"Mm."

Byakuya nodded.

He was now more determined than ever to protect her for the rest of his life.

"Wonderful!"

Hairu's face lit up with joy. "If I remember correctly, going on dates is essential for couples, isn't it?"

"That's right. Is there somewhere you'd like to go, Hairu?"

Byakuya asked.

"My first choice would still be places that sell sweets, but I just bought enough today to last a while..."

Hairu thought about it carefully. "Maybe an amusement park? I've never been to one before."

"Then let's find some time to go together. If there's anywhere else you want to visit, we can go there too."

Byakuya smiled.

"Okay~!"

...

The next day.

Byakuya took Hairu to Tokyo Land, currently the largest amusement park in Japan. Despite its name, it was actually located in Chiba Prefecture.

Chiba Prefecture was one of the cities in the Greater Tokyo Metropolitan Area—which encompassed more than just Tokyo proper.

As the biggest amusement park in Tokyo, it was immensely popular. Tickets had to be booked several days in advance.

But for Byakuya—effectively the man in charge of Tokyo—pulling a few strings to get two tickets was child's play.

"Is this how big amusement parks are? It's even bigger than what I saw on TV."

Even just standing at the entrance, Hairu was amazed.

Her amazement only grew once they stepped inside. She looked around with eager curiosity.

This was her first time at an amusement park. When she was a half-human under the Washuu Clan's control, she hadn't had much free time.

Even after Byakuya took over CCG, visiting an amusement park hadn't occurred to her—going to such a place alone wouldn't be much fun anyway.

"Not every amusement park is this big. This is the largest in Japan, after all."

Byakuya explained.

"Ooh, so where should we start? What should we ride first?"

Hairu's steps were light, her mood clearly excellent.

"Whichever one you like best. Here's a directory of all the attractions."

Byakuya handed her a brochure.

The rides alone numbered over thirty, not counting the parades, shows, themed events, restaurants, and the park's hotel...

"Let me see... I've heard the roller coaster is a must-ride at amusement parks. Should we start with that?"

Hairu suggested.

"Sure, let's start with the roller coaster."

Byakuya nodded.

After walking a couple of steps, something occurred to him. He extended his hand to Hairu. "Let's hold hands while we walk."

"Mm~"

Hairu happily accepted, intertwining her fingers with his.

Though this wasn't their first time holding hands, this time felt distinctly different—in a way that was hard to put into words.

...

Walking through the amusement park—a place with staggering foot traffic—Byakuya's presence drew considerable attention.

Every few steps, he noticed visitors sneaking photos.

Byakuya paid them no mind. Hand in hand with Hairu, he made his way to the roller coaster.

Each car could seat sixteen people. Byakuya and Hairu took seats in the second row.

As the roller coaster slowly began its ascent toward the highest point, every passenger except Byakuya and Hairu felt their hearts leap into their throats.

Only those two remained calm.

Byakuya's expression was unchanged. Hairu, meanwhile, wore a look of anticipation.

When the coaster reached its peak, it paused deliberately for a moment—then plunged down in a sudden rush.

"KYAAAAAAH—!!"

Screams erupted from the front and back rows.

Byakuya's hair was blown into a Super Saiyan-like style, but his expression barely flickered.

Hairu spread her arms wide, thoroughly enjoying the thrill of the roller coaster.

...

The ride lasted about a minute or two.

Only Byakuya and Hairu stepped off looking as if nothing had happened.

"How was it? Exciting?"

Byakuya asked.

"Mm, experiencing a roller coaster for the first time was pretty nice. As for the thrill... it was okay, I guess."

Hairu hesitated slightly when mentioning the thrill.

She probably didn't find it all that exciting—she was just being diplomatic.

Her physical abilities far exceeded a normal person's, and she regularly battled high-ranked dangerous ghouls. That was far more thrilling than any roller coaster.

So for Hairu, this was simply a novel experience rather than a genuinely exciting one.

"Fair enough. Let's head to the next attraction."

Byakuya said.

"This time, you pick, Byakuya-senpai. I chose the roller coaster."

Hairu suggested.

"Let me see..."

Byakuya scanned the brochure quickly, his gaze settling on one item. "How about the Western Shooting Gallery? Want to give it a try?"

"Sure, sounds like it could be fun."

Hairu nodded enthusiastically.

...

They arrived at the Western Shooting Gallery listed in the brochure.

The setting was designed to look like a Wild West saloon from the American frontier era. On the bar counter sat a row of Winchester rifles.

Two staff members played NPCs—one dressed as a sheriff dozing in a rocking chair, the other as an idle bartender.

The rules were simple: use the rifles on the counter to shoot at bottles arranged on the shelves behind the bar.

Depending on your score, you'd receive a certificate. If you hit ten out of ten, you'd earn a silver sheriff's badge. If you went ten for ten and were lucky enough to hit a bottle containing a hidden lucky slip, you'd receive a gold sheriff's badge.

The badges weren't the point, of course—it was all about the experience.

