Saturday was the day Hara Kei had been invited by Ai Hayasaka to go on her ambitious "Eat Tokyo Everywhere" adventure.
After a quick wash-up, Hara Kei glanced at his system panel.
The Cooking proficiency bar was nearly full. If nothing unexpected happened today, he would level up another skill to Lv3—and it was one that would directly impact his daily life.
He had to admit, that prospect was rather exciting.
Sliding open the apartment door, a fresh, invigorating breeze greeted him, instantly lifting his spirits.
Looking up, the streets were mostly empty, still early in the morning. Few pedestrians wandered past.
Yet the sun had already risen over the horizon, smiling at Hara Kei with a warm, reddish glow.
A good weather day was practically guaranteed.
Good morning, Mr. Sun. I'm counting on you today too.
With that thought, Hara Kei set off lightly toward the nearest train station. He and Ai had agreed to meet at a station entrance.
…
Upon arrival, he saw Ai already waiting near one of the pillars by the ticket gates.
But she wasn't alone. Two young men, dressed casually like nearby university students, were with her.
Hara Kei observed from a distance.
Before he could approach, Ai spoke—just a few words—and the two men wilted like frost-bitten eggplants, suddenly losing their bravado.
Still, they tried to maintain a shred of gentlemanly composure, murmuring a few words before turning and leaving.
Their departing figures carried a faint sadness that oddly matched the season.
With her would-be suitors taken care of, Ai's expression remained entirely composed, showing she was used to this sort of attention.
Glancing at her wristwatch, she lifted her gaze toward the station interior—and noticed Hara Kei approaching.
Ai showed no surprise, only a graceful wave.
Hara Kei scanned his commuter card, and the gate opened with a soft swish. From that moment on, nothing stood between them.
"Ten minutes early, as expected of you," Ai teased, wearing a look that said she had anticipated this all along. "Luckily, I had already planned for it."
Hara Kei smirked. "And yet, you still got approached before I could even help you. Should I marvel at your charm?"
"Of course." Ai didn't shy away like a typical girl; she looked completely at ease. She spread her arms slightly, as if to give Hara Kei a full view of today's outfit.
Her upper body was clad in a jet-black top, the zipper intentionally left slightly open to reveal a pristine white cardigan underneath. Her golden hair, tied up neatly, created a harmonious blend of three colors—elegant and stylish.
For her lower half, she skipped the skirt, opting for fitted jeans that highlighted her long, graceful legs. Brown ankle boots with a slight heel added height without compromising mobility.
Aside from the hairband keeping her golden locks in place, Ai wore no accessories, projecting an effortless natural beauty.
Even to the most critical eye, Ai was undeniably a breathtaking young woman. It was no surprise men approached her.
"You saw what happened, Hara Kei. Shouldn't you have come to help me?" she half-complained, half-teased.
"But… you already handled them before I even arrived," Hara Kei said.
"Well, isn't that risky? What if they had persisted? They're both tall, strong men, and I'm just a lone, weak girl. What would you have done if they tried to drag me off?"
With no one familiar around, the girl's natural personality shone through. Ai was more cheerful, teasing Hara Kei in a friendly way.
Weak girl…
Hara Kei glanced at her silently, thinking back to the incredibly high combat ability Ai had displayed in his previous life. He couldn't help feeling a touch of amusement.
"Don't worry. My conscience will kick in if needed. I'll handle them."
"Conscience, huh?" Ai glanced skeptically at his chest, silently questioning if he actually possessed such a thing.
After a moment, she couldn't hold back any longer and burst into a quiet laugh.
She stepped closer to him naturally, turning to stand beside him—not pressing too close, leaving a comfortable distance between them.
At the same time, she cast a subtle glance around, sending a clear signal to any wandering girls: We're together. Her territorial instinct was obvious.
Hara Kei's ability to attract attention matched hers, if not exceeded it. Ai shuddered to think how tense any future girlfriend of his would be. Her mind wandered briefly to Yukinoshita Yukino, and a flicker of pity passed through her thoughts.
"So… why did you come out so early?" Hara Kei asked, curious. He hadn't noticed Ai's small gestures—or perhaps he noticed but simply didn't care. "The restaurant isn't open yet, right? Or were you planning to hit a convenience store first?"
Having lived in Sakurajima for over two months, Hara Kei had realized just how different it was from Huaguo back in his previous life.
The most glaring difference: there were no early-morning breakfast shops.
No street vendors selling youtiao, soy milk, buns, crepes, tea eggs, tofu pudding, or wontons.
Formal restaurants only opened after nine o'clock, and no one prepared special breakfasts beforehand.
Ai hummed lightly at his question, a hint of pride in her expression.
"Sakurajima may not have breakfast shops, but that doesn't mean there aren't delicious breakfast options," she said.
She stretched her long legs and gestured for Hara Kei to hurry. "If we don't move quickly, there'll be a line to wait in."
Her smile was bright, her eyes sparkling—a smile that carried no trace of shadows.
Perhaps even she didn't fully realize how radiant it was.