[Game] Chapter 423-424

Chapter 423: Picking Everyone Up, The Event Begins

Once the food was ready, Ichin and Utaha changed clothes, loaded everything into the car, and waited for Yagami Kou and Toyama Rin to come down. Then the four of them set off together.

Ichin’s job was to pick up Narumi Tsubame, Mochizuki Momiji, and Ruri Gokou, while Kou and Rin went to get Shinoda Hajime and Hifumi. Aoba and Sakura Nene lived close to today’s cherry-blossom spot, so there was no need to fetch them. As for Eriri, Yukino would drive over to bring her.

Before long, Ichin’s car pulled up at the apartment building where Tsubame and Momiji lived. It was a modest place, but the neighborhood was decent. After a quick phone call, the two girls came down within minutes, each carrying a large thermal food box.

As they climbed in, Tsubame smiled. “Thanks for coming all the way out here, Ichin-kun, Utaha.”

Momiji followed and added, “You’ve worked hard. Tsubame cooked something really delicious, so make sure you eat plenty later.”

Starting the car, Ichin glanced at them in the backseat with a grin. “No problem, I’ll definitely eat a lot. I trust Tsubame’s cooking. Let’s go—Ruri’s place is a bit farther, about a fifteen-minute drive.”

Ichin focused on driving while Utaha chatted with the two in the back. Noticing Tsubame’s food container, she asked curiously, “So what did you make today?”

Tsubame smiled. “Nothing fancy—just some creamy stew and fried meatballs. I brought paper bowls for the stew so it’ll be easy to eat, nice and hot.”

Momiji swallowed audibly. “It’s really good, but Tsubame wouldn’t let me eat any earlier.”

Tsubame rolled her eyes. “If I’d let you, you’d have eaten half of it by yourself already! Of course I had to save it.”

Then she turned to Utaha. “What about you guys, what did you bring?”

“Not me,” Utaha said without hesitation. “Ichin did all the work while I slept in. He made cola chicken wings, fried wings, spring rolls, crystal shrimp dumplings, and egg tarts.”

Every time she listed something, Momiji gulped again. Utaha looked at her with a teasing smile. “If you want some, you’ll have to wait. Everything’s in the trunk.”

Momiji nodded eagerly—her anticipation for the picnic only grew.

A little later, they arrived at Ruri Gokou’s house. Because of her father’s job, her family had moved to Tokyo back when she was in high school. From a small apartment, they’d upgraded to a detached house, living quite comfortably. And now that Ruri had a stable, well-paying job, the family finances were even better.

After Ichin sent a message, the front door opened. Ruri stepped out carrying a picnic basket, followed by two adorable younger sisters.

Her sisters—one a senior in high school, the other in middle school—shared her good looks, and they’d nearly caught up to her in height. Someday they might even surpass their big sister.

Ichin and Utaha had already met them once before when dropping Ruri home from a company dinner.

Smiling at the two girls, Ichin greeted, “Hello, Hinata, Tamaki. Want to come with us today? We’ve got plenty of food.”

Hinata shook her head with a cheerful smile. “No thanks, Ichin-oniisan. Tamaki and I are heading to the library to study. Please take care of our sister today.”

Ruri, hearing that, reached out and flicked her sister’s head. “Do you think I’m a child? Enough, get back inside. Lunch is already made—eat it and wash the dishes. I’ll be back to cook dinner.”

“Okay~!”

The two called out in unison and waved as their sister got into the car.

As the car drove away, Hinata sighed. “What a shame. If Ichin-oniisan were single, Sis might have a chance.”

Tamaki nodded. “Yeah. Handsome, kind, and capable. That’s exactly the kind of boyfriend I want someday!”

“Ha! You? Better worry about passing your midterms first. Come on, back inside to study.”

“Ughhh!”

—

By 10:30, Ichin’s group finally arrived at the park. In the parking lot, the others’ cars were already there. He parked beside Hazuki’s, and the five of them carried their things to the meeting spot.

Under a massive cherry tree, the rest of the group had already gathered, picnic mats spread out.

Spotting them, Hajime waved energetically. “Over here! You guys are so slow!”

Ichin set down his load and replied with a chuckle, “Slow? We’re right on time—neither late nor early. You’re just fast. How long have you been here?”

Aoba smiled. “Not long, less than ten minutes. We haven’t even opened the food yet.”

Boxes of homemade dishes sat neatly arranged, all still closed.

Taking a seat, Ichin grinned. “Well then, since everyone’s here, let’s begin. Open everything up—time to eat, drink, and have fun.”

“Yay!!!”

One by one, containers were opened, releasing a flood of delicious aromas that made everyone’s stomachs growl—especially those who’d skipped breakfast to save room.

Drinks were covered too; since not everyone was good at cooking, Hazuki had taken charge of beverages.

After pouring everyone a glass, Ichin, as company head, stood with his cup. “It’s rare for us to come out like this, so I won’t say anything serious. Today, let’s just relax, eat, drink, and enjoy ourselves. Cheers!”

“Cheers!!!”

With the toast done, everyone dug in.

Eriri picked up one of Ichin’s crystal shrimp dumplings and popped it into her mouth.

“Mmm! This is amazing—better than the big Chinese restaurants in Tokyo!”

