Amagi Brilliant Park's
V1 - Chapter 4 Part 1
CHAPTER 4: Someone Uploads Videos of Customers Being Hit
...----------------...
It had been three days since Seiya took the position as the managing manager.
The morning after a sleepless night, he left for school, his eyes downcast. He had already taken too much time off; if he did not start getting into class once in a while, people would start to get suspicious.
With nothing else to do inside the overcrowded train, he turned on his smartphone and checked the total video clicks. “.....?” He instinctively rubbed his eyes. Total clicks for swimsuit video ‘All 30 Yen’ is 8,873.
When he checked it last night before going to bed, it was 218 in total. From that much to 8,873? It is hard to believe that his total clicks could reach a forty-fold increase in just one night. 218 clicks to 8,873 clicks? It doesn't make sense.
Resisting his anxiety, he checked the totals again during the sidelines between each class. After the second hour, the total is 12,031. During lunch, the total was 21,230. After the sixth hour, the total exceeded 40,000 and increased so quickly that every time he refreshed his data, the number had already increased by hundreds.
...----------------...
“It looks like a different video went viral. Most people who watch the promotional video get there via the recommended link.” Isuzu informs Seiya as soon as he gets to his office in the park. He immediately ran there home from school.
“Different video...?” tanyakanya.
“Video fight Moffle,” he told her. “Other guests must have recorded his attack on the father, and then uploaded the video to the Internet.”
“What?!” Seiya tried to access it with a laptop nearby. The limited information the smartphone provides has not made it clear, but it is now clear. One of ‘videos related’ to swimsuit video Seiya has obtained more than 190,000 clicks. Title ‘Maskot Amusement Park Beats Reliability.’
He clicked on it, and indeed, it was a recording of Moffle's fight with the guest family from the previous day. One of the other guests must have recorded it in confusion, left before Seiya and Isuzu came running, and then uploaded it to the video site later.
In terms of format, it's very similar to any other fight video you might see online; it starts with the man yelling a curse at Moffle, which is outside the frame of the video. There is no explanation as to what the cause is.
The men's threatening words lasted for about ten seconds. It was a rather uncomfortable scene.
The audio quality was low, so it was hard to hear anything Moffle said. It just sounded like he was shouting ‘Fumomo, fumo, fumomomo!’
Then, the man stormed Moffle. As the tension reaches its peak, Moffle performs a precise strike against the man, followed by a perfect fist into his jaw. The attack knocked him down, then Moffle punched the air with a series of two quick punches before performing a mocking pose. That was the end of the video.
“Mmgh...” Seiya groans.
In reality, Moffle was wrong too. But due to misrepresentation, it looks very thrilling.
Most of the comments on the video were positive.
One written, “Good work. Totally cathartic for us in the service industry.”
The other: “The punch was on target. Mascot is very strong.”
Others: “What park is this? I have to go see it!”
Of course, there are criticism comments as well. For example: “What kind of amusement park hits their customers?” and “This is forged, this is stealth marketing.” But far more consider the fight to be entertaining than one that does not.
The click count is almost 200,000.
In addition, the first link of the ‘video related’ fight was a promotional video, with its thumbnail featuring three beautiful girls in swimsuits. Well, at least it's doing its job to draw the eye.
In conclusion, Moffle's fight video had already gone viral, and it streamed traffic to the promotional video.
“Clicks are still growing,” Isuzu reviews very helpful. “This is a good sign, right?”
“Hmm...” Seiya is not committed.
“What's up?” she asked. “You don't look happy.”
“Yeah, this is good news, but..” He hesitated to celebrate. Anyway—
“Moffu.” He looked up and saw Moffle, who was standing at the entrance to the office. He leaned against the frame with an aura of perfect arrogance around it.
“Moffle,” Isuzu greets him. “Videomu seems to be a success.”
“I know, fumo. I've been hearing it all day. But. huh, I'm not the head mascot of AmaBuri for no reason, fumo. I have a certain thing, you know.. charisma?”.
This bastard, Seiya thought. I knew he would try to boast.
