Chapter 764: The Tale of the Mechanized God ⑥ (2/2)

[W- Wawaaa, amazing. That dragon looks so real!]

[Right~~ Hologram technology has come a long way.]

[……Speaking of which, Alicia, have you ever seen a real dragon?]

[They were delicious.]

[I see…… Unnn? Eh? Eh?]

She was thinking that she would listen to Alicia talk about how she has actually valiantly fought dragons in the past while enjoying an attraction that uses the most advanced video technology, but for some reason, what she received was her impression about its taste……

[Pfft, ahaha…… Makina, bunny ears don't suit you. No, is it actually the other way around?]

[Geez, you don't have to laugh that loud! Even Alicia, even Alicia is…… heck, where did you get that weird full head mask?]

[It's a shark full head mask based on a mutant bipedal shark from outer space!]

[…… A shark in space? Even though it's a shark, it has two legs?]

Wearing headgears they had purchased in the character goods area, they went around the park……

[Hmmm, this candy is good too!]

[Isn't it? Come to think of it, the flavor that Makina is eating looks good too. Gimme a bite.]

[U- Unnn, well, it's fine…… but isn't this that? W- Well, we're of the same gender, so it might be weird to worry about it, but isn't this an indirect kiss……]

[Unnn, this is quite delicious.]

[Not only are you not listening, you're already eating mine!?]

[Here, Makina too. Ahhn.]

[Eh? Auuu, a- ahhn.]

Exchanging bites of the candy bars sold in the park and eating them……

[Errr, the next one should be right…… Fufu, this labyrinth attraction is pretty easy.]

[Hey, Makina, isn't it cheating to look at which road to go through with your clairvoyance?]

[Eh? I- I can't do that?]

[I'm not saying you can't, but I think this labyrinth wouldn't be fun anymore.]

[M- Mnnhh…… Alright. Then, I won't use my clairvoyance from here on out. Errr, my hunch tells me that the next turn we should make…… is to the left!]

[……How strange. This place is supposed to be a children's maze, and it shouldn't be that difficult, but without clairvoyance, it seemed like Makina would definitely get lost.]

[T- That isn't the case! Watch this, I'll get through this in no time!]

Trying out an attraction where they would have to go through a huge labyrinth, and Makina, who stopped using her clairvoyance…… got lost as expected……

[Heehhh…… Bobbing and swaying so much like this is fun, isn't it? Is this what a ship is like? However, errr…… Why is this sturdy-looking guardrail here again?]

[It's the kind that makes a single rotation in the second half.]

[This place spins!? Wouldn't we fall off!? Rather, isn't this scary!?]

[……Well, Makina chose this place.]

[If you knew this place is scary, you could have told me…… Awawa, it's getting faste———- Gyaaaaaaahhhhh!?]

Makin, who was supposed to be avoiding scream-inducing attractions, ended up riding them unknowingly, and screamed yet again……

[Hey, hey, Makina baby, don't be shy, pose properly!]

[S- Since when are you carrying that camera…… E- Errr, what should I do? I've never been photographed before.]

[For the time being, how about trying out a peace sign?]

[E- Errr…… Peace.]

[Uwaahhh~~ You look stupid.]

[You're the one who told me to do this!]

Taking commemorative photos with a camera Alicia had prepared before one noticed it….. and the fun time went by really fast.

The thick clouds that had covered the sky had lifted, and the amusement park was tinged with the color of dusk. On the Ferris wheel that she rode for the first time, Making was looking at the scenery with excitement.

[……It's a beautiful view. I can see a lot better when you're this high up.]

[You've been somewhere though.]

[Skydiving and Ferris wheel are two different things. Geez, you really are out of the norm, Alicia.]

Makina giggled at Alicia's words and gazed at the sunset outside the window. There was a sense of calm between the two of them, and I could feel that this had been a pleasant one.

After a few moments of silence, looking at the scenery outside, Makina murmured.

[……Thanks, Alicia.]

[Unnn?]

[I've never had so much fun in my life. I've never felt a day go by this fast. It's all thanks to Alicia…… so, thanks. Thank you for taking me out of the birdcage.]

[…………………]

There was so much thought put into those words. More than ten years of never talking to anyone, never going anywhere, living a never changing life…… For Makina, who had been living her life like a bird in a cage, this day became a memory she would never forget.

When Alicia heard these words, she softly smiled and spoke to him with a somewhat light tone.

[……Hey, Makina.]

[Unnn?]

[Being outside the cage, why don't you just fly away? With me by your side, anything is possible, you know?]

Makina wasn't the only one who felt very happy and had lots of fun today. Alicia too, was inexplicably happy today when she spent time with Makina.

It might have been the first time since Iris died…… that she met someone she'd call her ”best friend”……

[That might be a good idea. However, I'll pass. It's not like I have anything I want to do like Alicia after all.]

In hindsight, the choice Makina made at that time may have been a major turning point for her. Makina's sense of values had changed greatly in this one day. That's how big the encounter with Alicia was for her.

Yes, Makina thought at that moment…… that ”as long as Alicia is with her, that's all that matters”…… Even if she remains in a birdcage for the rest of her life, even if she never met anyone else, she thinks that she's satisfied with Alicia's presence.

If at this moment, Alicia had told her ”I want you to accompany me on my journey”, Makina would have taken Alicia's hand and flew out of her cage without hesitation. However, if Alicia leaves the choice to Makina herself, her answer would have been ”I'm fine with the way things are”.

All of that was a hypothetical ”what if”. However……

[Hmmm, well, I guess it's not something that should be rushed huh? However, if you ever want to leave the birdcage, just let me know. I'll make it quick and easy for you to destroy that island and take you out of it.]

[Fufufu, I don't think you really need to destroy the island though? Alicia is being too extreme.]

If Makina had chosen to fly out of her cage with Alicia…… the Mechanized God wouldn't have been born.

In that sense, for both Makina and Alicia…… this may have been the right choice.

<Afterword>

Makina : [……Errr, Serious-senpai slept again(Chapter 757 Afterword)…… is that alright? The next chapter or so is going to start getting serious, isn't it?]

(T/N: The Tale of Mechanized God Arc is posted in sync with Let's Go Fishing with Anima arc.)

? ? ? : [What are you talking about? There's no way a ”gag character” could be present when something serious is happening.]

Makina : [……U- Unnn, is that so.]