Hitori's unwillingness to go out was expected, so Kitahara Makoto naturally wouldn't force her, only telling Hitori to rest well.
He put down his phone.
Outside, the sun was just right.
Kitahara Makoto, feeling light and unburdened, changed shoes and went out with Mutsumi, bought the collector's edition game disc of "Call of Duty," and completed the third daily task in advance.
"Zombie mode is always the best..."
Kitahara Makoto put down the game controller, silently giving it a perfect score in his mind, then took out his phone and sent a message to Tomori.
"Tomori, are you free today?"
Regarding the fourth task, [Date A Live], Kitahara Makoto already had an idea in mind.
It was still the same line.
Whether he could complete it or not, he had to try.
"..."
The message quickly showed as read.
Tomori: "I'm free, I'm free all day."
Kitahara Makoto: "Do you want to go on a date?"
Tomori: "...Yes!"
Tomori's quick agreement made Kitahara Makoto feel a strange sense of guilt, but for today's lottery chances, he still subtly sent a message:
"Something happened in the mirror space yesterday that made Taki-san very angry, so how about we ask Taki-san to come along and play?"
A date is a date.
It didn't say only two people could date; three people dating should be fine too, right?
Tomori hesitated: "Taki-san might not agree to go out and play."
If their roles were reversed, and she was stuck in the mirror and so embarrassed in front of a boy, she would never go out and play.
Kitahara Makoto: "If Taki-san isn't willing, then it'll just be us going out."
Tomori: "I'll ask Taki-san."
Kitahara Makoto: "Let me do it, it'll show more sincerity."
Tomori: "Then I'll leave it to Makoto-kun."
"..."
Kitahara Makoto slid his phone screen, found Taki's profile picture, then opened the chat box and got straight to the point:
"Taki-san, want to go on a date together?"
At the same time.
At the Shiina residence.
Taki had just woken up. Since she didn't have work today, she was lounging on the sofa, boredly watching TV.
When she heard her phone vibrate, she curiously picked it up and her eyes widened instantly.
"...Huh?!"
(Date?!)
(Did that scumbag Kitahara send it to the wrong person?!)
(No, the message wasn't sent to the wrong person, it clearly has my name.)
(Frivolous! Absolutely too frivolous!)
(Do you think that just because something unexpected happened yesterday, I'll let you have your way with me?!)
"Damn it!"
Taki sat up straight in anger, her small face full of fury, and her fingers rapidly tapped on her phone.
"Awful!"
"The worst!"
"Are you worthy of Tomori?!"
Kitahara Makoto was speechless: "I just asked if you wanted to go on a date. Taki-san, your reaction is a bit much, isn't it?"
Taki: "Don't even think about it! I would never date a harem scumbag!"
Just as he had imagined, Kitahara Makoto was rejected flat out without hesitation.
This was expected, so Kitahara Makoto naturally wasn't angry. He slowly said:
"Just give me a minute to finish what I'm saying, and Taki-san should stop refusing me."
Taki: "...Impossible!"
Kitahara Makoto: "I just sent a message to Tomori, inviting Tomori on a date, and Tomori has already agreed."
Taki: "..."
Looking at the message on her phone, Taki immediately furrowed her delicate brows.
(What does this guy mean?)
(Is he trying to threaten me with what happened yesterday?)
Taki bit her lower lip tightly, a flicker of hesitation crossing her small face.
(He shouldn't... be like that, right?)
(If Kitahara's character was really that bad, everyone would have seen his true colors by now.)
Kitahara Makoto: "I'm worried I won't be able to control myself."
Taki: "...What do you mean?"
Kitahara Makoto: "If Taki-san doesn't come out to play, then it'll just be Tomori and me on a date. Tomori is so cute, I'm worried I won't be able to resist doing 'that' kind of thing."
Taki: "...!!!"
Looking at the message on her phone, Taki suddenly stood up, her small face filled with murderous intent:
"Where are you guys? I'll be right there!"
With me here, you won't take Tomori's chastity!
Kitahara Makoto put down his phone:
"Good, today's task might be completable."
Indeed, everyone has weaknesses. As long as you grasp them, you can easily make the other party comply.
