By Zephyria 
Ban Pyo-ran might have pointed without thinking, but to me, it was already cliché. It was predictable that Ban Pyo-ran would be startled by trivial things, and Lee Beom, standing by his side, would say, ‘Hmph… what’s so scary about this,’ and offer his shoulder like a tsundere… such a hackneyed situation would unfold.
Even a dog that has been at a village school for three years can recite poems; after living in teen romance novels for a few months, I felt like I had mastered them.
No one disliked the haunted house. I didn’t mind because I was good at horror games, but the others probably wouldn’t admit it even if they disliked it, for fear of losing face.
“In what order should we go in?”
“Just go in. Hae-min, are you scared?”
“No, it’s not that.”
Just before entering, Seong Hae-min asked me as if seeking confirmation, but I waved my hand. It didn’t matter what order we entered, because once inside, Ban Pyo-ran and Lee Beom would stick together anyway. So, we entered the interior in a haphazard group.
As soon as we entered, everything turned pitch black. We walked along the lights marked on the floor.
“Hey, it’s a bit creepy……”
“Kyaang~ It’s a ghost~!”
Leaving Ban Pyo-ran and Kim Yi-dam, who were holding hands and looking around, behind, Min Si-hu was jumping around excitedly, as if he had forgotten that this place was designed with a horror concept. I imagined a (>_<) emoticon following his words. “Cute! The ghost is cute~! Cute like Si-hu!” Min Si-hu chattered on, pointing at a doll with scissors stuck all over its body. I snorted and looked away. As expected, that guy was not right in the head. “Hae-jun-ah, are you okay?” “Yeah. Are you?” “Yes!” If Seong Hae-min was worried about me, he must not have been scared either. Ban Pyo-ran and Kim Yi-dam were a bit tense and huddled at first, but they weren't terrified. Rather, they were bravely forging ahead at the front. However, there was someone surprisingly timid, and that was Jeon Jae-hyung. “What is it?” “……” I felt a tug on the hem of my right sleeve. I thought my clothes had caught on some mechanism and turned around, but it wasn't that; it was a large hand. Jeon Jae-hyung, who had approached my right side unnoticed, was holding onto my sleeve tightly and standing there with a silly grin. Why is he acting like this all of a sudden? I frowned at his strange behavior and observed him, but his complexion was pale and his expression was gloomy. Like someone who was terrified…? Terrified? “No way….” “……” “Are you scared? Are you scared because of this?” Jeon Jae-hyung slowly nodded at my incredulous question. His usually sleepy and gentle face was ashen, as if he hadn't slept for three days and nights. Wow… he’s really scared. He’s always dozing off, so I thought he might even fall asleep on a Viking or a roller coaster, but to think he had such a side was truly unexpected. And this was in a place where everyone, including Ban Pyo-ran and Kim Yi-dam, was going through bravely! This sleep-deprived giant suddenly seemed incredibly pathetic. As recorded screams and surrounding lights turned red, he flinched as if pricked by a needle, crouched down, and leaned into me, and even that unsightly appearance began to feel cute. ‘My goodness…….’ A sleepyhead and a coward. I was intensely curious about what would happen if he had a nightmare. Without any other choice, I linked my arm through Jeon Jae-hyung’s left arm like a police officer escorting a criminal. He flinched at the slightest touch, so scared was he. His tensed forearm bulged, firm and solid. This muscular guy who always just sleeps, scared of mere fake props or flimsy mechanisms? “Hae-min-ah, go and hold his right side too. He’s trembling.” “Sure, whatever.” I asked Seong Hae-min, who was standing by my left, to take Jeon Jae-hyung’s right side. Seong Hae-min moved next to Jeon Jae-hyung and stood protectively. Through our touching arms, I could feel Jeon Jae-hyung’s body, which had been tense, relax considerably. In my life, I never thought I'd end up escorting Jeon Jae-hyung. I found it absurd and started to laugh. As I chuckled, I felt someone approaching my empty left side. It was Lee Beom. “Why are you here?” “I’m scared too. Why?” “Hey, don’t be dramatic with that build. Go look after Pyo-ran. He’s ahead.” “……” “What are you doing? Why aren’t you going?” “……” I sternly urged Lee Beom, who had come beside me, and pushed his back. Lee Beom, who had come to my side, had to turn back towards Ban Pyo-ran. I clicked my tongue, watching Lee Beom’s broad back move heavily. Excuses have to make sense. Who would believe him when he just says he’s scared with a face and body that show no fear? He likes Ban Pyo-ran, so he should just be good to the person he likes! “Oh, Beom-ah? Weren’t you following behind?” “……” In the end, Lee Beom stood by Ban Pyo-ran’s side. While