Company team-building—capital's rare mercy.
Takizawa wasn't fond of team-building or mixers. Adult interactions always involved sizing each other up, calculated smiles. As years passed, even school reunions turned similar.
Back then, dinner led to net cafés, everyone happy, no complaints. Now, late nights meant foot massages, self-indulgent decline.
Sigh. When games stop being fun, the inner teenager might be dying.
Running around, attending events, forking out gifts, visiting fancy hotels, karaoke lounges, resort villas—all exhausting. The thrill of a childhood class field trip was gone.
…Until today's miracle: team-building at a kids' amusement park. So pure, it felt like a conspiracy.
"Since Nakajima-san picked this place, you've got a plan in mind, right?" Takizawa asked, eager to experience this unconventional team spirit.
"Of course, it's a deluxe day!" Nakajima Kenji grinned warmly, pulling a stack of tickets from his jacket.
For a moment, Takizawa thought they'd be handed out to distribute flyers.
"Discounts for nearly every attraction! Years of bringing my kids here, saved up!" Nakajima fanned the coupons like a poker hand, suave as a seasoned dealer. "Don't hold back—play hard, bond!"
"Even so…" Sakura, who rarely noticed sales, muttered.
"Really? Can some discounts stack?" Matsuoka asked.
"They can," Nakajima nodded.
"What a gift!" Matsuoka perked up, excited.
"Huh?" Sakura blinked.
"You, buying new consoles with pocket money, don't get the depth here," Takizawa whispered. "True life experts live off deals, costing only time."
"What's that mean?"
"Matsuoka-kun's a master at it, top-tier," Takizawa said, impressed. "Even seasoned housewives can't match his savvy. With all these coupons, he's a hungry wolf spotting meat, ready to pounce."
Matsuoka took the tickets, his aura shifting, swiftly scanning them.
"I see. This ride's limit is two coupons per use, discounts under 3,000 yen stack with vouchers, and so many group tickets… Wow, tiered sign-in bonuses too? Let's check today's deal hours."
Exuding frugal excellence, he closed his eyes briefly, then opened them, lips curling. The winning formula clicked. Confident, he declared, "Today, we can play nearly two-thirds of the park's attractions almost free, including thrilling ones!"
So fast! Takizawa marveled at the pro.
"Impressive! My wife tried combining deals and said half was the max," Nakajima said, surprised.
"Our group size unlocks extra discounts," Matsuoka said modestly.
"Reliable! How about you lead us to the first stop?" Nakajima encouraged.
"How about the roller coaster?" Matsuoka suggested, smiling.
"Sounds good! Everyone?" Nakajima nodded, looking at them.
"I'm in," Takizawa agreed eagerly. Roller coasters at amusement parks were like sukiyaki with tripe and duck intestine—classic tradition.
"Fine by me," Uchida smiled, speaking up for the first time.
"…No issue," Sakura added.
Too late. Takizawa's eyes glinted. Unlike Uchida's calm ease, Sakura's voice lacked conviction, all bravado, like a kid facing a scary bug but holding onto adult pride, faking nonchalance.
Yet, when the bug lunges, defenses crumble, leading to panicked screams and a clumsy retreat.
"Don't wanna ride?" Takizawa asked sincerely.
"I…" Sakura started.
"You're not scared, are you?" Takizawa's gaze was clear, tone concerned.
She froze for two seconds, then straightened. "Who said that? I agreed, didn't I? Pfft, I ride drop towers and pirate ships all the time."
"But you hesitated," Takizawa coaxed gently. "If you're scared, say so. Seventeen sounds mature, but it's normal to fear your inner shadows. Wanna hit the show area for Anpanman instead? They shout epic finishing moves!"
"I'm not a kid!" Sakura snapped. "A mere roller coaster? I ride those often."
"Great," Takizawa grinned slyly. "Let's go, no time to waste."
"Cough, you guys go ahead. I need the bathroom," Sakura said, pausing. "Those rides always have long lines, no rush."
"True, let's head over," Matsuoka said, oblivious, then noticed Takizawa hadn't moved. "Uh, you're not coming?"
"I'll wait for her, then join. If you're all ahead in line, her buying a ticket alone and sitting by herself would be awkward," Takizawa said, smiling.
"Takizawa-kun's so thoughtful," Uchida remarked.
"Nice. Peers should look out for each other," Nakajima approved. "We'll go first."
The three drifted off.
"You don't need to wait," Sakura said, expressionless.
"No big deal, we're friends," Takizawa waved off.
"I… might take a while," Sakura said, cheeks faintly red.
"Friendship endures time. I'll wait patiently."
"Isn't it rude to openly wait for a girl at the bathroom?!"
"True hurt comes from abandonment, indifference, disdain," Takizawa said. "Oh, I've got tissue—need some?" Ever-prepared, he pulled out a pack.
"No!" Sakura stomped.
"…No tissue? That's reckless," Takizawa said, surprised.
Sakura lost it, charging with flailing fists and kicks to vent her frustration.
***
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