"Miku, do you want to play the gashapon machine?"
As soon as these words came out, Haruto noticed Miku's cheeks turning pink at a visible speed.
'Could the question I asked really be that problematic?'
Haruto's mind was filled with questions.
Even if Miku liked gashapon machines, what was wrong with that?
Although fewer girls played gashapon machines compared to boys, it wasn't uncommon.
In this country, gashapon culture is quite popular, as modern life is filled with stress.
And gacha is a game that costs very little but can provide a small sense of happiness.
Haruto had played it before. One thing he would say is that the items inside were indeed beautiful, with very few ugly or fake ones.
This is one of the reasons why gashapon culture is so popular. After all, no consumer is foolish.
No one would buy bad products!
Moreover, playing a gashapon machine once isn't expensive, usually ranging from 100 yen to 500 yen.
There are also many series within gashapon machines.
For example, anime peripherals like One Piece, Naruto, Fairy Tail, etc., as well as creative characters, the number one internet celebrities in the gashapon world.
There's also a series of cute animals such as cats, dogs, pandas, and more.
The randomness in gacha appeals to some people's weaknesses.
For instance, some can feel a little luck with minimal effort, while others have a compulsive desire to collect.
For many players who are collectors, if they can't complete an entire gashapon series, they won't be able to sleep well!
Therefore, liking gashapon isn't something to be ashamed of.
"I'm not telling you."
Miku blushed and turned away, embarrassment clear in her eyes. Although she decided not to hide it from him, she was truly shy.
Haruto spoke without words: "It's fine if you like gashapon. I like them too. I have quite a few at home."
"Let's go. If you keep standing here, won't you be inconveniencing others?"
That last sentence pierced through Miku's defenses.
People here are used to not causing trouble for others, even to an extreme degree.
For example, some social animals firmly choose suicide because they can't endure a hopeless life. Most of the time, they pick the last train.
—The phrase "Sorry for being born as a human" once stirred the internet.
Miku said in a soft, unconfident voice: "I don't like gacha, I actually wanted to buy a pair of shoes."
'Stop lying. The shops that sell shoes are mostly on the first floor. Besides, if you were buying shoes, you'd go downstairs instead of following along so slowly!'
Haruto didn't hesitate any longer and directly grabbed Miku's wrist.
"Suddenly, I feel like playing. After all, I've come here and found a limited-edition samurai figure. I don't want to miss it. If you miss it this time, there won't be another chance."
The mall was very busy today, and Haruto remembered that today was the mall's first anniversary.
That's why the special limited-edition figure was released.
What's a special limited edition?
In general, limited-edition products are sold in limited quantities and have high collectible and decorative value.
Special limited editions are usually not for sale but hold special meaning, like being released for events, anniversaries, etc. The edition itself holds commemorative significance, and only certain people have the chance to get them.
Like lucky viewers, lottery winners, and so on.
Thus, special limited editions have greater collectible value.
"If you miss it today, even if you buy it from someone else, you'll be unhappy, right?"
Haruto said calmly, "So, I don't want to miss it."
Miku fell silent.
It was true. She finally mustered the courage to invite him along.
She would definitely regret it.
Because if she missed it this time, there wouldn't be a next time.
As Haruto said, what Miku would obtain here had a very different meaning than something she bought from someone else.
Besides, few people who came here today specifically to buy it would choose to sell it.
Miku quietly glanced at him, then quickly looked away in panic and embarrassment. She wasn't an idiot, so she naturally knew Haruto's words were meant for her.
Haruto was reckless…
Miku's eyes sparkled, and she felt something spread through her heart again, making her heartbeat quietly accelerate.
Haruto was definitely reckless.
Sometimes his gaze was very mischievous, he teased girls casually, and he even asked for their contact information right after meeting them.
Sometimes his words could be annoying.
But sometimes, he could be incredibly gentle.
'Actually, I don't dislike it, but I've always been thinking about him.'
"We've arrived."
Standing at the back of the line, Haruto released Miku's wrist, glanced at her, and said: "Miss Uesugi has been taken away somewhere else, and only these two gashapon machines are left."
"Mm."
Miku softly replied, lowering her head and staying close behind Haruto.
Haruto: "😐"
'It's just gacha, why are you so embarrassed?'
Seeing Miku's confusion, Haruto sighed helplessly and reached out to hold Miku's hand again.
"Follow carefully."
If he didn't care, he always felt Miku looked too pitiful right now!
So warm…
This wasn't the first time he held her hand, but it still felt warm.
Miku gently bit her pink lips, feeling like her cheeks were burning, incredibly hot.
He was really holding her hand in public.
This definitely wasn't a romantic relationship.
Reckless!
But if it were Haruto being reckless, it wouldn't be impossible. After all, he had already hugged her and even carried her.
Miku's heart raced.
She couldn't help but start thinking wildly.
If Haruto confessed to her, should she say yes? Even though Miku was always the least noticeable among the quintuplets, she was actually very beautiful.
And she was in great shape too.
If she agreed to date, what if Haruto wanted to take her to a love hotel?
She'd heard Nino say that boys at this age were all thoughtless animals, and it was terrifying.
But as lovers, even if he wanted it, she'd have to agree.
After a while, Haruto's voice reached Miku's ears: "It's our turn."
Miku unconsciously shook her head and tearfully said: "No, it's too soon for something like that."