Chapter 33: Theme Park

Varari sees the ticket, smiling in excitement since she has never been to a Theme Park before. Reika then jumps up and down.

"Yay! We're going to a Theme Park!", Reika yelled with joy.

Varari's mood is immediately cut off by this.

"Is she coming as well?", Varari asked.

Roy then slides his fingers, revealing that he's holding 3 tickets.

"Certainly. I want her to experience this as well.", Roy answered.

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Wataru and his friends are walking on the sidewalk. They are all tired from running but they keep on pushing through, just to look after their onee-chan.

"Are we there yet?...", the kid with glasses asked.

"No...", Wataru answered.

"Are we there yet?", the youngest girl asked.

"No...", Wataru answered again.

"Are we there yet?", her older sister asked the same question.

"No!...", Wataru is getting irritated by this.

"Are we there yet?", the fat kid asked the same question again.

"No!!", Wataru shouted.

"Hey, hey, Wataru.", the tallest kid called.

"What?!", Wataru responded.

"Do you even know where they live?", they asked.

"Of course, I do! It's somewhere around this block.", Wataru frustratingly replied.

Wataru then takes a left turn in a corner to see Roy, Reika, and Varari walking towards them. Reika is in the middle, holding both of Varari's hands and Roy's as well. The energetic child, Reika, jumps up and down with excitement while swinging using the adult hands she's holding. They don't notice Wataru but they slowly are approaching them. Wataru quickly turns around to his friends.

"Hide! They're coming!", Wataru silently warned.

Suddenly, they all look around to hide. All of them see a nearby mailbox and run towards there, using it as a place to hide from incoming people. Varari, Reika, and Roy continue to walk but along the way, Reika starts chanting.

"We're going to a Theme Park! We're going to a Theme Park! We're going to a Theme Park!", Reika chanted.

"Oh my, and I thought I was the most excited about going to a Theme Park.", Varari commented.

"Hold your excitement until we're already there.", Roy said.

"I'll try, onii-chan!", Reika responded.

Then the 3 of them disappear around the corner, walking towards their destination. The kids then go out of hiding.

"You guys heard what they said? They're going to the Theme Park.", the kid wearing glasses informed.

"Well then, what are we waiting for? Keep up! I know a shortcut there.", Wataru said before running.

The 6 of them start running, heading to the Theme Park to protect their onee-chan.

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The 3 of them arrive at the Theme Park. Roy, Varari, and Reika are surprised by what they see.

"Come forth, people! And try thy rides!", a knight yelled.

The theme of the Theme Park sets in medieval times. They all see knights, elves, orcs, wizards, mages, etc. Roy, Varari, and Reika are all fascinated by this.

"So this is a Theme Park... It seems fun to be in.", Roy complimented.

"Come on, onii-chan! Let's goooo!!", Reika started pulling Roy's hand.

"Alright alright, let's go Varari.", Roy said as he grabs her hand.

This surprises Varari but welcomes it anyway. Varari holds Roy's hand tightly and is dragged towards the inside of the theme park.

Wataru and his friends watch from a distance to see them entering the theme park. Then one of them asks a question.

"Do we still have to do this? I think we saw enough to know that he isn't that bad of a guy?", the fat kid asked.

Everybody stares at him in silence. They couldn't believe what they hear.

"What?", the fat kid was confused.

"Think about it, maybe this is the kind of guy who acts nicely in public but when nobody is looking, he'll take advantage of onee-chan!", Wataru theorized.

"Yeah! Not to mention, we could have a little fun in here.", the youngest girl said.

"Oh fine... So do you guys have any tickets?", the fat kid asked again.

None of them say anything. Not a single one. The fat kid is shocked by this.

"How are we supposed to get in there without tickets?!", the fat kid exclaimed.

"Well, that's because this is our ticket in.", Wataru signaled the chain fence behind them.

They all give Wataru a confusing look, not understanding what Wataru's point is. Wataru gives them all a disappointing look. Rolling his eyes, Wataru pulls the bottom left corner of the fence. The chain fence bends and it gives a way for all of them to enter. The gang's eyes lit up with excitement seeing this.

"Quick! Get inside while no one is looking.", Wataru said.

