"I... um... I really need to go," Linus blurted out, his cheeks burning with embarrassment.

Akira instantly joined the conversation as he heard these words, and looked confused. "Can't you just go and find a tree?"

The suggestion made Linus cringe inwardly. "N-no way I'm doing that!" he stammered.

Beyza's expression hardened, her lips thinning into a tight line. "I already told you; I'm not letting you in."

Linus felt a knot form in his stomach. He couldn't bear the thought of enduring this pain any longer. "Please, Beyza," his voice trembling. "I promise I'll be quick."

"You don't seem to get the point."

By now Maya had joined as well and observed the discussion in astonishment. "Man don't do him like that," said Akira. "He really needs to take a shit! Have a little compassion."

"Akira! This isn't funny!!" said Linus desperately.

Menacingly, Beyza looked down upon Linus as he cramped and bent over, pressing his knees together.

"Fine..." she sighed reluctantly, turning towards the house.

Relief flooded through Linus as he hurried inside. "Th-thank you!!"

As Linus ran after her, he barely glanced around the house as they walked down the hallway. It was all cleaned and almost empty. Minimalistic.

"Is nobody home?" asked Linus.

"What's it to you?"

"Oh- right."

"There." Beyza gestured toward the door at the end of the hallway. "Don't touch my stuff. Don't make a mess. Just be normal."

Linus nodded submissively. Normal…? Look at yourself first.

As he stood in front of the door, he was relieved that Beyza kept several meters of distance. He had feared she would want to join him and make sure he didn't break any rules.

Then his gaze turned to the sign on the door. It read 'Occupied'.

Is someone in there right now? Probably not. Unless Beyza has a secret admirer…?

It was more likely that she simply didn't bother to flip the sign every time. But why did she even have one then?

Stolen story; please report.

"Have you forgotten how to read or what?" asked Beyza.

Linus turned to her questioningly. "What? Oh, sorry."

He quickly went inside. As he closed the door behind him, he heard Beyza call out, "And if you pee standing up! Then you'll leave my apartment a few grams lighter."

Linus startled at her threat. Of course he wouldn't do that. After all he wasn't some uncouth animal or... Akira.

Linus let his gaze wander around the bathroom, as the steady trickle of liquid blended with the background hum of the ventilation system. It wasn't particularly interesting, but he had nothing better to do. However, he had expected more from Beyza's bathroom. More... creepiness.

Or at least more black.

Then something caught his eye.

He focused on a plastic bottle sitting on the shower shelf. Around it, a black liquid had settled on the floor, apparently dried there.

"'Hair dye,'" Linus read slowly.

She dyes her hair? I thought they were naturally black.

Unconsciously, Linus's mind conjured images of Beyza with all sorts of other hair colors. Brown, red, blonde...? No, none of them seemed to fit.

Lost in thoughts, he didn't even notice that the pressure in his bladder had long subsided. The trickling was now no more than an occasional drip.

Driven by the fear that Beyza might think he was leaving a larger deposit on her sacred throne, Linus hastily flushed the toilet and hurried to leave.

Beyza scrutinized him as he approached her again. Trying to look innocent to assuage her doubts, he subconsciously raised his hands in a gesture of reassurance.

As they reunited with the others, they were set to go.

***

The air buzzed with excitement, punctuated by joyful screams. Scent of cotton candy mingled with the savory aroma of fast food, creating a tantalizing olfactory tapestry that hung in the air.

"Hey, Akira…" Linus held up a hand to shield his eyes from the dazzling array of lights and colors around them. "Didn't we plan to go swimming...?"

Beside him, the pure elation of Maya radiated. Her eyes sparkled with childlike wonder as she took in the sights and sounds of the bustling park. She bounced on the balls of her feet, eager to explore every corner and experience, every thrill this place had to offer.

Akira's eyes shifted to Linus. "Hm? Yea, but isn't this much better?"

Linus couldn't help but imagine the joy of cool water dripping down his overheated skin while being blessed with the breathtaking sight of Maya in a bikini.

Seeing the doubt in Linus' eyes, Akira leaned closer. "Look, I've got it all worked out. Just wait until we get to the Ferris wheel where you will guide the frightened Maya as her hero." Akira grinned confidently.

A chill ran down Linus' spine. Ferris...wheel?

His gaze swept around, as the flush disappeared from his face, replaced with a chalky white fear. This wasn't your average amusement park; it was a hardcore adrenaline junkie playground.

Giant looping, vomit-inducing death contraptions stretched high into the horizon, laughing mockingly at him. Linus had never even thought about stepping foot into one of these killers. He could hardly even convince himself to take a ride on the merry-go-round.

"Let's go! I want to ride everything! UwU" sang Maya as she began to plunge into the crowd and head towards one of the mortal devices.

Just as Linus was about to sprint away like an animal whose flight instinct kicked in, Akira grabbed him by the back of the shirt. "Heyyy, slow down! You're not going to chicken out now, are you?! This is your chance to make an impression on her!"

Trembling all over his body, a bewildered look settled on Linus' face. His chance to impress her? By peeing himself?! Or perhaps by vomiting all over her?! His eyes shifted up to the gigantic rollercoaster, panic screams echoing through his ears.

"N-no way! This is pure madness!!"