Chapter 23-Triple Date 2
After lunch, we guys were still reeling from the sheer number of roller coasters and drop towers we had been on earlier. No matter how thrilling it was, there was a limit, and I feared that if we went on any more rides, we might pass out.
"Let's take a break," Shigeru said, rubbing his temples as he made his way to a nearby bench. "These rides are brutal."
"Totally agree," Kagami nodded, leaning back in his seat, closing his eyes as if he was about to meditate. "I need some peace and quiet."
Momoko, Miyako, and Kaoru, on the other hand, were still full of energy. After lunch, they showed no signs of fatigue. Seeing the three of us looking so worn out, Momoko smiled at me and said, "How about we go play on some lighter rides? You guys can rest, and we'll meet back up later!"
I forced a smile and nodded, thinking we really did need some recovery time. Letting the girls go play on the more relaxed rides was a good idea. "Alright, you go ahead. We'll wait here."
The girls laughed, said their goodbyes, and cheerfully headed toward the carousel and Ferris wheel. Meanwhile, the three of us sat on the bench, ready to take a nap. The roller coasters had drained every ounce of energy we had. With my eyelids growing heavier, I was just about to drift off to sleep.
But suddenly—a sharp gunshot pierced the air, shattering the peace and quiet of the amusement park.
"What the hell?!" I shot up, instantly on high alert. From a distance, I could hear the screams of visitors, and the gunfire became more frequent. The previous sounds of laughter and music in the park were quickly replaced by terrified cries and chaotic running. The sky remained bright and clear, but the contrast with the panic on the ground was terrifying.
I scanned the area quickly and saw a group of heavily armed, masked men storming into the park from the entrance. Dressed in black tactical vests and wearing masks, they wielded automatic rifles, completely disregarding the lives of the visitors.
It was as if they were enjoying the spread of fear, randomly firing into the crowd. Bullets flew, shattering nearby attractions and shop windows, sending shards of glass everywhere. The screams grew louder and louder as people scattered in all directions, pushing and shoving, with some falling to the ground in the chaos.
"Where are they?" I asked Kagami and Shigeru anxiously, my mind immediately filled with thoughts of Momoko, Miyako, and Kaoru, who had gone off to ride the more relaxing attractions and were now in danger.
"Momoko's on the Ferris wheel, probably unaware of what's happening," Kagami responded quickly, his face tense, eyes fixed on the distant Ferris wheel. The carriages had stopped in midair, and the people inside were visibly uneasy and frightened. Below, the visitors around the Ferris wheel were fleeing in all directions, leaving the towering structure to stand helplessly amid the panic.
Shigeru added, "Miyako and Kaoru are over by the carousel. We need to meet up with them immediately." He pointed to the other side of the park, where the carousel had also stopped, its colorful lights flickering as the trapped riders screamed for help. Some were trying to jump down from their seats, calling out in despair. The panicked crowd was beginning to gather in the center of the park, the screams echoing relentlessly.
There were about twenty armed men, rapidly taking control of the area. They threatened the park management, demanding a ransom of 500 million yen and vehicles to escape. If their demands weren't met within an hour, they would begin indiscriminately shooting the visitors. The moment this ultimatum was given, the panic in the park reached its peak. The cries for help intensified, with some people kneeling in despair, begging for mercy, while others made desperate attempts to flee, only to be driven back by the gunfire. The ground was littered with fallen, injured people, and blood stained the once vibrant amusement park.
"This can't drag on," I muttered quietly to Kagami and Shigeru, my mind racing as I quickly planned our next move.
The three of us exchanged glances and began assessing the situation. The gunmen were starting to force the visitors into the park's rest area, tying us up along with the others. I noticed a few of the armed men had split off, clearly searching for any stragglers, which made me even more worried about Momoko, who was still stuck in the Ferris wheel, unaware of the danger.
"We can't wait any longer. They don't know what we're capable of, but we know what needs to be done," Shigeru said in a low, serious tone, his fists clenched tightly.
I nodded, and we silently began working on freeing ourselves from the ropes. Suddenly, I spotted one of the gunmen with a katana tucked into his belt. Shigeru noticed it too, and with just a brief exchange of glances, he understood what I meant.
