Chapter 23: One Night

After an hour-long ride alternating between buses and the tram, they reached the newly opened Hakodate Adventure Land. Situated near the northeastern edge of the city, the amusement park was nestled between the city proper and the start of the farmlands that surrounded the area. Several of the roller coasters were visible from down the road as they approached the area, including a massive one that seemed to span the entire length of the place. It had to be over a kilometer long, maybe even two.

They purchased day passes at the entry gate so they could skip having to buy individual ride tickets, then headed straight for that long coaster. While they were waiting in line, the coaster screamed by, heading into what appeared to be the final drops and curves of the ride.

“Wow!” Kazuki stood up on his tiptoes, trying to follow the coaster as it went down into a low point. “That is way faster than a car!”

“The brochure says it has a top speed of over 125 kph! Might as well start with the biggest and the best, right?” Sakura said.

“Exactly!”

“How do they keep the people in there from falling out?” Karasu asked warily.

“A strong harness goes over your shoulder, and a belt across your lap. It’s safe, I promise.”

“Cool. It’ll be fun to go that fast without being in a dive.” Karasu grinned at her.

Soon it was their turn to ride. They managed to get near the front of the car. Sakura sat in the middle with Kazuki on her left and Karasu on her right. As the coaster began moving, Kazuki cheered, eager to experience this new sensation. The slow start as the metal train began climbing a long hill was disappointing. Where was the speed from before?

“When we get to the top, I heard it’s best to scream and hold your hands in the air,” Sakura said as they clicked closer and closer to the sky.

“Okay,” Kazuki said, though he wasn’t sure what there would be to scream about. Then the train crested the hill and flew down the other side. Kazuki threw up his hands and screamed along with Sakura and Karasu while trying not to panic. Before he could catch his breath, the train whipped around a curve then started up another hill, a shorter one this time, but the descent was still crazy fast, and it was followed immediately by yet another hill!

Three and a half minutes later, they were back on the ground and Kazuki wasn’t sure he could walk. His stomach was doing strange flip-flops and threatening to return his lunch. Sakura and Karasu looked happy as they chatted about trying a different one next. He paused to lean against a pole, trying not to let them see how much the ride had affected him, but Sakura gave him a worried look. “Are you okay?”

“Yes…yes, that was just surprising. I let myself be fooled by the slowness at the start. Now I am prepared!”

She and Karasu exchanged looks then shrugged and led the way to the next ride. It wasn’t as large, which Kazuki thought was a good sign, but it also looked quite complicated. The white track twisted and twirled all over the place. His stomach gave another lurch, but he gamely got on when it was their turn.

Like the first, it started slow, climbing a long hill. Sakura explained it was one way coasters got up to their higher speeds. Kazuki prepared himself for the coming crest, determined he would be able to enjoy it the same as the two beside him. Then the coaster dropped into a spiral descent that left him dizzy, then up again and down through a second set.

When they got off, he had to dart to the nearest bathroom where he did indeed lose the contents of his stomach. Sakura and Karasu waited for him outside, their concern clear.

“I’m sorry. It would appear my body does not like these coaster things as much as my mind thought I would.”

“It’s okay. We can go on other rides.” Sakura used her handkerchief to wipe his brow.

“I’m sure I would enjoy them better, but I do not want you or Karasu to miss the coasters. You both are enjoying them so much! I shall just wait here on the nice firm ground.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, this is your day. I want you to ride all the coasters you want!” He smiled as he held her hand.

“Okay.”

Once he recovered, they headed to the next ride, which appeared to be a shorter coaster. Though it had a much steeper climb at the start, as well as a steeper drop, it went into a more gradual hill than the last and then into a long straightaway. He observed that after another short climb and a tight turn, it gently sloped back to the start.

“This one only has one turn. It might not be so bad,” he said, still wanting to be brave.

“You probably shouldn’t risk it. See that long stretch? In that part, the coaster spins around like this.” Sakura motioned with her finger. “You go upside down several times.”

Kazuki plopped down on the nearby bench. “Upside down? And this is fun?”

