Early on Saturday morning, Tanaka Masao arrived in Tokyo.
The meeting point he had agreed upon with Fujiwara Chika was Tokyo's largest Yuenchi.
Although Saturdays were particularly crowded, they had booked tickets in advance, so they didn't have to worry about not getting in.
Rather, even if they hadn't booked tickets in advance, Fujiwara Chika could have obtained them through various channels.
"Good morning, Junior Tanaka."
Tanaka Masao took a deep breath, looking at the vibrant and smiling Fujiwara Chika.
"Ah, this is the feeling, the sour stench of youthful romance."
It had to be said, Fujiwara Chika's appearance and personality were more likely to give one a sweet, romantic feeling.
Yukinoshita Yukino was a white moonlight, Kawasaki Saki was a good wife and mother, Eriri Sawamura was a good buddy, Sawamura Sayuri was the big sister next door, and there was also Goto Hitori, a toy.
"Good morning, Fujiwara-senpai."
"Hmm?"
Fujiwara Chika pinched her chin and circled around Tanaka Masao.
"What's wrong, Fujiwara-senpai? Is my clothing not on properly?"
Tanaka Masao subconsciously looked down at his fly, it wasn't open.
"I've noticed, Junior Tanaka, have you perhaps lost weight?"
"Huh, can you tell?"
Tanaka Masao was a little surprised; he naturally knew he had lost weight, but even looking in the mirror every day, he couldn't see much difference.
The same was true for others around him; they couldn't perceive the small daily changes.
Only someone like Fujiwara Chika, who he saw only a few times a week, would notice a more significant change.
Fujiwara Chika nodded.
"That's right, Junior Tanaka's stomach is noticeably smaller."
"Only my stomach? My face hasn't gotten smaller?"
"Junior Tanaka's face is still as chubby and plump as ever, very cute."
"You're lying, aren't you?"
Tanaka Masao rubbed his cheeks in disbelief. Was he the type who lost weight everywhere except his face?
This physique was truly terrible; he wished it could be the other way around.
Seeing Tanaka Masao about to question life itself, Fujiwara Chika finally let out a peal of silvery laughter, revealing a playful smile.
"Hahaha, you were tricked!"
"What is it, Fujiwara-senpai? Lying isn't good, you know?"
Tanaka Masao finally breathed a sigh of relief. He knew it; who loses weight without their face getting thinner?
"Actually, Junior Tanaka's face has become even more rounded and plump."
Tanaka Masao: ...
"Actually, Fujiwara-senpai has changed too."
Hearing Tanaka Masao's words, Fujiwara Chika nervously touched her face.
"Have I gained weight?"
It was then that she realized the person in front of her was that Junior Tanaka; how could she believe anything he said?
"Junior Tanaka must be deceiving and toying with me again."
"I'm not lying, Fujiwara-senpai has gotten much bigger."
"Bigger..."
Hearing this sensitive word, Fujiwara Chika subconsciously covered her chest, her face turning crimson.
"Junior Tanaka is so perverted, making such jokes. I don't want to talk to him anymore."
"The bow on Fujiwara-senpai's head has gotten bigger."
"The bow?"
Fujiwara Chika, who had been feeling somewhat ashamed and angry, blinked her eyes upon hearing this.
Tanaka Masao said as a matter of course.
"Of course, Fujiwara-senpai, what else did you think it was?"
Feeling Tanaka Masao's direct, burning gaze, Fujiwara Chika wished she could find a hole to crawl into.
"This is so embarrassing. How could I have thought of that?
Is my mind actually dirtier than Junior Tanaka's?"
Fujiwara Chika's eyes darted away, not daring to look at Tanaka Masao, and she said shyly.
"I... I was thinking of the bow on my head, of course. What else could I have been thinking?"
She cleared her throat to change the subject.
"This bow is specially made and very magical; it changes with the daily humidity.
Today, the humidity in the air is quite high."
Tanaka Masao nodded.
"I see. That's a strange setting indeed; the more water, the bigger it gets.
Is this thing made of sponge?
Can I touch it?"
"Of course not," Fujiwara Chika covered her head.
"This is a very important place; others are forbidden to touch it."
"Not even the cute Junior Tanaka?"
"Junior Tanaka isn't cute at all."
The two walked towards the Yuenchi, flirting and bickering. As they entered, someone approached them.
"Handsome man and beautiful lady, did you prepare raincoats in advance? There are water rides in the Yuenchi, and you'll get your clothes wet without a raincoat."
"Oh, is that so?"
Fujiwara Chika nodded in agreement after hearing the person's words.
"But don't the water rides in the Yuenchi provide disposable raincoats for free? Why would we need to buy them?"
She looked at the person selling raincoats with wide, puzzled eyes, tilting her head.
Hearing her words, the raincoat seller gave an awkward laugh.
"Oh, I see you're regulars. Then I won't bother you."
The person fled as if escaping.
"Everyone around here knows now; I need to find another place to sell."
Fujiwara Chika sighed helplessly, watching the person's quickly departing back.
"What a pathetic good person."
Tanaka Masao knew these people; they made money from those who were visiting for the first time and lacked experience.
While it wasn't exactly bad, as a raincoat, even if not used in the Yuenchi, could be worn later.
However, selling things through deceptive methods was definitely not good.
Most people might not mind spending extra money on an additional raincoat, but some would certainly be annoyed by it.
Their good mood for a fun outing would then be ruined.
Tanaka Masao looked at Fujiwara Chika, a little puzzled, and asked.
"Why does Fujiwara-senpai think he's a pathetic good person?"
Hearing this, Fujiwara Chika explained.
"Look, he considers the people enjoying themselves and provides raincoats for everyone, isn't he a good person?
But he doesn't know that the Yuenchi provides free raincoats, which means he must have never been inside to play.
Isn't it pathetic that someone who considers the enjoyment of others has never enjoyed it themselves?"
Hearing this, Tanaka Masao was a little speechless.
Her words sounded like that phrase, "He built the tall buildings, but he had no home."
However, it clearly wasn't appropriate here, was the other person acting out of good intentions?
But Tanaka Masao didn't plan to point it out. After all, Fujiwara Chika's ability to interpret others with kindness showed that her heart was pure and good.
"I shouldn't use my negative thoughts to pollute the beautiful world in her heart.
After all, I'm just guessing; I don't know the truth. What if the reality is exactly as Fujiwara-senpai thinks?
Although, no matter how I think about it, the possibility of this is small. If he truly had good intentions, he probably wouldn't even know about such things.
This beauty shall be destroyed by me... ah, no, it shall be protected."