"Makoto-kun, I want to go play too."
The girl's slow, clear, cold voice sounded behind Kitahara Makoto.
Kitahara Makoto turned to look, quite speechless: "Mutsumi, how do you walk without making any sound?"
Mutsumi was expressionless: "Because I'm barefoot."
You should at least wear a pair of slippers, don't walk around barefoot!
Facing Mutsumi's expectant gaze, Kitahara Makoto naturally couldn't say no:
"If you want to go, then come along. Change your clothes first."
One sheep or two, it's all the same. Bringing Mutsumi along was no problem at all, after all, she's a three-no girl, so there's no need to worry about a love triangle breaking out.
"Thank you, Makoto-kun."
Mutsumi thumped up the stairs.
Kitahara Makoto pondered for two seconds, then took out his phone again and sent messages to Soyo, Sakiko, and Anon, giving them advance notice.
As expected, Sakiko and Soyo both rejected his date invitation.
Half an hour later.
At the entrance of Ueno Zoo.
"Tomori, Taki-san, good morning."
Kitahara Makoto arrived at the zoo and immediately saw Tomori and Taki standing together.
"Makoto-kun, good morning."
Tomori responded softly.
Today, Tomori was wearing a small floral white dress and the sun hat they had bought together at the mall last time. Her small face was fair and tender, and her voice was soft and gentle. In short, she was super cute.
"Hmph."
Taki snorted softly and turned her face away, not wanting to speak to Kitahara Makoto at all.
Kitahara Makoto didn't mind, opening his backpack and casually taking out a box of band-aids, saying gently, "Last night at the supermarket, I saw newly released band-aids with a limited artemisia pattern. I wasn't sure if Tomori had collected this style, so I just bought a box."
"Thank you, Makoto-kun." Tomori's eyes sparkled. "I heard about this type of band-aid but haven't had a chance to buy it yet."
Kitahara Makoto smiled and said, "That's perfect then."
"Makoto-kun, here you go."
Tomori also opened her backpack and pulled out a jar of colorful candies.
"Konpeito."
Kitahara Makoto took a bite and said, "I was just thinking of eating Konpeito."
...
Watching the two chat as if no one else was around, Taki's mood was inexplicably complex.
(Although I knew Tomori liked collecting band-aids, I never thought of buying band-aids for Tomori...)
(Sure enough, a scumbag knows how to win a girl's heart!)
"Mutsumi, Konpeito, do you want some?"
Tomori treated everyone equally and did not show favoritism.
Mutsumi said expressionlessly, "Yes, I do."
"Taki, your Konpeito."
"...Thank you, Tomori."
Taki naturally wouldn't refuse, taking the candy and putting it into her mouth.
"It's so hot, why are we playing at the zoo?"
Taki took out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from her forehead and couldn't help but ask.
Kitahara Makoto looked over at her words:
"I saw a message on X, formerly known as Twitter, yesterday that Ueno Zoo had introduced a Giant Panda."
"Eh?!"
Taki's eyes suddenly brightened.
Kitahara Makoto smiled and said, "Taki, do you want to see the Panda?"
...
The words "I don't" were on the tip of her tongue, but Taki couldn't say them no matter what.
She loved pandas very much. Her phone wallpaper, lock screen, and social media avatars were all pandas. She once spent all the money she earned from part-time jobs to buy a pair of zoo panda dolls.
Now that she knew there were pandas at the zoo, all the heat and irritation immediately vanished.
As long as she could see the Panda, no matter how hot the weather was, it would be worth it!
"Let's go." Kitahara Makoto stepped towards the ticket booth. "Let's buy tickets to see the pandas."
The three girls obediently followed behind Kitahara Makoto. Each girl was very beautiful, successfully attracting a lot of envious glances for Kitahara Makoto.
They bought tickets and entered.
Kitahara Makoto held the zoo's guide brochure, silently memorizing the route map, and then led the three girls to tour the zoo.
Giraffes swinging their necks to hit each other.
Wombats, the only animals in nature that excrete square feces.
Various unnamed apes.
Rhinos that could be fed.
