A newbie's anime life diary

This claw machine didn't have many small plush toys; it only had three large plush toys, each about a meter long. One of them was a large cat-themed plush toy.

I vaguely remember this cat, Yukiteru. It seems to be the main cat from an old anime, but it's been a long time. It's already pretty good that I can remember its appearance.

These large claw machines that drop large plush toys are different from the smaller ones. The transparent bags containing the plush toys are tied together with a thin string, with the other end hanging on an iron bar.

To obtain this doll, one must use the two thin, small blades of unknown sharpness on the machine to cut the fine thread.

These claw machines are usually the most difficult machines in the store, and the blades can't be too sharp, and the lines can't be cut too easily. You can't succeed without some skill.

Kasumigaoka Utaha looked at the giant doll in front of her. Although she was very tempted, she could also tell how difficult the machine was: "Isn't this a bit too difficult?"

"Since we're already here, wouldn't it be a shame not to give it a try? Let's do it three times. If it doesn't work out after three tries, we'll try something else."

As he spoke, Xuehui took out four coins and put them in, his target being the large cat plush toy in the middle.

The first time, the blade was successfully aimed at the thin thread, but just as Xuehui had expected, the blade was not sharp, and the thread was not damaged at all after being touched.

"It is indeed a bit difficult, but it's not impossible." After carefully examining the blade, Xuehui smiled slightly and discovered the technique for success.

The second time, he moved the blade forward slightly, aligning the back of the blade with the thin line, and successfully touched it, but still failed to cut it.

'Although it wasn't successful, we've found the sharpest point.'

After two attempts, Xuehui not only found the sharpest part of the blade, but also became more and more skilled at controlling the claw's movement.

For the third and final time, he slowly moved the blade forward, aimed it, and then turned to look at Kasumigaoka Utaha beside him, smiling as he said, "bingo~"

The button was pressed, and the thin thread broke as expected.

Yuki bent down, took the giant cat plush toy from the locker below, and handed it to Kasumigaoka Utaha, who was staring wide-eyed.

"Three successes, looks like I'm pretty lucky."

"This...is for me?" Kasumigaoka Utaha held the doll, looking surprised. The doll was so big that it covered most of her body.

"If I don't give it to you, am I supposed to keep it for myself? You've already come out on a 'date' with me, so giving you a small gift isn't too much to ask, right? Utaha, are you going to refuse?" He looked at Kasumigaoka Utaha, who was tightly hugging the doll, with a smile. This combination of a cool heroine and a giant doll... was surprisingly good?

"Since it's a gift from Yukiteru-kun, I should accept it."

Nodding, Xuehui looked around and said, "It seems we've gone a bit too far. It's time to go."

Kasumigaoka Utaha realized what was happening and looked around. The girls who had brought their boyfriends saw that Kasumigaoka Utaha had acquired such a large plush toy and started encouraging their boyfriends to do the same. Meanwhile, the shopkeeper looked on with a pained expression.

I managed to snag one of the biggest plush toys in the store for only 1200 yen, and it was even a limited edition! What a rip-off!

With a "pfft" laugh, Kasumigaoka Utaha, a satisfied smile on her face, walked out of the arcade with Yukiteru.

After spending some time together, the two relaxed and chatted as they strolled around until they arrived at a movie theater.

This was suggested by Kasumigaoka Utaha, who said that after hiding at home for so many days, she had been wanting to relax at the movie theater.

Xuehui had no objection; watching a movie was indeed a good choice.

After storing their plush toys, the two went to buy tickets. He had assumed Kasumigaoka Utaha would choose an art film or a romance, but her choice surprised him.

Resident Evil: The Final Chapter

Utaha Kasumigaoka's choice of a post-apocalyptic horror film adapted from a game was truly unexpected by Yukiteru.

"Don't guys all like this kind of thing? Taking a girl to see a horror movie, and then the girl gets scared and falls into the guy's arms or something." Kasumigaoka Utaha explained to Yukiteru.

