Lie Again! Chapter 93

<Chapter 93. Happily Ever After (2)>

 

A moment later.

 

“How is this even possible?”

 

Joey let out a scream at the result of the simple math. The result was indeed 5 to 4, just as she had predicted. However…

 

“Why are there only four on my side?!”

 

Unable to believe the phenomenon, Joey rubbed her eyes and counted again, but the result remained the same.

 

Against: Joey, Dustin, Ruth, Evan.

 

For: Emily, Olivia, Jonathan, Jin, Amanda.

 

Joey’s eyes whipped toward the traitors. A startled Jin avoided her gaze. Amanda simply raised an eyebrow and shrugged in place of an answer.

 

Deciding that badgering Amanda would be useless, Joey turned her full attention to Jin and began pouring out her frustration.

 

“Jin! Don’t you see what her ulterior motive is? She’s obviously after your boyf—”

 

“I wonder who it was that said we should accept the result and not be clingy.”

 

Joey, who had been pointing a finger at Emily while spitting out words, flinched and shut her mouth at the cold voice. Joey’s eyes immediately glared at Emily, but she could only let out a frustrated, low growl.

 

What was strange, however, was that despite the result going her way, Emily’s expression wasn’t great either. Jin guessed it was probably because Ruth had raised his hand for the “Against” side.

 

Though Jin had sided with her because of the help she’d received previously…

 

Seeing Ruth remain expressionless even under the resentful gaze of such a beautiful girl, it seemed things weren’t going smoothly on that front either.

 

Jin considered stepping in but decided against it. It seemed that the more Ruth acted like that, the more fired up the girl became.

 

I’m sure she’ll figure it out.

 

Jin watched her with curious eyes, silently wishing her luck.

 

While they were bickering over whether to hang out together, the ferry smoothly arrived at the dock on the opposite side. The castle, which had looked as small as a pinky finger when they started, was now looming close, revealing its massive and majestic presence.

 

“Wow.”

 

Passing safely through the entrance, Jin’s eyes sparkled as she looked around.

 

The scene unfolding before her was beyond huge; the word “magnificent” suited it better.

 

With a bit of exaggeration, the broad avenue was wide enough for twenty people to stand in a line holding hands. On both sides, buildings in 20th-century American style were lined up. Inside each building, cast members in cheerful uniforms were selling sweet treats like cotton candy, chocolate, and churros, or blowing bubbles while wearing headbands.

 

Crowded people, little children unable to take their eyes off the sights, and parents playing with children on their shoulders. Because everyone, from adults to children, wore a happy smile, Jin’s mood naturally began to float.

 

And then, that castle. The pink castle, with blue flags fluttering from its three or four pointed spires, made her feel as if she had truly come to a kingdom that existed somewhere in reality.

 

Jin realized firsthand after arriving that their catchphrase, “The Most Magical Place on Earth,” was no boast. To feel this way after taking only a single step…

 

“I’m so excited!”

 

Jin unknowingly started swinging her hand, which was joined with Evan’s, back and forth. Following a rarely excited Jin, Evan gave a beautiful smile, grabbed her by the waist, and spun her around. Instead of hitting his shoulder and asking to be put down as usual, Jin squealed with laughter and fully enjoyed the atmosphere.

 

“You guys don’t have time for that! Run!”

 

Beside the two, the other kids ran past busily, gesturing toward the clock tower. Every minute and second was precious if they wanted to get their money’s worth for today’s tickets.

 

Jonathan looked at Evan with a face that clearly said, ‘You’re really doing the most, aren’t you?’ He received a middle finger in return and turned his head away.

 

“…Let’s go, quickly.”

 

After receiving glances from Jonathan, Amanda, Emily, and Olivia in turn, Jin rolled her eyes awkwardly and started running after the group, pulling Evan along.

 

Evan seriously thought, ‘I want to lose these guys right now,’ but he ultimately played along with Jin. After all, she liked it.

 

He gazed lovingly at the girl’s two cheeks, which were flushed red and filled with stars.

 

* * *

 

“Are you okay?”

 

Jin asked while patting Amanda’s back. Amanda, who had started to lose color in her face from the very first attraction—which Joey had called an “appetizer”—eventually knelt before a ride based on a space travel concept.