Roy, Reika, and Varari are exploring the medieval theme Park. Seeing games, cosplayers, and other customers as well. Among all the attractions of this Theme Park, a huge crowd forms in a certain area, which catches all of their attention.

"Huh, what's going on over there, onii-chan?", Reika asked.

"I don't know.", Roy answered.

"Well, there's only 1 way to find out. Come on.", Varari pulled both of them towards the crowd.

Curious to find out what's happening, they approach it. They squeeze through the crowd and manage to force themselves to go in front of the crowd to see what it seems like a roleplay on a stage. Wataru and his friends go through the crowd and find themselves in a play.

"Help me! Oh please, somebody, help me!", the princess called for help.

The princess is trapped in a cage. A sorcerer with a black robe comes out of the stage. There's a key on his neck. He seems to be the villain of this whole story.

"None shall save the princess! Not as long as I, Ulin the wicked, is here. MUEHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!", the sorcerer cackles.

"Not so fast!", someone heroically yelled.

Someone slowly walks on the stage. A knight with shining armor, shining golden armor. The Golden Knight is also holding a golden sword as he walks onto the stage, looking all heroic and like. Girls start screaming with happiness when they see the Golden Knight from the audience. Roy is also surprised to see the Golden Knight.

"Is that... Prince Graysen?", Varari asked.

"Princess, I have come to save you from this wicked sorcerer!", Prince Graysen said with conviction.

The audience cheer on. Seeing the hero of this roleplay, they rejoiced. Including Wataru and his friends.

"Go, Knight-san!", Wataru yelled.

"Be careful, my love! This sorcerer is crafty.", the princess warned.

The sorcerer laughs at this, he isn't afraid of the Golden Knight.

"So, the Golden Knight has appeared before me. Well then, let me take away your strength!", the sorcerer declared.

The sorcerer points his staff at the prince. A sound starts emitting from. Prince Graysen soon clench his chest in pain. It seems that the magic spell the sorcerer uses is working. Albeit, acting. The prince is wobbling and soon tumbles off the stage to fall on the ground. Everyone gasps, except for Roy. Instead, Roy sighs at this.

"That's not fair!", Wataru yelled.

"So not fair.", the fat kid agreed as well.

"My love!", the princess tried to reach for her knight.

"HAHAHAHA!!! I've done it! I've weakened the prince! The only way that could cure and grant immunity to this curse is to get the potion over there!", the sorcerer pointed.

The potion is on a pedestal on the left side. The opposite way from where the prince is. Suddenly, a roar is heard. Out of the stage, a gigantic minotaur appears. AKA, a huge man with a bull mask and leathered pants with fake hooves. It's holding a huge ax. The minotaur roars while raising its ax. After that, the minotaur then walks towards the place where the potion is and roars towards the prince, seemingly guarding it against the Golden Knight.

"But you have to fight off my minotaur! I wish you luck, my dear prince. Luck that your death may be swift and painless! MUEHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!", the sorcerer cackles again.

The curtain closes, covering both the sorcerer and the imprisoned princess. Leaving behind the weakened knight and the monstrous minotaur.

"I was...a fool... I should have listened to the princess...and prepared even more.", the prince said.

Prince Graysen slowly looks at the Minotaur, trying to muster up the strength to stand up. The Golden Knight uses his sword to support him and attempts to get up from the ground but he is too weak to do so.

"I can't... I'm too weak to stand...let alone fight this monster. I'm even too weak...to wield this sword. I need someone to take the all-powerful...Excalibur and defeat the Minotaur...", Prince Graysen commented.

Then the prince starts looking around the audience, finding his champion. Suddenly, the prince's gaze stops.

The Golden Knight has this look of shock but quickly changes it to hide it from the audience. Prince Graysen points at his chosen champion.

"You, sir... Help me...I beg of you...", the prince called out to Roy.

The tall kid notices that Varari, Reika, and Roy are in the crowd, surprised that they're here to see the play as well.

"Hey, isn't that onee-chan, Abellona and her onii-chan over there", the tall kid pointed.

"Oh yeah... Wait he's gonna fight the Minotaur?", Wataru asked.

"He's gonna get eaten!", the youngest girl exclaimed in fear.