Taking advantage of a moment of distraction, Shigeru moved with lightning speed, charging at the gunman. He struck so fast that the man didn't even have time to react before Shigeru knocked him out with a single punch. The katana slipped easily into Shigeru's hands, and without a word, he tossed it to Kagami.
As soon as Kagami caught the katana, his entire demeanor shifted. His movements became fluid and precise, like the legendary Susanoo descending to battle. In a swift motion, the blade sliced through the air, taking down two gunmen who had been readying their rifles. The sound of the blade cutting through the air was sharp, and the enemies' guns clattered to the ground, rendered useless before they could even fire.
"So fast!" I couldn't help but whisper in admiration. Kagami's skills were truly impressive. But there was no time to pause and admire his work. I quickly targeted the remaining two gunmen, and without hesitation, launched my attack. My hand struck like a flash of lightning, delivering a sharp blow to one man's neck. He didn't even have time to struggle before he collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
Shigeru wasn't holding back either. The last gunman fell to the ground after a powerful knee strike from Shigeru, completely incapacitated. The park visitors looked at us in shock, some frozen in place, unsure whether to run or stay.
For a brief moment, the chaos quieted down. The only sounds were the distant gunfire and the cries of the visitors. This was just the beginning—Momoko, Miyako, and Kaoru were still in danger, and we needed to act fast.
At that moment, we heard Miyako and Kaoru calling out as they ran toward us. The carousel they had been on had been forcibly stopped during the chaos, and they had immediately realized the danger, jumping off and rushing over.
"Are you guys okay?" Kaoru asked breathlessly, her face filled with concern.
"We're fine, took out a few of them," I quickly answered, just as I noticed a female gunman approaching us with a gun in hand. Her expression was cold, and she clearly hadn't given up on her mission.
Miyako spotted her too and took a deep breath, looking a little nervous but determined. Instead of backing away, she quickly scanned the area for cover. Spotting a wooden crate nearby, she quietly moved toward it, crouching down to stay out of the gun's line of sight. Her body trembled slightly from the tension, but her eyes remained focused.
Kaoru seized the opportunity and stealthily moved closer from the side. Just as the gunman realized her presence and began raising her weapon, Kaoru swiftly kicked out with a powerful sweep, sending the female gunman crashing to the ground. Her gun flew out of her hand, landing a short distance away.
At that moment, Miyako leaped from her hiding spot, rushing over before the gunman could reach for her weapon. She kicked the gun even farther away, then struggled to pin the woman's wrist down. Though it took some effort, Miyako gritted her teeth and held her ground. Kaoru quickly joined in, and together they managed to restrain the gunman, finally subduing her.
"Well done!" I called out, feeling a sense of relief as I gave them a nod of approval.
Miyako, panting heavily, smiled slightly. "Good thing she didn't react in time. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been so lucky."
"Nice teamwork," Kaoru grinned, giving Miyako's shoulder a light pat. "Next time, just leave it to me."
Meanwhile, the park visitors were still in shock. Some were running in all directions, while others huddled in corners, clinging to their loved ones, terrified of what had just happened.
The situation remained chaotic, but we quickly regained control. Yet there was still one major problem—Momoko was still trapped in the Ferris wheel, completely unaware of the danger around her.
"Momoko's still on the Ferris wheel..." Miyako frowned, clearly worried about her.
"We need to get her down, fast," Kaoru said, her fists clenched as she looked up at the Ferris wheel looming high above, her face serious.
"Don't worry, we won't let anything happen to her," I said calmly, though my heart was racing. The five of us knew the fight wasn't over yet, and we had one last crucial mission.
At that moment, the distant sound of sirens grew louder, and before we could react, a burst of intense gunfire erupted. The police and fully armed SWAT teams had arrived on the scene, but unexpectedly, they had immediately engaged in a fierce gunfight with the armed terrorists!
As the gunshots echoed in the distance, the five of us immediately hit the ground, searching for cover. Shigeru, lying nearby, muttered in disbelief, "Shouldn't they try negotiating first? They just jumped straight into a firefight!"
Just then, my phone rang. It was Momoko. She was still stuck on the Ferris wheel and had no idea what was happening outside.