 

After being shaken like a toy in the hands of a three-year-old for about two minutes by an alien that looked like an octopus, she was covering her mouth as if she might throw up at any moment.

 

“What should we do? Should we rest for a bit?”

 

“It’s… fine… you guys… hic… go play.”

 

As soon as Jin’s concerned words fell, Amanda waved her hand dismissively. However, unlike her usual self, her hand flailing in the air had no strength at all, causing the kids to exchange even more worried glances.

 

“Mandy, are you really okay?”

 

“I’m fine… ugh… stop… making me talk.”

 

While a struggle ensued between the kids who couldn’t turn away out of concern and Amanda who stubbornly insisted they leave, Jonathan cleared up the situation concisely.

 

“Let’s split up then. Those who want to play, play; those who want to rest, rest.”

 

As he said this, Jonathan plopped his backside down on the bench next to Amanda, where she was leaning almost in a faint.

 

“I’ll stay by her side. I was getting tired anyway. You guys ride those things like your lives depend on it.”

 

“I’ll rest a bit too. I’m tired.”

 

When Olivia volunteered to stay as well, Joey nodded with a much more relieved face. She felt sorry for Amanda, but the rides they hadn’t been on yet were waiting for them desperately.

 

“Then we’ll go on more rides and come back.”

 

“Wait! I’m coming too.”

 

Someone blocked Joey’s path as she tried to leave with Ruth and Dustin after a cheerful goodbye. Recognizing the face, Joey’s brow furrowed instantly.

 

“What? No! While I’m still being nice, go join another group.”

 

“McCoy, would you want to join that?”

 

“…..”

 

Joey lost her words as she looked where Emily’s finger was pointing.

 

Jin and Evan were already lost in their own world. Looking back and forth between Emily and the two of them—who were laughing incessantly over a simple game of rock-paper-scissors—Joey let out a deep sigh and eventually tolerated Emily’s presence.

 

Before leaving, Joey pointed her thumb at Emily and winked at Jin. It seemed to mean she was taking the nuisance away so Jin could relax, but…

 

‘The one she’s aiming for isn’t here; it’s over there, Joey.’

 

Emily was following a few steps behind Ruth, constantly stealing glances at him. Jin couldn’t bring herself to reveal the truth and kept her mouth shut for the sake of Joey’s mental health.

 

“Let’s go too.”

 

“Mhm.”

 

It was just as Jin and Evan were about to head in the opposite direction after parting from the group.

 

“Which way are you guys going? Let me go with you so I can buy some ice cream.”

 

“How many fingers am I holding up?” 

 

As soon as Jonathan stood up from the bench asking to join them, Evan’s brow furrowed sharply. A middle finger was pointedly raised in front of his chest.

 

“You cold-hearted b*stard. I’m bored.”

 

As Jonathan approached with a smooth, unbothered smile despite the hostility, Jin glanced at Evan. Evan happened to be looking at Jin as well.

 

Though neither said a word, Jin felt she knew exactly what Evan was thinking.

 

“Run!”

 

The moment Jin grabbed Evan’s hand, Evan pulled her and bolted forward. When Jin momentarily stumbled due to the speed being much faster than expected, Evan pulled her arm onto his shoulder and whispered something.

 

“Hold on tight.”

 

Then, he slipped an arm behind Jin’s knees and lifted her up.

 

She had been carried on his back and hauled around in various ways many times before, but being held in a “princess carry” for the first time made Jin scream and wrap her arms around his neck.

 

Despite running while carrying a grown woman, his speed showed no sign of slowing down. In fact, it felt even faster than when Jin had been chasing him from behind.

 

“Hey! Are you guys really going to be this petty?!”

 

Jonathan’s voice could be heard shouting loudly from behind. Due to the rowdy commotion, the gazes of people nearby gathered on them.

 

Jin’s face momentarily flushed bright red. But it only lasted for a second. Pfft. Laughter kept leaking out from her upturned lips. At the same time, a sense of playfulness poked its head out.

 

What did it matter? This was the most magical place on Earth.

 

Let them stare.

 

Laughter that couldn’t be held back, like a cough, burst out uncontrollably. Kyaa! The sound of pleasant laughter, as if riding a rollercoaster, spread into the air.

 

Looking down at her, Evan’s green eyes also curved deeply, shining with a refreshing light.