Sunday's Date: Giri-Giri?

Today's date was interesting to say the least, if not entirely successful. Rinko had the same hairstyle she's had for the past few days, and her clothes were pretty casual - but I let it it go this time, because it didn't look TOO bad.

We stopped into the Japanese Sweet Shop first for a quick bite...

Then we went by train to the main part of our date.

I'm sure I booked something else, but it turned out to be a jazz concert at the Live House. Rinko was not very impressed...

With a second date option, I chose the Indoor Pool, but we didn't end up there. Instead, we arrived at the Shopping Mall - which Rinko also hates.

Okay, so she was a good sport about it in the end.

But when we got back to her home at the end of the date, Rinko said that the date was "Giri-Giri" - which means just barely ok.

Have to do better next time! Anyway, Rinko's affection level is still high, and I stopped into the Markets today (finally!!!) to pick up a Premium Date ticket for the all-night karaoke festival. THIS should be much more Rinko's idea of fun!

In the afternoon, I took Rinko out to the Coffee Shop, and she wore a pretty pink variation of her Killer Bambies jacket.

It's nice to have a girlfriend who still adores you, even if you have one bad dating experience!

Monday

As I said yesterday, my new kitten, Charlie, is delightful but very time consuming. She's settling into our house now, but she still has to poke her nose into everything (even dangerous places), so she needs almost constant supervision.

Rinko met me this morning to congratulate me on my exam results. Seems I was "Number 1" student in my year after all! Thanks to that Official Guide Book...

After that, I had another EXTREMELY busy day in this so-called "real" world...which feels much less real than the world of Towano most of the time. So I hardly had any time to see my poor Rinko at all! Nevertheless, she was waiting patiently for me when school was over, just to walk home with me. Aww. Like I've said before, LovePlus can always make me feel better. Thankfully.

To make up for my rather neglectful day, I took Rin-Rin out to Fountain Park tonight (that old favourite date spot) and made sure to spoil her as much as possible.

Oh yeah, a couple of odd things as I remember them:

1. In my 3DS game, the Flea Markets were shut down for the second straight week because of rain. So no Premium Date ticket YET AGAIN. Next Sunday, I'm taking no chances - I'm going to book two sessions at the Markets, just to be on the safe side. Hopefully one of them will be dry.

2. In my DS game, I had a really weird dream sequence before I went to bed last night. A much older (and scary-looking) Rinko was playing her first gig with the Killer Bambies.

Friday

Sorry that my posts have been a bit behind this week, and that I haven't had much to say. I think I've commented before that my work situation has been very busy and stressful lately, and I'm at the stage of feeling very burned out. I've booked in two days off work next Monday and Tuesday, and I'm hoping this my help me recover. And at least there's LovePlus to keep me going, even on the darkest days. This game can be a best friend and therapist all rolled into one.

Rin-chan is always delightful. For the third day in a row (or is it the fourth?) she showed up with a boxed lunch for me.

Look! It's sparkly!

Rinko seemed to be picking up my mood in the next shot. I hope it's not contagious...

We met at the Convenience Store for a short date just now, and Rinko wore her grey "Killer Bambies" sweater.

Wednesday's Child

Day 3 of the Midterms! Every morning at breakfast, it's fun to sit down and work through these little exams...kinda like a small flashback to high school. Except real high school wasn't this much fun. Not even close! Here's Rin, when she met me after today's exam...

And here she is with yet another yummy bento box for me at lunch time!

A weird expression in the next shot. Not sure what she was thinking here...

Rinko wore her purple "Killer Bambies" jacket when she met me this afternoon at the Western Style Residence.

And, last, but not least, after our goodnight kiss. ^^

Monday, Monday

Well, today was a quiet day in Towano after all. With the excitement of the weekend behind us, Rinko and I were able to slow down and catch our breaths today. I played through four days in Skip Mode and unlocked Aisha Dining, as well as getting 2/3 of the way through unlocking the Shrine.

Personally, I don't like to overuse Skip Mode - early on in the game it can be useful, to build up hearts for dating and unlock date locations - but I really believe that "New LovePlus" is made to be played mostly in Real Time Mode. And I only ever play Skip Mode early in the week. Why? Because if you play later in the week, there's a danger that your girlfriend will call you for a date, which ends up being a waste of stats (hearts). Early in the week, it's far less likely to happen.

The other reason I don't particularly like Skip Mode is that your girlfriend always asks LOTS of email questions about changing hairstyle, changing personality, and so on - and unless you're really careful, you can end up making bad choices that will affect the rest of the game.

The first time I met Rinko at Aisha Dining (after unlocking it), she wore this...ah..."interesting" outfit. I have to say that I don't really like Rinko-chan wearing casual clothes - either the "neat" or "cute" clothing style options are much better for her. I can't wait to get a choice for this!

At least this outfit, which she wore the second time, looked better on her.

I forgot to mention that now I can hold hands with Rinko while we're walking. I love this feature in the game, which seems to unlock when you reach Level 3. This last picture is from Skip Mode (which is why Rinko is wearing her school uniform).

