Kyoto: I just want to be a gentleman

You can make your own lunch, or buy leftover half-price bento boxes at a convenience store the night before. One serving costs about 200 to 400 yen per person. Since Watanabe Hideyuki has a big appetite, he might need two servings to feel full.

You can eat less for dinner, or skip it, buy some rice and cook some porridge, or simply buy a bag of 100 yen udon noodles from the supermarket, or instant noodles for around yen will also work.

All in all, the food expenses for two people per day are about 1600 yen.

That’s 48,000 yen a month, nearly 50,000 yen in expenses.

Next is electricity, water, and mobile phone charges...

Let’s not mention these for now.

He had already spent a lot of money on things like chopsticks, bowls, chopping boards, kitchen knives, vinegar, salt, oil, etc., especially the latter which were consumables that needed to be replenished once a month.

There are also paper, toothbrush, toothpaste and other things needed for daily life...

Another big expense.

By the way, I also need to buy clothes for Kitano Chiharu. Even at home, she can wear his clothes, but when she goes out, she can’t wear just one set of clothes. She needs to prepare another set of clothes.

There are also underwear, inner clothes and other close-fitting clothes, and sanitary napkins that girls use every month...

When writing to this point, Watanabe Hideyuki paused.

It’s not that he couldn’t think of other expenses, but when he wrote this, a scent of lavender wafted into his face.

Watanabe Hideyuki looked up and was surprised to find that Kitano Chiharu was already standing quietly in front of him, her cheeks slightly flushed, staring shyly at the note he had just written.

"If...if I have caused trouble for Watanabe-kun...then I..." Kitano Chiharu tried to express herself stutteringly, while bowing deeply to express her apology to Watanabe Hideyuki.

Obviously, through Watanabe Hideyuki's behavior at this time, Kitano Chiaki has realized that the young man in front of him is not financially well-off, and her arrival will undoubtedly add a huge burden to him.

If so, she...

Watanabe Hideyuki saw the familiar yet strange scenery again through his loose clothes. In order to prevent his own sight from being imprisoned and to help Kitano Chiharu reduce her attraction, he straightened Kitano Chiharu's body and cursed her in a fierce tone: "Idiot."

"Huh?" Kitano Chiharu was stunned and looked at Watanabe Hideyuki in surprise.

Before she could react, Watanabe Hideyuki continued, "I'm saying Kitano-san is an idiot. Since I 'picked' Kitano-san up, I won't abandon him."

"Don't worry about the money, Kitano-san. It's just one more person eating, it won't cost much, and I have saved a lot of money..."

This is a lie told by a gentleman from Kyoto.

As Watanabe Hideyuki spoke, he pressed Kitano Chiharu on the chair next to him, patted his chest, and said in a joking tone: "Making money is what men have to do. What Kitano-san has to do is to fulfill what he said this morning and do the housework honestly, otherwise, Kitano-san will not be paid~"

At the end of his speech, Watanabe Hideyuki smiled slyly, revealing his white teeth.

When Kitano Chiharu looked at Watanabe Hideyuki's smile, at that moment, her heart seemed to be gently touched by something soft.

Watanabe Hideyuki's smile is like a bright light, not only warm but also dazzling. It penetrates the haze deep in Kitano Chiharu's heart and lights up her world.

The tension in Kitano Chiharu's heart gradually dissipated, replaced by an inexplicable sense of security.

"Hmm..." Kitano Chiharu was about to speak, but Watanabe Hideyuki had already gently held her arm: "Come on, go out, I'll buy you some clothes."

Watanabe Hideyuki said this, shaking the note he had just written in his hand.

Kitano Chiharu glanced at the note and a shy blush appeared on her face.

......

In the bustling supermarket, there are crowds of people and it is very lively.

A strangely dressed man in casual clothes but wearing a black face scarf was walking with a pretty girl between rows of shelves full of goods. They walked side by side, pushing a spacious shopping cart, the wheels making a slight sound as they rolled on the smooth ground.

