Tokyo: To reiterate, this is not a dating system.

27. I submitted this proposal.

The day's classes ended quickly, during which Genji Aoyama was unable to fully concentrate on his studies.

Occasionally, I would drift off into thinking about my meeting with Haruka Minatsuki that afternoon.

Reflection.

Having come to understand the benefits of self-reflection once again, the word "self-reflection" often flashes through Aoyama Genji's mind.

The classroom was lively after school on Friday. Everyone gathered together, chatting about their plans for after school and the weekend, as if this was the beginning of the week.

Genji Aoyama packed his things, sent a message to Yuko Asahi, and left the classroom.

[Yuko: Will you come over for dinner tonight?]

[Aoyama: Yes, but it shouldn't be as late as before]

Many people, like him, leave the school gate as soon as school is over.

Groups of teenagers went to the arcade or talked about a newly opened dessert shop.

Genji Aoyama noticed that some girls' uniforms had the top two buttons undone and their bows loosened, revealing a charm that didn't belong to their age.

The uniform pleated skirt was folded up extremely high, even revealing youthful, fair thighs.

Shiratsu High School doesn't allow hair dyeing, so since the start of the school year, Aoyama Genji hasn't noticed any hot girls.

But these people seem to be no different from hot girls—it seems that being hot isn't just an outward appearance, but a lifestyle.

Aoyama Genji gained new insights while observing.

Of course, he only glanced at it twice before coming out of the school gate.

In April, the weather in Tokyo wasn't too hot yet, and the leaves of some kind of tree along the road rustled in the wind.

He walked all the way to the station in Hongo 3-chome, where he and Haruka Minatsuki arranged to meet at the nearby Trevo café.

Through the glass exterior of the café, Genji Aoyama saw Haruka Minatsuki, who was staring blankly with one hand supporting her head.

The afternoon sun gently shone on her fair and beautiful face, making her look serene and radiant.

"You're here so early, didn't you go to school?"

The agreed time was 4:30, but it's not 4 o'clock yet.

Moreover, Haruka Minatsuki was wearing casual clothes—

She wore a simple shirt with some nice pleats at the chest, which looked puffy yet neat and elegant, and she wore a light-colored knitted cardigan over it.

She wore a black midi skirt with a belt around her waist, which made her waist look very slender. The skirt had some pleats at the hem, but it didn't look puffy.

A small section of her slender, fair calves was exposed, covered by white socks with simple lace trim, which were encased in black low-heeled leather shoes.

Genji Aoyama didn't understand fashion styles, but he felt that Haruka Minazuki looked both elegant and noble, and also exceptionally gentle.

Seemingly noticing his gaze, Haruka Minatsuki smiled gently and waved her free hand lightly.

Genji Aoyama went in and sat down opposite her.

"What would you like to drink?"

After exchanging greetings, Haruka Minatsuki placed the menu in front of Genji Aoyama with a faint smile on her face: "I heard this cafe's strawberry crème brûlée cake is quite good, would you like to try it?"

Genji Aoyama glanced at the menu. Although it was a coffee shop, it was normal for them to sell juice and sparkling water.

He wasn't used to drinking coffee after 3 p.m., so he ordered an orange soda and a strawberry crème brûlée cake recommended by Haruka Minatsuki.

Today, during a physical education class, Genji Aoyama, who was actively participating, felt a little hungry.

After a day of focused studying, the body urgently needs to replenish sugar.

Before the food was served, Haruka Minatsuki didn't ask him what he wanted to say; she just quietly watched him most of the time.

It's as if what she cares about isn't the "discussion" itself, but the "people who discuss the matter."

My gaze would occasionally drift to the top button of his shirt that was undone, and his slightly loosened tie.

This woman definitely has some obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Genji Aoyama took a sip of orange soda.

The bubbles burst in his mouth, and the sweet and sour orange mixed with the coolness of the ice made Genji Aoyama feel much more comfortable.

He suddenly understood why manual laborers would drink a bottle of ice-cold beer while eating.

The throbbing pain in his temples lessened, and Genji Aoyama looked at Haruka Minatsuki, his voice becoming serious.

"Miss Haruka, let me tell you about my situation first."

Perhaps because she had just taken a sip of coffee, Haruka Minatsuki's cherry blossom-colored lips were a little moist. She took out a handkerchief and gently wiped them with it before speaking.

