In a mountain villa.
That was their first encounter, which couldn't be described as perfect at all.
Not to mention perfect, it couldn't even be considered ordinary, considering what had happened.
But thanks to him, the situation didn't lead to the worst possible outcome, and she was immensely grateful for that.
From that moment on, the impression of the other person instantly became profound.
Sharp.
Just like a detective in all the stories, deducing the harsh reality from subtle clues and striving to prevent tragedy from happening.
At that time, the person went from being a stranger at their first meeting to a man who left a strong impression.
And even though they only had half a day of interaction afterwards, she discovered that the sharpness displayed during deduction was just one side of him. In ordinary moments, Senichi was gentle and considerate. After such a major incident, when everyone's mood was somewhat low, he found ways to lift them out of their gloom.
Cooking for everyone, occasional humor, he was like a warm ray of sunshine that shone on you when you least expected it.
But at that time, he was still just a man with a deep impression in her memory.
When did she start to realize her fondness for him?
Perhaps it started with the term "love at first sight."
When someone used this phrase, symbolizing "romance," to express their feelings for her, her initial reaction was to think of his explanation of "love at first sight."
It brought a smile to her face involuntarily.
And afterwards, she would unconsciously compare him to others who pursued her.
While gentle men may be kind, there was only gentleness left in them, and their personalities even seemed somewhat timid to her.
The tenderness that came with this kind of personality felt somewhat empty to her, like a floating duckweed without roots.
Besides gentleness, what else was there?
She didn't realize that, compared to others, this feeling of being in an airy attic became even stronger in his presence.
And at that moment, she realized that the man who had left a deep impression had unknowingly entered her heart, and she couldn't help but think of him.
She noticed that she seemed to have developed a fondness for him.
But she never had the chance to meet him again because he was invited by her sister, Sonoko, through a friend's request, and she didn't have much interaction with him.
Then, on that day, when the news started reporting about him, her attention seemed to draw the curiosity of her sister, Sonoko.
Under her sister's "persuasion and coercion," she eventually agreed to Sonoko's invitation to go to Izu together, and her sister also asked Ran to extend the invitation to him.
And after that, the trip began.
However, she guessed the beginning but didn't anticipate the ending; none of her imagined scenarios came true.
What she thought was impossible but hoped for actually happened.
Her originally sixty-percent hope turned into a hundred-percent happiness, leaving her slightly dizzy.
Today, Miss Ayako is very happy.
...….
When Senichi recalled everything that happened in Izu, a faint smile unconsciously appeared on his lips.
As for why he made such a choice, it was because he had thought it through.
Did he dislike the other person, feel nothing, or find their time together comfortable and harmonious?
When he recalled the time they spent cooking together in the villa, their cooperation was so tacit that Senichi realized he had a favorable impression of this gentle and beautiful girl.
Therefore, since he also noticed his own interest in her and she had already mustered the courage to approach him first, if he didn't show any response, he wouldn't be worthy of this budding affection.
After all, feelings are mutual. A one-sided love where one person waits for the other to make all the effort is not sustainable.
Of course, this affection has just begun, taking only a small step. It will require careful nurturing and the efforts of both parties to reach the destination.
....
Lying in his dormitory, Senichi habitually opened the system, intending to check the refreshed items and skills in the store as usual before doing a ten consecutive draws.
However, unexpectedly, when Senichi was about to do a ten consecutive draw today, the store actually had new stock!
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Disguise (3 years) - Price: 600 Fate Points.
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Now you understand why Senichi doesn't buy things from the store anymore. If it's not a skill that he urgently needs, the skills in the store cost 200 Fate Points per year, and the price increases as the years go by.
Therefore, unless it's a particularly important skill that appears in the store, Senichi won't waste Fate Points on buying life-related skills. Unless it happens to be needed for solving a case and the store happens to have it, Senichi won't purchase skills.
Except for certain important primary skills, of course!
Skills like swordsmanship, unarmed combat, hacking, and other useful techniques will be instantly acquired by Senichi when they appear.
But unfortunately, despite spending so much time refreshing the store, it has mostly been dominated by "Happy Water," with "swimming," "flower arranging and cooking," and academic skills occupying the rest. Useful skills are nowhere to be seen.
Senichi even doubted at one point whether the system was a swindler or if the store simply never refreshed the more important skills for detectives.
But unexpectedly, this time, the face-slapping moment caught Senichi completely off guard, making him grind his teeth in frustration.
Because he had saved enough Fate Points for a ten consecutive draw, but who would have thought that the store would refresh the disguise skill, and it was even the three-year version!
It must be said that this was truly frustrating. The store had virtually no presence since Senichi obtained the system, as it had never produced anything good.
And now, just as Senichi was about to do a "Happy Ten Consecutive Draw" and see what kind of Phantom Thief skills or high-tech props he could get, the store directly threw the disguise skill in his face.
In this situation, Senichi could only grit his teeth and say, "Well, this is unexpected!"
He had to figure out a way. The excitement of the lottery lies in the anticipation of the moment of drawing, the thrill of the unknown, and the eager curiosity about what good things he might obtain.
But!
Although the store is expensive, it's so enticing!!
Look at the three-year disguise skill! Doesn't it make you want it?!
Although, according to common sense, if you have extremely good luck, you might be able to get it after three draws. But... how many times do you have to use the "beauty filter" to have such flawless skin?!
Under normal circumstances, it would be nearly impossible to draw the three-year disguise skill without spending a few thousand Fate Points.
So, after contemplating for a mere 0.33 seconds, Senichi decisively gave up his previous plan to do the lottery and spent 600 Fate Points to acquire the three-year disguise skill.
Lottery can be done anytime, but this skill is truly a one-of-a-kind opportunity.
No regrets!