Yuki blinked, dazed.
They were no longer in the food court.
His eyes slowly scanned the colorful gates, the blinking lights, the towering ferris wheel in the distance, and the carousel turning to soft carnival music. Laughter drifted from inside, children and couples running around like their world had shrunk to just joy and sugar and spinning rides.
"…Huh?" he finally whispered. "When… how… how did we—?"
Just moments ago, he was wrapped in Shin's arms, trembling, the warmth of that hug still lingering in his skin. He could still feel the weight of Shin's chin resting against his head, the heartbeat that pounded against his ear. But now—
Now they stood in front of an amusement park?
"I figured you needed a change of pace," Shin said, coolly, his hands in his pockets. "Food court trauma therapy wasn't working. So, here we are."
Yuki's mouth opened. Then closed. Then opened again. "Wha—Shin! That's not how people just—!"
But he didn't get to finish.
Because Shin reached out, casually took his hand, and pulled him forward.
"Come on, you look like you could use some cotton candy," he said with a slight grin. "And maybe a haunted house. Gotta toughen you up."
Yuki stumbled after him, blinking. His cheeks were a mess of pink.
They were holding hands.
His fingers were in Shin's.
And Shin didn't even act like it was a big deal.
This isn't a date, Yuki reminded himself, mentally stamping it like a big, red warning sign. Not a date. Not a date!
But his feet moved. His lips lifted into a small, unbidden smile. Even as Shin pulled him into the gates of chaos and romance and overpriced snacks, Yuki let himself be tugged along.
Maybe this wasn't a date.
But it sure felt like one.
---
Across the street, in the shadow of a tall vending machine, Ai and Aiko peeked out from behind a tree.
"I knew it," Aiko hissed. "I knew he'd take him somewhere else!"
Ai's eyes sparkled with delight. "Look at Onii-chan, holding his hand like it's no big deal. He's so cool…"
"Ugh, I hate how effortlessly smooth he is," Aiko grumbled.
"But it's working," Ai said, still watching them disappear past the ticket gates. "Yuki's smiling again."
Aiko crossed her arms, thoughtful. "It's so weird though. They're both acting like it's just a bro thing."
Ai giggled. "Right? They're doing all the couple stuff, but calling it male bonding. I love this trope."
Aiko glanced at her. "Tch. Don't get too happy. We're still in this game."
Ai nodded, determined. "Of course."
They exchanged a look.
"Rival truce?" Aiko offered.
"Temporary," Ai agreed.
And with that, they both crept closer to the entrance, ready to follow. Because if this wasn't a date… they were definitely going to make it one.
---
They stopped first at a shooting game stall. Shin paid for a round and picked up the toy rifle with such casual confidence, it made Yuki scoff.
"I bet you suck at this."
Shin raised a brow. "Watch and learn."
One shot. Direct hit. The prize—a huge plush of a teddy bear—toppled over.
Yuki stared. "Lucky shot."
Shin smirked. "You want it?"
"Wha—no! Why would I—?"
"Too late." Shin handed it over like it meant nothing, but his smirk lingered just a little longer than necessary.
They moved on to the candy stalls. Shin bought two sticks of cotton candy, handing one to Yuki with a lopsided smile.
"You're not gonna—"
"Feed you?" Shin grinned. "Too late again."
"D-Don't—!"
He did.
Yuki took the bite with a glare and a blush, cheeks puffed out with pink fluff. Shin chuckled as he watched him chew, clearly proud of himself.
Next came the carousel. Yuki had tried to walk past it like it wasn't even there, but Shin suddenly tugged him toward it.
"You scared of horses now?" he teased.
"They have glass eyes. They stare into your soul."
"That's why I like them," Shin said, hopping on the nearest one and patting the horse behind him. "C'mon. Sit behind me."
Yuki's face turned red. "Wh-Why would I—?!"
But he ended up sitting there anyway, arms wrapped tightly around Shin's waist as the ride began to spin slowly under the glowing lights. Shin leaned back slightly, speaking just loud enough for Yuki to hear.
"Warm back there?"
Yuki buried his face in Shin's shoulder. "Shut up…"
They stumbled off afterward—Yuki pretending he wasn't dizzy or clinging just a little too long. Shin only laughed.
Then came the spinning teacups. Shin spun them aggressively. Yuki screamed. Shin spun harder. Yuki slapped his chest while trying not to fall over. Shin looked entirely pleased.
By the time they exited, Yuki looked like a sunburnt tomato and couldn't walk straight.
"Y-You did that on purpose…"
"I wanted to see if your voice cracked when you shrieked. It did. It was adorable."
"I'm going to kill you."
"You won't. You're too soft."
