Chapter 154

“Do you like that kind of thing, Takamori?” Torigoe asked. “Not really.” “Don’t lie. You can’t take your eyes off of her.” I guess…I have been staring a little. I mean, it’s really weird seeing her in an outfit like that. And she does look good. Torigoe sighed and started arranging the papers from the opinion box. “How’s it look?” “Generally positive.” She handed me a stack, and I read them one by one. Half of the comments talked about Fushimi being cute. About 20 percent mentioned her rival’s acting being so bad, it was funny. The rest were short and basically said, “I liked it.” “We should keep Himeji from seeing the comments about her,” I said. “I agree,” said Torigoe. “By the way, Takamori—” “Ryou—” Torigoe’s and Fushimi’s voices overlapped, and they looked at each other with troubled expressions. “Hmm? What is it?” I asked. Torigoe cleared her throat, and Himeji called Fushimi over. “Hina, the class rep said they wanted you to come help.” “Huh? Right now? At the cosplay café?” “Yes, though I don’t know the details.” Himeji pulled her by the arm out into the hall. “Are they gonna make her wear something, too?” I wondered. After all, inside the school, Fushimi was even more popular than Himeji. “I guess it’s fine, as long as it’s not too sexy,” I added. “So you say, but I know you’re interested.” Torigoe shot me a suspicious glance. “Don’t look at me like that. And what were you trying to say a second ago?” “Oh right,” she mumbled. “……Is there anything you wanna go see? I could come with you…” Anything I want to go see…? Nothing had really caught my attention when I was looking at the guide. Well, besides the really silly stuff like the cosplay café. “Not really.” “In that case, would you mind coming with me?” Apparently, Torigoe did have something in mind. I was curious about what she wanted to see, so I replied right away. “Yeah, sure.” “Th-then let’s go,” she said. She walked out of the classroom and down the hall in the opposite direction from Fushimi and Himeji. “Where are we headed?” “Here.” I looked up and saw she was pointing at a sign that simply said, TEA. “A tea stand?” “It’s a space for tea ceremonies.” Oh, like making matcha and stuff? The guide said the tea ceremony area was managed by local volunteers. “You like this sorta thing?” I asked. “I appreciate peaceful, quiet moments.” “Traditional stuff really suits you. I think you’d look good in a kimono.” “R-really…? If I dressed up like Himeji, would you want to see?” she asked. She sounded oddly serious. I got the feeling I couldn’t just give her a casual yes. Himeji craved attention, so wearing a showy nurse outfit like that was nothing to her. But Torigoe would probably be fidgeting uncomfortably the whole time. I was curious, since it would be a rare sight. But I didn’t want anyone thinking I was a pervert or something, so I kept my answer vague. “I dunno.” “I—I see.” “I guess it would depend on the costume.” “We don’t need to…but since we’re here already, how about we go there, too?” She pointed at a sign which read KIMONO RENTALS. So this is where everyone’s been getting their kimonos. Himeji had filled up my whole schedule, but she was currently off dressed as a nurse and busily grabbing customers. I looked out the window and saw her holding a cardboard sign. Beside her…was another girl wearing a police uniform. “Hey, that’s Hiina,” said Torigoe. Indeed. The other girl was Fushimi. “Looks like they gave her a lewd costume, too.” Torigoe looked at Fushimi’s short skirt and frowned. “She acts all cutesy, but she craves attention, too, huh?” I decided to pretend I hadn’t heard that little barb. Just then, a classy-looking woman noticed us and ushered us inside. “Please, come in.” “I’ll wait,” I said. “Go ahead.” “C’mon, Takamori. You’re already here.” Torigoe pulled my arm and dragged me inside. She wouldn’t take no for an answer. “My, my, you’re a couple? How lovely!” The woman giggled. “N-n-no…” Torigoe shrank, her face turning red. There was another older woman inside. It seemed to be just the two of them. The first woman took care of Torigoe, while the older woman looked after me. She was very quiet and only spoke to give me instructions. I followed her directions as she helped me get dressed. I could hear Torigoe talking with the other woman across a partition dividing the room. “Sorry about the misunderstanding,” said the woman. “No, it’s no problem.” “So you’re not a couple…yet?” “Huh? Um…… No… I don’t know…” Torigoe’s voice was small and weak. “Well, good luck!” “Uh… Mmm… Thanks…” Do they know I can hear them? Meanwhile, my conversation with the older woman was extremely limited. “Hands.” “Yes.” “Hold this.” “Yes.” I never said anything but yes. I put on a black kimono, then a purple coat. I had to buy the tabi socks for 300 yen, but the zori sandals were rentals. I finished first and waited out in the hallway until I heard Torigoe emerge and thank the woman. “…How do I look?” she asked. She wore an ultramarine kimono with a flower-patterned obi band. She had her hair up behind her head. “It really suits you, just like I said.”