Chapter 36

As time passed, Chinatsu and I finally arrived at the amusement park that has Tokyo Bay view.

"Woah! It's so crowded," Chinatsu said, her eyes wide with excitement as she looked around.

"We're still outside the park," I muttered, frowning at the sheer number of people. "Should we change our plan?"

Crowds aren't really my thing. I'd rather head somewhere quieter—like the mountains or a ski resort.

"What did you expect? It's spring break!" she said, grabbing my hand and pulling me toward the ticket queue. "Let's go! We have to get in line for tickets."

I looked at the long line and frowned even more. "What is this, a marathon? We should just buy VIP tickets."

Chinatsu raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"So we can get priority, obviously."

She rolled her eyes. "Of course I know that. But where's the fun in that?"

I shut my eyes, sighing. No point in arguing. I'll let her have her fun. After a while, it was finally our turn at the ticket counter.

"Welcome!" The employee at the booth greeted us, glancing at Chinatsu. "Tickets for two, please!"

"Right away!" The woman smiled, then glanced at me beside Chinatsu. She hesitated before adding, "I see you brought your boyfriend along, miss. Would you like to take the couple's special offer?"

"No," I said shortly. "We're si—"

Before my loose mouth could say that we're actually siblings, Chinatsu covered my mouth with her palm.

"Yes, we'll take that, please," she said hurriedly, then turned to me and hissed.

After a while, we managed to enter the amusement park.

"Hey, did you forget who we are now?" Chinatsu pouted angrily.

"Well, that doesn't mean I'll go around telling people we're a couple. Don't tell me you're taking this seriously?"

"Ah, that's it. Masamune-kun, you've ruined it. Let's go home."

"That's a shame. I thought we could try all the matcha in this place."

"You idiot! Let's try their parfait first before we continue! Remember, right? Onii-chan has to pay."

"Whatever. Let's just enjoy the day."

[Likability: 77%]

Knowing her, it's not the rides she's most excited about—it's the food. She's always been a matcha lover, especially anything packed with calories.

We headed to the park's café, where Chinatsu ordered a large matcha parfait. I watched her, slightly worried.

"Hmmnn! Delicious!" she hummed, digging in.

"I feel like my blood sugar's spiking just by looking at it."

She looked at me with mock hurt. "By looking at me?"

"I'm serious. Should I be worried?"

"Jeez, don't worry. I'll burn off the sugar later." She scooped up another spoonful and waved it in front of me. "Want some?"

"No, thanks. I'm fine with my hot matcha."

She sighed dramatically. "Onii-chan, you're so boring. You're always on a strict diet, even though today is supposed to be a special day."

She was right, in a way. For the past five years, I've been so focused on work, I've kind of distanced myself from my family too. If Chinatsu didn't visit Grandpa's house often, I probably wouldn't see them at all.

"Alright, give me a bite."

Chinatsu's eyes sparkled mischievously. "Say aaah..."

She was definitely doing this on purpose. I took the spoon, and to my surprise, it was really good.

"This... is good."

"Right? That's why you should enjoy life a little more, Onii-chan."

Maybe she's right. I was reborn into this world with the same habits from before. A break every now and then might not be so bad.

"Sigh... I didn't see this coming."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

Chinatsu grinned, placing her spoon into the now-empty parfait glass. "Look around."

I glanced around and noticed people staring in our direction. Their eyes weren't just on me—they were also on her.

"Right, well, my sister is cute."

"Of course!" she said proudly, her nose in the air. "But don't forget, Onii-chan, you're not just handsome—you're a hottie, too."

"Thanks, I guess?"

She smirked. "Which reminds me, why don't you have a real girlfriend? You can't just date me for the rest of your life."

"Don't jinx it. Maybe I'll consider it soon."

"Uwaah..."

Chinatsu gave me a look, as if to say, your self-esteem is so annoying.

"Hold up. That's so unlike you though. Are you sure you're Masamune-kun?"

"I am Batman."

"I'm serious! Sigh... I know you'd usually say something like, 'Eww... I'd rather spend my time enjoying modern art instead of dating.' But you're so out of character today."

Hearing this, I hummed to myself. Especially with the benefits the system offers... why not?

Once she'd had her fill of parfait, we decided to head for the rides. As we stood side by side, gazing up at the roller coasters, I casually asked, "Have you decided on a junior high school yet?"

"Ugh, you're seriously asking me about homework on a day off? So annoying." She sighed. "Father wants me to continue at the same academy. But the entrance exam is going to be a hassle."

"Well, good luck."

"Shut up and enj—KYAAA! Wooohooo!"

As the roller coaster crested the peak, she gripped my hand tightly as we plummeted down the descent.

The rest of the day was just me and Chinatsu enjoying every ride and every moment.

---

Night fell quicker than I expected.

"Ah, I lost my hat," Chinatsu said suddenly, reaching up to where it should have been.

"That's silly."

She sighed, her eyes scanning the darkening sky. "I think the wind blew it away without me realizing it. Was it expensive?"

"Nah, just a regular hat." I paused, pulling something from my pocket. "Here."

"Hm? For me?" Chinatsu asked, eyeing the blue hair tie I handed her.

She took it but hesitated, the uncertainty in her expression clear. Then, with a small smile, she wrapped it around her left wrist instead of using it on her hair.

"Thank you, Onii-chan. But I like my hair loose, maybe that's why I lost the hat," she giggled.

"Okay..."

Something felt off, though I couldn't quite place it. Chinatsu's always been more mature than most kids her age, still I am sure that she's wearing a mask.

[Current Status: Happy. Uncertain]

[Likability: 80%]

The system agreed with me.

There's still 20% of her that's 'unsatisfied', maybe because she doesn't fully rely on me.

As the day came to an end, we boarded the train back to Chiba around 7 PM. We didn't talk much—Chinatsu's head resting on my shoulder. She seemed tired and eventually fell asleep.

By the time we drop in this station, we stopped at a convenience store to grab some frozen food for dinner.

"I thought you were good at everything, such as cooking," Chinatsu teased as we left the store.

"You set your expectations too high, but thanks for the compliment."

"I never said that. But, in the end, no one's perfect, right?"

We walked toward Grandpa's house in silence. As we neared the neighborhood, I noticed a black Lexus sedan parked out front. My frown deepened as I watched two men and a mature woman in black suits exit the car.

"Woah, they got here earlier than I expected," Chinatsu murmured.

I turned to her, confused. "I thought you were spending your holiday here."

She smile, "Father said I need to focus on the entrance exams so..."

I looked at her while being skeptical. Chinatsu had always been serious about her studies, even with everything else going on. But I hadn't expected her break to be cut short.

"Ignore that old man and stay. Leave this to me alright?"

She sighed, her smile faltering for a moment as she lowered her head. "I can't."

"Why not—"

"I have to become the perfect successor! It's only me who can do it. I have to prove my worth too."

"Hey!" I called out, but before I could stop her, she was already running toward the car.

One of her attendants gave me a small bow before they all got into the sedan and drove away.

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