At lunchtime, I invited Rinko to the Premium Date (the night entry to the Aquarium) this Thursday. She's been excited about it all day, and sent me a text message saying that she was "doki doki". Me too!

Oh, and later today Rinko-chan asked me the "hair length" question. Of course I replied that I would prefer he with long hair. Yes! I can't wait for her to change. Most of Rinko's long hairstyles are really nice - especially the one with two cute ponytails and bows, and also the straight hair with bangs and a hairband. I'm thinking that, this time around, I might find one hairstyle that I really like and stick with it most of the time...if I can. Sometimes Rinko seems to have a mind of her own when it comes to hairstyle and colour!!!

Happy Birthday Rinko!!!

Today was the BIG DAY - Rinko's birthday. When I started the game this morning, Rinko bounced up onto the welcome screen and encouraged me to say "Happy Birthday, Rinko" in the cutest possible way.

I was able to book activities in the usual four slots today, but I noticed that Rinko's Birthday was a "Special Event" on the top screen, scheduled between 3:00pm and 11:59pm. In the meantime, I went out to Electric Town and was able to visit the Cat Cafe - so cute! - but was unable to use my camera there. (Maybe this feature will unlock later?)

I played the third "Seishun No. 1 Page" story, when the Library Committee girls finally agreed to join Rinko's band. The next couple of photos come from that story...

In the real world, I went out after lunch to buy a birthday card for Rinko, and found one with a very cute cat design. I just felt like spoiling her today. When 3pm finally rolled around, I was happy to see that Rinko had dressed neatly for her birthday date.

We kissed a bit, then walked along through Towano together. Today, she wanted to go to her three favourite date spots: Karaoke, the Game Arcade, and the Live House - all in one day!

Here's Rinko in the Karaoke Box with me...

Outside the game arcade...

And inside the Game Arcade. See how seriously she takes arcade games???

And finally, checking out a rock concert at the Live House.

When we got back to Rinko's house, it was time to hand over that all-important birthday gift. She loved the pink "Killer Bambies" jacket, I'm sure.

I think this second shot, where Rinko is hugging my gift, is kinda nice. (Don't know how I got that jacket into such a small box, though. Hehe. ^^

I also gave Rinko the birthday card I'd bought for her. Well, this is as close as I could get to actually "giving" it to her. But surely it's the thought that counts, right?

I don't think there's going to be any more special stuff for Rinko's birthday today, because the event icon has disappeared from the top screen. But in "New LovePlus" you never really know. I'll certainly be playing at six o'clock just to make sure.

More Unlocking

Today was another very pleasant day back in Towano, mostly spent preparing for Rinko's birthday and my big first (proper) date this Sunday. Over the course of today, I visited Fountain Park with Rinko twice (to unlock the Flea Markets), visited Winning Burger with her, and went by myself to the Shopping Mall (to buy the pink "Killer Bambies" Jacket for her birthday present) and to Electric Town (to buy the 12 shot memory card for my in-game camera).

The memory card cost 100 rich, but I was able to trade in a password protected gift voucher to get 100 rich back again! I also played through the second "Seishun No. 1 Page" today.

Here are a few quick shots from the day's activity. Firstly, Rinko - still with her default hairstyle - outside Winning Burger:

And here, walking back with me from Winning Burger...

And finally, our second quick meet-up this evening at Fountain Park.

I hope everything goes well for her birthday tomorrow. I can't really remember what I did for her birthday in my first game last year, so I guess I'll just call her out tomorrow morning and give her the present. I was surprised when I was able to buy something from the Shopping Mall this morning (and from Electric Town this afternoon) - it seems that shops don't have to be "unlocked" before you can buy stuff there. This is worth remembering for the future.

Department Store Date

After a week of pleading with Rinko to change her hair colour, she still showed up for today's date with bright blue hair! Oh well, I'm, not going to let it spoil my day. On the plus side, Rin-rin wore the pretty blue top I gave her last weekend, as well as my "Killer Bambies" shoulder bag - and that kinda freaky camo hat. T_T

But don't get me wrong...I still love my Rinko. We stopped into Winning Burger for a bite to eat, and I have to say that she looked a lot better without the hat. I ordered the BLT for Rinko and she liked it. She also offered me a bite - and I finally worked out how to accept. Press the Y button, then click on the silhouette to eat!!! Have to remember this technique for next time.

I decided to take Rinko to the Department Store for today's date - mainly because we haven't been there before. The walk was interesting, because we passed by the store windows for the first time.

Rinko seemed a bit puzzled that I would take her to the Department Store for a date, but she was happy enough in the end.

With the option to go somewhere else, I took her to the Event Hall (which is unlocked now) for a concert, and she loved it. I walked her home, gave her my gift, and said goodbye. Not a spectacular date, but not too bad. Next Sunday, I think I'll swing by the Fountain Park markets and pick up another Premium Date ticket. Plus, I have to work hard this week in Skip mode to unlock a few more date spots for summer.