Amagi Brilliant Park's
V1 - Chapter 1 Part 3
He wouldn't say, exactly, that the croquet had captivated him, but Seiya decided to stay with Isuzu a little longer.
After going through the door that read ‘Only Authorized Personnel,’ he was led around the backstage of Amagi Brilliant Park by Isuzu. It seems that he has the key to the door ‘ only employees.’
“I know you have something to do with this place,” accuses Seiya.
“I haven't told you?” Isuzu replied without a care.
“Not yet,” he nags. “Although it's quite easy to guess it from the way you talk about it..”.
“Wear this on your neck,” he said, and gave him a card with a harness. It was a guest card that read ‘LEVEL 4’ printed in uppercase.
“What does this ‘LEVEL 4’ mean?” tanyakanya.
“It was your security clearance,” he told. “The latest part-time workers are only limited to level one. The highest level is five.
Dangerous areas—such as power plants and important company secrets—need permission level five.”
“You have strict security here,” he said, resisting the urge to add. “....for a lousy playground.”
“Actually this is pretty standard,” Isuzu explains. “The level four card I gave you can take you to most of these places.”
“You entrust the ultimate security to an outsider like me..” Seiya sounds suspicious.
“That's because you need it to reach our destination—meet the park manager.”
“Manager?”
Isuzu continued to lead him to the backstage.
He had never been to the backstage of a playground before, but he should not have been too surprised to see that it was just the path of a boring regular employee: Tasteless, colorless or interesting. Stacks of cleaning tools and cardboard are everywhere, alongside signs of disaster-handling guidelines and a change of cast schedule. If he showed a picture of this area to someone and told him he was at the military headquarters, they might believe it.
They went down the stairs to the underground passageway. After a little walk, they reached the elevator. At this point, Isuzu started talking again: “We are now in the center of the park, just below Maple Castle. We can use this elevator to reach the top floor of the castle.”
“Maple Castle?” Seiya wondered. He suddenly recalled the very impressive castle he had seen from the entrance of the garden. It could not have been a castle in a fairy tale, it was a fortress designed for practicality, with crevices and moats. The castle exuded strength. It felt like a place where the invading enemies would meet rain fists and cauldrons filled with hot oil.
They took the elevator to the top floor, passed a short passage straight ahead, and reached a rooftop garden.
A roof garden. It was the only way to describe where he was.
Above it lay a glowing sky colored by the first tinge of sunset light. In front of him was a flower that began to stalk with the warmth of spring. And in the middle of it all was installed a small, quiet pond. There is a dazzling blend of light and shadow in the garden, accompanied by an abundant sense of serenity and purity. So far, that was the most amazing sight he had ever seen on the playground.
At the edge of the park stood a girl. Her silver hair had a pseudo-white color, which glittered under the blazing red sky, and the material that was easily blown away from her long white dress clutched meekly into a delicate body. He rubbed his finger over a flower that he did not know his name, then whispered something to a small bird that descended nearby.
Seiya was struck by the strange feeling of deja vu; it felt like he had been here before. As he looked at it, too fascinated to be able to act, Isuzu spoke from next to him. “Continue. I'll wait here.”
“Huh? But..”
“Go.”
Reluctantly, he stepped out into the garden. The unknown girl turned to face him, and the bird, perched on her finger, flew away.
What age is he, fourteen? Fifteen? The closer Seiya got, the more he could see his face. There was something mysterious from his face—something that evoked a strong affection within him. He was so fascinated that another thought flew from his mind. Have you ever felt so enamored with others throughout your life?
Only when he was a few steps away from her did he realize: He was not looking at her. His eyes were focused on a point above his head—an empty space that was in the twilight sky. Could it be.. is he blind?
As Seiya took pains to think about what to say, he spoke. “Do you happen to be Kanie Seiya-sama?”
“Huh?” nervous, surprised by his question. “Oh... yes, true..”.
Throw's right. He blind.
“I'm so glad you're here, Kanie-sama. I'm Latifah. I'm the manager of this amusement park. I have to thank you for coming here.”
Foreign name? I wasn't expecting it. Come to think of it, she did look foreign. And...he's the manager? This young girl?
“T-Sure.. I don't understand it as a whole, but.. em, nice to meet you,” he replied, still confused.
The girl named Latifah smiled and let out a soft voice filled with excitement. It was like he said “I've waited a very long time to meet you.”
“I hope Isuzu-san doesn't do anything to offend you,” Latifah apologizes on behalf of his employees. “If he pisses you off, I hope you'll forgive him—he has little experience interacting with men.”
