After hearing Eun Soo’s words, Joo Han finally looked around.

“Right, it’s a weekday. A picnic? A school trip? Is it that season or something?”

“Who knows……”

Eun Soo, who was looking puzzled, tapped Joo Han’s arm and pointed somewhere.

“Over there.”

Joo Han’s gaze followed the tip of Eun Soo’s finger. Right next to Lottie Land’s ticket booth, there was a sign that said ‘School Uniform Rental’.

“Ah. I guess everyone borrowed and wore them from there.”

“I see. No wonder, some people were wearing uniforms but didn’t seem like actual students.”

Eun Soo muttered as if the mystery was finally solved and headed towards the entrance without hesitation. But then, Joo Han lightly grabbed Eun Soo’s arm.

“Should we go in wearing them too?”

“What? No way.”

Eun Soo frowned as soon as she heard it. Joo Han calmly laughed.

“I think it would be fun. The photos would turn out nice too.”

“Photos would be good enough as we are now… Hey, what’s with the school uniforms all of a sudden!”

“When else would we get to wear them if not now?”

“I don’t see the need to wear them again?”

“Does there have to be such a compelling reason?”

While bickering, they were already at the entrance of the school uniform rental shop. Joo Han naturally led Eun Soo, who was glaring, inside and said,

“It’s not some major life decision. You can just want to try it sometimes.”

“That’s why I never said I wanted to try…”

“Welcome.”

The staff approached with such a friendly smile that Eun Soo closed her mouth.

“You can store your belongings in the lockers here and take your time looking around. The changing rooms are over there.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

Joo Han smoothly took Eun Soo’s bag and put it in a locker. Whether Eun Soo glared at him with eyes that said she wanted to hit him, Joo Han looked around inside with interest.

“There are quite a lot of options.”

“I said I’m not doing it. You wear it.”

“You want me to wear it alone? Are you okay with looking like you came to the amusement park with a high schooler?”

“That’s ridiculous. How could I look like a high schooler just by wearing a uniform….”

Joo Han took out a hanger and held it under his neck. Eun Soo couldn’t finish her words and froze in place.

The shirt, knit vest, and even the tie set coordinated together looked ridiculously good on him. He didn’t look like an actual student but more like an idol, but he definitely looked younger.

“How is it?”

After examining Joo Han with a serious look, Eun Soo opened her mouth.

“Put that down.”

“Why, isn’t it nice?”

“I’ll choose first. I’ll pick one that suits me.”

Eun Soo quickly turned around and headed towards the girls’ uniforms. Joo Han swallowed his laughter, obediently put down the hanger, and followed Eun Soo.

“Which one is better?”

Eun Soo, who was earnestly looking around, held up two skirts with different checkered patterns in both hands and asked. Joo Han was about to answer, but Eun Soo spoke first.

“This one looks more like a school uniform, but I think a color I haven’t worn before would be better.”

“Uh, sure.”

“Then with the same color as the skirt…. Is a ribbon better or a necktie?”

Joo Han was about to open his mouth, but Eun Soo put the necktie back in its place.

“I’ve worn neckties for 6 years in middle and high school combined, so let’s go with a ribbon.”

“Why are you even asking then?”

Although dumbfounded, Joo Han picked up a boys’ uniform with the same pattern as the one Eun Soo chose.

When the two came out after changing into their uniforms, the staff handed them a large shopping bag and guided them.

“You can leave your clothes and belongings altogether here.”

A little while later, the two, lightheartedly dressed in school uniforms, finally passed the ticket booth and entered Lottie Land. Overwhelmed by the fantastical and surreal colorful scenery, they let out small exclamations almost simultaneously.

“It’s like a different world.”

“I know, right? It’s been so long since I’ve been to a place like this.”

“Me too. Where should we go?”

The two, who were having trouble adjusting right away, just started walking aimlessly for now. Then, seeing a couple in front of them entering a souvenir shop, they quietly followed them inside.

