Crossover: After deciding to give up, i became popular

The crescent moon hung delicately in the sky, casting its soft glow over the streets of Tokyo. A gentle breeze carried the soothing coolness of the evening, lifting a bit of Kanade Natsukawa's lingering melancholy.

The moon, a silent observer of human emotions, had always been a source of comfort and inspiration. While poets often painted it as a symbol of sorrow, Kanade found it to be far more uplifting—majestic, calming, and embracing. Its quiet luminescence had a way of easing even the heaviest burdens.

That night, Kanade wandered aimlessly through the city, immersing himself in its vibrant nightlife. Lively izakayas bustled with cheerful patrons, snack shops hummed with steady foot traffic, and exhausted salarymen hurried home. Each scene felt like a glimpse into the city's kaleidoscopic culture.

He was mulling over what to eat for dinner when a familiar voice broke his thoughts.

"President? What are you doing here?"

Kanade turned to see a cheerful, pink-haired girl waving at him. A black ribbon adorned her head, and she was holding a leash.

It was none other than Chika Fujiwara.

Unlike her usual school uniform, Chika was dressed in a green summer dress with a white bow at the neckline, exuding a playful yet elegant charm.

"Good evening, Fujiwara," Kanade greeted her with a nod.

Initially hoping for a quiet night alone, he realized such plans would be impossible now. Especially when the encounter was with the ever-energetic Chika, who would undoubtedly pull him into her whirlwind of activity.

"It's late. Aren't you heading home?" Kanade asked, remembering the strict curfews imposed by the Fujiwara household.

"Pes wanted to go for a walk!" Chika chirped, holding up the leash connected to a golden retriever lying nearby.

The dog looked utterly disinterested, legs crossed and yawning.

"…"

Kanade glanced between Chika and her lethargic pet.

Are you sure it wasn't YOU who wanted the walk?

"Well, it's getting late, so if there's nothing—"

"Wait, President! Let me talk to Pes for a moment," Chika interrupted, crouching down to whisper something into the dog's ear.

To Kanade's shock, the golden retriever stood up, gave him and Chika a discerning look, then calmly grabbed its leash in its mouth and trotted away.

"…"

Kanade was stunned speechless.

Did that dog just… evaluate me? And leave on command? What kind of sorcery is this? Are pets in Japan allowed to become this intelligent?

"Chika… what did you just say to it?" he finally managed to ask.

"Nothing much. I just told Pes to go home so I could walk around a bit longer," Chika replied nonchalantly.

"It really understood you…" Kanade muttered, still trying to process what he had witnessed.

Then again, he thought, if someone like Chika existed, it wasn't so far-fetched for dogs to be geniuses too.

"President, have you eaten yet?" Chika asked, her tone bright and inviting.

"Not yet. You?"

"Me neither!" she exclaimed, her excitement visibly increasing. Chika suddenly reached out and grabbed Kanade's hand.

"Perfect! I know the best place. Let's go!"

Before Kanade could protest, Chika had already started dragging him along.

The sight of two high schoolers—one cheerful, one resigned—running hand-in-hand through the streets was a striking image of youthful energy. Passersby couldn't help but watch, including a pair of salarymen who paused their conversation to observe.

"Man… seeing that reminds me of when I used to hold hands with a girl like that," one said, wistfully wiping his eyes.

"Yeah, right. The only thing you ever held was my hand after we got drunk and sang karaoke," his friend shot back.

"That's not the same! And hey, stop bringing that up—"

Kanade, oblivious to the salarymen's melodrama, was soon led into a tucked-away ramen shop deep within a narrow alley.

The shop was old but clean, exuding a nostalgic charm. The faint scent of simmering broth greeted them as they stepped inside.

"Ramen, huh…" Kanade murmured, glancing around.

Chika misinterpreted his tone and quickly grew anxious.

"President, you don't hate ramen, do you?"

"Not at all. I've just never tried it before," he admitted. "I've always been more of a rice person."

"Your first time? Yay! I, Chika Fujiwara, will take your first time!"

"Pfft!" Kanade nearly choked on air.

Chika, do you ever think before you speak?

She, however, seemed entirely unaware of the implications of her statement, her face brimming with innocent excitement.

"You've never had ramen? That makes this even better!"

"Alright then, I'll leave the recommendations to you," Kanade said, deciding to let her enthusiasm guide him.

While it was unusual for girls in Japan to frequent greasy ramen joints, Chika was clearly the exception. She loved seeking out hidden gems and had a particular fondness for ramen.

They took their seats, and Chika confidently placed their orders.

"One soy-based tonkotsu ramen, extra light, with super-hard noodles! And one spicy arctic ramen, slightly firm!"

Kanade nodded approvingly. Her fluency in ramen jargon revealed her expertise.

"The soy-based tonkotsu is for me, right?" Kanade asked. From what he'd heard, it was the most famous type and sounded beginner-friendly.

"Nope, that's mine!" Chika declared, beaming.

"…What?" Kanade stared at her, bewildered.