“Oh. Well... I've been afraid of my life,” Seiya admits, “but I'm still intact.”
“So.” There was a diplomatic pause, then Latifah continued, “I must confess.
Because there's something I have to ask of you.”
“Looking from me?” seiya said with doubt.
“Ya,” strictly. “Follow me, and I'll explain.” Her dress rippled behind her, Latifah walked down the large tiled stone path, and further into the garden. Although he was clearly blind, he must have known the garden as well as the back of his own hand.
Down a little, they found a porch. There was a mosaic-patterned marble table waiting there, flanked by elegant wrought-iron chairs. On the table sat a set of porcelain tea drinking supplies.
“Please sit.” Latifah.
“T-Sure..”.
Latifah makes tea. Each movement symbolizes elegance. He poured hot water into the cup, then carefully steamed the tea leaves while waiting for it to warm up. “You smell like fried food.” he said.
“Huh?”
“Do you happen to eat croquettes from Maple Kitchen? I really hope you like it.” he said in a cheerful tone.
“Do you make it?” Seiya wanted to know.
“Yes, I made it,” Latifah admits humbly. “I make it every day, hope the guests will love it.”
So. So he made it…
“The rockets are really...” the sound is shrinking, for a moment considering the taste and texture, “...enak.”
“Thank you,” Latifah said, graciously receiving her praise. “As you may have noticed, I am blind, but I can tell when they are ripe by listening to the sound of cooking oil.”
Seiya's concerned. “You cooked it yourself? Isn't that dangerous?”
“Not at all,” she laughs. “Those rockets are my pride and joy. Although I'm afraid if my tea is a bit less delicious. please.”.
He placed a cup in front of Seiya. The cup reflects fragrant vapors with a soothing aroma. He blew it a little, then took a sip.
Tasty. He was not an expert in black tea, but he thought it was amazing.
“Does it suit your taste?” he wants to know.
“It's amazing.” reply Seiya.
“I'm so happy to hear it.” Latifah smiled calmly. It was a smile like the sun behind a mountain at dusk.
Enchanted, Seiya stared at the smile for a while, before clearing his throat. “...I don't really understand the whole thing. What do you want to ask of me? And who are you?” tanyakanya. “I've been staggered due to the fact that there is a place like this in the middle of a very playground.
“Of course,” he said calming. “Have you seen our Amagi Brilliant Park?”
“What do you think?”
This is the worst amusement park I've ever been to. It would be easy for him to say that, but for some reason, his words got stuck in his tongue.
Even so, a look of mine appeared on his face, indicating that he could tell the contents of his mind from his behavior. “You are not satisfied. Don't you think it's delicious?”
“Yah... I...” his voice shrinks, not sure what to say next.
“This is what I want to ask, Kanie-sama: Will you take over this amusement park that is on the verge of collapse, and revive it?” That is a real request.
“Ap..?” Seiya could not believe his ears. What the fuck? Reawakening this lousy amusement park? Me?
“I want you to be the manager of Amagi Brilliant Park.” Latifah explained.
“I'm officially asking you this, Kanie Seiya, as a member of the magical nature royal family, Maple Land.”
What are you choking on? That's what he would say in most situations—test his sanity—but this girl, Latifah, seems too rational and civilized. That's the only possible explanation.
When Seiya was still thinking what to say, he said again. “You think I'm crazy?”
“Yah, i..”.
“But I swear to you,” he said in earnest, “this is a very serious problem. I'm asking you to save our amusement park, because I believe you can do it.”
“OK,” He managed to respond, “but.. all this is very sudden. I can't say ‘oh, alright’ like that only... you know?”
“Ya.. of course, you are right.” The girl smiled peacefully, her face down. “This must sound like nonsense to you, the inhabitants of the human world. But this amusement park is Argel, built here, in your world, by magical realms, Maple Land.”
So this amusement park... was built by... ‘alam magis?’ And what is Argel?
“Any...magical nature, yes?”
“There are many other realms like this,” Latifah told him, and began to explain further. “The Kingdom of Dreams, Regnum Somni; Animal Republic, Polytear; Schubert Empire with its sword and magic; the future lands of Avenir. It was on the threshold between the ocean and the land. Many of these realms build Argel here, in the human world—Argel is a word meaning ‘madang’ in your language—Digimaland is one of the famous, Cosmic Studio and Highland Fujimi is also Argel.”
“Uhh..”.
“A Argel is a happiness farm. Argel allows us to gather together the joy and excitement of those who come to the park and realize it into the Animus, which is an important source of energy for us.”
