Chapter 120 - 118: Taking Iroha's Path Leaves Iroha Nowhere to Go_1

May 20th, Saturday, noon. Ayatsuki Ayaka was in her bedroom, picking out an outfit for her date. She looked at her wardrobe, full of clothes, yet felt she had nothing to wear. I have so few clothes! I have no idea what to wear. This was her second date with Aozawa, and she absolutely couldn't screw it up. She rested her chin on her right hand. The skirt has to be what Saeko suggested—that super short kind that just barely covers my butt. Stockings… no. After a moment's thought, she decided a garter belt would be better. The garters peeking out from under the super short skirt… Hehe~ If Aozawa saw them, he'd definitely want to pull them and let them snap against my thighs! With this in mind, Ayatsuki Ayaka decided on a silver-gray camisole top and that black ruffled skirt—the one that just covered her bottom. Paired with black fishnet stockings held up by a garter belt. She stood in front of the mirror, taking a good look at her outfit, and nodded in satisfaction. That Aozawa… he'll be an easy catch. Ayatsuki Ayaka briefly fantasized about him kneeling and begging her for a date, then snapped back to reality, noticing what was still lacking. She hurried to her vanity, applied three colorful star-shaped stickers at the corner of her right eye, and deliberately styled her hair into waves. She applied a light rouge-pink eyeshadow and coated her lips with a shiny, jelly-like lipstick. Gazing at her full earlobes, she pondered for a moment, then pulled out some ear cuffs from a drawer. She clipped six of them onto her left ear. Ayatsuki Ayaka then slipped on her thigh-high boots and stood before the mirror again, inspecting herself from head to toe, including her back. Not a single flaw. She nodded in satisfaction, then lifted her ruffled skirt for another look. This super mature style looks amazing! I'll definitely make Aozawa fall at my… Er, Ayatsuki Ayaka paused, feeling such thoughts were a bit strange, and didn't pursue them further. She let go of her skirt and hummed a tune as she headed for the door. The moment she stepped out, her sister, who had seemed almost fused with the sofa, shot up and glanced at her outfit. "Going out to have some fun?" "Yeah." "With the guy you dated last time?" "Yeah. Don't worry, I'm not as hopeless as you, Sis. I won't be easily fooled and led around by some guy." Sorry, Sis, Ayatsuki Ayaka thought, but to stop her from prying further, she had no choice but to twist the knife in her sister's wound, reopening that bloody past. "Don't say that!" Her sister yelled, quickly collapsing onto the sofa and holding her head. That memory was her dark history, which she wished she could seal away forever. The things I thought were so deeply affectionate back then… looking back now, I was such a damn fool! To actually consider dying for a man! My brain must have short-circuited. All those years of studying, completely wasted! A series of regrets flashed through her sister's mind. By the time she came to her senses, she realized her little sister had already vanished. "You little brat! Daring to poke at my scars! Just you wait, I'll get you back for this when you get home!" 「Ikebukuro Station, West Exit.」 12:25 PM. Ayatsuki Ayaka arrived, her striking outfit making her particularly conspicuous. The downside was encountering quite a few men trying to hit on her. To shy otakus, a Hot Girl is the most dazzling and unapproachable of beings. But to men experienced in the game of love, a Hot Girl is the easiest to approach and the quickest conquest. When they see a Hot Girl, it's like a cat spotting catnip; they swarm her immediately. Ayatsuki Ayaka had already turned down countless advances from flirtatious men on her way here. It was so annoying. Why should my dressing nicely be any of their business? They just have to come up and ask if I want to go to karaoke. It's ridiculous. Even if I wanted to go, I wouldn't go with them. Thinking this, she stood at the exit, waiting for a certain someone. "Would this young lady like to go on a date with me?" Ayatsuki Ayaka retorted, puffing her cheeks, "Not interested! I'm waiting for someone!" Then she suddenly realized the voice sounded familiar. Turning her head, she saw him—the familiar young man standing right there. He had well-defined features and a sunny smile. He wore a white T-shirt, light blue sweatpants, and blue-and-white sneakers. Aozawa feigned a look of dismay. "What a shame. I can't have a date with such a stunning beauty." Ayatsuki Ayaka knew he was teasing her. She pouted. "You know I was talking about those other guys." "Alright, don't be mad." Aozawa smiled, extending his right hand. "To express my apologies, allow me to be of service to Her Highness, the Princess." "I'm not a little girl," Ayatsuki Ayaka muttered, though she couldn't stop the corners of her mouth from curving upwards, her heart blooming with joy. She didn't even know why she was so happy; Aozawa's words just sounded different from other guys—uniquely pleasant to her ears. She extended her left hand. The moment Aozawa took it, Ayatsuki Ayaka's heart began to race. In that instant, she felt her efforts to earn money had been worthwhile. Without money, she couldn't buy movie tickets; she couldn't ask Aozawa out. Her vlogger career was still a disaster, earning next to nothing. The money for their dates was all painstakingly saved from her allowance by scrimping on everything