Tokyo Sick Girlfriend

Chapter 38 Progress
Early in the morning, Shiratori Seiya stood atop the hill behind the school.

As the wooden sword in his hand sliced ​​through the clear sky, a system notification suddenly sounded in his ear.

'Ding. '

[The performance level of the person being cultivated for romance has reached the apprentice level]

[Reward: 100 yen, access to purchase LV2 scenarios.]

[Next level reward: 1000 million yen, access to purchase LV3 scenarios.]

The wooden sword paused in mid-air for a moment. Shiratori Seiya came to his senses, a look of surprise in his eyes.

Mio Takahashi is progressing faster than he expected.

Less than a week after Hojo Suzune's birthday and just over two weeks after she started dating Takahashi Mio, she had already reached the apprentice level.

If we take into account the time it took to make the plan for her, it should have been even faster.

When I was training Hojo Shione, the progress wasn't nearly this fast.

Do different fields have different rates of progress?

He couldn't help but think.

However, in my opinion, the most difficult and important part is the mental preparation.

I didn't expect it to be so fast, so I would ask her about her study progress every day or two, but I wasn't sure if she was slacking off.

But now it seems that she had been overthinking things. The power of money had a far greater attraction for Mio Takahashi than she had anticipated.

She really tried her best.

Shiratori Seiya sheathed his wooden sword, stroked his chin, and thoughtfully walked to the stone table beside him. He took out his phone from his coat pocket and sent a message to Takahashi Mio:
"I noticed you don't have classes today, why don't you take a break? I'll take you out to have some fun."

The message was sent, but there was no immediate reply. Just as Shiratori Seiya finished tidying up the things on the stone table, a message from Takahashi Mio popped up on his phone:

"Huh? Why are you suddenly bringing this up? I had plans to study at the library this afternoon..."

Shiratori Seiya paused for a moment upon hearing her words, then replied:
"Effort should be moderate; you've already done a great job lately."

"oh."

In the classroom, Mio Takahashi sat in her seat, looking at the message on her phone, a surge of warmth welling up from her heart.

Determination is invisible.

Even when you've seriously decided that you must do something, and at that moment you feel a surge of emotion, as if you possess the power to shatter the entire universe with a single punch, no one else can know it.

Even if the person involved says to their friend with a serious expression:

"I've made up my mind to do this, even if it means death.

The responses varied from person to person, but they were essentially limited to a few types of answers:

"Huh? You actually decided to do this? Why would you have such an idea? This is too difficult..."

"Haha, where did you get this brilliant idea from? But the success rate should be higher than winning the lottery, right?"

"Really? Well then, good luck."

And so on.

Few people will look at you with such expectant eyes, seemingly more convinced than you that this will succeed, and loudly proclaim to you:

"I believe in you, so just go ahead and do it. I'll support you no matter what!"

Such encouragement is reassuring, and we should cherish those who have it around us. However, it's not so much because we genuinely see the person striving to achieve their goal, but rather because of some special fondness.

Because I know it's like this, I always feel it will be a little lacking.

However, when you're working hard, when no one knows what's going on, and your heart is already exhausted, it's heartwarming to hear someone say, "You've worked very hard, you can take a break now."

As she rubbed the words on the screen with her thumb, Mio Takahashi's rosy lips unconsciously curled up. She squinted her eyes, feeling a surge of warmth welling up in her heart, a temperature that was at least 100 degrees Celsius if not 99.

This bastard is actually quite gentle...

After thinking for a moment, she typed a reply:
"Can we not go out today?"

The message from Mio Takahashi was somewhat unexpected for Seiya Shiratori.

"What's wrong?"

"No, I'm just really tired, and I'm running out of energy. How about we go to the newest shop on campus for a coffee later?"

"What time is it?"

"Around nine o'clock, I'll tidy up my notes and then head over..."

"it is good."

After replying to the message, Shiratori Seiya was about to put his phone away when a message popped up at the top of the screen.

[H University Kendo Club member Toyosawa Kiichi: Today at 9:30 AM, C University Kendo Club will be visiting to provide guidance. Please try to be on time. Guidance will be assigned by drawing lots...]

Shiratori Seiya glanced at it, swiped the message bar open with his finger, and turned off the phone screen.

He was planning to go there after finishing his kendo practice this morning.

However, compared to that, it's clear that Takahashi Mio's side is more worth the effort, since it doesn't matter if she doesn't go to the club, as it won't affect her credits.

After putting away his wooden sword, Shiratori Seiya went home, took a shower, and leisurely made his way to the coffee shop that Takahashi Mio had mentioned.

At 8:40, just as I entered the school gate, I saw a bus with a "C University" sign already parked inside the school.

A group of students dressed in indigo cotton kendo uniforms and culottes poured out of the car and hurried toward the club building.

On a sunny day in mid-October, the morning sun is so intense that it's not exactly scorching hot, but it's certainly sweltering.

With so many layers wrapped around him, even without protective gear, Shiratori Seiya felt it was enough to give anyone a hard time.

Looking at the crowd, he subconsciously recalled the time he went to the IH tournament with Saori Hasegawa.

It was August, and while waiting outside, it was unbearably hot, but I still pressed myself against my body.

