"Oh! So, you all met now just to ride the Ferris Wheel?" Feline asked, as if she found the story more exciting than the storyteller did. When it comes to Feline, she always likes to interfere in other people's affairs.
Well, she is typically woman in common, tho. Stories like these are like delightful conversations for them.
"Well, y-yes, that's right. Although, I came here for business too. But since the person concerned hasn't arrived, what can you do?"
Monsieur Marsh's story was longer than the meal he and we were having, even with my slightly queasy condition. I paid close attention to the details.
In any case, the story we just heard left a sour note. First, I just understood that there was such a philosophy for amusement rides like the Ferris Wheel, or the Giant Wheel and the like. Honestly, some romantic dramas and animations from other countries that Feline watched often presented moments almost like what M. Marsh described. Is this what is meant by the changing times bringing new culture?
Secondly, I didn't understand one thing. Why did they gather again at the amusement park? Well, it could happen because the amusement park is a proportional place to spend time together. But why—M. Marsh and the others seemed to gather again just for the Ferris Wheel?
Moreover, after their first meeting at Happywood Hills Theme Park, they stayed connected. It's safe to assume that they communicate through messages on their phones, isn't it? Maybe there's a more flexible place for chatting, like a café?
What were they looking for?
"Monsieur, what is the time span between those four meetings?"
"Hm... I think it's... about a year apart. It's now the fifth year. Well, it does feel quite long. Oh, but that doesn't mean we're distant for a whole year. There are times when we gather at a restaurant to chat or go to Norwich Market to shop for our favorite items."
So... perhaps they took the Ferris Wheel seriously? Well, it's simple.
"Ah, I see. By the way, is there anything happening between you?" I winked at M. Marsh, hinting at something else. It was, of course, related to what he told, which I found quite sour.
"Erm-meaning?" M. Marsh replied with a confused look, scratching his head.
"What are you trying to find out, Mr. Cake?"
Before I could respond to Feline, the other three people had just arrived with satisfied expressions on M. Gill and Mlle. Howell, while the black ombre-haired woman remained calm. I even noticed her sighing too much.
"Well, well! What gossip is this!?" Mlle. Howell, who was previously weary, now changed 180 degrees. She became resilient and very enthusiastic. Even as if considering Feline and me as part of their group, Mlle. Howell acted too comfortably and familiar.
"Sorry, we're late for lunch. What would you like to order, Sweetheart?" M. Gill, who looked better than before but still somewhat stiff, said.
Mlle. Howell said she wanted to order the same as M. Gill.
"What about you, Eira?"
"I'll just have a drink."
The two women sat next to Feline, while I eventually moved to another place. So, three men and three women would face each other.
"Are you not feeling well, Mlle. Voyles?" I asked.
If magic were real and happening now, it could be assumed that Mlle. Howell's condition a while ago was transferred to Mlle. Voyles. Although it's impossible, the reality in front of me seemed that way.
Did something happen between them?
"Ah, this is not an issue, sir. Not when Alwen plays fair on the dodgems ride. She always crashes toward me, not the other visitors. We've gone back and forth to that ride six times to prove who's better between us. And I, not being good with the jolts caused by collisions," she said, glancing annoyed towards Miss Howell while holding her stomach. Well, her face was a bit pale; perhaps she was feeling nauseous?
"Well, what can you do, right? The essence of dodgems is to crash and avoid? Yes, yes, but I still apologize," added Mademoiselle Howell, turning to me. "By the way, we're tied!"
"Really? I thought the score was 4-2?"
"No! You deceived me and took advantage of my forgiveness to crash into me!"
They were like competitive siblings. They weren't really serious.
"Well, you two are quite mature...."
"Shut up, hedgehog hair!" both of them, Miss Howell and Miss Voyles, retorted in unison to M. Marsh. I could tell that being a mediator between women was the same as being ready to make sacrifices in the middle. What a shame.
After that, I had a different perspective. Considering my slightly queasy condition and Feline's apparent desire to ride thrilling, high-flying attractions, depending on others wouldn't be bad. I hate to say this, especially for these two ears of this slow loris, but this is a gift for Feline for being a store assistant for several months without complaints. I even prepared pocket money to give her.
So, I asked for Mademoiselle Howell's permission directly so that Feline could join them. Meanwhile, I...
I would just be like a supervisor, like a parent watching over their child.
