Sunday. 10:10 AM – Ren's Front Door
"You seriously agreed to this?" Ren asked, holding a plastic bag of shopping essentials.
"I didn't," he sighed. "I got outvoted."
After the Great Breakfast Battle, the girls came to a… "democratic" decision:
Each of them would get one solo outing with Ren that day.In a fair, civil, polite rotation.
Translation: They rolled dice and nearly broke the table.
Winner of Round 1: Haruka Aizawa.
Scene 1: Haruka's Solo Date – "It's Not Like I Wanted This or Anything"
Ren walked beside Haruka through the shopping district. She wore a simple black blouse, light denim jeans, and had her hair tied in a high ponytail.
Not that he noticed.
…Except he totally did.
Haruka walked half a step ahead, pretending not to look back at him every five seconds.
"You didn't have to come if you didn't want to," she muttered.
"I did want to," Ren replied, honest and casual.
Haruka stopped.
"…Tch. Idiot."
She turned away, but Ren caught the faint pink blush on her cheeks.
Scene 2: The Marketplace Mishap
They visited a local street market. Haruka was dead serious about picking vegetables.
"Fresh eggplants are important," she declared."Uh… for what?" Ren asked."…Curry."
Then her hand brushed his as they both reached for the same daikon radish.
Both froze.
"Y-You take it!" she stammered."No, no, you go ahead—""JUST TAKE THE STUPID DAIKON!"
They both burst out laughing, drawing attention from the stall owner.
It was the first time Ren saw Haruka laugh freely.
Scene 3: Unexpected Softness
After shopping, they sat on a quiet bench under a sakura tree.
Haruka held her shopping bag to her chest.
"…You know, being around you is exhausting," she said suddenly.
Ren blinked. "Uh, thanks?"
"But…" Her voice softened. "It's also the only time I feel like I'm not alone."
He looked at her.
She glanced away, flustered. "Don't read too much into it!"
But Ren just smiled.
"…Thanks, Haruka."
Scene 4: Return to the Battlefield
They arrived home to the other four girls glaring from the doorway like they'd formed a final boss party.
"Oh? Enjoyed your little date, huh?" Yui said with a dangerous smile.
"You were gone for three hours," Emi added coldly.
Rika popped her bubblegum. "Hope you bought snacks to share."
Mei sipped her juice. "I warmed up your seat, Ren."
Haruka immediately went red. "I-It wasn't a date! D-Don't make it weird!"
End Scene: Next in Line
Yui looped her arm through Ren's and pulled him toward the hallway.
"Alright, lover boy. Round 2 — my date. Let's see if you survive."
Ren sighed.
"…I don't know if my heart or my wallet can take this."