Marcarita and Chiga were idly passing the time nearby, while in the distance, the Grand Minister spun around the carousel with Grand Zeno, who was unusually lively today.
Perhaps the tiny ruler was simply bored of the temple, or maybe something else had caught his interest, but his excitement was unmatched. Countless visitors had come and gone, yet Grand Zeno remained happily fixed in the Grand Minister's arms, unwilling to get off.
Even the normally composed Grand Minister had begun to look desperate.
Down below, Marcarita yawned, her patience running thin. She gave Chiga a gentle nudge and whispered,
"Chiga, let's go somewhere else. This is getting boring."
Honestly, Chiga didn't want to stay either. Watching the Grand Minister's weary face, however, he hesitated and asked,
"Are you sure it's alright to just leave Zeno here like this?"
Marcarita waved a hand dismissively.
"Oh, what's wrong with that? The Grand Minister's still here, isn't he? Nothing's going to happen."
Chiga turned toward Vados, who gave him a small nod — clearly, she didn't want to stay either.
Since they all felt the same, Chiga used telepathy to inform the Grand Minister that they were leaving, then departed with the two Angels.
The Grand Minister could only sigh bitterly. Holding the ever-enthusiastic Grand Zeno, he wondered gloomily, With his sense of time, he might actually ride this carousel until eternity itself ends...
Compared to his misery, Chiga's day was far more pleasant.
Once they left the carousel area, Vados and Marcarita completely loosened up, trying everything fun and delicious within sight.
Marcarita held a strawberry ice cream, licking it once before her eyes lit up.
"This is amazing, Chiga! Try it!"
A teasing smile crossed Chiga's face. Without hesitation, he leaned forward and ate the entire ice cream in one bite.
"Hmm… it really is good," he said casually.
Marcarita stared blankly at the empty cone left in her hand.
"Chiga, are you even human?" she muttered.
Vados chuckled softly.
"Marcarita, you keep forgetting — Chiga is our superior now. The Dragon God, the supreme being overseeing three Universes."
Marcarita pouted, stuffing the cone into her mouth with a loud crunch, as if she were taking revenge on it.
Chiga glanced at her, then casually flipped his hand. A new, large strawberry ice cream appeared from thin air. Marcarita's eyes instantly brightened.
He smirked and dangled it in front of her.
"Want it?"
She nodded eagerly and reached out — only for Chiga to pull it away.
"If you want it, call me Big Bro Chiga. Let's hear it."
To his surprise, Marcarita responded instantly and even gave him a quick peck on the cheek, leaving behind a faint strawberry mark.
The bold gesture stunned Chiga, long enough for her to snatch the ice cream.
Vados sighed, shaking her head.
"I think you're rewarding her, not scolding her."
Marcarita happily ate in small bites, her eyes curving like crescent moons as she smiled victoriously at Chiga.
After they finished eating, the three wandered further through the amusement park. They weren't particularly drawn to any of the rides.
Things like roller coasters were practically child's play for them — after all, the thrill came from speed and gravity, but they were Gods who could fly faster than light. No mortal machine could excite them.
Eventually, they arrived at the entrance of a haunted house.
Marcarita tilted her head curiously.
"Chiga, what's a ghost? Are humans really afraid of them?"
Chiga thought for a moment before replying,
"Pretty much souls from the underworld. Most people find them terrifying."
"But… why? They don't even have bodies," Marcarita said, genuinely puzzled.
Chiga shrugged.
"For us, they're nothing. But for ordinary humans, it's different. Some of them can't even look at a ghost without fainting."
Not all souls were bodiless either — some, like Son Goku, could move freely between realms, even wearing halos as they visited the mortal world.
Marcarita lost interest quickly after learning the truth, but as she turned to leave, her eyes caught a nearby sign.
It read: "Best Experience for Couples!", with a picture of a girl clinging to her partner's arm.
Her eyes gleamed mischievously.
"Actually… maybe we should try it. Experiencing mortal fun once in a while doesn't sound so bad, right?"
Vados immediately caught the meaning behind her words, shooting her a look.
Marcarita avoided her gaze, pretending innocence.
Unaware of their silent exchange, Chiga nodded.
"We came all this way; might as well try something before heading out."
Vados smiled faintly.
"I'll pass. You two go on ahead — I'll wait outside."
Marcarita's joy was instant. She threw Vados a grateful look, and Vados patted her shoulder approvingly.
To Chiga, nothing seemed unusual. Vados was mature and composed — it made sense she'd skip something as trivial as a haunted house.
Marcarita, however, eagerly linked arms with him and pulled him inside.
The dark interior was meaningless to them; the flashlight they'd been handed was unnecessary.
They entered the first corridor, decorated with long strips of cloth. Crouched within was a woman with tangled hair — a "ghost," waiting to jump out.
Of course, Chiga and Marcarita saw through her act instantly, but Marcarita played along.
As the "ghost" lunged forward, screaming, Marcarita let out a dramatic gasp and threw herself into Chiga's arms.
Chiga sighed helplessly.
"Didn't you say earlier that you weren't afraid? You're putting on quite the show."
_______
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