The people outside Tokyo might be unfamiliar with this place, but Jimbocho was a rather famous district in Tokyo.
What made this district famous was the fact it was the center of used-book stores and publishing houses and a popular antique and curio shopping area.
In other words, this district might be heaven in Ritsu's eyes.
"Did you bring enough money?" Shishio asked.
"You don't need to worry." Ritsu was brimming with excitement and said, "I have prepared for this day. If someone doesn't forget about his promise, I might come early."
"...Sorry."
What could he say?
After all, Shishio had promised to bring Ritsu in the past. He made his promise right before Golden Week, but he was only able to bring her here now.
Still, the two weren't alone since Roberta, Shiina, and Nanami also joined in. While it was hard to see whether Roberta was excited or not, considering how she had always had a blank expression on her face. Shiina and Nanami were, without a doubt, excited about this trip.
Still, even if Roberta was blank, Shishio could see she was happy since they could go out together as usual.
However, Shishio knew the reason for this trip wasn't only because they wanted to buy used books or any other things in Jimbocho. Instead, it was something else. If possible, he didn't really want to talk about romance or anything. It wasn't like he didn't think Ritsu was unattractive or not. However, many of his problems hadn't been solved yet.
The first thing was about Momo.
Even if he had said they were going to talk to know each other first, her attack power was strong, and she kept attacking him. Even if he tried to act disinterested, as if he was someone who believed intercourse could only be done when one married each other, his little Shishio said otherwise since his self-control was horrible.
Momo was also eager to do "it" with Shishio, and she knew she could do "it' soon, which made her excited.
The second thing was Rui.
His relationship with Hina happened so suddenly. It was unexpected and an accident he would never have thought of. He just didn't know how Rui would react when he heard what he had done with Hina.
Would she hate him?
Would she get angry?
Or would she be similar to Nana, who let him date her big sister?
While being optimistic was good, Shishio thought it was better to be pragmatic and prepared for the worst.
Still, the good thing was the relationship between Rui and Momo was good, and it might be possible to do a threesome when they are together in the future.
However, this wasn't the time to mention Rui or Momo.
Instead, he had to focus on Ritsu.
Frankly, among all the girls, Ritsu could be said to be someone who was with him the longest, except for Chihiro, Kamiigusa Misaki, Mayumi Nishikino, and Sayaka Watanabe. Still, unlike his aunt, or two other loose women, Ritsu could be said to be a good girl out through. However, the two didn't have an interest in each other at first, but slowly, they got to know each other, and their relationship became closer and closer.
Still, they weren't lovers or anything. They were just friends.
Of course, it was according to his idea, and if he wanted to, he could change their relationship to a more intimate one. It might be less than a lover, but more than a friend, so it should be a friend with benefit?
Probably.
However, Shishio didn't really need this type of relationship, considering he had too many girlfriends around him.
As for Misaki, frankly, after the dubbing, Misaki had always been focused on her anime, and she used the majority of her time creating it as if she was being possessed by something. It might be because she wanted to say goodbye, or she might want to tell Mitaka Jin about her feelings again.
After all, even if Mitaka and Misaki had parted, the bond in their childhood couldn't be erased easily.
Misaki might have an obsession with Mitaka, and while that might change because of Shishio, the fact she had a feeling toward Mitaka didn't change.
As for him, Shishio just didn't think too much after all. Even if his relationship with Misaki was close, he didn't expect anything from their relationship. However, if they were together, it would be okay too.
After all, Shishio must admit he was quite greedy for her body and also her talent.
But of course, Shishio also respected Misaki as an individual since only a few people could understand what she thought. Even the one she loved in the past, Mitaka, couldn't understand her.
Still, nothing could come out good if he was in a hurry.
Everything had to be done with patience, so it could give birth to fruit.
Before long, they arrived in Jimbocho and parked their car. Unfortunately, it was still early, so the majority of the shop hadn't opened yet.
"Should we get a coffee or something?" Shishio asked.
They agreed and went to a nearby cafe where they could sip coffee and read a book.
While Shishio, Roberta, and Ritsu drank their coffee quietly while reading a book and listening to classic jazz music, Nanami and Shiina walked around, checking the various books in the cafe.
"Mashiro, what do you think?" Nanami suddenly asked when she was together with Shiina. She had been worried about Ritsu's situation, especially after what had happened last week. It was also the reason why she felt it was better for Ritsu to go with Shishio alone when they visited Jimbocho. However, unexpectedly, Ritsu would bring all of them with her too.
Nanami would be lying if she didn't feel happy since she also loved to go out with everyone.
