In a crossover anime, the only way to become stronger is by marrying a wife.

"What are you doing, praising me like that?"

Ichi Nijika's face flushed slightly, and then, as if trying to save face, she said, "I only agreed to go on a date with you, I didn't say I wanted to marry you, so you're just wasting your time looking at me."

"You really don't have those thoughts?" Tsukikawa Shu asked with a smile.

"Definitely not, hmph!" Ichiji Nijika crossed her arms.

Seeing Ichiji Nijika's haughty appearance, Tsukikawa Shuu just smiled without saying a word.

Coffee and pastries were served, and Ichiji Nikka used a fork to pick up a piece of cake and put it in her mouth.

"By the way, how many girlfriends do you have now?" Ichiji Nijika asked.

“Four,” Tsukikawa Shuu said.

"How do I compare to others?" Ichiji Nijika asked.

"Hmm... What's certain is that only you can cook, and only you can do housework, and you won't make things worse," Tsukikawa Shuu said with a smile.

Of the four women around me now, none can compare to the virtuous and capable Ichiji Nijika in terms of cooking and housework.

This archangel from Shimokitazawa is an absolute virtuous wife and loving mother in the details of daily life.

Fujiwara Chika came from a political family, so she didn't have to worry about housework or cooking, and she wasn't very good at those anyway.

Hiratsuka Shizuka usually dresses quite neatly, but in private she's a heavy smoker and drinker, and she doesn't like to tidy her room. You ask her about cooking? What's cooking? Nothing beats ordering takeout!

Needless to say, Yui Yuigahama is terrible at cooking; she's lucky if she doesn't make poison. She has high emotional intelligence, but she still seems a bit clumsy in everyday life.

As for Goto Ichiri... she's not very bright and clumsy, so I don't expect her to be able to cook anything delicious. Well... as long as she doesn't hold me back, that's the best she can do.

"Are you trying to reserve a place for me, Mom?" Ijichi Nijika tilted her head and asked, "It feels like you're perfecting some kind of encyclopedia, creating a collection of all harem-type girlfriends?"

"I wouldn't do something so pointless. If I wanted to collect illustrations, I would first collect all my girlfriends with different hairstyles and colors." Tsukikawa Shu smiled. "But the reality is, I already have four pink-haired girls around me."

“Who would have this kind of collecting obsession?” Ichiji Nijika said.

"I'll leave it to fate. Maybe I really will succeed," Tsukikawa Shu said.

“Scumbag,” said Ichiji Nijika.

"The fact that you're still willing to date me even though I'm a jerk only makes me seem exceptionally good in other aspects," Tsukikawa Shu laughed. "For example, I'm very handsome."

"Narcissism."

Ichi Nijika also laughed.

The two enjoyed their date very much and got along very well.

After a while, the two finished eating the cake and drinking the coffee in their cups.

“Hongxia, although I like you quite a bit, there are some things I need to let you know first. You can actually survive in the inner world and achieve considerable development even without signing a contract with me.”

Tsukikawa Shuu put down her fork, her expression becoming somewhat serious.

He looked into Ichiji Nijika's eyes and continued:

"The 20000 experience points, 20000 refined ores, class cards, epic weapons, and epic skills you gained in the secret realm are enough to make you a top-tier player."

"With 20000 experience points, you can level up to around level 20. You'll be able to handle any monsters without fear and can also run dungeons for better progress."

"You can use the 20000 refined ores to exchange for other items and put together a decent set of equipment."

“At that time, you didn’t need to rely on me, so the contract wasn’t actually necessary for you.”

Tsukikawa Shuu's attitude was serious; he didn't want Ijichi Nijika to be kept in the dark and marry him, as that would only cause more trouble.

Perhaps after the deed is done, Ijichi Nijika will have no choice but to comply, but this is not Tsukikawa Shuu's original intention, and he does not want others to be wronged.

“Although you agreed to go on a date with me, we’re not in a romantic relationship yet, so I think it’s better to clarify these things now,” Tsukikawa Shu added.

Ijichi Nijika also looked into Tsukikawa Shuu's eyes.

At first, everything was calm, but then it became somewhat evasive and uncertain, and the person seemed quite conflicted.

