Chapter 18: Weekend department store date (2)

Did all that agonizing over my outfit backfire? I checked my phone, realizing I was running late.

‘Shibuya is supposed to be twenty minutes away, but I only have thirty minutes left. This is bad.’

I barely made it to the subway in time. Navigating the labyrinthine Tokyo subway system, I somehow managed to decipher the complex map and arrive at the meeting spot. And then… I ran.

My new loafers weren’t ideal for running, and my frilly blouse, lavender checkered skirt, and ribbon headband only hindered my progress. But as I ran, a thought crossed my mind.

‘I’m not… overdressed, am I?’

I arrived five minutes early, panting. But… as expected, they were already there, waiting. Aya, with her height, was the first to catch my eye.

She wore a flowing white dress, ethereal and elegant, like a goddess. The simple design only enhanced her graceful aura. Her long silver hair, swaying gently in the breeze, and her clear blue eyes drew all eyes to her.

And then there was Mizuki. True to her energetic personality, she wore a refreshing blouse and slim slacks. Casual yet sophisticated, her cheerful smile perfectly embodied the image of a “lively young lady.”

Looking at these two perfect beauties, I couldn’t help but gulp.

“Rina!” Mizuki, spotting me first, greeted me with open arms.

I waved back, still catching my breath. “Haa… haa… H-Hi!”

“Wow, Rina! You look so cute~ You really put in the effort!” Mizuki grinned, admiring my outfit.

I wiped the sweat from my brow with a handkerchief. “R-Really…? I tried to keep it simple…”

Mizuki circled me, then gave me a thumbs up. “Perfect! Aya-ring, doesn’t she look adorable?”

“R-Really…? Hehe…”

Aya walked over to me, tilting her head slightly as she studied my appearance. While she didn’t react as enthusiastically as Mizuki, her gaze made me feel strangely self-conscious.

“It suits you, Rina,” she said softly. Those simple words resonated deeply within me.

‘Ugh… Aya, you’re playing dirty!’ My face burned, and I lowered my head.

Aya watched me quietly, a gentle smile on her lips. “You seem to like this style, Rina.”

“Um… because it’s cute?” I mumbled, scratching the back of my head.

‘I just picked something Rina wore in middle school…’

“Oh! And Aya… that dress looks amazing on you!” I quickly changed the subject, complimenting Aya’s white dress.

Aya smiled faintly and tugged at the hem of her dress. “It’s just something I had at home. Dresses are easy to wear, no need to think too much about coordinating.”

‘That’s what she calls an effortless outfit…?’

I couldn’t believe it. But anything looked good on Aya.

Mizuki nudged my shoulder. “Rina~ you’re always so plain at school, I was thinking of giving you a makeover~ But it looks like there’s no need!”

So, I’d narrowly avoided becoming Mizuki’s dress-up doll? Thank goodness for middle school Rina…

“Okay, okay~ let’s go to the department store!” Mizuki said, leading the way.

I followed, walking beside Aya. Being next to her, in her casual clothes… with her being literally a head taller than me… I felt a strange urge to lean against her.

****

‘Wow… this is the department store the protagonist was so impressed by.’

I stared at the luxurious building, my jaw slightly agape. It looked more like a palace than a department store. The massive glass structure, the sleek exterior, the soft classical music that greeted us as we entered—it was overwhelming.

But…

Mizuki, walking ahead of me, and Aya, beside me… they both belonged in this place.

I’d assumed they’d head straight for the luxury brands on the first floor, glittering beneath the ornate chandeliers. I’d imagined Aya discussing gemstones in a high-end jewelry store, Mizuki strolling leisurely through a VIP lounge… I took cautious steps, feeling out of place.

‘What are they even planning to buy here…?’

But contrary to my expectations, Mizuki led us to the escalator and up to the second floor. I silently thanked my wallet as I followed them.

The second floor housed women’s clothing stores. While the brands were still a bit pricey for a student, they were far more affordable than the luxury brands on the first floor. With careful budgeting, I might actually be able to afford something.

‘Still… expensive…’

I glanced at the price tags as we walked. A simple blouse cost 15,000 yen… a skirt, 20,000 yen…

‘…Gulp.’

These clothes were far more expensive than anything I’d worn in my previous life. Perhaps this was the standard for Takamari Academy students…?

‘Thank goodness Mom gave me 50,000 yen…’

When I’d told my mother I was going to the department store with my friends, she’d readily opened her wallet. I’d thought it was more than enough, but now I realized it was just barely sufficient.

“Rina, here!” Mizuki called out, beckoning me into a store.

Inside, warm lighting illuminated racks of elegant dresses and sophisticated blouses. And I… felt my heart pound.

Not from excitement, but from a strange mix of anxiety and fear. The expensive price tags, the fact that I was in a “women’s clothing” store… it was overwhelming.