"That's true, but I don't think this kind of movie can scare you, Shiyu."

“I think so too, after all, it’s not the Tomie series.” Kasumigaoka Utaha didn’t deny it, and said with a smile that she mentioned a movie series that even Yukiteru felt a little creeped out.

Honestly, today's horror movies can't compare to those of the past, especially Japanese horror movies. Yukiteru from before his time travel was terrifying to watch. For a period of time when I was a kid, I was too scared to go to the bathroom alone at night.

These movies nowadays are nothing compared to what I used to watch while eating: Ju-on, Ring, Kuchisake-onna, Tomie, and the like!

After buying tickets and a bucket of popcorn, the two entered the screening room.

It has to be said that big productions and special effects are really enjoyable to watch. There are far fewer horror elements, but as a pure popcorn movie, it's worth the ticket price.

As he watched, Xuehui was relieved that these zombies and the like only appeared in movies; it would have been a real worry for him if they hadn't appeared in this series.

The two-hour movie flew by, and the two people who walked out of the screening room with the crowd were a little uncomfortable with the bright light outside, so they squinted their eyes.

"It's really nice to come to the movies with a guy. I've only ever come with my family before," Kasumigaoka Utaha commented.

"Me too, it's my first time watching a movie with a girl, and this is the kind of movie at that." Xuehui smiled and pointed to the movie poster not far away.

"Does Yukiteru-kun want to come with me again next time?" Kasumigaoka Utaha tilted her head and looked at Yukiteru.

"Is this a date you're planning? I wouldn't mind if you came along as a friend. But if you've already got someone you like by then, I guess I won't be able to do anything about it," Yuki said half-jokingly. After spending half a day together, Yuki's opinion of Kasumigaoka Utaha had risen considerably. She wasn't as aloof as he had expected; on the contrary, she was very easy to get along with and showed a lot of girlish charm, which he found very pleasing to the eye.

Feelings of attraction?

It's impossible to say there's nothing between them, but it's only at the level of admiration; he's not the kind of guy who falls for someone so easily.

Kasumigaoka Utaha pursed her lips as she listened to Yukiteru's words: "Although what you said is true, Yukiteru, we are on a date right now, so it still makes me a little unhappy."

"So, as a way to end our date today and as an apology, how about I treat you to dinner, Shiyu?"

Since it was almost lunchtime and Xuehui wanted to go through the motions, he naturally extended an invitation.

"You choose the location, but I won't accept it if it doesn't satisfy me." Taking the doll out of the locker and hugging it to her arms, Kasumigaoka Utaha readily agreed to Yukiteru's invitation.

Although it's hard to imagine, Kasumigaoka Utaha was completely immersed in the afternoon, using research as a mere excuse.

'This is going to get really bad.'

There will be another chapter tonight!

Chapter 38 The First Day's Companions

Dinner was at a Western restaurant that Xuehui found online. The reviews seemed pretty good, so he invited Kasumigaoka Utaha to go with him. It turned out that she was quite satisfied as well.

Although my wallet suffered a bit, the effect was very good. Unfortunately, Xuehui didn't get enough to eat in the end.

The steak looked alright, but Xuehui still preferred rice and other similar foods. It wasn't that he didn't want to go to a Chinese restaurant.

Here's a joke: Chinese restaurants abroad.

Ha ha.

After a fairly pleasant dinner, Yukiteru saw Kasumigaoka Utaha off on the bus home, while he himself took the tram back.

"Although my first date wasn't with my girlfriend, she was top-notch, so it was pretty good. Nothing bad happened, so it was a satisfactory experience."

Back home, Yukihiro took off his coat and leaned back on the sofa. He picked up his phone and saw a message from Kasumigaoka Utaha.

I'm home. I'm very happy with today's "date." I'm about to start working. Look forward to my work, Yuki-kun.

