It went without saying that both women considered their own partner to be the best. However, having spent years as rivals, Mayumi and Mari shared a compulsive need to measure themselves against one another—and that extended to their boyfriends.
"You know, Shuuji-san really is quite helpless when it comes to his little sister, Erika-chan," Mayumi noted, a playful glint in her eye.
"And Tatsuya-kun isn't soft on the Shiba household?" Mari shot back defensively.
"Well, that's different. You have to consider that his father remarried almost immediately after his mother passed away. He's had to be protective."
"And Shu has his own set of complicated circumstances to deal with!"
Currently, their partners were off purchasing drinks, leaving the two women alone to discuss their significant others. "Discussing" was perhaps too generous a word; they were essentially locked in a verbal tug-of-war, each trying to force the other to admit their boyfriend held the superior position.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
"Mari, we're back."
Unaware of the silent battle that had just taken place, Tatsuya and Shuuji returned, both carrying drinks for everyone. While their girlfriends were busy comparing them, the men were focused on building a friendly rapport. Despite the age gap, Tatsuya's psychological maturity made him a natural fit for Shuuji's company; he felt they could actually get along quite well.
"Tatsuya-kun!" Mayumi chirped.
"Yes? What is it?"
"Let's ride that next!" She pointed excitedly.
"The... carousel?" Tatsuya asked, arching an eyebrow.
"We're going to ride on the same horse!"
"I... see..."
Unable to fathom why Mayumi had suddenly made such a request, Tatsuya glanced at Mari, hoping for a clue. But Mari was busy cornering Shuuji with a competitive intensity of her own.
"Shu! We're riding on the same horse, too!"
"W-wait, what?! Mari, didn't you say you hated those things?"
"I said no such thing! Come on, Shu, let's go!"
"Hey! Mari, don't pull so hard—!"
Tatsuya watched Shuuji's retreating back as he was practically hauled toward the ride by Mari. Then, he turned his gaze back to Mayumi.
"Just what exactly are you two competing over?"
"W-who says we're competing...? We aren't doing anything of the sort."
"That's a lie. Whenever you lie, Mayumi-san, your eyes shift just a fraction of a millimeter away from mine."
Mayumi sighed, her shoulders dropping. "...I really am no match for you, Tatsuya-kun. Fine, the truth is—"
She confessed the details of her argument with Mari. After listening to the whole story, Tatsuya let out a long, weary sigh and looked Mayumi directly in the eyes.
"Shuuji-san and I are different people. There is no point in comparing us. Surely you understand that, Mayumi-san."
"I know... but I just can't help it when it comes to Mari."
"I suppose it can't be helped, given you were rivals for three years just like with Juumonji-senpai. But please, try to keep the rivalry limited to your grades."
"Okay, I will... By the way, do you think Mari and the others are actually going to ride that thing?"
Mayumi looked toward the carousel, where Mari and Shuuji appeared to be in the middle of a heated debate. Tatsuya used a bit of lip-reading to catch the gist of their conversation. With a dry, knowing smile, he suggested to Mayumi that they find a different ride instead.
As it turned out, the amusement park date was surprisingly enjoyable. By the time they finished several attractions, Mayumi and Mari seemed to have forgotten their rivalry, their faces lit up with genuine smiles.
"Still," Mayumi teased, "I can't believe the two of you actually rode that horse together."
"You were the one who suggested it in the first place!" Mari barked, her face turning crimson. "And then you two just casually slipped off to a different ride...!"
"Now, now, Mari," Shuuji said, trying to play peacemaker. "It was a good memory in its own way, wasn't it?"
"I suppose, but... Hey, why are you laughing?!"
"It's just," Mayumi giggled, "I heard you were really clinging to Shuuji-san while you were on that horse, Mari. Like your life depended on it!"
Tatsuya, who remained a quiet observer to their banter, didn't look like the youngest member of the group. If anything, he projected an aura of maturity that surpassed everyone there.
"Tatsuya-kun," Mari snapped, "is your girlfriend making fun of me?"
"I don't think so," Tatsuya replied calmly. "I think it's because she respects you so much as a peer that she feels comfortable teasing you like this."
The sheer poise with which Tatsuya silenced both women left Shuuji looking at him with a newfound sense of respect.
"Well then, where to next?"
"How about that over there?" Mari suggested, pointing.
"Wait... why does this place have one of those?" Mayumi squeaked, recoiling instinctively and grabbing onto Tatsuya's arm.
Mari smirked. "What's the matter, Mayumi? Don't tell me you're scared?"
"O-of course not! Tatsuya-kun, let's go!"
"...Don't say I didn't warn you," Tatsuya muttered.
Tatsuya was dragged into the Haunted House by a trembling Mayumi, while Mari, sensing an easy victory, led Shuuji inside with a triumphant grin. What happened inside shall remain a secret for the sake of their dignity—but when the two women emerged, both were clinging desperately to their boyfriends, their legs shaking like leaves in the wind.
Once the two women had recovered from their fright, they headed toward the Ferris wheel, which they had decided would be their final ride of the day. By this point, Shuuji and Tatsuya shared a look of mutual sympathy; both were exhausted from being pulled around by their headstrong girlfriends.
"Let's just relax for the last one," Shuuji suggested.
"Agreed," Mari said, no longer trying to hide her competitive streak. "We'll take separate gondolas. There's no need to compete anymore."
Shuuji gave Tatsuya a wry smile, which Tatsuya returned with a knowing nod.
"Alright, let's head home once the ride is over."
"Sounds good. See you at the bottom."
Tatsuya and Mayumi boarded their gondola first, followed shortly by Mari and Shuuji.
"I'm sorry, Tatsuya-kun," Mayumi murmured as the wheel began to turn. "I feel like I dragged you into a lot of nonsense today."
"It doesn't matter to me," Tatsuya replied. "As long as you had a good time, that's all that matters."
"Geez... you really are so much more grown-up than me."
"You think so? I think you're a perfectly fine adult, Mayumi-san."
"I don't mean age, I mean... emotionally," she said, leaning against him. "Getting all worked up over Mari like that... it was a bit childish, wasn't it?"
The gondola behind them held Mari and Shuuji, who had a clear view of their cabin. Tatsuya was well aware of this, but he reached out and drew the dejected Mayumi into an embrace anyway.
"Tatsuya-kun? What are you..."
"I like that side of you too, Mayumi-san. So, don't worry about it so much."
"That's a bit of a complicated compliment, but... thank you."
Knowing Tatsuya wasn't the type to initiate further, Mayumi slowly closed her eyes—a silent signal. Tatsuya understood. Completely disregarding the two people in the gondola behind them who were currently panicking at the sight, he leaned down and pressed his lips against hers.
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