After six in the evening, the neon lights of Keyaki Mall began to flicker on.
In the bustling shopping center, Kaoru saw Karuizawa Kei.
"Yahho! Have I kept you waiting?"
The girl approached, bringing a fresh fragrance with her.
She wore a sky-blue dress that slightly exposed her smooth shoulders.
A white belt was cinched tightly around her slender waist, and the hem of her skirt fluttered in the gentle breeze, revealing her fair, soft thighs.
Her beautiful calves were hidden inside black thigh-high stockings, looking rather eye-catching in the twilight glow.
Beaming, she waved at Kaoru.
This was her cheerful Hot girl mode for when she was in public.
"No. If I'd known you were going to wear casual clothes, I would have changed too."
Kaoru was a little frustrated.
He hadn't had time to change out of his uniform, though there were others in the mall dressed like him.
"Oh, about that... I told Satsuki and the others, but they insisted on celebrating with me today, so we hung out at karaoke for a bit."
Kei Karuizawa seemed a little embarrassed.
When girls hung out together, they inevitably picked up strange scents.
She didn't want Kaoru to smell anyone else on her, so she had even taken a shower.
Kaoru understood a little of a girl's delicate thoughts.
For example, the dress she was wearing was one she had bought just yesterday.
"Do I look good?"
Kei Karuizawa seemed to have sensed his thoughts.
She twirled around a few times, revealing her slender, fair arms under the cuffs.
Her small, perky chest was hidden beneath the collar, looking somewhat alluring.
"You look great."
Kaoru took the initiative to reach out and take her hand. "Are you free to have dinner with me tonight?"
Kei Karuizawa's movements stiffened for a second, perhaps because it was the first time they had been so intimate in public.
"Hey, what's with that flirtatious tone?"
Ichinose Honami's slightly lively voice appeared. "No funny business with Kei right now, not for a little while, okay!"
Kaoru was a bit surprised to see she had popped up beside them at some point. Like Kei Karuizawa, she was also in casual clothes.
Her white shirt wasn't a form-fitting style, but her prominent bust made it cling to her, showing off her full figure.
Below was a gray skirt that ended just at her knees, and the calves it revealed were completely encased in black pantyhose.
Even though she wasn't showing much skin, she gave off a very sensual vibe.
"Surprised?"
Ichinose Honami grabbed Kaoru's other hand, her fingers intertwining with his.
A blush rose to her cheeks. "Ahem, I know it's a bit shameless, but please let me join your date."
Kaoru subconsciously glanced at Kei Karuizawa, who tried to pretend she didn't see.
"N-No, don't people spread rumors about us all the time? So, so let's just let them think it's true."
She seemed a little angry now.
In fact, strange looks were already being directed their way.
There would probably be even more rumors by tonight.
"As long as you two don't mind."
Kaoru held both their hands tightly. "Actually, I've wanted to do this for a long time. Let them be jealous that I have several girlfriends."
"S-Several?"
Kei Karuizawa instinctively puffed out her cheeks, then realized what she was doing.
'Am I getting angry at myself?'
Ichinose Honami let out a "pfft," stifling a laugh. "That's a real scumbag thing to say. Do all boys think like that?"
"Well, I'm that kind of scumbag. I'm not giving back anything I've gotten my hands on."
Kaoru looked completely unconcerned. He was already a pervert, why would he care about these things?
Ichinose Honami smiled and didn't dwell on the topic.
Instead, she said, "I prefer to seize the moment. For example, I'm hungry right now."
Kaoru didn't realize the gravity of the situation.
Since he hadn't eaten either, he decided to take his two little girlfriends to dinner.
The place was a Western-style restaurant with few customers and private rooms, ensuring both quiet and privacy.
Since they weren't of drinking age, things like alcoholic beverages had to be skipped in favor of juice.
As dusk fell and night gradually descended outside the window, a single flickering candle was lit on the table.
The phrase "candlelit dinner" came to Kaoru's mind.
Click, click—
The two girls were taking pictures.
It seemed to have become a common practice to post online before eating.
Though Kaoru also found the scene a bit romantic.
"Ehehe, I've been here before, but how should I put it... the atmosphere feels a little different."
Ichinose Honami put down her phone. "It doesn't feel like this at all in the main hall."
"Because it's expensive. Including the private room, I remember the price was something like, what, thirty or forty thousand?"
Kei Karuizawa was poor.
Her class was the bottom-feeder that had gotten zero points twice.
Without Kaoru, she might have been eating the weed-and-grass special often.
"You can't put a price on a good mood. Don't worry, it's my turn to pay today!"
Ichinose Honami waved her hand magnanimously, though her smile also held a hint of poverty.
To prevent any dropouts in their class, they didn't have much savings themselves.
"N-No, that's okay! I'll pay my share too!"
Kei Karuizawa had no intention of getting a free meal, even if it was her birthday.
After all, if she received a gift, she would give one in return later.
"Today is different!"
Ichinose Honami said, then leaned in and whispered a few words into Kei Karuizawa's ear.
The latter's face gradually turned red, her eyes unconsciously darting toward Kaoru.
Kaoru remained unfazed. He could just find an excuse to slip out and pay the bill later anyway.
"By the way, Honami, you challenged A-Class today?"
