Saturday.
He got up early and reviewed "100 Daily English Phrases."
Thanks to yesterday's "Language-Learning Gift," studying felt noticeably easier.
With the boost, he decided to move "learn another language" up the plan.
...
Around 10:30, to keep his lunch promise to Ryō, he headed out with his guitar.
He checked the forecast before leaving.
Weekend sun, but in a few days a string of summer rains were expected.
Same-day forecasts can be wrong; multi-day "continuous rain" even more so.
Sunny today, but to be safe he grabbed a clear umbrella.
They'd meet near Shibuya's scramble crossing, not far.
On the train, guitar and umbrella in hand, he zoned out at the window.
He arrived around 10:50—ten minutes early.
He exited and walked toward the "SoundColor" instrument shop.
He expected to meet there, but soon spotted Yamada Ryō by the roadside.
There were plenty of trees near the crossing; a row of cherry trees stood near "SoundColor."
Ryō was crouched under one, focused on something.
Curious, Aoki approached.
He crouched too—and saw a line of ants moving house.
Most high-school girls would keep their distance from bugs. Ryō was not most girls.
Expression unchanged, she watched them intently, not even noticing him approach.
...
After a bit, he said, "Yamada-san, you're a weirdo."
She blinked and turned her face slightly.
From that close, she could see his clear features. If his bangs weren't so long, he'd be even better looking.
She blinked again, looked back at the ants, and said,
"I was wondering if ants taste good."
"…"
He paused.
He searched his brain. "Depends on species… but most are sour or astringent."
She turned back, studying him.
"suki-san, you're a weirdo."
"I'd rather not hear that from you…"
They shelved the ant-eating.
They stood and crossed to the other side.
She'd agreed to omurice, and last night he'd mapped a high-rated light-meal spot near the crossing.
Eleven wasn't too early. They arrived with plenty of seats open.
They took a window table and ordered.
Aoki got a tempura set; Ryō ordered traditional Japanese omurice.
Ryō didn't talk much; Aoki wasn't chatty either.
Silence settled in, the only sound a soft violin track.
He watched the street idly until Ryō spoke.
"suki-san, I've always wondered."
Her cool voice held a hint of curiosity.
"You're really good at guitar. Why didn't you even have one before?"
Why didn't he have a guitar…
He fell quiet.
He literally hadn't known how to play before meeting Kessoku, so of course he hadn't owned one.
But he couldn't say that—the game forbade revealing its existence.
He thought and answered,
"Poor. When you can barely eat, you shelve dreams to survive… I sold my old guitar."
"Oh…"
She blinked and nodded, not pressing for details.
Silence again. Aoki was relieved he didn't need to invent more backstory.
The food arrived.
His set had two shrimp tempura, some fried daikon, a bit of grilled eel, rice, seasonal veg, and miso soup.
Omurice looked like… omurice.
He pressed his hands and murmured, "I'll dig in," then bit into a shrimp.
Pricey for a "set," but the quality showed—the batter was crisp, shrimp springy and fresh. The eel and daikon were good too.
The miso soup… was a miss.
He set it aside and ate.
Halfway through, the door chime jingled.
"This place's omurice is great. Kita-chan, you have to try it this time—"
"Really? Thanks for the rec~"
A familiar voice followed.
Kita?
Aoki froze. Facing the door, Ryō looked up.
A group of high-school girls entered—including Kita Ikuyo.
Spotting them, Ryō lifted her voice lazily:
"Ah, Kita-chan…"
Drawn by the call, Kita turned.
And saw Ryō—sitting with Aoki.
"Ryō—Ryō-senpai?"
She blinked, then stared at Aoki, voice tipping into shock. "A—Aoki-senpai?!"
She took a half-step back, eyes going wide.
"W-wait, what—are you two on a date?!"
"Ahem…"
Aoki startled and turned to explain—but Ryō beat him to it.
She tilted her head, glanced at Aoki, then back to Kita.
A tiny arc—"this could be interesting"—touched her lips. In the same flat tone, she nodded.
"Mm. It's a date."
-------
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