Although it is next to a small stream, there are still relatively flat areas.
After spreading the picnic blanket, Kurosawa Mitsuru put down the large bento and began to open it layer by layer.
Different dishes are placed on each layer.
There are shredded pork with green peppers, fruit salad, tempura, secret spicy wings, and rice.
"Such a rich meal... and soup?"
Ninomiya Chizuru sat sideways and watched him take out things one by one. She was surprised every time he took out something, with her index finger raised. But after seeing the soup, she suddenly became nervous.
If the bento comes with soup, there will be a qualitative change, which will distinguish it from an ordinary bento and turn it into a luxury bento.
"I didn't know what you like to eat, so I made a little of everything." Kurosawa Mitsuru put them down one by one and said with a smile.
"So much, can you finish it?"
After the surprise, Ninomiya Chizuru was also a little worried.
She doesn't have a big appetite, so she can't eat too much even if she's hungry.
"The portions have been carefully considered. If you can't finish it, you can take it home for dinner. Let's eat."
Kurosawa Hikaru was not too worried about this and just smiled.
After saying that, he simply picked up a box of lunch and started eating.
After working for so long, he was already hungry.
"I'm starting."
Seeing his actions, Ninomiya Chizuru didn't feel shy, but just expressed gratitude. She put her hands together to express her gratitude, and then picked up the Kaiko.
She first picked up the shredded pork with green pepper because it looked spicy, which was her favorite.
"Hmm... delicious." As the spicy and tender shredded pork entered her mouth, Ninomiya Chizuru's eyes immediately lit up.
"It would be best if you like it."
Seeing her reaction, Kurosawa Hikaru breathed a sigh of relief.
Shredded pork with green peppers is neither Japanese nor Western food. It has nothing to do with skills. It is a dish that he considers himself to be good at. Even though it is not as good as that in a restaurant, it still tastes good.
"Invite Yuki-chan, Ninomiya-san, and Mirai to participate in the competition together..."
The meal officially started. Kurosawa Hikaru looked at her while eating, as if thinking about something.
The appearance of that perfect-level exclusive mission just now really surprised him.
First of all, the reward, Yang Youji's Bow... This thing, just looking at the name, is very awesome.
You know, Yang Youji is the best archer in the Spring and Autumn Period, even the best archer in history, no doubt about it.
In addition to this, this is the first time that the system rewards something other than skills.
And this mission seems to be very rare from every angle.
Having said that, the first mission objective of this challenge mission, although seemingly simple, is actually a hidden danger.
As the saying goes, when rivals meet, they become jealous of each other.
There is another saying that three women make a play.
It’s scary to think about what would happen if three women who are love rivals were brought together.
"However, avoiding it all the time is not a solution. They will meet eventually. It's just a matter of time."
Although he felt the situation was tricky, Kurosawa Mitsuru was also eager to make a move and was constantly thinking in his mind.
When there is a big reward, there will always be brave men.
Perhaps the system's rewards were never about money, but after these days of personal experience, Kurosawa Mitsuru deeply realized a truth.
The system's rewards are countless times more valuable than money.
You know, money can buy most things in the world, but not everything.
Singing, swimming, surfing, painting, parkour, archery, piano, cooking, photography, driving, and makeup.
The system's skills are merely entry-level, which is equivalent to the abilities that ordinary people can only obtain after a lifetime of hard work.
As for the mastery level and the perfect level, they are even more terrifying. These talents cannot be bought with money.
These skills are not just something he can use. Once he receives permanent rewards, he will possess the talent and knowledge in that field. His body will be changed from the inside out, and he may even develop new knowledge.
Just like just now, he saw Ninomiya Chizuru by the water, with a beautiful figure like a water owl... As a photographer, painter, and pianist, inspiration burst out in his heart like a volcanic eruption, intertwining in his heart.
This kind of experience was something he had never had before... If he had seen such a scene in the past, he would probably just think "too beautiful", but it was different now.
"What are you staring at me for?"
Ninomiya Chizuru was being stared at by him and couldn't relax at all, so she couldn't help but speak.
"Guess why there are so many people sitting around you in the central cafeteria of Dongda University?"
Kurosawa Hikaru's thoughts were interrupted, and he asked instead of answering.
"No, there are so many people every day, it's just because I sit closer to the food pick-up point."
After hearing this, Ninomiya Chizuru was stunned for a moment and then explained.
She was not so narcissistic as to think that everyone was sitting around her, and that the seats in the cafeteria were free to sit.
"It's not that simple. Even if you change your seat and sit farther away, people will still gradually gather around you."
"Why?"
"Because beauty is delicious, looking at a beautiful woman while eating makes people enjoy the meal more."
"Don't generalize your thoughts to everyone. They are not as exaggerated as you say."
When Ninomiya Chizuru learned the reason why he was staring at her, she felt a little happy and then rolled her eyes at him.
"Come to think of it, haven't I been joining the Kyudo Club recently? I also have to participate in club activities and receive special training on weekends."
