After everything that happened, I parted ways with Ayanokōji and headed for the clothing store.
Though I've been at this school for about a year now, this might actually be my first time visiting a proper clothing boutique.
"...This feels awkward."
I stop in front of the store but hesitate to go in.
From what I can see outside, most of the customers are female, and the few male patrons are all accompanied by girlfriends.
My research on Keyaki Mall's most popular stores might have backfired. I didn't realize this place would be so uncomfortable to enter alone as a guy...
I could call a female acquaintance, but dragging someone out on their day off feels inconsiderate.
"Hikigaya-kun? What are you doing in front of the store?"
Just as I'm agonizing over what to do, I hear a voice behind me.
"Matsushita? What about you?"
"I came to browse some clothes. Imagine my surprise finding you zoning out in front of the shop."
"I see..."
This might be my chance. She doesn't seem to be here with anyone, and from what I've seen, Matsushita has good fashion sense. Even today, her seasonal outfit suits her perfectly.
Either way, asking Matsushita for help seems like my best option.
"Actually, there's something I'd like to ask you. Do you have a minute?"
......
Stepping into the clothing store, I was greeted by stylish interior decor and music that seemed to seep into my ears.
"Fufu~ You're really something, Hikigaya-kun. This is the first time anyone's ever asked me to accompany them because they felt awkward entering a store alone."
"Please don't bring that up... It's embarrassing..."
Matsushita, who had kindly agreed to my request, let out an amused smile as she recalled our earlier conversation while browsing through the racks.
"So today I'll be your personal stylist, okay?"
"Yeah, I'd appreciate your help."
Beyond just accompanying me, I'd asked Matsushita to assist with selecting outfits. I'd expected it might be too much to ask, but surprisingly she agreed without hesitation.
"Hmm~ Which one would suit you best?"
Matsushita examined the countless clothing options with more focus than I'd anticipated.
"Do you come to this store often?"
"Quite a bit. I was actually supposed to come with Satou-san today, but she caught a cold."
So she did have plans. I never imagined someone like Satou would catch a cold - not that I'm mocking her, but she always seemed too energetic to get sick.
"Excuse me for a second?"
Without warning, Matsushita began holding various garments against me to check sizes, systematically evaluating each potential choice.
"Next let's try a jacket."
"...!"
An instinctive - or perhaps tactile - alarm went off. As Matsushita reached around to adjust the jacket on me from behind, her chest pressed against my back through the fabric.
"There we go!"
"..."
The leaning motion only increased the contact. The soft sensation against my back was unmistakable. While Matsushita seemed too focused to notice, this situation was becoming dangerously inappropriate...
"Matsushita... I can put the jacket on myself."
"Oh? Do you not like being helped like this?"
"No, that's not it... It's just..."
"...?"
She tilted her head in confusion at my hesitation.
I realized honesty might be the only way.
"The thing is... when you help from behind like that, your chest was... touching me."
I tried to phrase it as delicately as possible, but Matsushita's face immediately flushed crimson as she sprang back.
"O-oh... I-I'm sorry?"
Though trying to maintain composure, her burning cheeks betrayed her embarrassment.
"...It's fine. I didn't exactly... mind..."
Mid-sentence, I realized how sexually harassing that sounded.
A cold sweat broke out as I watched Matsushita's reaction. She hugged herself, puffing out her cheeks while glaring slightly with downturned eyebrows.
"Pervert..."
"My apologies..."
With no possible rebuttal, all I could do was bow my head in shame.
......
"Okay, try pairing this top with this jacket. And here are the pants to go with them."
Matsushita handed me a complete outfit after carefully selecting each piece. We were now in the fitting room area, where she wanted me to try everything on to check the fit and comfort.
"Impressive. Even I can tell these are stylish choices. Thanks."
Every item she picked was fashionable yet seasonally appropriate.
"No problem! Honestly, picking out boys' clothes was a fun new experience for me. I'll go browse some things for myself - show me how it looks when I get back!"
With a final wink, Matsushita headed toward the women's section. That brief gesture made my heart skip, confirming I'd made the right choice asking for her help.
