Chapter 16. Date with Lumi
On Sunday morning, I stretched out my stiff body and woke myself up with some stretching exercises.
Today, I have a movie date with Lumi. The grand Idol Party movie.
Honestly, I have no idea what Idol Party is or what it's about. I've never been interested in that kind of thing.
But since we're going to watch it, I should at least do some research. That would be the polite thing to do for Lumi.
I searched for Idol Party on TooWiki.
"Idol Party… What the hell is this?"
It's about students from a school on the verge of collapse forming their own idol unit, becoming famous, and ultimately saving the school.
Who comes up with these kinds of anime?
Thanks to this, I also learned about limited-edition gacha and other related stuff.
Otakus are incredibly detailed and meticulous when it comes to their favorite anime.
To avoid getting caught lying, I randomly picked a character and decided they were my favorite.
I even went into that character's personal wiki page and memorized everything—their profile, songs, dance moves, and even their usual hairstyle.
"This should be enough to make me a perfect otaku."
I had successfully immersed myself in my otaku role.
Checking the time, it was about time to head out.
Since I was already prepared, I just threw on my coat and left the dormitory.
The movie theater we were meeting at was close to the academy, so I arrived quickly. Looking around, it seemed Lumi hadn't arrived yet.
----------------------
『A side quest has been transmitted.』
[A Memorable First Date!]
Your first date partner is Lumi!
Lumi is very excited about her first personal outing with a friend!
Make unforgettable memories for Lumi!
- Reward: +2 random attributes
----------------------
Oh, a quest popped up.
"Unforgettable memories," huh? That sounds kind of difficult.
After accepting the quest, I sat on a nearby bench, zoning out to pass the time. Then, a thought struck me.
When was the last time I went on a date with a girl?
Suddenly, I started feeling nervous. I hadn't been thinking about it before, but now that I realized it, my nerves kicked in.
Thump, thump.
My heart was suddenly racing.
"Guess this thing is actually useful after all."
I took out one of the Cheongsimhwan pills that crazy pharmacist had given me and swallowed it with water.
"What are you drinking?"
"Cough! Cough! Gasp!"
"Are you okay? I'm so sorry!"
"No, no, I'm fine."
Lumi was wearing a bright one-piece dress, her long black hair tied with a red ribbon. Seeing her in casual clothes for the first time… honestly, it was exciting.
Her petite frame, exuding a pure charm, combined with an undeniable voluptuousness, created an unbalanced but strikingly deliberate look.
"But what were you drinking? Candy?"
"I took a Cheongsimhwan. I was nervous."
"What's a Cheongsimhwan?"
"Well, think of it as something that helps you relax and lowers your body temperature. I took it because I was nervous about going on a date with you, Lumi."
As soon as she heard my words, Lumi's face turned redder and redder, and she lowered her head.
"Wh-What? A d-date? Um, well, I think… you know… these things should progress step by step, um, I mean, not that I don't like it, actually, I like it, but…."
She nervously fidgeted with her fingers, completely lost on what to do. It was insanely cute.
"I was just joking. Or… did you actually want to go on a real date?"
"W-What? No, ugh… don't tease me!"
Lumi realized from my expression that I was messing with her. Maybe I should've held back my laughter.
"Let's go in quickly. Even if there are plenty of seats, we never know, and we still need to get popcorn."
"Yes! Let's hurry!"
We entered the movie theater.
As I was buying tickets at the self-service kiosk, I noticed a poster next to it.
[Couples who book a couple seat will receive an exclusive image board and a photo card as a bonus!]
Soon, Lumi's eyes also landed on the poster.
"Hmm!"
She made a weird sound, alternating her gaze between the poster and the kiosk.
Then, slowly, she turned her head toward me. Her sparkling eyes made her feelings clear without needing words.
This is where I have to play along. I came here pretending to be an otaku, after all.
"Lumi, do you want to get a couple seat? They're giving away an image board and photo card."
"Ah! Yes! I'd love to! Let's do a couple seat!"
Her excitement skyrocketed just from choosing the couple seat.
Is that really such a big deal?
Anyway, I booked the couple seat, bought some popcorn, and we headed into the theater.
"We're the only guy-girl couple here?"
"…Looks like it."
Surprisingly, all ten or so couple seats were occupied by guy-guy pairs.
They were even holding some weird glow sticks. Why the hell are there glow sticks in a movie theater?
And why is Lumi staring at them with shining eyes?
*
"Sniff, sniff…."
"…Don't cry."
Lumi was truly devoted to Idol Party.
Since this was the last movie in the series, she had started sniffling about ten minutes before the ending, and now, after we left the theater, she was outright crying.
"Here, take my card. This should cheer you up."
I handed her the card we got from booking the couple seat, along with the poster and the in-game coupon that came as a bonus.
"Hoyeon! You shouldn't just give away such precious things!"
"Just take it. If you refuse, I'll never give you anything again."
"I… I want to refuse, but I want it too much… Sniff."
Even while crying, Lumi made sure to take everything. She was like a cute puppy. If I had more money, I would've bought her extra, but after donating to the orphanage, I was broke.
"In exchange, let's go grab lunch. I'm starving."
"Okay! I'll treat you to a really good tteokbokki place! Let's go!"
Tteokbokki again? Well, I don't hate it, so whatever.
"Here it is! Over here~!"
Lumi, eager to eat tteokbokki, ran ahead and pointed to a restaurant called Grandfather's Soju.
"Lumi, this place looks like a bar no matter how you look at it."
"The tteokbokki here is supposed to be amazing! It's famous on Everyday!"
"Really? Well, if you say so."
I followed Lumi inside. Ding-ding.
"Welcome~! Table for two?"