Kurosawa Mitsuru smiled, knowing that she was shy and embarrassed, and changed the subject.
"That's true, what's the matter?"
When this topic came up, Ninomiya Chizuru, who was eating shrimp tempura, felt her heart beat faster. She tidied her hair with her hands and asked calmly.
She vaguely felt that what Kurosawa Hikaru was going to say next might be an invitation for her to watch the game.
In fact, she had known about this matter a long time ago, but she had never brought it up, wanting to wait for him to tell her in person.
"Actually, this is because there will be an individual competition at the National University Kyudo Tournament on August 10th, and Mr. Uesugi wants me to represent the University of Tokyo in the competition."
Kurosawa Hikaru saw her little action, smiled, and then made up his mind.
"You are representing the school in the competition. How good is your archery?"
Hearing this, Ninomiya Chizuru couldn't help but ask.
Although she didn't know much about Kyudo, because she had done some research during this period, she knew that the coach of the Kyudo Club, Sensei Uesugi, was a very good Kyudo master.
Being recognized by such a master, I feel that he is not just playing around with Kyudo.
"How's my level? Why don't you come and take a look at it when the time comes?"
Kurosawa Hikaru thought about it and didn't say it out loud, but pretended to be mysterious.
Some things don't have to be said openly.
Because of concealment, there are surprises.
Because there is expectation, there is passion.
In relationships, there is a saying that there is a seven-year itch. This is not because the relationship is not good enough, but because two people have spent too much time together and know each other too well, and will gradually lose the initial passion and love.
That's why, in a relationship, preparing surprises and passion is very important for both parties.
"Okay, then I'll go see if you can bring honor to the school."
Seeing that he was deliberately concealing something but actually revealed his true thoughts, with a slightly curved corner of his mouth, Ninomiya Chizuru couldn't help but feel expectant, and said seriously.
"Hahaha."
Discovering that she was using this statement again to cover up her true thoughts, Kurosawa Mitsuru couldn't help but be amused by her.
"You are not allowed to laugh while eating."
Ninomiya Chizuru felt that he was laughing at her and felt a little embarrassed.
Amidst laughter and joy, they continued their picnic.
After they had eaten and drunk their fill, it was already three o'clock in the afternoon. Having stayed on the shore, they chose to play in the water under the bright summer sun.
It was not until 4 p.m. that they stopped and, considering the three-hour journey, began to pack up and prepare to go home.
“It’s a really nice painting.”
Ninomiya Chizuru helped to clean up the easel. She looked at Zai Shui Yinren in the painting and felt very emotional.
When something is given special meaning, it becomes particularly precious, and this painting in front of us is such a case.
This painting records today's story.
She and Kurosawa Hikaru took a three-hour drive from Tokyo to the Atera Gorge in Nagano Prefecture to sketch together.
This experience is very precious and unforgettable.
"Do you like it?"
Kurosawa Hikaru packed his lunch box, wrapped it in a picnic blanket, walked over to her side, and looked at the painting again.
"I like it very much."
Ninomiya Chizuru spoke frankly about this and no longer pretended not to care.
The painting was beautiful and lifelike. At first glance, it looked just like a photograph, but when she looked at it carefully, she seemed to be able to see Kurosawa Hikaru pouring his heart and soul into it beyond the picture.
For others, this painting might only make them notice her in it... But she knew the story behind this painting very well.
"For you."
Seeing her staring at the painting with some fascination, Kurosawa Mitsuru looked at her deeply and said.
"You're going to give it to me? You're not going to take it back as..."
Ninomiya Chizuru was stunned when she heard this, then turned her head and responded subconsciously, but she stopped talking in embarrassment before she could finish her words.
"For what? To commemorate?"
Although she braked in time, Kurosawa Mitsuru was still able to guess what she wanted to say. He looked at her with a smile in his eyes and teased.
"For collection. Don't painters always collect their works?"
Ninomiya Chizuru felt like she was being controlled by him, so she calmed down, tied her hair, and said calmly.
"I don't use it to commemorate anything, and I don't plan to collect it."
Kurosawa Hikaru stopped teasing her and looked at the painting again and said seriously.
"Why? Because it wasn't good enough?"
Hearing this, Ninomiya Chizuru felt a little uncomfortable.
This painting means a lot to her, but Kurosawa Hikaru doesn't need it.
"Because during the painting process, this scene has been engraved in my mind and I will never forget it. I hope you can keep it more than I do."
Noticing her dissatisfaction, Kurosawa Mitsuru turned his head to look at her and smiled.
His smile was not a brilliant one, but a gentle and kind one that came out naturally.
Looking at his handsome face and beautiful smile, Chizuru Ninomiya, who was a little unhappy, was immediately stunned.
At this moment, he is so handsome, so handsome that it makes people fascinated and unable to extricate themselves.
“I’ll never forget it.”
With these words echoing in her ears, Ninomiya Chizuru looked at the landscape portrait again and was deeply touched.