Chapter Text
Reigen’s eyes scanned the screen of his laptop, contemplating the deal in front of him.
The advertisement was clear and erring a bit on the side of possible scam, but the cheap part of Reigen wished the deal could be true.
Before him lay a deal; 3 tickets to Super Adventure Island, the best (and only) amusement park in Seasoning City. The seller had them posted at 2500 yen, as opposed to Super Adventure Island’s normal rate of 15000 yen for 3 tickets.
If the deal was a scam, then Reigen would be short 2500 yen- and while that may not cripple him financially, the very idea made the cheapskate within him cringe.
But if the deal was legitimate...
Reigen looked up from his screen to an empty office, and stared at Tome’s desk.
If the deal was legitimate, then Tome was due for an amazing birthday.
His eyes returned to the screen, glaring menacingly at the “Purchase” button.
He thought of the best birthday ever and clicked.
A week later, and Tome had no idea what was headed her way.
Reigen keyed in Serizawa on his plan, of course. They’d both tell Tome that they were inviting her to a legitimate exorcism for her birthday and instead take her to Super Adventure Island. Reigen hoped the excitement of the amusement park would be enough to negate the disappointment of not being allowed to join in on an exorcism.
They were on the train now, Tome radiating energy about the appointment that would never come while Reigen clutched the printed tickets in his pocket.
Tome, trying (and failing) to contain her energy, was chattering with Serizawa about video games; not an uncommon topic between the two.
“...You see, the fact that you think Lugia is the best Pokémon just further proves my point!” Tome argued, not afraid of raising her voice in the small cabin of the subway car.
Serizawa couldn’t keep the smug but playful smile off his face.
“That’s big talk from someone who likes Deoxys.”
“Excuse you! I will not accept this slander! Deoxys looks the most alien and is therefore objectively the best! Don’t even mention his shiny...” Tome huffed, crossing her arms defensively.
“I think Pikachu looks pretty neat.” Reigen chipped in, not quite relating to the subject, but enjoying Tome’s unrelenting enthusiasm nonetheless.
“That’s because it’s the only Pokémon you know, old man.” Tome stuck her tongue out playfully while Reigen faked being hurt, covering his own chest with one hand.
Before much else could be said on the subject, the cabin came to a complete stop at their destination, and the three of them were ushered off along with waves of other passengers.
“Okay, now the address isn’t too far from here...” Reigen clicked his tongue, walking out of the tunnel with Serizawa and Tome in tow.
It was hard not to recognize the park.
Stepping outside, it felt like Reigen was about to be blinded by the neon of the lights and signs, despite it being further down the street. Tome noticed it too, wide eyed, but said nothing.
After all, they were going to go exorcise something, right?
Serizawa kept engaging Tome in conversation about Pokémon starters, but as the trio drew nearer to the amusement park, her involvement lessened as she searched along the street for the house they were supposed to be visiting.
They were all but standing in front of it before Tome spoke up.
“Did... did you get the wrong address, Reigen?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Tome-chan.” He chuckled, Serizawa holding back his own grin by biting his cheek.
Reigen slammed the printed tickets with his usual flare onto the admission booth.
“Three wristbands, please.”
A disillusioned teenager attempted to scan the paper, only for the computers to make a sound that made Reigen’s gut turn.
“Sorry sir, these tickets expired three years ago. You’re going to have to buy new ones.” The attendant mumbled, chewing her gum and staring through him.
The color in his face drained, and he looked to Serizawa and Tome, standing a few feet away from him.
“...Listen, I just bought these tickets last week. It’s this kid’s birthday, and I really want to make it special. Could you please just take the tickets this once? It’d make her very happy.” Reigen whispered to the attendant, putting on the most desperate face he knew how to wear.
The attendant narrowed her eyes and shook her head, completely adamant and apathetic.
Now, Reigen saw options laid before him; He could cause a scene, make a racket, because the great Reigen Arataka never lost fights. This option, however effective, will undoubtably raise attention to him and therefore Tome, a teenage girl who probably wishes to go without people staring at her. Alternatively, they had an esper.
Reigen slumped away from the booth, accepting temporary defeat and walking along the perimeter of the fence around the park, motioning for Tome and Serizawa to follow suit.
Tome, by now, had figured out what was going on.
“Reigen, it means a lot to me that you tried to get tickets. Really, it does. Let’s just go to an arcade or something instead.” Tome smiled softly at him while Reigen kept his eyes locked on the fence.
“Oh, no, we’re getting in, aren’t we Serizawa?”
“U-Uhm!” Serizawa looked around anxiously, as if they were planning something much more grave than breaking into an amusement park. “Y-Yes, we are, Reigen-san.”
Tome’s eyes widened.
“Oh my god, are you going to break in?” She had a massive grin on her face, practically running circles around Reigen.
“We’re all going to break in.” He nudged Serizawa and pointed towards a small gate- a side entrance, probably for employees to use. It had a yellow padlock that was as neon as the gate it was attached to.
Serizawa, with a shaky hand, unlocked it easily with his powers.
“I can’t believe I’m doing this.” Serizawa muttered under his breath, removing the lock and opening the creaky door for the other two members of his party.
It took mild navigation for them to escape the employee section of the park, but as soon as they did, they were greeted with more neon, blaring music, and an elated Tome.
“LOOK! They have like 3 different rollercoasters! Ooh, ooh, and a ship ride! And carnival games!” She spouted, already walking forward at a breakneck speed towards the attractions. The two adults behind her could barely keep up, which really reminded Reigen of how out of shape he was.
Tome stopped and paused for a moment, turning around with tears in her eyes and a smile on her face. She paced back to Reigen and Serizawa and threw her arms around them, which they both reciprocated without hesitation.
“Thank you guys.” She muttered into the fabric of their shirts.
“Happy birthday, Tome.” Reigen laughed, surrounded by the best people he could ever ask for.