Chapter 256: How Could I Let You Have a Normal Date?

This weekend was a particularly special day for Rinji.

Having settled the student council election, he finally had time for something else.

A date.

He and Karura had promised to go out together this weekend. Though they'd been dating for months, they hadn't once had a proper date.

That would change today—it would be their first official outing as a couple.

In high spirits, Rinji changed into casual clothes and took a ride toward Kabukicho in Shinjuku, Tokyo.

Karura had chosen the location. Rinji wasn't sure why she picked a place that most normal high school students avoided, a place where yakuza were known to operate. But he didn't really care.

To him, what mattered wasn't where they went, but who he was going with. If Karura wanted to go, he would accompany her—no matter the place.

Most people associated Kabukicho with yakuza, sketchy nightclubs, and sleazy businesses, but the area had undergone a serious cleanup over the past decade. Many illegal operations had already been shut down.

Still, it wasn't exactly a hangout for high school students.

"I was originally thinking of taking Karura to an amusement park or something. It would've helped us grow closer… but oh well."

Rinji didn't dwell on it too much.

"Rinji~"

Just as he was staring at his phone, waiting for Karura, she suddenly hugged him from behind.

With her soft scent and the plush feeling on his back, a faint smile appeared on Rinji's face.

"You're here?"

"Mhm~"

"So, where do you want to go today?"

Truth be told, he didn't really know what people usually did in this area.

"Let's just walk around nearby."

Garuda slipped off his back, walked to his side, and naturally wrapped her arm around his.

"That works."

Looking at the sky, it was already dark.

For this kind of place, nightfall signaled the start of its true entertainment.

If there was anything worth doing around here, it was probably the casino. But Rinji wasn't a fan.

Too boring.

Still, speaking of casinos, Rinji did remember one thing.

Last semester, right before summer break, he'd visited a casino here and beat a woman. That woman still owed him tens of millions in US dollars.

The exact amount? Rinji didn't remember anymore. Now that he had a company and huge sums of money, a few million dollars meant nothing to him. That's why he hadn't gone to bother her.

As for her name...

"I think it was Jabami something..."

"Rinji, what are you mumbling about?" Karura curiously looked at him.

"Ah, nothing. Just remembered an old gambling match," Rinji replied with a smile.

He thought to himself, This is bad. He nearly blurted out another woman's name during a date with his girlfriend.

According to the 'Love Guru' (Ishigami Yuu), bringing up another girl's name during a date was taboo. A huge red flag that often led to breakups.

Luckily, Karura didn't seem to care. She just smiled and said, "Gambling, huh? Then let's go to a casino."

"Wait... we're high schoolers, you know. Casinos aren't really..."

"Is that a problem?"

"..."

"I wasn't expecting you to come here."

Momo stared at Rinji, who looked slightly awkward, and then at the curious

Karura beside him.

"Well… just dropping by to take a look. I'm not bothering you, right?"

"Not at all. You're always welcome," Momo smiled, then glanced at Karura. "Though if you came alone, I'd welcome you even more."

"I wouldn't show up at a casino alone. Karura wanted to come see it."

"Tch. So wherever your girlfriend wants to go, you go? What if she wants to go to the moon next time?"

"The moon, huh?"

Rinji tilted his head in thought.

"I could probably afford to rent a rocket and landing equipment from HQ. The space suit and preliminary training are also important… Hmm. Now that you mention it, a date on the moon doesn't sound half bad. Watching Earth from a distant satellite sounds pretty romantic."

"..."

It really was impossible to hold a normal conversation with this guy.

Though irritated by Rinji showing up with Karura, Momo didn't show it. She just snorted and said, "Well, since you're here, perfect timing. I have a guest that needs dealing with."

"...Momo-senpai, come here for a sec."

As Karura was still looking around at the slot machines, Rinji pulled Momo aside and whispered low enough for only the two of them to hear.

"I came here for a date with Karura. Can we deal with whatever it is tomorrow? If someone's causing trouble, I'll handle them another day. Just let me enjoy this rare date, alright?"

Like hell I'd let you have a proper date! Momo thought.

"Wouldn't it be great to show off your amazing card skills in front of your girlfriend?"

For some reason, she really emphasized the word "girlfriend."

"You think girls like gambling addicts?"

"If she likes you, that already means she's not normal. So what are you worried about?"

Momo didn't care one bit that she'd just lumped herself into the 'not normal' category. She continued persuading Rinji.

"Huh? Rinji, are you going to play?" Karura noticed their conversation and looked interested.

"No…"

"It's like this," Momo jumped in quickly, "I'm facing a little problem here and need your boyfriend's help."

"Hmm…"

Karura looked a bit unsure.

"You're Rinji's friend?"

"Of course I am."

It was a simple question, yet it made Momo inexplicably uncomfortable.

"I see. Then Rinji, go help her~ Helping friends is important."

"But it's our date..."

"We've got plenty of time today," Karura smiled sweetly.

What a good girl.

Thinking that, Rinji looked at Momo.

"Lead the way."

"Tch."

With a sour look, Momo led Rinji to a massive gambling table.

The table was stacked with chips representing massive sums of money. The gamblers around it looked miserable.

At the center of it all sat a girl.

She looked about seventeen, wore twin braids, and had blue lipstick. She watched the desperate gamblers with a mocking smile, like they were mere toys.

"...Do you people really allow minors in here?" Rinji asked.

[Been a while since I've done a mass release]