“Should be.” Sakura laughed. “We’ll be back!”

Holding Karasu’s hand, she ran over to the line. The park wasn’t super busy, so they didn’t have to wait long. Kazuki tried to watch as they rode, but when the car started doing the rolling action, he had to look away before his stomach joined in.

The next coaster had a huge loop that the train rode along the inside of, turning the occupants upside down for the whole rotation. Another had angled turns that had them riding sideways and in long slow twists around. One looked like a giant ship that swung from side to side, but on each swing it got higher and higher until finally the whole thing went around in a circle! There was even one where they stood for the whole ride, held in place by a shoulder harness that didn’t look nearly secure enough for his tastes.

He almost tried the tower where people sat in normal-enough-looking chairs and were lifted high in the air. It looked like a nifty way to see the whole park. Then the thing holding the chairs up dropped, sending the people flying down to the ground at a rapid speed, stopping just before what he was sure was going to be a hideous accident. Karasu loved that one so much they went on twice in a row!

Kazuki loved seeing Sakura enjoying the park. Today was the first time he’d ever seen her smiling and laughing so freely. He still did not understand how these crazy rides were fun, but she was enjoying it and that was all that really mattered, though he was relieved when the adventurous pair finished their tour of the coasters and were ready to try some of the park’s saner offerings.

The haunted house was much better than the one at the festival; it even made him jump a few times. He loved the mirror house, where the glass walls turned him into a short, dumpling-looking man, then a super tall and unnaturally thin one. Some made his top wide and his bottom small, then vice versa. The mirror maze was a fun challenge to go through without using his sense of smell.

With his stomach calmer, they snacked on strawberry popcorn, octopus karaage,[49] ika donburi,[50] and soft-serve ice cream in between the various rides and attractions. Dusk was approaching when they’d finished going around the park, including Sakura and Karasu taking another turn on their favorite coasters.

Kazuki left the pair under the pretext of going to the bathroom. Once he was out of their sight, he went to one of the pay phones, following Akari’s instructions. The call was brief.

“Akari-san? This is Kazuki. We will be departing soon and riding the tram back.”

“Good. Everything will be ready.”

“Thank you. I know Sakura will love this.” He disconnected then went to use the bathroom so as not to make himself a liar. He found the others where he’d left them, standing near one of the rides.

“The sun is going down. Shall we head home?”

Sakura fidgeted, twisting her hands in that cute way she did when she wanted something but was shy about asking. “Um, before we go, do you think you could handle riding the Ferris wheel?”

He looked at the nearby ride she pointed to. It was a large spoked wheel with enclosed cars around the outside. Unlike the other rides, this one turned slowly, never speeding up or doing any crazy maneuvers. “Yes, it looks quite tame.”

With a smile, Sakura tugged them both to the line so they could ride it. Kazuki sat on one side while Sakura and Karasu sat on the other to keep the car balanced. This time his stomach had no complaints at the crawling pace nor at the height. As they got higher, they could see most of the city bathed in the red-oranges of the setting sun and dotted with lights as they started to come on. It was a pretty sight.

“Um, thank you, both of you, for today. I can’t remember having this much fun before. Being able to run around and spend a whole day seeing and doing things I never imagined…I…thank you.” Sakura bowed while blinking rapidly, her eyes glistening. Karasu hugged her side while Kazuki reached forward to stroke her hair, unable to embrace her without risking tilting the car.

“No, thank you for letting us share this day with you.”

 

“There is one place I’d like to stop at before we go home, if it is okay with you?”

“Sure.” Sakura gave him a curious look but he just smiled and signaled the driver for the next stop. She glanced at Karasu, who shrugged, confused as well. Once they disembarked, Kazuki led them several blocks, occasionally turning down one street or another. He seemed to know where they were going, though Sakura wasn’t sure how.

At one point, he paused and asked her to close her eyes while he and Karasu led her the rest of the way. Though nervous, she did as he asked. The sound of the waves hitting the shore grew louder as they neared the coast. Soon she could feel the misty spray on her skin.

“Be careful here; there are some stairs.”

