Chapter 7: A Bad Girlfriend?

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[Age thirty-five, near Ochanomizu, you encounter an old classmate. She sits by the bridge, weary and covered in the dust of the world, her eyes filled with a desire for death. You recall many memories of the past, and a trace of doubt arises in your heart...]

[You remember how she frequently skipped classes in her first year of high school, and by the second year, she had vanished completely, disappearing from your world... You recall the strangeness about her—she was always starving, always covered in bruises...]

Kitahara looks at the system description, ruling out the possibility that she is his ex-wife. Still, had his desk-mate really fallen so low that she was contemplating suicide? No, the pot shouldn't call the kettle black; his own life wasn't exactly stellar, so what right did he have to pity others?

Kitahara shakes off the thought and decides to check the mission details. Unsurprisingly, it is likely the same as when he met Takagi: help someone resolve their plight.

[You push aside your doubts, lamenting the fickleness of fate. She no longer recognizes you, but recalling the bond from your high school days, you decide to help her again...]

[Mission: Save Senkawa Ryoka]
[Reward: A pair of stockings that increase charm stats]

Huh? What use is a pair of charm-boosting stockings? He had no use for them. Still, even without the mission, Kitahara would have helped her. He could not, and would not, watch someone die right before his eyes. This simple set of values, deeply ingrained by his culture, would not change even in reincarnation.

The conversation begins. Let me see what secrets you are hiding.

Kitahara collects his thoughts, looks at Senkawa Ryoka before him, and asks bluntly, "What was he talking to you about just now?"

"Huh?" Senkawa Ryoka is stunned. If she wasn't mistaken, she should be the one questioning him right now, shouldn't she? How did the roles get reversed? However, recalling Kitahara’s gentle nature and the many times he had offered her bread out of kindness, she suppresses her emotions and says softly, "It’s nothing. He’s the swimming club coach, just asking if I’ll come back for training."

"Is that so?"
"I don't believe you."

The flippant tone stirs a hidden anger within Senkawa Ryoka. She bites her lip, looking at Kitahara with a flicker of rage in her eyes. Does he take her for that kind of woman? Why? Just because she has a large chest, she has to endure such judgment? Every one of these people is a jerk...

Senkawa Ryoka silently clenches her fists. More than anger, she feels a sense of helplessness... because Kitahara’s guess was actually correct; she had no way to refute it. She sighs silently, her favorability toward Kitahara dropping to zero. With a cold face, she says, "What I discussed with the coach is none of your business. Now, you should leave."

"I have business at the swimming club," Kitahara says.
"Registration is in the afternoon, and that’s not my department. Can you go now?"

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"I came to find you."

Senkawa Ryoka freezes, not understanding what Kitahara means for a moment. *Looking for me? For what? Begging for money? I don’t have a single cent.* She remains silent for a while, unsure what to say, and decides to listen to what he has in mind.

"There’s a new movie out in April. I have two tickets, and I want to watch it," Kitahara says naturally.

*A movie... asking me?* Senkawa Ryoka could never have imagined such a reason. She shakes her head and says, "I don't have time. You should go back."

"Then when will you be free?"

The persistent harassment makes Senkawa Ryoka impatient. She is already distressed—though not because of Kitahara—and she truly does not want to hear any more of his nonsense. She says angrily, "I don't have time. Never. You're annoying. Can you get lost?"

"I like you."

The words Senkawa Ryoka intended to say are swallowed back into her stomach. She stares at Kitahara, eyes wide, filled with disbelief. *Huh?*

"I don't understand..." she says blankly.

"Please, listen to me."

Kitahara has no special confession technique; he simply steps forward, coming right up to Senkawa Ryoka, not giving her a chance to react. "Do you believe in love at first sight?"

"I..." Senkawa Ryoka looks at the figure suddenly looming close, and the visible panic on her formerly cold face is evident. *He’s so close...*

"I noticed you when we entered our first year of high school. I only had a crush on you then, but the moment I truly fell for you was on a very ordinary afternoon." Kitahara recalls, "Under the pale golden sunset, you were reading quietly by the window. When you turned to look at me, the sunlight falling on your white dress... that moment was truly beautiful."

"When did I ever read a book..." Senkawa Ryoka mutters softly. Though she wasn't a complete failure academically, she had nothing to do with books; she had only gotten into this school through a sports scholarship. Athletes only train; they don't read. But since Kitahara is being so convincing, Senkawa Ryoka decides to just go along with it. She thinks for a moment and asks, "What exactly do you want?"

"Can you give me a chance?" After saying this, Kitahara stares at her with a sincere gaze, causing the young girl to lower her head in confusion. She opens her mouth, not knowing what to say for the moment.

Refuse? After spending over a year with him, she knows how stubborn Kitahara’s personality is. He used to argue with teachers for a month over trivial matters; surely, he wouldn't give up on a confession easily. She needs to come up with a good reason to reject him... something that would ruin her image completely.

For the first time, Senkawa Ryoka finds a situation this tricky. In fact, before Kitahara, others had taken a liking to her face (or rather, her figure) and confessed to her, but Senkawa Ryoka would always reject them instantly. But Kitahara is different...

He is a good person. At the very least, Senkawa Ryoka doesn't want to hurt him.

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Therefore, after a moment’s hesitation, Senkawa Ryoka whispers, "I think... you confessed to the wrong person."

"Why?"
"Because I'm not worth it."

Senkawa Ryoka takes a deep breath, collects herself, and puts on a flippant smile. "Actually, you don't need to confess. Just spend money. As long as you’re willing to spend money, I’ll do anything you want... of course, and not just for you."

"Anyone, as long as they are willing to spend money, I will do pleasant things for them."

Kitahara seems stunned, appearing incredulous. "Why?"

"Because I'm a delinquent," Senkawa Ryoka says, pointing to herself seriously. "Aren't people like me common in society? When I need money, I find men to ask for some; when I'm angry, I get into fights."

"And just now, you were right. He really was here to make a deal with me."

At this, Kitahara’s expression changes, appearing as if he has just realized the truth. Senkawa Ryoka feels a dull ache in her heart. She hides her emotions and says, word for word, "So, are you sure you want to pursue me?"

*Saying it this way, he should understand now, right?*

Kitahara’s reaction matches Senkawa’s expectations. After hearing these filthy words, he must now view her as a streetwalker, unwilling to even speak to her. But it doesn't matter; after today... we will never have another chance to meet.

"That’s great!"

Things always have a twist, just like Kitahara’s reaction. He says happily, "Since I can pay, then I have no psychological burden!"

"Senkawa-san, be my girlfriend!"

Senkawa Ryoka stares, stunned, not knowing what to say. Does this person like her to such an extent? Is there something wrong with his brain?

After a while, she whispers, "Hey, I'm the kind of girl who sleeps with people as long as they pay..."

"I know," Kitahara nods seriously. "Then I’ll just raise the price so that no one else can ever approach you. Isn't that enough?"

Senkawa Ryoka feels like crying. A strange emotion rises in her heart, flowing upward. She knows this is definitely not love, not a feeling driven by hormones; this is... being moved.

*Is this what love is like?*

*But I cannot give him the same love in return, so... I’m sorry.*

Senkawa Ryoka smiles bitterly and blurts out a "sky-high price," one that would be enough to make a high school student like her back off.

"I want 500,000 yen. Agree to that, and I'll be your girlfriend."

"Deal."

Kitahara agrees, pulls fifty 10,000-yen notes from his pocket, and places them into Senkawa’s hands.

"From today on, you are my girlfriend."