[MashUp] Ch 14: Lucky Magic

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A rust-eaten archway loomed overhead.

The words Amagi Brilliant Park were barely legible, the paint peeling and groaning in the wind like something half-dead.

At the gate, the ticket booth window was cracked and clumsily patched with tape.

The moment they stepped inside, three mascots in filthy, sagging costumes staggered forward to "greet" them.

The one in front wore a magician's hat: a mole mascot named Moffle.

He spread his arms wide, trying to imitate a cheerful welcome, but his voice came out weak and lifeless.

"Welcome… to Amagi Brilliant Park, poof~"

Beside him, a pink cat and a white sheep followed suit, muttering their lines with all the energy of zombies.

"Uh… welcome."

"Eh… meow."

Then, as if their job was done, the three huddled together to complain about how disgusting their lunch had been.

Isuzu's face flushed crimson. She reached for her rifle stock, ready to discipline them.

But Takuma's lazy voice cut through first.

"Mascots are the first thing guests see after entering a park."

"Their role is to drag people out of boring reality and pull them into the fantasy you've built."

His eyes swept over the three grumbling mascots.

"Your costumes are filthy, your movements half-assed, your very souls reek of job hatred."

"You're not welcoming guests."

"You're screaming, with every pore of your body: 'Look here, idiots, this place is just a scam. Even we can't fake it anymore!'"

Moffle froze mid-complaint.

Tiramy, the cat, and Macaron, the sheep, went silent instantly.

Takuma didn't bother with them any further. He turned instead to Isuzu, whose face had gone pale.

"Enough wasting my time. Show me your so-called 'proud facilities.'"

He paused deliberately, then added with a smirk. "Make it quick. I've got to be home to cook dinner tonight."

Isuzu bit down hard and led him toward the Adventure Speedrun ride.

In the waterpark, there was nothing but a dried-out channel, capped with a layer of gray-green ice.

A few faded plastic boats sat frozen in place, crooked like abandoned trash.

Takuma gave it one glance.

"Water freezing in winter, fine, understandable."

"But you didn't even bother to clean it up—or at least hang a pathetic little 'Closed for the Season' sign."

"Instead you turn it into performance art, showing every visitor just how poor and lazy you are."

"I can already imagine summer. This trench will be filled with algae and bug corpses."

"No sane mother will let her kid anywhere near it, afraid they'll catch a skin disease."

Isuzu lowered her head, shame burning in her chest.

Next stop: Wild Valley, the shooting gallery.

The targets inside were broken, missing arms and legs. Behind the counter, the crocodile attendant, Wanipee, was snoring loudly.

Takuma picked up an air rifle. The stock was wrapped in greasy tape, ready to fall apart.

Bang!

He didn't even aim. The pellet hit dead center. The target only gave a token little wiggle.

Wanipee jolted awake, grumbling, "Hey, kid, easy! That thing's an antique—"

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Three more shots, all landing through the same hole.

The poor target finally collapsed.

Takuma tossed the broken rifle back onto the counter with a sharp crack.

"Antique? More like garbage."

"The sights are off by over fifteen degrees, the target's mechanics are shot, rebound delay half a second."

"Even if a guest manages to hit, they'll get zero payoff."

He stared at the crocodile, whose cold sweat was pouring now.

"You call this entertainment?"

"I call it fraud."

Wanipee's drowsiness vanished, replaced by raw fear.

Isuzu pressed her lips tight. All color had drained from her face.

They passed a restaurant.

A wave of rancid oil and spoiled food hit them.

This time, Takuma didn't even step inside.

He stood at the doorway, eyes closed, inhaling deeply.

This was where his Housekeeping Template Lv.2 shone brightest.

Moments later, he opened his eyes and delivered a verdict like a judge passing sentence.

"Ventilation clogged for over three months. Grease buildup at least two centimeters thick—fire hazard already formed."

"Freezer temperature seven degrees above standard. The meat's breeding listeria."

"Your head chef's been using the same gutter oil to fry everything over and over, masking rot with burnt grease."

"I can even tell you what he ate yesterday for lunch: garlic ramen. Because he didn't brush his teeth."

Isuzu was beyond speech.

'Is this man… a devil?'

And finally, the park's pride: the Ferris wheel.

With a screech of metal, the cabin rose slowly—until halfway up, the entire structure shuddered violently and stopped mid-air, groaning as if ready to collapse.

Isuzu's face went bloodless.

Takuma remained calm. He even tapped the glass, amused.

"Bearings dry, three critical gears badly worn. Keep running this, and someone's going to die."

He looked down at the husk of a park, and spoke his judgment.

"Transportation. Service. Sanitation. Safety. You've failed across the board."

"This place is a textbook disaster in management."

"Trash among trash."

He turned to the girl beside him, already hollow-eyed and trembling.

"Honestly? I'm almost impressed."

"With a dump this bad, you still manage to trick people into paying entry."

