After visiting three attractions—one more than we’d planned—we finished with the Aqua Area and began making our way toward the next one.
As expected, Hina looked like she was having the time of her life, and it was a truly heartwarming sight.
"That was incredible! Every single one was so high-quality. I never imagined they’d be that good!"
"I think the magic played a huge part. The realism of the Phantom Magic was stunning and added so much impact. I was impressed that it didn't just rely on raw power, either; it hit all the classic notes and presentation you'd expect from a theme park ride. It was very well done."
"Right?! I guess that’s Alice-sama for you. It perfectly captures the essence of an amusement park while adding that unique magical twist. It’s so much fun! I honestly wanted to try even more rides in the Aqua Area, but we’d never see all the other areas if we stayed... Grrr, it’s such a dilemma!"
She was right; every attraction we’d visited so far had been a blast, and I definitely shared that desire to see what else the area had to offer.
However, as Hina said, seeing all seven areas in a single day was a tall order. The park was so vast and the attractions so numerous that I doubted you could clear even a single area in a full day if you tried to see everything.
Then again, that desire to see more is exactly what turns people into repeat visitors. Providing more attractions than one can possibly finish in a single trip is a very effective strategy for encouraging guests to come back.
"But, Kaito-senpai, I was thinking... this amusement park must have cost a fortune, right? It’s amazing and fun, but... can they actually turn a profit?"
"Ah, well, about that... it sounds like they used Gods as a labor force, so things were probably pretty lawless on the production side. For that matter, the original park Shiro-san made—the one that likely makes up the Otherworld Area in the center—apparently runs on infinite power and even handles its own maintenance, so it supposedly doesn't cost anything to run..."
"I—I see... That’s unbelievable. Forcing Gods to work as laborers... is that even okay?"
"...I'm not really in a position to talk. Even if she was the one who asked for it, I’ve left Nifty entirely in Canaris-san's hands..."
"Now that you mention it, Kaito-senpai, you really are the most lawless of them all. It’s strange, but compared to you, this amusement park feels almost normal."
My junior, who was growing up fast, had made a rather sharp point. As she said, I wasn't really qualified to criticize "lawlessness." If anything, the situation surrounding me was far more absurd.
Still, despite the topic, Hina remained beaming with a wide smile, clearly enjoying herself. There was something about her innocent charm... Perhaps it was because there were so many older people in my life, but as a rare junior, she had a certain sisterly cuteness.
She was the kind of person you just wanted to look after and spoil. Seeing her so happy naturally put me in a good mood as well.
"It really feels like you're having the most fun of any of us, Hina."
"I just love amusement parks! I’m so happy to be here with you and Aoi-senpai, Kaito-senpai. I don't know how to put it, but I just love this lively atmosphere!"
Expressing her joy with her whole body as if throwing her arms up in a cheer, Hina frolicked with an enthusiasm that made her seem even younger than her actual age. Her love for the park—and its atmosphere—was palpable.
For Hina, who loved having fun with a group, touring a theme park like this with so many people was likely the peak of enjoyment.
She was staying well-behaved, of course, and wasn't just acting on impulse, but she was so energetic she looked like she might burst into a run at any moment.
I did think, however, that she probably shouldn't bounce around so much. She possessed a magnificent chest that was quite ill-suited to her youthful aura, and when she hopped right in front of me, I found it hard to keep my eyes from wandering. It was a bit restless for my peace of mind.
Well, as long as she was happy, I’d just leave it at that.
"...Anyway, I think we should be seeing the next area soon."
"Yeah. It should be just over... Oh, is that it? Wow... that's incredible."
"This is... the scale is truly something else."
The next area coming into view was the Forest Area, characterized by massive trees that were clearly visible even from a distance. The atmosphere was so authentic that it looked like a literal Great Forest, and the sight was momentarily overwhelming.
Serious-senpai: At this stage, there isn't exactly a romantic event or a "sweet" atmosphere... but there is a definite air of "sweet and sour" budding. Hina is clearly the type who loves Kaito without realizing it, and the romantic feelings are definitely there. However, since she’s the type who wants to be pampered by a kind older person, she’s currently stuck in a "little sister relying on her kind big brother" phase. That said, the moment she becomes self-aware, there’s a high risk she’ll tumble straight into love.