Since quite a few visitors were enjoying this attraction, there was a queue despite the multiple rifles available.

Byakuya positioned Hairu ahead of him in line.

Finally, it was Hairu's turn.

Hairu wore her white Squad Zero combat uniform every day—even today, on an amusement park date.

Her distinctive outfit, combined with her sweet face, immediately attracted attention. And with Byakuya standing right behind her, the combination made Hairu the center of all eyes.

But Hairu seemed completely unaware of the stares around her, her focus entirely on the shooting game.

She had already taken her stance, rifle aimed at the bottles on the shelf.

Bang!

Bang!

"..."

Hairu's shots were fast and precise, her movements fluid and clearly practiced—like a seasoned marksman.

In truth, Hairu had trained extensively with firearms. After all, some Quinques were gun-type weapons, and proficiency with firearms was fundamental to wielding them.

Quinques were notoriously difficult to operate, which was why only Rank 2 Investigators and above who had passed the relevant certifications were permitted to carry them.

Back in her Sunlit Garden days, Hairu had quickly mastered basic marksmanship.

Combined with her exceptional physical abilities, a simple shooting game like this was no challenge whatsoever.

One by one, bottles shattered and toppled, accompanied by gasps and cheers from the crowd.

"Wow!"

"That girl is amazing—so fast and accurate!"

"She came with Director Amaha, right? She's probably a CCG investigator too. No wonder she's so skilled!"

"Could she be Director Amaha's girlfriend? She's so pretty."

"..."

While the onlookers marveled, Hairu had already emptied her ten rounds.

Ten bottles down. Ten for ten.

The "bartender" NPC immediately checked the bottles. Not only were all ten confirmed hits, but one of them contained the lucky slip.

Hairu naturally earned the gold sheriff's badge.

Amid the crowd's applause, she accepted the badge and stepped aside.

Now it was Byakuya's turn.

For him, this kind of shooting game was even simpler.

As Byakuya took his position, virtually everyone's gaze shifted to him.

They had all recognized him. Even those unfamiliar with his face recognized his distinctive Rinnegan.

Everyone was thinking the same thing: if a CCG investigator was that impressive, Director Amaha must be even better.

And yet...

Byakuya had no intention of competing with Hairu on speed or precision. He shot leisurely, almost casually.

Even so, his speed and accuracy matched Hairu's performance almost exactly—though he appeared far more relaxed.

"He doesn't look that much better than the female investigator just now, but he seems so casual, so effortless..."

"I get it now. That girl must be his girlfriend. When you're on a date, you've got to be considerate."

"Exactly. Take notes, guys. That's how you treat a woman."

"Learn what? If I had Director Amaha's stats, would I need techniques? Technique is worthless in the face of overwhelming power!"

"..."

Amid this chatter, Byakuya finished his tenth shot.

He had spotted a bottle with the lucky slip inside and grabbed it along the way, earning himself a gold sheriff's badge as well.

But Hairu didn't look particularly happy.

"Were you holding back on purpose, Byakuya-senpai?"

Hairu pouted slightly.

"Not at all. I haven't really practiced shooting, so I'm not that good at it."

Byakuya smiled.

"Liar. Your form was even smoother than mine."

Hairu countered immediately. "Let's go again. I want a proper competition with you, Byakuya-senpai!"

"Alright, alright."

Byakuya couldn't refuse her, so he agreed to another round.

Technically, they should have rejoined the queue.

But the visitors behind them had considerately made room, leaving two open spots at the counter. Even if they wanted to re-queue, they'd still be first.

The bartender NPC had no objections either.

"This is a bit awkward for me."

Byakuya made an offhand comment, but there was nothing to be done.

Just then, the bartender NPC had a flash of inspiration. "How about this—if you two are a couple, the loser has to kiss the winner."

"Kiss! Kiss!"

"Kiss! Kiss!"

"..."

The moment this wager was suggested, the surrounding crowd began chanting in encouragement.

"...Hairu, are you okay with this?"

Byakuya turned to ask.

"I accept."

Hairu nodded without hesitation, even though she knew she had no chance of winning.

But for her, this wager didn't exactly count as a penalty...

"Fine."

Seeing that Hairu had no objections, Byakuya said nothing more.

They both raised their rifles and began the competition simultaneously.

Since they were both guaranteed to hit all ten, accuracy was irrelevant—it came down purely to speed. Whoever hit ten bottles first would win.

Hairu had already voiced her displeasure, so Byakuya had to take this a bit more seriously.

And once he got serious, it was a complete blowout.

Bang—! Bang—! Bang—!

By the time Hairu had fired her seventh shot, Byakuya had already finished all ten—and he still hadn't gone all out.

Though Hairu lost, she still finished her full ten shots properly.

She wasn't surprised by the outcome. She had always known how terrifying Byakuya-senpai's abilities were.

"I lost. So, Byakuya-senpai..."

As she spoke, Hairu raised her hand and pointed toward the distant Ferris wheel. A sweet smile spread across her face.

"Let's fulfill the wager over there."

...

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