The social phobia substitute will not dream of the band girl

"Master, Master's Wife, Goodbye~"

Hirashin smiled, while Higuchi Enka waved expressionlessly as they watched Kaname Rakuna walk through the door of the livehouse Space. With her grandmother, Tsuzuki Shifune, taking care of her, they no longer had to worry. Afterward, the two continued strolling down the street.

"That kid... is left-handed?"

"Yeah... I see. You made that inference based on the way she waved her left hand in her final goodbye? Pretty clever, huh? Small details like these that most people wouldn't notice often hold important information. You're certainly a pretty good judge of character."

Although when she looks at me... well, she is a beautiful girl with a cool and delicate personality after all, right?

The speculation was confirmed but Enka did not show any happy expression, not only because it was indeed a small matter and she was the aloof type, but mainly because someone seriously ruined her gaming experience.

"...So, where do we go next?"

"I saw you walking so fast, I thought you had a plan... All right, surrender~ surrender~" Ping Xin gave a French military salute, then continued, "Don't be so quick to glare at me. Actually, there are always alternative locations. I just wanted to ask what your plans are."

"I...it doesn't matter."

Higuchi Enka stopped in front of the vending machine, not intending to buy a drink but wanting to hear what he had to say——

"Okay, let's go to the aquarium. Although it's known as a holy place for women, it's also suitable for ordinary couples. There should be performances by seals or dolphins, which should be very interesting." Ping Xin strongly recommended.

Besides being truly suitable, he had also been to aquariums many times in different places. Well, although he had been with different people, thanks to this, he had already gained a lot of experience in this environment.

Well, 100% or even 90% proficiency~

"...but it would be troublesome if it got wet, and I don't want to go to a place like that in such cold weather."

After a moment of contemplation, Ping Xin continued, "How about the Museum? We can lie comfortably in chairs and spend a leisurely afternoon together enjoying 3D videos, explanations, and calming music."

"...No, that pitch-black place is too dangerous. Adolescent boys are all beasts."

No wonder the aquarium didn't work either. It turns out I didn't gain trust... Ping Xin's mood -1

After glancing at Hiraishin's reaction, Enka continued, "And thanks to someone, I've been consuming a lot of high-calorie foods lately. It would be best if I could get some exercise."

I see. You come up with a reason first and then use it to cover up the real reason, right? I’m familiar with this trick!

"I clearly said it's up to you, but this and that are not allowed. Women are really troublesome--"

What, you gave up on yourself?

"But I can certainly overcome this challenge... Let's go again in the summer. I'll take you to the beach, and we can watch the meteor shower together at night. It will definitely be an unforgettable experience."

"...Is that so? Well, please do your best~"

Without letting him see the expression on her face, Higuchi Enka took the lead. Although she didn't know where her goal was or how to get there, at least she now had a reason to move forward, more than one reason -

"But before that, let's eat first. After all, only when you're full can you have the energy to exercise, right?"

......

...

..

"So, where are we going now?"

"Um... I'm going to my house~ Wait wait wait! Don't be impatient... At least don't hit my face!"

Because of the "three rules", Hirayuko was completely unable to fight back and could only let Higuchi Enka take advantage of the opportunity. However, she attacked more and more fiercely. Hirayuko would never have thought that the reason she got so angry was because she felt that his skin was smoother and more tender after physical contact. He definitely didn't expect it~

Being able to gain control in this way also brought her great joy, and the resentment of being "led around by the nose" all day long also dissipated a lot. Especially at noon, this guy actually promoted all kinds of delicious food and secretly encouraged her to try to grow more and put more meat in the right places. This was really hard to bear!

After the playful banter, the two fell silent for a moment, then resumed their ordinary conversation. As they slowly walked forward, the sight of people around them gradually diminished. Although they weren't afraid of being noticed by others, they still politely declined such unnecessary attention.

"I'm going to ask you one last time... where are we going now?"

"station."

"Well... then what?"

"Then we took the tram to the zoo."

You should have said it like this from the beginning, do you really have to be so naughty?

"Then, let's go."

"Okay, this way please~"

It starts again...Alas——

Sometimes this person is really like a child.

