So this is how fun it is to date a guy.
No wonder Saeko and the others like dating men, Ayatsuki Ayaka thought, all smiles as she looked at the five cat plushies. With a hint of pride, she took a photo of her bountiful loot and sent it to the Hot Girl group chat.
"Today's date was a huge success! This is a present for you all, cute, isn't it? Turns out you really can win plushies from a claw machine. Aozawa is super amazing—one coin per plushie! And he even got the title 'Claw Machine Prince' recognized by the Claw Machine Association!"
"Saeko: Is it possible the Claw Machine Association is something he just made up? A weird title like that probably doesn't exist."
"Kaoru: Still, snagging a plushie with each coin… calling him the Claw Machine Prince for that isn't an exaggeration."
"Maru: They're really cute! Remember to bring them to school on Monday. Don't forget."
Ayatsuki Ayaka typed her reply, "Don't say my memory is that bad."
"Saeko: Has your relationship with Aozawa progressed much? When are you going to make your move? Get a taste of little Aozawa."
Such a suggestive message made Ayatsuki Ayaka blush, even though she was just looking at her phone.
Her excitement finally cooled. She remembered her initial plan: find an excuse to give up on Aozawa after this date. But now... Aozawa doesn't seem so bad after all, she thought.
"Don't worry, my game is strong."
As Ayatsuki Ayaka typed her reply, she decided, There's no need to rush cutting ties with Aozawa. I had fun this time; I can ask him out again. But my allowance might not be enough...
This time, Ayatsuki Ayaka had borrowed 8,000 yen from her sister. Just the entrance fees cost 3,600 yen, not to mention the coins for the claw machine, ice cream, bubble tea, and everything else.
Dating is so expensive! And that was even with me picking cheap places. I can't always be this frugal. Next time, I'll want to pick a bigger amusement park or somewhere similar, and the costs will surely be higher. I definitely need a part-time job to earn some extra cash!
...
When Ayatsuki Ayaka got home, she noticed the front door wasn't properly closed. She pushed it open and called out, "I'm back!"
Sitting in the entryway, she took off her Doc Martens. Looking at her right foot, wrapped in fine black fishnet stockings, she couldn't resist leaning down to sniff it.
HMM, a bit sweaty… Ayatsuki Ayaka took a whiff. But it doesn't stink! A grin spread across her face. HEHE. Not stinking is a major victory!
After changing into her indoor slippers, she headed to the living room. Her sister was in the same spot as when she'd left—lying on the couch, scrolling through short videos. Looking up, her sister asked, "How was your date?"
"It was a success! This plushie is for you, Sis." Ayatsuki Ayaka handed one of the cat plushie trophies to her sister.
"See? I didn't spoil you for nothing." Her sister's eyes lit up as she sat up, her loose T-shirt revealing the good genes of the Ayatsuki family. She cradled the adorable cat plushie in her hands and smiled. "From now on, let's call her Little White."
Seizing the opportunity, Ayatsuki Ayaka asked, "Sis, I want to get a part-time job. Do you have any good recommendations?"
"A part-time job? Why, all of a sudden?"
"If I don't get a job, I won't be able to pay you back the money I owe."
I can't tell her the real reason—that I want a part-time job to afford another date with Aozawa, Ayatsuki Ayaka thought. She'd probably chew me out, call me ambitionless, and say I'm just following her old, failed path.
"I'm glad you're thinking that way, but you don't need to work part-time. Instead of working, you should spend more time reading. That would be the best way to repay me."
Ayatsuki Ayaka looked puzzled. "Why are you always so against me getting a part-time job, Sis?"
"Silly girl. If you want to work, you'll have plenty of time for that in the future. Working at a convenience store or a coffee shop, forcing fake smiles for customers—what kind of experience do you gain from that?" Her sister put down the plushie, her expression serious. "Our family isn't struggling financially. You just need to focus on your studies. Study hard, and you'll have a good future."
She didn't think part-time jobs taught kids anything valuable. If Ayaka wanted to experience hardship, there would be plenty of time to endure the hardships of a career after graduation. The hardship of studying, however, could only be experienced now. It would turn into sweet rewards later, benefiting her for a lifetime.
Ayatsuki Ayaka looked somewhat embarrassed. "Sis, my grades... I don't think I have much hope of getting into a good university. Besides, my dream is to become an idol."
"Your parents worked hard to raise you, not for you to enter the adult entertainment industry."
"Sis, I said an idol!"
"There's not much difference. Haven't you seen the news recently? Johnny's Entertainment just had its biggest scandal. Kitagawa, the president who died four years ago, was accused of sexually assaulting male talents under his agency, including Takuya Kimura..."
At this point, wanting to make her naive younger sister understand the gravity of the situation, she said sternly, "In that agency, anyone who wants to become famous has to bend over for the president. Take Nagano Hiroshi, the actor who plays Daigo. Who knows if he was even wearing his Tiga suit when Kitagawa got to him."
"What?!" Ayatsuki Ayaka's eyes widened. She rarely paid attention to serious news, and the tabloids wouldn't dare report on such things. Covering up scandals was a long-standing tradition in the Japanese entertainment industry. "Sis, you're not joking, are you?"
"Of course not. Idols and actors are just playthings for the rich. Even men aren't exempt, let alone a pretty girl like you. Studying is the right path!"
"My light... it's gone!" Ayatsuki Ayaka suddenly teared up.
The thought of Tiga... being exploited like that... It felt as if the light inside her had been completely extinguished. The adult world is so filthy, so dark!
"Sis, you're such an idiot!" Ayatsuki Ayaka cried out, then turned and ran to her room.
"This is just the British media dredging up old news. What does it have to do with me?" her sister muttered, looking baffled. It wasn't like *I* dug up the news. If anyone's to blame, it's Kitagawa for dying so early. If he were still alive, this news would never have broken. People sure forget quickly once someone's gone, she thought with a sigh, then returned to her short videos.
...
「In the Adachi District, Ayase Apartment, Room 601.」
Aozawa returned home and unlocked the door.
Takeout containers were spread across the kitchen counter: pizza, burgers, egg tarts, and Pepsi.
"You're back," Morimoto Chiyoda said, getting up from the sofa. Her gaze fell on the cat plushie in his hand. "Is this a gift for me?"
"Yeah."
"How thoughtful of you, using another girl's money to buy me a present," Morimoto Chiyoda said, her expression complicated. "I don't recall teaching you to be this kind of jerk."
"What are you talking about? We're just purely friends," Aozawa stressed, closing the door behind him.
Morimoto Chiyoda really wanted to roast him for that classic scumbag line, but for the cat plushie's sake, she held back. She shrugged. "Forget it. You're the kid I raised, after all. Let's eat."
"Mhm."
Aozawa nodded. His mind was already drifting to tomorrow. What kind of superpower will refresh then?