They passed a duck fishing booth—Shin won again. Gave the tiny duck plush to Yuki. "For your growing zoo."
---
The air changed the moment they stepped inside the haunted house.
Gone was the colorful cheer of the amusement park—replaced by a damp, cold silence. The walls closed in with every step, narrow and winding like the inside of a forgotten castle. Fake cobwebs dangled from above, brushing Yuki's face like ghost fingers. Low growls and distant shrieks echoed from hidden speakers, making Yuki flinch at every turn.
Shin walked like he was taking a casual stroll through the grocery store.
Yuki, on the other hand, was clinging to his arm like his life depended on it. "Th-This is not fun… This is actually not fun…"
"I told you not to come in," Shin said, amused, letting Yuki grip tighter. "But then you puffed your cheeks and said you 'weren't a baby.'"
"I'm not a baby! I just… I have a healthy respect for demons!"
"Mmhm."
The lights flickered. A sudden blast of air blew through the corridor. A painting on the wall shifted with a moan. Yuki yelped and jumped, grabbing Shin's sleeve, then slowly sliding closer until his cheek pressed against Shin's upper arm.
"Th-This doesn't prove anything," he whispered, voice shaky.
"It proves you're the cutest thing in the world when you're scared."
"D-Don't use this moment to flirt!"
Shin chuckled, but said nothing, letting Yuki stay close, one hand casually resting against the small of his back. They turned a corner into a longer, darker hallway. This one was decorated with a gory dinner scene—bloody mannequins frozen around a table mid-scream, torn flesh and flickering candles.
Yuki shrieked and hid behind Shin entirely.
"That one does look kinda realistic…" Shin mused, scratching his chin.
"You're impossible!"
And then—
A soft whisper echoed. "Hoooo…"
Yuki froze. Shin stopped walking.
A tall, pale figure emerged slowly from behind a torn curtain. Its movements were jerky, unnatural—like something out of a stop-motion horror film. It wore a long, white tattered dress, its face obscured by a curtain of black hair.
"Haaaaaaaaa…"
Yuki backed up so fast he nearly tripped, grabbing Shin's waist from behind and burying his face into his back. "NOPE! Nope-nope-nope—What is that?!"
But Shin didn't move. He didn't even look surprised.
He just stared at the ghost girl with a long, unimpressed gaze.
Then, casually, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone.
Yuki peeked up from behind him. "Y-You're texting?? While we're being cursed?!"
Shin's thumbs moved smoothly.
[Shin: Ai. Get back in your ghost corner. He's already clinging, you win.]
The ghost paused.
A subtle twitch in its movement.
It stepped closer. Yuki whimpered louder, squeezing Shin tightly.
Shin raised a brow at the ghost. "Stop doing the neck twitch thing."
The ghost sighed. Sighed.
And then slowly turned and vanished behind the curtain again.
Yuki, still trembling, peeked out. "I-It's gone?"
"Yeah," Shin said, slipping his phone back into his pocket. "She got bored."
"…She?!"
Shin smiled mysteriously. "Just a hunch."
Yuki looked up at him, confused, but too shaken to argue.
Meanwhile, behind the curtain, Ai crouched in her ghost costume—face painted deathly white, fake hair in messy tangles. She pressed her hands over her face, muffling her giggles. Her heart was pounding.
Onii-chan knew…! He really knew… even in full disguise!
It wasn't even a question to her. Even if she came back in a different body, as a different being—he would always recognize her. That was just how deep their connection went. It was unshakable. Unmistakable.
Her phone buzzed again.
[Shin: Nice try. But I'm gonna tease him naturally now. Thanks for the assist.]
Ai squealed quietly, hugging her knees. Onii-channnnn…!
Back in the hallway, Yuki still hadn't let go of Shin.
Shin glanced over his shoulder. "You're still back there?"
"I'm never walking alone again," Yuki said firmly. "Ever."
Shin smiled, fond and evil. "You're not even walking. You're a backpack now."
"Then carry me! I demand comfort!"
And, much to Yuki's shock, Shin crouched down with a smirk.
"Hop on."
"W-What?!"
"You heard me."
Blushing furiously, Yuki reluctantly climbed on Shin's back—arms around his neck, legs secured at his waist. Shin stood up easily, like Yuki weighed nothing.
The haunted house had nothing on this level of heart-racing terror.
For Yuki, being that close to Shin—his breath warm on his cheek, Shin's strong back holding him effortlessly—it was too much. His brain short-circuited.
Meanwhile, Shin walked deeper into the haunted maze with a victorious smile.
"See? Told you you'd have fun."
"I h-hate you…"
"You love me."
"Shut up…"
But he didn't let go.
And neither did Shin.
---
END OF CHAPTER : 40 : NOT A DATE, AGAIN!
---