Sakayanagi Arisu had already posted the results in the group chat, so Kaoru knew about Ichinose Honami's decision.
"From the class's perspective, I think challenging A-Class is the best choice."
Ichinose Honami lifted her face. "Although she didn't say it out loud, I have a feeling she would have challenged B-Class too."
Kaoru was suddenly a little confused and took a sip of his juice.
Just then, the waiter brought over the foie gras.
"Eh, how do you eat this?"
"Dummy, why did you order something you don't know how to eat? Hmph, hmph, I just looked it up online. I'll teach you!"
"Th-This is caviar, right? Kei, what are you doing?"
"Eh, eh, eh?"
"Oh no, it's going to slide off!"
Unexpectedly, neither of them had much experience.
Not knowing why they chose this place, Kaoru had no choice but to teach them, hand over hand, how to eat the foie gras with caviar.
"Stare—Kaoru is so skilled."
"He has the composure of an adult. No wonder he's the young master of a large conglomerate."
"You just don't know how for now. After you've eaten it, you'll know how next time."
Hearing his words, Kei Karuizawa subconsciously asked, "Are we coming here to eat next time too?"
"Not necessarily. Next time, I might take you to the Tokyo Tower in a helicopter."
Kaoru started spouting nonsense. "Under the romantic night sky, we'll look down on all of Tokyo, toast each other, and sip red wine at a height of 332 meters."
Ichinose Honami kicked him under the table and chided, "Stop bluffing. If you keep joking, Kei and I will start taking you seriously."
"Who said I'm joking? I was originally planning to take Kei out for her birthday."
Kaoru pouted. "We need to have a trip to let loose once in a while."
"Is that why you skipped class with Kamuro-san?"
Ichinose Honami rested her chin on her hands. "Are you very unhappy with my arrangements?"
"I think you should ask Kei about that."
Kaoru looked at Kei Karuizawa. "Kei, do you want to go out with me?"
Kei Karuizawa blinked. "I want to be with you. Just that is enough."
In an instant, Kaoru was left speechless.
"Ahem, Kei's thoughts are the same as mine."
A smile appeared on Ichinose Honami's face. "So, Mr. Boyfriend, why are you always thinking about leaving school and going to the outside world?"
"Probably because the world outside is bigger."
Kaoru cut a piece of foie gras and stuffed it into her mouth. "There are many wonderful stories and sights that I want to share with you."
"Is it the different scenery between a commoner and a rich second-generation heir?"
Kei Karuizawa naturally misinterpreted his words.
"It's the feeling of looking at Earth from the moon. It'll give you something to take pictures of and post for a lifetime," Kaoru replied.
"That's way too abstract. I don't get it," Kei Karuizawa retorted.
"Exactly. Please use words that a normal person can understand," Ichinose Honami said, chewing the foie gras.
"This is yummy. I want more."
Kaoru fed her another piece.
As a result, Kei Karuizawa tugged on his sleeve, so he had to feed them both.
"Are you two children?"
"This is replenishing our final battle nutrients!"
Ichinose Honami naturally flashed a smile. "Today is the day for girls to make their resolve."
Kei Karuizawa's face suddenly reddened, and she continued to tug on Kaoru's sleeve.
"The thing we talked about before... you promised you'd grant my wish... Does that promise still count?"
"Of course it counts," Kaoru said nonchalantly. "This is Kei's birthday magic. You can make any wish you want, and I'll be responsible for making it come true."
"Is that so..."
Kei Karuizawa became even more embarrassed.
Kaoru Mitoma felt something was off as Ichinose Honami moved her chair closer to him and whispered.
"Before Kei makes her wish, I just want to ask one thing—answer us honestly."
"What is it?"
Kaoru grew wary.
"Will you stay with us through all of high school?"
Ichinose murmured softly, "No matter what happens."
Kaoru noticed both her and Karuizawa Kei watching him intently.
After a brief silence, he replied, "No matter what happens, I'll be by your side."
"No matter what?" Karuizawa Kei pressed.
Kaoru spoke slowly, "I'll stay with you."
Ichinose pressed her index finger against his cheek, then let it drift down to his lips, a playful smile blooming on her face.
"Promise you won't lie."
Kaoru hesitated, his inner plans wavering at that moment.
"Ahem, Kei, please make your wish to him now."
Ichinose withdrew her mischievous finger, grinning at Karuizawa Kei.
"R-Really... do I have to say it out loud?"
Karuizawa covered her flushed face, "I'm too embarrassed! Why don't you tell him instead!"
"Eh?"
Ichinose's eyes widened, "But you're the experienced one!"
"I-I'm not Kikyo!"
Karuizawa refused to believe she was that shameless.
Kaoru was utterly confused by their cryptic exchange.
Just as he was about to speak, he noticed Ichinose's ears turning bright red.
She lowered her head, tugging at Kaoru's sleeve, and whispered, "T-Tonight... could you... with us... here... do... that..."
Kaoru thought he misheard. He patted his own face and asked uncertainly, "What did you say we should do here?"
"H-Here... you know... with me and Kei together..."
"Uwaa, I can't take this!"
Karuizawa suddenly interrupted, her face crimson, "Double date! Please hold us both tonight!"
Kaoru choked on air—for the first time in his life, he literally choked on air!
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