After that, the two of them walked all the way to the station without saying a word. Although it only took a few minutes in total, it can only be said that it is indeed very convenient to have a subway station right next to home.

Because the two countries in this world have a very good relationship, and someone has been promoting it vigorously, I didn't make a fool of myself even when I took the subway for the first time. It turns out that smart payment is the way to go.

Because it was the weekend and the station was next to a shopping street and a large department store, there was a lot of traffic inside the station. In order to avoid being swept away by the crowd, Heishin quietly took her hand. Although Higuchi Enka noticed it, she didn't get angry.

One of the reasons was that he was really honest now, just holding her hand normally, and there was no sweat on his palms, so the warmth of his palms could make her hands feel more comfortable.

Secondly... she thought of what he'd said before: if he hadn't been with her, Ping Xin wouldn't have taken the subway. She'd seen him just now, the way he'd opened a search engine for on-site guides on his first subway ride. Consider it a small reward for him.

But she did not realize that this mentality of mutual compensation and mutual accommodation was already very close to the "real thing".

......

...

..

The train was quite crowded on Sunday afternoon. She was grateful to Hirayukoshi for shielding her with his own body, but she also felt awkward and confused by the physical contact caused by the shaking train and the crowded crowd.

Because of this personality since childhood, Enka's father treated her as an independent little adult and they haven't had any physical contact for several years. Not to mention the little brats in school, she certainly doesn't like any of them. Therefore, this experience really makes her feel a little strange and confused.

The same goes for Ping Xin. His female friends are basically kept at the level of "trustworthy friends", or subordinates with clear hierarchical relationships, and finally directly jump to the level of girlfriend. Therefore, he does not know how to deal with the awkward situations in such relationships.

However, cases like Yamada Ryo are exceptions among exceptions, and she cannot generalize.

"..."

"..."

The train clanked and clattered, and the crowd roared. Amidst the surging tide and the surging fish, only a young boy and girl remained motionless until the announcement from inside the train blared: "We're approaching Ueno Zoo Station! We're approaching Ueno Zoo Station! Passengers wishing to alight, please prepare in advance—"

"Then... let's go."

"......Um."

Holding hands, they walked through the crowd and headed towards the final destination.

Chapter 46: The Master of the Zoo

Arriving at the station, the fish in the sardine can regained their vitality, scrambling to leave the train car, hoping to escape their restraints and breathe fresh air even a second earlier. But in this surging crowd, only two people remained unmoved: Higuchi Enka, leaning against the wall, and Hiranobu, who had transformed his body into a fortress to protect her.

One batch of sardines escaped and another batch volunteered to go into the pot. With the departure of the big fish of the Ueno Line, the number of people dropped to a low point. At this time, Hirashin belatedly distanced himself from Higuchi Enka. The two did not speak for a long time, but just walked together from the platform to the exit towards the park entrance.

"I'm saying... it's so crowded when we get in, and so crowded when we get out. Isn't that strange? If we just stayed a little later like we did, it would instantly be more spacious. There's plenty of space and fresh air."

"...You don't have to explain to me." Seeing Hiranobu's slight guilt, Enka didn't care. She hated crowded trains, too. Everyone knew the Tokyo subway. But this was the first time she'd felt so safe on a crowded train.

Seeing him lower his head like a child who had done something wrong, she paused for a moment and continued, "Perhaps it's because they're all in a hurry... Although they probably don't know why they're in such a hurry—"

There was no need for comfort, no need for it. As long as the problem could be resolved, he would naturally reflect on it. After going out together so many times, Enka had also summed up her own "strategy manual". Experience told her what to do, and the same goes for other things.

"That's true... It's so condescending to point fingers at others. I always remind myself not to think of myself as special, but I always forget."

See, it's like this.

"I think when you said this, you already regarded yourself as a special person."

"Yeah... indeed."

What is true?

It's probably the same here and there.

Exiting the Ueno Zoo Station from the park entrance, the two followed the crowd and walked forward.

"There's a map there."

"Yeah, I know... but we're here to have fun anyway, and we're not in a rush, so we can just walk around. Or does Miss Higuchi have any favorite animals, like pandas?"

"...No. And it's too late to see the pandas at this time."