else. But that doesn't matter! I'll definitely become a vlogger with a million subscribers in the future! Then, I'll ask Aozawa out every single day! Huh? Why does this feel like I'm becoming his sugar mommy? Ayatsuki Ayaka suddenly felt her train of thought was a bit off. But then again, if it's being a sugar mommy, so be it! We talk about gender equality these days. As a woman of the new era, it's perfectly normal for me to support a man I like! Picturing Aozawa in a househusband getup, Ayatsuki Ayaka couldn't help but chuckle. Aozawa asked curiously, "Thinking about something happy?" "Hehe, that's a girl's secret~" Her eyes crinkled into smiling crescents, and dimples appeared on her cheeks. She looked incredibly cute. Aozawa's curiosity melted away at her smile. He held her soft, delicate hand. The way it feels… it's simply divine. It's like holding a priceless, exquisite jade. It makes me want to caress it again and again. He also noticed Iroha's skirt was very short—so short it couldn't even hide the tops of her fishnet stockings and the garter straps. Those black straps, pulled taut against her thighs… I really want to hook one with my finger, pull it, and let it snap back, just to hear that sound. 「Before long, the two arrived at a cinema named Cinema Rosa.」 It wasn't far from the West Exit of the station. Its appearance was incredibly low-key. To what extent? The cinema didn't even display which movies were currently showing outside. If it weren't for knowing, no one would guess it was a movie theater. Decades ago, such a building might have impressed people, a structure befitting the metropolis of Tokyo. Now, however, it just looked old and seemed out of sync with Tokyo's modern, international cityscape. Aozawa led Ayatsuki Ayaka into the screening hall. It wasn't very large, with a total of thirteen rows. Each row had fifteen seats. The incline between the rows wasn't very steep. The tickets they bought were for the last row. There weren't many people watching this movie. Parents generally don't bring children to horror movies, so the audience consisted mostly of couples or horror film enthusiasts. The theater wasn't full. Soon, the movie began. Ayatsuki Ayaka remembered Tama Chan's advice. Just as the movie was about to start, she deliberately squeezed Aozawa's right hand a little harder, feigning nervousness. Next, I just need to wait for a scary scene, then I can get closer to Aozawa. First my elbow, then my shoulder, then my chest, and finally, I'll bury my head in his chest! If I follow these steps, Aozawa will be completely captivated by my charm! Ayatsuki Ayaka took a deep breath, her eyes fixed on the horror film. The opening set a creepy atmosphere. But I'm not scared at all. I know it's just a movie. No matter how terrifying it looks, it's all fake. I don't get what's so scary about it. Despite her thoughts, she squeezed Aozawa's hand even tighter. Just then, the scene abruptly cut to a head being split open by a chainsaw. Ayatsuki Ayaka's eyes lit up. This is it! Before she could exclaim how scary it was, Aozawa suddenly gasped, "AHH!" and hugged her tightly. "That's terrifying!" Huh? Ayatsuki Ayaka was dumbfounded. Isn't that supposed to be my line? The brief shock made her overlook the fact that Aozawa was hugging her. Ayatsuki Ayaka whispered comfortingly, "It's okay, it's just a movie, it's all fake. Don't be scared. Didn't you say you've never been scared by a horror movie before?" "Because I've never actually seen a horror movie before," Aozawa lied smoothly, pressing his cheek against Ayatsuki Ayaka's neck, savoring its silken softness. Who cares about some horror movie? This is way more comfortable, and she's much better to look at. Ayatsuki Ayaka's protective instincts surged. She puffed out her chest slightly, no longer gripping his hand but patting his back instead. "Don't worry," she said masterfully, "I'm here. You don't need to be afraid." "Iroha, you make me feel so safe." Aozawa nuzzled closer, his nose catching a faint, sweet scent—he couldn't tell if it was her shower gel or her natural fragrance. Either way, it smelled wonderful. Being praised by him, Ayatsuki Ayaka's smile grew even brighter. She found herself somewhat anticipating even more terrifying scenes. Aozawa didn't hug her for too long, wary of making Ayatsuki Ayaka suspicious. He sat up straight again and said with a serious expression, "Actually, I wasn't that scared. I was just pretending." He's so cute! Ayatsuki Ayaka thought, not believing him for a second. She figured he was just being stubborn, trying to save face. I suddenly get why guys sometimes like girls who act tough like that. Because that kind of stubbornness is adorable! Ayatsuki Ayaka said with a smile, "I know you're not scared at all." Aozawa also smiled. Iroha is so wonderfully naive, he thought. He went back to watching the movie, looking for another opportune moment to hug Ayatsuki Ayaka, reveling in her incredible softness and her smile that was practically floating on air. When the movie ended, Ayatsuki Ayaka didn't forget to pat Aozawa on the shoulder comfortingly. "Don't be scared, it's over now. Let's go for a walk outside." "Let me treat you to a drink at a Maid Cafe," Aozawa offered. He'd decided to pay this time; he couldn't let Iroha foot the bill for all their dates. The first time, he hadn't felt anything for her. But now that he had feelings, he should spend money when appropriate and not be stingy.