“It takes a certain star power to turn an unfortunate situation into gold,” Moffle said casually. “I'm very talented, fumo, I even scared myself. I thought it was to show.an amateur boy might try to be clever, but he would always pale in the face of true talent, fumo.” Moffle looked down on Seiya, grinning evilly. …In reality, Moffle is much shorter than him. But at this moment, he somehow seemed to be towering above him.
“Ngh...” Seiya lowered her head, her shoulders shaking.
Moffle continued, “So, hmmmm. What about your video, fumo? Video of three girls in a swimsuit? Hah, you're thinking hard about that, right? You're so passionate. But, what a pity. Do you really think it's going to explode in popularity? The world does not serve such naivety. Heh heh heh..”
Damnit. It's annoying. So sucks. To make it worse, he couldn't even say that Moffle was wrong.
“It was just a coincidence that it went well,” Isuzu interrupted. “I don't know who uploaded it, but you should thank them for editing it so flattering. They could easily make you the villain.”
“Moffu..” His highly accurate observations put Moffle down in shame.
“Well... I bet you have something to say, Kanie-kun?” he continued. “Stop petty competition.”
“...Yes, actually.” Seiya took a deep breath, relieving his embarrassment and anger. “...There are about 50,000 clicks in the 30 yen promotional video. The peak may be tonight, and then the audience will stop growing tomorrow. We're lucky if it touches 100,000.”
“Fumo..”.
“In addition, there is a fact that people who watch his videos are all over Japan. Even if people in Hokkaido and Okinawa were interested in AmaBuri, there was no way they would come here out of a sudden desire. So, how many people would come here after watching such a video? One out of ten? No—less than that. We're lucky if we get one out of fifty.”
In other words, two percent. And maybe even optimistic…
“So, for example, if 100,000 people see the ad, then that translates to 2,000 visits to the park. And it would probably be less than that, given the geographical difficulties I mentioned—more like 1,000, or less. My point is just because the video went viral doesn't have to mean we can get more guests.”
“Then, why did you put us in that torment?” Isuzu asked her, her gaze understandably full of hatred.
“Because I'd rather have 1,001 than 1,000.” Seiya replied firmly.
Moffle and Isuzu's eyes were wide open.
“Get everyone we can get,” he tells them. “That's what we have to do, right now.”
A brilliant scheme won't just pop out of the air, however. For now, they should focus on getting every individual they can get into the park. They need to be willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen— that's the only way they can have a chance.
“……”
He did not intend to express his despair openly like this, but Moffle and Isuzu still seemed to take something from his words. “...I understand what you mean, fumo,” Moffle said. He was no longer arrogant or smiling. “I'll go now. Guests waiting, fumo.”
Moffle leaves, leaving Seiya and Isuzu together at the office.
“...I think Moffle just realized that you're serious.” he finally said.
“Really?”
“Yes. And more than that, I think he thinks you won this round.”
“Win?” It was a strange thing to say, Seiya thought. I just expressed my approach to the problem.
“You are trying to get every guest you can get,” Isuzu explained. “In the meantime, Moffle sneaks out of the post on his stage to mock you.
“Ahh.. So.” It seems that the mouse has more than pride in his work. He probably couldn't bear just standing here after hearing something like that.
Isuzu stuck his face out the office door to make sure that no one was there. Then he turned around, closed the door behind him, and walked over to Seiya. “Kanie-kun.”
“A-What?” Face near. His big eyes looked intently at his eyes. Seiya turned away instinctively.
“I won't complain anymore,” she told him. “If you ask me to come out in a swimsuit again, I will.
If you ask me to be naked, I'll do.”
“Y-Yah..” he stuttered, “I don't think I'd ask you to be naked..”.
“...So,” said, after a pause. “Then we will get rid of nudity from the table. After all, you are a good commander.
That's what I'm trying to say.”
“Ahh...” he stuttered like a fool, as he felt his words penetrate directly into his heart.
A good commander. Himself, really? It was hard for Seiya to agree. It's much more likely that this will all end in tragedy.
Isuzu turned sharply, as if declaring that he had nothing more to say. “I will also go on stage,” he said. “Perhaps I can impress the guests with my proficiency in sharp shooting.”
“Do not happen to kill someone, okay?” his proposal flatly.