"Yuzuhiko, what's going on? I'm hearing a lot of strange noises outside. Did the Ferris wheel malfunction?" Momoko's voice was filled with anxiety and confusion.
I tried to stay calm as I replied, "Momoko, it's not the Ferris wheel. A group of armed terrorists has stormed the amusement park, and they're in a standoff with the police. You're safe for now, still on the Ferris wheel, right?"
"Terrorists?" Momoko's voice trembled with fear. "Are you all okay? Is everyone safe?"
"We're fine. Miyako and Kaoru have already met up with us. Stay where you are for now. We'll figure out a way to get you down safely."
Momoko managed to calm down a bit, though she still sounded worried. "You guys be careful too."
"Don't worry, we'll be careful," I reassured her, though I was just as anxious. Momoko was still up there on the Ferris wheel, and we needed to find a way to get her down soon.
Meanwhile, Shigeru had quietly noticed that despite Kaoru's tough exterior, sweat had started to bead on her forehead, showing the tension she was feeling inside. Although Kaoru always put on a brave front, facing these armed terrorists was nothing like the monsters we had fought before. This was real life-and-death.
Shigeru walked up to her, lowering his voice to ask, "Kaoru, are you okay?"
Kaoru avoided his gaze slightly, waving her hand in an attempt to seem casual. "I'm fine, just a little nervous. These guys aren't like the monsters we used to face—this is for real."
Shigeru didn't say anything more, but he knew that behind Kaoru's strong facade, there was uncertainty. Even though she was trying to show fearlessness, Shigeru could see the pressure she was under. So, he quietly stood by her side, offering his silent support.
At the same time, Kagami noticed that while Miyako appeared calm, the tension in her expression didn't escape his notice. Miyako was usually rational, but this sudden crisis was clearly weighing on her. Kagami walked over to her, softly asking, "Miyako, are you alright?"
Miyako looked up at him, trying to smile. "I'm fine. It's just… everything's happening a little too fast."
Kagami smiled gently, reaching out to hold her hand. "Don't worry, I'm here. We'll get through this together. You don't have to carry all this pressure by yourself."
Miyako looked at him with gratitude in her eyes, knowing that no matter what challenges they faced, Kagami would always be there to support her. This trust helped her regain her composure.
"Yes, I believe in you, Kagami," she said with a smile, the tension in her heart easing slightly.
As the situation grew more chaotic, we quickly made a decision. We had to split up in order to take control of the situation as fast as possible and ensure everyone's safety. I glanced at Kagami and Shigeru, and they immediately nodded in understanding. Miyako and Kaoru also prepared to take action.
"We'll evacuate the tourists and lead them to safety," Miyako said, her voice calm, though I could sense the worry beneath her composed exterior.
Kaoru clenched her fists, trying to appear even stronger. "We've got this. You guys be careful."
"We'll go 'assist' the police, make sure they know how to handle those guys." I tried to keep my tone light, nodding at Miyako and Kaoru to assure them that the situation wasn't as dangerous as it seemed.
Miyako raised an eyebrow, a hint of doubt in her eyes. "Are you really just going to assist?"
Kagami smiled calmly, his expression reassuring. "Of course, we're just going to help maintain order. Nothing dangerous, trust me."
Shigeru chimed in right away, "Yeah, don't worry. We're just offering some suggestions, nothing risky."
Kaoru still seemed a little suspicious but eventually nodded. "Alright, but you guys better be careful."
"You two as well. Take care of the tourists," I added, feeling a slight unease that I quickly suppressed. We needed them to believe we were only doing something simple so they could focus on protecting the others.
As we turned to leave, I could feel Miyako and Kaoru's eyes lingering on us. They were definitely worried, but we had to deal with the terrorists first. We couldn't let these bastards keep threatening innocent lives.
We quickened our pace, and once we were sure the girls couldn't hear us, I quietly said to Kagami and Shigeru, "Once we take down those guys, we'll go back before they even know what we did."
"Exactly. We'll have the problem solved before they figure it out," Kagami replied in a low voice, full of confidence.
Shigeru chuckled, "Just make sure they don't find out, or we'll be in for quite a scolding when we get back."
I nodded, mentally committing to keeping this mission under the radar and getting back to the girls before they had time to worry.
