Tokyo: My Girlfriend

That evening, Aoki Akemi returned home and called Kitagawa Shinichi to ask if their date the next day could still proceed as planned, as she had already picked out her clothes and finalized the schedule.

Shinichi Kitagawa promised that there was no problem.

Rena Kitagawa was listening to their conversation. A woman dating a man who doesn't like her—such a date not only fails to leave a good memory, but also makes the unloved person feel even worse.

She would become even more certain that she could never reach this man's heart.

Rena Kitagawa understood this feeling all too well, which is why she didn't stop it even though she could have, because Akemi Aoki would only suffer the consequences.

Unless she really only has work-related thoughts about Shin-il.

Rena Kitagawa shouted, "Shinichi! Don't forget to buy me a pair of underwear when you go on your date with Akemi tomorrow. I want white ones with lace trim."

Shinichi Kitagawa, who was on the phone, froze, speechless as he looked at the nonchalant Rena: "Are you serious? I thought you were joking."

Rena's shout was loud, so Aoki Akemi on the phone naturally heard it as well. However, instead of thinking much of it, she smiled and said:

"Shinichi-kun, did I just hear Rena say that she's going to buy me a pair of underwear for our date tomorrow? Okay, then I'll help Shinichi-kun pick out a pair for Rena."

Shinichi Kitagawa told Akemi Aoki, "Don't worry about what Rena says. If she really needs it, she'll buy it herself."

"But since Rena said so, let's buy one anyway. It's a date then. See you at the station at eight o'clock tomorrow morning, Shinichi-kun."

"Hmm... See you there."

"I should pick out a thank-you gift for Hina when we go on our date tomorrow," Shinichi Kitagawa thought, glancing back at Rena Kitagawa after hanging up the phone.

Rena Kitagawa gave a soft hum and popped a cherry tomato into her mouth.

The next day, the sun shone brightly, as if the heavens themselves were in perfect harmony with the atmosphere, bestowing upon these young girls and boys a romantic day off.

Shinichi Kitagawa had a rare good night's sleep last night; he hadn't felt this relaxed in a long time.

He got up, changed his clothes, and saw that Rena was already in the kitchen preparing breakfast for him.

Rena Kitagawa glanced at Shinichi Kitagawa: "You're up? It's girlfriend meal today, Shinichi."

Shinichi Kitagawa asked in confusion, "What the hell is this 'girlfriend meal'...?"

Rena Kitagawa scoffed, "Shin-ichi woke up and can't even understand Japanese anymore? 'Girlfriend meal' is 'girlfriend meal,' meaning food made by your girlfriend, understand?"

He grinned and said, "I still prefer the younger sister's meal."

"That kind of activity is outdated!" Kitagawa Rena said, eyes closed and chin raised high. "Besides, calling your childhood friend 'little sister'... doesn't Shinichi think it sounds like flirting?"

Shinichi Kitagawa fell silent. This guy... I just hope her excitement will pass soon.

Although he wasn't a masochist, Shinichi Kitagawa actually quite liked Rena's sarcastic attitude towards him in the past.

After all, he knew this guy's true nature, but now... Rena has become a bit fierce.

Watching Rena Kitagawa cook with such focus, Shinichi Kitagawa sat at the table and smiled.

However... no matter what kind of Rena she is, Shinichi Kitagawa likes her very much.

"Brother...do you have to stare at my butt? I'm wearing underwear." Kitagawa Rena turned her head shyly, halfway back. "H."

He hadn't noticed at first, but when the other person mentioned it, his eyes involuntarily drifted to Rena's slightly upturned buttocks. He had never paid attention to how upturned Rena's buttocks were before. Kitagawa Shinichi turned his head away and said, "I didn't see it."

Rena Kitagawa smirked smugly: "Whether you saw it or not, you know it yourself."

The brother and sister ate breakfast side by side. This girl really refused to eat face to face with him anymore; she insisted on eating close together.

After finishing my meal, I took my things and changed my shoes in the entryway.

Shinichi Kitagawa then went to the station with Rena Kitagawa.

Rena took his arm.

Shinichi Kitagawa reminded her, "Rena? Isn't that going too far? They're outside, after all."

"What's going on outside? What's wrong with a sister holding her brother's arm? Don't outsiders see us as siblings?"

"That being said...but..."

"Huh? But what?" She clung even tighter to Shinichi Kitagawa. "Or is it that Shinichi doesn't even see me as a little sister? Is that why he feels awkward? Huh?"

As Shinichi Kitagawa felt Rena's soft and intimate touch on his arm, he couldn't quite describe the feeling in his heart.

Having no other choice, I could only go along with her: "Then if you're willing, go ahead and hold my arm. I don't mind."

"Wouldn't it have been better if Xin had just behaved this morning? The outcome would have been the same anyway."

Someone sighed.

Upon arriving at the station, Shinichi Kitagawa spotted that familiar hair color and figure from afar.

Aoki Akemi didn't wear her usual fashionable clothes today, but instead briefly reverted to her sexy style.

The woman wore summer combat boots, a short skirt, a yellow jacket tied around her waist, and her white shirt with the top two buttons undone.

The yellow hair, interspersed with a few strands of rainbow-colored hair, served as the final finishing touch to this outfit.

