Chapter 4

After leaving the café, we wandered through the shopping district near the station and were naturally drawn to a game shop that caught our eye.

The shop was packed with colorful game posters and shelves lined with software, stirring up memories of the excitement I used to feel as a kid visiting game shops.

“Wow… this is amazing…!”

Shirasaki-san looked around with sparkling eyes. It was an innocent expression I never would have expected from her usual princess demeanor. Seeing her like this surprised me a little, but at the same time, it made me feel nostalgic.

“This place has a great vibe. Lately, I’ve been buying games online, but shops like this really are special.”

“Yeah! There’s something so fun about seeing, touching, and picking things out for yourself—you just can’t get that online!”

No matter how much time passes, nothing beats the thrill of holding a game package in your hands.

Before I knew it, I had lost track of time, completely absorbed in rummaging through the shop’s selection.

“This… this is so nostalgic! Kazuya-kun, look!”

When I turned around, Shirasaki-san was holding up a package for an old-school action game. It was a pretty old title, but even I had heard of it.

“Wait, Shirasaki-san, you’ve played this before?”

Surprised, I asked, and she gave a small smile before nodding.

“Yeah, I borrowed it from my dad when I was little and used to play it. I could never beat it, but it was so much fun…”

“Then this is your chance for a rematch. Want to buy it and take it home?”

I said it half-jokingly, but Shirasaki-san eagerly nodded, saying “Yeah, let’s do it!” before heading straight for the register.

“Wow… just holding this brings back so many memories. I have a feeling I’m going to get hooked on it all over again!”

Watching her talk so excitedly, I couldn’t help but smile.

The princess of our school wasn’t concerned about titles or appearances—she was just completely lost in the joy of something she loved. It was refreshing to watch.

“By the way, Kazuya-kun, aren’t you getting anything?”

“No, I wasn’t planning to… but now that I’m here, I kind of want something too.”

When I said that, Shirasaki-san puffed out her chest proudly.

“Then let’s pick one together next time! I’ll find you the perfect game!”

“Alright… If we get the chance to come back, I’ll count on you.”

“Leave it to me!”

With a bright, carefree smile, Shirasaki-san pounded her chest confidently.

That innocent smile warmed my heart just a little.

“Hey, Kazuya-kun, where should we go next?”

“Hmm… I’ll leave that up to you, Shirasaki-san.”

As soon as I said that, Shirasaki-san suddenly looked displeased.

Oh no, did I just upset her?

“You know, I don’t like being the only one using given names. Kazuya-kun, call me Rinka too!”

No, no, no. Calling our school’s princess by her given name is way too high a hurdle…

I mean, someone like me—a total introvert—calling the princess by her given name? There’s no way that’s allowed…

But then again, if the princess herself is asking me to do it, I don’t really have a reason to refuse.

“O-okay then… Rinka-san…?”

“Muu… No ‘-san’! You call me Lily in-game, so call me Rinka in real life too!”

“Wha—? O-okay! Rinka! That good enough?”

Unable to resist her pouting, I finally gave in and called her by her given name.

Is it just me, or have we gotten ridiculously close today…?

After that, we stopped by Animart, bought some anime and game merchandise, and then headed to the arcade to play together.

By evening, we had made our way back to the station.

After spending the whole day with Rinka, I realized the heartbreak from being dumped by Misaki had completely faded.

I wished this moment could last forever, but time was cruel…

“Today was really fun.”

Rinka said with a small smile, and I found myself smiling naturally in return.

“Yeah… I had a great time too.”

When I answered, Rinka looked slightly surprised before giving me a gentle smile.

“I want to hang out like this again… in real life.”

Her words made me pause for a moment. Not in the game, but in reality—her eyes were serious, telling me she truly meant it.

“…Yeah, let’s do this again.”

When I replied, Rinka’s face lit up as she smiled happily. “It’s a promise!”

Saying “It’s a promise” with that smile is totally unfair…

Soon, the time for our trains arrived, and we headed to our respective platforms. At the ticket gate, Rinka turned around and waved energetically.

“See you later, Kazuya-kun!”

“Yeah, see you later, Rinka!”

I watched her until she disappeared from sight, then let out a soft sigh and started my way home.