Isn’t this very clear?

It's not surprising, then, that even Tokyo residents, not to mention non-locals, would come see the pandas if they had the chance. It's just that those two are incredibly popular. Aren't they a true crowd pleaser in Tokyo? They even have to limit the number of spectators per day and set up closed days. Otherwise, the lines would probably be endless from morning till night.

Although it is also called a national treasure in Yan Country, its popularity is definitely not as enthusiastic as here. After all, the more people have, the less they cherish it, and they will only start to regret it when they lose it.

"Then let's put it out of our schedule for now and go to the main gate first."

After exiting the station, there is still a long way to go, and along the way you will pass by places like the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, the National Museum of Western Art, the National Science Museum, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum.

On November 11rd, the Cultural Day, these museums and cultural facilities are usually open to the public free of charge. I personally think it is very good to have such a festival to improve the national literacy.

After all, if you pay to come in and are not interested, you may never go to similar places again in the future. If it is free, there will be no loss even if you are not interested. If you are interested, maybe artists and scientists will be born from it. It is completely beneficial with no harm.

Following the crowd, they walked for a few minutes to the entrance to the East Garden of Ueno Zoo. Being over 16, they should have purchased adult tickets for 600 yen, but since junior high school students living in Tokyo can enter for free, they only needed to show their student ID.

"Hey, where's your ID? It would be better to take it out in advance, right?"

After all, there are people queuing behind you, and if you pay on the spot it will easily cause trouble to others.

"Huh? Ah... I feel like I come here quite often. Facial recognition should be OK, right?"

"...specific?"

"Hmm—about once a week on average?"

Sometimes he comes to play with his girlfriends including Asuna, Karin, Akane, Nel, Ryo and Kikuri; sometimes he comes to play with Rakuna and other children as guardians, including but not limited to Mitakeran and others; sometimes he comes here just because he is bored to take a walk and act as a mountain patrol king. In short, he comes quite often.

"That's really quite frequent..."

Higuchi Enka didn't want to delve into why he came or who he was with. Since it wasn't his first time here, he should have been well prepared. If things didn't work out, she could just leave and pretend she didn't know him.

But the development of things was beyond her expectations——

"Ah, Master, you're here today too!...I wonder who this young lady is?"

"Shh..." Ping Xin signaled him to shut up. "Don't ask about my privacy, remember?... Well, I won't disturb you while you're working. There are so many people waiting in line behind you. Bye~"

"Ah, yes!... Then I'll notify them in advance. Sorry to bother you today too!"

you......

The use of honorifics is a very important part of the Dongguo language. It can even be said that people who cannot use honorifics are destined not to last long in the Dongguo. Of course, this is only true for ordinary people, but this can also reflect how serious the class concept in the Dongguo is.

And what on earth could have made a young man like Asuka Ma be addressed as "you" by a man who was at least in his late 30s? And what about the so-called "master"?

When Enka came to her senses, she found that Heishin had been holding her hand as they walked past the ticket office. The hand she had finally let go of was being pulled back...

But there are a lot of people in the winter afternoons, so there is no way to avoid getting lost.

"...Is there anything you want to ask?" Ping Xin asked first after walking a few steps.

"You would have told me anyway if I hadn't asked, right?"

"Hmm...what exactly is it? I guess I can tell you, but do you want to hear it?"

Pingxin kicked the ball back over there. The meaning of this conversation is more than what it seems.

"...As you like."

It’s up to you what you like, do you like this topic or do you like yourself?

"Well... as you know, I have some special techniques that are useful in communication and biological treatment."

"...veterinary?"

"Hmm... maybe you could call me Zoo Master."

"......Oh--"

What a name, so stupid~

Chapter 47: A Trip to Ueno Zoo Part 1

"Bears... you know, bears are one of the most dangerous land animals in the wild. Not only are they territorial, omnivorous, large, strong, and swift, but most importantly, they're highly intelligent."

"...Really? I didn't notice."

Watching the brown bears rolling around in the snow inside the arena, Higuchi Enka didn't perceive any danger. Rather, she noticed a bear standing on two legs with its hands clasped together, begging for food. It didn't look particularly threatening, but rather a bit comical.