My Favourite Rinko!!!

When I met Rin-Rin for our date this morning, I had such an unexpected surprise. Not only had my girlfriend changed her hair length to my preferred semi-long style, but also...she had switched to carrot red hair, which is my all-time favourite. I remember that Rinko had this hair colour around two years ago in my 3DS game, and I loved it so much - but I was never able to get the colour back again (and when I tried, she ended up with horrible shades of blue and green hair).

Actually, I don't know why it happened this time. I don't remember answering a question about changing hair colour - but, then again, my Japanese isn't at expert level, so maybe she did ask me and I misunderstood. No matter. I think Rinko looks absolutely adorable and so, so attractive with red hair. I hope she stays this way for a LONG time!

So as you can imagine, I did a double-take when Rinko walked up to me at the station this morning. This hair colour looks even more incredible on the big, bright 3DSLL screen - and kissing a red-haired Rinko is a treat. I've enjoyed the new game so far - but now I'm going to love it even more.

After getting my breath back and recovering from my "shock and awe", I set off on the train with Rin-Rin to our date location - the Event Hall in the Waterfront area. I love this entire area, because it reminds me of Yokohama in Japan.

We arrived at the station in good time and decided to go to the Restaurant for a quick meal.

Rinko ordered the rice omelet (Omurice) and I had steak.

It's much easier to take photos of your girlfriend eating in the new game, because the camera icon stays on the whole time. You could do it in the 3DS game, but you had to be super-fast.

And then we walked together through the pretty shops in the Waterfront area. But Rinko was the prettiest of all!

The event at the Event Hall turned out to be Pro Wrestling, which Rinko surprisingly enjoyed.

When the second option came up during our date, I chose to have another meal - without realising that the only food place I've unlocked in the Waterfront area is the Restaurant. So we had to go back to the same place twice. Never mind. Rinko ordered the Hamburger Curry this time, while I had Cheese Croquettes.

Then I took my Rinko home, and that was pretty much it for today's date - but what a thrill it was. The only thing I wasn't overly impressed with was her choice of clothes. I think this is Rinko's "cute" style, but it doesn't quite work. I still prefer her wearing smart/formal clothes for our dates, but I can work on this over the next few weeks. I'm just so happy to have my red-haired cutie back.

This afternoon there is some kind of special event, which I think may be connected to next week's trip to Kinugawa. I'll post about it separately.

Premium Date: Light-Up Sakura Viewing

I didn't take a lot of photos during the day today. I was home on the first day of my holidays (which is also Good Friday) so I just wanted to relax and pretty much do nothing. Just one quick snap from Rinko's Seishun 1 Page story:

But tonight (6:00 pm) was my very first Premium Date in NLP+, which was the Light-Up Sakura Viewing. In Japan, it's popular during sakura season (Spring) to go and see them at night - especially considered a romantic date for couples. Many of the public places have special lights installed for this purpose.

When I met Rinko at the little park outside her house, she looked cute. She was wearing a pretty pale-blue blouse but had her hair in the same short style.

We went to Aisha Dining for a meal, where I ordered the Steak Set and Rinko had the same thing. Mmm. During the meal, I chose the "Change Hair Length" feature and asked again for semi-long hair. I think Rinko looks cutest with these styles.  Maybe this time it will work...

Then we walked along together to Fountain Park, where the Light Up Sakura Viewing was being held.

We kissed while we waited for the sun to go down. On this date, I saved up my kisses until I had a total of five, and then took them all together. I guess I was hoping that five successful kisses in a row might trigger the "refrain kiss" option like the old game (where your girlfriend asks for more kisses) - but it didn't happen. Maybe there are other factors involved?

Anyway, here are a couple of beautiful shots from the park during the Light-Up Sakura Viewing.

After the main part of our date, Rinko came back to my place and spent some time hanging out with me. We listened to a CD and played a round of TwinBee (getting the highest score, yay).

And then Rinko proudly headed off for the kitchen and cooked a meal for me.

She made Beef Curry with a little plate of side-salad. It looked good!