This rather strange combination attracted the attention of many other customers, but this was not considered unusual behavior in Neon, a city with rich species diversity. After just a glance, everyone turned their eyes away from them and continued their shopping journey.

This man in strange attire obviously knows this supermarket very well. He is familiar with the layout of the supermarket and knows what kind of goods are placed in each area.

Every now and then he would stop, reach out and pick up an item from the shelf, inspect it carefully, and put it in the shopping cart.

These are all necessities of life and are already familiar to him.

The pretty girl was like a curious student, following the man's steps and looking carefully at everything around her with her bright eyes.

Whenever the man stopped to choose something, she would curiously lean over to take a look, not knowing what he was looking at.

This pair is naturally Watanabe Hideyuki and Kitano Chiharu.

Finally, when Watanabe Hideyuki bent down again to put the goods on the shelf into the shopping cart, Kitano Chiharu approached his face again, and he couldn't help asking: "Kitano-san, what are you..."

Watanabe Hideyuki was just halfway through his words when Kitano Chiharu, who had anticipated Watanabe Hideyuki's question, asked first: "Watanabe-san, why are you wearing this face towel? Isn't it strange to do this in a supermarket?"

After pondering for a moment, Watanabe Hideyuki suddenly straightened up, turned to look at Kitano Chiharu, his eyes revealing a deep look behind the black mask.

He chuckled and said, "This is actually a habit. I used to wear this veil when I needed to hide my identity in certain special situations. Although I don't need it now, I've gotten used to it after wearing it for a long time."

Kitano Chiharu nodded thoughtfully after hearing this, and then asked curiously: "What did you do before? Why do you need to hide your identity?"

While they were talking, the two had already bought the items on the list and were pushing the shopping cart towards the checkout counter.

Watanabe Hideyuki was silent for a moment, as if recalling the past.

He spoke slowly: "I used to be a detective, and I often had to go deep into various crime scenes. Sometimes, in order to avoid being recognized or causing unnecessary trouble, I would wear this mask."

"Wow, so you're a detective!" Kitano Chiharu exclaimed, "That must be very exciting, right?"

"There are some excitement, but more of it is responsibility and pressure." Watanabe Hideyuki said lightly, "Thinking back then..."

"Do you have a shopping card?" The smiling cashier interrupted Watanabe Hideyuki and asked politely.

She is really dedicated.

No matter how funny something was, she would never laugh out of professional ethics...unless she couldn't help it.

She really found this young couple immersed in cosplay very interesting.

She has to face all kinds of customers every day, but this is the first time she has seen a customer like Watanabe Hideyuki who wears a black face scarf and claims to be a detective.

But even so, she still couldn't laugh out loud.

She had seen more... interesting situations than this:

A geek wearing a Takanari Rikka T-shirt and a black Cyclops eye patch said to his female companion while swiping his card at the cashier in public: "Break the reality, shatter the spirit, and exile from this world!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the POS machine displayed a note indicating successful payment, as if... the Demon King had used his magic to make a purchase for free.

What? You asked her why she knew Rikka Takanashi?

You will naturally get to know it the more you see it.

In comparison, this is just an appetizer at best.

This is where, this is neon, everything is possible.

Chapter 111 I'll be waiting for you at the end of time (6)

After walking out of the clothing store, Kitano Chiharu was no longer as relaxed as she was when she was acting with Watanabe Hideyuki in the supermarket.

Her cheeks were as red as clouds, and she lowered her head. She was too shy to look Watanabe Hideyuki in the eye.

Go back twenty minutes.

Two people stood at the door of the clothing store.

"Do you want to go in by yourself?" Watanabe Hideyuki pointed to the small store in front of the two people in a gentlemanly manner.

The store is located at the end of the street, surrounded by a few half-dead palm trees and dilapidated street lights, and looks a bit shabby.

