Steve returned to the Great Hunter building with a lighter feeling and a renewed sense of energy on his face. He walked straight to the elevator and pressed the button.
When he reached his floor, Steve casually walked to his room, opened the door, and immediately threw himself onto the soft bed.
"So, kid… are you feeling better now?" Unknown whispered.
"Yeah~ I guess so," Steve replied lazily as he grabbed the TV remote beside the bed and turned it on, hoping it would improve his mood.
Thud.
After a long time of switching through TV channels, Steve eventually grew bored. He tried to sleep, but his eyes refused to close.
Not long after, a news broadcast suddenly appeared on the screen.
"Good evening, viewers. In today's breaking news, the Hunter Association has announced a new tournament. However, this one is different from the usual competitions. It will be held at the amusement park inside the central headquarters and is called the Festival of Hunters."
"Huh?" Steve suddenly became interested. He sat up straight and focused on the TV.
"To participate in this event, you must have a partner, since the competition will be held in pairs. For more detailed information, please come directly to the location. Thank you."
The broadcast ended.
"A partner, huh…?" Steve muttered while tapping his forehead.
"I'm not joining something like that! What kind of ridiculous competition is that?!" Unknown shouted.
"Quiet. Who said I was inviting you? I'm still normal."
Steve left his room and headed toward the lobby, trying to think of someone who might go with him.
"Gaki… Pulchra… Shizuku… who should I ask…? Hmm…"
When Steve arrived at the lobby, he noticed a colorful brochure placed on a nearby table. It was the same event he had just seen on TV. He grabbed one and looked at it carefully.
"Hunter Association Entertainment Tournament: Amusement Park Edition! Grand prize: rare items and a giant mascot doll. Requirement: must participate in pairs," Steve read out loud.
His eyes scanned the lobby until they stopped on a white-haired woman arranging documents behind the reception desk.
Pulchra.
Without hesitation, Steve walked toward her.
"Excuse me, Senior Pulchra."
Hearing that very familiar voice, Pulchra's shoulders suddenly jolted.
"Uwa!"
Clatter!
The stack of documents in her hands scattered across the floor.
"S-S-Steve?!" Pulchra squeaked in panic. Her smooth pale face instantly turned red like a boiled crab.
"W-what is it?! I-I didn't do anything! I mean uh I mean, y-yes! Is there something I can help you with, Junior?!"
Seeing his senior panic like that, Steve could only smile awkwardly while scratching the back of his head. He held the amusement park brochure out to her.
"Sorry if you're busy today, Senior… but if you're not… do you want to join this amusement park tournament with me?" Steve asked innocently.
Silence.
Pulchra's brain immediately went error 404.
The words "amusement park" and "with me" kept spinning in her head like a broken cassette tape.
(Isn't this basically… the same as asking me on a date?!)
"G-go… to the amusement park… t-together… w-with Steve…?" Pulchra mumbled incoherently.
Her eyes spun in dizziness, and her knees nearly gave out. She almost fainted if she hadn't grabbed the edge of the desk.
Inside Steve's mind, Unknown could only facepalm.
(Hah… what a strange woman.)
"F-f-fine! If you insist, Junior!"
---
The next day
The evening atmosphere at AH Wonderland Amusement Park was incredibly lively.
Carnival lights had begun to glow, while the smell of cotton candy and popcorn filled the air, masking the lingering tension left behind by the disasters in the world of After Disaster.
Steve walked casually through the crowd, staring in amazement at the giant ferris wheel and the rollercoaster with transparent rails stretching high into the sky.
Pulchra soon arrived, wearing a pink casual outfit with a black skirt, which made her look even more beautiful.
"H-how… h-how do I look, Junior… S-Steve?"
Amid the crowd, Steve's eyes immediately locked onto her.
"Wow. You look really beautiful, Senior. Let's go."
Pulchra walked beside him.
But her movements were stiff, almost like a robot. Her white-haired face was still bright red, and her hands nervously held the edge of her clothes. Occasionally she glanced at Steve from the corner of her eyes, only to quickly look away whenever Steve glanced back.
"Announcement for all participants of the Hunter Association Entertainment Tournament!"
The cheerful voice of the host suddenly echoed through giant speakers in the middle of the amusement park plaza. Steve and Pulchra both looked up.
"Welcome to the Hunter Amusement Festival! Woooo! Our tournament is about to begin!" the host shouted enthusiastically.
"The rules are very simple, ladies and gentlemen! First, cheating is strictly prohibited! Second, leave your killing intentions at home because killing is strictly forbidden here! And lastly… do not use abilities that would make the game too easy. Use your skills wisely!"
Hearing that rule, Steve let out a relieved sigh.
"Sounds interesting, right, Unknown?"
"(It's pretty normal.)"
"R-right, Steve," Pulchra suddenly spoke while clenching her fists in front of her chest. She tried to look serious and professional, even though her cheeks were still pink.
"O-our main goal is to win, right? I-if that's the case… I-I'll d-do my best…!"
Steve grinned widely and gave a thumbs up.
"That's the spirit, Senior! Let's win that giant mascot doll!"
Pulchra nodded stiffly, her heart beating twice as fast when she saw Steve's smile.
"Y-yes! L-let's go!"
"Alright, all you lovey-dovey couples and all you single hunters who desperately grabbed a random partner, PLEASE GO UPSTAIRS AND FOLLOW THE STAFF WHO WILL GUIDE YOU!" the host shouted loudly.