I was Thrown into an Unfamiliar Manga

A long week passed, and finally, Golden Week began.
At this time of year, Japanese tourists go on a rampage both domestically and internationally.

But my hardworking and diligent parents decided, of course, to open the restaurant again today.
Thanks to that, school was closed, the local gym was closed, and I, abandoned like a duck egg in the Nakdong River, lay on my floor surrounded by dumbbells and manga volumes, doing nothing but breathing quietly.
‘Is it still far off from the time I’m supposed to meet the president?’

As usual, I woke up at 4 AM, but since there was no need to pack a lunch, I had an absurd amount of time left on my hands this morning.
So I went out for a light jog at dawn to get some exercise, but even that barely registered with my muscles, so when I got home I did about two hours of bodyweight workouts.
Even then, I still had time to spare, so I read some manga from my shelf—but it was stuff I’d already read, so it wasn’t fun.

I probably needed to take a trip to Akihabara soon and buy some new manga while I had the time.
As I stared blankly at the ceiling, my mother, who was about to leave for work at the restaurant, poked her head into my room and asked:
“Yu-seong, aren’t you meeting a friend today? What about dinner?”

At her words, I immediately sat up straight.
“If I end up eating out, I’ll call and let you know.”
Then my mom nodded and pulled something out of her pants pocket.

“Here! Allowance! Go buy something tasty with your friend!”
She handed me a yellow bill.
A.k.a. Mr. Yukichi.

I took the 10,000 yen note with a bewildered expression.
“Is it really okay to give me this much all of a sudden?”
Then Mom smacked me lightly on the shoulder and said:

“My son, who’s been cooped up at home working out every day, is finally hanging out with a friend—of course I should give you this much! If it’s not enough, just tell me. I’ll give you more.”
“No, this is plenty. Thanks.”
“Alright, then I’ll head to the shop with your dad. Have fun!”
With a bright smile, she left through the front door.

After walking her out, I realized it was nearly time for the appointment, so I decided to wash up and get ready.
I was supposed to meet the president in Asakusa by 12.
***

Asakusa is a district in Taito Ward, Tokyo, known for its temples and traditional streets.
Every year on January 1st, huge crowds come to pray for the new year at Sensoji Temple, making it a famous tourist spot.
From Setagaya Ward, where I live, it takes about an hour by subway, so I left home around 10:30.

Unlike Seoul’s subway, Tokyo’s subway system is ridiculously complicated. The longer the distance, the harder the transfers.
Still, after managing to navigate the route, I arrived in Asakusa right at 11:40.
Coming up from the subway platform, I was greeted by wooden buildings styled like those from olden times.

On New Year’s Day, the streets here would be overflowing with people, but maybe because it was spring, the area wasn’t that crowded today.
As I headed toward the agreed meeting spot in front of Sensoji, I saw the massive red lantern of Kaminarimon, the symbol of Asakusa.
And in front of it, I spotted a familiar figure.

“President!”
Unlike her usual black school uniform, today the president was wearing an elegant white dress with a small handbag slung over her shoulder. Hearing my voice, she turned her head, her long black hair swaying.

“You’re late!!”
“Excuse me?”
“Do you have any idea what time it is right now?!”

Startled by her scolding, I quickly pulled out my phone to check the time.
[11:50]
“Uh… I actually arrived ten minutes early.”

“If you’re meeting a lady like me, isn’t it basic courtesy as a gentleman to arrive thirty minutes early and wait?”
“I—is that so?”
It was the first time I’d heard such a thing, but considering she was the daughter of a powerful noble family, I figured maybe that really was how she saw the world.

I admitted that I’d lacked consideration, and bowed my head in apology.
“Sorry for being late. I’ll make sure not to repeat this mistake next time.”
Then the president crossed her arms and said:

“Hmph. Since Kim Yu-seong-kun is my subordinate, I’ll forgive you just this once. Instead!”
“Instead?”
“You’ll have to buy me a matcha ice cream from that wagashi shop over there!”