The couple giggled as they put headbands with large animal ears on each other, unaware of anything else. Especially the man kept showering the woman with compliments like pretty and cute every time she changed her headband, and took photos of her.

Joo Han glanced at Eun Soo.

“…Should I do that for you? Like that?”

“No.”

Eun Soo, who cut him off with a startled expression, picked up a rabbit headband and a bear headband.

“Which ears are better?”

“My own ears….”

“Let’s go with the bear. The rabbit is too big and burdensome.”

“Why do you keep saying your thoughts out loud like a question?”

Eun Soo lightly ignored Joo Han’s point, paid for the headbands, and went outside.

“Since the purpose is to take photos anyway, let’s take them where others are taking them.”

Doing everything others were doing, from uniforms to headbands, the two wandered around Lottie Land as they pleased. It was awkward at first, but they got used to it faster than expected. Maybe it was because of the atmosphere, but they even felt a little excited.

Then they found a place where people were lining up for something that wasn’t a ride.

“What’s over there? They can’t be lining up like that to ride the merry-go-round, right?”

“I don’t think so. Oh, I think it’s a photo zone.”

As Joo Han said, it seemed like they were waiting to take pictures in front of the glittering and spinning merry-go-round. It must have been a trend, as three couples in a row were seen in a pose where the man lifted the woman high while hugging her thighs.

“I’ve never even done that when we were really dating….”

Eun Soo, who unintentionally mumbled to herself, quickly shut her mouth. Joo Han casually replied,

“I have done it before. Though it wasn’t for taking a photo.”

For a moment, a past memory flashed through Eun Soo’s mind. The pose was almost the same, but the atmosphere wasn’t as pure and fluffy as in front of the amusement park merry-go-round.

If a photo of that moment had been taken, it would have been classified as pornography. Instead of saying something she couldn’t, Eun Soo pointed to a food stall in front of them.

“I’m running out of energy. Let’s eat something.”

Some time later, Eun Soo and Joo Han sat side by side on a bench. In Eun Soo’s hands were a colorful character cotton candy and a giant churro.

“This better be really tasty. It was a price it should be for that.”

“You shouldn’t expect price and taste to be proportional in a place like this.”

“That’s true…. For this money, you could buy a bowl of soup.”

“It’s way too sweet.”

“I’m craving an Americano with two shots.”

Although they were only wearing school uniforms, their conversation was undoubtedly that of jaded working adults. After finishing their snacks without leaving anything behind while grumbling, the two sat there for a while.

A scream that sounded like “kiyaaak” echoed from not too far away. It was the sound of people riding the roller coaster, the Blizzard Rail, rushing along the tall and massive rails that could be seen from anywhere in Lottie Land.

Why do people even ride things like that?

Joo Han unknowingly swallowed his saliva. A dizzying memory from when he was in elementary school came to mind, of the safety bar coming half loose with a clunk while riding an amusement park ride. Since that day when he saw his life flash before his eyes at a young age, he had cut ties with rides.

“Kim Joo Han.”

Joo Han looked to the side. His eyes met Eun Soo’s, whose expression had suddenly turned serious.

“Actually, I have a confession to make.”

“…Confession?”

Joo Han, who had been expecting her to say something like the loser of rock-paper-scissors has to go buy coffee, was inwardly startled by Eun Soo’s word choice that was as serious as her gaze. Eun Soo nodded, hesitated while moving her lips, then spoke,

“Remember when you said you didn’t like rides before and I said I didn’t either? That was actually a lie.”

“What?”

“Back then, I just said I didn’t like them because you said you didn’t.”

“What does that….”

“Ah! Just take it as that’s how it was.”

Pushed back by the force of her abruptly cutting him off, Joo Han closed his mouth.

“At first, I really only intended to take photos, but now that I’m here, they honestly look so fun, and I feel like I’ll keep thinking about it if I just leave after coming all the way here….”

