Chapter 60: Ferris Wheel
Rei-san took my hand and looked me up and down.
“Let’s go, shall we? Haruhito?”
We originally went out to the aquarium in the next town over.
Of course I want to go, but… I’m worried about Kotone’s threats.
Is he gonna be okay?
I shook the thought out of my head.
The actuality is that even if Kotone and the delinquents who were ordered by Kotone would not try to do something in the middle of the day on the main street of this town where there are many acquaintances and in the neighboring town of the big city.
I nodded and grabbed Rei’s hand back.
We went to the station and took a JR train to the next town.
We sat next to each other on the train.
Rei hesitated for a moment, then leaned over me shyly and put her cheek on my shoulder.
Rei and I must have looked like a couple of lovers as we leaned in close to each other, and I blushed a little.
I’m worried about the eyes around me, but I’m more happy to be with Rei like this.
We got off at the JR station, changed to the subway, and got off at the station where the aquarium was.
This was the location of a large city port, famous for its automobile industry.
It is not only a trading port but also a sightseeing spot, and besides the aquarium, there is an amusement park, a retired Antarctic research ship floating as a museum, and many other things.
As soon as she got off the train, Rei’s eyes lit up and she pointed at something.
Haruhito! Let’s ride that!”
Uh…
I clammed up and Rei-san nodded her head.
It’s not that I don’t like it, but I’ve never been good at heights.
I’m slightly afraid of heights.
I was about to say that, but then I thought better of it.
I don’t want to deny Rei a ride.
I said you could do whatever you wanted.
And compared to when you were little, it’s a little scarier, but you can keep it out of your face.
I smiled and said, “Okay.” I said, “Okay.
Rei-san smiles happily.
We bought tickets and got on the Ferris wheel without waiting in line.
“We didn’t have to wait long at all.”
“Yeah.”
Rei-san, who was sitting across from me, was kind of fidgety.
Rei stares at the floor of the Ferris wheel, then at the ceiling, then back at me.
The Ferris wheel gradually rises in height and the whole harbor comes into view.
Below us are thousands of cars waiting to be exported, and beyond them, tankers are driving leisurely on the sea.
It’s not a beautiful night view in the daytime, but it’s quite spectacular.
I’ve overcome my fear of heights before I knew it, and I hardly feel scared at all.
I said, “You can see an Antarctic observation ship over there.” and pointed at it, but Rei didn’t reply.
When I looked at Rei, she looked pale and her blue eyes were slightly moist.
I was surprised, but then I figured out why.
Are you afraid of heights?
Rei nodded.
Then why did he ask us to go on the Ferris wheel?
“Because… Riding a Ferris wheel alone with just the two of us… I think it’s really sweet.”
Rei-san said brokenly with a blue face.
I get the motive, but it doesn’t have to be so overwhelming.
What do you want me to do?
The Ferris wheel has not reached the top yet, and it will take some time to get off.
However, Rei-san was breathing in agony and breaking out in a cold sweat.
We have to do something.
The basket of the Ferris wheel shook lightly as I stood up gently, and Rei-san trembled as if frightened.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
I’ve scared Rei-san.
I sit right next to Rei and talk to her at a slow speed.
“Are you okay?”
“It’s… It’s okay.”
You don’t look so bad.
Rei-san looks at me with teary eyes.
I hesitated and then put my hand on Rei’s trembling hand.
Uh…
Rei-san lets out a small exhale.
Rei’s trembling subsided a little.
“Haruhito’s hands… It’s warm.”
You’ve calmed down a little bit?
“Yeah… I know a better way to relax.
“What?”
“I’d feel more secure if you hugged me, Haruhi-kun.”
I didn’t hesitate to touch Rei’s shoulder when she said that.
If it won’t scare Rei away, it’s worth it.
I hugged Rei-san as it was, regardless of her ticklishness.
Rei’s soft touch and warmth reached me too, and she stopped shivering.
Rei-san nuzzled her face into my chest and mumbled softly.
I think we’re gonna be okay.
“Good.”
“… Beautiful.”
“What?”
I thought the ocean was beautiful.
Are you sure you’re okay to look out there?
“If you just look into the distance, you don’t feel like you’re high up.”
You could say that.
I used to be afraid of heights too, so I know that fear is always close at hand and never far away.
Rei-san chuckled.
“Besides, with Haruhi-kun around, I don’t think I’ll be scared at all.”
