Chapter 91: The Birth of a Hero
Kazumi couldn’t quite believe it and turned her head. Indeed, staring back at her was the goofy, dog-like smiling face of her boyfriend.
“Shinichi-kun?”
Kazumi glanced at her phone again, surprised. They were supposed to meet at noon, so why was this goofball here so early?
“Kiyomizu-san looks especially beautiful today!”
Sato Shinichi was wearing simple shorts and a t-shirt, making him look more radiant than his usual school uniform. His exposed arms and legs were exceptionally well-toned, clearly indicating he exercised regularly.
Perhaps he had spotted the girl from a distance, as Sato Shinichi jogged all the way over. When he finally got close, he noticed that Kazumi looked different from her usual self today.
Her usually fair complexion looked even more delicate with a touch of makeup, and her small, cute lips were fuller and more lustrous. Combined with her naturally proud demeanor, she exuded a unique, cool beauty often found in cold-type girls.
“Thank you, Shinichi-kun… because it’s a date… I dressed up a little…”
Sato Shinichi’s direct compliment made Kazumi unsure how to respond. Feeling a bit nervous, she tucked away a strand of hair and spoke.
In reality, Kazumi knew nothing about makeup. Although she had had a girlfriend in her past life, their relationship hadn’t progressed to the point of living together. Her understanding of cosmetics was limited to what little she had gleaned from her girlfriend’s casual remarks.
To achieve a makeup look that would please “Kazumi,” she had actually searched for makeup tutorials online and practiced. After spending more than half an hour, she had only managed to apply a bit of foundation and a light-colored lip gloss.
After all, this was the maximum extent she could accept as a pure male. Blush, mascara, eyeshadow – absolutely not!
However, speaking seriously, makeup was indeed a kind of sorcery.
Even for a girl like Kazumi, who wasn’t considered exceptionally beautiful, her attractiveness had significantly increased after a little makeup.
Coupled with her naturally ethereal aura, after dressing up, she was a cool-style beauty. At the very least, the increased attention she received from passersby on her way here proved that.
A hint of shyness flickered across the girl’s cold face, causing Sato Shinichi to freeze in place for two seconds. He quickly regained his composure and looked at his stunning girlfriend.
“You look very different from your usual self, Kazumi. It’s quite refreshing. And that hairpin is cute too!”
[He’s not supposed to compliment these weird parts! And his comment is so blunt, isn’t it!]
While inwardly complaining furiously about her boyfriend’s “straight man” comments, Kazumi actually felt quite pleased. The corners of her mouth couldn’t help but curl into a slight smile as she looked at Sato Shinichi.
“Thanks. But Shinichi-kun, you’re really early. Is there something you needed to do around here?”
Kazumi was quite surprised to encounter Sato Shinichi here. She had come so much earlier due to some inexplicable emotional reasons related to her current body, but judging by Sato Shinichi’s appearance, he seemed to have arrived even earlier than her.
“Ah, I came a bit early just in case something unexpected happened,” Sato Shinichi said, awkwardly scratching the back of his head with a sheepish look, as if he’d been found out. Then, as if remembering something, he pulled a small notebook from his pocket and began speaking earnestly.
“Since you’re here, Kazumi, shall we go shopping first?”
“The restaurant reservation is already made for around noon. There are four milk tea shops in the mall. Which flavor do you prefer, Kazumi? Personally, I recommend this one; it has a strong tea flavor, tastes great, and has fewer calories, making it more suitable for girls.”
“The women’s clothing stores are basically on the second floor. We can go take a look at that store first. I think the styles there might be to your liking.”
“The movie is at 1:20 PM on the fourth floor of the mall. After we eat and rest for a bit, we should be able to catch it just in time.”
“…”
Kazumi stared blankly at Sato Shinichi, who was holding a notebook filled with writing and speaking so earnestly.
What are you doing, you goofball?!
Is that a work summary report? Or a strategic deployment?!
This is too absurd. While it’s common for guys to scout the area before a date, no one would go to Sato Shinichi’s extent! On his scribbled notebook, Kazumi even saw a hand-drawn sketch map?
Are you planning a terrorist attack, man?!
You must have a yandere streak, right? If I break up with you, will I be hacked to death!
Sato Shinichi was still earnestly detailing his plans for the day, but Kazumi felt a chill down her spine. Looking at the earnest and focused demeanor of the young man, she couldn’t even imagine what he might do if she actually broke up with him.
[Should I subtly hint to him that he shouldn’t be so overzealous in love?]
Kazumi touched her chin and began to seriously consider whether she should impart some necessary knowledge to this naive fellow. The more desperately someone throws themselves into something, the more ferocious they will be when they face destruction.
For her own personal safety, Kazumi needed to carefully consider a way to extricate herself completely.
“And here are the locations of the restrooms nearby. Would you like to see them, Kazumi? If you need to…”
“Don’t record the restroom locations too!”
…….
In a milk tea shop by the mall, a girl in uniform was sipping her milk tea. Beside her, a placed milk tea and an open chair proved that someone had been sitting there earlier.
Their meal went quite smoothly. After all, they usually ate lunch together every day, so Kazumi didn’t feel anything too out of place. That is, if being looked at more by others counted?
Kazumi didn’t waste this rare opportunity to eat out, seriously savoring the Chinese cuisine before her. It was just that the taste was slightly different from what she remembered, but overall, it was pretty good, especially since it was free. There was nothing to complain about.
After resting at the milk tea shop for a while, Sato Shinichi volunteered to get the movie tickets, while Kazumi sat in her spot waiting for him.
Casually watching the passersby coming and going, Kazumi took a sip of her milk tea. Her mood was exceptionally good, probably due to the joy brought by good food. For the first time in a long time, Kazumi felt a comforting warmth spread through her, as if she were enveloped by something, providing a great sense of security.
She was even looking forward to seeing what movie that goofball would choose for her.
If it were a romance movie, she could still accept it. But if it were a horror movie, for this goofball with hidden intentions, Kazumi might have to revise her “dog-training” plan.
[This feeling… it’s actually quite nice?]
Recalling the boy’s behavior, busily fussing around her, afraid she might be unhappy, Kazumi found that although she disliked this submissive “simp” behavior, being served by someone like that was incredibly addictive.
At this moment, Kazumi finally understood why so many beautiful young ladies in her past life liked to keep “backup” guys. Having such a simp who dedicated himself entirely to her without asking for anything in return, wasn’t that attractive?
“Kiyomizu-san!”
Just as Kazumi was lost in thought, a familiar, high-pitched voice called out from a distance. Looking up, she saw Sato Shinichi approaching her with an excited expression.
A smile spread across her face as she stood up and handed him the milk tea that belonged to Sato Shinichi. She reached out and took the movie tickets he was passing her.
With a hint of anticipation, she picked up the tickets, curious to see if this guy, Sato Shinichi, would consider her feelings and choose a romantic film, or if he was two-faced and had ulterior motives, wanting to watch a horror movie to get closer to her.
Casually contemplating her future “training” plan, Kazumi flipped the movie ticket over, and then she froze in place, stunned.
A gust of wind blew, fluttering the movie ticket in Kazumi’s hand. Upon closer inspection, one could clearly see the neat, bold letters printed on the ticket.
Documentary: “The Birth of a Hero.”
