The day arrived.

  The date location was set okyo Tower.

  Sihis was their first date, the pn was simple, shopping aing to know each other better.

  They were supposed to meet uokyo Tower.

  By around nine o'clock, Ren was already waiting there.

  "Amamiya, sorry for making you wait."

  Before long, Sonoko arrived, dressed in a casual yet stylish outfit.

  She wore a gray patterned sweater paired with blue jeans, a simple shoulder bag with no visible brand, and a pair of white sneakers. Her outfit was modest but undeniably cute.

  Sonoko had always carried herself well. Aside from the signature headband on her head, she was almost on par with Ran in terms of appearance.

  Notig his expression, Sonoko smiled in satisfa.

  "Well? How do I look?"

  "…Yeah, you look good."

  "Pfft!"

  His rea was so ihat Sonoko couldn't help but find it adorable.

  She stepped forward and casually took his hand.

  "Alright the's go."

  "You have to keep me pany for a full day of shopping."

  "…Yeah."

  Ren had hought too deeply about dating.

  He had always assumed that dating was just about apanying girls while they shopped, going to various pces, and satisfying their desire to go out.

  But after spending more time with them, he realized dating was quite different from what he had imagined.

  It wasn't about a girl just wanting to go out, it was about spending time together, gradually getting closer, and breaking the initial awkwardness.

  Feelings weren't something that just appeared out of nowhere; they developed little by little.

  "Amamiya, you know, you're actually pretty handsome."

  "So today, I'm going to ge your look."

  "…Isn't today supposed to be a date?"

  "It is a date! But even on a date, improving your appearance is important."

  Sonoko was very particur about image.

  And now was the perfect time to refine Ren's look.

  "First, we o fix your hairstyle."

  "Your bangs are way too long. They cover half your face."

  "You don't need a full haircut, but we should trim your bangs so people actually see you."

  "And then there's the issue of ysses."

  For a moment, she hesitated, her expression flicted.

  In the end, she shook her head slightly, dismissing her initial thought.

  "You keep wearing ysses normally, but when you're on a date with me, you should switch to a different pair."

  He could use gsses to avoid drawing attention in everyday situations, but when they were out together, she preferred he wear something she chose for him.

  That way, he wouldn't be too easily reized.

  "Alright! Since I've decided, let's go. I know a great barbershop nearby."

  Before Ren could even process it, Sonoko was already pulling him along by the hand toward a stylish barbershop on a side street okyo Tower.

  The exterior and interior decor were luxurious, but surprisingly, there weren't many ers inside.

  As soon as they entered, a well-dressed, elegant proached with a warm smile.

  "Miss Suzuki, it's been a while."

  "Long time no see, Ms. Ono."

  Sonoko smiled befesturing to Amamiya Ren beside her.

  "Today, I need you to give my friend a new hairstyle. Do you have time?"

  Ms. Ono g Ren, a flicker of surprise crossing her eyes.

  "My appois start iernoon, so I have no bookings this m."

  "That's perfect. Please take care of his hairstyle for me."

  "Of course. What would you like to do?"

  "I'd like his bangs trimmed so they don't cover his entire face. And maybe a few small styling adjustments. I trust you to give him some guidance."

  "No problem. Leave it to me."

  Ren hadn't spoken a single word through the entire exge.

  Mostly because he had no idea what to say.

  He wasn't used to dealing with strangers in situations like this.

  Only after he sat down did his stiff posture rex a little.

  Suddenly, a fiip pressed against his cheek.

  "Hehe~ Feeling overwhelmed?"

  "…Not just overwhelmed. I feel pletely stiff."

  Sonoko giggled and pyfully tapped his face a few more times.

  "This is a very exclusive barbershop."

  "They usually have a packed schedule and operate on a membership system. They only serve select ts."

  In other words, this was a world reserved for the wealthy and iial.

  "You really d me into a whole different world."

  "…Are you seriously saying that?"

  Sonoko rolled her eyes.

  "I could say the same thing about you."

  But that wasn't something she could say out loud.

  Yesterday, Ran's words had pletely shattered her worldview.

  After learning about Ren's secret and Ran's diary, Sonoko had even started feeling like her identity as a wealthy heiress was nothing special.

  As they spoke, Ms. Ono got to work.

  She was highly skilled and had an excellent sense of aesthetics.

  With precise movements, she quickly tidied up Ren's slightly messy hair.

  His long bangs were gradually trimmed away, revealing more of his face.

  And as his features became clearer, the transformation became obvious.

  Without the thick lenses of his gsses, his face was no longer obscured.

  His features weren't particurly round; his face was ohinner side.

  Because he didn't talk much, he naturally carried a slightly aloof expression, which gave him an air of quiet detat.

  "Oh~ Just as I thought."

  Looking at Ren's refined and somewhat distant expression, Sonoko knew her instincts had been correct.

  Ren's looks weren't any worse than Shinichi's.

  In fact, his face had a distinct elegao it.

  Sonoko didn't kly where this quiet charm came from, but she could feel it.