‘Ugh…’

I forced a smile and entered. Mizuki, looking completely at ease, browsed the racks, her eyes shining.

“Rina, how about this style?” she asked, holding up a frilly blouse.

It was similar to the one I was wearing, but it looked far more expensive. I quickly waved my hands. “Huh?! N-No, I’m just looking…”

But Mizuki chuckled and gave me a gentle push. “Just looking? You have to buy something when you come to a place like this! Here, try this on… and this black skirt too! I think it’ll suit you!”

I sighed internally and took the clothes from her. I glanced at the price tag and froze.

‘Th-The price…?!’

Just then, Aya, who had been quietly browsing, whispered in my ear, “It’s okay, Rina. It’ll look good on you.”

“…!!!” The soft whisper, so close to my ear, sent shivers down my spine. Aya’s unexpected ASMR…

‘Ugh…! Aya…!!’ Alarm bells went off in my head. The warmth of her breath against my ear, the faint scent of her perfume… I instinctively flinched and waved my arms.

“W-Whoa!” Startled, I dropped the clothes.

Mizuki giggled and walked over to me. “What’s wrong? Did Aya-ring’s whisper surprise you that much? Rina, are you ticklish? Hee hee~”

“N-No, it’s not like that…!” I protested, waving my hands, but it was too late.

Mizuki, her eyes twinkling mischievously, wiggled her fingers, ready to tickle me.

‘There’s nowhere to run…!’

My face burning, I grabbed the clothes and fled into the fitting room. Closing the door behind me, I looked at my reflection in the mirror and sighed.

‘Why am I so easily flustered now…?’

But had Mizuki followed me? A teasing voice came from just beyond the curtain. “Rina~ you’re so cute when you’re embarrassed~”

“Kyaa…!”

“Come on, let us see!”

“Fine… just a minute…” I replied weakly.

Then, I heard another voice.

“Well then~ Aya-ring should try something on too, right?”

“Huh…?”

“How about matching outfits with Rina?”

“Mizuki… your eyes are sparkling a bit too intensely.”

“Hee hee hee…!”

Well… it seemed things would work out somehow. I held the frilly blouse and black flared skirt Mizuki had chosen against my body, looking at my reflection in the mirror.

“This is… really cute.”

I looked like a typical “cute high school girl.” Mizuki’s choices were stylish and chic, a black and white ensemble. If only it wasn’t so expensive…

The blouse was 20,000 yen, the skirt another 20,000 yen, and the brooch 4,000 yen.

‘That’s… so much money. Almost 440,000 won? I’d be spending my entire 50,000 yen allowance…’

As I was agonizing over the price tag, Mizuki’s excited voice called out from outside.

“Rina! Have you tried it on yet? Hurry up and show us~ Aya-ring is already done~”

“Ugh… wait, I’m not ready yet!”

Resigned, I put on the outfit. The white frilly blouse, the black brooch, and the slightly flared black skirt. Stepping out of the fitting room, Mizuki’s eyes lit up.

“Wow~ Rina, you look so cute! It’s perfect!”

And then… there was Aya. She’d said she’d chosen a similar outfit… but she looked completely different. While I, with my shorter stature, looked undeniably cute, Aya, in her black and white ensemble, exuded an aura of elegant sophistication.

“Wow…”

“Stand next to each other. You two look so good together~ Let’s take a picture.”

“Hmm~ in that case, shouldn’t Mizuki try something on too?” Aya said, a mischievous glint in her eyes that didn’t quite match her usual serene expression.

She glanced at me, and I grinned back, nodding in agreement. “Yeah~ it’s Mizuki’s turn!”

“H-Huh?”

“Mi.zu.ki.?”

“A-Ahaha…!” Mizuki, realizing what we were up to, tried to escape, but Aya’s reach was longer than Mizuki’s brief dash for freedom.

Aya caught Mizuki by the shoulder, and Mizuki, defeated, reluctantly took a similar outfit and headed for the fitting room.

Five minutes later, Mizuki emerged. The cheerful, tomboyish Mizuki from earlier was gone, replaced by a shy, demure young lady, her face flushed.

“W-Well…”

“Great, let’s take a picture~”

Wow, I’d never seen Aya so proactive. She was grinning mischievously, just like Mizuki. She even called over a salesclerk.

“Excuse me! Would you mind taking a picture of us?”

“Certainly.” The salesclerk walked over, took Aya’s phone, and began adjusting the angle. “Oh, I’m sorry. The tall one is cut off. Could you adjust your positions slightly?”

“I’ll bend my knees!” Aya replied.

“Okay, that’s perfect. Ready? Say cheese~”

‘Ah, cheese…!’ I belatedly smiled, but the camera shutter had already clicked.