Roy doesn't want to be a part of this so he looks away from the prince, declining the offer. Reika shakes Roy's hand after seeing that.

"Onii-chan, please help the knight.", Reika pleaded.

Varari places her hand on Roy's shoulder and talks near his ear.

"Come on, help him. It would be fun.", Varari tried to change Roy's mind.

Roy looks at the prince again. The prince has a smile on his face and nods, signaling him to come there. Soon the crowd starts pressuring Roy to be a part of it.

"Come on, you can do it!"

"You got this!"

"Goooooo!!"

The crowd soon starts cheering on Roy. Hearing all of this, Roy now doesn't have any choice at all. Roy then sighs...

"Alright... I'll do it.", Roy said.

The audience begins shouting in excitement upon hearing this, praising Roy. Roy sighs again and walks over to the prince.

When Roy gets there, the prince gives him Excalibur. Roy is surprised to hold the golden sword because he thought that this sword is fake. It isn't. Then Prince Graysen grabs Roy's arm and pulls him near, making Roy kneel as well.

"At the very least, make it entertaining.", Prince Graysen whispered near his ear.

After saying that, the Golden Knight winks at Roy. Roy reluctantly nods. Then Roy stands up strongly, holding the golden sword, and faces the buff man dressed up as a minotaur. The crowd cheers Roy on again.

Roy slowly approaches the monster. Seeing this, the minotaur roars and charges at Roy. The monster raises his ax and brings it down towards Roy. Roy blocks it but is shocked. Roy thinks that the ax is also fake. It's a real ax. However, it seems to be dull. Roy notices that Excalibur isn't dull like the ax but sharp. Knowing this fact, Roy holds back and tries not to hurt the minotaur while at the same time, making the fight look cool.

'Why is this sword sharp and not dull like the ax the minotaur's holding. Did they run out of budget?', Roy quietly thought.

Roy then focuses back on the battle. Roy quickly pushes the Minotaur back and pushed back it is. However, the monster almost falls on his back and almost breaks out of character but he recovers from it.

"Wow! Abellona's onii-chan is strong.", the kid with glasses commented.

"Go, Abellona's onii-chan!", the oldest girl cheered on.

The minotaur lunges at Roy and once again raises his ax, swinging it diagonally from the left. Roy moves to the right, dodging the attack completely, and kicks the minotaur on the stomach. Unfortunately, the minotaur does break character and starts coughing as well as gasping for air. Roy soon realizes this.

'I may have to pull my punches a little bit more.', Roy thought.

After coughing for a few seconds, the Minotaur roars once more and swings its ax multiple times. Roy blocks each and every one of them but rolls over the last one. The crowd erupts with excitement.

"Yeah! Defeat him!!", Wataru yelled.

Reika suddenly hears a familiar voice and looks to the left then right to see Wataru and his friends there.

"What are they doing here?", Reika wondered why her classmates are here.

Reika then sneaks off towards her friends, wondering why they're there. As well as wanting to hang out with them. Varari notices this and follows Reika.

"Reika, where are you going?", Varari asked.

However, Reika couldn't hear through the screams the crowd is making. Reika continues towards them. Varari decides to follow Reika, not wanting to lose the little sister of the one she loves. Varari can't bear the thought of Roy hating on her for not taking of Reika.

Roy then switches from defense to offense, running towards the minotaur and starting attacking it. The minotaur barely blocks it but Roy holds back, making sure the fight looks good in front of the huge crowd. Roy then spins and sends the Minotaur to the ground. Using this opportunity, Roy sprints in and stabs the Minotaur, putting the sword in between their left arm. The man playing as the minotaur catches this and roars for the last time. After that, the minotaur plays dead.

The crowd claps at this. Roy then turns around to look at the potion on the pedestal. Seeing it, Roy walks towards it and grabs it. After grabbing it, Roy walks over to the prince and gives it to him. Prince Graysen drinks the potion to which he instantly jumps up and stands on the ground.

"Huzzah!! I'm cured!", the prince declared.

The audience roars at this and claps, rejoicing after seeing the Golden Knight is cured. Prince Graysen then puts his hand on Roy's shoulder.

"Thank you, good sir. I owe you one.", the prince said.

