Tokyo's Most Affectionate - Chapter 90

Perfect Smile

Back home, it was already 11 PM.

“I’m home.”

As soon as he entered the house, Kurosawa took off his shoes and sent a message on his phone.

The message was instantly marked as read.

“Okay.”

Shortly after, Ninomiya replied with a brief message.

Although it was short, Kurosawa didn’t mind.

It wasn’t hard to guess that Ninomiya might be unsure of how to respond.

“Good night.”

“Good night.”

After exchanging good nights, Kurosawa glanced at the messages from Ichinose.

These messages had been sent since 6 PM.

“Hikaru-kun, are you done with school?”

“Have you had dinner?”

“We’re having rice with toppings for dinner tonight. Hikaru-kun you seem to really like rice with toppings. (Photo attachment)”

“After school, I bought a few new outfits. Which one do you think looks good? (3 Photo attachments)”

“Are you busy?”

While he was going through each message, another one came in.

“Hikaru-kun, are you free now?”

Clearly, Ichinose had been keeping an eye on their chat and noticed when the messages were marked as read.

“Yeah, I just got home.”

“Hikaru-kun is really busy, where did you go?”

“I was left at school by the teacher to discuss a thesis.” Kurosawa thought for a moment and came up with a random excuse.

“A thesis? What’s that? It sounds scary.”

Ichinose wasn’t suspicious; instead, she seemed a bit frightened, as if it were something very distant.

“Are we going out tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow? Wasn’t it supposed to be on Sunday?”

“I have something on Sunday.”

“Tomorrow I’ll be working part-time. It’s already been arranged, I’m working from the morning until a little after 5 PM. (Sad cartoon sticker attached)” Ichinose’s message sounded quite pitiful.

Even through the phone, Kurosawa could almost see her looking helpless and conflicted. After all, she had waited for a whole week for this.

“Well, then, I’ll go see what you look like at work. Hahaha.”

Realizing that she had a part-time job, Kurosawa thought for a moment and then typed his response.

“Really?”

“Really, after you finish your part-time job, let’s go on a date for the whole day.”

“Mm-mm!”

“I’m going to take a shower now, see you tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow.”

With that settled, Kurosawa took out a set of pajamas and went to take a shower.

Not long after, he returned to the bedroom, walked to the desk, and moved the laptop to the front.

After turning on the computer, he opened a webpage and clicked on a video, or more precisely, a karaoke party video titled “Blue Blue Blue Beauty.”

Two weeks of fermentation had propelled the video’s views to over two million, with a remarkably high number of likes.

In the comments section, many people were asking about the singer’s identity.

“It’s possible.”

Kurosawa glanced at the data and the comments, nodding in approval.

In reality, he believed that he could make it as a masked singer. His confidence was not unfounded; there was a basis for it.

The fact that this video became so popular indirectly confirmed the powerful impact of his singing voice.

The initial plan was to release videos on the internet, accumulate popularity and fans, and then debut by selling CDs and songs.

This was the early-stage plan. As for post-debut activities and arrangements, including concerts, he had ways to handle them.

After watching for a while, Kurosawa took pen and paper and started sketching.

His entry-level drawing skills, which he couldn’t showcase during the date with Ninomiya at the amusement park, finally had a chance to shine. He was designing his own avatar and image.

After completing a set of character illustrations, it was already past midnight.

“Perfect, it’s pretty much as I envisioned… I’ll show it to Miss Runa later.”

Having been busy the entire day, Kurosawa nodded in satisfaction as he looked at the character designs and styling on the sheets of paper.

……

10 AM the next morning, in a park in Tokyo.

“Found her.”

Kurosawa, holding his phone, looked at the message, glanced around, and finally spotted a familiar figure near a fountain.

Putting away his phone, he walked step by step towards her.

The person in front of the fountain was, of course, Ichinose, wearing a white suspender chiffon dress and a hat, striking a pose in front of the fountain.

Around her, there were many onlookers and a photographer holding a camera.

Different from a sexy outfit, her clothes looked light and soft, similar to the time they went to the beach. It was the sweet and cute girl type, or rather, a little princess.

It seemed that this image was her true self, and the sexy outfit was just for show.

But one thing remained the same—her delicately beautiful face looked stunning no matter what she wore.

Her smile was sweet, giving off a lively vibe, and her teeth were neatly aligned.

With this appearance and demeanor, she was indeed qualified to be a runway model for a fashion magazine.

As he approached, Ichinose, who was posing, quickly noticed him. Her gaze shifted slightly, and her smile became even sweeter.

“This smile is perfect… Yes, yes, yes!”

The photographer, holding his camera, shouted and quickly pressed the shutter.

In this situation, Kurosawa couldn’t help but feel amused, and there was a warm feeling in his heart.

Obviously, when Ichinose saw him, she smiled sincerely and was genuinely happy. It was no longer the fake smile she put on for the photoshoot.

“I’m very sorry, we’re in the middle of a shoot. Could you please not get too close?”

As Ichinose was in a good state, a woman in sun protection clothing walked over and politely requested.

In a public place like the park, it was impolite to ask someone not to approach.

“I know Ichinose, I’m just watching from the side. I won’t disturb you.”

Kurosawa explained, realizing he had inadvertently approached and disturbed them.

“You’re the ‘Hikaru-kun’ she mentioned?”

“Yes.”

“I’m Ayata Mari, I’m sort of her manager. Are you interested in being a fashion model?”

“Sorry, I still have to go to school, and I have a part-time job. I don’t have time to be a model.”

“Yes, yes, yes! This smile is amazing, pose 8!”

While they were talking, the excited shouts of the photographer rang out again.

“Do you want to get a bit closer? So that you’re standing behind the photographer?”

Ayata realized that Ichinose’s current smile was excellent and made a suggestion.

“No need, I’m fine standing on the side.”

“If it helps with the shooting, then everyone can finish earlier.”

“Okay then.”

Kurosawa originally didn’t want to disturb their shoot, but upon hearing this suggestion, he agreed.

As expected, with Kurosawa standing behind the photographer, the photographer continued to shout excitedly.

“The second set of shots is done, let’s move on to the third set.”

After a short while, the photographer looked at the sample images on the camera and raised his hand.

“It seems she really likes you; she’s smiling so happily.”

Seeing an improvement in the shooting progress, Ayata, with her arms crossed, expressed a bit of envy.

Ichinose was someone she had invited to be a model over a year ago.

Ichinose was like the little sister of the photography team and was lovable. 

However, today was the first time she had seen Ichinose smile so happily.

“I know.”

Kurosawa watched as the photoshoot concluded and Ichinose, who had rushed over in his direction, smiled.

Unlike the restrained emotions of Ninomiya, it was evident to anyone with discerning eyes that Ichinose liked him. Her feelings were overflowing and could be seen in every word and action.

“Don’t run so fast; what if you trip on the ground?”

When she reached him, Kurosawa pretended to scold her but said it in a teasing manner.

Ichinose reached him, and upon hearing his words, she stomped her foot and playfully complained.

“Do you think I’m an airhead character from some anime? How could I trip on flat ground?”