Despite the ongoing gunfire and screams, our minds were surprisingly clear. We knew we had to neutralize these armed terrorists quickly, or the situation would spiral out of control. To keep Miyako and Kaoru from worrying, we had told them we were just going to "assist" the police, but we were really planning to take down these thugs ourselves!
As we approached the scene, the three of us exchanged a glance and immediately sprang into action. Our speed surpassed what any ordinary person could react to. For us, dodging through a hail of bullets was practically second nature.
Kagami, wielding the katana he had "borrowed" from one of the terrorists, moved like a phantom across the battlefield. He didn't use the blade's edge, opting to strike with the flat side instead. His speed was so fast it was almost imperceptible, and he even used Shukuchi, appearing at an enemy's flank in an instant before slamming the flat of the blade into their shoulders or midsection. Each strike left the enemies writhing in pain. Kagami also used the hilt of the katana to deliver a heavy blow to one terrorist's throat, causing him to instantly collapse, gasping for air.
"Too slow," Kagami muttered coldly as he pressed forward.
Meanwhile, I wasn't holding back either. When one of the terrorists aimed his weapon at me, I sidestepped in a flash, delivering a hand chop to his neck, rendering him speechless. Then, I grabbed another assailant's arm and slammed him into the ground, following up with an elbow strike that cracked his ribs with a sickening crunch.
Shigeru, on the other hand, displayed his unparalleled combat instincts and precision. In the blink of an eye, he kneed one enemy into submission and immediately landed a solid punch to another's jaw. With graceful agility, he dodged the enemy's bullets, spun around, and kicked another terrorist in the knee, forcing him to the ground in agony.
Gunfire rang out, but the three of us moved in perfect harmony with the rhythm of the shots. Our bodies glided effortlessly through the chaos, with bullets whizzing past, never hitting us. Every punch, kick, and strike was precise and powerful, executed flawlessly.
"Are those guys… even human?!" a SWAT officer gasped as he watched us weave through the hail of gunfire, taking down dozens of terrorists. He couldn't believe what he was seeing.
Kagami, finishing off the last enemy with a strike from the back of his katana, sheathed his katana and said nonchalantly, "All done."
The entire skirmish lasted only a few minutes, and we had already taken down every remaining terrorist. They lay on the ground, either groaning in pain or unconscious. The police and SWAT team had expected it to take much longer to regain control of the situation, but now they were completely awestruck by our speed and strength.
"Who… who are you guys?" one of the officers asked, staring at us in disbelief, his eyes wide with shock and confusion.
I simply smiled, dusting myself off as I casually replied, "Just some college-bound students out on a date."
While the three of us were engaged in a fierce battle with the armed terrorists, Miyako and Kaoru split up and quickly began the evacuation of the park's visitors. Despite the immense pressure of this sudden crisis, they remained calm, demonstrating exceptional teamwork.
Miyako, always level-headed and rational, took charge of the situation. After assessing the scene, she stepped forward and began directing the panicked crowd with a clear, commanding voice: "Everyone, stay calm and evacuate in an orderly manner! Follow me, and we'll get you to safety!"
Under Miyako's calm leadership, the frightened visitors slowly began to settle down and follow her instructions. Her presence and decisive actions instilled confidence in the people, and even with gunfire echoing in the distance, they formed lines and started moving toward the safe zone.
Meanwhile, Kaoru worked on soothing and assisting those who were too frightened to move. She spotted a young boy sobbing uncontrollably from fear and rushed over to pick him up. She spoke softly, "It's okay, we'll protect you." Her voice was gentle but strong, and the boy gradually stopped crying, leaning on Kaoru's shoulder for comfort.
At the same time, Kaoru swiftly assisted other visitors. Her agility and quick reactions proved invaluable in this chaotic situation, as she led a group of tourists to safety. "Miyako, there are still more people over here!" Kaoru called out, pointing to a group of stragglers. Miyako quickly signaled, "Come over here! It's safe this way!"
The two worked seamlessly together—Miyako managed the overall guidance while Kaoru handled specific situations. Despite the chaos, they remained calm and effectively completed the evacuation.
