「Probably because it’s hot. They’re all slumped in the shade.」
「They look like they’ve overheated because they’re so fluffy.」
Upon hearing that, the cute animals suddenly became poor animals.
「You can’t disturb them when they’re cooling off in the shade.」
A girl who’s around Akari-chan’s age buys food and tries to feed it to the animals but they didn’t get up to go to her. They’ll only get up to drink some water and go back under the shade.
They looked like people who were suffering from summer fatigue. I guess animals get summer fatigue too.
「Akari-chan, what should we do? The animals seem to be tired.」
「Leave them alone.」
Leave them alone. I guess that’s better than trying to force them.
I whispered to Mei if we could let Akari-chan eat some ice cream.
It's a little late for snacks so if you want to eat dinner or have a weak stomach, you better not eat one now.
Mei thought about it for a while and gave me an okay sign so I suggested it to Akari-chan, who’s still looking at the unmotivated animals.
「Then, how about we go get some ice cream?」
「Ice cream? Can I have some?」
「Of course you can.」
Akari-chan regained her good mood and hums “ice cream ice cream”.
「Are you not letting her eat ice cream at home?」
「Not much. We argue about the flavor and who will eat how much. Then, someone will eat someone else’s and then, more disputes. We finally stopped buying them.」
「I see. So that’s why she’s in such a good mood.」
Even though both of her hands are being held by me and Mei, Akari-chan is waving her arms around as if to say nothing else matters.
「However, I didn’t expect her to be in a better mood compared to when she was on the merry go round.」
An ice cream truck and an ice cream vending machine came into view. Akari-chan went straight to the ice cream truck.
「Welcome, what would you like?」
「Vanilla!」
「Then, kid-size vanilla, regular chocolate and, how about Souta?」
「Kid size green tea.」
「Kid size vanilla and green tea and regular chocolate, 900 yen.」
I paid for all of them from my wallet, which I have been using even since Mei gave it to me for my birthday. We took our ice cream.
「I’ll pay for our ice cream later.」
「No need. I’ve got some extra allowance for this.」
I managed to get Mei put her purse away. The three of us sat down on a nearby bench.
「Come to think of it, why did Souta order a kid size?」
「No, I just thought it would be a pity if only Akari-chan was the only one with kid size. You wouldn’t like it if you’re the only one with small one, right?」
「I never thought about it at all.」
「Perhaps I’m just overly concerned.」
I looked at Akari-chan who was eating her ice cream with relish and not saying a word. She doesn’t seem to be paying attention to what’s going on around her.
「Do you want to taste mine?」
「Then, I’ll have a bite.」
「Ahh」
「Eh?」
「Open your mouth.」
「O-okay.」
When I opened my mouth, a spoonful of chocolate ice cream was brought to my mouth.
I thought “Isn’t this the same spoon Mei is using?” but it was already too late. The spoon had already done its job and was about to leave my mouth.
「Chocolate is delicious, isn’t it?」
「Ah, yeah.」
There’s no way I could tell what it tasted but she didn’t seem to notice so I just gave her an appropriate reply. However, I noticed it. I feel very embarrassed with what had just happened.
Since mine is kid size, I ate it immediately like there’s no tomorrow.
After Mei and Akari-chan finished their ice cream, we went to the ferris wheel at Akari-chan’s request.
「It’s still too early to ride the ferris wheel so it’s so empty.」
「It doesn’t feel like dusk yet, does it?」
It was almost five o’clock and considering that we would group up again at 5:30, this is probably our last ride. However, 5:30 in the middle of summer is still very bright and Mei was right, we wouldn’t be able to see the sunset at all.
「Three please.」
I bowed my head lightly and got on the ferris wheel. The ferris wheel is moving without stopping so it’s hard to adjust. How about stopping a little. No, if they do that, we will feel the momentum.
「Did you have fun today, Akari-chan?」
「Yes, it was fun.」
「That’s good.」
Akari-chan yawned and she’s obviously sleepy but that’s probably because she had enjoyed herself enough today. She was trying to stay away until the ferris wheel went around but her fatigue was evident.
「Did Souta had fun with my family?」
「I did. I’m thankful that your mother invited me.」
「I see. That’s good!」
「Ah, yeah.」
I looked at the window after getting embarrassed seeing Mei smiling at me in full bloom. I noticed that we were almost at the top.
「Oh, we’re almost at the top, aren’t we?」
「Right. Akari, look at the nice view. 」
But Akari-chan, who’s still holding my hand, did not reply. However, I could hear her breathing.
「She’s asleep. 」
「She reached her limit. 」
「Well, it can’t be helped. 」
「I guess so. Let’s just enjoy the scenery ourselves. 」
「Of course. Hey, isn’t that close to your house? 」
「Is it? Everything looks so small. 」
「Only that coaster is as high as this one. 」
「That’s the one we rode this morning. 」
As the two of us talked about our day, the ferris wheel returned to the ground.
I carried the sleeping Akari-chan on my back and headed to the square near the entrance gate with Mei.
When we arrived at the square, Iori-chan, who had already arrived before us, told us the same thing the go kart staff said. The long day came to an end though there was a bit of a hiccup at the end.