"Yes."
"I'll take you to your seat~."
We were led to a cozy, secluded table for two.
"One serving of beef brisket and tripe tteokbokki, please!"
"Got it! Your order has been placed!"
"Is it really that famous?"
"Yes! It was all the rage on Everyday! I really wanted to come here, but Lucy doesn't like tteokbokki that much…"
Ah, so she couldn't come alone because she had no one to go with. I used to feel awkward going to restaurants alone too, but once I got used to it, it actually felt more convenient.
Or maybe it's just because this place is a bar, so she couldn't come by herself?
"Lumi, is there something you've always wanted to try?"
"Why do you ask all of a sudden?"
Lumi's big, round eyes stared at me intently, making me feel pressured. Saying, I'm going to create an unforgettable memory for you would sound way too criminal.
"Well, just something you wanted to do but never got the chance. If we do it together now, wouldn't that be nice?"
"Aha, Hoyeon, you're so sweet… But I'm already super excited!"
Sigh, forget it. She's too kind and innocent for me to bring it up myself.
"Here's your tteokbokki!"
Right on cue, the staff brought out the dish, naturally shifting the topic.
"Wow, wow! Who even thought of putting beef brisket and tripe in tteokbokki?"
Lumi grabbed a piece of brisket, some tripe, and a rice cake all at once with her chopsticks and popped them into her mouth.
"Mmm~"
She shook her head from side to side like a puppy shaking off water.
Why does Lumi always remind me of a puppy? She doesn't even have a dog-like face, but her actions are just so puppy-like.
Seeing her lips curl up in delight, she must really like it. Isn't she getting dizzy from all that shaking?
Curious about the taste, I took a bite too.
"Wow, this is actually really good."
"Right? Right? It's so delicious!"
The tripe was rich and chewy without being greasy, the brisket had a nice smoky flavor like it had been grilled first, and the rice cakes were perfectly chewy. It was amazing.
"This would go great with alcohol."
"Alcohol?"
"Yeah, this is the kind of food that makes you crave a drink."
"…Then should we order some?"
"Alcohol? I'm fine with it, but do you even drink?"
"Actually, I've never had a drink before. Hehe."
Found it. An unforgettable memory. Learning to drink for the first time would definitely be unforgettable, right? Should I really be introducing alcohol to such a pure girl? But she's bound to drink eventually. Better me than some sleazy guy.
"Really? Then let's take this chance and try it together."
"Yes! Sounds fun!"
Ding-dong!
"Excuse me! Two bottles of soju, please!"
"Coming right up~."
Wait, isn't soju too bitter for a first-time drinker?
"Actually, make one of those a grapefruit soju!"
I vaguely remembered hearing that women tend to like fruit-flavored soju. So I swapped one out for a grapefruit one.
The drinks and glasses arrived, and I poured Lumi a shot.
Lumi poured me one in return. It felt strange receiving a drink from a pretty girl for the first time.
Instead of clinking glasses with a group of sweaty guys, here I was, subtly sneaking glances at a girl's chest. What a moment.
"Alright, we clink glasses first, say 'cheers,' and then drink. Cheers."
"Cheers!"
Gulp, gulp.
"Phew."
My first drink in this world. It tasted extra bitter since it had been a while.
Maybe it was because this body had never had alcohol before.
Lumi, on the other hand, barely drank half her glass.
"Ugh, it's so bitter. Bleh."
"Eat some tteokbokki. I'll pour you this one next—it's sweeter."
"Okaaay… But this one is way too bitter. I don't think I can drink it…"
"Give it to me, I'll finish it."
I took Lumi's glass and downed the leftover soju in one go.
"W-Wait, I drank from that…"
"Oh. Sorry. You said you couldn't finish it, so I didn't want to waste it."
"I-It's fine."
Nom.
Blushing, Lumi stabbed a rice cake with her chopsticks and took a bite.
"Ahem, want to try the grapefruit soju now? This one should be fine."
When things get a little awkward, the best solution is another drink.
"Okay. Pour me a glass."
Lumi stared at the soju bottle and glass like a general heading into battle.
It's just one drink. Why is she taking it so seriously?
I poured Lumi a grapefruit soju, and she poured me another regular one.
Clink!
Gulp, gulp.
"Mmm, it's still a little bitter, but it's sweet enough to drink."
"Good thing I got one of these, then."
"But alcohol makes you drunk, right? When do I get drunk?"
"It depends on the person. Do you feel warm or happy or anything?"
"Uuuum… I dunnooo…"
Lumi placed a hand on her forehead and muttered to herself.
To me, it sounded like she was already slurring her words. Lumi, are you okay?
"I think I'm really good at drinking! Let's have another shot!"
"Maybe you should slow down?"
"Cheers!"
*
"Uuueeeeh…."
"I told you to drink slowly."
"Ughh… My head hurts…"
Pat, pat.
After leaving the bar, I was now standing in the middle of the street, gently patting Lumi's back.
I told her to take it easy, but she insisted on downing five shots in a row and completely knocked herself out.
If she's this weak to alcohol, shouldn't she have at least felt warm or dizzy first? Or is getting drunk just an unavoidable fate for heroines?
"I'm sleepy…"
"No, no, if you fall asleep here, your face will freeze. Lumi? Lumi?"
"Uuugh…"
Flop. She collapsed, and I had to grab her under the arms to lift her up.
Even shaking her, she wouldn't wake up.
"Uueeeng…"
"…She's completely gone."
She was totally out of it. I couldn't just leave her here. What do I do?
"…"
A brightly lit sign a block away caught my eye.
[Grand Motel]
"…I don't have a choice. Yeah. I really don't have a choice."
I really don't have a choice. Seriously.