Yeah, I just can’t see it being worth the risk, thought Kai. It pained him to hurt her feelings, but he did his best to pretend he didn’t see a thing. Kotobuki might glance and fidget, but she wouldn’t take action. She wouldn’t be the one to grab his hand first.
I’m really sorry.
He couldn’t help but find that timid aspect of her adorable.
They arrived at the women’s clothing section of the mall. It was called “Queen Street,” a name that felt both gaudy and cheap. Women’s clothing stores were crammed together on both sides of a walkway that continued as far as the eye could see. Kotobuki followed the advertisements and made a beeline for a nearby teen specialty store as Kai tagged along, unable to hide his discomfort. The shelves inside were lined with folded blouses on display.
“This one seems like it’s made from excellent material,” murmured Kotobuki as her gaze landed upon one. She then extended her hand to feel it and confirm her assumption.
“I understand considering colors and designs,” said Kai, somewhat surprised, “but is it typical to focus on the quality of the cloth?”
“Do you typically not?”
“I...typically don’t consider it as a factor.”
“Then how do you typically choose your clothing, Nakamura?”
“...Everything I wear is a hand-me-down from my relatives.”
“Just the answer I was expecting.”
“May I ask that you refrain from such condescending judgments?”
“But are you not the type that prefers to buy games when you can afford clothes? Do you not prefer to spend time playing rather than shopping?”
“Why, I believe that summarizes my beliefs to the letter.”
“Of course, I like that down-to-earth part of you as well.”
“I thank you for bestowing upon me such praise from on high.”
Kai had to chuckle at their banter, particularly due to how Kotobuki grew more and more flushed once the word “like” left her mouth.
C’mon, don’t blush at your own lines, he thought.
Kotobuki tried to play off her shame by returning her focus to the blouse she was inspecting, but she lost all interest as soon as she came upon the price tag. The high-quality fabrics must have commanded too high a cost.
“It seems you have a far more discerning eye for clothing than I, Kotobuki.”
“I am the daughter of a dressmaker, after all,” bragged Kotobuki now that her humiliation was behind her. It was the first time Kai had heard of her family situation. “My mother is quite skilled at making clothing from scratch. So much so that she made her hobby into a career by opening a shop to do it.”
It was apparently a small shop, but it still provided custom-tailored, one-of-a-kind pieces at reasonable prices. It had many local customers who’d given it a great deal of patronage over the years.
I see, thought Kai joyfully as he looked at Kotobuki’s raised chin. She must be proud of her mom.
He suddenly had an idea.
“In that case, is there any need to go out to buy clothes in the first place?”
“Do you not think that commissioning my mother for my ideal piece of clothing is a far different proposition from exploring the many choices that already exist? I could be inspired by something new that I’ve never seen before.”
“A fair point. I’m still but a novice in this field.”
“Well, my mother is none too pleased when I tell her I’d like to go out shopping for clothes.”
“That’s rather cute of her.”
“I’m proud of my mother for a reason,” said Kotobuki with her head held high.
They eventually reached the dress displays as they chatted. Kotobuki picked two out and tried draping them over herself one after the other.
“Which do you think looks best, Nakamura?” asked Kotobuki as she showed both to Kai. It was a choice between a solid bluish one and a solid whitish one.
“They...both look splendid on you. I think.” Kai stumbled in his answer, but he put his gut reaction into words.
“Then what about these two?” The choice was now between a solid greenish dress and a solid brownish one.
“I...find it difficult to choose a victor.”
“Then how about these?” This time, the choice was between a different bluish dress and another whitish one.
“I...think either way is fine.”
“You’re fine either way, you’re saying.”
“That may have carried a slightly negative nuance, but rest assured I meant no such thing.” Kai’s excuses made Kotobuki’s shoulders slump, lowering the dresses along with them.
“Please put some thought into your words, Nakamura.”
“I’m afraid I have my limits. Your face is flawless, so perhaps it’s just that anything would look wonderful on you.”