As we and the armed police were gradually regaining control of the situation, the phone of the officer in charge suddenly rang. I noticed his expression change instantly, and after he answered, his face turned even more grim.
From the other end of the line came a sinister voice: "Don't think it's over yet! I've planted bombs throughout the park! Some are remote-controlled, others on timers. And there's one main bomb, linked to all the others.
Disarm it, and they all stop. But if the main bomb explodes, the entire park will be reduced to rubble!"
My heart jumped into my throat. Bombs? And they're all linked together?!
I rushed forward, grabbing the phone from the officer's hand and shouting, "You've got to be kidding me! What the hell do you want?!"
But before I could finish, a deafening explosion shook the park. We all whipped around, and to our horror, we saw that one of the Ferris wheel's carriages had been blown to pieces, debris flying in every direction. The screams of terrified visitors echoed, and chaos erupted once again.
The moment I heard that explosion, it felt like my heart stopped. My mind went blank, and when I turned to look at the Ferris wheel, the sight almost made my soul leave my body—one of the carriages had been blown to smithereens, its remains scattering through the air. Screams rang out all around us. My first thought was: Momoko!
She's still on the Ferris wheel!
"No way…" I muttered in shock, gripping the phone tightly, my fear overwhelming me. I could barely process what I was seeing, paralyzed by the terror filling my heart.
"Momoko…" I whispered her name, my voice trembling with fear. All I could think about was her—she was still stuck on the Ferris wheel, completely unaware of what had just happened… And that carriage had just been blown apart! If that had been Momoko's carriage…
Just as I was on the verge of breaking down, the sinister voice came back through the phone, laughing coldly. "Relax, that was just an empty carriage. I'm only reminding you of your situation. Now, let's play a little game."
The moment he said "empty carriage," I let out a slight sigh of relief, but at the same time, a surge of anger and bloodlust erupted within me.
"You bastard!" I nearly lost it, shouting into the phone. My fists clenched, trembling with rage. The fire burning inside me was almost uncontrollable. This psycho didn't even realize how close he came to killing Momoko… It was too close…
Meanwhile, standing near the Ferris wheel, Miyako and Kaoru had also been stunned by the explosion. They had witnessed the carriage being destroyed, and the sight of the debris scattering left them both pale.
"This… how could this happen?!" Miyako's usual calmness vanished, replaced by deep fear and shock.
Kaoru's lips trembled as sweat began to form on her forehead. Despite her normally strong demeanor, the scene was too much for her to handle. "Momoko… she's still on the Ferris wheel!" she whispered, her eyes filled with worry and panic.
Shigeru, standing beside me, had a heavy expression. Usually composed, his fists were now tightly clenched, his eyes gleaming with fury. "This guy is a complete lunatic…" he muttered, his tone filled with cold determination.
Kagami, however, was even colder. Gripping the katana in his hand, his eyes sharpened with a deadly focus. "This scum will pay for this," he said in a low, dangerous voice, full of resolve.
I knew that it wasn't just me who was angry—everyone was enraged by this terrorist. Momoko was still trapped on the Ferris wheel, and this ordeal was far from over!
As I recalled the terrorist's earlier words to the police—"Hand the phone to that orange-haired kid in the red tracksuit"—those words echoed in my mind. Since he had specifically requested to speak with me, it meant that this bastard was definitely nearby—he had to be watching me from somewhere.
I quickly scanned the area, my eyes as sharp as a hawk's, searching for any clues amidst the chaos. He couldn't be too far; he had to be able to see my reaction. The explosion on the Ferris wheel only confirmed my suspicion—he was definitely observing from a hidden vantage point.
On the other side of the Ferris wheel, Momoko sat in her carriage, feeling heartbroken at the scene unfolding below. Inside her carriage was a young girl and her older sister, both trembling with fear from the explosion. The younger girl clung to her sister's hand, sobbing, "Are we going to die?"
That question felt like a knife twisting in Momoko's heart. She couldn't help but think of her own younger sister, Kuriko, and the scared yet trusting look Kuriko would give her when they faced difficult situations as children. The little girl in front of her now was just like Kuriko—helpless and terrified.
Taking a deep breath, Momoko felt a wave of protectiveness surge within her. She quickly composed herself and gently reassured the sisters. "Don't worry, nothing will happen to us. I'll protect you, and no one will hurt you."