The translucent dumplings, perfectly made, were both beautiful and delicious. Within minutes, they were gone.

Luckily, Ichin had prepared plenty—otherwise, they wouldn’t have been enough to go around.

***

Chapter 424: How Come No One’s Hitting on Us?

After happily eating for a while, more people began arriving at the park to see the cherry blossoms. Most were young people, or families of three, filling the place with lively chatter—it was quite a nice atmosphere.

But Ichin’s group stood out. He was the only guy, surrounded by a crowd of girls—and not just ordinary girls, but every single one stunningly attractive, each with a different charm: fresh-faced youths, elegant older sisters, even sultry beauties.

Some groups of college boys glanced their way, eyes full of envy. Still, none dared to approach.

Just looking at their outfits, it was obvious these weren’t ordinary people. Yagami Kou and Hazuki were company executives, Yukino, Haruno, and Eriri were bona fide heiresses, and even Aoba and the others had earned enough over the past two years to buy designer brands. For today’s outing, everyone had dressed up beautifully.

A group of two or three might have been approachable, but fifteen gorgeous women together? Anyone with sense wouldn’t dare try.

After finishing a spring roll, Haruno wiped her mouth and remarked, “So strange.”

Ichin raised an eyebrow. “Hm? What’s strange?”

She gestured at herself, then at the group. “We’ve got all these different types of girls here, yet no one’s even tried hitting on us?”

Yukino sighed, exasperated. “How did I never realize before that you want to be hit on?”

“Not that I want it,” Haruno laughed, “I’m just curious! There are so many people today—it’s impossible no one’s noticed us.”

“That’s true,” Shinoda Hajime chimed in after swallowing a fried wing. “Even just walking down the street, I usually catch boys sneaking glances. Why hasn’t anyone tried here?”

Hajime’s outfit today was her usual style: a thin spring hoodie up top, denim shorts below, and bare legs showing off her long figure.

Aoba, looking enviously at Hajime’s physique she herself could never hope to match, offered, “Maybe it’s because there are too many of us. If it were only four or five, some guys would probably come over.”

Looking around, Hajime realized Aoba was right. Their group of fifteen dwarfed the others, who mostly numbered five or six at best. No wonder people were intimidated.

“True enough. Oh well, I was just saying.” Hajime shrugged and happily focused on food again, picking up another fried wing. Fried foods were high in calories, sure, but also pure happiness—and with her daily workouts, she had nothing to worry about.

Haruno’s gossip spark was quickly picked up by others.

Yagami Kou turned to Yukino with interest. “Yukino, Utaha mentioned you’ve been hit on at campus. So how are the guys in your year? Any good ones?”

“The guys… in my year?” Yukino’s lips twitched. “I wouldn’t know how to answer that. I’ve never paid attention. There aren’t many in my classes anyway, and they’re just… average.”

“Tsk, tsk, tsk, that really fits your personality,” Kou sighed. “But college is the best time for romance. Not dating at all would be a shame. You’ll never struggle with studies—you should enjoy being young, have fun, maybe find someone you like.”

Utaha chuckled. “I’ve told Yukino the same thing, but sadly she has no interest.”

Mochizuki Momiji, munching sushi two at a time, asked, “So your standards are too high?”

“Not exactly low, that’s for sure,” Utaha teased, and repeated Yukino’s earlier list of requirements.

Yukino, calm as ever, showed no embarrassment. That was simply what she thought, and there was no reason to change.

The others didn’t find her standards unreasonable. With Yukino’s looks, height, and talent, it was natural she’d want someone equally strong. If a guy didn’t measure up, he’d only feel inferior standing beside her.

Hazuki, the eldest among them, tapped her chin and smirked. “Well, it’s not like there’s no one around us who qualifies. But he’s already married.”

Everyone’s eyes immediately turned to Ichin.

He was holding an egg tart, not yet bitten into, when the stares made him squirm. He frowned. “What are you all looking at me for? Honestly, I think Yukino using me as a benchmark is fine—it means she won’t get fooled by some random guy. Not that Yukino’s the type to be easily tricked.”

“I agree with Ichin,” Haruno nodded approvingly. “Mother gave Yukino freedom to date, but she still needs to keep her eyes sharp. She’s young, she can take her time, and it’s fine to be picky. If she doesn’t find someone now, she definitely will later.”

Yukino ignored them all, calmly picking up a fried wing and nibbling it in silence.

Seeing she wasn’t playing along, the group drifted into general love talk. Unfortunately, very few of them had actually dated seriously, so after a while Ichin cut in with, “You’re just armchair theorists,” leaving them no choice but to drop the subject, frustrated.

Just then, Hazuki glanced at the time, then pulled two big bottles out of her bag with a grin.

“Ta-da! Sake. Who wants some? This is the good stuff!”

“Ohhh! Hazuki-nee, you really brought it?”

Kou’s eyes lit up. She downed her cola and thrust her paper cup forward. “Pour me one!”

“Me too!”

“Count me in!”

“Cherry-blossom viewing isn’t complete without a drink!”

As everyone began cheering for sake, Ichin sighed inwardly. This picnic definitely wasn’t going to end quietly.

“Drink if you want, but don’t any of you dare get drunk on me!”

***