Eun Soo, who was mumbling while avoiding eye contact, suddenly stood up.

“Anyway, so I’m just going to ride three and come back. I’ll call you later!”

In Joo Han’s sight, who was left alone, the back of the school uniform skirt and bear ears fluttered away. Joo Han, who belatedly let out a hollow laugh, became lost in thought.

He felt like he understood what Eun Soo meant by taking it as ‘that’s how it was’.

First love, when everything was clumsy.

When even the smallest thing in common felt like fate, and saying the obvious “I’m different from you” felt uncomfortable and ominous, so you didn’t want to say it out loud.

I like it because you like it. I don’t like it because you don’t like it. It was a lie and the truth at the same time. Before the expiration date of the relationship, the bitter lies were overshadowed by the sweet sincerity, but once it faded, only the bitter lies remained.

What other lies did I sincerely tell like that?

Joo Han, who was randomly rummaging through his memories, got up. When they were together, he didn’t notice, but being alone, the school uniform and headband were starting to feel a little embarrassing.

She probably didn’t run away so swiftly to ride something boring. If she was going to ride, she must have gone to ride something thrilling.

After wandering around and peeking here and there, Joo Han finally found Eun Soo sitting at the very back of the Viking.

“Wow…!”

In fact, Eun Soo was cheering with her hands up without even holding the safety bar, but Joo Han’s palms were sweating. He felt like screaming on behalf of the watching Joo Han.

So, she originally likes it that much….

Joo Han, who was looking up at the Viking with his arms crossed, had a complex light flashing in his eyes.

“Ah, that was fun.”

Eun Soo, who got off the Viking, headed straight for the Blizzard Rail. It looked the most thrilling, so she saved it for last.

Luckily, the line wasn’t as long as she thought. As she was waiting in anticipation, an unfamiliar voice spoke next to her.

“Are you riding this alone too?”

She turned around with a start and a man smiled sheepishly.

“I saw you riding the Shark Storm alone earlier. My friends who came with me all said they wouldn’t ride it, so I was riding alone too. But then I saw you sitting across from me on the Viking earlier and thought, ‘Oh’, and seeing you here again, I found it interesting.”

“Ah…..”

Eun Soo shrugged her shoulders with unpleasant eyes. The man quickly added,

“Wanna ride together?”

If he had just sat next to her without knowing, she wouldn’t have cared, but him asking to ride together made it awkward. As she hesitated, wondering what to say, suddenly a large hand plopped on Eun Soo’s shoulder.

“Honey.”

Eun Soo, whose eyes nearly popped out, quickly turned her head. Joo Han was smiling brightly while wrapping his arm around her shoulder.

“Sorry. Did you wait long? The bathroom line was a bit long.”

Joo Han’s gaze, who spoke casually, turned to the man standing next to them. The man, who was already backing away, quickly said,

“I misunderstood a bit. I apologize.”

The man quickly slipped out of the line and walked away. Joo Han lowered his hand from Eun Soo’s shoulder and spoke softly,

“Even if it’s a fake date, having another man butt in is a bit much, don’t you think?”

“You’re saying something really weird. How can I control who sits next to me when I’m riding alone?”

“You can’t. That’s why just ride with me.”

“What?”

It was a statement that made her doubt her ears as much as the “honey” from a little while ago. Eun Soo’s eyes widened.

“You’re going to ride? This?”

Just then, the roller coaster passed by on the rails right above their heads. The roar and screams poured down like hail.

Seeing Joo Han turn pale, Eun Soo waved her hands to shoo him away.

“I’ll handle riding with whoever, so you can back out even now. You can’t leave once you cross that line.”

Eun Soo pointed to the sign a few steps ahead. It said that since it’s difficult to turn back and go down from the stairs, only those who will be riding should enter.

The people in front of them started moving. Joo Han opened his mouth.