Inside the fitting room, I closed the curtain. This was my first time using one - it had a mirror and hooks for clothes.
Changing into Matsushita's selections, I examined my reflection.
"Whoa... Just changing clothes makes this much difference?"
Compared to my usual outfits, these made me look so much better that I almost felt proud.
As I lamented my lack of fashion sense, I reached to open the curtain to check if Matsushita had returned when—
"Since when do you invite me out suddenly, Yuga? And you're paying?"
"Come on, don't be so suspicious. It's just a date. Of course the guy pays."
I froze, hand on the curtain. Those voices... Nanami and Ayanagi?
"Yeah yeah, a 'date.' Didn't you say you were taking Horikita-senpai out today?"
"I asked, but she said she had 'important plans' and looked really serious about it."
Important plans... meaning dinner with me?
"Wow... For Horikita-senpai to be that firm... What kind of plans?"
"No clue. Damn, I really wanted that last meal together."
"You never stood a chance. After the mixed camp incident, she's always on guard around you."
Their conversation continued, but I was in dangerous territory. If Nanami spotted me now, he'd definitely take notice. He didn't seem to know about my plans with Horikita-senpai, but if he found out, it could raise suspicions.
In short, I couldn't be discovered.
"Then you're paying for everything today, Yuga."
"Fine by me. You're filling in for Horikita-senpai after all."
Peeking through the curtain, I saw Nanami and Ayanagi browsing clothes.
At that moment, Matsushita returned carrying garments. This was bad - if she said my name at this distance, Nanami would hear.
"Hiki—!?"
Sorry, Matsushita.
Apologizing internally, I covered Matsushita's mouth mid-call and pulled her into the fitting room.
"Mmmph!"
"Matsushita, I'm really sorry, but please listen calmly."
Keeping my voice low, I waited for her nod of understanding. True to her sharp nature, she quickly grasped the situation.
"*Phew*... So what's going on?" she whispered once I released her.
"First, I'm sorry for that. I had no choice."
Dragging a girl into a fitting room would normally be criminal.
"It's okay. I know you wouldn't do that without reason. But gagging and restraining girls is a no-no, okay?"
"Sorry. There were circumstances."
"Circumstances?"
"Student Council President Nanami is out there."
I couldn't explain my real reasons for avoiding him, so I improvised a plausible excuse.
"So you don't want to run into Nanami-senpai?"
"Right. Could you pretend not to know me until he leaves?"
After a moment's thought, Matsushita nodded understandingly.
"By the way, those clothes suit you."
In the cramped fitting room, she complimented my outfit.
"All thanks to your great taste. I'll buy these today."
She lit up at my words.
Of all the terrible timing - randomly encountering the student council president at a clothing store?
"U-um, Hikigaya-kun..."
Matsushita's timid voice interrupted my thoughts.
"What is it?"
"Nanami-senpai... doesn't seem like he's leaving soon?"
"Yeah, might take a while."
Ayanagi was still shopping, meaning Nanami would stay.
"I have a request... Is that okay?"
Clutching the clothes she'd brought to try on, Matsushita looked at me shyly.
Though unsure what she'd ask, I owed her for this inconvenience.
"Sure, anything I can do."
She took a deep breath.
"Since we're wasting time anyway... could I change here now?"
"...Huh?"
I barely managed that dumbfounded response.
"Meaning...?"
Completely lost, I watched Matsushita fidget and avoid eye contact.
"I'll change into these, so... could you close your eyes?"
So we'd share the space while she changed, me keeping my eyes shut.
Logically efficient, but morally questionable.
"N-no, that's..."
"I-it's fine! I trust you completely, Hikigaya-kun! I know you'd never think anything inappropriate!"
Her forceful declaration made her realize how close we'd gotten in the tiny room. Blushing, she took a step back.
Matsushita seemed convinced of my gentlemanly nature - a perception I desperately wanted her to reconsider immediately...
"...You're really okay with this?"
Her response was barely audible:
"Yeah... If it's you... it's okay."