Xuehui smiled, replied to a simple message, grabbed a change of clothes, and went into the bathroom.

For the next few days after arriving home, Xuehui lived a typical life of staying at home, writing and playing games. He only did one more 'dungeon exploration' at night, and the lack of any discoveries made him both a little disappointed and relieved.

A peaceful life is better than anything else.

Finally, the short holiday is over, and it's time to start campus life again.

Xuehui got up early, made herself breakfast, and after eating leisurely, picked up her schoolbag to catch the tram. The station wasn't far from here, and it would only take about 20 minutes to get to school, so she had plenty of time.

As soon as I went downstairs and onto the street, I saw someone who seemed a bit unexpected.

Yukinoshita Yukino.

Upon closer reflection, it's actually quite normal. Both of them live in the same area, so it's understandable that they would leave for school around the same time.

'But apart from that day, I don't think I've seen the other person at all.'

Thinking this, Xuehui still raised his hand to greet the other person.

Good morning, Yukinoshita.

Yukino Yukinoshita wasn't so cold-hearted towards Yukiteru, and nodded slightly, saying, "Good morning, Hiratsuka-kun."

"Are you planning to take the tram?" Xuehui asked, since they were going in the same direction. After receiving confirmation, they naturally traveled together.

Arriving at the station and entering the platform, it was during commuting and school hours, and there were quite a few people on the platform.

'I hope it won't be too crowded...'

...3 minutes later.

'This is practically a sure thing! I shouldn't have trusted the morning traffic in Japan!'

With a sigh, looking at the office workers and groups of students crowding around, and Yukino Yukinoshita, whose face had turned pale since boarding the train, Yukiteru said, "Are you not used to taking the train?"

Shaking her head, Yukino Yukinoshita replied, "I'm just not used to crowded places."

"The morning tram rides are certainly not something everyone can enjoy. But you're clearly a young lady from a wealthy family, so why bother squeezing onto the tram like this?"

“Since you’re moving out and living alone, there’s no need to rely on your family,” Yukino Yukinoshita said.

"Girl, your thinking is really unique. The house was prepared by your family, and the living expenses are provided by your family. You've just moved from a small cage to a larger ranch."

A casual remark left Yukino Yukinoshita somewhat lost in thought.

Indeed, no matter what, she can never escape the shackles of her family. Without the title of Yukinoshita, she will have nothing.

As her thoughts raced, the tram jolted, causing the girl to suddenly lose her balance.

Fortunately, Yukiteru reacted quickly, grabbing Yukinoshita with one hand that was holding the handrail and pulling the girl back to his side.

Taking advantage of the moment when the train stopped to let people on and off, Yukiteru shifted his seat to create some space and pulled Yukino Yukinoshita closer to him so that she could feel a little more comfortable.

"Sorry, there are too many people, so this is the only way."

Looking at the girl with her head down and a slightly flushed face, Xuehui said with a hint of apology.

Shaking her head, Yukino Yukinoshita knew that the other person had no bad intentions, and softly said thank you.

Seeing that Yukino Yukinoshita had fallen silent, Yukiteru knew that his words had had some impact on her and wanted to say something more, but he didn't know how to start.

It only takes two tram stops from home to school, and before Xuehui could even think about it, the tram had already stopped.

Following the flow of people, the two got off the car and walked towards the school.

Gradually, the office workers around disappeared, and only small groups of students from Zongwu High School remained.

Glancing at the subtle stares around them, Yukiteru said to Yukino Yukinoshita, "Why don't we split up? If we continue, some strange rumors will probably start circulating again."

Yukino Yukinoshita opened her mouth, paused, swallowed back what she was about to say, and then said, "It doesn't matter, these rumors will dissipate in a few days anyway, and they're just some insignificant people."

"I don't mean anything by it, I'm just worried you might hear some unpleasant things." Xuehui shrugged and said no more.