Chapter 14: The Weakness of the Pretentious

He lifted the curtain of the ramen shop and glanced inside, and sure enough, it was filled with diners. It was the time when Neon company slaves got off work, and many people chose to grab a meal outside.

Going back was out of the question, absolutely impossible. Those unmarried felt their homes were lonely, and those married didn't want to face their nagging wives in silence. They'd rather boast with colleagues at an izakaya than face that dead life at home.

In a way, the world of adults isn't easy at all.

Oh no, it's easy to have no money and also easy to get fat.

Shirakawa Sawahei chose a spot just vacated by a diner and was about to pick up the menu when a slender, fair hand grabbed the menu simultaneously.

He was taken aback for a moment but didn't let go. According to Neon people's nature, the two should apologize to each other and then sit together.

But it seemed the other party didn't start that; the owner of the small hand trembled slightly first, then immediately let go of the menu, and said with a trembling voice, "Shirakawa..."

Ise Yu Yuzhijin, with tears in her eyes and a choking voice, said, "So you still have ulterior motives, huh!!"

Shirakawa Sawahei: "..."

He honestly didn't expect to run into Ise Yu Yuzhijin, the girl with such a quirky imagination, here. This encounter, in her eyes, would probably turn into some strange crime motive again.

He opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to explain something, but soon closed it again, responding concisely, "My home is nearby."

"What...."

Ise Yu Yuzhijin gasped and took a small step back, with a shocked face, saying, "I didn't expect you'd even go out of your way to rent a place in advance?"

"...."

Shirakawa Sawahei was silent for a while. He felt that if he talked with her using a normal mindset, he would probably get so angry he'd spit blood. So he slowly opened his mouth, saying, "Actually, I was planning to find you to have a thank-you meal, remember?"

Ise Yu Yuzhijin was startled and muttered, "So that's it... But Shirakawa, how did you know I'd come here?"

Before Shirakawa Sawahei could answer, cute little Ise Yu mumbled softly, "Could it be stalking? But I didn't notice any suspicious figures... Wait! Could it be you specially inquired about my likes or something..."

"It seems, Shirakawa, you still didn't listen to what I said before~...(;´д｀)ゞ..."

Ise Yu Yuzhijin sighed, with a face full of tiredness.

As expected, the greater the ability, the greater the responsibility, and the cuter the person, the more likely to encounter things like this.

"Since that's the case, I should make it clear to you... I really didn't invite you to dinner because I have feelings for you, Shirakawa."

Actually, this logic isn't wrong; Neon people generally go Dutch, rarely treating others, especially the opposite sex. No wonder this person would think so much.

Shirakawa Sawahei was about to explain something when Ise Yu Yuzhijin continued, "I only have gratitude for you, Shirakawa, thank you for keeping my secret safe..."

"But, Shirakawa, you don't need to be too dejected. Your conditions and appearance are actually quite good, if there's a chance, maybe I could introduce you to a few..."

Seeing Shirakawa Sawahei's face getting darker and darker, cute little Ise Yu's voice unconsciously got smaller and smaller, until finally covering her mouth, looking nervously at Shirakawa Sawahei across from her.

Shirakawa Sawahei: "..."

You're so cute, you'd probably cry for a long time with one punch, right?

He covered his forehead, trying to remain calm, "I appreciate your kind offer, but I don't need you to introduce anyone for me."

"No, no! I'd feel guilty otherwise!"

"...How about this, you treat me to this meal today and that counts as gratitude. I won't presumptuously pursue you, nor will I need you to introduce me to girlfriends in the future."

"What do you think?"

Cute little Ise Yu fluttered her eyelashes, "For real?"

"For real."

She finally sat down with relief. With a wave of her little hand, she generously said, "Shirakawa, you order whatever you like, it's my treat today!"

"Actually... I didn't really intend to make you dislike me, Shirakawa... Mainly because before I transferred schools, I encountered this kind of misunderstanding... I think you're pretty good as a friend, I don't want to reach such an awkward stage with you... so I had to..."

"I got it, you don't need to explain..."

Shirakawa Sawahei nodded and chose the most ordinary soy sauce tonkotsu ramen. Ise Yu Yuzhijin saw this and couldn't help but curiously ask, "Decided so quickly? Have you been here before, Shirakawa?"

"I've been here a few times, I guess."

"In that case..."

This ditzy girl hesitated for a moment, it was also her first time coming to the ramen shop nearby after moving today, unsure about the shop's skill. Seeing the regular Shirakawa Sawahei choose soy sauce tonkotsu without hesitation, she immediately decided to make the same choice as him.

"Excuse me, two soy sauce tonkotsu ramen here, please!"

"Sure~ Would you like it a bit harder or softer?"

Cute little Ise Yu looked at Shirakawa Sawahei.

"A bit harder."

"Me too, me too!"

Although this "pursuer" Shirakawa Sawahei wasn't very keen to talk, Ise Yu Yuzhijin clearly couldn't stand the silence. Holding her little chin, she curiously asked, "Shirakawa, do you really live this close by?"

"Yeah."

"What a coincidence? I initially thought you were just trying to find out my preferences~"

If you want to claim you're simple, then please have a bit simpler thoughts.

"Shirakawa, the ramen you ordered just now, was it tasty?"

"Yeah."

"Do you have any tips or noodle-eating methods? Like some insider secret dining techniques only veteran diners know at this shop..."

"..."

Shirakawa Sawahei vaguely felt that this girl might have a hidden chatterbox talent skill...

Fortunately, the store wasn't slow, and their ramen soon arrived at the table. Ise Yu Yuzhijin put her hands together, said, "Let's eat," and then began tucking her little face into the bowl.

Shirakawa Sawahei thought for a bit, suddenly asking, "What do you think the weaknesses of those who look like normie girls are?"

Cute little Ise Yu lifted her head from the large bowl, wary, "What... Shirakawa, are you planning to embark on a criminal path?"

He shook his head, denying this. To ask this question, it was nothing more than seeing the skillset of Ise Yu Yuzhijin, which included things like dressing and selfies, essential for a normie, and her levels weren't low. Instinctively, he thought this girl might also look like a normie to others.

To defeat magic, use magic, as a master once said.

"Just feel a bit out of depth with those kinds of girls," Shirakawa Sawahei lied casually.

Cute little Ise Yu carefully studied Shirakawa Sawahei's expression, seemed to find nothing unusual, and only then did she breathe a sigh, saying, "Then it depends on whether she is a real normie or a fake one."

"There are real and fake normies?" It was the first time Shirakawa Sawahei had heard such a theory.