“Will I try.” Taking out his usual musket, Isuzu left the office.
...----------------...
After that, Seiya carried out his duties: reading reports from various departments, giving instructions, consulting with staff. It checks how maintenance works, gives final decisions on ad copy, straightens out inefficiencies, and more. As soon as he reached the stop, Seiya decided to see how things were going on stage.
“Contact...” He wears his garden uniform, which is a dark blue suit tailored to aiguillette gold and an armband inscribed ‘ managing manager.’ He thought he looked silly wearing it, but it had long been a rule that the park manager should wear it when he went on stage.
He left the public affairs building and headed down the road to the front plaza. It's dark enough; close to closing time. Most of the guests are probably gone by now.
“.....?” When he came to the front plaza, Incoming Square, he found that everything seemed to be alive, surprisingly.
It's far from crowded, of course. Given the season and the timing, it was no surprise that visitors were a bit sparse, but the guests who were there had already stopped as they walked towards the gate to enjoy the performances from the cast.
“Moffu! Moffu!” Moffle did juggling. Four balls to five, five to six. It keeps everything in the air with great skill, adding a spin here and there. That he did that with his fat little arms made him even more impressive. As soon as he finished, four or five guests clapped, and Moffle countered with a low bow.
“Ron! Ron!” Macaron dancing. Early 2000s hip-hop exploded from an old, rusty CD player as it jumped and ran furiously down the road. An official copy of the park states that Macaron specializes in ballroom dancing, but what he is currently performing is hardcore breakdancing. He circled over his head following the rhythm of the old DMC20 Run song, leaving some guests cheering.
“Mii! Mii!” Tiramii performing on stage. Far from being a child's toy, the stage was roughly three meters high. Since Tiramii is a striking little mascot, it mainly causes a disproportionate and precarious visual. Although his posture seemed impossible, Tiramii ran lightly all over his box, first hopping around, then jumping on one leg, then even walking backwards. Guests walking along the street supported him.
“.....” Isuzu is also there. He wears an eyepatch and neatly takes long-range shots at the balloons inside the mouths of nervous looking mascots—including Wanipii and Tricen—with his musket. Every time he hit his target, five or six guests were watching clapping.
Several other cast members were also present, doing their best to keep guests happy in various ways. So this is what the security guard meant when he mentioned the recent laughter, Seiya thought to himself. This is definitely a change from what is usually.
They give the guests a good show, doing whatever they can to cheer them up. And they, as a result, enjoy interacting with guests.
Seiya remained standing on the exit, dumbfounded, for at least a full minute or two. “Why don't you guys always do it like this?” it was a question that finally floated from his lips.
“I'm afraid they can only because of you.” He turned around surprised to see Latifah standing there. Muse was with him; he, it seems, was the one who guided him here.
“Latifah.” he greeted her.
“Kanie-sama,” Latifah reply. He smiled, his eyes closed. Muse, who clasped his hand, looked at himself with faint concern.
“This is very clear to me. We have all changed a lot since your arrival,” he continued. “We are very confident that there is no future left for us. And now, we are beginning to realize that we may have been wrong. Can you see uncle—forgive me—Moffle-san?”
Already finishing his juggling show, Moffle is now making a herd of pigeons fly out of his hat, inviting another round of applause from their guests.
“Moffle-san hasn't worked very hard on anything in a very long time.” Latifah.
“Hmm..” Seiya muses. It was true that there was something earnest about his appearance.
“Hard work, the result, inspired the rest of the cast. Even if the park is indeed closed, he does not expect it to be under conditions that will allow you to say ‘I told you.’ I feel that motivation very strongly from him.”
“You mean I gave them hope, eh?” Seiya asked.
“Ya,” Latifah told him. “This is what many people call a miracle.”
More miracles, huh? It was the truth.Seiya refrained herself from saying that thought out loud.
So it was; the atmosphere changed. But that doesn't mean it's going to be easy to get 100,000 guests. If the plaza is crowded with people, it may give little hope, but this is not; this is only one or two families per mascot.
Seiya did not lie as he said he wanted to bring in every guest he could. But to reach 100,000 in this situation—
“Kanie-sama,” Latifah asked quietly, “Will you walk with me?”
