Having decided to head straight for the Aqua Area upon entry, we settled on which attractions to ride before actually passing through the gates.
Based on my observations, I suspected the Aqua Area was themed after Magnawell-san. That guess seemed to be right on the mark, as many of the attractions featured "Dragon" in their names.
"The Aqua Area alone has a staggering number of attractions. Hina-san... is there anything you think we should prioritize?"
"Given the theme, I’m betting there are lots of water-based rides, so I definitely want to hit the Splash Coaster-type attractions!"
"Spla... um..."
"It’s a ride where a group of people boards a vehicle that travels over fast-flowing water, usually featuring water-splash effects. They’re staples in the amusement parks of our world. While they aren't necessarily in every single park, they’re always high-demand attractions."
Sieg-san tilted her head at the unfamiliar term, so I offered a brief explanation. A Splash Coaster was certainly the first thing that came to mind when one heard "Aqua Area," and given the sheer scale of this place, I was certain there would be at least one or two.
"I see. Since many of us—myself included—are novices in this area, sticking to the staples sounds like an excellent plan. However, Yuzuki-dono, which of these is one of those Splash Coasters?"
"...That’s the tricky part. Because the pamphlet was designed to be portable, it only lists a rough map and the names of the attractions. I can't tell exactly what kind of ride each one is. We just have to guess based on the names."
This was a common enough occurrence at amusement parks. It was difficult to cram full descriptions of every ride into a pamphlet, so they usually only provided names and locations. You had to imagine the experience based on the map's illustrations or the name, then head to the site, only to occasionally find the attraction was something entirely different from what you had pictured.
Of course, there was no such thing as an internet search in this world... or, well, I suppose I could just ask Alice. Then again, the fun of an amusement park lay in guessing based on the names and just going for it. Asking Alice, who had an answer for everything, didn't feel like the right move here.
Besides, the main goal today wasn't to navigate the park with cold efficiency; it was for everyone to enjoy themselves. If we became so obsessed with checking off the major rides that we failed to actually have fun, we’d be missing the point entirely.
"Hina-san, how about this 'Dragon Adventure'? The starting point looks like a rocky mountain, but based on the layout... it looks like it ends right here at the lake, doesn't it?"
"You're right! A final plunge from a high peak into a lake is a classic trope! Kaito-senpai, I think you're onto something—'Dragon Adventure' is definitely a strong candidate. But wait, can we really assume the 'unwritten rules' of our world apply to this place?"
"Alice supervised the whole thing. I’m positive it’s designed to feel very similar to the amusement parks and theme parks back home."
"Then let's try Dragon Adventure first! Is everyone okay with that?"
The others nodded at Hina-san's suggestion, and our first destination was set. Was it just my imagination, or did Lilia-san seem a bit fidgety? She was undoubtedly getting excited at the mention of the word "Dragon."
In that sense, even if it didn't turn out to be a Splash Coaster-type ride, it was a solid choice if it made our dragon-loving Duchess happy.
"After that, how about heading toward the next area while stopping at this attraction in the big... sea-like area?"
"I agree. Considering the transition to the next zone, I think Aoi-senpai’s plan is best. Let’s not decide exactly which one to ride yet; let’s just head to that sea-like spot and pick whatever looks or feels the most interesting!"
We had roughly decided our route through the Aqua Area. The only remaining question was how crowded it would be.
I didn't expect to wait an hour for anything, but we had to be prepared for some lines at the larger attractions. We would need to keep an eye on the time...
With those thoughts in mind, we moved to the entrance gate. We each presented the Invitation Cards we had received from Kuro to pass through... but for some reason, the reception was slightly different for me.
"Please wait a moment."
"Eh? Oh, alright."
While everyone else had been confirmed and cleared in a flash, I alone was stopped. The receptionist then held out a card with an elegant, ornate border.
"This is Miyama Kaito-sama's All Attraction Top Priority Pass. If you present this to the staff at any crowded attraction, you and your entire party will be given immediate priority access."
"...Ah, I see. Thank you very much."
"...A VIP. Kaito-senpai is a Super VIP, as always."
"Well, when you consider that both owners are Kaito-san's lovers, it’s only to be expected... though I'm certainly not complaining if it means we don't have to worry about wait times."
I hadn't expected such special treatment, but Hina-san, Aoi, and the others didn't seem particularly surprised. Their reactions were more along the lines of, "Well, that sounds about right."
Serious-senpai: "Of course you're a VIP."