Akemi Aoki looked at the two who had come arm in arm with her in surprise. She narrowed her fox-like eyes and raised her arm, saying, "Shinichi-kun! Rena-chan, good morning!"

Shinichi Kitagawa greeted her, "Good morning, Akemi."

Rena Kitagawa greeted her softly, "Good morning."

Akemi Aoki, puzzled by the distance between the two, asked, "What's going on... what's wrong with you two...?"

Shinichi Kitagawa quickly explained to avoid her misunderstanding: "I had a little argument with Rena yesterday, and after we made up today, I'm feeling a bit irritated."

"A rebound?" She thought to herself, something must have happened yesterday, and it wasn't a small matter...

Rena Kitagawa glanced at Akemi Aoki's outfit today, clearly showing she had put thought into it, and her makeup was also very exquisite: "Akemi and Shinichi are going on a date today, have you two decided what to do?"

Akemi Aoki observed Rena Kitagawa's gaze, noting that the wary look she usually exuded seemed to have lessened.

It was as if... they didn't take themselves seriously at all.

Akemi Aoki smiled, her fox-like eyes sparkling, and cupped her face in one hand as she introduced, "It's just a simple plan. You'll know what to do when we get there, right, Shinichi-kun?"

"Well, we don't necessarily have to decide what to do. The main thing is to go for a walk and sing some karaoke to celebrate Mingmei's interview results."

When Aoki Akemi called yesterday, she learned that Rena was going to Tokyo, though she didn't know what she was going there for: "By the way, Rena, if you go to Tokyo alone and something happens, you can call us anytime. After all, Kabasaki is quite far from Tokyo, and I feel a little uneasy about you going there alone."

"What's there to worry about? But I'll talk to Shin-il about any problems I have, since Shin-il is the most important person to me."

The tram arrived quickly.

The three of them boarded the tram together. On the tram, Aoki Akemi, who was sitting next to her, watched as Kitagawa Rena was still clinging to Kitagawa Shinichi.

Her head rested on his shoulder; even if they were siblings, this distance was a bit too close.

Not to mention, it's not true at all.

The three parted ways at a station. Aoki Akemi and Kitagawa Shinichi waved goodbye to Rena, who was taking another train.

The two continued towards the city. Aoki Akemi scrutinized Kitagawa Shinichi's cheerful expression and asked curiously, "Shinichi-kun, are you really not going to tell me what happened yesterday?"

Shinichi Kitagawa withdrew his gaze from the direction where Rena had disappeared, and smiled at her, saying:

"I couldn't say it when Rena was around, but something really big did happen. Rena... has decided to move on on her own. Today, I even have a surreal feeling that it all came so easily. She went to Tokyo alone today to say goodbye to her past self."

"Oh?" Aoki Akemi covered her mouth with her fingers spread apart. "Although I had guessed it, I'm still surprised. What could have happened to cause such a big change? What about our previous plans..."

"The plan can continue, even though she's decided to move forward." Shinichi Kitagawa shrugged helplessly. "But she seems to be becoming more clingy to me. I still plan to help her find some hobbies of her own, otherwise, it won't work if she puts all her focus on me all the time."

Akemi Aoki smiled and nodded: "I understand. Speaking of which, Rena is really clingy to you. This morning she's been sticking to Shinichi and won't get down."

"Hehe, it'll probably get better in a while. I was definitely a bit too enthusiastic today."

Akemi Aoki smiled and let out a long sigh. As expected... he still didn't tell me exactly what happened. There's always something between Shinichi and me.

As for the sense of distance, where does it come from? It certainly doesn't come from Reina, but from that mysterious ex-girlfriend.

Upon arriving in the city, Shinichi Kitagawa and Akemi Aoki breathed in the different air as soon as they got out of the car, looking at the tall buildings.

Both of them had happy expressions on their faces, with Aoki Akemi holding Kitagawa Shinichi's arm:

"Let's go! We don't have a plan, but it feels like there are so many fun things to do! It's been so long since I've been here, I have to have a good time with Shinichi today!"

Next, the two of them bought snacks, caught goldfish, and shot balloons together. Coincidentally, the mall seemed to be having a promotion.

Shinichi Kitagawa and Akemi Aoki participated in a balloon-blowing activity for couples.

My cheeks ached from blowing the air, and I barely managed to get a third prize.

It's a pair of very delicate key pouch clasps, but Akemi Aoki's lively personality makes her happy even with small gifts.

"Shin-ichi, where's the next stop?!" She fiddled with her key pouch.

"It's been a whole morning, isn't Akemi going to take a break?"

"A break? Let's go see a movie!" She continued pulling Kitagawa Shinichi along, "Hurry, hurry! The movie's about to start!"

"We haven't decided what movie to watch yet, how did Akemi know it's time?"

"I've checked out the schedule a bit these past few days, okay? It's my first date with Shinichi, after all, and I really cherish it! We have our only romantic movie screening this morning in ten minutes!"

The two ran across a street but found no end to the road.

The woman in high heels spotted her best friend: "Xingzi! Over here!"

Kyoko Tamura, wearing a black off-the-shoulder short-sleeved dress, walked over with a smile: "Hina! It's been a month since we last met, I missed you! Give me a hug!"