And the hippo, a defecation machine.
They strolled along, taking photos and checking in, finally arriving at the Panda House.
The popularity of pandas in Japan goes without saying. To prevent overcrowding and trampling, there were staff members specially guarding the entrance of the Panda House, allowing only twenty people at a time, and only for a ten-minute visit.
As it turned out, when it was Kitahara Makoto and his group's turn, the queue was exactly full. Mutsumi and Tomori stayed outside, and only Kitahara Makoto and Taki could enter in the same batch.
"Tomori, you go in. I'll wait outside for a bit."
Taki turned her head, wanting to give up her spot.
"No need." Tomori gently shook her head, her voice quiet. "Taki, you go in. Mutsumi and I will be together."
"But..."
Taki was about to say more when the staff member began to urge them.
Having no choice, Taki could only follow the group into the Panda House.
At first, Taki felt a little guilty, after all, it was Kitahara Makoto and Tomori's date, and she had unexpectedly taken the opportunity to see the Panda with him. However, after seeing the panda, Taki's eyes immediately lit up, and her eyes were filled only with the round, black and white panda.
"Panda!"
"It's a live Panda!"
"Ahhh! I want to take a photo!"
Among the visitors who entered in the same batch as Kitahara Makoto, elementary and middle school students accounted for the majority. These students rushed to the safety window in a swarm, all extremely excited.
Taki was originally very happy, but after seeing the noisy elementary school students crowded together, she quickly furrowed her delicate brows.
As a high school student, she certainly wouldn't compete with elementary school students.
But the problem was, if she didn't push forward, her view would be completely blocked by the elementary school students. She could only barely see the Panda inside by standing on her tiptoes, let alone taking photos as a souvenir—
Don't forget, Taki is only one meter fifty tall.
If it weren't for her outstanding chest development, she could still easily blend into an elementary school campus if she wore an elementary school uniform now.
"What's wrong, Taki?"
Kitahara Makoto asked softly.
"I'm fine."
Taki slightly furrowed her brows and looked up, glaring at Kitahara Makoto: It's really unfair between people, why is this guy so tall!
Kitahara Makoto looked down at her: "Can you see the Panda inside?"
"Hmph." Taki crossed her arms over her chest and snorted softly. "None of your business."
As she spoke, a very short elementary school student started crying loudly because he couldn't see the Panda. Fortunately, there was an adult nearby who picked up the elementary school student, turning his tears into joy.
Seeing this scene, Kitahara Makoto turned to Taki: "Do you want me to help?"
Taki glared at him in embarrassment: "Get lost!"
I'm a dignified high school student, if you pick me up to see the Panda, how can I face anyone?
"We can only see the Panda for ten minutes, and half the time has already passed." Kitahara Makoto reminded slowly, "It's rare to come and see a panda, Taki, you don't want to not even get a single photo, do you?"
...
Hearing this, Taki immediately hesitated.
"Leave it to me."
Kitahara Makoto reached out and easily picked Taki up into his arms.
It was impossible to make Taki actively ask for help, so at times like this, the obvious choice was to just do it.
"You... let go of me!"
Taki's body stiffened. She nervously clutched Kitahara Makoto's collar, her face flushed red, and she glared at him in embarrassment.
"Don't move around." Kitahara Makoto reminded her, "Look, the Panda is playing on the swing."
Taki turned her head at his words and saw the clumsy panda climbing onto the swing set. Her gaze immediately became fixed, and she instinctively raised her phone.
As for being held in Kitahara Makoto's arms... she could only choose to endure it for now.
Fortunately, Tomori and Mutsumi didn't come in with them, otherwise, she would absolutely not let this guy hold her in his arms!
Click, click.
Taki quickly took photos and didn't forget to record videos. She only reluctantly put away her phone when the time was up.
"The photos are good. Share them with me when we get back."
Kitahara Makoto's voice sounded.
"Huh?"
Taki was stunned for half a second, then remembered that she was still being held in Kitahara Makoto's arms. Her face instantly flushed red, and she said in embarrassment, "Hurry up and put me down!"
Kitahara Makoto put her down while complaining, "I held you for so long, Taki, you should at least say thank you, right?"