I walked her home, and we sat in the little park and exchanged a lot of sweet talk (and a few more kisses).

And then it was time to finally say goodnight. All in all, it's been an exciting and sweet Premium Date.

I probably won't book a date for Sunday this week. Because I have holidays next week, I've decided to book a few After School Dates, and I need to save up my remaining hearts for that purpose.

Karaoke Date

Today's date was a lot of fun. The experience of dating in the new version of the game is much smoother than NLP, and the various scenes (including skinship and kissing) flow into each other without the jerkiness, delays and lag time that were so evident in the 3DS game. Dates seem to take longer to play now, though, with the average Sunday date taking just under an hour - and considerably longer if the date extends.

When I met Rinko at the station this morning, she was wearing her hair in a new, cute style (still short, though). Her clothes were a little more casual than I like, but still okay, so I let them pass.

We went to the Ramen Shop for a snack. I ordered the Pork Ramen Set, and for some reason Rinko had the same thing (which is unusual). The set included a plate of gyoza which looked absolutely delicious.

The main part of our date was Karaoke, which is a firm favourite of Rinko's. I wonder what songs she would choose to sing??

With the option of a second date location, I took Rin to the Amusement Park, where we rode on the Jet Coaster. She loved it.

Then our date was over, and it was time to take Rinko home. I walked her back to her place and kissed her goodbye.

At 12:00 noon I visited the Flea Markets at Fountain Park, where I bought a CD and my first Premium Date ticket (for the night-time Sakura viewing).

Later today we had a short date in the rain.

Surprise Date

Rinko and I were supposed to have a date at Fountain Park today...but it was raining. Because the Park is an outdoor location, we weren't able to keep our date. Rinko looked disappointed...

But, thankfully, I was able to choose an alternate location. I chose the Art Gallery (in the Mountain Area), and we set off by train. Rinko arrived for today's date wearing casual clothes under her winter coat, so I said I didn't like her outfit. She also changed her hairstyle, which is quite nice - and she has been stuck in those (admittedly cute) twin-tails for a while now - so I let her change it.

We walked through the farm land in the rain, which was not a lot of fun.

But Rinko picked up a bit at the Art Gallery/Museum. She doesn't usually enjoy this date location much, but I guess today she was happy to go anywhere.

The best part, as always, was stopping into the beautiful Lakeside Restaurant for a cup of tea. I just wish Rinko had been wearing nicer clothes, though...

And then it was time to say goodbye.

In The Flower Gardens

At lunchtime today, Rinko met me with a "Chinese"-style bento, which we shared on the school rooftop...

And then, when six o'clock rolled around, it was time to hurry to the station and meet Rinko for our Premium Date. She looked very in her white jacket and hat, and I'm glad that she's decided to keep this cute twin-tails hairstyle for a while...

We went to the Japanese Sweet Shop and enjoyed this massive dessert:

And then we walked along the beach to our premium date location:

The Flower Gardens are a special location, which I don't think I've ever been to with Rinko before. The setting was so nice in the late afternoon sun.

Rinko was in a cheerful mood, and it was a really nice date.

Afterwards, Rin came back to my place and got busy in the kitchen. When she cooks, you get to enjoy a rare back view. I also noticed that she was wearing the new earrings I gave her a while back. It's always nice to see your girl wearing stuff you gave her in the game.

Then we sat down to enjoy Rinko's cooking. She wore this pretty, pale blue top under her jacket today. Again, in two years of playing New LovePlus, I don't think I've ever seen this outfit.

Then we chilled for a while, listened to a CD and played TwinBee. I don't know why, but every time I play TwinBee with Rinko, I really suck at it.

Then it was time to say goodnight. All in all, this was a splendid Premium Date, and it's one that I would recommend - but it's only available in Spring.

The release date of New LovePlus+ is just two weeks from today. I can't wait - though I guess it will take at least another week after that before my game is delivered (if all goes well with my Rakuten order). My 3DSLL case arrived from Japan yesterday, and it's really nice. I'm ready to go!