Still, she wondered whether it was alright since she couldn't see how Ritsu's trouble would be solved in this situation, especially when the chance of Shishio and Ritsu being together was quite small with the three of them around.
"It's okay." Even if Nanami was worried, Shiina was calm as ever. She looked at the book of art and photography intently since they were interesting.
Nanami looked at Shiina for a while before she let out a sigh. She knew she shouldn't feel worried, especially when she knew Shishio well. 'Well, everything should be okay, right?' She glanced in Shishio's direction and decided to believe him.
However, the two forgot that what they had to watch for was not Shishio. Instead, it was Ritsu.
Shishio never expected the relationship with Ritsu right away. After all, it was just a week since she had rejected Usa. While this fact didn't have a relation to their relationship, it was just strange if they forged a relationship right away. Also, it felt like it was forced.
It also wasn't suitable for Ritsu's personality.
Ritsu had never taken the initiative from the beginning to the end. She had always stayed in her own world, ignoring her surroundings, and felt satisfied with it. Even if she was together with everyone and might seem to change, Shishio knew deep inside she still hadn't changed. She was still that girl who was trapped in her own world, and she was satisfied with it.
It was also the reason why Shishio felt challenged, and he wanted to be the one who changed her. He wanted her to take the initiative to express her feelings to him instead of taking the initiative.
As of now, they decided to just enjoy their time together in the Jimbocho together.
While they sipped the coffee and read the book, they talked about the place they wanted to visit. However, they were dumbfounded by Shishio's words.
"Paper?"
"Paper." Shishio nodded and said, "I want to see a paper store."
Paper was the most important part, so a book could be created, and without it, there wouldn't be a book.
"Why are you interested in it?" Nanami was curious.
"Are you not curious?" Shishio asked.
"Well..." It was also her first time seeing a paper store. Nanami would be lying if she wasn't curious.
When they had decided their destination, they went to the paper store without hesitation. However, when they entered, they were in awe since they didn't expect there to be so many types of paper. More importantly, all the paper was beautifully arranged in colors and types.
Also, they had never expected that there would be around 7,000 types of paper in this place!
"How could there be so many?" Even Ritsu was dumbfounded since she didn't expect the book she read every day would use a different type of paper.
"It's different, so it can help the reader so they can read easily."
"Read easily?"
"For example, a dictionary or a thick book. Suppose the paper used in those types of books is thin and smooth. If it's too thin, it'll be hard to read since it'll be hard to read, considering how you'll see through the page behind. If it's too thick, it'll be costly, and it is also heavy. If it's too smooth, it'll be hard to turn the page." Shishio took the paper and rubbed his fingers on it, feeling a comfortable feeling from it. "I think this company might not be different from you, Mashiro."
"From me?" Shiina titled her head.
"You come to Tokyo, Japan, so you can get better with your painting. This paper company is the same. They also keep researching the best paper, so it can give the best experience for the reader or the people and company who need the paper. Maybe you should try a different type of paper too to see whether it'll give a different experience to your painting," Shishio said to Shiina.
Shiina was in a daze, but she nodded with a serious expression since it was her first time seeing from this angle. She felt as long as she forged her skill, she could become better with her painting.
However, even a swordsman also needed the best sword to show the best of their skill.
The painter was the same. They needed the best medium to show their skill.
Whether it was a canvas, a brush, paint, or many other things.
A canvas was made from paper, then what kind of painting could she create from the best paper?
Shiina was curious and tried to look around curiously. She was even dumbfounded when she heard she could request her own paper, and it made her excited!
On the other hand, Nanami and Roberta talked about the paper with different types of patterns and thought they were so beautiful.
As for Ritsu, she just stared at Shishio in a daze after she heard what he had said, and somehow she understood why many girls loved him.
Shishio not only saw his girlfriends from their exterior, their beautiful appearance, but he also saw them inside, thoroughly understanding them from how they could become the way they were, whether it was good or bad, before he loved them thoroughly.
Shishio couldn't say he loved someone so easily since the word "love" wasn't something that could be said casually, and it meant a lot to him.
It was also because of this reason that Ritsu knew she couldn't lie, and she was in love with this part of him.
"Ritsu-senpai, what's wrong?" Shishio asked.
"Nothing." Ritsu showed a rare smile on her face and said, "I just want to buy some papers."
Shishio looked at Ritsu and thought she would be okay. "Okay, I want to buy it too." He thought for a moment and felt it might be good to write his feelings to his girlfriends through words.
With that said, they had a blast in Jimbocho.