Tokyo: My Girlfriend

Chapter 103 The Promise of Graduation Season

At the busy stall, Kana Sato was frantically trying to maintain order while shouting "Free samples" through a megaphone and handing out disposable chopsticks and spoons to customers.

There are always people who don't follow the rules or don't understand the rules.

Someone tried to snatch the chopsticks from Kana's hand in their haste, but Kana didn't have time to let go.

My body inexplicably lost its balance and I fell forward headfirst.

Just as she was about to crash into the event booth table, Kitagawa Shin reacted quickly and grabbed Sato Kana, pulling her into his arms.

Sato Kana was surprised to feel the warmth and scent of Kitagawa Shinichi's embrace, and her face flushed instantly.

Colorful bubbles seemed to be rising all around, and her eyes trembled.

Shinichi Kitagawa asked Kana Sato if she was alright, and the others also looked over.

Kana stood there stunned for a long time before slowly answering, her heart skipping a beat: "It's nothing..."

Shinichi Kitagawa scolded the rude customer: "What's the rush? Just wait for the cutlery to be handed out. Who's going to grab it?!"

The customer, noticing everyone staring at him, grinned awkwardly but didn't argue. He scratched his head and said, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. I was just in a bit of a rush. Anyway, I'm really sorry."

He took a few steps back, knowing he couldn't stay any longer, and turned to leave quickly.

Other customers, seeing this, complained, "There really are rude people like this everywhere."

Shinichi Kitagawa looked down at Kana Sato again, having already released her hand: "Are you really alright?"

Sato Kana, blushing and looking down at him like a frightened quail, shook her head vigorously, saying, "It's nothing, it's really nothing!"

Only Kana Sato herself knew how fast her heart was beating. When Shinichi Kitagawa hugged her just now, Kana Sato felt like her heart was about to jump out of her throat.

Daydreaming.

But I mustn't overthink it, I absolutely mustn't overthink it!

Shin-il is now Ming-mei's boyfriend, so I absolutely cannot swoon over him in front of her!

But... but this isn't something I can control! I'm so sorry, Akemi! I'm so sorry!

All I could do was keep apologizing to Aoki Akemi in my heart for taking advantage of her boyfriend.

During the lunch break, around 11 a.m., all the samples that had been prepared had been distributed.

Customers were asking when the store would open, as many people would be coming to patronize it. Rena looked at Shinichi Kitagawa and asked him to make the decision.

Shinichi Kitagawa felt that since the event was already underway, the sooner the better.

We finally decided on the day after tomorrow.

Once the decision to open a shop was made, Shinichi Kitagawa felt there was no need for a temporary stall; he figured he could just rent a storefront for Rena.

We don't lack money right now, so we can just keep the renovation simple.

The four of them, exhausted yet happy, collapsed on the grass near the shrine at noon.

A carpet was laid on the floor.

This is where we'll have lunch later.

The four of them lay together on the grass, gazing at the sky.

Rena Kitagawa smiled, her face beaming with excitement after hearing so many compliments on her food these past few days. Her desire to open her business was practically overflowing. "What a beautiful blue sky," she exclaimed. "Shinichi," she asked, "Are you sure you want me to rent a shop right away? Why don't we try a small stall first?"

Shinichi Kitagawa replied, "There's no need. After these two days of tasting events, everyone understands your level. From my observation, at least 60% of the people will definitely come to patronize the store when it opens. As long as you can retain 10% of these people, the store can stay profitable."

When Kitagawa Rena heard that it was 10%, she thought it was pretty simple; her food couldn't possibly be that bad.

Not one out of ten people could stay.

Shinichi Kitagawa continued, "Besides, people in Kabasaki Town don't have many choices. It's essentially a large town. As long as the food is truly delicious, it's hard for it not to make money. The only things that are easy to go out of business are those trendy Tokyo snacks with uniform flavors. Those kinds of things are the ones that can't keep people around."

When Haruhi Hina overheard the siblings' conversation, her eyes involuntarily drifted towards Kitagawa Shinichi.

She always had a sense of admiration for the person she loved; Shin-il really knew a lot.

"Anyway, once Rena's shop officially opens, I'll definitely be a regular customer."

Kitagawa Rena gazed at Haruhi Hina's beautiful face with her cool eyes, and without saying anything, simply replied, "Thank you."

But that simple thank you was enough to make Haruhi Hina very happy.

Of course, it would be so nice if she could call me "sister".

She genuinely wanted to be best friends with Rena.