listening with one ear and letting it go with the other to the conversation between the two in front, Seong Hae-min and I, as if supporting Jeon Jae-hyung, safely exited the attraction. Until the very end, Jeon Jae-hyung flinched at every sound or device that was meant to startle. Even when something appeared exactly where it looked like something would appear, he was just quick to be surprised. He was funnier than the Bboongyi doll he was holding. “Hmm. Surprisingly fun?” “Si-hu had fun too!! Awesome! Thumbs up!” As we safely exited with Jeon Jae-hyung, Kim Yi-dam and Min Si-hu were shaking their heads. Seong Hae-min, who had quickly let go of my arm as soon as we were outside, regardless of Jeon Jae-hyung’s pale face, ran to me and asked for my impressions. I glanced at the exhausted Jeon Jae-hyung. “Hae-jun-ah, how was it?” “Should I tell you honestly?” “Go ahead.” “It was boring.” “Boring……” Seeing Jeon Jae-hyung’s already pale face turn even paler, I suppressed a laugh. Why is he so funny today? “Hae-jun’s taste must be a bit extreme. I found it fun.” Kim Yi-dam scratched the back of his head. Extreme taste… it wasn't wrong. I preferred thrill rides or roller coasters over dark rides. Honestly, even most thrill rides didn't do much for me. A friend once said, ‘You’ve studied so much that there’s no space left in your brain to feel fear.’ “Then what do you like?” Lee Beom asked stiffly. I answered immediately. “Something thrilling.” “…Thrilling?” “I like that kind of thing too!” “You too?” “Yes!” Ban Pyo-ran chimed in. His smiling face seemed quite confident. If only he knew about the colossal roller coasters that would be built later. Thinking of the many rides that hadn't been built yet, as the era was in the past, I licked my lips. What a shame. They’re really fun. “Then shall we go ride the roller coaster?” “Great. I was planning to ride that too.” “Perfect! Let’s hurry before the line gets longer!” As soon as I confirmed my opinion matched Ban Pyo-ran’s, we headed straight for the roller coaster. My feet felt light. I never knew my taste in rides would match Ban Pyo-ran’s. Actually, I was worried about what would happen if I couldn't ride these things because I had to drag the Four Heavenly Kings along (like getting kicked out after an argument in the queue, or having to ride alone because the others didn't want to, and then getting into an argument). But if Ban Pyo-ran said he'd ride, wouldn't they all ride too? And that guess was correct. No one backed out of the queue, and after waiting for a long time, we boarded the roller coaster. The line was long, but Ban Pyo-ran and Min Si-hu chattered incessantly, so it passed quickly. More annoying than the boredom of waiting was the overly solicitous Seong Hae-min, who asked ‘Are you okay?’ once every minute. “Why are you lingering here? Go to the front and ride.” “Uh, uh……” The roller coaster had four seats per row. I noticed Lee Beom trying to slip into the row where I was and pushed him to the front row where Ban Pyo-ran was. Lee Beom, unable to shed his tsundere mask, sat next to Ban Pyo-ran with a grumbling expression. Why they were so shy when they were going to ride together anyway was beyond me. Ban Pyo-ran himself, regardless of who sat next to him, was beaming with excitement at the prospect of riding the attraction. And so, the roller coaster began. “Kyaaak-!” “Kyaaaaaaah!!” “……” “Hae-jun-ah?” But there was something I had overlooked: the fact that my body had become much weaker since entering this world. “Ugh… Ugh!” “Hae, Hae-jun-ah!” “Sh, shut up……” For the first time in my life, I understood people who complained of physiological discomfort after riding an amusement park attraction. “Haa……” I don't remember how those few minutes of the roller coaster ride passed. When the ride ended and I looked down to lift the safety bar, my fingertips had turned white. “Hey, are you okay?!” “Hae-jun-ah!” As I stumbled off the roller coaster, hands reached out from all directions. Lee Beom, who had been in front, Min Si-hu and Jeon Jae-hyung, who had gotten off and were waiting, but the closest was Seong Hae-min, who had been sitting next to me. Ignoring the other hands, especially Lee Beom’s outstretched one right in front of me, I leaned back, and Seong Hae-min quickly supported me. As I passively leaned into him, the fact that I couldn't enjoy the ride made me want to cry. “Are you okay? Oh no……” “It’s just motion sickness… Ugh.” “Hae-jun-ah! This won’t do, hospital!” “First, lay the kid down! He looks like he’s going to die before we even get to the hospital!” I was so frustrated. To be defeated by such a flimsy roller coaster… I was led by the kids to a bench. Lying down, I felt a little better. I cursed inwardly. Losing to something I could usually ride without issue felt like a major defeat. Why is my body like this!