Carnival Problems
When I regret going...
"So~... where's the carnival?" I asked Nagumo.
"This way," Nagumo said and grinned.
I frowned.
I did not like the grin on his face.
After many twists and turns, a golden gate shimmered about ten meters from us. I looked up. A roller coaster was standing tall. Circus tents filled most of the area. I smiled, remembering the first day my brother took me to the carnival.
When we entered the carnival, I immediately looked for food.
"Nii-san! Look! A Pikachu doll!" I squealed.
The sun was shining brightly... for a foggy day, at the least.
It was probably noon, then. I was just five years old. Funny that I felt as if I was forgetting something... more like someone. My brother looked at me.
"Say, Suke-san, wanna watch me win it for you?" Fumio said, with a smile.
"Yep!" I said, cheerfully.
"Well, Ruya and I would be going there, no?" our mom said.
"Sure~!" I said and hugged a boy beside me.
He was warm and really hug-able, but the thing that didn't scare me was that I don't even know the boy... no. It shivered my bones thinking about it... he smelled familiar.
I blinked my eyes back open.
"You alright, Fuusuke?" Nagumo asked beside me.
"Y-yeah." I replied. Cold sweat dripped from my face. I gulped and tried to remember who that boy was, but it was getting me nowhere. I remembered that my mom used to tell me that, 'he will come back'. But I somewhat knew that she wasn't talking about Jesus... she was talking about that boy.
The thing is: I don't even know what he looks like.
It's kinda weird, you know. I knew a lot of people from my past, but I never remembered what his name was... as if I was cursed that I could never remember him again.
That was just low.
Nagumo tapped my shoulder and asked, "Thinking again, sweetheart?"
I felt my cheeks go warm and replied, "Shut up, Tulip-Head."
"So, where do you wanna go?" Nagumo asked me.
I licked my ice cream that I bought. I swear; Nagumo never treats me like a lady... though it was nice for him to pay the tickets for both of us.
Stop it, Fuusuke.
"Well, if you're not gonna answer my question... let's go to the haunted house!" Nagumo said.
I flinched and asked, "W-why?!"
"Why not?" Nagumo teased and smirked.
"B-but~!" my lip quivered and I faltered.
"Please?!" he whined and frowned.
His golden eyes were cute. I sighed, and nodded, knowing I was gonna regret this.
He grinned at me and pulled me to the haunted house of doom. Or should I say embarrassment?
"Nagumo!" I whined.
"Hey, no backing out now, princess!" Nagumo said and winked at me.
Thump, thump, thump.
Stop it heart.
"Where is the haunted house?" I quivered.
Nagumo smirked and replied, "Just by the Bump Cars."
"What?!" I shouted and my jaw dropped.
"Why?"
"I love Bump Cars! Can we go?"
"After the haunted house."
"BUT~!"
"No buts!"
I pouted. He smiled at me, and grabbed my hand just to drag me to the Haunted House.
"Stop it! Please, Nagumo?" I begged.
"Toughen up your insides, shorty!" Nagumo cheered and grinned more widely.
"NO! Kill me if you have to! Just no!" I shouted.
I don't care if anyone looks at me weirdly for the rest of my life! As long as I don't have to go to that stupid haunted house! I never really liked haunted houses... especially in the carnival. Fumio told me that the haunted houses here were cruelly scary!
*Beep!*
"Stop! I have a message!" I yelled at Nagumo.
He did, but his grip didn't loosen. He stated, "Hurry up."
I flipped my phone open and read the new message.
From: Aki-san
Received: 10:53 am
Gazel-san? Where are you? We can't see you anywhere in the carnival!
"Who's it from?" Nagumo peered from my shoulder.
I rolled my eyes and hit the 'Reply' button. I typed in some words and sent it to Aki's phone.
To: Aki-san
Sent: 10:55 am
Gomen! Nagumo wanted to see that haunted house (That bastard!).
How about we meet up at lunch, eh? Just tell me where! :))
"Alright, Nagumo; let's go to the haunted house." I said stoicly and smiled at him.
"At least you're not scared anymore." Nagumo whispered.
Still smiling sweetly at him, I said, "Just go before I change my mind."
And we walked. Aki and I were exchanging messages to each other.
"Where did they say we'll eat?" Nagumo asked me.
I shrugged and said simply, "Some place called Rairaiken."
"Huh." Nagumo replied back.
Silence.
I looked at the line before us for that haunted house. A lot of people were lining up. Mostly, it was only for couples... as if they were dating in this scary junk of metal. I blushed at that thought that I also had Nagumo with me. It would look like we're in-
"A date?" a manly voice said.
I looked at my left. I could see Nagumo giving the guy a smirk.
"Well, Nepper, it's been a while." Nagumo greeted and his smirk turned into a grin.
The guy, Nepper (a weird brown-haired guy), glanced at the both of us and replied, "Are you two dating or what?"
I didn't like the sound of 'what.'
"Just friends," Nagumo said nonchalantly. I waved at Nepper.
However, Nepper raised an eyebrow at this, as if thinking, Nagumo and a girl = friends? Don't think so!
"What now, Nepper?" Nagumo scowled.
"Well~! Wanna join us for a reunion? An's gonna be there!" Nepper said excitedly.
Nagumo whistled, and replied, "Wow, An? Well, could you tell the other guys to do the reunion next time? I'm busy."
Nepper widened his eyes and sputtered, "You don't mean- ?!"
"Not at all! Just... I'll see you, alright?" Nagumo denied and became flustered.
"Y-yeah." Nepper said, with a bit of sweat on the side of his face.
The two fist-pumped and Nepper walked away. I looked at Nagumo.
"Who's An?" I told him.
"My ex-girlfriend." Nagumo muttered and blushed.
I frowned a little at that.
"Oh."
I looked up at the dark house, wishing that Nagumo and I would be closer to each other.
"Come on, Gazel-san~! I wanna get in there!" Nagumo grinned at me, sarcastically saying the emphasized word.
I poked my tongue out to him and teased back, "Whatever, Burn-chan~!"
"Why you -?!"
I wish this day won't ever end.
Next: THE HAUNTED HOUSE!
I'm not good at horror so please bear with me! :)
See you~!
Disclaimer: I do not own IE.