Kotobuki’s beauty was almost criminal, with her looks deserving of just about every word of praise in the dictionary. She could probably rock any outfit that didn’t look like it belonged in a carnival.
“I-Is that so. Well, I appreciate your unhelpful advice.” Kotobuki hid her face once again. She may have aired out her contempt, but she was certainly feeling bashful from that compliment. And so, she hurried to the next destination as though trying to escape from his gaze.
She hustled right past the neighboring store. As well as the next.
“Kotobuki, where might we be headed?” asked Kai from behind, but it appeared that Kotobuki did not intend to stop until the embarrassed flush faded from her face.
Her brisk pace continued as they walked right past ten entire shops, quite an impressive feat of emotional insecurity. Now that she’d presumably settled down, Kotobuki strolled into another nearby store. She made a beeline for the shelves that were lined with tops and unfurled one before Kai.
“Nakamura, It has come to my attention that you lack the necessary eye for fashion to judge whether an article of clothing would suit me or not. As such, can you instead give me your honest opinion on the design of this top?”
“I offer you my sincerest gratitude for putting the past behind you and asking with all the patience of a teacher.”
“Oh, you flatter me,” said Kotobuki as she held her chin up with pride once more, but this was an act.
“I didn’t exactly intend to flatter.” The blank stare on Kai’s face was part of the act as well. He was fully aware that Kotobuki’s response was an extension of the blush-hiding that led to their recent power-walking session.
Still, he took a look at the item handed to him and began analyzing its design. It was a one-shoulder rayon top. The glossy stoplight-red color scheme made it very eye-catching and gave it a mature feel despite being meant for a younger crowd. Sadly, the deepest impression Kai could feel toward it was simply:
“It’s pretty red.”
“...Then how about this?” asked Kotobuki as she unfolded another item from the shelf. This one was a linen peplum top; despite its somewhat tasteless design, the tangerine color scheme gave it the unbalanced cuteness of a mascot character.
“It’s pretty yellow.”
“...What about this?” Her next selection was a cache-cœur wrap blouse with an undeniably adult design. However, the left and right sides that tied together at the front were split, creating a two-tone color scheme with one side being mauve and the other beige. It straddled the line between high fashion and a faux-pas, between cutting edge and bleeding edge. In short, only a select few could pull the look off.
“It’s neat how it’s got the two colors.”
“...”
Kotobuki heaved a deep, exaggerated sigh...followed by several more.
“I was a fool to seek your counsel for fashion.”
“May I ask that you not insult me by pretending to reprimand yourself?”
Kai grimaced as Kotobuki folded up the three items and returned them neatly to their shelves.
“I believe you can leave the clothes out unfolded. An employee is sure to fold them up for you.”
“As the daughter of a dressmaker, it’d sicken me to leave them in a mess.”
“Ah, so it’s a force of habit.”
Though to Kai’s eyes, Kotobuki folded the shirts with such a professional technique that it seemed like far more than a mere habit. She returned the three blouses to their shelves so neatly that they looked like they’d never been touched to begin with. It...was kinda cool.
“That said, I’m by no means a successor to her craft.”
“Believe me, I can understand. For instance, I can’t help but fix messy shelves of manga and light novels when I see them in bookstores.”
“Even when you don’t work there?”
“Right. Because I’m an otaku.”
“Ah, so that is a force of habit as well,” chuckled Kotobuki. Then her face soon lit up with an idea.
“Well, Nakamura, now that I’m aware of how difficult it will be to discuss fashion with you, I think I’ll ask my questions from a different angle.”
“...Dare I ask what that may be?”
“Between Hestia and Ais, which DanMachi character would you like to see me cosplay?”
“The goddess, if you’d please!”
“What about the Priestess or the Sword Maiden from Goblin Slayer?”
“The Sword Maiden, if you’d please!”
“The Aggressive Archangel or Machi the Tormentor from Ryuo?”
“Kugui, if you’d please!”
“Thank you for showing such a contrast from your previous behavior with such knee-jerk responses.”
“You’re very welcome!”