I, Aki Tomoya, will not be a simp.

Chapter 387 is different from usual.

Since we can't all hang out together, let's just forget about it. If we keep going like this, we'll all get lost.

Most importantly, Takagi was very self-aware; he didn't want to be a third wheel. Let whoever wanted to be one, he wouldn't disturb Aki Tomoya's time with other people.

So it wasn't that Takagi suddenly changed his personality, but rather that the situation didn't allow him to do it this way.

Now nobody plays with him anymore. Aki Tomo has a girlfriend to keep him company, and Majima is in the same boat.

Then I'll just have to do the work by myself.

Aki Tomoya and Majima expressed sympathy, but that was all they did.

Anyway, they had already helped out, but Takagi was just hopeless and didn't have any real interest in it, so there's no need to say they weren't helpful.

……

On the 18th, although it was his birthday, just as Takagi had said, Aki Tomoya really didn't invite anyone else. Instead, he planned to spend some time alone with Kudo Sayaka.

It wasn't that they stayed at home, but rather that they were outside.

So Aki Tomoya asked in advance which other good couple-themed restaurants were in Tokyo.

The question was about Majima, and the other party also gave several good locations.

"High-rise buildings in Ginza, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro..."

These are roughly the three places.

In the end, Aki Tomoya chose to go to the themed restaurant in Ikebukuro.

"Rinya, it's your birthday today, right? It's rare that we're all home, do you want us to celebrate for you?"

With his parents at home, and knowing it was their son Tomoya's birthday and also the day he came of age, they asked him if he needed their help to celebrate.

However, they spoke a little too late; Aki Tomoya already had an appointment for today.

"Dad, you can drink by yourself today. I have something to do, so I'll head out first!"

Aki Tomoya still remembers that day when his drunken father came home and said that he would have a coming-of-age ceremony on his birthday, and the two of them drank together.

Unfortunately, Aki Tomoya already had plans with other people today, so he couldn't enjoy drinks with his father.

So the father could only drink alone.

After apologizing to her father, Aki Tomo hurried out the door.

"No, he had a date after all!"

The father quickly realized that his son must have gone to the appointment on his birthday.

Thinking of this, he and his wife exchanged a glance, their eyes both filled with a hint of teasing.

Having a girlfriend is like this.

"What a pity, I'll have to drink alone today. I wanted to test that kid's alcohol tolerance!"

The father said with a regretful expression.

It seems he remembered the promise to hold a coming-of-age ceremony.

It's a pity that after his son got a girlfriend, he chose to abandon his elderly father and live a carefree life.

"Wouldn't it be great if Lun brought someone back for his birthday?"

At this moment, the mother felt regret about the matter.

She thought it would be great if Aki Tomoya could celebrate his birthday at home with his girlfriend instead of spending it outside with her.

Also, let them see what kind of person their son's partner really is.

However, this was all limited to their discussions when Aki Tomoya wasn't around. Aki Tomoya had no idea what his elderly parents were talking about after he left, as he was in a hurry to find Kudo Sayaka.

……

I got off at Ikebukuro Station. It was noon when I set off, and the subway ride to Ikebukuro didn't take much time.

At the agreed time, I quickly met Kudo Sayaka at the agreed place.

"Did I keep you waiting?"

Sayaka Kudo waved and walked over, then naturally took Tomoya Aki's arm.

She was also carrying a gift box in her hand.

"this is for you."

"What is it again?"

"It's just a scarf, you can wear it now~".

She had Aki Tomoya open the gift box, inside which was a linen scarf.

The weather had turned quite cold in December, and people on the street were all bundled up in thick layers.

This is a very suitable gift for this season.

"It's beautiful, did you knit it yourself?"

"What a pity, I'm not the kind of person who's good with my hands. I just bought this cheap stuff from the street vendor!"

While it would be even more meaningful if it were hand-knitted, unfortunately, Kudo Sayaka didn't have that skill, and it was impossible for her to lie and say that she had knitted it herself. So she said it half-jokingly.

"It does seem so, but cheap stuff is cheap stuff, it's better than nothing."

Aki Tomoya shrugged and smiled indifferently as well.

It wasn't an expensive birthday gift, but it was still very nice.

"Ugh, even if I was joking about it being cheap, Tomoya, you can't say that. There's a lot of thought behind it."

"A sentiment? What sentiment?"

"Hmm, seeds must be complicated!"

There are a lot of them, and they're very heavy!

Kudo Sayaka gave Aki Tomoya a reproachful look, then took the scarf out of the gift box, looked up, and asked again:

"Do you want me to put it on for you?"

"That would be great!"

"If you want it, do it yourself!"

Despite saying that, Sayaka Kudo still wrapped it around his neck herself.

"Be careful...you're tightening it a bit...are you trying to strangle me?"

"If you're not satisfied, then do it yourself!"

As Aki Tomoya continued to complain, Kudo Sayaka wrinkled her nose and then tightened her grip.

Seeing that he was obviously doing this on purpose, Aki Tomoya could only obediently shut his mouth and let Kudo Sayaka do whatever she wanted to him.

"Very good, that's good!"

Sayaka Kudo clapped her hands, looking with satisfaction at Tomoya Aki, who already had a scarf around his neck.

However, Aki Tomoya's expression did not seem so satisfied.

"...I said, it's really a bit tight."

"Then please relax a bit yourself, hehe~."

Aki Tomoya decided not to argue with Kudo Sayaka and eventually loosened his scarf himself.

He breathed a sigh of relief after his neck was freed.

Sayaka Kudo's tendency to speak the truth is a bit too much!

"Where do we go next?"

Since it was Aki Tomoya's turn to decide what to do today, Kudo Sayaka was still asking Aki Tomoya for his opinion.

Before coming, Aki Tomoya had already thought it through. He planned to go to the mall and shopping street in the afternoon and show Kudo Sayaka around.

In the evening, we can enjoy a candlelight dinner at the themed restaurant he booked.

"Let's go to the shopping street or mall first and see if there's anything you like."

"Is today your birthday? Why did you buy me something I like?"

"I showed you, but I didn't tell you to buy it."

Aki Tomoya's words left Kudo Sayaka speechless.

She made a gesture as if to throw a punch, but the force was weak and powerless, only lightly touching Aki Tomoya's chest.

Having decided where to go, Kudo Sayaka linked arms with Aki Tomoya again.

In the afternoon, after strolling around Ikebukuro and buying each other some things, as night approached, Aki Tomoya took Kudo Sayaka to the themed restaurant they had booked.

"Alice in Wonderland? Tokyo really does have all sorts of themed restaurants!"

Sayaka Kudo looked at the shop's decor with surprise.