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In the bustling shopping district of a quiet town—
"Now that we're here, no one should recognize us, right?" Kanata surveyed her surroundings, noting that most of the passersby were locals. She didn't spot a single Hagun Academy student, which meant they should be in the clear.
"Don't let your guard down. Keep your sunglasses on— it'd be a hassle if we got photographed." Ryoji remained cautious, advising the affluent young lady beside him.
They weren't celebrities, but as Blazers with a growing online presence— not to mention their striking looks— both were accustomed to drawing attention. Ryoji, in particular, often caught people sneaking photos of him when he was out.
If their relationship were exposed and word got back to Senior Sister or the Totokubara family, things would get messy.
Kanata might not have been concerned, but Ryoji certainly was.
Especially if Senior Sister decided to unleash 'Raikiri' on him.
"Honestly, getting caught would be kind of exciting... But since you insist, I'll behave."
Kanata pouted slightly, lips curving in disappointment.
'She definitely had a mischievous side.'
Perhaps because of her upbringing in a prestigious family, she had always had to maintain a refined image. But with Ryoji, she seemed to enjoy letting loose, as if she found amusement in stirring up trouble.
"Welcome! May I help you two with anything?" Like any ordinary couple, they stepped into a clothing boutique hand in hand. A shop attendant greeted them warmly. Even with their sunglasses concealing part of their features, their presence was captivating enough to make her momentarily dazed.
"Ryoji, help me pick something out." Kanata scanned the racks of stylish clothes, her brows slightly furrowed.
Her wardrobe already contained high-end dresses— at least seventeen or eighteen of them, all from her family's fashion brand. She rarely had to think about clothing choices, much less coordinate her own outfits.
"No problem! Leave it to me!" Ryoji thumped his chest with confidence.
…Even though, deep down, he was clueless.
After all, in both of his lifetimes, he had never picked out clothes for a girl. But admitting incompetence in front of a woman— especially one as refined as Kanata— was out of the question.
"Excuse me, do you have any recommendations?" Ryoji smoothly handed the responsibility over to the shop attendant.
"Ah, of course." The attendant's lips twitched slightly.
'So much for that confidence. You don't know anything about styling, do you?' She sighed inwardly but maintained her professional smile as she began selecting outfits.
"Hehe." Kanata chuckled softly.
Before long, the attendant brought over a few outfits and handed them to Ryoji.
"Try these on and see which suits you best." Ryoji glanced over them, but without a clear opinion, he passed them to Kanata.
"Alright." Kanata didn't hesitate and stepped into the fitting room.
Soft rustling sounds soon followed. First, a T-shirt and long pants slipped to the floor. More shifting fabric noises ensued, signaling her to try something new.
The fitting rooms in this boutique were separated by simple curtains, leaving Kanata's bare feet visible as she changed. The poor soundproofing made every subtle movement inside discernible, leaving much to the imagination.
"...Hmm, this one's a bit tight." Shortly after, a delicate, snow-white arm reached out from behind the curtain, handing Ryoji a dress.
The snugness around her chest was evident.
"Could you grab me a slightly larger size?"
"…Got it."
The shop attendant stole a glance at her own chest, suddenly feeling a little self-conscious, before heading to retrieve another size.
'Bang!'
Just as the attendant left, that snow-white arm suddenly grabbed Ryoji's wrist.
Ryoji hesitated for a moment, considering his options.
Then, in a swift motion—
Ryoji disappeared behind the curtain, vanishing from sight.
"Help me decide."
Inside the fitting room, Kanata had already changed into a youthful floral dress, but she seemed undecided, holding up a strapless white gown.
"I like the color of this one, but it shows too much skin... I don't really like that."
Whoa.
Pulling him into the fitting room for something so bold, Ryoji had assumed Kanata was far more daring than she let on. But to his surprise, she was just worried about modesty.
This gown didn't seem particularly revealing at first glance. But given Kanata's proportions, it would undoubtedly accentuate her figure more than usual.
"Don't you have any black or white stockings?" Ryoji scanned the hanging outfits, frowning slightly.
'This shop attendant seriously needs some lessons in coordination.'
Kanata had a stunning figure— full curves, a slim waist, and long legs— perfectly embodying the 'Onee-san' archetype. How could they not have thought to include black or white stockings?
"You like stockings? I'll have her bring a few pairs later. But for now—" Kanata set the dress aside and placed her hands against Ryoji's chest. Her emerald eyes gleamed with a mix of mischief and anticipation.
"We still have a little time before she returns, so…"
"Sure."
Ryoji didn't hesitate.
"Hehe..."
Kanata covered her mouth, laughing softly.
Adding a bit of excitement made things more fun, after all.
...
By the time the shop attendant returned, Ryoji had already stepped out of the fitting room.
There was a time and place for everything, after all.
After trying on more than ten outfits, they finally made their choice.
Kanata now wore a fitted white shirt that accentuated her impressive bust. Her long, golden hair cascaded over her shoulders, framing her delicate features. For the lower half, she had on a black pleated skirt, highlighting her impossibly slim waist— almost as if it could be held in one hand.
Her long legs were now encased in sleek black stockings, shimmering faintly under the store's lights, making Ryoji's fingers twitch with the urge to touch them. To complete the look, they even stopped by a nearby shoe shop to pick up a pair of light gray ankle boots.
The pleated skirt and stockings were Ryoji's suggestion. The white shirt, however, was Kanata's choice— it concealed the "strawberry mark" on her chest, making it unsuitable for anything too revealing.
After the full makeover, Kanata looked even more breathtaking than usual.
More importantly, the outfit was perfectly suited to Ryoji's tastes, leaving him deeply satisfied.
"By the way, Kanata, what made you decide to date me?" As they left the mall, the two headed toward a nearby cinema, and Ryoji finally voiced his curiosity.
(End of Chapter)