The next day!
It was another clear, sunny day without a single cloud in the sky.
Dressed in ordinary casual clothes, Makoto yawned as he arrived at a research institute called Talent Workshop.
"Please wait in the reception room, the director is getting dressed."
It seemed Shokuhou Misaki had given instructions in advance, because the moment he arrived, no one stopped him—he was led straight in.
"May I offer you a drink?"
"Juice, black tea, or coffee." Makoto had barely sat down when the female receptionist politely asked.
"Coffee, please."
He never drank juice, and he didn't have the refined palate for black tea—the only drink he truly loved was coffee.
In less than two minutes, a steaming cup of coffee was placed on the table before him.
The receptionist then promptly left the room.
Lifting the cup, he took a sip—the rich aroma of coffee beans exploded in his mouth, making him unconsciously take another.
"Top quality, huh? Guess that's to be expected from an ojou-sama. Never had this before, but I'm guessing even if you wanted to buy it, it'd be hard to get."
As mentioned, coffee was the only drink Makoto genuinely loved.
His situation now wasn't like before—he wasn't strapped for cash anymore.
Though he wasn't at the point where he could buy whatever he wanted without thinking, splurging on good coffee was well within his means.
But in this world, money alone couldn't buy everything.
Some things required not just money, but also power and influence.
"It's not exactly troublesome—just that the production is very limited."
A pleasant voice came first, and Makoto looked up toward it. He hadn't noticed when the reception room's door had opened.
"If you like it, I'll have them send the remaining beans to your place."
The sound of clear footsteps drew nearer, and her honey-colored hair swayed with each step.
It was clear Misaki had put in a bit of extra effort today.
A light touch of makeup enhanced her already delicate features, making them appear even more defined.
She was still wearing the Tokiwadai school uniform, but the subtle makeup gave her an added layer of charm.
Combined with the faint smile at her lips, she radiated a youthful, adorable energy—quite different from her usual style.
"No need for that. No matter how good it is, it's still just a drink to me. And I don't exactly have occasions where I'd need something like this."
He set his coffee cup down on the table.
After all, the businesses he ran weren't exactly the kind that required hosting formal guests.
"Then drink it yourself—surely you don't need to be polite with me about such a small matter, Harumura-kun."
Her eyes curved into crescents as her smile remained perfectly in place.
Everything looked beautiful and harmonious, yet Makoto could clearly feel the pressure she was giving off.
"…In that case, I'll accept. Anyway, where are we going today? You don't mean the plan is for me to tour your research institute, do you?"
Misaki's smile grew even brighter as she adjusted her white handbag.
"Of course not. You can tour this place anytime. As for today, we'll go with my plan."
…
"So this is your plan?"
The ground was paved entirely with small red tiles, lined on both sides by rows of leafy trees.
The surrounding architecture was all in a classic European style.
No concrete or steel in sight.
The streets even had fountains, sculptures, benches, streetlamps, newsstands, street performers, and outdoor cafés.
Rustic, elegant, and noble.
If one had to choose three words to describe it, those would be it.
This was the Champs-Élysées Avenue inside Académie Shelter.
It had been built to imitate the Champs-Élysées in Paris.
This was the Académie Shelter, the part of Academy City where noble young ladies gathered—so of course everything here was built to be lavish.
"No matter what, the first step of a date should be shopping. It's a set-in-stone rule."
Hands on her hips, Misaki looked full of energy.
This street wasn't just visually modeled after the Champs-Élysées—its level of luxury was on par with the real thing.
Top-class restaurants, luxury fashion brands, and renowned artisans could all be found here.
You could buy almost any luxury item in the world on this street.
"And where exactly is this set-in-stone rule from? Sounds more like a way for women to fleece men."
Makoto's eyelids drooped as he gave a tired-sounding retort.
If a man was interested in a girl and managed to invite her out for the first time, and she saw something in a store she clearly loved—but didn't ask to buy and didn't walk away—what would the man do?
The only answer: he'd step in and buy it for her.
If he ignored it or pretended not to notice, rest assured—
The girl wouldn't be thinking about whether it was beyond his budget, or whether she'd feel guilty accepting it.
She'd simply think he didn't value her, and mentally cross him off her list.
"Oh my, is Harumura-kun lumping me together with those gold diggers?"
Misaki puffed up her cheeks and stepped up to him in her round-toed leather shoes.
"Since I'm the one who invited you here today, naturally all the expenses will be on me. All you need to do is give me your opinion."
She reached out and took his hand, clearly having already chosen their first destination, and tugged him along.
"Opinion? Let me make it clear first—my sense of fashion isn't great. If you're expecting useful advice, it's not happening."
Dropping his guard completely, Makoto let her small frame pull him forward.
"That's not important. What matters is what your aesthetic sense is like."
Her smile deepened as she excitedly pointed toward a store named VALENTINO. The white silk gloves on her raised hand made her fingers look even more slender.
"Now, let's go—gogogo!"
"Yes, yes…"