Then, she pursed her lips, and her face gradually turned from shame to anger.

“You are such a person…”

Ichi Nijika stood up and suddenly slammed her hand on the table.

"Uh……"

Tsukikawa Shu was surprised by the other party's strong reaction and for a moment felt that she might have said something wrong.

How can you be so lacking in emotional intelligence!

With her hands on her hips, Ichiji Nijika angrily said, "Do you really want me to say what I really think?!"

Chapter 189 Are You Dating the Same Boyfriend? (Bonus Chapter 8/12)

"How am I lacking in emotional intelligence?" Tsukikawa Shuu said.

"If I didn't like you, would I go on a date with you? Dream on!" Ijiji Niji Natsumi said, blushing and angry. "What contract, what backer, none of that matters!"

Then her voice softened, becoming like that of a weak little kitten:

"Can't you give me an excuse or reason to stay by your side...?"

Of course, Ijichi Nijika knew that after obtaining the refined ore and experience points from the secret realm, she could actually live quite well without relying on Tsukikawa Shuu.

But if I do that, then I'll lose my legitimate reason to stay by Tsukikawa Shu's side. Wouldn't that just make it seem like I want to get closer to her on my own initiative?

Ijichi Nijika still felt she couldn't bring herself to say it, so she simply decided to go with the flow and use this as a reason to be with Tsukikawa Shuu.

I never expected Tsukikawa Shu would actually say it!

Ichi Nijika was also forced to reveal her true thoughts in shame.

Despite her pride, she's not the kind of person who just gets in the way of others; in matters like this, Ichiji Nijika will still make her stance clear.

"Um……"

Tsukikawa Shuu also didn't expect Ijichi Nijika to have this kind of thought.

He wasn't sure when Ichiji Nijika had developed feelings for him, nor was he sure if her feelings were strong enough to make her willing to accept him, or if he felt that things should proceed gradually.

I never expected that Ichiki Nijika would have such a high level of affection for me.

The atmosphere between the two of them suddenly became subtle.

The ambiguity was tinged with awkwardness.

"So, you genuinely like me, and really like me?" Tsukikawa Shu asked.

"How could this be fake!" Ichiji Nijika exclaimed angrily.

Seeing her flustered appearance, Tsukikawa Shu laughed. Then, he reached out and took Ichichi Nijika's small hand in his.

Ichi Nijika instinctively wanted to pull it away, her fingers twitched, but she ultimately restrained herself.

"If someone you like is holding your hand, do you really want to run away?" Tsukikawa Shuu said with a smile.

"Mind your own business, you idiot!" Ichiji Nijika said angrily.

But he still didn't pull his hand away.

The two were holding hands when they left the coffee shop.

When they came in, they acted like ordinary friends, without any intimate gestures. But when they came out, they looked like a couple who had just started dating.

"Don't get me wrong, liking someone is one thing, but we still need to be careful about signing a contract."

Ichi Nijika, holding Tsukikawa Shu's hand, leaned close to him and said, "Signing is practically the same as getting married, right? But we still need to think about marriage and ask our families for their opinions first..."

“I know, I’ll give you time,” Tsukikawa Shuu said with a smile.

I need to think about it. It seems that everyone except Goto Ichiri has said something similar.

In the end, he surrendered obediently not long afterward.

Tsukikawa Shuu just smiled at this.

However, Ichi Nijika does have time to think now. The rewards she has obtained from the secret realm are more than enough for her to develop independently, and she doesn't need to rely on herself.

The two walked hand in hand until they reached an intersection, at which point they let go of each other's hands.

"I'll go back and ask. I need to prepare my family mentally." Ichiji Nijika smiled.

"Okay, just let me know if you need anything," Tsukikawa Shuuya said with a smile.

The two walked in different directions, waving goodbye.

After saying goodbye to Tsukikawa Shuu, Ijichi Nijika walked along the road, pondering how to explain things to her family.

"How should I tell my sister?" Ichiji Nijika carefully considered her words.

Before they knew it, they had arrived at the entrance of their band's base.

And by sheer coincidence, they ran into Goto Ichiri, who was finishing practice and heading home.

"Uh... what a coincidence."

Ichi Nijika was momentarily flustered.

"Oh, um, what a coincidence!"