The Trick House Alice had remodeled was, ultimately, a space where her own secret desires had been manifested.
"……W-Why do I have to go first?"
"Kuro was just being thoughtful, wasn't she? After all, this place is packed with things you wanted to do."
"Don’t misunderstand! Sure, my wishes might have been reflected slightly…… somewhat…… just a tiny bit, but the base is still fundamentally what Shallow Vernal-sama created! I only tweaked it a little!"
"Hmm. Well, I guess we’ll see once we’re inside……"
In this Trick House, it had been decided that they would switch off between Kuro and Alice, but Alice was taking the first turn. This had been Kuro’s suggestion, so she was undoubtedly being considerate after hearing the backstory of the attraction.
However, Alice’s claim was a little suspicious. If the foundation was truly Shiro-san’s creation, then while reflecting some of Alice's wishes, Shiro-san was the one who designed—wait?
"……Huh? If I remember correctly, weren't you the one who came up with the ideas for the Trick House challenges?"
"………………"
"At the time, Shiro-san was clearly having fun because she didn't know what was coming, right?"
"……W-Well, yes, that’s true…… but that was made specifically for you and Shallow Vernal-sama. I designed it with the idea that even if there was a bit too much physical contact, it was just a little fan service…… The context is different now, or something like that……"
She offhandedly admitted that she'd included some mischief back then, but in a way, that mischief was now boomeranging right back at her.
Thinking back on it, when I went through this with Shiro-san, there were quite a few cliché couple events. In that sense, it was very Alice-like.
As I walked along with those thoughts, we reached the first room. An objective was written in large letters on the massive door.
'The door will open if the boyfriend gives the girlfriend a princess carry. Note: The princess carry must be maintained until the next room.'
Hmm, I remembered this. When I went with Shiro-san, I think it was in the second room. She had moved it to the very beginning…… I see, so it was a pattern where the content stayed the same but the order was shuffled.
"……I see."
"W-What!? What’s with that 'how heartwarming' look on your face!? Like you’ve totally caught on to the fact that I wanted a princess carry! ……Fine, so what if I did!? I’ve wanted you to do it for ages! Is that a crime!?"
Whether it was because she was mortified or just defensive, Alice shouted with a bright red face. It was so adorable I couldn't help but laugh.
Besides, she had basically just confessed that she’d wanted me to do this for a long time without even being prompted. It was a spectacular self-destruct.
"It's not a crime. I was just thinking that if that was the case, I would’ve done it anytime if you’d just asked sooner."
"Don't underestimate me! Just how much of a spineless coward do you think I am when it comes to romance?!"
"I don't think that's something you should declare with such pride…… But whatever. Alright, I'm picking you up now."
"J-Just get it over with!"
Smiling wryly at how intensely Alice was bracing herself, I swept her up into my arms. Thanks to her petite frame, she was incredibly light, and I lifted her with ease.
Alice was visibly flustered; she kept her face turned away, refusing to even look in my direction.
"……Hehe."
"W-Why are you laughing……? Is something wrong with me?"
"No, you’re just so stiff it’s funny…… How does it feel to actually be carried, Princess?"
"……Mmm…… Well…… I’m happy, but……"
As she said herself, Alice was a total disaster in the romance department. Her face remained beet red the whole time, but she seemed genuinely pleased.
Watching her with a lingering smile, I stepped through the open door and headed toward the next room. Still, if Alice had been the one to remodel this, the more extreme challenges had probably been cut.
Alice herself probably wouldn't be able to handle them, let alone me. If that was the case, what kind of challenges were left? Alice was quite the romantic, and she yearned for classic scenarios, so it was likely they would be stereotypical "couple" activities.
We reached the second room to find a single table with two chairs facing each other in front of the next door…… and on the table sat something resembling a random box.
'Finish the parfait inside. However, you must take turns feeding each other.'
I see. The classic couple trope—taking turns saying "aan" while feeding each other. I had fed Alice before, but never something like a parfait.
It was definitely a staple situation, so she must have been longing for it.
"……Hoh, I see."
"……Seriously, what is with this humiliation play?"
As expected, Alice was overcome with embarrassment, covering her face with both hands.
Serious-senpai: "S-Stop it! I’m turning into sugar……!"
Machina: "Well, you need sugar for sukiyaki warishita after all."
Serious-senpai: "Huh? Is this part of the material gathering?!"