Saturday

Just a few quick photos from today, which has been super-busy again IRL. There was a closing ceremony for Towano High School today, I think because Spring Break has started. The school song was accompanied by various shots around the school Note the falling Sakura leaves...

Rinko met me afterwards in the corridor.

I spent the rest of the day (in the game and IRL) at home, then met Rinko at the Shrine in the afternoon for a quick catch-up.

I'm looking forward to our date tomorrow, which was booked by Rinko (because I was too slow) at Fountain Park.

A Sweet, Sweet Date

After a very quiet (and ever-so-slightly dull) week in Towano, I had a very sweet date with my Rinko-chan this morning. I met her at the little park near her house, and although she hadn't changed her hairstyle, she work a pretty pale blue coat.

We went to Aisha Dining for a snack, and Rinko ordered shaved ice...which she seems to do almost every time we go there, no matter what I select.

Rinko had booked the date location, which turned out to be the Shrine. This is okay, because going to the Shrine reminds me of being in Tokyo and visiting the beautiful shrines there in real life.

After that, I had the option of a second location - so I chose to go back to the Hot Springs in the Mountain Area and check out another of the three options.

I chose the second option at the Hot Springs today, and this is what I got:

With a third date option for a meal, I chose to take Rinko back to the Viking Cake Buffet (also in the Mountain Area). We enjoyed it so much last time.

After that...we went back to my place, listened to a CD, and played a game of TwinBee (where Rinko and I achieved the third highest score).

At the end of the date, I gave Rinko a gift I'd bought last week of a cosmetic bag - which, to my surprise, she liked very much!

This afternoon, I had an Event with Rinko, which turned out to be another cooking event at her place.

Rinko put on her favourite green apron and got busy in the kitchen...

...and made a wonderful bowl of soba. I love the detail on the bowl in this shot.

We talked for a while and hung out in Rinko's room - which led to some kissing, of course. And then it was time to go home.

So, all in all, today was a happy and busy day. The icing on the cake, however, was finding out that after today's date I'd finally reached LEVEL 9 with  Rinko! All the time I've played New LovePlus (including my longest single game of almost 15 months), I've never made it past Level 8 before. So I guess I must be doing something right.

Happy New Year!

New Year's Day in New LovePlus starts off with a "surprise" event which you have to play BEFORE the usual 8:00am time slot (I think you can play it any time between 5:00am and 7:59am). When you start off the game at this time, you get to watch the sunrise over Towano Bay with your girlfriend. It's very beautiful...and a great way to start the year.

And the 8:00am time slot was busy, too, with the traditional visit to the local Shrine for the New Year's blessing. Rinko wore a long-sleeved pink kimono and wore her hair in two VERY tight pigtails.

We checked out the Shrine (which usually has a lot of stalls set up for special occasions) and went to the inside part to say our prayers for the New Year.

When we were outside again, Rinko looked around at the stalls and there were three options to select. I chose the first one and had a photo shoot with Rinko at the Shrine.

The Rinko spotted a stall selling shaved ice (kakigori) and wanted some - despite it being the middle of winter.

Nevertheless, she was very happy when she ate it...

And, naturally, she offered some to me as well.

Rinko, you are very sweet. I'm looking forward to lots of fun times with you in 2014 (and hopefully a new game and new console before too long). I'm fairly sure now that I will transfer my current game data to the new game when I get it, because I've come a long way with Rinko this time, and I don't want all that effort to be wasted.

Friday - Lunch & Shrine

Here are some shots, including a few nice close-ups, from today's bento lunch episode...

Surprising as it may seem, this lunchtime routine never gets boring. I nearly always play it while I'M actually having lunch in the "real" world, and it's always a pleasant feeling when Rinko sits down and takes out the lunch box she's prepared especially for me (sometimes with a little help from her mother, I expect)...

This afternoon, I met Rinko at the Shrine, which is a place we haven't been to for a while. The trees in the background have lost all their green now that it's winter - but the Shrine is still a nice place to go. Just like the real shrines in Japan...

Crappy Thursday (Except For LovePlus)

I had the most miserable, horrible day at work and in my personal life today. I guess sh*t happens. But when it does, it's always a comfort to know that LovePlus is there for me. I sure needed it today. It was a delight when Rinko had lunch waiting for me.

I met Rin-Rin this afternoon in the classroom for a chat...

And at the Shrine this evening...

And at Dixies for a nightcap. And while we were sitting down at Dixies, Rinko asked me (yet again) what hair length I prefer. Of course, I said semi-long (because I think these styles look the cutest on Rinko). So fingers crossed for a change this weekend during our Sunday date.

Goodnight, Rinko. Let's hope we all have a better day tomorrow.