He’s someone who knows how to repay kindness.
Mrs. Kasahara was very nice to him. If he couldn’t repay her directly, doing something for her two daughters wasn’t a bad alternative.
Shinjuku is the most bustling area in all of Japan, divided into East Shinjuku and West Shinjuku centered around Shinjuku Station. West Shinjuku is the administrative and commercial hub planned by the Tokyo Government, housing the skyscrapers of many large corporate headquarters. East Shinjuku, on the other hand, is the liveliest and most chaotic traditional commercial district, filled with department stores and shopping streets.
Led by Kasahara Asuka, the two were leaving Shinjuku Exit, heading towards East Shinjuku.
The street was lined with various restaurants, mega shopping centers, and entertainment facilities. The famous Takashimaya Times Square and the main store of Nikko were in this area, making it a must-visit check-in spot in Shinjuku, always packed with crowds.
"Where do you usually go?"
Kasahara Asuka tilted her head, looking at him like an endangered red animal: "Showa Era monster, you’re out of touch with the times."
At this point, her tone became sharper than usual, and her gaze was a bit scary... Fujiwara Reya cleared his throat and said again, "I often go to cafes, also the cinema, and the public swimming pool."
Kasahara Asuka murmured, tilting her head and pondering while watching cars pass by. Then she focused back on him: "Sorry, it’s our first date, no way I’m wearing a swimsuit for the senior to see. Please stash away your perverted thoughts and suggest a normal dating spot."
Fujiwara Reya instinctively lowered his head and looked at her thighs, thinking some people didn’t even know if their stamps on their thighs were washed off and have the nerve to call others perverts.
Kasahara Asuka raised her hand and tapped him on the forehead a few times: "No naughty thoughts—"
"Alright, alright," Fujiwara Reya leaned back to avoid her palm and asked, "How about a movie theater?"
Wanting to test if the senior was the type to "go separate ways after a conflict during a movie date," Kasahara Asuka agreed to the suggestion.
"Do you often go to the cinema, Senior?"
"Not really, just occasionally."
"With whom do you watch?"
"Alone, choosing the front row in the middle for midnight shows."
"What kind of expression is that?"
"A disdainful expression, can’t you tell?"
"Why look down on someone watching a movie alone?"
"A poor lonely soul, why can’t we disdain you?"
"You should apologize to all the lonely souls in the world!"
The two of them bickered all the way, taking the elevator up to a cinema in a shopping mall.
As expected on a weekend, the cinema was crowded, with every corner packed with couples.
In front of the ticket machine, Kasahara Asuka reached out and pointed at a certain Hollywood blockbuster: "I want to watch this."
"I’m watching this." Fujiwara Reya pointed at a whale documentary.
You’re really something, Wooden Senior!
Kasahara Asuka’s expression was a mix of annoyance and resignation.
"See you after the movie, bye~"
Fujiwara Reya, seeing that the movie would start in five minutes, quickly turned and left once he got the ticket.
"... Argh, so frustrating!"
Kasahara Asuka gritted her teeth, glaring at his back, stomped her foot, and eventually bought a ticket for the same showtime, following him into the dim passageway.
All the way, she didn’t speak, only glaring at Fujiwara Reya with discontent.
Fujiwara Reya watched her slightly glistening eyes, maintaining a calm expression.
He didn’t have anything particular he wanted to watch.
But he also wouldn’t demonstrate any gentlemanly demeanor by accompanying his junior to see a Hollywood popcorn flick he didn’t like. He was interacting with Kasahara Asuka intending to change her character, no way he’d let himself be changed.
Kasahara Asuka punched him in the back.
Fujiwara Reya didn’t stop, found a seat inside, and sat down.
"... Ugh!" Kasahara Asuka sat down angrily beside him, turning her face away, not wanting to talk to him.
To her, the whale documentary seemed utterly dull, becoming sleepy and bored within ten minutes. In the dim light, she watched Fujiwara Reya’s profile; he seemed engrossed, definitely getting his money’s worth.
Kasahara Asuka pouted, making discontented noises.
Ignoring her, she continued "hmm" and "hmm" like she needed to be appeased immediately.
Looking quite cute with her puffed-up cheeks, Fujiwara Reya reached out a finger, poking at her cheek.
Kasahara Asuka made a strange sound like a wolfdog, looking very dissatisfied.
Fujiwara Reya withdrew his finger.
"Senior!" Kasahara Asuka unhappily jabbed his cheek back.
"Okay, stop making a fuss," Fujiwara Reya said, looking at the screen, then touching her head, "I’m glad you came in with me. But making noise in the cinema and disturbing others makes me unhappy. Keep your temper in check for now; vent any displeasure after the movie. If not, just take a nap."
Those words somewhat eased the discontent in the junior’s heart.
She smiled slyly, snuggling up to Fujiwara Reya’s arm charmingly, and asked with innocent eyes, "You’ll let Asuka vent later, right?"
"You’re not lying to Asuka?"
Fujiwara Reya extended his right arm, wrapping it around her arm.