Jhin had to use all his persuasive powers to dispel Hitori Gotoh's idea of dropping out of school to get married.
Meanwhile, Michiyo Gotoh was beaming, wishing she could drag the two of them off to fill out a marriage registration form right away.
The iron tree is blooming, the blockhead has finally seen the light! She wondered when she'd get to hold her big, chubby, fair-skinned grandchild.
"You two, I'm only 16 right now! I can't even get married under your laws!"
Jhin didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He could only think that they were truly mother and daughter, thinking so alike in such strange ways.
After a few twists and turns, and bidding farewell to a smiling Michiyo Gotoh whose grin sent shivers down his spine, Jhin was finally able to start the date with his official girlfriend.
Why is Jhin holding my left hand? I practice guitar so often, my fingertips have calluses. It must not feel very comfortable to touch.
Should I suggest he switch hands?
Wh-what if that just makes him notice it?
But it feels really nice to have him hold my hand like this... Maybe I should just leave it be?
Hehehe, does this count as us going out on a date in matching outfits?
Hitori Gotoh's face was a performance of "Bian Lian," the classic face-changing act from Sichuan opera, shifting between joy and worry.
Jhin felt that he could just find a cool place to sit down and watch Hitori Gotoh's expressions all day without ever getting tired of it.
Although he was quite concerned about his girlfriend's current mental state.
A round, white object rolled to Jhin's feet. He stopped and picked it up.
It was a white beret.
Jhin looked up the steep, upward-stretching slope. At the top stood a girl with a short bob haircut, white legs, and a white dress. She was holding down her skirt and black hair, which were being lifted by the wind. Her face was mostly expressionless, but you could tell she was a bit troubled.
Jhin led Hitori Gotoh to the top of the slope and handed the white beret to her.
"This should be your hat."
"Mm, thank you."
Her calm tone, devoid of any emotional fluctuation, made Jhin wonder if the hat even belonged to her.
Wait a minute? This scene seems very familiar.
Before Jhin could think too hard about it, the girl put the beret back on and leisurely walked down the slope.
"Jhin, why did you stop here?"
"Wasn't it to give the hat back to that girl just now?"
"Huh? I didn't see any girl?"
It seems my presence has gotten even weaker, Kato Megumi sighed to herself upon hearing the conversation on the slope.
Recently, she was being subconsciously ignored even at home, which scared her parents into transferring her to another school. They thought that if the class size was smaller, her presence might not be so faint.
"If you didn't see her, never mind. Let's go to the McDonald's nearby."
"Mhm." Hitori Gotoh, a lover of fried chicken and cola, raised both hands in approval in her mind.
Beret, slope, EX-rank Presence Concealment, and on top of that, I ran into Otaku-Riri... it has to be Kato Megumi. But to think I actually picked up her hat.
Jhin felt he had probably done a good deed.
Composing his thoughts, Jhin and Hitori Gotoh arrived at McDonald's. The cool air conditioning inside made Hitori Gotoh never want to leave.
After ordering cola, fries, fried chicken, and a burger, Jhin carried the tray full of food to a table that was clearly a designated couple's seat.
As if remembering something, he stood up, walked over to sit next to Hitori Gotoh, and took out his phone, snapping a photo of them together amidst her confused expression.
Inside the Kessoku Band group chat.
Jhin: "Big news, Bocchi-chan and I are on an awesome date! [Image]."
Kita: "Wow, congratulations! You finally succeeded in going on a date with Miss Gotoh!"
Nijika: "Congrats, but I still have to ask, why are you both wearing tracksuits?"
Jhin: "I'd prefer you call them matching outfits!"
Hitori: "I think they're matching outfits too!"
Ryo: "At McDonald's, of all places. You two are so romantic, pfft~"
Jhin: "Oh my I just happen to have a voucher here, one that gets you a freeee~ cola and burger."
Ryo: "You're right. McDonald's is an outstanding fast-food establishment. Here, you will play the role of a customer, savoring all the delicacies step by step. It is the perfect choice for a couple's date."
Nijika: "..."
Kita: "...It's over. My image of Ryo-senpai is slowly crumbling in my mind."
Jhin: "...It's over. My image of Ryo-senpai is slowly crumbling in my mind."
Hitori: "...It's over. My image of Ryo-senpai is slowly crumbling in my mind."
Nijika: "You're all a bunch of parrots!"
Jhin: "Ryo, I'll bring this voucher to you at STARRY in a few days."
Ryo: "I am eternally grateful."
"Jhin, ah... ahn." Hitori Gotoh, her cheeks burning, picked up a chicken nugget and held it to Jhin's lips.
Jhin happily opened his mouth and ate it, then picked up a chicken nugget to feed his girlfriend in return.
Hitori Gotoh nervously closed her eyes, her small hands clenched into fists in front of her chest.
She slightly parted her moist lips like a baby bird waiting to be fed. The moment she bit into the chicken nugget, she heard the "click" of a camera shutter.
Before she could figure out where the sound came from, a notification had already popped up on her phone.
Jhin: "[Image], my girlfriend is so cute."
Nijika: "I say, while I totally get that you're happy about your successful date, could you spare a thought for the rest of us?"
Ryo: "Alas, the wails of the single dog."
Nijika: "Hey, you! What are you talking about? Aren't you single too?"
Ryo: "But I'm proud of it."
Kita: "Just looking at you two makes one envious of your relationship."
Noticing his girlfriend hadn't said anything for a while, Jhin looked up and saw that Hitori Gotoh had melted into a pink slime puddle. She clearly couldn't handle Jhin's public displays of affection.
Jhin: "Uh oh, my girlfriend melted. I'm logging off."
[Jhin has gone offline]
Jhin quickly stuck the straw from the cola cup into Hitori Gotoh's mouth: "Bocchi-chan, quick, drink some iced cola to cool down."
"Gulp, gulp..."
As the cola in the cup gradually disappeared, Hitori Gotoh reinflated like a balloon, returning to her normal form.
"Jh-Jhin, that kind of thing is really embarrassing. Please don't do it again, okay?"
Although Jhin knew what Hitori Gotoh was referring to, his mind couldn't help but wander into mischievous territory.
"No way. My girlfriend is this cute, why can't I show her off?"
"C-Cute...!" As if struck by Cupid's arrow, Hitori Gotoh started giggling foolishly, with pink hearts practically bubbling up around her.
"Hehehe."
The single passersby who had come to McDonald's during their summer break suddenly realized that the delicious food in their mouths had, at some point, been replaced with tasteless "dog food," leaving them wanting to cry but having no tears.
Being single and eating a burger isn't a crime, so why am I being punished like this?
Just as Jhin and Hitori Gotoh stepped out of the resentment-filled McDonald's, a torrential downpour accompanied by sky-tearing lightning pushed them back inside.
Looking at the weather forecast, which warned of a storm lasting until at least tomorrow, the two looked at each other, speechless.
It was Hitori Gotoh who, with her head lowered, pointed a trembling finger at a nearby building:
"M-maybe... we could stay the night there."
Jhin followed her gaze and saw an exceptionally conspicuous string of pink English letters on the building's iridescent, flowing neon sign.
Love Hotel.
___
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