Taking the Shinkansen to their destination, stepping out of Otsu Station, the first impression was how quiet it was.
Located near Ōtsu Port, this area was nothing like the bustling city center of Tokyo, where Chisato and Kazusa spent their daily lives, surrounded by endless traffic and crowds.
The streets here were remarkably clean and tidy. Since Kazusa was someone who preferred quiet environments, this suited her just fine.
After sleeping on the train for so long, she was feeling refreshed, making it only natural to take a stroll around the area.
"Let's take a cab to the hotel first and drop off our stuff. We can figure out the rest after that."
At the station exit, Chisato bought two ice creams from a small kiosk, and the two of them ate as they walked towards the taxi stand.
Even though this trip was just for a single night, they still needed to bring a change of clothes.
It would be much more comfortable to leave their bags at the hotel before exploring the area.
"Mm."
Kazusa nodded, handing her bag to Chisato while pulling out her phone to check the reservation details for the hotel.
Chisato had repeatedly insisted that he would handle all the arrangements for this trip, and all she had to do was enjoy it...
Though that statement sounded a bit odd, his intentions were sincere, without any ulterior motives.
He just wanted to fulfill his role as her boyfriend, ensuring she didn't have to worry about anything while also showing how considerate he was—hopefully raising her opinion of him just a little more.
But clearly, he wasn't the only one with such thoughts.
On the surface, their relationship seemed to be led by Kazusa. She was the daughter of a wealthy family, talented, and had a beauty that was unmatched by most people.
But Kazusa herself didn't see it that way at all.
She never denied that she came from a privileged background.
Her mother, Touma Youko, had been a force of nature in the music industry, tirelessly performing worldwide, accumulating an unimaginable fortune through sheer dedication and talent.
Though Kazusa had never openly admitted it, deep down, she had always respected and admired her mother immensely.
But aside from that, the things outsiders believed put her in an advantageous position in this relationship—she couldn't agree with any of them.
As for talent—maybe in the past.
She had practiced piano relentlessly since childhood, inspired by her mother, and had won various awards through sheer effort.
The piano had once been her connection to both her mother and the world.
But ever since Youko refused to take her along on overseas tours, leaving her behind at home, that connection had been severed.
To this day, it has been almost two years since Kazusa had practiced piano properly.
It could no longer bring her what she wanted. Fortunately, she no longer needed it, because she had found something that truly made her happy.
So, that argument didn't hold.
As for her outstanding beauty—well, that was an obvious one.
At school, Kazusa's looks were practically a nuclear weapon.
Even with her previously terrible temper, she still had admirers willing to risk it all just for a chance to confess to her.
But Chisato was in no way inferior to her in this regard.
Whether it was his tall, slender figure or his facial features that never failed to make her heart race..
If she considered his personality and the way he treated others, Kazusa often felt like she was the one who had scored big.
He had not only improved her relationships with those around her but also helped her find a new goal to strive for.
He had willingly stepped into the darkness to pull her out of it when she was sinking, unable to save herself.
That was the greatest thing he had done for her—the one thing she felt she could never truly repay.
Because of that, Kazusa always thought about what she could do in return.
She didn't want this relationship to be one-sided, where she just accepted Chisato's help without giving anything back.
She didn't want to be a spoiled princess who only issued commands from above. She wanted to be the knight who stood beside her prince, weathering hardships together.
So, when Chisato planned the date, chose the location, and even booked the Shinkansen tickets before she could react—none of that was an issue.
But when he insisted on booking the hotel as well, she simply couldn't accept it.
"If I don't do anything, I'll feel like I have no part in this date at all."
That was what she had told him at the time.
At first, she tried acting cute and coquettish, though she wasn't very skilled at it.
When that approach failed, and she could no longer stand hearing herself speak in such a sickly sweet tone, she switched strategies.
Without giving him a chance, she snatched his phone away before he could finalize the booking.
Then, moving quickly, she asked her mother to make the reservation instead.
With that, the matter was settled.
Chisato had helped her with so much already—at the very least, she could handle this one small thing.
She knew he worked part-time jobs while balancing school, so she went ahead and booked a high-end hotel.
It wasn't about flaunting her wealth—she just wanted this date to be enjoyable for both of them. She wanted him to be able to relax, too.
This was a side of Kazusa that few people knew existed—her subtle, quiet kindness beneath her cool exterior.
When they arrived at the hotel, Chisato's expression was priceless as he took in the grand fountains and lavish decorations.
Kazusa couldn't help but smirk at his reaction.
Then, after checking in at the front desk, they made their way to their reserved suite.
The moment Chisato stepped inside and took a look around, he froze.
Yes, Kazusa had booked the most luxurious suite available—a full apartment-style suite.
The lavish decor was expected, but in addition to a living room, bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom, it also came fully furnished with high-end appliances.
Chisato walked onto the balcony, sliding open the floor-to-ceiling windows.
A refreshing breeze greeted him, and in the distance, the vast ocean met the endless sky at the horizon.
Well, this was certainly a spectacular ocean-view suite...
It was far more extravagant than the hotel he had stayed at during his date with Utaha and Eriri.
For a moment, the thought of "rich girl, feed me" crossed his mind again.
"If Aunt Youko finds out you spent her money like this for a date, she definitely won't let you off the hook."
Back in the living room, Chisato commented as he glanced at Kazusa, who was fiddling with her phone on the sofa.
"This is the hotel that Aunt Youko booked for us, actually."
Kazusa smiled as she spoke.
"I told her we suddenly wanted to visit the beach and gave her the details."
"She prepared this room for us, saying the environment and service here are excellent. She highly recommended it."
After saying that, she turned her phone toward Chisato, showing him the latest messages.
The most recent one was a text she had sent: "We've arrived."
The reply, from her contact labeled "Mom," read: "Enjoy yourselves. No need to be polite. Remember to take pictures for me."
Take pictures...
Somehow, that message felt loaded with hidden meaning.
Chisato couldn't help but think.
"I'm going to put away my change of clothes. Which room do you want?"
The suite had three bedrooms—two with windows, one inside.
But for Chisato, any of them were fine.
"Either is good. You pick first, and I'll take one of the remaining ones."
Kazusa nodded, grabbing her bag and heading toward a bedroom.
But the moment she opened the door, she stopped in her tracks.
Chisato, sensing something was off, walked over and immediately understood.
The bed and plush carpet were covered in rose petals. A candle-shaped lamp glowed softly on the bedside table, accompanied by a faintly scented aroma.
Because the curtains were drawn, the dim lighting cast an unmistakably intimate and romantic atmosphere throughout the room.
Chisato now fully understood what Aunt Youko had meant by "no need to be polite."
Bang!
With her face tinged an unnatural shade of red, Kazusa forcefully shut the door.
Without looking at Chisato, she cleared her throat and walked to another room.
"I don't like that one. Let's check the others."
"Mm."
Chisato suspected it would be pointless.
And sure enough, when Kazusa opened the other two rooms, she was met with identical setups.
Regular hotels wouldn't prepare something like this unless requested in advance.
Touma Youko... really was quite mischievous.
With a deep sigh, Kazusa took out her phone, walked onto the balcony, and shut the sliding door behind her to ensure no sound escaped.
Then, she called her mother.
As soon as the call connected, Kazusa, exasperated, spoke.
"What the hell are you doing?!"
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50 advanced chapters on p@t re on (.) com/SenatusTheta
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