Tokyo: Bubble, but the system is Sengoku.

Looking at Taguchi's clueless expression, Sato politely declined, saying, "Sorry, I don't have a television here."

To be honest, watching it won't unlock any weird skills, will it?

...However, he doesn't have the equipment right now.

And there are children there too.

Thinking it over, Sato temporarily suppressed his strange thought.

"I see."

"That's right, we don't have TVs here."

"It took me a lot of effort to get this TV set up."

The man spoke with smug satisfaction.

That's true. Although color TVs are now common, it's still very difficult for people at the bottom of society to own both a TV and a VCR.

The key is that I can't bear to part with them. Both of these are advanced technologies, especially video recorders, which have only recently become more common, starting as a luxury item.

The entry-level models start at around 100,000 yuan, which he can't afford anyway. If he had that kind of money, he might as well spend it on food.

"If Sato-kun doesn't mind, you can come to my room to see."

"I get quite bored by myself."

Seeing Taguchi's reluctant expression, Sato didn't know where to begin his吐槽 (tu cao, a Chinese internet slang term for sarcastic or critical comments).

It's quite boring to watch this alone; it would be even stranger to watch it with someone else.

"No need for now, thank you."

"...Oh well."

Taguchi responded with a mix of regret and relief.

He invited Sato out of pity, seeing how lonely he was. After all, he felt sorry for the boy next door who was only able to do "that" to the wall while he was engrossed in watching it.

But it's fine if he enjoys it all by himself.

Just as Taguchi was about to turn and leave, he unexpectedly caught a glimpse of a pair of women's uniform shoes in the entryway.

Taguchi, who knew a great deal about these things, immediately recognized them as school uniform shoes, specifically the women's version.

The shoes are small and delicate, and look like they would be worn by a slender and petite young girl.

Suddenly, Taguchi seemed to be struck by lightning, frozen in front of the boy's door.

This Sato, who has always been a loner, actually...

Could it be that the thumping sound just now was that kind of sound?

So, everyone else has already made love, and with a girl in uniform shoes no less? And he's still watching TV? Even though she's clearly much worse off than him.

Thinking of this, Taguchi looked up and realized that his neighbor, who had always seemed unremarkable in appearance, had unknowingly become quite handsome.

Her face was fuller, and the melancholy in her eyes was gone. She wasn't exactly beautiful, but at least she looked energetic.

"Damn those popular people!!!"

That's what Taguchi thought and said. Before Sato could react, the weeping older brother slammed the door shut and ran back home in tears.

Of course, the sound of the door closing next door was equally loud.

"This is troublesome."

After glancing at the pair of shoes that belonged to a young girl, Sato pinched his brow and returned to his room with a headache.

"Sato-kun, who is that person?"

The girl tilted her head, her curious expression adding to her innocence.

"without..."

"So what kind of good stuff is he talking about?"

"Don't ask so many questions, kid!"

Sato looked at Momo, who resembled a mischievous child from "3000 Questions," with annoyance.

The slightly louder sound brought the room to a quiet.

"Well..."

Was I too loud?

Just as Sato felt a pang of guilt, the girl in front of him smiled.

They even laughed so hard they rolled around on the floor, rolling between his bed and the table.

"Hahaha, Sato-nii really thinks I'm a child!"

"I know, Taguchi-san is watching A*, right?"

"And why do you think I don't know my tenants?"

Seeing the other person's smug look, Sato's anger flared up.

"Hahaha, Sato-nii, your expression just now was hilarious! Practicing singing, hahahahaha!"

Add two to the hash mark.

"Even my mom wouldn't use such a lame excuse!"

The number 3 was added, and at the same time, Sato was also red-faced for the first time by such a little brat, or rather, a little devil.

"...Kikuchi!!!"

Sato roared, while simultaneously grabbing the girl's delicate, pert nose and pulling it upwards.

If anyone ever tells him that Momoko Kikuchi is the prototype of Ran Mouri, he'll get angry. Ran is an angel! Not a little brat!

"Ouch!!"

"Sato-kun! Stop it!"

"I won't stop!"

As the two were playfully fighting, in the poorly soundproofed cubicle, Taguchi, who had originally planned to start watching a new work again, helplessly covered his ears.

"Damn those popular girls! May they all explode! Waaaaaah!"

......

"I never expected Sato-san's noodles to be so delicious!"

Peach, rubbing her still slightly red nose, sighed.

"Hmm, it's alright."

Sato responded, glancing at the girl's movements while still pushing her bicycle.

"That's why it's faster for me to ride back alone."

"Danger."

"Shall I get a ride with Sato-nii?"

The girl blinked, looking quite excited about a romantic encounter reminiscent of a shoujo manga.

"Violation of regulations".

"...Does this place look like there are police officers here?"

The girl, whose fantasy of manga had been shattered by the boy's heartless words, stomped her foot in dissatisfaction.

He pointed his finger around the completely deserted streets.

"That won't work either."

Sato said speechlessly.

"If you become an idol in the future, don't let your guard down in places like this."

They are public figures; if they really commit a crime, no one will protect them, and they will be made an example of.

Although it's just a small matter, we can't let our guard down.

"Since Sato-nii is so cautious, it seems like he won't get caught even if he gets a girlfriend in the future."

"..."

Sato Ryo, seemingly oblivious to how the topic had jumped to this point, appeared to be selectively deaf.

"Hmph~"

Kikuchi Momoko didn't hear a reply, and gave a soft, delicate hum.

She's still not quite sure what caused that racing heart feeling she just had.

It feels a bit like the kind of affection described in shoujo manga, but not quite.

Peach, experiencing this feeling for the first time, was also bewildered by her own racing heartbeat.

That's why I thought of trying a scene from a shoujo manga, but this person told me that it's illegal to carry passengers on a bicycle.

She almost laughed out of anger.

Even that initial, enchanting feeling has vanished.

"arrive."

Sato's words interrupted the young girl's romantic thoughts.

Unbeknownst to them, the two had arrived at a place not far from a three-story, one-family-house building that looked luxurious.

His house wasn't far from the landlord's house, otherwise the girl wouldn't often ride her bicycle over to school.

Aren't you going over there?

Seeing Sato stop walking, Momoko, who had taken several steps, turned around.

"It's not good for me to go back now."

Sato shook his head.

They started arguing because Taozi wanted to enter the entertainment industry.

Sending peaches back now, especially for someone in the entertainment industry like myself, will only cause more trouble.

Moreover, he was aware that they looked down on him, although he didn't care too much about it. But for Peach, it might just be the start of another argument.

The less trouble, the better.