Shinichi Kitagawa looked up at the sky and said, "Tomorrow I'm going to Tokyo with Akemi. I think I'll need Hina-sensei and Kana's help when Rena opens her shop. Thank you for your hard work. I'll definitely treat you all well when I get back."

Reina Kitagawa interjected, "While my brother is away, I'll make sure everyone gets something to eat, it's just that I don't have any money for him..."

Shinichi Kitagawa, embarrassed, said, "I'll pay for it. After all, I'm the one who pays for the tasting event, right?"

Rena Kitagawa snorted and muttered, "Why would Shinichi and I split this? I'll just give all my earnings to Shinichi anyway."

Haruhi Hina couldn't help but laugh.

Amidst the laughter and chatter, Kana Sato, lying on the far right, remained blushing. Only after everyone had finished chatting did she belatedly and abruptly wave her hand, exclaiming, "Opening a shop right away? That's wonderful! I originally thought we'd have to start with a small stall!"

Everyone looked at her strangely, wondering if she had been daydreaming.

Only when Haruhi Hina looked at Kana did she vaguely realize something.

Her peach blossom eyes had a touch of gentleness.

As expected, handsome guys like Shinichi are really popular with girls. I didn't expect even Kana to be interested in him...

And it seems like this isn't something he's liked for just a day or two.

During the meal.

Haruhi Hina handed water to Kitagawa Shinichi, who was eating a rice ball, and asked curiously, "By the way, Shinichi-kun, why isn't Akemi-san here today?"

Kitagawa Shinichi took the water, said thank you, and explained, "She hasn't been feeling well these past couple of days, and she's probably a bit nervous about going to Tokyo soon, so I let her rest at home."

Although Kana Sato had a crush on him, she didn't have any intention of possessing him, or even any thoughts of it. She laughed and said, "You two seem to be all lovey-dovey every day since you started dating. It's rare for you to be apart like these past two days."

Shinichi Kitagawa: "Indeed, I've been spending most of my time with Akemi lately, but these last two days have been quite special."

Even now, when people talk about Akemi, Shinichi Kitagawa still feels a flutter in his heart.

After spending so much time together, although someone still lingers in his heart, Shinichi Kitagawa has also reserved a place for Akemi Aoki in his heart.

Now he can truly and sincerely say "I like you" to the other person.

Shinichi Kitagawa thought of the proposal: "By the way, Hina-sensei, Rena Kana, how about we all go on a trip together when we graduate high school? Otherwise, once we graduate, there will probably be very few days like this where we can hang out together every day."

Haruhi Hina felt a pang of sadness and disappointment upon hearing this.

Because reality is exactly as Shinichi Kitagawa said, in another six months, all the senior high school students will have graduated.

At that time, everyone will either go to university or enter the workforce.

Regardless of which choice she makes, Haruhi Hina, a high school teacher, will likely never see everyone again.

Especially since it would be difficult to see Shinichi, he would probably spend more time with Akemi then, and might even live with her.

Reina, on the other hand, might see more of these things.

Anyway, when I have nothing to do, I can go find Rena to play with and keep her company.

After a brief discussion, everyone finalized their travel itinerary for graduation season.

In the afternoon, everyone helped discuss the store's location and the ingredients to sell on the first day, and the day passed quietly by.

In the evening, everyone waved goodbye and went home.

Shinichi Kitagawa called Akemi Aoki from home to ask how she was doing at home that day.

We also agreed to go to the station together tomorrow morning to take the train to Tokyo.

The call was answered quickly, and Aoki Akemi's tone was as playful and affectionate as usual.

After hanging up the phone, Shinichi Kitagawa didn't think much of it and fell into a deep sleep, preparing to take Akemi's real solo performance seriously after he had rested well.

But the next day, when Kitagawa Shinichi met Aoki Akemi at the station...

But he immediately noticed that something was wrong.

Akemi Aoki was wearing a dress, her eyes were slightly bloodshot, and you could even see her dark circles.

He was clearly very tired.

Shinichi Kitagawa walked over with concern: "What happened? You look like you haven't slept for days?"

Akemi Aoki forced a smile but didn't say anything: "Let's get in the car first. I want to sleep in Shinichi's arms for a while later."

Shinichi Kitagawa nodded slowly.

On the train, Shinichi Kitagawa put his arm around Akemi Aoki's waist, letting her head rest comfortably on his shoulder.

Holding her hand, I watched as she indeed fell asleep.

But Shinichi Kitagawa isn't blind. With Akemi frequently exhibiting these strange behaviors lately, there must be something he doesn't know about.

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