The sun blazed mercilessly since morning. The air felt heavy, thick with humidity, making every step on the pavement feel like sticking to boiling asphalt.
Everywhere, people moved quickly, caught up in their own affairs, crowding the sidewalks, stations, and zebra crossings, creating an unbroken stream of humanity.
Amidst it all, Shinjuku was the pulsing heart that never slept. This ever-bustling district, with its towering skyscrapers and giant screens glowing brightly even in broad daylight, remained a magnet.
Shinjuku wasn't just an entertainment hub; it was also quietly dubbed "Tokyo's lovers' date zone." In rooftop cafes, dimly lit restaurants, small cinemas, and even underground alleys filled with quirky trinket shops, couples roamed as if the world belonged only to them.
And in the midst of all this bustle stood a girl who seemed to draw attention without even trying.
She wore a simple white crop top with red accents on the chest, just enough to reveal her slim waist and smooth, snow-white skin. Over it, she draped an oversized teal denim jacket, left open, enhancing her casual yet stylish vibe.
Her olive-green cargo pants were loose at the bottom but hugged her alluring hips. Two long drawstrings dangled at the sides, swaying lightly with every summer breeze.
Her long black hair was partially tied back, with bangs perfectly framing her oval face.
Overall, she had a captivating figure, with a slender waist and graceful shoulders, embodying soft beauty and refined elegance amidst Shinjuku's chaos.
In fact, several passing guys had already invited her to hang out, drawn by her striking appearance. But she politely declined each offer with a courteous smile.
"Hey, I'm here!"
Her eyes sparkled as she spotted the man she'd been waiting for emerging from the crowd. With enthusiasm, she waved her hand high to catch his attention.
"You're late, Rokuhara! Making a girl wait—minus 100 points!"
"You're wrong, Suou-san. I'm not late; I'm right on time." Ren countered calmly, brushing off the baseless accusation.
"Forget it, just call me Yuki. No need to act polite. I know what kind of guy you are, Rokuhara. On the surface, you seem like a good guy, but you're a scumbag secretly sleeping with Maria-san at school."
"If the boys at school knew you got Maria-san, the Madonna of so many hearts, pregnant, you'd probably be tied to a stake and burned, right?"
The girl named Suou Yuki imagined the scene, unable to hold back a giggle.
"That's my line, Yuki. Aren't you supposed to maintain your image as the refined eldest daughter of a prestigious noble family? You're usually so graceful and elegant." Ren said, eyeing the girl before him with surprise. The contrast between Yuki's public persona and her current behavior was striking.
Yuki let out a dramatic sigh, shrugging casually. "Haiz… Acting is exhausting. Plus, I figure you already know my real personality, right?"
"Yeah, I do." Ren replied curtly, nodding.
"As I thought." Yuki's smile relaxed, and she nudged Ren's shoulder with her elbow. "So, I can be myself around you. That's special treatment, you know~ You should feel honored, Rokuhara! So far, only my dear Onii-chan knows."
"Thanks, I guess?" Ren responded flatly, unfazed by Yuki's drastic shift to a more tomboyish, childish demeanor.
"Yuki, you didn't call me out here just to talk about this, did you? If so, you're interrupting my precious summer vacation time. By the way, just call me by my first name."
Yuki grinned, ignoring Ren's slightly annoyed tone. "Let's talk while we walk."
The two began walking side by side, blending into the flow of pedestrians on Shinjuku's sidewalks. Their bodies occasionally brushed lightly in the crowd, but neither seemed to mind the closeness.
"Are you upset because I'm cutting into your intimate time with Maria-san?" Yuki teased with a playful smile.
She didn't know Ren had other women besides Maria, who was a fellow student council member like her.
"You're right. Thanks to you suddenly asking me to hang out, I missed some intimate time with Masha." Ren replied casually, without a hint of hesitation or shame.
Yuki gasped briefly, then let out a small laugh. "Wow, you just admit it! That's not something a romcom protagonist would do! Your face is thicker than the three walls protecting humanity from Titans, Ren."
"Enough joking, Yuki?" Ren asked, his tone flat but carrying a slight warning.
"Ahem, I got a bit carried away."
Clearing her throat softly, Yuki stopped teasing Ren and stated her purpose with a more serious tone.
"Ren, let's go on a date!"
"Huh? Are you serious?"
Ren's steps halted abruptly in the middle of the crowded sidewalk, as if he'd misheard. A clear look of shock crossed his face.
Yuki turned, glaring at him with irritation. "What's with that expression, like the sun's rising in the west tomorrow? Is it so weird for me to ask you out? A girl asking a guy on a date isn't new, right? Your reaction's over the top."
Ignoring Yuki's annoyed tone, Ren continued unfiltered. "That's if the girl is normal. But a girl with a brother complex? That's unheard of! There's no way a brocon would invite any guy other than her beloved big brother on a date! Yuki, are you sick? Should I take you to the hospital?"
Ren's rather loud words were overheard by a few passing pedestrians. Naturally, they gave Yuki odd looks, as if spotting a panda in a zoo—rare and unexpected.
Yuki's face flushed slightly with embarrassment, but she tried hard to hide it.
"You jerk! I'll bite you!"
Embarrassed and angry, Yuki stomped toward Ren and bit his shoulder fiercely. Her bite was strong, but Ren felt no pain, being a Campione.
"Stop, Yuki! Are you a dog?!" Ren tried to break free, embarrassed by the public spectacle.
But to the single men witnessing the scene, they looked like a couple flaunting their affection in public, sparking envy.
"Damn that couple. Don't they know their place?!" grumbled a man in an office shirt, clenching his fists. Here he was, slaving away as a corporate worker during summer break.
"Geez, his girlfriend's so feisty. How does that guy stay so calm?" Said another man holding a coffee, squinting with jealousy.
"Public affection? Can't they do that somewhere else?" Hissed a man in a green cap, his face sour.
"Kids these days! So annoying to watch." muttered an old man walking leisurely, shaking his head.
"Ugh, so jealous. When will I ever get a girlfriend?" Complained an otaku fresh out of a game store, glaring enviously.