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.

Night-Time Sakura Viewing ^^

I managed to get to the Sunday Markets in Fountain Park today and buy a double pass to the "Light Up Event To See Cherry Blossoms At Night". The price was 30 rich. I have no idea what I have to do - whether the event will trigger automatically, or whether I have to arrange a date at Fountain Park in the evening time slot. But I can use the tickets any time until the end of May, so I guess I can afford to wait a week and see what happens.

It sounds so romantic, and I really want to share this event with my Rinko-chan.

I bought a new CD at the Markets too. The last time I bought a CD, Rinko came to my room at the end of the date to listen to it. So let's hope this will happen again.

Update
Now when I go into the Telephone menu, I have an option to book a "Premium Date" with Rinko, which I'm guessing relates to the Sakura event. When I try to call her, though, I get a message and nothing happens. Maybe I can't do it today (because I already had a date), or maybe it's because my points are so low after today's date? Don't know. Anyway, I'll try again tomorrow.

Best Ever Date!

Have to say that today's date with Rinko was the best ever. Despite playing it through under difficult circumstances - trying to cook with people visiting the house and everything going wrong that possibly could - this morning was an absolute delight.

Rinko had a very cute new hair style, but best of all she wore ALL THREE of the clothing gifts I've given her since we've been dating: the checked cap, the red scarf with stars, and the Killer Bambies shoulder bag. Wow. When she showed up wearing all my stuff, I just knew that it was going to be a really special date.

We met at New Towano station, then went to Dixies for a snack. Again, the menu at Dixies was completely wrong. I ordered the Steak Set for 10 rich and got a melon soda instead (supposed to be zero rich!). It doesn't matter, because Rink loved the soda - but I don't think I'll spend any more money at Dixies until they fix their menu or maybe hire some new staff. (Or is Nene secretly trying to sabotage my dates with Rinko-chan????)

Sorry but I only had five shots on my camera, and Rinko kept closing her eyes just as I pressed the shutter. I really must spend some money at the camera shop and buy a bigger memory card (in the game).

After Dixies we went for the main part of our date at the Art Gallery. The scenery walking along the river bank to the Art Gallery was just so pretty...but I'm not sure why Rink looks cross with me in the photo. It must have been the topic of conversation, because she was totally happy and lovey-dovey for the whole date.

After the Gallery we hopped a train back to Fountain Park, which is up to Level 3 now and a favourite place for kissing. Today was no exception. At the very end of the date, I gave Rinko the stuffed brown bear as a gift. She seemed a bit surprised, but I think maybe she found the bear a bit childish? Hard to be sure when my Japanese is so basic. Oh well. Maybe I'll get something else for her to wear next time.

All in all, it was an epic and wonderful date, which took about an hour and a half to play through. I've felt really happy for the rest of the day.

Expensive Lunch!!!

Today's date was a really interesting experience. First, we went to "Winning Burger" for lunch. When you're on a date in "New LovePlus" and you go for lunch, you get a menu and can actually order (and pay for) food! And then, when the food arrives, you watch while your girl actually picks it up and eats it!

I wanted to impress Rinko, so I ordered the most expensive thing on the menu (which of course I couldn't read). Guess what it turned out to be? An American-style burger, fries and Coke. Maybe it's a luxury item in Japan...who knows. All I know is that I just paid 22 rich for a Happy Meal!

"Rich" is the name of the in-game currency, by the way. You start off with 50 rich, and have to earn more by working at your afternoon job at Dixies. Now half my money is gone!!!!

Anyway, Rinko enjoyed her Happy Meal. T_T In the next photo, you can see that she's actually taken a bite out of that burger. Those fries look pretty small, though...

The date continued at the Sports Centre. This was Rinko's choice, not mine (she actually called me out for the date this time, and that's where she wanted to go). We did some ice skating first, then Rinko changed into this yellow leotard for exercise class. I kissed her five times during this scene - my first five kiss moment with Rinko in the new game - and she liked it so much that she offered me four more. This is called "Refrain Kiss".

At the end of the date, I gave her the red scarf. But she still told me that the date was "giri giri" (just barely okay). Maybe she was kidding??? The earth moved for me, Rinko.