51. Dating, Encountering "Stupidity" and "Unhappiness"

"Sorry for the wait, Yoshiki."

*TL Note: I change Yoko's way of addressing MC from "Hayashi" to "Yoshiki".

Okino Yoko came running over in a hurry, her face full of joy.

*TL Note: I also change Yoko's naming order, as it turns out Okino is her family name with Yoko being the first name.

After she got in the car and fastened her seat belt, she looked at Hayashi Yoshiki with a smile and whispered, "Yoshiki, do you want some drink? I bought orange juice from the vending machine."

"OK, thanks."

Hayashi Yoshiki observed it as he took the orange juice.

Okino Yoko's makeup is very delicate, especially judging from the moistness and completeness of her lipstick, it should have been applied just a few minutes ago.

"Did the shooting go well today?"

"Well, I've finished all the shots I planned to take today. Everyone is saying that I did a great job."

"Then it looks like the performance must be exceptionally good."

"It hasn't reached that level yet."

Okino Yoko felt a little embarrassed.

She looked at Hayashi Yoshiki who was driving seriously, her eyes brightening.

"What's wrong?"

"No, it's nothing. It's just that Yoshiki, isn't it a bit early to go to dinner now?"

"Yes, so let's just look around first... And the most important thing is, hasn't Yoko told me the location of the restaurant yet?"

"Ah"

Only then did Okino Yoko realize this.

She hurriedly and shyly reported the restaurant's location, then changed the subject and asked, "What did Yoshiki do today?"

"I went to see a psychiatrist today."

"Huh?"

"Are you shocked? Actually, I was just diagnosed with "time disorientation" today."

Hayashi Yoshiki said as he looked at the road in front of the car.

He explained his problem a little.

After hearing this, Okino Yoko's expression became a little surprised. She was silent for two or three seconds, and then looked at Hayashi Yoshiki very seriously:

"...Wouldn't it be very hard for Yoshiki to do this?"

"Maybe there will be some."

"But since the psychiatrist said the situation isn't serious, I believe Yoshiki will recover soon."

"Ah, I am quite confident about this."

Hayashi Yoshiki smiled.

He is not lying.

According to his guess, the time confusion started when Kudo Shinichi became smaller, which is when the plot began.

Then when the story ends, time will naturally return to normal.

But then again...

As long as the plot does not end and time always lingers in the "year" when Kudo Shinichi became smaller, this can probably be regarded as eternal life in a sense.

Hayashi Yoshiki didn't take Okino Yoko for a walk for long.

The main reason was that it was almost rush hour, and going for a drive when there was heavy traffic would only be annoying, so he and Okino Yoko quickly arrived at the restaurant where they had made an appointment.

"You two have reserved a private room. Please follow me."

Because Okino Yoko's status was not suitable for dining in the hall downstairs, they directly occupied a private room even though there were only two of them.

Well, there is a big round table in the box that can accommodate more than a dozen people.

"It doesn't look like a good date."

Hayashi Yoshiki joked in a gentle tone.

Okino Yoko found it very interesting and couldn't help but laugh... She naturally chose to sit next to Hayashi Yoshiki, otherwise it would be too weird to sit facing each other at such a big table.

"The dumplings I ate here last time were delicious."

"Then let me try this time too."

"Yeah, there's also that sweet apricot wine...but Yoshiki has to drive, so drinking is a pass."

"It's okay if Yoko wants to drink it herself."

It didn't take too long to order.

In the end, Okino Yoko ordered a glass of apricot wine.

After adding ice cubes to the icy sweet fruit wine, Okino Yoko took a sip and her face turned red in no time.

"It's a pity that I can't toast with Yoshiki..." Okino Yoko said this, and soon smiled at this side: "How about taking a taxi next time?"

Already thinking about the next time?

The other party is more positive than you think.

Looking at Okino Yoko's beautiful face, Hayashi Yoshiki does not deny that she is a very attractive girl, and her identity as a popular idol also makes it easier for people to imagine.

You can't always let girls take the initiative.

"Then next time, let's find a place with a nice atmosphere to drink."

"...Um."

Okino Yoko lowered her head and looked at the wine glass, responding reservedly.

After a while, the restaurant started serving the dishes.

It can be seen that Okino Yoko really liked the dumplings she had last time. This was the first one she chose... When she saw her put the dumplings on the spoon and carefully put them to her mouth, Hayashi Yoshiki suddenly called her:

"Yoko."

"Um?"

"No vinegar?"

"You mean this red one?"

"Yes, in China, it seems to be illegal not to dip dumpling in vinegar."

"Ah! Is this true?"

"Certainly."

Facing Okino Yoko's eyes that were as round as chestnuts, Hayashi Yoshiki couldn't help but smile: "It's a lie."

"Yoshiki—"

Okino Yoko pouted slightly, looking a bit like she was acting coquettishly.

But she still followed the advice and tried dipping it in vinegar.

The vinegar in this restaurant is made with soaked shredded red ginger, and has a refreshing taste. After trying it with xiaolongbao, Okino Yoko was immediately surprised.

Hayashi Yoshiki also tried it.

Indeed, the standard of this restaurant is very good. It is also a very pleasant thing for him to rediscover the flavors that he has not tasted for a long time.

The meal time is over.

The two of them hurriedly got back into the car. Seeing that she had to wear sunglasses and a hat even when walking just a few dozen meters, and could only take them off after getting in the car, Hayashi Yoshiki suddenly realized that dating him was a big risk for Okino Yoko.

"What's wrong, Yoshiki?"

"...No, nothing. But is Yoko really full?"

"That's fine, because I need to stay in shape."

"Keep in shape..."

Hayashi Yoshiki was somewhat impressed. When Okino Yoko was puzzled, he laughed and said, "To put it another way, maintaining a good figure means that you are very satisfied with your current body shape. So Yoko's current figure is impeccable."

"Well, I am very confident about my figure."

Okino Yoko doesn't seem shy, but rather a little proud.

Girls who are slightly narcissistic can sometimes be quite cute.

After laughing, he asked, "So where do you want to go now--"

Ring-ring-ring~ Ring-ring-ring~

Okino Yoko's cell phone suddenly rang.

As soon as she saw the person communicating, she immediately raised her index finger to her lips and made a hushing gesture to Hayashi Yoshiki.

Then answer the phone,

"Hello? It's me."

"Ah... But I'm out now. Can't we wait until tomorrow?"

"Just be flexible."

"Well... All right then."

"No, it's fine."

After the brief call, Okino Yoko's expression quickly became gloomy.

She looked at Hayashi Yoshiki, and before she could say anything, she heard him say, "Is there something that requires you to go back?"

"Um... I'm sorry, Yoshiki. I didn't expect them to still give me extra work even though I ran away."

"It's okay, it's just that Yoko will have to go back to work which will be hard."

"I am more energetic now, but I just feel it's a pity..."

"Well, how about we make an appointment for the next day off?"

"Yeah, okay."

Okino Yoko didn't seem to hesitate.

She quickly calmed down and was driven back to the agency by Hayashi Yoshiko. After saying goodbye to each other, she hurried inside.

He didn't stop either.

It was still early, and he had intended to take a longer route back, but when he passed a remote intersection,

Squeak——!

The brakes were pressed hard, causing the tires to make a noticeable burning sound.

After the car came to a complete stop, he quickly shifted into reverse gear, backed the car five meters, then lowered the window and asked:

"What are you doing here?"

Next to the car were the duo of Stupidity and Unhappiness, one fat and one tall, dressed in black.