Feeling her way with her feet and following their lead, she went down. At the bottom, was a sandy surface. They were at the beach, but why? He took her forward a few stumbling steps.

“Okay, open your eyes.”

A blanket lay on the sand, with a covered basket and a paper bag. A small electric lantern glowed from the middle of the blanket, making a cozy scene.

With a flourished bow, Kazuki indicated she should sit down. “Come, let us have dinner.”

Once they were comfortable, he began unpacking the basket, pulling out three bento boxes.

“Kazuki, how did you…?”

“I’d like to say it is magic, but that would take credit from those who helped me. Hina-chan and Akari-san got everything set up just before we arrived.” He smiled as he pulled three glasses out of the basket along with a bottle. “The wine, however, comes from Aki-san, who says it is quite a good one to try.”

“Oh, you remembered that from my list?”

“Yes, it did not make today’s plans because you could not buy it yourself.”[51]

“Thank you.” She clapped her hands as he poured them each a glass of the white wine, even Karasu. Well, he was over one hundred years old, even if he did look and act more like a twelve-year-old kid.

“Kanpai!”[52] They clinked their glasses together then drank. First, a slightly tart taste hit her tongue along with the cool wine, then the delicate sweetness of grapes.

“Aki-san was right. It is good. I like it.” She continued to sip at the wine while they ate their dinners, delicious yakotori[53] bentos from the Hasegawa store. When they were done, Kazuki handed her the bag. Inside was a sky lantern, complete with a lighter. Determined not to cry again, she kissed Kazuki on the cheek, then carried the lantern to the edge of the water. Lighting the small paper in the center that acted as the candle, she let it go. The breeze carried it out over the subtle waves, its soft yellow light reminiscent of a glow bug, only larger.

As it floated away, Kazuki wrapped his arms around her from behind, holding her against him, and Karasu came to stand beside them. Sakura sighed with contentment. It was as if the fears that had been growing inside her the last few weeks were being carried away by the lantern, leaving her fully free to enjoy the rest of her time with those she loved.

They stayed there together until the wind had swept the sky lantern out of sight; then they cleaned up their picnic and headed home.

As soon as they were inside, Karasu yawned loudly. “I’m beat. I’m gonna head to sleep.” He climbed the stairs to his attic room with a wave. “Good night.”

“Good night, Karasu-kun.” Despite having done so much, Sakura didn’t feel the least bit tired. She guessed it was because the dohame was still in effect. Which was good, as she still had one last request. She waited until after the house was locked up and they’d both taken their baths and were lying in bed.

Having never seduced anyone before, she wasn’t sure how to be cute and coy without looking silly. Besides, it didn’t really suit her anyway. Instead, she rolled onto her side and gave him a soft kiss on the lips.

“Kazuki, I…”

He returned her kiss and stroked her cheek. “It would be a shame to waste this opportunity, yes?”

She knew he was giving her the final choice, but there really was only one choice for her. “Please. Even if it’s just once…please.”

Kazuki needed no further encouragement. His mouth captured her, his kiss more passionate than any before as he rolled over, partially covering her with his body. His hands cupped her face as he kissed her over and over, leaving her lips almost bruised but in the most wonderful way.

One hand slid down her face, his fingers tracing along her throat, her shoulder, her side. The claws of his hands, which looked so scary, didn’t leave so much as a tickle behind; it was almost like being touched by a peach. How he could so exactly control it she didn’t know, and right now, she didn’t care. She was just glad he hadn’t shifted back to his false form. Tonight, she wanted him, as he was.

His knuckles brushed the underside of her breast through her nightgown, before his hand turned to cup it, kneading it while his mouth continued its sweet assault down her chin. Her nipples contracted into tight buds as he took her other breast in his mouth, teasing it through the fabric.

She moaned, burying her hands into his hair. A tingling sensation welled up between her legs, making her squeeze her thighs together while pressing against him. It was as if her body had a mind of its own as it reacted to his attentions.

With a groan of his own, Kazuki pushed the nightgown up and over her head, removing the barrier between their bodies so his mouth could fully claim her breasts. He alternated between suckling one while working the other with his hand. The circling of her nipple with his thumb and the light squeezes his thumb circled only intensified the sensations flowing through her.