Despite how this sounded, her embarrassed expression as she looked away was the last thing I saw before closing my eyes.
........
Hikigaya-kun closed his eyes.
He's really... not peeking at all, right?
"Y-you're not looking?"
"I promise, my eyes are definitely closed."
I quickly glance at him for confirmation - his eyes are firmly shut.
Not that I think he'd peek... but this is still embarrassing.
Now that I think about it, why did I suggest changing here?
We could've waited until Nanami-senpai left... Yet somehow, in that moment, I just... blurted it out.
As I ponder this, I slowly begin undressing.
Occasionally I check on Hikigaya-kun - he occasionally twitches but otherwise shows no reaction.
"...Hmph."
I know it's selfish, but his complete lack of reaction irritates me slightly.
Could it be... he doesn't see me as a girl at all?
"..."
This thought makes me unexpectedly anxious. The idea that he might not view me as a woman... hurts more than I expected.
Feeling melancholic, I continue slipping out of my clothes until I'm down to just my underwear.
...This is so embarrassing. Being nearly naked so close to him makes my shame overflow.
My face must be redder than ever before. Around him, I can never maintain my composure.
...My underwear today is purple... I wonder what Hikigaya-kun would say if he saw...
"~~~~~!!!!"
What am I thinking?! Why am I imagining him seeing them?!
I sneak another glance at him - no change in his expression.
"...You really... have no intention of looking."
"Hm? Did you say something, Matsushita?"
Hearing my mutter, he speaks up.
But before answering, I find myself embracing Hikigaya-kun in just my underwear.
"W-wait, Matsushita?!"
His flustered voice reaches my ears.
Why did I do this? I don't even understand myself.
The boy I'm hugging for the first time feels firm and oddly reassuring.
Too embarrassed to look at his face, my gaze shifts to the fitting room mirror, reflecting my crimson expression - something I could never show anyone else.
"W-what's wrong?"
"...My heart's racing."
Wrapping my arms around his neck, I whisper near his ear, making him twitch again.
"Am I... not attractive?"
"...? What do you mean?"
"Because... normally boys would peek. No matter what they say, they'd definitely look."
That's my impression of boys, based mainly on classmates. But how does Hikigaya-kun see me?
"I'm... feeling like this, but you... don't?"
In the cramped space, I press closer, leaving no gap between us.
Practically naked in just underwear, shame makes me want to pull away - but I don't want to.
"...You said I wouldn't think anything improper, but that's not true. I've been... restraining myself this whole time."
His voice drops to a whisper at the end, but I understand perfectly.
"Fufu~"
I can tell my mood has improved ridiculously easily.
The gloomy feelings fade, replaced by happiness.
"So you were... holding back~"
"...Maybe I shouldn't have said that."
I tighten my embrace, shamelessly pressing my body against his.
"...Matsushita, this is really getting dangerous. You should step back."
At his limit, Hikigaya-kun raises both hands in surrender.
But I want to be just a little more selfish.
"T-then... hug me properly? Just once..."
I'm so embarrassed I might cry, but having come this far, I want this.
"No, that's..."
"...You do it with Sakayanagi-san and Shiina-san, but not me~"
"Why would you..."
"Eh?! You really do?!"
"..."
Though his eyes remain closed, he pointedly turns his face away.
"That's unfair..."
"Huh?"
"It's unfair! Why won't you do it with me?! You're so mean!"
I've never acted this childish before, but right now I can't help it.
This is all his fault anyway.
"Uu~! Womanizer! Oblivious!"
I weakly pound his chest in protest.
Seeing me like this, Hikigaya-kun seems to resign himself, slowly wrapping his awkwardly hovering arms around my waist.
"...Is this okay?"
His voice by my ear sends shivers through me.
"...I-it'll do."
Though I say that, I'm incredibly happy.
I feel fulfilled, blissful, wonderful.
"We should really separate n--"
"No."
"Matsu--"
"Just... a little longer... please?"
"...Fine."
In the end, thanks to my tantrum, we stayed like that for several more minutes.
=================================
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