Tokyo's Most Affectionate - Chapter 20

Unattainable

“Disgusting.”

Realizing Ichinose’s past experiences, Kurosawa couldn’t help but feel a bit gloomy.

People who destroy what they can’t have are just scum, perpetuating a revenge-driven society.

Ichinose remained silent for a moment, seemingly acknowledging, and then continued her story.

“It was because of this incident that I took a year off during junior high… Later, I returned to school, but because I didn’t leave Tokyo, even in a new school, people knew about the rumors… Even now, some still believe in this, even firmly.”

“Why did I become a hot girl? It’s because when I returned from the hiatus, I noticed how everyone treated those hot girls in the grade. Even though they gossiped and joked in private, no one dared to say it to their faces. They would back away when they saw them.

Through this, I realized something—no matter how good you look, being labeled as a bad person is inevitable. People will take advantage of your friendly appearance and bully you.

I’m lucky I transferred to a co-ed school, not an all-girls school. Because during junior high, if some boys hadn’t liked me, I don’t know what would have happened.

Because of these experiences, I decided before entering high school that I wanted to be a hot girl.

Then, on the first day of school, I met Kozuki and became friends. Even though I’m still schemed against and mocked behind my back, at least I won’t face any heartbreaking situations upfront.”

After hearing this story, Kurosawa expressed his perspective, “People are good and get bullied; people are bad and are feared.”

So, that’s why she took a year off from school? She was isolated and bullied on the campus.

It seemed impossible to make Ichinose quit the hot girl group considering what she had been through.

Unless she graduated, entered society, or got into a university in another city, it was possible for her to change her identity and start anew.

Until then, she could only be a hot girl.

After sharing her story, Ichinose smiled.

“I’m actually quite happy with Kozuki and the others. They know how to have fun—not the excessive kind, but genuine enjoyment. Especially Ai, no matter what she’s doing, as long as she’s around, she won’t neglect anyone. Even if someone wants to slack off, she’ll drag them into the fun.”

Thinking about tonight’s experience, Kurosawa felt a bit embarrassed but acknowledged that, apart from the punishments, the party atmosphere was great.

“Indeed, that Matsushita is a bit hard to handle.”

Noticing his slight complaint, Ichinose burst into laughter.

“That’s just how Hitomi is, but she’s not a bad person. At school, she’s quite protective of me.”

“How does she protect you?”

“For example, if someone says I’m a prostitute, she would say, ‘So what if she is? Can any of you afford her?'”

“Is that considered protection?” Kurosawa was somewhat speechless. 

Wasn’t that making things worse?

“At least she’s speaking up for me, scaring people away.”

“Alright.” Kurosawa didn’t fully understand her situation, so he decided not to argue with her.

“Unlike those people at school, the boyfriends in our group believe I’m not that kind of person. I told them the second day after joining the group that I have a university student boyfriend, and they also know I earn my money through part-time jobs.”

“What kind of part-time job do you do?”

“I’m a print model.”

“How much do you make in a month?”

“It depends, usually around 150,000 yen a month. I have to do five shoots, averaging 30,000 yen each. Most of them are done on weekends for half a day.”

“That’s not much.” Kurosawa initially thought being a print model was lucrative.

“You’re earning too much. For a high school student, 150,000 yen a month is already a lot.” Ichinose felt a bit indignant.

“Then, with such a high salary, why did you become poor after buying a Line account?”

“I need to buy clothes, do my hair, and purchase various things. There’s also traveling, pretending to go on dates with my boyfriend. I basically don’t have much savings.”

“You’re going through so much trouble.”

“Thank you, Hikaru-kun. Actually, Kozuki and Hitomi were suspicious before, they were wondering if I was lying… If they find out I lied, I’d probably get kicked out of the group because honesty in friendships is what they value the most.”

“Don’t mention it. Well, you know, I was bought by you for ten thousand yen,” joked Kurosawa, making light of his own embarrassing story.

One must admit, being dumped by your ex and then sold for ten thousand yen to another girl—it was truly a unique experience.

“Hehe, I got a great deal,” responded Ichinose with a cheerful attitude towards the situation.

If she hadn’t bought that Line account, she probably wouldn’t have met Kurosawa in her lifetime.

Kurosawa, unaware of why she was so happy, waved his hand and suggested, “Let’s go to sleep; we have to get up early for school tomorrow.”

“Mm-hmm.”

Ichinose nodded and fell silent.

After deciding to go to sleep, Kurosawa picked up his phone and started using it.

He had to get up early tomorrow, go home to change clothes, and then head to school.

While setting the alarm, Ichinose suddenly turned around and moved closer.

In the dimly lit room, the only light came from the phone screen.

Ichinose leaned in, whispering softly, “Hikaru-kun.”

“What’s up?”

Kurosawa turned his head slightly, finding her face inches away. His heart raced as he wondered what she was up to.

With their faces almost touching, within a centimeters distance, their breaths would reach each other’s faces. The warmth was palpable.

Under the light of the phone, their eyes met each other, trembling.

Without saying a word, it was enough to make one’s heart race.

After locking eyes for a moment, communicating through heartbeats, Ichinose finally closed her eyes. Her cattail-like eyelashes were trembling slightly, as if she was a sleeping beauty waiting for a kiss from the prince.

With her eyes closed, Kurosawa was suddenly at a loss.

Does she want me to kiss her? Why is she suddenly doing this?

Looking at her after the bath, makeup removed, revealing the soft and rosy cherry-like lips, Kurosawa couldn’t help but feel his heart race.

After hesitating for a moment, Kurosawa didn’t lean in for a kiss but questioned, “What are you trying to do?” 

Ichinose opened her eyes, looking at his charming face, and shyly whispered, “I want to give my first kiss to you.”

“That’s not allowed.” In response to this proposal, Kurosawa shook his head.

“Why?”

“Because it’s also my first kiss.”

“Really? Is this also Hikaru-kun’s first kiss?”

This response startled Ichinose, causing her heart to race.

Originally, she thought that on this perfect date today, no matter what, she wanted to express her gratitude. She planned to use her first kiss to let Kurosawa take advantage of the situation a bit.

But now, it seemed unclear who was taking advantage of whom.

“Let’s talk about it next time.”

Kurosawa felt it was too early for such things and postponed the idea.

To be honest, he wasn’t very confident about himself. He was afraid that if they kissed, he might not be able to resist going for a “home run” directly.

“That makes sense.”

Ichinose nodded, then turned away.

At the same time, a notification box appeared in front of Kurosawa.

“Congratulations, host, for activating the achievement 【Unattainable】, reward: 3 lucky draws.”

Huh?

Achievement 【Unattainable】: Things that are unattainable always stir up commotion. Chase me, for I am not a man you can easily obtain.

Activation condition: Reject a woman’s confession without hurting her enthusiasm. Times 1/1.