“...?” Curious, he waited for her to say more.
“There is still one hour until park closing hours. If you want..” Latifah worried for a moment, her cheeks became pink. “I want you to accompany me.
...----------------...
Seiya convinces the worried Muse, then takes Latifah out for a park tour.
Since he was blind, it was inevitable that he would end up holding her hand. Of course, the players they passed by watched in shock, and even the guests, who had no idea who they were, seemed to consider them an unlikely pair.
First, they stop at ‘Contaminated House Moffle.’ It's an attraction where you shoot a rat with a laser gun, not an attraction designed for Latifah pleasure. They just wander around until they reach the final room, where Moffle comes to meet him and take a photo of the souvenir. On closer inspection, it's clear that this isn't the real Moffle, but someone in costume.
“Moffu!”
The original Moffle was performing on the Inbound Square at the moment, so they definitely got someone to replace him.
“Well, isn't this surprising,” appears the voice of a man from inside. “We are so power-deprived, you see.they even make security guards like me contribute.”.
“Thank you for helping,” he said. “I'll make sure you get paid overtime.”
“Nah, well. I did this because I liked it. And the guests seem to enjoy taking pictures with me more than I expected.” As he spoke, the old guard in Moffle costume took a photo of Seiya and Latifah together.
Just before the shutter was turned off, Latifah tightly hugged Seiya's arm.
...----------------...
They toured the Tiramii Flower Adventure, Macaron Music Theater and other attractions, giving more thanks to the replacement mascots they encountered there.
After they visited some of them, Seiya asked Latifah a question. “That's all the popular attractions in this area... Is there anywhere else you want to go?”
Latifah reply, “Ya. I want to ride the giant wheel.”
“Bianglala.. huh?”.
Giant wheel. It is an old attraction, older than the bubble period of the 1980s. He heard that it was quite popular during the early years of the Showa period, when the area was known as ‘The Amagi.’ Game Field He called it ‘giant’ wheel, he called it, but it's really very degrading compared to what they're building today with modern technology—you'll probably get a better view of the roof of the local high-rise building. And again, Seiya was already hoping to avoid the reanglala if possible.
“Are you sure you won't do anything else?” he asked doubtfully. “It won't have much to see. …Ah.” Recalling about Latifah's vision, Seiya stuttered quickly saying, “Em, sorry..”.
“You don't need to apologize; it doesn't bother me,” he assured himself. “I just want to ride bianglala.”
“If you're sure, I.. I don't mind.” he said, feeling sweat start to appear on his back.
“Then, come.” he asks cheerfully.
He took Latifah's hand and led her up the ring. The park was just about to close; there were hardly any guests left.
After the gondola door closed, he spoke up. “I hope you won't take this in the wrong direction, but... You can't see the view, can you? Why are you interested in bianglala?”
“Ah. It's true that I can't see the scenery.” the sound shrinks. “But I know that there was a time when I could, even though it was so long ago that I no longer remember it..”.
“...?” He waited for her to say more.
“Although so,” he continued, “I feel a little comfort from the thrill of this reanglala shock: its vibration, its creaking, the hardness of the seat on my back..
“Ah-ha...” Seiya felt as if some of the things Latifah said were too difficult to understand. He eventually took it out of his mind, thinking that as a blind man, he would definitely be motivated by things beyond his comprehension.
Under normal circumstances, he might be more curious, but— “We've gone up quite high, huh?” he whispered, stroking his chest lightly.
The bias is not that high. Even so, they had roughly reached the height of the four-story building. The attractions around now are just a collection of roofs, and the ‘getaran’ and ‘deritan’ Latifah talked about are not helpful. His heart started to beat.
“How high are we now?” she asked.
“Hmm? Uh... If this was a clock, we'd be around 10:00?” He could not keep his voice from breaking.
Ah, shit, he thought, We're not even at the top yet? We still have to go higher? Just be right…
“Kanie-sama?” Latifah asked, sounding concerned. “Are you okay?”
“Uh? W-What do you mean?”
“Your voice vibrates..” she told him.
“I t-t-don't think so..” Seiya stuttered again.
