Tokyo Psychic

The phone shook, and Fang Zexia sent another message.

[My sister isn't that cute: I'm sorry I couldn't help you, senior.]

[Oh right, Senior!]

Are you free this weekend? I'd like to treat you to a barbecue! My father taught me to be grateful, so I must repay the kindness of my elders!

[The power of pearly tears cannot be disobeyed: There's no need to go to such lengths. It's just a small favor; a few words of thanks will suffice.]

"My little sister isn't that cute: I won't be able to repay my senior's kindness if I do that!!"

[The power of pearly tears cannot be defied: I don't have the habit of lavishly paying for meals for a junior girl I've only met once.]

"My little sister isn't that cute: Sure enough, that would embarrass Senpai in the class, right? Sorry! I was careless!"

[My sister isn't that cute: I heard that Senpai has a cooking class today. Can you cook?]

[The power of Pearl Tears cannot be disobeyed: absolutely not.]

At this moment, it seemed as if I could see the rose-like girl's joyful smile through the screen. This emotion was fully overflowing in her subsequent words.

"My little sister isn't that cute: Well then, please accept the lunch box I carefully prepared as a thank you gift!"

[My sister isn't that cute: For the next month, I will help make a lunch box every day and deliver it to my senior's class at noon!]

That's incredibly motivated. But before Kurusu Akatsuki could complain about the exaggerated timeframe of "a month" and politely decline Yoshizawa Kasumi's offer, Isen Renai's call pulled his attention back to reality from his phone screen.

"It's about to hit!"

Kurusu Akatsuki instinctively lowered his head, and a football flew over his head and hit the wall of the atrium heavily.

Several seniors from the football club came running over and bowed to Kurusu Akatsuki to apologize.

When it was over, Kurusu Akatsuki looked at his phone and found that Yoshizawa Kasumi had taken her silence as his tacit approval.

My little sister isn't that cute: So it's a deal, then?

[My sister isn't that cute: Don't worry, I'll definitely work hard to make a dish that will satisfy you, senior!]

Kurusu Akatsuki calculated that if he could save a month's worth of lunch money...

That's quite a large sum of money, plus the income from working.

In addition to coping with life, it is more than enough to pay next month's interest.

Now he has really become a gigolo who lives off his wife.

*

Kurusu Akatsuki and Ii Serina walked down the stairs and out of the school gate.

At this moment, a group of guys in tracksuits, neatly arranged and wearing sweatbands on their heads, were running around the school, shouting slogans. This was the physical training of the Ace Volleyball Club.

The person running at the end of the team was waving his arms at Kurusu Akatsuki. It was Mishima Yuki.

"Show off!"

"come on!"

"Show off!"

"come on!"

With loud slogans, the volleyball club went into the corridor outside the school gate and continued a new round of jogging.

Kurusu Akatsuki stood there, paying solemn tribute to the passionate and inspiring high school life.

"Good afternoon, Amamiya-san!"

"good afternoon."

On the way out of the school gate and to the tram stop, girls from the same class wearing bows and pleated skirts would greet Kurusu Akatsuki from time to time.

After all, he is the top student in the grade and has an outstanding appearance. Kurusu Akatsuki's shoe cabinet has been almost filled with love letters from girls in the past few days.

"You've been typing away on your phone." As they reached the tram stop, Isen Rinna suddenly asked Kurusu Akatsuki, "Have you figured out how to resolve the issue with the club members?"

"We don't want troublesome or noisy people to join the club, so we're still trying to find candidates."

Kurusu Akatsuki put away his phone and bought two cans of Dr. Pepper from the vending machine nearby.

He handed a can to Jing Qinrencai, opened the pull ring himself, and took big gulps of the crispy and numbing bubbles of the carbonated drink.

There was only 900 yen left in my pocket.

The carbon dioxide surged up, as if releasing all the inner troubles with every breath.

Kurusu Akatsuki cast his empty eyes on the busy road.

Let's find a second part-time job near Shigenjaya.

What part-time job should I look for?...

Kurusu Akatsuki walked into the station and looked up at the route signs emitting white light one after another.

【Setagaya Ward-Shimokitazawa】

It was this kind of handwriting that caught my eye.

Come to think of it, Shigenjaya seems to be very close to Shimokitazawa.

That famous musicians' social spot...

He looked back at the guitar case he was carrying.

Then, let's try our luck in Shimokitazawa.

028. Shimokitazawa STARRY ( in )

(Weekend updates: 5/8, 6/8)

*

*

Many people say that Shimokitazawa is a gathering place for young intellectuals.

"Shimokitazawa" is actually a broad term, referring to the area including the large streets and communities outside Shimokitazawa Station.

There are a lot of vintage shops, theaters, and live houses here. The overall style is close to the business streets of the Showa era, like a mini version of Kichijoji. There are many schools near Shimokitazawa, including the Komaba campus of the University of Tokyo, the Izumi campus of Meiji University, Kokushikan University, and a large number of middle schools.

For students who come here to hang out or tourists with a retro feel, this is a great place to spend time.

There are old stairs and houses everywhere, and hidden in them are shops full of old-fashioned feeling, such as bakeries and coffee shops. Coincidentally, most of the shops are quite conscientious in their prices, perhaps considering the small profits and quick turnover for students. The prices of many practical goods and snacks can even be called low.

Students, who often have limited spare cash, are most sensitive to store prices. If they feel they've been shortchanged during a purchase, they might not return.

Kurusu Akatsuki had been having a rough time lately... Perhaps, indeed, he'd been cursed by an invisible enemy. Ever since he'd traveled through time, he'd been living in a rather shabby state. His financial situation was so tight that even insurance salesmen who'd chatted with him for a few words would just shake their heads and walk away.

