Italics indicate thinking
Riku's POV
"So how did I get that Transform power again?" I asked Isuzu.
"Maple Land Royalty can bestow magic with a kiss." She told me "And that happened to be your destined power."
I still had school and student council duties so I was making Isuzu accompany me, I still needed to go to the park and give them a proper answer but…I was conflicted, this power was intriguing but it felt wrong to change people even if it was fun and I did…things with them.
Focus!
I shook my head and sighed getting on the train.
"Transform, I'm shocked you have it." Isuzu said "I thought it only a power of legends, though I hadn't expected someone to use it for those kinds of things."
She was giving me a dark glare.
"Why give me this power though?" I asked.
"To get you to accept the position of Park Manager." She told me "It's simple."
Later
After school I had Isuzu take me to the park, I had to give an answer in person otherwise it would reflect poorly.
"I still have questions." I looked at Isuzu as we rode the bus.
"Yes?" she turned to me.
"Where exactly is this Maple Land?" I asked.
"A realm of magic between the land and water, Latifa is the First Princess." She told me,
"She really is a princess, I thought she was just playing a role." I hummed "What was it she meant about losing the means to live?"
Isuzu explained that Maple Landers live by absorbing passive happiness from people, so the park makes people happy and in turn they stay around, kinda like a flea on a dog in a way, so if the park closes, then the works would vanish and wither away. The was the last question I got out before we got to the park and went through security.
"That guy in the Lucha mask?" I started.
"No he's just a weird human." Isuzu told me "There are a lot of normal people working here."
She showed me around, staff dorms, resting areas and more.
"This is the administrative office." She unlocked a door.
We walked in and that weird mouse bear thing was in there.
"MPH!" it glared at me.
"Why are you in a defensive stance?" she asked.
"I have a bad feeling." I mumbled.
"Well we don't have time or we'll be late." Isuzu checked her phone.
"What is it now?" I asked.
"We must meet our foes." She told me.
"Huh?"
We went into a conference room and she had me sit down while she changed into a tight and cute pinstripe suit, after a while a few men came in and started discussing legal and financial matters. The contract was questionable, saying the Maple Landers would have to sell the park if they couldn't get 500,000 visitors by the end of this august and the current count was only 250,000. So basically, they had a summer to turn this place around.
I didn't like the look of the developers, they were just…creeps and they wanted Isuzu to just give up now.
"In order to turn a profit and move into black you'd need a family of four to spend-."
"85,000 Yen." I told him brushing my hair over my shoulder "Give or take of course."
"Yes, you're quite good." The blonde one who'd done most of the talking said "You should come work for us."
"I'm good." I said "I have no desire to work for you, frankly it's…beneath me."
Seems there's more to this than I thought…
Later
"So you're acting manager?" I asked Isuzu "That's what that man said."
"I ran the park for a year in the Princess stead." She sighed "How did you arrive at that figure?"
"I just estimated based on yesterday's crowd and the size of the park." I told her "Now what was the point of having me meet those men?"
"I wanted you to know what you were up against if you accept the job." She looked down.
"I never said I was taking it." I told her "Frankly this place is a little too crazy for a lady like me. Do you think I'm a fool that you can just keep dragging me here?"
"I'm still new in this world, I don't know how to ask people for help." She frowned.
My, she's cute when she's upset.
"I want you to take this job no matter what, I did everything I could think of to know you, I even transferred to your school." She frowned.
"…I have to go." I said.
"You can't go, please!" she tired to stop me from walking out.
"I'm…declining your position." I told her.
This place…there's just no way.
I grabbed my purse and left the dilapidated park, heading to catch the bus and get home sooner rather than later.
I wonder if this power will just…go away?
"Oh, it's you." I saw that man from before was also waiting for the bus.
I'm surprised he didn't drive.
"Stop staring at me you creep." I said.
"You should remember not to do anything stupid." He said as a limo pulled up and he got in.
"I'll remember that." I turned away, my skirt fluttering a bit.
Frankly I want to say yes just to spite that fucking troll of a man…it's not like me to walk away, I should decline to Latifa in person.
I got up off the bench and headed back to the castle in the park to speak with the owner. By the time I got there it seemed like Latifa was having a meeting with her employees and telling them they were going to have to shut down of course this caused a panic over those who feared disappearing.
I can't…stand to look at this disgusting display.
"This is embarrassing." I stepped out and brushed my hair back "Acting in this manner…you all deserve to be closed down!"
That seemed to rile them up.
"You see, that's the determination you should have every day." I smiled "Very well I shall take over this fleeting establishment and raise it from the brink but you do it my way and don't cry if you can't keep up!"
"Really, you'll help?" Latifa smiled.
"Of course, I welcome the challenge as a matter of fact." I smirked "Trust me, I have a plan that will surely succeed, but it's a tad unconventional."
AN
Thank you for reading. Feedback is appreciated. Feel free to message me any questions or concerns.
Suggest what you want to see in the future. Just some set up, the real fun begins next chapter during Riku's first day
Till Next TIme!