Therefore, we chatted for a while waiting for Mlle. Howell and M. Gill to have lunch. Meanwhile, Mlle. Voyles sniffed a small roll-ended glass bottle that emitted a scent of menthol aromatherapy and lavender.
Mlle. Voyles offered it to me, but I declined. I might like Tisane, but I refused the scent of menthol aromatherapy. Even though both are equally good for my current condition, I can still choose something other than the two.
Our conversation continued after M. Marsh's story. Mlle. Howell mentioned that she was very impressed at the third meeting.
Unlike M. Marsh, who was neat in presenting his story, Mlle. Howell preferred to discuss things she admired. Like in Hunstanton, Spectrum Park, not more thrilling than Great Yarmouth Joy Beach, but more refreshingly impressive than tiring.
It was because the rides there were generally for families and elementary school children. Some cuisines there were also described by Mlle. Howell as having more variations. Mlle. Howell admitted somewhat shyly that at that time, instead of riding other attractions, she was more engrossed in culinary tourism there. From kebabs to poutine. Or from ice cream in cones to a type of gelato.
M. Gill added that the Ferris Wheel there was quite thrilling because of its open gondola type. Although only 15 meters high, he admitted feeling uncomfortable because the construction was somewhat shaky.
"Oh, that's actually scary, you know! I and Eira actually tried to shake that gondola and heard a creaking sound! Isn't that right, Eira?" M. Marsh, who was momentarily excited by the story, said.
Mlle. Voyles just nodded casually with her eyes closed for a moment. Her expression was no more than just agreeing. Although the nod was very convincing.
"Now you're trying to give me goosebumps because we've ridden it!" added M. Gill. "But it might not be because... they didn't provide regular maintenance. Well, the construction from the start was somewhat flawed!"
"Now that I think about it, it's true. I also didn't get the impression of riding on such a gondola!" Mlle. Howell exclaimed loudly and somewhat horrified.
Feline and I nodded casually, as if we knew the fun they had. Although, I myself would never want to try such an open Ferris Wheel.
Several minutes passed. Separate bills to be paid by each person. Except for me, who would, of course, treat Feline entirely.
Now we got up from the wooden chairs and were about to leave the food court. In an instant, I could tell that both of Feline's eyes were as sparkling as Mlle. Howell's eyes.
I knew and actually was in the right choice. They were just monsters. I was on the right path by asking the monster for help to invite the slow loris monster I brought so that they could have fun.
"Oh, are you really not joining after this, sir?"
"It doesn't mean I'm not there, right?" I replied.
"Well...," Mlle. Howell tilted her head towards Mlle. Voyles. "You also... are not joining, Eira? Can we line up for the 4D cinema first if you want? Or, uh... haunted house?
"...." Mlle. Voyles remained silent, looking down.
It seemed like I wasn't alone, perhaps?
"Okay, if that's the case—may I... ask for the lemon soda I entrusted to you earlier?"
"N-no! Miss Voyles vehemently refused.
Her three companions stared at her somewhat surprised.
"O-oh... a-alright.... I'll buy it myself later. I'm sorry for bothering you. I-if that's the case—"
Mlle. Voyles covered her mouth as her cheeks puffed out. I immediately guided her.
"H-hey, are you sure it's okay, Eira?" asked Mlle. Howell, who M. Marsh also expressed concern for.
While M. Gill handed a bottle of mineral water, Mlle. Voyles insisted on refusing.
"Y-you guys go ahead.... I want to find the toilet-Bleugh—"
I reached for Mlle. Voyles and told them to go and have fun first. I told them that we would catch up with them later.
And it seems that the role of guardian and parent is really needed here. Although, it should have been Feline, now there is one more person. And anotjer one more person is myself. So it makes two.
"Ah, forgive us, sir. We left Eira for a while," said Mlle. Howell before they left.
I immediately led her to the toilet. The place was right before the canteen. Seeing her face now, it seemed to be covered in sweat. I could tell that her expression wanted me to take her to the toilet to get rid of something from her stomach that she had been holding in for a while.
"W-wait a moment, Mademoiselle!"
Not a hint of alcohol could be smelled. But when I touched her neck and forehead, the heat was quite high. It's hard to believe that all these symptoms arose from the dodgems ride.
What exactly happened? Did I miss something?
ns 15.158.61.54da2