With her breath coming in short, ragged spurts, she could feel her heart beating faster, but it didn’t hurt. No, all she felt now was pure pleasure as his lips reclaimed hers. His hand abandoned her breast to go down further, cupping her mound before one finger slipped between the soft, moist folds.

The touch sent her arching against him with a gasp. Following the signals of her body, she let her hips thrust against his stroking finger even as she felt a strange, tightening sensation.

She reached for him, running her hands over his chest and abdomen. The smooth skin stretched taut over the firm muscles beneath. Her hands slid lower, tickling the ridges of his abs and playing with the band of his boxers. Then he moved away, making her cry out.

He smiled and kissed her again, before shifting so he could remove the boxers. Fascinated, she sat up and reached for him, lightly touching the shaft with her fingers. She’d seen a picture before in health class, but the organ in front of her now seemed so much more alive. And bigger, definitely bigger. It wasn’t out of place or anything, and fit with his body, but still. She glanced down at her own body.

“It will fit, I promise,” Kazuki said softly, kissing her as he eased her back down. “I just need to make sure you’re ready.”

He moved down her stomach, easing her legs apart before kissing her there, between her legs. At least it seemed liked a kiss, then his tongue began doing a flicking motion and she lost all sense of thought. All she knew was that her body was hot and aching and needing something. Like when riding that big roller coaster as it neared the crest of the hill, she felt the anticipation building and building.

“Please. Please.” She didn’t even know what she was begging for, but he responded, coming back up to her mouth, laying his body fully on hers.

“Now you are ready, love.” He reached between their torsos, guiding himself to her opening. As he pressed against it, she could feel her body stretching, making room for him. It didn’t hurt, not like she’d always heard it would. She did feel tight, even a bit uncomfortable at first, but as he continued his slow entrance, she wrapped her arms around him, digging her fingers into his butt. Taking the hint, he thrust the rest of the way in, making her shudder.

He stroked her face then kissed her tenderly. “I love you. You are the most precious person in my life, my beautiful, sweet sudtama.”

“I love you too. You are my prince.”

One more feather-light kiss then he began to move, his hips pulling back and forth, thrusting him inside her. As before, her hips moved on their own, bringing her closer against him with each thrust, deepening the motion. As the pace quickened, that tight anticipation from earlier returned, filling her mind with incoherent thoughts. Kazuki feverishly murmured encouraging sounds that formed no words she could translate.

She was crying out, sounds she’d never heard anyone make. Leaning on one arm, Kazuki reached between them again, his finger stroking the nub that he’d licked earlier, while his thrusts slowed and grew more powerful. She went over the crest, screaming as her body convulsed against him. His hands now on her hips, he started going faster. Forcing her eyes open, she could see his face contorted in pleasure. Then his head dropped back and he gasped. With one last powerful thrust, he collapsed on top of her.

Sakura wrapped her arms around him, still trying to sort through the amazing sensations she’d felt. As his panting calmed, Kazuki shifted so they could lie on their sides, front to front, their legs intertwined. They shared shy smiles, random touches, random kisses. No words were needed now, only unwinding from the passion that had consumed them.

Sakura remembered what he’d called her. Sudtama? He’d used that word before as well. “What is a sud…”

Before she could finish asking the question, her breath caught. Not from pleasure, but a mild pain. The heavy vest was enveloping her again, her body instantly growing weary and tired. She could even see her hand, lying on Kazuki’s chest, turning pale. She wanted to cry, hating to see this time end, but she didn’t. No matter what happened now, this time was a precious gift, one she would treasure.

“Sakura? It has worn off?”

“I think so.” Her eyes grew heavy and her head fell to the pillow. There was no fighting off the sleepy feeling, but she tried, even as her eyes closed. “I’m so…happy. Thank you, Kazuki. Thank you.”

Her cheeks felt damp, though she wasn’t sure why. Unable to hold out anymore, she let go, the dohame’s final side-effect pulling her into a deep sleep.