Although the ringleader does not approach the size of a modern large ring, it occupies one of the highest points of the Tama Hills, which makes for a very good view. He could see the horizon of the western part of Tokyo glittering thoroughly. It was like a jewel scattered at night. The flickering expanse of lights extended to the horizon— so far away that he had to strain his eyes to see them. It was a scene that could not be replicated in photos or videos.
“How do you think, Kanie-sama?” Latifah asked, her eyes closed quietly.
“Um... i-this is very beautiful,” she confessed. “M-Maybe not a 100,000 dollar view, but... c-good enough, you know?”
“Kanie-sama? Your voice broke..”
I don't give a shit! We're not even at the top yet. If this were a clock, we'd still be around 11:30. We still have to go higher? Just be right…
“Kanie-sama?”
How much longer did he have to sit here while they continued to rise more and higher? He could not breathe, and his back was soaked in sweat. Each shock from the gondola caused his sanity to go a little further.
He couldn't even imagine looking out the window right now. No more. No more. Get me out of here!
“Ah... Kanie-sama, are you afraid of heights, maybe?” Latifah asked.
“T-Of course not!” he rebutted with a strangled voice.
Latifah looked stunned for a moment, then her body slumped. “I'm sorry,” he apologized. “It was an insulting thing to ask.”
“Oh, no... It's okay, but... em, I... It's just...” Seiya loosened his tie and unbuttoned the top of his shirt. To keep from looking out, he tightly closed his eyes and shook his head.
The only option for him was to distract himself by talking. What's the point of looking great now? That's not gonna take him anywhere.
“I'm not great with height..” he admits.
Acrophobia Seiya was first formed around high school. He didn't think about heights at all in lower grade school classes. He even got involved in the silly ‘uji audacity’ on the 10th floor of the local building with his friends.
But at some point, he realized he could no longer handle it. This happened during his lifetime when he was a busy child star acting on the whims of his parents, so this might have something to do with it. Whatever the cause, however, comes one day, when he was in the sixth grade of elementary school, where Seiya suddenly realizes he can't even bring himself close to the fence around the roof of his school.
It didn't happen overnight. For some time before that, he had already realized that his heart would start beating faster every time he climbed to a high place. The ground far below would appear distorted in his vision, and rise towards him. He will lose his sense of balance.
That day in the spring when sixth grade elementary school, that's when, he knew for sure.
Even after getting out of show business, the phobia had not gone away, and he had been afraid of high places ever since. He even hesitated to ride that stupid roller coaster with Sento Isuzu when he first came here.
Seiya explained all of this to Latifah, while he only listened and occasionally gave encouragement to continue. “—And so, I.. I'm still afraid of things like this. I-It's not a panic attack. As long as I close my eyes and keep talking, I can hold it, so. Guh, how far are we now? Shit...” Regardless of what he stated, he still could not open his eyes.
“Currently...if this is a clock, we'll be around two.” he told her.
“So...” he said weakly, and then “K-You can know?”
“Yes. I can tell from the sound it makes and the weight of my body,” he explained. “Do not worry. We're down.”
Gently, her soft hand grabbed Seiya's hand; it was cold and smooth. For some reason, it made a sensation that penetrated him, more intense than he felt when he kissed him.
“You're safe.” reset it. His voice, so good, was like it seeped into him.
He realized that his feet had stopped shaking.
“Take a deep breath and open your eyes,” he advises her. “Everything will be back to the way it was.”
“.....” It does as ordered.
He was right; he was no longer afraid. He looked out the window and saw that his gondol was now quite low to the ground.
“Do you feel better?” he asked gently.
“Ya... I'm fine.” Seiya felt somewhat embarrassed, but this was far beyond his sense of relief. He feels like a fool for acting great around him.
“I must apologize,” Latifah apologizes. “I asked for something very selfish, unaware of your discomfort.” Voice's quiet.
Why would he be the one to apologize to her? “It's okay,” he said. “I think I can smile and hold it, so.. Don't let this affect you.”.
“I'll try,” he told her regretfully. “And again.. ah...”
“...?” Seiya was waiting for him to finish.
“No,” he said in the end. “Nothing.”