"Don't even think about it!"
The thought of being held in Kitahara Makoto's arms for so long in public made Taki so embarrassed that she wanted to find a hole to crawl into.
"There won't be a next time!"
...
The rest of the story goes without saying.
After seeing the pandas, daily task four was completed, and other matters naturally became unimportant.
Kitahara Makoto and Taki walked out of the Panda House first and went to the accessories area. After Tomori and Mutsumi arrived, Kitahara Makoto casually bought a few panda dolls and accessories as souvenirs.
"Tomori, your gift."
"Thank you, Makoto-kun."
Tomori thanked him happily.
"Mutsumi, here you go."
"Thank you, Makoto-kun."
Mutsumi took the panda doll with both hands and thanked him softly with an expressionless face.
Kitahara Makoto treated everyone equally, handing the last gift to Taki: "Taki, this is your Panda."
Taki: "..."
Looking at the panda handed to her, Taki bit her lip lightly, wanting to refuse softly, but for some reason, her right hand involuntarily reached out: "...Thank you."
After touring the zoo, it was already noon.
Kitahara Makoto took the three girls out of the zoo, casually chose a restaurant for lunch, and then went to the cinema to watch a movie in the afternoon.
"That's all for today." Kitahara Makoto waved goodbye, turning to go home with light steps. "Time to go back and play games."
Taki: "..."
"No, you're leaving already?"
"I always feel like this guy has other motives…"
Evening arrived in a flash.
Kitahara Makoto arrived at the micro-film shooting location to 'visit the set.' His scenes were basically finished; next up was Kita and Anon's dual-protagonist highlight moment.
"Kitahara-kun is so mean," Chihaya Anon said, her tone filled with resentment. "You two went out to play yesterday and today, and you didn't call me."
Kitahara Makoto said speechlessly, "Yesterday was to exorcise, not to play."
"I'm not listening, I'm not listening," Chihaya Anon covered her ears with both hands. "In short, it's just too biased."
Kitahara Makoto extended his right hand, wanting to hug this pink-haired girl.
"Hehe~"
Chihaya Anon quickly dodged, her bright eyes glaring at him.
"Don't hug me, what if someone sees?"
Kitahara Makoto said shamelessly, "This is a corridor, usually there's no one here. Besides, Anon and I are in a proper relationship, so it doesn't matter if we're seen, right?"
"It's just pretending to be in a relationship."
Chihaya Anon crossed her arms over her chest, and hummed softly, "What about Kita-san then?"
Kitahara Makoto's expression was composed, "We are in a relationship together."
Chihaya Anon's eyes showed disdain: "Even if scumbag-kun shamelessly says it, we won't admit it… In short, it's too biased, you must compensate me."
Kitahara Makoto said unhurriedly, "What does Anon want?"
"The fireworks festival is about to start," Chihaya Anon's pretty face flushed slightly, her eyes filled with anticipation. "Attending the fireworks festival alone feels a bit lonely."
Kitahara Makoto understood her meaning, and raised his right hand, saying, "Hello, may I accompany Anon-chan to the fireworks festival?"
"I'll consider it," Chihaya Anon lifted her chin haughtily, revealing a slender, snow-white swan neck. "…Only the two of us, no one else is allowed!"
"Understood," Kitahara Makoto said decisively, "I guarantee I won't call anyone else."
This Anon is super jealous, so Kitahara Makoto naturally wouldn't be foolish enough to invite others on their date.
After agreeing to go to the fireworks festival together, this pink-haired girl quickly became all about acting spoiled.
"Scumbag-kun~ When we go to the fireworks festival, remember to wear a yukata, I want to take pictures then."
Kitahara Makoto said speechlessly, "I think a shirt and trousers are quite good."
"No," Chihaya Anon put her hands on her hips and looked up at him with a glare. "A shirt is too informal, you must wear a yukata."
"Yes, yes, I'll wear a yukata," Kitahara Makoto reluctantly agreed. "Are there any requirements for the style and color?"
Chihaya Anon pursed her lips: "Forget it, let Kitahara-kun choose himself, his outfits will definitely be ugly. It's better if we go to the mall together in a couple of days, and then just leave everything to me."