That one light comment shattered the last of her defenses.

Her knees buckled, and she slumped against the rusted railing.

Everything she was proud of, everything she swore to protect—stripped bare in a few offhand sentences, turned into a farce.

"Enough…"

Her voice cracked.

"Please… don't say any more."

They descended the Ferris wheel.

At the platform, Isuzu raised her head. Her eyes were void of light, nothing but gray despair.

"Last stop. Please… come with me. I'll show you the only thing here that's still… 'precious.'"

She led him through the empty grounds, to the park's northern edge.

There stood their one remaining dignity: The Maple Castle.

Inside, at least, it was spotless. The elevator carried them to the top floor.

On the sixth level, Isuzu steadied her voice, grave and formal.

"Takuma."

"Before you meet the highest authority here—the princess—I have to tell you something."

She locked eyes with him.

"The park has a deadline. We signed a treaty. If we can't reach five hundred thousand guests in three months, the park will be forcibly seized. And all of us… will vanish."

"That's why we need your power. And the only proof of our sincerity…"

She faltered, voice thick with shame.

"…is Princess Latifa Fleuranza's unique ability. As heir of Maple, the one she shares her first kiss with… gains a personal magical gift."

On the sixth floor, Isuzu pushed open a heavy door and respectfully stepped aside.

A lavish bedroom stretched before them.

Out on the balcony sat a girl of fourteen or fifteen (biologically) in a decorated gown, framed by the dying light of sunset.

A tiny crown perched in her golden hair. Her layered dress bloomed like a flower, draped in sheer white tulle. White silk gloves reached her shoulders, making her look holy, untouchable.

This was Latifa Fleuranza—the cursed princess.

At the sound of footsteps, she looked up sharply.

In the next instant, her once-dull blue eyes blazed with sudden radiance. Like prophecy made flesh.

"I've finally… met you!"

Her voice was clear like windchimes, yet frail with weakness.

Latifa rose, lifted her skirts, and stumbled toward him.

She stopped before Takuma, tilting up her delicate face. Her wide blue eyes reflected his outline.

"You… you must be Takuma Kurosawa, right?!"

Even those few steps left her breathless, sweat dotting her forehead, fragile and pitiable.

"Pleased to meet you. I am Latifa Fleuranza, ruler of Amagi Brilliant Park."

She curtseyed gracefully, then reached out.

Both gloved hands gently but firmly clasped his.

The silk was cool, but the heat in her palms seared through. Instinctively, Takuma gave her fingers a light squeeze.

A blush swept across her pale cheeks.

"Please… save my people. Save this park."

"Our remaining energy is fading fast. If it runs out, everyone will—"

She bit back tears, begging with all she had left.

Takuma stayed silent. His quiet was heavier than words.

Latifa trembled, then steeled herself.

"I know empty pleas are meaningless."

"As princess of Maple Land, I offer… my most precious contract."

Her head lowered, voice tiny, ears flushed red.

"Please… close your eyes."

Takuma arched a brow, then obeyed.

He was curious.

"What could this naive little princess, whose real age was actually 24, possibly give him? What kind of magical gift would it be?"

One second.

Her fragrance filled his senses, sweet as a garden after rain.

Two seconds.

Her breath quickened, shaky yet restrained.

Three seconds.

Small trembling hands pressed against his chest, like she was bracing herself—or terrified he'd peek.

Four… five…

Her scent rushed close.

She stood on tiptoe.

A soft, cool, quivering touch brushed against his lips.

At that instant—

A gentle flood of magic surged from her body into his.

Not from his Lodging System. But from a princess, with royal blood as catalyst, offering her blessing.

But then the system chimed in his mind:

[Ding!]

[Special skill acquired: "Lucky Magic"]

[Temporary Quest: Special Stay.]

[Objective: Within 72 hours, spend the night in Maple Castle, sharing a room with Latifa.]

[Reward: Unknown Template Lv 0.]

Takuma's eyes lit up.

So even this could trigger a lodging quest.

A kiss for a new skill, a mystery template, and one giant mess of a kingdom.

Profit. Absolute profit.

He opened his arms and pulled the little princess against his chest.

And didn't stop there. He kissed her.

"Mmm—!"

Latifa's face flared red. She didn't resist. Or maybe… she didn't know how to.

Only after a long moment did Takuma release her.

She trembled softly, eyes downcast. He brushed a clear trace from the corner of her lips.

"Revive your park?"

His voice was calm, assured. "I'll do it."

"But my rules. From now on, every word I say is law."

"Your only job is to obey—no questions, no excuses."

His gaze shifted past the princess, landing on Isuzu, who stood stiff, fists clenched. His tone turned playful.

"That includes… improper orders, Isuzu. Like spending this night with your precious princess."

Then, with a crooked grin, he crooked his finger at her. "And you, my assistant—you'll start by honoring your promise."

"Lesson one. Wash my mushroom."

"First, learn how to clean it properly."

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