Roy just nods while having an empty expression and gives Prince Graysen his sword back. The prince pats Roy on the shoulder twice before letting him leave. Roy sighs before walking away. Roy looks at the spot where Varari and Reika are standing, to see both of them gone. Roy suddenly starts trying to find them, not wanting to be alone in this crowded place as well as worried for them.

"Onee-chan? H-hi!", Wataru said.

"Hello. Are you all here as well to enjoy this Theme Park?", Varari asked.

"We-e-ell... Yes...", Wataru replied weakly.

Varari hears this and gives Wataru a confusing look. Hearing Wataru's tone of voice makes Varari suspicious.

"Are your parents here or someone to watch over you all?", Varari asked again while looking for their parents.

"No...", Wataru answered shakingly.

"We're here because we want to watch over you just in case you were in any danger!", the youngest girl said.

The youngest girl can't handle the pressure and tells Varari the truth. Everyone gives the youngest girl a disappointing look. Varari then kneels while exhaling. This catches their attention.

"Hey, it's ok. I get it, you all care about me and that warms my heart, but you could have asked and I may have taken you all along with me.", Varari comforts them.

"Really?", the oldest girl asked.

"Well not really... But at the very least, someone is looking over you. I don't want anything bad to happen to you kids, understand?"

"Yes.", they all said in unison.

Roy finally finds them and then sees them talking to a bunch of children that he doesn't know off. So Roy approaches them.

"Hey, who are these kids?", Roy asked as he approaches them.

"Oh hey. Um... These kids are from the place I'm living at.", Varari informed him.

Roy looks at every one of them. Reika then tugs Roy's shirt. Roy looks down to see Reika's puppy dog eyes.

"Onii-chan, can they come with us?", She begged.

Roy looks at them again and then he closes his eyes, shakes his head, and chuckles.

"Alright, fine. But you better control them, Varari.", Roy agreed.

"Mhm. You kids behave, ok?", Varari said to the kids.

"Ok, onee-chan!", They all agreed in unison.

"Take this, sorcerer!", the prince yelled.

Hearing the still ongoing play, everyone looks at the play again. The Golden Knight stabs the sorcerer to scream first before pretending to die. Prince Graysen then takes the key that is tied around the sorcerer's neck and frees the princess.

"Oh, my love!", the princess exclaimed as she hugs the prince.

"Don't worry, princess. As long as I'm here, I'll save you no matter what.", the knight declared.

The audience claps at this. Then the characters all gather at the stage and bowed and the curtain closes.

Roy sighs, feeling annoyed…

"You guys want to go to a Merry-Go-Round?", Roy asked.

"YES!!!", the kids yelled.

They all try different rides and games. From shooting hoops to kiddy roller coasters. Getting some prizes and giggles. Excitement and the feeling of adrenaline rushing through their veins. In short, they all have fun being in the Theme Park.

The sun is already setting. They all decide to go to a Ferris Wheel before going home. The adults are on one side while the kids are on the other.

Varari looks at the chatting children. Reika is having fun talking about a certain game with her classmates. Wataru is surprised that Reika knows that game and begins talking about it. Roy smiles seeing Reika having friends outside of the family.

"She's one lucky kid. Reika I mean.", Varari said to Roy.

Roy looks at her and raises an eyebrow, confused at her statement. Varari sees this and continues.

"She reminds me of...me but much lucky. Because she haves you, a family member to love and care for her.", Varari shared her thoughts.

Roy's eyes widen but stay quiet. They both then look at Reika, seeing her have fun with her friends.

"It's kind of ironic... The one with who I don't share the same blood with is much more of a family than my actual family...", Varari added.

Roy remembers, remembering how Vansu, her older brother, treats her. Roy sympathizes with her situation.

"I don't have the solution to solve your...family problems, but just know that I'll try to be there for you. I'll try to help you if I can. However, just know that I also can't be there on your side consistently.", Roy comforts Varari.

Hearing Roy tells what he thinks truthfully, Varari smiles. Knowing that Roy will try his best to be there for her, Varari falls in love even more. After hearing that, Varari leans onto Roy, laying on Roy's shoulder. Roy doesn't expect this but he doesn't even try removing Varari's head off his shoulder. This makes Roy feel something fuzzy inside. Something that Roy never felt before.

