Furuya Rei pushed open the door, only to be caught off guard by a pair of lake-blue cat-like eyes.
Chapter 68: Side Story 3 - A Journey Ten Years Later
Vongola stood behind him and pushed Sawada Tsunayoshi into the crowd, right in front of the Little Bear plushie.
The Little Bear doll lowered its head, its massive plush head occupying Sawada Tsunayoshi's entire field of vision, leaving him able to see only the doll's black, gemstone-like bead eyes and its sweet smile, precisely controlled by stitching.
Ahem, oh, not little kid, which balloon do you want so desperately?
"Extreme?" What a familiar way of speaking. Sawada Tsunayoshi wondered where he had heard it before.
Vongola walked over with a refreshing smile, resting one hand on the plush bear's arm, said gently, "I guess Little Bear is asking what kind of balloon you want most—the kind that's pushed to the limit."
Right, Little Bear?
As he said his last words, Vongola tilted his head slightly, his smiling eyes fixed on Little Bear, his voice rising slightly at the end. It was as if his underlying meaning was that if you dared to deny him, you were dead.
Oh, oh, that's exactly what I mean by extreme. Mhmm, the most extreme favorite one.
Little Bear's tone was serious and enthusiastic; he lowered the large bunch of balloons and crouched down to be at eye level with Sawada Tsunayoshi.
Sawada Tsunayoshi met Little Bear's dark, shining eyes; even though it was just a toy, he could still feel a tremendous sense of goodwill and enthusiasm.
“Choose, or you can have them all if you like.”
All the balloons today belong entirely to you.
Sawada Tsunayoshi looked at the huge pile of balloons, all plump and round. There were so many, they were so big.
Various styles of balloons clustered together, competing to show themselves off, as if shouting, "Pick me, pick me!"
He immediately took a liking to one in a handsome robot style; because he had never played in an amusement park before, Sawada Tsunayoshi was a bit shy and said in a low voice, "I want a robot."
Little Bear answered loudly, "Okay, I heard you. That's an extremely good choice."
Little Bear clumsily searched through a pile of wires for the robot's connection, but his massive bear claws turned them over and over without success. Sometimes he would pull out a wire or two that had nothing to do with the robot, occasionally he would even snap a wire, causing a balloon to fly into the sky in short order.
Wait a second, just a moment, I'll have it out in no time.
Even with the mask on, Sawada Tsunayoshi could already imagine how anxious and restless the person inside must be.
Um, no rush, take your time.
Hahaha, you're so incredibly kind. I'm just working part-time, so I'm still not quite used to it on my first day on the job.
Tossing and turning, there were originally at least forty or fifty balloons, but by the time the one Sawada Tsunayoshi needed was found, only a few scattered ones remained in Little Bear's hands, he was still there smiling foolishly.
This made Sawada Tsunayoshi feel too guilty to say another word, but Little Bear keenly sensed his hesitation. "What is it? No, little one, do you have something else to say?"
Sawada Tsunayoshi felt even more embarrassed now, his face flushing slightly as he said, "Can I have another one?"
Little Bear patted his fluffy chest with satisfaction: "Of course, you can have as many as you want."
Sawada Tsunayoshi asked for another one in the shape of a dolphin.
After saying goodbye to Little Bear, Sawada Tsunayoshi gave the dolphin to Vongola.
Vongola was surprised: "For me?"
Tsunayoshi nodded. "Yes, thank you, Mr. Vongola, thank you for coming to the amusement park with me."
Vongola carefully put the rare balloon away and said with a sigh, "Such a precious gift.. I can't bear to let anyone else see it, yet I also want to tell the whole World 73 that you gave it to me."
How can such conflicting feelings be resolved?
Wow, this person is so clingy when they speak, it's really embarrassing.
I don't care, do whatever you want with it.
After saying that, he ran forward two steps in embarrassment, but upon finding that Vongola had not followed, he turned back to look at him.
Vongola held the dolphin ball's leash and walked forward with a light laugh, saying, "I'm coming."
The amusement park was crowded with many people, the elderly, young adults, children.
Sawada Tsunayoshi was overwhelmed by the spectacle. He ran excitedly toward the carousel and climbed onto a little pony, while Vongola sat on a large horse beside him.
Sawada Tsunayoshi carefully hugged the neck of the carousel horse, was caught off guard by a camera; Vongola had taken out a camera at some unknown point and was taking photos of him.
Great, that exact smile from just now—how about we take a few more?
After being caught taking secret photos, Vongola didn't even blush and instead continued to show off to him.
Damn it, this person is definitely going to get beaten up when he goes out; he's so annoying.
After jumping off the carousel, Sawada Tsunayoshi walked forward with his head down, while Vongola chased after him from behind: "Don't be angry. Such a cute little Sawada Tsunayoshi should have plenty of photos taken. Otherwise, when you grow up into a boring adult and realize you don't have many photos to look back on, that would be far too sad."
Speaking of photos, he had almost none from when he was growing up. He was referring to individual photos.
Some were photos with his mother and father, even in those group photos, he was positioned on the edge like a passerby, looking like he wasn't even part of the family.
Then, even during the annual school group photos, he stood on the edge, completely unremarkable.
So, perhaps Vongola was right; he should have a few photos.
"So, I'm right, aren't I?" Vongola's face suddenly rushed into view; he leaned down, bringing his face right before Sawada Tsunayoshi's eyes.
Let's go, there are still so many attractions left. Let's create even more memories today.
He took the initiative, grabbing Sawada Tsunayoshi's hand and rushing toward the place with the longest queue.
