Chapter 12
No matter how much I haven’t ever gone out with a girl before, I’m pretty sure that going for ramen on a date was out of place . Nothing but the images of high class restaurants would appear in one’s head .
But now that I think about it, I’ve never said that this’d be a date . Moreover, she already started to walk her way towards the ramen restaurant . And so, with nothing to do but to obey this simple proposal, I entered the dining room as well and took my seat .
“Is it really alright for me to not return this money? I’ve never heard of someone paying 20,000 ¥ simply to have a meal with someone . ”
“Well, if those things happen, so would this… Anyways, let’s drop the money talk . ”
As she kept staring at me intently, she finally nodded her head, surrendering to me . Only, her gaze this time made it seem like she still had her doubts .
“It’s my first time meeting someone like Oji-san . After seeing my scars, you didn’t have sex with me, and yet you still gave me the money . And here, saying you only wanted to have a meal together is really strange…”
“No, rather… I’m not an oji-san . I’m still only 25 years old . ”
As I said that while ordering two bowls of miso ramen, she looked at me dumbfoundedly and asked again .
“25 years? Ehhh—?”
“What . ”
“I thought you’d be 30…”
Hearing her say that so boldly, my hand that was pouring water trembled with anger . I know I don’t have a baby face, but aren’t you a little too frank? Look, you made me spill the water all over the table .
“Ah, I’m kidding . Even so, since you’re 6 years older than me, ‘Oji-san’ should still be fine, right . ”
Making a face as if she committed a blunder, she corrected herself . But you’re too late . If I were to have Affection Points regarding her right now, I would say it would be at -1000 already .
I give up . As I resigned myself, I realized there wasn’t really anything to talk about, so I tried asking for her name . Since not even her name appeared in the scouter, there isn’t any other way but to ask her directly .
“What’s your name?”
“My name?”
She looked like she was somewhat troubled by it, wondering if she should say it or not . Just as I thought, women are indeed fickle creatures . Even getting their name out is an insurmountable task . Even more so if it’s a woman with charm similar to her . Just when I thought I reached a setback, she suddenly opened her mouth .
“Kusora Yurea . ”
I also told her my name clearly .
“Aah . I’m Hasegawa…”
“I didn’t particularly ask for it, though?”
“Ah, yes, that’s right, isn’t it . I apologize…”
My confidence was boosted thanks to being able to get her name out, but she immediately shot it back down again . As I looked at her after having lost grip of this conversation, I wasn’t sure if my facial expression gave it away, but I got a hold of myself amidst the puzzlement .
“Fufu, this time it was actually a joke . So then, your full name would be?”
“Hasegawa Ryou . ”
And with that, our order was brought to the table . I don’t know if she was really listening to me or not, but I received the ramen . No, I’m sure she actually heard it . She’s just pretending to ignore it . I grabbed the chopsticks . As she stared at her serving intently, she also grabbed her chopsticks following my motion .
And then, as I expected, when I started to put the noodles into my mouth, she copied my actions again . Just what is she doing?
Afterwards, after she took in a mouthful of it, she started to slurp and chow down on her own . Don’t tell me she didn’t know how to eat it this whole time? That can’t be it, but… her actions are pretty strange .
Although, she seems to be enjoying it, so I’m happy for her . Was she on an empty stomach?
“Are you not going to eat…?”
She stopped her chopsticks in their tracks once she noticed me staring at her .
“No, I will . ”
And so, once I started to sip spoonfuls of the soup, she resumed her meal once again . Her speed made it seem as if she was someone who had spent several days without eating . Before I realized it, I could see the bottom of her bowl . Of course I’ll be eating, but just so that I don’t end up too slow, the two of us left our bowls clean at approximately the same time .
“You done?”
“Yes, thank you for the meal . ”
Giving me a slightly awkward bow of gratitude, she took out her portion of the bill from the money I had given her . Very quickly, I pushed her hand back and took out 1400 ¥, paying for both our food .
“I could at least pay for the food . You even gave me money after all…”
“No, it’s all fine as long as you enjoyed it . ”
“U—m…”
“Well then, let us bid our farewells, shall we?”
“Will you really be going back like this? If you want, I can still…”
How many times is she going to say the same thing again and again? I quickly put a finger on my lips and gestured her to shush as a reply . Afterwards, trying to appear cool, I waved my hand and bid farewell, walking out of the area .
Including the love hotel charge, I spent 28,400 ¥ . It didn’t particularly feel like a waste . What a strange feeling . Compared to the price of items, this wasn’t anything special . That’s why I decided to forget thinking about that woman .
In the first place, she was not someone I could get closer to at the moment .
I felt more at ease having the liberty to forget about her rather than getting caught in the trap .
As I took a shower after reaching home, I slowly tried to forget that girl that kept going around my head and started to find ways to approach Akemine instead .
Actually, I didn’t really need to think much about it . After all, didn’t I already acquire the business card to enter the social parties? Done with showering, I opened up the purse I brought with me and took them out .
00 Group
President
Washino Towa
00 Group
Managing Director
Hazahara Yasumasa
00 Entertainments Office
Representative
Ariga Masaya
Excluding the membership inquiry cards, everything else was just regular business cards . Membership in a social party, huh . Lining them all up in a row, I noticed that all of cards belonged to names pretty high up the societal ladder .
And of course, the most important would be this card .
Please become a member of our party .
For membership queries, contact 080-1111-2222
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