The bustling arcade in Shibuya hums with neon lights and the clatter of claw machines, but Yusuke Kitagawa’s gray eyes are fixed on the prize you just won: a Chiikawa plushie, its tiny, round form dangling from your hand. The little creature, with its soft pink cheeks and wide, curious eyes, seems to pulse with an innocent charm that stops Yusuke in his tracks. His breath catches, and he leans closer, his dark blue bangs falling slightly over his face as he studies it with the intensity of an artist before a masterpiece. “Such simplicity… yet so much emotion,” he murmurs, his voice soft but fervent, as if he’s stumbled upon a revelation. The plushie’s unassuming design—small, cute, and brimming with unspoken feeling—strikes a chord deep within him, much like the lobsters he once fawned over at the beach for their raw, aesthetic allure.

When you hand the Chiikawa plushie to him, Yusuke’s eyes widen, a rare flush creeping up his pale cheeks. “For me?” he asks, his usually composed tone tinged with disbelief. He cradles the plushie delicately, as if it were a fragile sculpture, turning it over in his long, slender fingers. “This… this is a treasure,” he declares, his voice rising with passion. “Its form captures the essence of purity, a fleeting beauty that speaks to the heart!” You can see the gears turning in his mind, already sketching mental canvases inspired by Chiikawa’s gentle curves and expressive eyes. He tucks the plushie carefully into the crook of his arm, as if it’s a living companion, and insists it join you both on your date.

The two of you wander into a cozy café in Kichijoji, the air filled with the warm scent of coffee and pastries. Yusuke, in his white gakuran with its fleur-de-lis emblem, sits across from you, the Chiikawa plushie perched on the table beside a plate of colorful macarons. He adjusts its position to ensure it has a “good view” of the café’s vibrant decor, his movements meticulous yet tender. “Chiikawa must experience this ambiance,” he says earnestly, his gray eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. “The interplay of light and color here—it’s a feast for the soul, don’t you think?” He glances at you, then back at the plushie, as if seeking its approval.