Point!
As she declared this while gesturing with her fan, I saw a stall selling green tea ice cream.
…If that was enough to appease her, then I was getting off easy.

I immediately ran to the stall, bought two matcha ice creams at 300 yen each, and handed her one. She accepted it with sparkling eyes.
“Mmm~ this is the flavor!”
Following her lead, I took a bite of the matcha ice cream and tilted my head as I asked:

“You’re surprisingly lenient when it comes to mass-produced matcha products, aren’t you?”
Holding her ice cream in one hand, the president replied:
“Drinking matcha—sure, the more expensive the better. But products like this usually just have matcha flavoring added, right? No matter how picky I am, I don’t expect top quality from something like this.”

“…You’ve grown.”
“Ugh! What’s with that lukewarm gaze?!”
“No, I just remembered how, not even half a year ago, you refused to eat ‘commoner food’ and insisted on slicing steak in the student council room.”

“T-that was ages ago! I can eat commoner food now, you know!”
She puffed up indignantly as she said it, but it seemed more like she was embarrassed than genuinely angry.
A kind of personal black history, I guess.

“Anyway, now that we’ve got ice cream, let’s figure out where to go first. Weren’t we supposed to buy a gift for the Russian exchange student coming to Ichijo Academy after Golden Week?”
“Ah.”
She suddenly covered her mouth with her palm.

I stared at her suspiciously, and she quickly snapped open her fan and let out her usual ojou-sama laugh.
“Ohohohohoho! Did you really think the great Saionji Kumiko would forget something so trivial?! Don’t be ridiculous!”
It was obvious she’d forgotten and was trying to play it off, but I decided not to call her out on it.

“Then, may I ask a few questions first?”
“Ask me anything!”
“What does the exchange student like?”

She replied without hesitation.
“She said over the phone that anything related to traditional Japanese culture would be fine.”
“Traditional culture, huh.”

That definitely explained why the president chose Asakusa as the meeting spot.
Nowhere else in Tokyo exudes that sort of ‘Japanophilia’ vibe quite like here.
“Do you know her gender?”

“She’s a girl.”
“Then how about we look around for things like paper umbrellas, Buddhist statues, kimonos, or yukata?”
“I was actually thinking of things like maneki-neko, temari balls, or Ebisu figurines—but those ideas are good too!”

“Then let’s explore the shops in Asakusa with those items in mind.”
“Sounds good! I’ve been to Asakusa many times, so I’ll be your guide today!”
With that, the president confidently lifted her nose and took the lead.

Following behind her small frame, I took a big bite of my now-melting ice cream.
***
At that moment—

Inside a black limousine parked on a road near Asakusa, two individuals were crouched over a floor covered in communication equipment, creating a scene that looked straight out of a spy movie.
“Milady, there’s a shop selling paper crafts two blocks away. Try suggesting that you head there next—naturally.”
“Milady, while walking, clasp your hands behind your back and take light steps. Men always fall for that kind of unexpected side of a woman. Eh? You think this is just my personal taste? No way. What do you take me for.”

Akagi Shinjiro and Akagi Minami.
At school, their roles were vice president and treasurer of the student council. But their true identities were far different.
They were the butler and maid who had served Saionji Kumiko, a direct bloodline member of the Saionji family, since childhood.

Having fully mastered the Kōga-ryu ninja techniques under the Saionji household, they were specialists in espionage and VIP protection.
And now, those two were throwing their full strength behind making their beloved lady’s date a success!
“Milady, now’s the time to casually sweep your hair behind your ear to showcase your charm.”

“Alright, we’ve looked at enough paper crafts—time to move to the next store.”
But… were they aware?
That too many captains will steer the ship up a mountain!

Saionji Kumiko’s own will, Shinjiro’s personal preferences, and Minami’s meticulous nature—together they created a perfect symphony of dissonance!
Saionji Kumiko’s Asakusa date had ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) only just begun!