The next day—weekend.
Aoki Kei woke up early. With not much else to do, he picked up the book "100 Essential English Phrases for Daily Use" and began reviewing.
Thanks to provoking Yukinoshita Yukino the previous day, he had received a reward from the system: the [Language Learning Aptitude].
Since gaining this skill, reading the phrasebook had become significantly easier.
With his learning pace now accelerated, Kei decided it was time to move forward with his plan to learn a new language.
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Around 10:30 AM, he headed out, guitar slung on his back, to keep his promise to Yamada Ryo—to treat her to lunch.
Before leaving his apartment, Kei checked the weather forecast.
It was sunny over the weekend, but in a few days, continuous summer rains were predicted.
Still, daily forecasts could be unreliable.
Kei had his doubts about the supposed rainy spell.
Regardless, he decided to play it safe and brought a clear umbrella along.
Their meeting spot was the Shibuya scramble crossing—not far from his apartment.
Riding the train, guitar and umbrella in tow, Kei stared out the window, letting his mind drift as scenery blurred past.
After a short, bumpy ride, the train arrived.
It was around 10:50—ten minutes before the meeting time. Exiting the station, Kei made his way toward the musical instrument store called "SoundColor."
He assumed they'd meet directly at the shop, as discussed. But as he walked, something on the sidewalk caught his eye—Yamada Ryo.
Near the intersection, there were rows of cherry blossom trees.
Just off the path leading toward SoundColor, Ryo was crouched beneath one of them, intently watching something on the ground.
Curious, Kei walked over and crouched beside her.
He looked down and discovered what she was staring at—a line of ants relocating their colony.
A typical high school girl might've instinctively backed away from bugs.
But Yamada Ryo was clearly not typical.
Her expression remained blank, eyes focused entirely on the ants. She didn't even notice Kei had walked up beside her.
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Kei watched in silence for a while, leaning on one knee.
Then he finally said:
"Yamada-san… you're really something else."
Startled, Ryo blinked, then slowly turned her head toward him.
They weren't sitting too far apart.
With a slight tilt of her eyes, she could clearly see Kei's face—refined features, sharp bone structure.
If it weren't for his long bangs partially covering his eyes, his charm might have been even more apparent.
Expression still unreadable, Ryo looked back down at the ants.
"I was just wondering… if ants are edible," she said flatly.
"…"
Kei paused.
He searched his memory for any relevant information.
After a moment, he replied:
"Well, I think it depends on the species. But most ants taste kind of sour and bitter, from what I've heard."
Ryo turned her gaze back to him again, watching him in silence for a moment.
"You're weird, suki-san."
"Coming from you, that stings a little…"
Given that ants weren't filling or tasty, the topic of eating them quickly faded.
Rising from beneath the sakura tree, the two crossed the street toward their lunch destination.
Ryo had agreed to omurice, and after their chat the night before, Kei had looked up nearby restaurants on Google Maps.
Luckily, there was a well-reviewed café near the Shibuya crossing, known for its omurice and reasonable prices.
Eleven o'clock wasn't too early for lunch, so Kei led the way.
The café wasn't busy yet, and most tables were still empty.
They picked a window seat and placed their orders.
Kei got a tempura set—two pieces of shrimp, some fried daikon, a slice of grilled eel, rice, seasonal vegetables, and miso soup. Ryo ordered traditional Japanese omurice.
Ryo wasn't very talkative by nature, always expressionless and quiet.
She just rarely initiated conversation.
Kei wasn't exactly chatty either.
He'd respond if someone talked to him, but usually kept to himself otherwise.
So neither of them said much.
Aside from the gentle hum of a violin playing through the café speakers, the space was still.
Kei gazed out the window, watching passersby hurry or stroll along the streets.
His thoughts drifted.
Until Ryo's calm voice suddenly broke the silence.
"Suki-san… I've always wondered."
Her tone was cool, as usual, but this time there was a faint note of curiosity.
"Your guitar skills are amazing, but… how come you didn't even own a guitar before?"
'Why didn't I have a guitar before…'
Kei's gaze returned from the window, and he fell silent.
The truth was simple: before he met the members of Kessoku Band, Kei didn't know how to play guitar at all.
Naturally, he had no reason to own one.
But he couldn't tell her that—the [Love Trouble Simulation System] strictly forbade revealing its existence, a rule clearly outlined from the beginning.
So, he needed a convincing explanation...
After thinking for a moment, Kei finally replied:
"My family's... not well off. When you can't even afford food, chasing dreams takes a backseat to survival. I had to sell my old guitar."
"Oh…"
Ryo blinked, her expression unreadable as ever.
She nodded slightly and responded with a quiet "I see," without pushing further.
The silence returned.
Kei had been ready to make up more details if she asked, but was relieved when she didn't.
Soon, the waiter brought out their food.
The tempura set was well put together—crispy shrimp, tender eel, perfectly cooked daikon.
The miso soup, though... was a bit hard to describe politely.
Kei pushed the soup aside and continued eating the rest.
Halfway through his rice, a soft chime rang from the wind chimes at the café door.
"This place's omurice is amazing! Kita-chan, you've gotta try it!"
"Really? Thanks for the recommendation~!"
Then—came a familiar voice.
Kita?
Kei paused, surprised.
Ryo, who was facing the entrance, immediately lifted her head.
A group of high school girls had just entered—including the ever-energetic Kita Ikuyo.
As soon as she saw them, Ryo casually greeted her in her usual lazy tone.
"Oh. Kita-chan…"
Hearing her name, Kita turned to look—and immediately spotted the two sitting in the corner.
"Ryo-senpai?" she blinked, confused. "A-Aoki-senpai?!"
Her eyes widened, voice rising in disbelief.
"W-What's going on? Are you two… are you on a date?!"
"Cough—"
Kei choked slightly, about to deny it, but Ryo beat him to it.
The blue-haired girl tilted her head slightly, looked at Kei, then glanced back at Kita.
A faint, almost mischievous curve played at the edge of her lips, and in the same calm tone, she replied:
"Yeah. It's a date."
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