The store's exterior was painted in gaudy pink, which was already mottled and faded, and looked rather indecent. The store name was in flashing neon lights, with a few letters flashing or going out from time to time, but it could be seen from the window display outside the store.

The store had what Kitano Chiharu needed—women's underwear and spare clothes.

As a qualified gentleman, he usually gives women enough privacy, especially since he has never accompanied a woman to buy private items, so he stood at the door, took out his wallet and handed it to Kitano Chiharu: "I'll wait for you outside."

Kitano Chiharu did not take his wallet, but pulled his sleeve and gently pulled him into the store: "Let's go together, Watanabe-san."

Watanabe Hideyuki was slightly stunned, nodded, and walked into the clothing store with Kitano Chiharu.

The situation inside the store was completely different from the dilapidated outside. The lighting was warm and soft, and the clothes on the shelves were neatly arranged. But... why were these clothes a little weird?

Hanging in the most conspicuous place in the store is a black lace catwoman costume, which is undoubtedly an attack speed outfit.

This dress is exquisite and sexy, with accessories like a long tail and pointed ears, and the vague hollows at the bottom and middle, making people want to reach out and play with it.

As soon as Chiharu Kitano stepped into the store, her eyes were attracted by the catwoman costume. Her eyes stayed on the costume for a moment, and then she seemed to suddenly realize something, and quickly looked away, with a faint blush on her face.

Watanabe Hideyuki keenly caught her change at this moment. He saw Kitano Chiharu's cheeks slightly flushed and her eyes became a little evasive. She lowered her head and bit her lower lip lightly, as if trying to hide her shyness.

He couldn't help but imagine in his mind the scene of Kitano Chiharu with a blushing face, wearing this outfit, and being taught everything by his teacher at home... It seemed a little too... exciting.

"What's wrong, Kitano-san?" Watanabe Hideyuki asked knowingly, trying his best to make his tone sound relaxed.

"No, nothing." Kitano Chiharu raised her head and tried to force a natural smile, but the blush on her cheeks betrayed her. She quickly turned away and pretended to browse the goods on other shelves to cover up her shyness.

But...the other items on the shelf are even better than this one.

With fox mask and dragon scales...

Bunny girl's...

At this delicate moment, an enthusiastic salesperson came towards them. "Welcome!" the salesperson said with a smile on his face, "How can I help you?"

Kitano Chiharu was startled by the sudden voice. She looked up and looked at the salesperson awkwardly. The salesperson was a young and lively woman, wearing a store uniform and looked very professional.

"Well... we're just taking a look." Kitano Chiharu said softly, the blush on her cheeks not yet completely fading.

"Is this your first time in our store?" The salesperson observed the expressions of the two people and understood what was going on. Almost every customer who comes to this store for the first time will show this kind of shyness and curiosity.

To dispel their restraint, she pointed to a fishnet outfit and explained, "These clothes are actually a medium for self-expression. They can help us release the side that we usually hide or suppress. Some people are keen to completely change themselves at such gatherings or parties and immerse themselves in an unprecedented self-experience."

A very official explanation, but very direct, isn't it?

This kind of serious answer can eliminate the customer's shyness and bring "sex", a thing that the public is afraid of, to the table and discuss it as a normal human need, so that shoppers will not have extra psychological burden when purchasing goods.

"Are there any slightly more normal clothes..." Watanabe Hideyuki asked hesitantly.

First of all, the relationship between the two has not reached that point yet, and he doesn't want to leave a frivolous impression on Kitano Chiharu, which would be detrimental to the development of his subsequent courses.

Secondly, he just accidentally saw the tag of the fishnet outfit.

He actually wants...his wallet really can't afford such excessive expenditure.

The salesperson smiled and nodded. "Of course, we also have clothes suitable for daily wear in our store. Please follow me. This way, please."

She led Kitano Chiharu and Watanabe Hideyuki to the shelves on the other side.