Kitahara Makoto naturally enjoyed the prospect, and naturally leaned down towards Anon.
"Then I'll trouble Anon-chan."
"Hmph hmph~"
Chihaya Anon hummed twice, then suddenly realized, "Wait, when did you hug me?"
Kitahara Makoto looked innocent, "Just when Anon was talking earlier."
Chihaya Anon blinked her eyes in confusion, "Why do I have no impression at all?"
Kitahara Makoto lowered his voice, "I'll help Anon recall."
"Go away, my lipstick will get smudged… Mmm…"
Chihaya Anon originally wanted to firmly refuse, not giving a kiss, but her body was quite honest, and soon she instinctively extended her arms, wrapping them around Kitahara Makoto's neck.
After agreeing on the details for the fireworks festival with Anon, the two left the hallway and happened to run into a red-haired girl with a side ponytail coming out of the bathroom, meeting her head-on.
It was Kita.
"Cough cough…"
Chihaya Anon coughed twice, guiltily averted her gaze, and raised a hand to cover her lips, lest Kita see through her.
"Just now I was talking about dancing with Kitahara-kun… Kita-san, you two chat, I'm going back first!"
They had been filming the micro-film together for so long, and both were extroverts, so they could now be considered friends.
But in front of Kitahara Makoto, it was still inevitably awkward. As soon as one of them appeared beside Kitahara Makoto, the other girl would quickly slip away.
"Stare—"
Kita Ikuyo's cheeks puffed out, looking exactly like a little hamster with its mouth full of sunflower seeds.
"I saw everything."
Kitahara Makoto was shocked, "Kita can see through things now?"
Kita Ikuyo's cheeks puffed out even more, wanting to hit him.
"Anon-san's lipstick is all gone, okay?!"
Kitahara Makoto said simply, "I am terribly sorry, please allow me to apologize with a humble heart."
Tomori, who embraced the universe, was ultimately a rare exception; most girls would be jealous, differing only in degree.
Kita Ikuyo hummed softly, "I don't need it!"
Kitahara Makoto tried to hold Kita's small hand.
"Speaking of which, does your Kessoku Band have any new live performances?"
"Don't touch me," Kita Ikuyo put her hands behind her back. "Go find your Anon-san."
Kitahara Makoto raised both hands, "Kita-sama, please let your solar radiance shine upon me."
Kita Ikuyo couldn't help but retort, "Even the sun can be obscured by dark clouds, right?"
Kitahara Makoto continued to change the subject, "Speaking of which, practicing dancing must be very hard, do you want to come for dream training?"
"No need," Kita said with puffed-out cheeks. "Ayane-nee found a professional dance teacher to guide us, so I don't want to go for dream training."
Kita's personality was lively and cheerful; after a bit of jealousy, the matter passed.
Of course, after knowing that Kitahara Makoto had just kissed Anon, let alone kissing, she wouldn't even let Kitahara Makoto hold her hand.
The two talked for a while, then prepared to go back and continue filming the movie.
However, looking at Kita's back, Kitahara Makoto suddenly frowned, raised his hand to cover his eyes, and a scene quietly appeared before him.
"This is… foreseeing the future?"
[Foresight]is a passive ability, rarely triggered, but at this moment, Kitahara Makoto once again foresaw the future, and in the future scene, it was clearly a crying Kita with swollen red eyes.
"Are you alright?"
Kita Ikuyo looked over worriedly.
Kitahara Makoto took a deep breath, his expression becoming serious.
"I'm fine, but Kita is in trouble."
"Huh?"
"I just [Foresaw the Future]again." Since it was a serious matter, Kitahara Makoto naturally wouldn't hide it and laid everything bare. Riddlers are super disgusting. "In the future scene, Kita is crying alone, having encountered something unknown."
Kita blinked her eyes, half-believing, "Kitahara-kun isn't lying, is he?"
Kitahara Makoto let out a soft breath, his expression serious, "I never lie about such important matters."
"That's true…" Kita involuntarily became nervous. "Then why would my future self be crying?"