"I'll keep that in mind...darling.", Varari said.

Roy blushes when he hears Varari saying this. Feeling embarrassed, Roy looks away, not showing it to Varari but she sees it and giggles. The kids see this and start laughing as well. Roy can't help but smirk at the situation he's in.

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"Say goodbye to them, kids.", Varari said.

"Goodbye!", the kids said waving their hands.

Roy and Reika wave back. Varari and the children go on their separate ways. Roy, who is holding Reika's hand, turns the other way around. However, after turning around, Roy suddenly looks conflicted. Roy remembers what happened earlier.

"Darling.", Varari said.

Roy couldn't stop that thought from repeating over again. Whenever Roy thinks of Varari, his heart started to skip a beat. Roy finds this feeling weird but... he feels happy at the same time.

'Is this what love truly is?', Roy silently thought.

Roy then finds himself fighting internally. His heart says he loves Varari while his brain says that he shouldn't. Roy is conflicted and confused. Roy never experienced falling in love and once thought that avoiding it would be easy. It isn't. This causes his brain to remind him of what his master told him before.

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Little Roy and his master, Bakin, are sparring with each other. Using swords.

Roy swings his sword to the left. Bakin blocks it. Roy's sword changes direction to the opposite. Roy's master defends himself successfully. This time, Roy raises his sword and swings it downward. However, Bakin parries it and kicks Roy to the ground. Roy tumbles but immediately recovers from it. The boy then stands up once more and points the Demonic Saber towards Bakin.

Bakin then looks at the sun. It's now setting. Bakin then sheaths his sword, signaling the end of the training. Seeing this, Roy does the same thing his master did.

"That's good. You did well. But remember, your sword is only 1 part of your weapon. Like what I did, I used my legs and feet to attack you.". Bakin coaches.

"Yes, master...", the tired Roy sat down on the ground.

Bakin sits on a log there and stares at the sun, reminiscing the past.

"Hey, Roy-boy. Do you have any crushes?", his uncle asked.

"No... Why'd you ask, master?", Roy answered and asked a question.

"Well, it's because I remember when I was your age, I fell in love with this girl. She was about the same age as me, but at the time, I have a problem.", Bakin shared his past.

"What was it, master?", the curious boy asks.

"Like you, I was training. I was trying to become strong. However, I was so lovestruck that I didn't care. I would do anything just to have her heart. I love her so much that I skipped training...and that would cause a big mistake. That I still regret to this day.", Bakin added.

"What happened?", Roy wants to know.

"Someone who is equally in love with her challenges me into a duel, a sword fight. And... I lost... The fact that I didn't train as much as he does is obvious that he's much stronger than me by a mile.", Bakin answered sadly.

"Wait... Does that mean she was forced to be with that guy? The guy that she doesn't love? Is she happy now? And who are you referring to, master?", Roy asked many questions.

"Not exactly, she cared for both of us equally that she opposed on us fighting. However, it would be much easier for her to decide that way. And yeah, she's happy. Come on, your mother might kill me if we're late for dinner.", Bakin didn't answer the last question and just stood up and reached for Roy's hand.

Little Roy stands up as well and gives his little hand to his master. Then they start walking, but Roy asks another question.

"Do you want to take her back?", Roy asked.

Bakin is silent for a second, he is thinking his answer clearly. Roy is curious about what's going on in his uncle's mind.

"No. I don't I will. As I said, she's happy with the way things are. And if I love, I should let her go. However, you should remember this Roy. If you have a problem, a girlfriend won't solve that. You need to care for yourself first by solving that problem and then get the girl.", Bakin advised Roy.

"I know you're too young for that but... I don't want you to do the same mistake I made. Understand?", Bakin asked him.

"Mhm. Yes, master.", Roy said as he nodded.

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Roy stops at a crosswalk, looking both left and right. After that, Roy and Reika start walking again. Remembering this past, Roy promises himself to fix himself before focusing on love.

"I need to fix my problem first...", Roy muttered.

"Hm? What was that onii-chan?", Reika heard it.

"Nothing.", Roy replied.