Chapter 53: The Act

On Sunday, Masashi arrived as scheduled at the meeting place, a teahouse across from the Keio Plaza Hotel in Shinjuku.

Shinjuku on weekends was even more crowded than usual, filled mostly with young people dressed fashionably. Led by a server, Masashi quickly found Aiko and her friends. The three girls looked pleased to see him—except for Aiko, who wore a displeased expression.

"How do you expect to pass as my boyfriend dressed like that?"

Masashi looked himself over and replied, "This is how I normally dress. Is there a problem?"

"No way. It's too shabby. Come on, we're picking out some clothes for you." Aiko called the server over to pay the bill. The other three girls stood up, giggling.

Masashi waved his hand helplessly.

After leaving the teahouse, Aiko led Masashi to Shinjuku's bustling shopping district.

"Here, try this on," she said, handing him a light green GUCCI suit jacket from the men's section.

"Unless I'm attending a funeral, I don't wear suits," Masashi said, sitting on a chair and watching them pick out clothes as if it had nothing to do with him.

"How about this one?" Murashima Mami held up a blue trench coat.

"It looks like something a flasher would wear."

"What about this?" Kogure Ryouko lifted a blue denim jacket.

"You trying to make me overheat?"

"You pick something, then! So picky," Aiko said, growing impatient.

"You all have terrible taste." Masashi casually grabbed a light gray casual jacket and walked into the fitting room.

A few moments later, he emerged from the fitting room, holding his T-shirt.

"Let's go. It's about time. Miss, please wrap up this T-shirt for me," he said, handing it to the sales assistant.

The girls looked at each other, then reluctantly returned the clothes they were holding.

When Aiko took out her credit card to pay, Masashi was quicker, handing his card to the cashier first.

"What are you doing?"

"Nothing. I just don't like a woman paying for me."

"Such a chauvinist." Aiko didn't press further and put her card away.

"Are you seriously carrying that T-shirt around? Just throw it away." As they walked out, Aiko saw him holding the plastic bag.

"Waste not, want not, little one. Besides, I kind of like this shirt."

"Gennai, I can hold it for you if you'd like. I'll return it to you tonight," Aikura Ai offered quietly.

"Really? Then that would help. Thanks."

"It's no trouble at all," Ai replied softly.

After parting ways with the other three girls, Aiko and Masashi returned to the teahouse to wait for the boy to show up.

Before long, a boy in a black suit, with some acne on his face, arrived.

"Aiko, I didn't expect you to get here so early. I thought I'd be late," he said, excitement in his eyes.

"Actually, we haven't been here long. Mito-san, let me introduce my boyfriend, Gennai Masashi. Masashi, this is Toyokawa Mito, the classmate I told you about."

Masashi took a long look at the boy, then reached out to shake hands. "Nice to meet you, Mito-san."

Mito didn't take his hand and just stared at Aiko in shock. "Aiko, is he really your boyfriend?"

"What's there to doubt? I told you I have a boyfriend, but you wouldn't believe me," Aiko replied matter-of-factly.

Masashi sighed inwardly. When it comes to matters of the heart, all women are natural-born liars, whether they're girls or women.

"I don't believe it. You must be lying to me." Mito's tone was agitated.

Masashi knew it was his cue.

He moved next to Aiko, gently placing his arm around her waist like the leading men do in dramas, and told the boy, "Mito-san, Aiko is my girlfriend, so please stop bothering her. If you'll excuse us, we're off to see a movie. Take care." With that, Masashi led Aiko out of the teahouse.

Mito stood frozen, watching them leave.

Once they were far from the teahouse, Masashi let go of Aiko.

"All done. That was boring." He yawned.

"That's it? You're sure it's enough?" Aiko asked, a bit skeptical.

"The more you say, the easier it is to slip up. Keeping it short was just right. Judging by his reaction, I don't think he'll bother you again."

"But… are you really sure?" Aiko was still a bit anxious.

Masashi thought for a moment, then took a small jewelry box from his pocket and handed it to her.

"Here, take this."

"What is it?" Aiko looked at the box, puzzled.

"Open it and see."

Curious, Aiko opened the box and found a delicate, uniquely styled bracelet inside.

"This… is for me?" she asked, surprised.

"Do you like it?"

Aiko turned the bracelet over in her hands, liking it more with each look. She had a particular weakness for cute, well-crafted trinkets. However, she soon asked, a bit puzzled, "Why are you giving me this?"

"No reason. I just saw it and thought it would suit you, so I bought it."

"That's all?" She looked at him doubtfully.

"Life is simple; it's just that some people like to complicate it."

Not in the mood for a lecture, Aiko enthusiastically slipped the bracelet onto her left wrist, but it was a bit big.

"Silly, it's an anklet, not a bracelet." Masashi couldn't help but laugh.

"What? An anklet?" Aiko took a closer look and saw that it indeed fit her ankle better than her wrist.

She quickly crouched down and fastened it around her ankle, admiring it as she moved her foot around.

"Problem solved, gift given, now I'm off."

"Are you… really just leaving?" Aiko had half expected him to invite her to see a movie or do something else.

"What, don't want me to go?" Masashi chuckled.

"Hmph, as if I'd miss you. Fine, I'll be on my way." Aiko pouted.

"Hey, kid, aren't you forgetting something?"

"What?" Aiko asked, puzzled.

"When someone does you a favor, aren't you supposed to say something?" Masashi grinned.

Aiko thought for a second and then said loudly, "Thank you."

"Annoying guy." With that, she stormed off, clearly annoyed.

"Funny kid," Masashi chuckled, watching her disappear into the distance before walking in the other direction.

Around midnight, Masashi was in his room practicing his skills when he heard a knock at the door.

Stopping, he opened it and found Kazumi standing there. "Kazumi, what's up?"

"Brother, you have a call." She handed him the cordless phone.

"Did I wake you? Go back to sleep." He took the phone from her.

But Kazumi didn't leave; she just stood quietly watching him.

"What? Aiko's missing? When did this happen?"

"I see. I'll be there right away."

"Yes, I know where that is. Give me ten minutes."

After hanging up, Masashi quickly put on his jacket.

"Brother, what happened?"

"It's nothing. A friend suddenly went missing. I'm going to check it out."

"Then be careful."

"Don't worry. Go back to bed. You have school tomorrow. Don't worry about me." After reassuring her, he left. But after a few steps, he turned back, returning to the room to grab something and put it in his pocket.