Tokyo's Most Affectionate - Chapter 55

Paying the Bill

The piano piece “Für Elise” made the atmosphere at the dining table livelier.

“How come you never mentioned playing the piano in over a year at school?” Ninomiya was curious.

“In school, I naturally focus on academics. As for the piano, it doesn’t add any points to my major.”

Kurosawa had long thought about how to face such questions and explained.

“Indeed.”

Ninomiya thought for a moment and felt it made sense.

Perhaps for art students, proficiency in instruments like the piano could earn them extra points, but Kurosawa was majoring in finance.

“You’re amazing, exercising, playing the piano, dressing well, and reading books,” Itsuragi praised generously.

It had to be said that her impression of Kurosawa was extremely positive.

Perhaps best friends were meant to be critical, but in her eyes, Kurosawa had no flaws to speak of.

“You’re too kind.”

Kurosawa looked at her with gratitude.

To be honest, the smooth completion of today’s date mission and the progress of the project owe a great deal to Itsuragi. If it were just a solo date, the experience might not have been this good.

As dinner progressed with a pleasant atmosphere and dishes arriving at the table, everyone began to eat. At the table, they chatted about today’s activities, discussing which attractions were more enjoyable.

“The top pick for me was the high-flying roller coaster, what about you all?”

Itsuragi initiated the conversation, leading everyone to reminisce about today’s experiences.

“The haunted house.”

After some thought, Kurosawa answered, even though he hesitated to touch on this sensitive topic.

On the high-flying roller coaster, where he carefully held the hand of Ninomiya, it gave him a palpable sense of truly being alive. 

However, when it came to the main event, the haunted house, the experience of Ninomiya holding onto his arm, revealing her vulnerable side in the fearful environment, and walking through the haunted house with her on his back left a lasting impression.

He felt that even after decades, when he recalled amusement parks and haunted houses, he would think of the bits and pieces that happened today.

“Weren’t you saying you were afraid of ghosts? Why do you think the haunted house was the best?”

Itsuragi noticed the subtle smile at the corner of his mouth, clearly indicating his happiness. Instead of exposing it, she just shook her head in silence.

In response, Kurosawa remained silent, using a smile to evade the topic.

“The high-flying roller coaster.”

As the attention shifted to herself, Ninomiya thought for a moment and spoke. 

In reality, her top pick was also the haunted house because the experience was too novel, leaving a deep impression that was hard to forget. It was a mix of joy, fear, and relief, an array of emotions that the other attractions couldn’t compare to.

However, she felt that if she mentioned the haunted house, she might be teased by Itsuragi. So, she opted for a different choice.

“The high-flying roller coaster was truly exhilarating.”

Itsuragi didn’t make fun of her or cheer loudly, she just expressed her admiration.

Eating must be done one bite at a time, and the road must be taken step by step. Things shouldn’t be rushed. 

Anyway, she believed Kurosawa’s performance today was excellent, and if he continued like this, he could definitely end up with Ninomiya.

What surprised her the most was that Kurosawa could play the piano, and he played it so well. This was a rare bonus.

As they chatted and ate, dinner was soon finished. When they were satisfied, Ninomiya signaled for the waiter.

“The check.”

Hearing this request, the waiter hesitated for a moment, then smiled apologetically and gestured towards Kurosawa.

“The gentleman has already paid.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the table fell silent.

“Is there anything else you need?” The waiter was the first to break the awkward silence.

“It’s okay,” Ninomiya thought for a moment and didn’t say much.

Exiting the Western restaurant, the three walked together.

“When did you pay the bill?”

As they returned to the car, Ninomiya  sat down and asked.

Her eyebrows slightly furrowed, expressing some dissatisfaction with the fact that he paid the bill. 

Originally, she had decided that since she invited her best friend, all the expenses today, wherever money was involved, would be taken care of by her.

“Just when I said I was going to the restroom… Today, you’ve been covering the expenses, so I thought I should at least contribute when I had the chance.” Kurosawa couldn’t hide it and had to confess.

“The ones I covered were small amounts. How much did you spend this time?” Ninomiya didn’t want it to be this way and took out her wallet to ask.

“It’s not about the money. You treated us to lunch, and I treated us to dinner. It’s just mutual courtesy.” Kurosawa shook his head when he saw her reaction.

“Chizuru, if someone is willing to do it, don’t refuse it.” Itsuragi, sitting in the driver’s seat, also advised.

“Hah…”

Ninomiya’s red lips trembled a few times, but in the end, she suppressed what she wanted to say.

She felt somewhat helpless. If it were just the two of them, taking turns covering the expenses would be fine. The problem was that she brought someone along.

For a while, the atmosphere inside the car became a bit somber.

Seeing this situation, Kurosawa felt a bit of a headache. He didn’t expect that insisting on paying the bill would lead to this.

The car started and left the parking space, embarking on the journey back home.

“Kurosawa, after treating us to this meal, you won’t be eating instant noodles for the next month, right?”

After driving for about two minutes, Itsuragi was the first to break the silence.

“No, how much could this meal cost anyways.”

“Could it be that you’re a wealthy second-generation?”

“Not really, I’m just working part-time and have saved up a bit of money. Although it’s not much, I won’t starve myself over a meal.”

Taking advantage of her helping him out, Kurosawa took the opportunity to explain.

This meal, although expensive, was really no big deal for him.

“Part-time? What kind of part-time job do you do?” Itsuragi was a bit curious.

“It’s better not to say.” Kurosawa thought for a moment and didn’t elaborate.

If he said more, it might end up like the karaoke incident, with questions about hourly wages and requests to verify things through an app.

“Come on, tell me.”

“He’s doing tutoring.”

Since Ninomiya noticed the awkward atmosphere caused by her sigh, she took it upon herself to answer.

“I heard tutoring pays well per hour.”

“It’s okay.” Kurosawa didn’t say much this time.

“Chizuru, do you know how much he earns per hour?”

“Twenty thousand.”

“That much?”

“He tutors a young lady from a wealthy family.”

“Kurosawa, you really deserve a beating.”

“Why do I deserve to get beat?” Hearing this, Kurosawa was a bit surprised.

“Clearly, you’re good at playing the piano, and yet you say you’re just okay at it… earning twenty thousand per hour, and you say it’s just okay. Isn’t that asking for a beating?”

“Then what should I do? Should I tell you that I’m really good at playing the piano, extremely skilled, and as a tutor, I earn a whopping twenty thousand per hour… what?”

Kurosawa, hearing her persist with this narrative, changed his tone and explained.

“Forget it, just keep it that way. Saying it like that sounds even more annoying and deserving of a beating.”

Although she didn’t turn her head while driving, Itsuragi, listening to his words, inexplicably felt a bit annoyed.