"It's still early, would you like to grab something to eat first?" Haruka Minatsuki looked at him, her eyes seemingly smiling. "I remember Genji-kun had a PE class today."

"Miss Haruka, won't you eat something?"

Genji Aoyama glanced at the exquisite cake, picked up a spoon from the plate, and took a bite—he wasn't used to using a knife and fork.

"Genji-kun, try it first, then tell me if it's good. If it's good, I'd like to try it too."

During this time, Haruka Minatsuki rested her chin on her hand and looked at him, blinking her eyes and a faint smile on her face.

It's just like seeing a mother watching her child eat properly.

"not bad."

Aoyama Genji's "not bad" rating is around 7 out of 10, which is just his usual way of thinking.

"Um."

Haruka Minatsuki simply nodded, without saying whether she would eat or not.

Aoyama Genji didn't mind her gaze and began to focus on the strawberry crème brûlée cake; he was indeed a little hungry.

The taste was alright, not too sweet, but the caramel, custard, and crème brûlée could get a bit cloying after a while.

After eating about half of it, he put down the spoon that was covered in cream.

Haruka Minatsuki also straightened her posture, adopting the posture of a listener.

"I'd like to discuss a collaboration with you, specifically the business aspects."

A flicker of surprise crossed Haruka Minatsuki's face, then she smiled gently: "Tell me about it."

"Before we begin, Ms. Haruka, please listen to my proposal. It goes like this..."

Genji Aoyama briefly described his plan, then observed Haruka Minatsuki's expression.

"Do you mainly spend your time online?"

Haruka Minatsuki seemed to be pondering something, glancing briefly at the scenery outside. After a moment, she spoke again, "I only have a general understanding of this, but what you've said has piqued my interest. Please continue."

"I originally planned to run this project in my personal capacity, but after careful consideration, I realized that it would be better to run it through a company."

"Does Genji mean I should register a company?"

Hearing this, Haruka Minatsuki probably understood.

Leaving aside economic conditions, given Aoyama Genji's current age, status, and family situation, it is simply impossible for him to support starting a company.

With a little thought, you can figure out what he wants to do.

"That's right."

Genji Aoyama nodded and continued, "Although it may be presumptuous, since this is a collaboration, I am confident that Ms. Haruka will benefit from it."

"Genji-kun, you seem quite confident," Minatsuki Haruka laughed.

"Of course, I wouldn't have approached Ms. Haruka if I hadn't been determined to succeed in everything I did."

Genji Aoyama took a sip of orange soda. The bubbles weren't as dense as they were at first, but they were still very refreshing.

"I don't really like this reason."

"To put it another way, I actively want to cooperate with Ms. Haruka, and I believe that cooperating with Ms. Haruka is the best choice."

Haruka Minatsuki seemed to fall into a brief moment of thought again.

"I suddenly realized that Genji is completely different from what I imagined," she laughed again shortly after, "I've submitted this proposal."

The agreement was accepted more smoothly than I expected, but... was it a bit hasty?

Aoyama Genji had this thought flash through his mind.

He hasn't even mentioned the specifics, or even the profit-sharing arrangement.

Of course, these can be discussed later.

He had no objections as long as the goal could be achieved.

After making the decision, Haruka Minatsuki suddenly stood up from her seat.

Genji Aoyama thought she wanted to shake hands.

He blinked, then felt he should stand up too—

Then he saw Minatsuki Haruka suddenly lean down towards him, pick up the knife and fork on the plate, elegantly cut a small piece from the cake, and then use the fork in her right hand to pick it up and put it in her mouth to taste.

I couldn't tell if it was the smell of crème brûlée or the scent of Haruka Minatsuki that brushed past my nose.

Genji Aoyama thought it smelled wonderful.

After returning to her seat, Haruka Minatsuki took out her handkerchief again and gently wiped the cream from the corner of her mouth. Only after this smooth and elegant motion did she slowly speak:

"I've heard people say before that the best food is the stuff you get from someone else. I think... it's absolutely delicious."

Haruka Minatsuki seemed very happy; this was the first time Aoyama Genji had seen her smile like this since he had known her.

"?"

Genji Aoyama didn't understand her behavior, nor did he comprehend what she meant.

Let her have one bite.

At the same time, he noticed that his emotions, which had remained unchanged until now, had suddenly changed—in addition to focusing on his conversation with Haruka Minatsuki, he was also keeping an eye on her condition.

【Mine, Haruka Minatsuki】