Her voice was soft yet firm, and the young girl gradually stopped crying. The older sister tightly gripped Momoko's hand, her eyes showing a glimmer of trust.
Meanwhile, back near the Ferris wheel's control room, Miyako and Kaoru were also taking action. While assisting the police, they kept a close eye on their surroundings. That's when Miyako spotted a suspicious man. His expression was tense, and he was holding a phone, seemingly monitoring something. As Miyako watched, he checked his wristwatch, as if timing something.
Immediately, Miyako's sharp instincts kicked in. She tugged on Kaoru's sleeve, signaling her to pay attention to the man. Kaoru glanced over and instantly sensed something was off.
"That guy is definitely up to something," Kaoru said in a low voice, her eyes full of caution.
"He looks… very suspicious," Miyako muttered, her eyes narrowing with suspicion. She had always been calm, but the explosion on the Ferris wheel had deeply unsettled her, especially knowing that Momoko was still stuck up there. The worry, mixed with anger, burned within her.
"Suspicious? More like he's the mastermind!" Kaoru sneered coldly. "Look at that smug expression. What a jerk!"
Miyako nodded, lowering her voice. "We need to take him down. He's probably the one orchestrating all of this." Her voice was calm but filled with determination.
Kaoru clenched her fists, her fighting spirit igniting. "Let me handle it. I've had enough of that guy." Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Kaoru quietly approached the man from behind. Her movements were swift and silent, the result of her years of training. The man, too confident in himself, was engrossed in his phone call and completely unaware of the danger approaching from behind. In an instant, Kaoru swept his legs out from under him, sending him crashing to the ground.
"Didn't see that coming, huh?" Kaoru said coldly, pinning him down and firmly restraining his hands.
The man panicked, shouting incoherently, "You think you can stop me like this? You're too late! The bombs—"
"Shut up, you bastard!" Kaoru snapped, cutting him off. Furious, she threw a punch, knocking him out cold.
Miyako hurried over, glancing at the unconscious man on the ground before sighing. "Now that he's knocked out, how are we supposed to get any info about the bombs?"
Kaoru shrugged, still annoyed. "What's there to ask? That guy deserved to get knocked out. He was way too cocky."
Miyako couldn't help but smile a little, even though she knew knocking him out wasn't the best way to extract information. Still, she understood Kaoru's frustration—the man's arrogance had been infuriating.
The two exchanged a look before Miyako quickly pulled out her phone to contact the boys, informing them that they had apprehended the mastermind.
"We've got him. The ringleader's down," Miyako said simply.
"That's great! We're on our way to you now!" I responded, feeling a slight sense of relief, though I still couldn't fully relax. After all, the threat of the bombs remained, and Momoko was still trapped on the Ferris wheel.
Gripping my phone tightly, I began calculating our next steps. This nightmare had to end soon, and we needed to make sure everyone got out safely.
Within minutes, we, along with the police, rushed to the control room. The moment we arrived, Shigeru immediately looked at the unconscious mastermind on the ground, frowning before turning to Kaoru.
"Kaoru... you knocked him out. How are we supposed to ask about the bombs now?!" Shigeru said, half in frustration, his voice tinged with urgency. After all, this guy was the only one who knew the location and number of bombs, and now that he was unconscious, the situation had become even more dire.
Kaoru immediately defended herself, looking slightly indignant. "Miyako already scolded me for that! And it's not my fault, this guy just couldn't take a hit! I didn't even hit him that hard!" She crossed her arms, pouting slightly as she explained, clearly still feeling a bit annoyed.
Shigeru shook his head but didn't say anything more, simply sighing as the situation became more complicated.
Just then, one of the police officers spotted a timed bomb attached to the roller coaster track not far away. He quickly grabbed a pair of binoculars, and his face turned grim. "There's only one minute left!"
To make matters worse, there were still passengers stuck on the roller coaster, which was stopped at the top of the track. If the bomb blew up and destroyed the tracks... the consequences would be unimaginable.
My heart tightened, and I scanned the area urgently.
Shigeru immediately sprang into action, glancing at the bomb's location before his eyes flashed with determination. He quickly scanned the surroundings and spotted a boy holding a skateboard. Without hesitation, he dashed over and grabbed it. "I'll borrow this!"
