Chapter 58
Arden’s eyes widened in shock, mid-argument.
“It’s the Magic Saintess!”
“The Magic Saintess!”
All eyes around instantly turned toward me—and toward Arden, whom I was sprinting straight at.
Ignoring everything else, I charged forward and spread my arms wide.
“Sir Arden!”
I shouted with all my strength.
“Hold me!”
Thump!
Without waiting for an answer, I threw myself at him.
It sounded less like a hug and more like a traffic accident as my face slammed into Arden’s shirt.
The Magic Saintess he’d been chasing suddenly appearing and hurling herself at him—Arden froze, unable to move or react.
His smooth jawline brushed lightly against the top of my head…
Thump-thump.
The madly pounding heartbeat of Arden was transmitted straight into me…
Ping!
“Done!”
Magic charged!
I pulled away without a shred of hesitation.
“You…!”
Before the utterly furious Arden could lunge at me, I quickly retreated.
“Thanks!”
Blowing a kiss at the trembling Arden, I turned and ran.
“Stop right there!”
As if!
I barged straight toward the awards stage and swung my squeaky hammer.
★★★★★
Adults obsessed with rank and status—
Ridiculous and childish!
At least let kids live without knowing that stuff!
★★★★★
At the same time, pink heart-shaped jelly spilled out of the squeaky hammer.
Pink hearts embroidered the dark night sky, landing neatly into the hands of every child present.
Inside the fence and outside it.
In everyone’s hands.
“Huh?”
As the startled children squeezed the hearts, they began to vibrate—
Then transformed into silver jewel crowns identical to the winner’s, gently plopping onto their heads.
In their now-empty hands remained a single golden ticket.
The winner’s ticket.
Even in the hands of the little boy who had asked, “Why can’t we go in there?”
Even in the hands of the girl who had mocked her sibling, saying, “We’d have to be reborn to enter.”
One golden ticket each.
“Uh…?”
I winked at the flustered girl.
“To my eyes, you’re still a baby too!”
Right on cue, the gates to Everlan Amusement Park—connected to the stadium—swung open.
“Welcome!”
“Welcome, today’s stars!”
Staff waiting inside beamed and waved.
Employees in animal costumes flipped and tumbled, while those dressed as princesses and fairies waved magic wands.
Bang! Fireworks exploded.
“Who are the owners of the golden tickets?”
Among the stunned children, one finally snapped back to their senses.
“This—this is a golden ticket!”
“Then… can we go in?”
“Let’s try!”
The kids who had been blocked by the fence jumped over it and ran toward the amusement park entrance.
Kids who’d only watched from outside.
Kids who’d been pushed out of the winner’s circle and sulking.
“Mom! Hurry!”
That’s right. No matter how excited you are, don’t let go of your guardian’s hand. Good job.
“Here! Ticket!”
“Me too!”
“Huh—?”
Faced with dozens of golden tickets being thrust at them, the staff froze—then burst into laughter at the sight of the children’s faces and opened the gates wide.
♩♪♬
The carousel began to spin as music box melodies filled the air.
“Waaah!”
“Cotton candy!”
“There are balloons!”
“Look, the dolls are moving!”
“Are you a real fairy?!”
“A tiger!”
Even with the Magic Saintess right there, the kids were more fascinated by the animal costumes… Is that childhood innocence?
The initially flustered staff soon waved back energetically, welcoming the flood of little ones.
“So fun!”
Giggling laughter rippled through the park.
Even the parents, stunned by the unexpected turn of events, slowly began to smile.
“Sweetie, calm down. We have to wait our turn, okay?”
“No, you go first.”
A parent standing in front of the spinning squirrel ride yielded their place to another with a much younger child.
“They say the cotton candy’s sold out—it’ll take ten minutes….”
“Let’s share mine!”
A girl who had received the last cotton candy split her lavender fluff in half and offered it to a gloomy boy.
“Huh?”
A noble boy stared at the grimy hand and casually offered cotton candy, startled by the sudden familiarity.
Can I really eat this…?
After hesitating, he tore off a small piece and tried it.
“…It’s good.”
“Right?!”
Eat more! The girl offered another piece. This time, the boy didn’t hesitate.
“What’s your name?”
“I’m Jelly! I don’t have a last name! You?”
“I’m Anthony Benedict Colin Daphne Eloise.”
“Wow. That’s long.”
“…Just call me Anthony.”
“Let’s go.”
On the now-empty awards stage, the winning child stood blankly watching the scene when Nuffy, standing behind him, lightly tapped his calf.
“Huh?”
“Let’s go. We should ride the carousel too.”
“……”
“What? Think you can’t ride because your leg hurts?”
There’s a carriage version too, you know? Nuffy glared.
“If I get a little help, I can ride!”
“No, no, that’s not what I meant.”
“Then hold my hand!”
Let’s go!
Nuffy beamed, holding out a small hand. After hesitating, the winning boy took it.
“Bring your dog too! What’s their name?!”
“I—I don’t know.”
“What?!”
You don’t know your dog’s name?!
Nuffy gasped while the winner flushed red.
“Woof!”
The raccoon that had been dozing on Nuffy’s lap suddenly sniffed the air and barked.
“Woof! Woof!”
Beyond the barking border collies answering back—
Cherry blossom petals began falling from the night sky.
Gingerbread-man cookies, each attached to a parachute-like note, drifted down into the parents’ hands.
It was the Magic Saintess squeezing out the last of her magic.
**“In a theme park of dreams and hope, shouldn’t everyone be the main character?
I should report you for trying to implant regression or reincarnation fantasies into children’s heads—but!
I’ll let it slide today!
This is a land where everyone is the protagonist!
So have another day worthy of a main character☆
—Magic Saintess Sena💫—”**
Some parents showed displeasure upon reading the message.
Some crumpled it without even looking.
But one thing was undeniable.
Compared to the original ending—where only one child received applause while everyone else went home—
This moment, where everyone shared and enjoyed together, was far happier.
Everyone was today’s protagonist.
Everyone.
Watching with satisfaction, I dusted off my hands.
Well then, my work here is done, so I should get going—
“Magic Saintess! You pervert!”
“No—!”