"Amamiya-san, what are we having for lunch?"

Jing Qinren, who had been following behind Kurusu Akatsuki, suddenly asked weakly.

This made him stop dead in his tracks.

"Unfortunately, I don't know."

"Hey, I'm hungry..."

Jing Qinrencai took a few steps listlessly, looking shaky.

Kurusu Akatsuki looked up at the sunny sky and said, "For 900 yen, can I buy two sandwiches at the convenience store?"

"It should only be enough to buy one."

"I'm out of money." Kurusu Akatsuki looked at Isen Renai with a somewhat vicissitudes of life and said, "My dear member, can you help the president who is struggling financially?"

"Hmm~" Jing Qinrencai nodded rapidly.

She seemed quite happy to invite Qi Xiao to lunch.

Then Jing Qingcai pointed to the "Nara Beef Donburi" nearby. At first glance, the store looked quite clean and tidy. "How is this restaurant?"

Kurusu Akatsuki has never been picky about food. "Then I'd be very grateful."

-

【The Phantom Thief fell into a state of hunger.】

[Iseri Jinna paid 1440 yen for the Phantom Thief's "Signature Gyudon."]

[Phantom Thief's Emotion, +5]

[The Phantom Thief's favorability towards Jing Serina has increased slightly.]

-

Several feather maple trees were planted beside the gravel, their emerald green leaves swaying in the wind.

It was a sunny afternoon. The streets were bathed in warm sunlight. The benches and traffic signs on both sides of the road were dazzlingly white, as if emitting a soft, pure light.

Kurusu Akatsuki strolled contentedly through the complex of buildings that were full of age.

He walked along the wall and carefully read the job advertisements posted on it.

Suddenly, an A4 paper filled with crayon doodles caught his sight.

"The band is recruiting guitarists, keyboardists, vocalists..."

"If you're interested, please go to Shimokitazawa Livehouse-STARRY for an interview. Salary is negotiable."

[Salary is negotiable] These four words are very subtle and full of fantasy that makes people imagine.

Kurusu Akatsuki showed a slightly thoughtful expression, then turned to look at Jing Serina who was standing beside him, "Shall we form a band?"

"No, no, no... No." Jing Qinrencai quickly shook her head. Her grades were already very bad, but she didn't dare to participate in something that was obviously a waste of time.

"I heard you like rock music, especially the song 'Diamond Dust'?"

"But, but I can't play any instrument and I can't sing..."

"You can learn right now. Singing isn't difficult. I think you have a beautiful voice. You might become a great singer."

"but......"

Jing Qinrencai felt dizzy.

Imagining that she would not only have to stand in front of a large group of people and sing into a microphone, but also face the serious crisis of not being able to get into university, she pointed at the promotional advertisement that looked like children's graffiti in a panic, trying to persuade Kurusu Akatsuki to give up the idea of ​​playing in a band.

"But don't you think this kind of advertisement that doesn't even have the band's name or contact number is extremely suspicious?!"

"Since it says we're meeting in a livehouse, it means the band is still in its infancy. It's a great time for everyone to improve and enhance each other. Since you like rock, why not try and see if you can find a place in a band? Even if you're afraid of singing in public and worried about not having enough practice time, why not try learning the simplest rhythm guitar?"

"But..." Jing Qinrencai felt her heart beating fast, but she could no longer say the words of refusal as decisively and neatly as before.

During the extremely painful year of high school she spent in Kumamoto, Diamond Dust's songs were her only comfort and encouragement.

Countless times, she had imagined her right hand strumming the guitar and sweeping the bass, countless times flexing and stretching her fingers on the table, in the air, and on the corners of her clothes to her favorite songs, and countless times she had dreamed of herself standing on a stage under the attention of everyone and shouting loudly to her fans... But dreams are just dreams after all. Back to reality, she is just an ordinary high school student who ran away from home and couldn't even take care of her own life and studies.

"I won't be able to get into university." Jing Qinrencai said a little disappointedly.

Kurusu Akatsuki couldn't say things like "I'll give you extra lessons and help you improve your academic ability."

That was too frivolous, too inexplicable. Saying such a line to a little girl who ran away from home to Tokyo was almost like saying, "Are you willing to give your life to me?"

He tore down the flyer on the wall and searched for the livehouse "STARRY" on his phone's navigation.

The word "Livehouse" is a very classic "Japanese English". It is a special noun invented by the Japanese in the last century based on the meaning of the English word.

A regular livehouse is usually equipped with professional sound and lighting equipment, even a dedicated recording studio, and musical instruments for performers.

Livehouses usually sell drinks such as alcohol as an additional profit source, or simply have the functions of a bar, cafe, etc.

For a long time, Livehouse has provided music lovers with the opportunity to enjoy live performances up close and in an immersive atmosphere. In the century since its birth, it has been widely welcomed by music lovers from all walks of life.

It is said that some ACGN exhibitions and offline fan meetings of idol groups will be held in well-known livehouses.

While studying the location of his mobile phone, Kurusu Akatsuki led the hesitant Jing Qinrencai onto a pedestrian bridge.

Jing Serina blindly took two steps and followed behind Kurusu Akatsuki.

The azure sky stretched out overhead, rushing through the rows of tall buildings like a river, and thick clouds moved slowly.

There was a rush of traffic under the bridge, going against the trajectory of the sky and heading towards the end of the city.

On the wide overpass, two people walked one after the other, wandering in the warm rays of the sun.

Suddenly, Kurusu Akatsuki's voice was heard from the front.