Roller coasters are the most popular attractions in every amusement park, with the longest lines. Looking at the countless heads ahead, Sawada Tsunayoshi was already prepared for a long wait.
To be honest, he wasn't mentally prepared to go on such a thrilling ride; just the thought of the high-altitude perspective and that sensation of hanging in mid-air made him feel afraid, his limbs turning weak.
He even pulled on Vongola's hand, laughing sheepishly, "There are so many people. How about I go try some other attractions first? Bumper cars sound pretty good."
It definitely wasn't because he was scared.
Vongola looked at him with a half-smile, as if trying to peer straight into his heart. "Oh, isn't that a shame? Didn't you really want to ride the roller coaster?"
He really wanted to go, because while his classmates were discussing roller coasters with great fervor, he felt no sense of reality.
But, but, when the moment actually arrived, he was still terrified.
Hehe, isn't it a bit too crowded here? Let's head out first.
"No need." A cold voice rang in his ear, Sawada Tsunayoshi caught only a whiff of a pleasant, fresh fragrance, seemingly the scent of wood.
A man in a black suit stood nearby; he possessed a distinctly classic appearance, with upturned phoenix eyes, a sharp temperament, a physique perfectly outlined by his suit.
Finally, there was that extremely aggressive face.
What a sharp person; he feels quite intimidating, as if he possesses the majesty of Senior Hibari.
The man in the suit flicked a card out from between his fingertips. "You are our amusement park's one-millionth guest, so you can enjoy our park's All-Living VIP status. You can enjoy any attraction for free at any time, without having to wait in line."
He spoke a long monologue as if he were a guide NPC, without hesitation, he turned and walked away immediately after finishing.
Enjoy yourself.
Sawada Tsunayoshi stared blankly at his departing back, pulling a card from his hand, while Vongola let out an inexplicable exclamation: "Wow, little Sawada Tsunayoshi is so lucky; a card like this has never been issued in this paradise before. You might just be the first."
He leaned against Sawada Tsunayoshi's shoulder with a coquettish tone: "Don't look at him, is he really that good-looking? Look at me more."
“If you keep looking, I'm going to get jealous.”
Wow, he's saying embarrassing things again.
Sawada Tsunayoshi lowered his head in embarrassment as he walked forward, while Vongola held his hand and continued to chatter incessantly, "If Little Bear wants to watch, then just watch me. Today is a date that belongs only to us, I've been thinking about you the whole time."
By the time he found himself sitting on the roller coaster for no apparent reason, Sawada Tsunayoshi still hadn't come to his senses. Oh no, how did they end up here, they were even sitting in the very first row.
Caught completely off guard, the roller coaster started moving. He subconsciously squeezed Vongola's hand, too terrified to make a sound.
Throughout the entire process, Vongola kept holding his hand, the heat from his palm constantly radiating against him. At the highest point, Vongola suddenly said, "Don't be afraid, I am right by your side, you can always trust me."
After all, they were originally one and the same person.
“Open your eyes, Sawada Tsunayoshi, look at me, do not be afraid.”
Thus, Sawada Tsunayoshi opened his eyes, in his vision, there was only Vongola's handsome face and those soulful eyes; he could even see his own reflection in the other's eyes, as if he were Vongola's entire world.
The roller coaster twists, flips upside down, accelerates.
"I'm going to throw up," Sawada Tsunayoshi said slowly, covering his mouth with his hand in discomfort.
Vongola's usually composed expression finally changed, he began to flail his hands in a panic: "Don't vomit at a time like this! No, please, hold it in! I'm still on the other side! Stop the car, stop the car! We need to get out!"
Somehow, seeing Vongola's panicked state, Sawada Tsunayoshi felt that he looked more like a real person at this moment. No matter how much he used sweet words or said embarrassing things, he always felt that the other had something on his mind, but right now, this was the most authentic Vongola.
"I was kidding." Sawada Tsunayoshi lowered his hands as the roller coaster reached the end of its track and slowly came to a halt.
The people behind were looking at Vongola with strange expressions, pointing at him.
Vongola's face turned from pale to purple several times; Sawada Tsunayoshi felt quite relaxed, only at this moment did he truly accept the other party.
Let's go, we're going to ride the bumper cars.
Vongola stayed in place, a smile gradually spreading through his eyes, the corners of his mouth no longer held that polite, formal smile, but rather a sincere one; of course, it wasn't that his previous smile had been fake, it was just that at this moment, Vongola felt so happy.
Alright, little Sawada Tsunayoshi, you actually played me! No, no, this is too heartbreaking. When we go on the bumper cars later, you have to protect me well and beat everyone else, okay?
Smiling, Vongola caught up to Sawada Tsunayoshi.
Chapter 69: Conan Live Day 28
Why is it Rei! From Hiromitsu Morofushi.
What's going on, Hiromitsu! From Furuya Rei.
Why does it have to be you two! From Sawada Tsunayoshi.
Three people, three different kinds of shock; three people, three different reactions.
As for where Sawada Tsunayoshi saw them, it was, of course, through the surveillance room monitors. Once Gin had placed him here, it was for him to observe these people—to see if he could find any rats among them, or if he felt anyone was incompetent and should be dismissed immediately.
As soon as the surveillance monitor was turned on, Sawada Tsunayoshi saw that thunderous stance, he instantly gasped in shock.
Gin hadn't even walked out yet; he had only just turned around when he heard Sawada Tsunayoshi's movement and snapped his head back. His black trench coat cut through the air as he asked gloomily, "Is there a problem?"