“Hey, come on,” he protested. “Now I should know. Tell me!”
“Good. Don't be mad at me for saying it..” Her smile is shy, but with a cheerful tip. “I thought you looked pretty cute like that, Kanie-sama.”
“.....” For some reason, he does not hate it. He felt a little like a boy being patted on the head by a woman several years older than him.
...----------------...
They went around to some more attractions, then he said goodbye to Latifah and went back to work.
They must have responded to his request for repairs immediately, as Seiya found each attraction much more acceptable than Sunday.
The hospitality that Moffle and the others showed the guests also clearly improved. They acted out of desperation, but the guests didn't seem to notice it at all. That is another good sign; even if they are desperate, a good entertainer should never let that be seen.
The park has improved greatly over the past few days.
But wait—is that really? Has the park improved, or is it just his feelings about the park that have changed? In other words, is he prejudiced? The first time he comes to the park, he gets involved in everything reluctantly as Isuzu drags him down. Today, his investment in the park is much higher because of the responsibilities he takes on.
Is this a subjective feeling, or an objective fact? Right now, Seiya could not be sure.
He finished his bookkeeping, and will only be home when Isuzu comes to tell him today's arrival numbers: “2,928.”
“What?”
“2,928,” said again. “Almost double than yesterday.”
Today is Thursday. That's not the day you expect a big wave of visitors—you'll expect roughly the same amount you earned on Wednesday. Instead, his arrival doubled.
“Concidentally,” he commented, “ini is also our best arrival for Thursday in a few years.”
“Ya, I know.” Seiya had already traced the data from the previous year. That's an incredible number.
“It looks like promotion 30 yen effect.” Isuzu.
“Pastya. But... even for that.” Seiya hesitated.
Even for that, these numbers are higher than I thought, Seiya thought. I expect an increase by 50% at most—does anything play a role other than the 30 yen campaign?
“What's up?” she asked.
“No... not nothing.” he ends.
Improved performance among the cast would not increase arrivals so quickly. Even if it causes guests to think positively about the time they spend here, encourage them to come back and recommend it to others, it would take months for a word to spread. It won't happen in just a few days. It is better to note that the 30 yen campaign became more effective than expected.
Even so, Seiya had to ask Isuzu. “Sento—?”
“Ya?”
“Are you aware of the change in work ethic..The rat and his friends, these past few days?”
Isuzu snorted, as if the answer was obvious. “Of course. I've never seen them work so hard before. And..”
“Dan—?” he urges.
Isuzu. “I can't explain completely. But the feeling I feel the most is.. they enjoy their work.”.
[Today's park visitor: 2,928. (92,922 of target)/10 days left.]
...----------------...
The next day was 3,411. Even considering that it was Friday, it was still their best arrival in years.
The promotional video they put on the internet also had a longer tail than Seiya expected, and by Friday afternoon it was close to 90,000 clicks away.
That morning, local news stations in Tokyo sent their business teams to make news. They picked up some footage of the hustle and bustle in AmaBuri, which they hoped to use that night in news reports about their 30 yen campaign.
“To think we could be covered by the show.. I was surprised.” Tricen from the PR department mused as soon as the news team left.
“I slightly used my connection,” Seiya muttered reluctantly. “There was one producer in my place who was quite famous in the industry, right now. I never cared to see her again, but. desperate times and all. I decided to call him.”
“Ahh. Is that?” Tricen asked, his voice meticulously without any feelings.
“I have a rumor about it,” Seiya shrugs. “His romantic life and such.”
“Oh-ho.” Tricen doesn't know about Seiya's past, but he may already realize that it's complicated, because he doesn't press him any further.
Seiya continued, “We will also be the arrival of several more news teams tomorrow, starting from the morning. You have the full schedule, right?”
“Yes, I have, and I am ready to give my best to all the teams that come,” Tricen confirmed. “...In particular at 11:00, when the presenter Oishi-san came up with his amazing hangers. I, the humble Tricen, must bow more than ever.”
“Maybe I better put you in the trash.” Seiya glanced.
[Today's park visitor: 3,411. (89,511 of target)/9 days left.]
...----------------...