After returning to Tokyo, Hojou Kyousuke made a quick stop at Shirayuri Academy at the request of Sakura's mother.
After handing the package to Yamauchi Sakura, she simply said, "Have fun with Shouko!" before dashing back into the school.
Though he was about to go on a date with Shouko, Kyousuke didn't feel guilty in the slightest—after all, he had invited Sakura first.
However, she and the other students were required to attend a special lecture from an unknown "lady" over the weekend, making it impossible for her to join him.
Upon arriving in Shibuya, Kyousuke dismissed Katagiri.
Driving through the area would be slower than walking anyway.
"Wow, it's so lively here!" Yuzuru exclaimed, holding onto Kyousuke's hand while turning her head constantly, taking in the bustling cityscape.
They were now near the famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing, just a few steps away from the subway station where Shouko was waiting.
"Let's go find Shouko first. You must be hungry, right?" Kyousuke asked with a smile, noticing Yuzuru acting more like a typical girl for once.
"Mmhmm! Kyousuke-nii, what are we eating later?"
"How about conveyor belt sushi? Genki Sushi in Shibuya is really popular."
"Yes! Let's go there!" Yuzuru cheered in excitement.
As they talked, they approached the subway entrance.
Despite the crowds, Kyousuke immediately spotted Nishimiya Shouko standing elegantly with a small handbag, glancing around expectantly.
After some ineffective fashion advice from Ueno Naoka, Shouko had settled on a white dress.
Though choosing the dress had been a single decision, it came after much deliberation.
She had barely slept the night before, tossing and turning with excitement.
This morning, she woke up before her alarm, her mind swirling with anticipation—
She was going on a date with Kyousuke-kun.
Just thinking about it made her feel like she was floating on pink clouds, her cheeks burning with heat. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ noᴠelfire.net
Scenes of the upcoming date played out in her mind as she struggled to decide on accessories, lipstick, and even socks.
Eventually, a sleepy and irritated Naoka took over, giving her a complete makeover.
Her long brown hair had been curled slightly at the ends, cascading over her shoulders.
The dress featured lace puff sleeves and delicate pleats on the chest—though those pleats had long since been stretched flat.
The cinched waist accentuated her figure, making her upper body more eye-catching, while the skirt flared out with intricate cut-out patterns, ending mid-thigh.
Her pale, slightly curvy legs stood out, making her presence all the more striking.
"Wow, Nee-chan, you look so beautiful today!" Yuzuru gasped, running up to her and circling around before eagerly raising the camera hanging from her neck.
"Kyousuke-nii, come here! I'll take a picture of you two!"
"Alright, alright," Kyousuke chuckled, stepping forward.
Seeing Kyousuke approaching, Shouko couldn't help but lower her head in embarrassment.
This was her first time dressing , and standing here waiting for him and her sister had made her incredibly self-conscious.
She could feel people staring at her—at her chest, at her exposed thighs.
The attention made her fidget uncomfortably.
Several people had even approached her, including someone claiming to be a talent scout.
Terrified, she had run into a convenience store to hide.
Only after receiving Kyousuke's message did she muster the courage to return to the meeting spot.
Still, despite her nervousness, the excitement in her heart hadn't faded at all.
After all, waiting was part of the date too.
The anticipation of seeing him, of spending time together, had only made her joy grow sweeter.
"Umm... Kyousuke-kun, do I look weird dressed ?" she asked shyly, her face still flushed.
Now that her speech had improved, the unique quality of her voice was fully evident.
It was clear and soft, carrying a pure, transparent tone—like a gentle stream flowing through the mountains, soothing and refreshing.
Like snowflakes in winter, light and crystalline, cool yet carrying a faint warmth.
At this moment, with her voice tinged with shyness, she sounded like a startled little creature from the woods—adorable and enchanting.
"Weird? No way! You look absolutely stunning, Nee-chan!"
Before Kyousuke could respond, Yuzuru jumped in with an exaggerated exclamation.
Ignoring her sister, Shouko lifted her gaze slightly, eyes filled with expectation as she looked at Kyousuke.
"You look incredible. You could walk onto a fashion magazine cover right now! This dress is going to be a bestseller!" Kyousuke declared without hesitation.
If Sakura had asked him, he might have teased her with a joke.
But with Shouko, he knew how sensitive she was, so he gave her an immediate and sincere compliment.
"Really?" Shouko's face lit up, smiling brightly as she looked at him again.
"Absolutely!" Kyousuke nodded firmly.
"Ahh, sis, come on! Your eyes are completely glued to Kyousuke-nii! Did you even notice your cute little sister standing right here?" Yuzuru teased.
"That's not true! Yuzuru, you look really lively today too!" Shouko hurriedly said, though her face remained red.
"Alright, let's go already! I'm starving!" Yuzuru grabbed her sister's hand and started walking aimlessly.
"Wait, weren't we supposed to..." Shouko mumbled, still blushing.
"Yuzuru, let's take a picture together first," Kyousuke interjected.
Though she didn't say it outright, Kyousuke immediately understood what she wanted.
"But if we use the timer, people might walk into the shot," Yuzuru said, adjusting her camera as she searched for a good angle.
In reality, taking a picture in this location worked best with the backdrop of the busy crowd.
The contrast between their stillness and the moving mass of people created a striking image, separating them from the bustling world around them.
"No worries, I just spotted a couple of friends." Kyousuke smirked and waved towards two familiar figures.
"Boss!" the duo greeted in unison.
It was the infamous Onizuka duo, Eikichi Onizuka and Danma Ryuji, who, as usual, were in Shibuya trying to pick up girls.
"Onizuka, how's your photography skills?" Kyousuke asked.
"Top-notch! The great F-sensei once said: 'Master photography, and girlfriends will come to you!' Ryuji and I have been training hard!" Onizuka boasted, pulling out a magazine and flipping to a page featuring a camera model.
The ad showcased a Sony RX1R with the text: "Capture Every Moment."
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Kyousuke sighed. "That's just an advertisement."
"Nonsense! F-sensei is a dating guru! His words are gospel! Boss, if you want, I can lend you this book. Just return it next week!" Onizuka continued enthusiastically.
"Idiot! Like the boss needs dating advice!" Ryuji smacked him on the head.
"Argh! Damn you, Ryuji!" Onizuka groaned, rubbing his head before noticing the stunning girl beside Kyousuke.
Blushing furiously, he immediately bowed at a full ninety degrees. "Sorry, boss! We didn't mean to interrupt your date!"
"Enough with the nonsense. Just take our picture," Kyousuke sighed, noticing people staring at them after Onizuka's loud outburst.
He grabbed the camera from Yuzuru and shoved it into Onizuka's hands.
"Make it look good, or it's fifty sparring rounds next week!"
Onizuka gulped and got into position, while Ryuji blocked off the area, their delinquent aura effectively dispersing the crowd.