I couldn't persuade her otherwise, so I wrapped ice cubes in a towel and pressed it to her forehead, which ended up soaking my chest...

Suddenly, a familiar figure flashed past his sight.

Shiratori Seiya paused for a moment, blinked rapidly twice, and realized that there was nothing there at all.

"..."

Did you see it wrong?
At 8:55, even the newly opened cafe at the school had only just opened. Shiratori Seiya pushed open the sign that read "Open for Business" and found that there were only a few scattered people inside.

He noticed Takahashi Mio sitting by the window almost immediately. She was resting her chin on one hand, tilting her head slightly, and looking out the window with her watery eyes.

Seemingly sleepy, she couldn't help but raise her hand and yawn.

In an instant, sunlight streamed through the glass and fell on the girl's face, making her look like a pear blossom bathed in rouge—bright and languid.

If this scene were captured on camera and compared with previous photos, even she probably wouldn't believe that she could have changed so much in just one month.

"Welcome, what would you like to order?"

The waiter came over, and before Shiratori Seiya could speak, Takahashi Mio cast a glance at him.

Her peach blossom eyes flickered twice, and after confirming it was Shiratori Seiya, she raised her jade-like arm and beckoned to him, saying:

"This way."

The voice wasn't particularly energetic, but it was easy to hear the joy in it.

You seem very happy today?

"of course."

Mio Takahashi nodded, then handed the menu to Seiya Shiratori while muttering:

"After working so hard for so many days, it's definitely nice to have a break."

"You talk like it's a job."

"It's not quite, but it feels somewhat similar, doesn't it? But why did you suddenly say something like that today?"

"what?"

'Ahem. '

Mio Takahashi cleared her throat, then frowned, her pale blue eyes narrowing slightly, and mimicked Seiya Shiratori's serious expression as she spoke in a deep voice:

"Effort should be moderate; you've already done a great job lately."

There was a two-second silence between them. Takahashi Mio looked at Shiratori Seiya's darkened face, covered her mouth and laughed:
"Haha, what do you think? Doesn't it look just like it?"

Shiratori Seiya glanced at her and said:

“I suddenly regret it. I feel like you’re not under enough pressure right now. It would be better if you went to the special training tomorrow.”

"Uh……"

Mio Takahashi's expression froze instantly, then she pondered for a moment before saying:
"Is there a bonus for training in advance?"

"Poor training will result in penalties."

‘Tsk. ’

Hearing him say that, Mio Takahashi couldn't help but smack her lips, a look of 'difficulty' flashing between her brows.

Then her eyes suddenly softened, her lips curved slightly upward, and she gazed tenderly at the boy before her, whispering:
"Kiyoya, can't you be a little nicer to me?"

Shiratori Seiya was taken aback when he saw her expression, which was strikingly similar to that of Hojo Shione. Then, his face darkened, and he said coldly:
"500,000 will be deducted from the special course fee."

Despite hearing him deduct money and clearly being angry, Mio Takahashi felt even happier, as if she had achieved some kind of goal.

If I had to compare it to something, the feeling would probably be even better than 'being constipated for a long time and then suddenly having a smooth bowel movement'.

However, the next moment, a look of 'it's all over' appeared on her face, and she opened her red lips in surprise:

"Eh?"

"Why? I practiced in front of the mirror for a long time. I only met her once, and I've already imitated her so well. You're not only not rewarding me, but you're also deducting money from my pay!"

"I'm already being lenient by not deducting all of your money."

Shiratori Seiya rolled his eyes at her and said:

"And to be honest, it's not that similar."

"Ok?"

Hearing him say that, Takahashi Mio narrowed her eyes and asked in confusion:

"Why do you say that."

Looking into her eyes, Shiratori Seiya said earnestly:

"The most important thing for an actor is his image and temperament, and the second is his acting skills. The audience must first believe that you 'are' him. If you 'aren't,' then no matter how good your acting skills are, it's all for nothing."

“You are beautiful, but your temperament is different from Hojo Shione’s. Even if you make a similar facial expression, it won’t work at all.”

"..."

Actually, you've already left your mark on her heart, haven't you?

Takahashi Mio squeezed her index finger hard, feeling the stinging pain in her fingertip, took a sip of coffee, raised a bright smile, and looked at Shiratori Seiya, saying:
"So when I was acting out your character just now, it wasn't because I couldn't be as cold and ruthless as you, right?"

"If I were truly heartless, I would have already deducted all your money."

Shiratori Seiya rolled his eyes at her and said:

"However, what you said is pretty much true. You've already made a lot of progress, but if you want to change your temperament easily, you still have a long way to go."

He already had a judgment in his mind.

Mio Takahashi is currently at a stage where she can probably mimic the expressions of a character.

But as for demeanor and temperament, that probably requires reaching the master level.

If she wants to seamlessly blend into any role in a drama, then her acting skills need to be at a master level.

"Oh."

Mio Takahashi responded with a sound of agreement and nodded thoughtfully.

After a moment, she looked at the boy in front of her with some confusion and said:
"So, how come you seem to know more than me? You don't happen to be reading those theoretical books too, do you?"

Shiratori Seiya smiled, gave her a deep look, and said:

"If I don't watch, how can I walk forward with you?"

"..."
-
(End of this chapter)