"Shigeru, what are you doing?!" I shouted, panic rising within me.
"Don't worry, I've got a plan!" Shigeru replied, already sprinting toward the roller coaster tracks. His movements were as agile as a cat, and within a few bounds, he had climbed to the top of the roller coaster track.
Miyako's eyes were filled with worry, her hands clenching unconsciously. She watched Shigeru anxiously, whispering, "Please... just make it in time!"
Kaoru was laser-focused on Shigeru's actions. Despite her usual tough exterior, I could feel the anxiety radiating from her. "Shigeru… he'll succeed! He has to!" she murmured to herself, trying to reassure herself, but the tension in her expression was unmistakable.
Kagami, on the other hand, said nothing, his gaze sharp and intense as he watched Shigeru's every move. His calm demeanor couldn't hide the fact that his fists were tightly clenched, a sign of how tense he really was.
"Please… you have to make it…" Momoko, still stuck on the Ferris wheel, watched the scene unfold helplessly, her heart filled with worry.
Shigeru balanced on the skateboard, speeding along the narrow roller coaster tracks with a swift, eagle-like grace, charging toward the timed bomb. Despite the urgency, his movements were precise, his focus unyielding as he locked onto his target.
"No time to hesitate!" was the only thought in Shigeru's mind, his eyes sharp as a blade.
The skateboard raced along the tracks, the wind whipping past his ears as everything around him seemed to slow down. But his speed only increased, and with the countdown echoing in his ears, he leaped forward in the final moments, deftly reaching out to grab the bomb without any hesitation. Without missing a beat, he hurled the bomb with all his strength toward the water park's pool. The bomb arced through the air before a deafening explosion rocked the area, sending up a massive splash of water, as if a sudden storm had descended.
"Got it!" Shigeru breathed a sigh of relief but then caught sight of something—there was a wrench stuck on the roller coaster track.
Just as Shigeru successfully threw the bomb into the pool, and the explosion sent a wave of relief over us, his words—"There's a wrench stuck on the tracks!"—snapped us back to full tension.
At that very moment, the roller coaster, shaken by the explosion's shockwave, started to move! The passengers on board screamed in terror as the coaster began to roll forward. If the roller coaster hit that wrench, the consequences would be catastrophic!
"Kaoru! Hurry!" Shigeru yelled.
Kaoru immediately understood. She scanned the area quickly, spotting a boy holding a soccer ball nearby. Without hesitation, she rushed over, borrowed the ball, and lined up her shot at the wrench on the tracks. Time was running out, but she didn't falter, her movements swift as lightning as she launched the ball with incredible speed.
The soccer ball flew like an arrow toward the wrench, and all of us held our breath, our eyes locked on the ball and the wrench.
In the nick of time, the ball struck the wrench, knocking it off the tracks with a sharp, clear sound. The roller coaster, now free of the obstruction, roared past where it had been stuck, continuing safely along its path. The passengers' screams echoed in the air, but the coaster made it back to the ground without incident, the riders safe and sound.
We all exchanged glances, still shaken but filled with a sense of triumph.
"Well done!" I breathed a sigh of relief, my eyes turning toward Shigeru and Kaoru, full of gratitude and admiration for their teamwork. Their efforts had saved everyone.
Kagami, who had been watching silently, broke into an impressed smile. "Kaoru, that was a perfect shot!"
Miyako smiled warmly, her gaze full of pride and admiration as she looked at her friends. "Kaoru, you were amazing!"
Shigeru jumped down from the tracks, hands on his hips, wearing a satisfied grin. "We really are the best team, aren't we?"
Kaoru chuckled lightly, waving him off like it was no big deal. "Not bad, I guess. But you've got to thank my kick, or that roller coaster would've been done for."
I couldn't help but laugh, my heart swelling with respect for the two of them. Their flawless teamwork hadn't just saved the passengers, but it also reminded all of us of the bond they shared. At that moment, not just us, but even the nearby police were in awe of Shigeru and Kaoru's seamless cooperation.
One of the officers, amazed by what he had just witnessed, sighed in disbelief. "These young people... they're something else."