Even though it was Saturday, the meeting time was set for 7 a.m. Watanabe Tetsu couldn't help but think that Senior Mai Asuka having no friends didn't come as a surprise.
Still, it wasn't a problem for him personally, since he was already running down Shinjuku Boulevard every morning at six.
The meeting spot was the south exit of Shinjuku Station. From there, crossing the street would lead to the bus heading to today's destination—Fuji-Q Highland.
When Tetsu came out of the ticket gate, there were still five minutes to seven, yet everyone else was already there.
The first thing he saw was Seino Rin, listening attentively to Ichiki Aoi.
She wore a Western-style short-sleeve shirt tucked into high-waisted jeans. Her proportions were flawless, her face stunning enough to make it impossible to look away. Even beside her, the normally cute Ichiki Aoi seemed to vanish into insignificance.
On the other side stood Hanada Asako, in a white sleeveless dress, accompanied by a tall girl.
Long hair cascading down her back, serene black eyes, fair skin, a slender figure, and breasts neither too big nor too small—a presence perfectly balanced in every way.
This had to be Senior Mai Asuka.
From appearances alone, she was a rare beauty. No wonder Ichiki had been attracted to her since elementary school.
Tetsu's own rating? About eight out of ten.
"Watanabe, you're so slow!"
"Pay up! Pay up! Buy breakfast!"
Walking over with those words were Kunii Osamu and Saito Keisuke.
The two had arrived early, but seeing four strikingly beautiful girls had left them too intimidated to even greet anyone. They only relaxed when Tetsu finally showed up.
"Five minutes to seven, right? Whatever, I'll take care of it," Tetsu said as he approached.
Saito wore a pink shirt with a tie, and Kunii had a very stylish jacket. Both were dressed formally.
Tetsu wasn't exactly outdone.
He hadn't intended to dress well, but his everyday clothes were chosen by Yuki Miki, and to others, he looked like a genuine fashionable guy.
With his improving physique, broadening knowledge, and confident posture, he carried himself with undeniable confidence.
As he stepped out of the south exit, almost every woman nearby looked at him unconsciously.
If foreigners saw him walking down the street, they'd surely vow to be a "Tokyo handsome guy" in their next life.
Tetsu greeted the others.
"Good morning."
Seino Rin nodded and replied softly, "Good morning."
"Good morning, Ichiki."
"Good morning, Watanabe! You look really handsome today!"
"Thanks. You look cute too."
After the humble exchange with Ichiki, Tetsu turned his attention to the other two girls.
"Good morning, Hanada-senpai, Mai-senpai."
Mai Asuka stared at him motionless, giving a nod without any extra emotion.
In stark contrast, the petite and shy Hanada Asako looked like she was about to faint from shyness, hiding half her body behind the tall Mai Asuka.
"W-Watanabe-kun… h-hi…"
"Watanabe-kun?"
"Ah, um… since we're off-campus…"
Seeing Hanada's flustered, almost fainting expression, Tetsu quickly said it was fine to call him whatever she liked.
Afterwards, he bought breakfast—bread and rice balls—for Kunii and Saito. He didn't ask the four girls if they had eaten; spending money on women was strictly forbidden in Yuki Miki's rules.
By 7:15 a.m., the seven of them boarded the bus to Fuji-Q Highland.
Since there was an extra person, Tetsu chose to sit with a stranger who immediately fell asleep upon boarding.
Across the aisle were Seino Rin, with Ichiki Aoi beside her.
Just as Tetsu took out his phone to listen to English songs and nap, a LINE message popped up.
Saito Keisuke: That cute girl is Hanada Asako, right?
Kunii Osamu: Yep! Isn't she super cute??!!
Saito Keisuke: She's cute, so cute I think I don't stand a chance.
Kunii Osamu: Don't underestimate yourself! Watanabe got the Yuki heiress, why can't I?
Kunii Osamu: …Okay, I admit, I'm a little afraid, feel like I'm not good enough.
Saito Keisuke: Ichiki Aoi seems perfect for you, and she's a little cute too.
Kunii Osamu: I think she's good! Easy, perfect first love material.
Kunii Osamu: Watanabe, find a way to take Rin away so I can get a chance.
Kunii Osamu: Saito, help with topics if I run out of things to say.
Saito Keisuke: Got it!
Watanabe Tetsu: …
Kunii Osamu: Barbecue!
Tetsu replied "Got it" but felt a headache coming on.
Though he sympathized with Kunii and wanted to explain the real purpose of today's outing, betraying the client's private request wasn't his role. He could only silently sympathize and let Kunii treat him to barbecue later.
Tetsu offered a quiet moment of condolence in his mind.
That silence was broken by another LINE notification from the "Ichiki Aoi's Brain Trust" group chat.
Ichiki Aoi: Counting on you two today (≧▽≦)/
Tetsu: Ichiki, why aren't you sitting with Mai-senpai?
Ichiki: Well…
Ichiki: Actually, asking Mai-senpai to hang out only worked because of Hanada-senpai.
Ichiki:〒▽〒
Tetsu: Didn't you say Mai-senpai had no friends?
Ichiki: They're really close, but not friends. Even convincing Mai-senpai to hang out took Hanada-senpai a long time.
Tetsu: Got it. Makes sense. Just like me and Seino Rin.
Across the aisle, Rin glared at him, then her slender fingers typed rapidly on her phone.
Seino Rin: I have no friends. I admit you and I are closest, but we're barely acquaintances. No matter how much you beg, I won't agree to go to an amusement park with you.
"Not amusement park… maybe the aquarium?" Tetsu tried with his eyes, but Rin just stared seriously at her phone screen.
Just when he thought she was reading an e-book, another message appeared—this time a puffed-cheeked angry dolphin sticker.
Seeing Rin smile involuntarily, Tetsu suspected she just wanted to test sending a dolphin sticker.
Ichiki Aoi: Anyway, please two of you figure out Mai-senpai's sexual orientation!!!
Followed by a geisha in a kimono, face painted white, bowing deeply, captioned "Please!!"
Seino Rin: Ichiki, please distract Hanada-senpai so I can be alone with Watanabe and Mai-senpai. I'll observe her expressions closely. Also, I want you two to observe carefully—though I can read lies and study expressions, I have no experience in romance.
Ichiki Aoi: Okay ()
Watanabe Tetsu: Can you split up these huge texts? My eyes are going cross.
Seino Rin: Need me to get you reading glasses, Watanabe?
Tetsu: Honestly… it's my birthday tomorrow. You could buy me a pair.
After sending that, Tetsu looked up. As expected, Rin's face across the aisle was icy cold.
...
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