“……”
Latifah seemed to be aware of Seiya's astonished reaction. “Everything sure sounds unbelievable.It is not common knowledge among the inhabitants of the human world. Therefore... firstly, I will give you the gift of magic.”
“Magic?” repeat Seiya in confusion.
“I don't know what kind of magic will appear,” Latifah pensive. “It's up to the wishes of the Goddess Libra. But maybe the magic will allow you to understand.”.
“Huh?”
The girl leaned over the table with her slightly flushed cheeks. Shame and doubt appeared in his eyes. “Kanie-sama. Please, stay where you are.”
“Huh?”
“N-Nah.. sorry..”.
“Huh?” He doesn't even have time to get out.
Her pretty little lips touched my lips. It was a soft sensation. A warm sensation. That's all, so why did it hit him so hard? Why did he feel this powerful lyric flow grabbing his neck down?
A kiss from a really pure girl—His mind is empty. It's hard to breathe. When the soft sensation began to disappear—slowly, never lost, concerned—Seiya felt something else flow into his mind. Infinite emotiona powerful and inexplicable thing buried deep, deep within one of its human parts.
I don't understand, Seiya thought. I only came here on this suspicious date because a strange girl threatened me. How could this be like this? Why is this happening?
Something came. Magic—mysterious magic that someone, somewhere, has prepared for him whose purpose he will never know.
“Don't forget—” a girl told him from across the vast white abyss. “My feelings—the first and last time you knew them..”.
The first feeling he feels is love, followed by an unbearable heartache, then old nostalgia. A little boy, walking away at dusk. He looked back and said: “I'm with you. I'll save you—”
Wait, wait.. this is indeed a beautiful atmosphere but. at least give me a kind of penjela—.
Feeling like she was struck by lightning, Kanie Seiya lost her consciousness.
...----------------...
The Hotaru no Hikari groove floated in the air as the amusement park sank in the twilight.
Moffle entertains 28 guests in its attractions today. Only three of them took a photo of the souvenir with her, one of them being the haughty child, Kanie Seiya.
Very few, and on Sundays, they had countless guests, all climbing up to Moffle's Sweet Home. Crowds of children with smiling faces.happy feelings, his screams, his laughter.
“Moffu..” He turns off the attraction lights, then does a little cleaning. They didn't have the money to hire maintenance crews for overtime, so disinfecting a water gun-shaped pointer laser using alcohol, making sure they were still functioning, and replacing the batteries was all he did himself. Repair damaged animatronics from time to time, as well as check fire systems and lock all doors afterwards.
After all the work is done, Moffle, the Sweet Fairy, will drop by along with the part-time cast that worked with her. “Time to close, fumo.”
“Thank you, sir.” the part-time workers will answer rudely, then go straight to the cast service door.
There's not a word of chat. The boy was under the impression that Moffle was a company employee working in a mascot costume because they lacked manpower. Ah, nevermind. Let him think as he pleases. What's the point of telling her that the manager at her place of part-time work is a real fairy from a magical realm named Maple Land?
Moffle walked slowly down the underground passageway, returned the keys to Moffle's Sweet Home to the security center, signed it with the return time, and then emphasized the sign of his presence.
“Moffle-san. How are the guests today?” An old security guard—this one knows his true self—asked him in a friendly voice.
“Custom, fumo. Although there was one who was vengeful, and we got into a small fight.”
“Ah, I see,” the security guard sympathizes. “I know it's hard, but try to hold on.”
“Thank you, fumo.”
Normally, this was the moment where he left the park and went to satiate himself in a yakitori restaurant with his mascot friends. But today he thought of something else, so Moffle turned around.
The old security guard, who was preparing to check his luggage as usual, called Moffle as he walked away. “You didn't go home?”
“Ngak.”
Usually, after the employees finish work, they have to undergo a luggage check. After all, there were countless of them, and they did not believe that there was anyone in the park who might smuggle merchandise or equipment and sell them elsewhere. Such checks are standard in most malls and amusement parks. Of course, dedicated employees hate him, but—
“I'll talk to manager, fumo.”
“Latifah-san, yes?” said the security guard with a smile. “Can you say hello to him for me?”
“Good.” Moffle remembers that the security guard is a fan. Not a strange thing among the full-time workers—it is one of the few things that keep the fading fighting spirit lingering on a thread.
Moffle did not say he was a fan. He loves Latifah, certainly quite—but that's because he's his nephew. And since she also cared for him, the feeling was entirely pure without any sexual desire.
...----------------...