Kotobuki’s shoulders slumped in exasperation at the otaku’s simple-mindedness, but Kai paid no mind as he gave her a goofy grin and a thumbs up. After all, he knew Kotobuki was an anime otaku too; who else could ask questions like those at the drop of a hat? He didn’t need to walk on eggshells the way he would around a non-otaku.
“Either way, I now see which way your clothing preferences lean.”
“Oh, is that so? Truly an expert you are to discern what I wasn’t even aware of myself! What, pray tell, might these preferences be?”
“All of the characters you wished to see have huge tits.”
“...”
“Do you truly wish to see me in those cosplays?”
“...Would that present a problem?”
“My sincerest apologies,” pouted Kotobuki, “but I won’t be able to live up to your hopes. Mine are on the subtler side.” She stared daggers at Kai as though to complain about how far those characters were from her image.
“I-I thought you still wished for me to be honest about what clothing designs I liked, not whether they’d suit you...”
“Except we have long since changed the subject.”
“Well, it’s not as though you’d visit events or sell photo sets, so it doesn’t matter if they suit you! You have as much of a right to the blue ribbon as anyone! Heck, no otaku could resist the allure of having their favorite character cosplayed for them!”
Kai blurted his defense out in haste. Not that there was any chance that these cosplays would happen, or that his answers meant anything beyond his own personal preferences. That made Kotobuki burst out laughing.
“Yes, well, I understand. I’m an otaku too, after all.”
Kotobuki placed her fingertips to her mouth as she chuckled with glee. Even Kai had to smile at how he fell for the bait hook, line, and sinker.
“Incidentally,” continued Kotobuki with a teasing look, “I’ve one more thing to confirm with you, Nakamura.”
“Wh-Whatever could it be?”
“The Sword Maiden is a blindfolded character. Does that mean you wish to blindfold me?”
“...No otaku could resist the allure of having their favorite character cosplayed for them.”
“Quite the pervert you are.”
“...I’d prefer you call it an otaku’s force of habit.”
“It seems I ought to be careful around you,” said Kotobuki with a giggle. She pretended to hop away and keep her distance.
“Heh, you little...”
“Tee hee!”
If they were at a beach, this might be the part where Kotobuki would shout “Catch me if you can!” as they playfully chased each other around. However, this was a store in a mall, so they refrained from making a scene around their fellow shoppers. Still, Kotobuki put on her mischievous expression once more.
“It may be quite the departure from our initial plans...but Nakamura, if you so wish, I might be willing to cosplay for you.”
“Oh my. Right here? Right now?”
“Yes, by mixing and matching the clothes here. By no means would it be a serious attempt.”
“F-For example?”
“Yes, as an example... I suppose the Sword Maiden would be off the table, but how about the Guild Girl? I saw the perfect waistcoat for it earlier. All that’s left is to select the dress shirt, ribbon, and trumpet skirt. If I put my hair in a braid, I should get rather close.”
“Please oh please, I will beg on my hands and knees if I must.”
“It might be a difficult outfit to wear on our next date.”
“I will bear the shame with you.”
“Your resolve is an inspiration to otaku everywhere, Nakamura.”
“It could work as an Akiba date! It totally could!”
“You needn’t sound so desperate...”
They continued conversing until they had backtracked by nearly ten stores. Kotobuki picked out the waistcoat she had mentioned, and indeed, it looked quite similar to the one the Guild Girl wore over her white dress shirt. But to Kai...
“I was wondering what a ‘waistcoat’ could possibly have referred to, but it appears it isn’t worn on one’s waist.”
“If that wasn’t intended as a joke to have me rolling on the floor, then you might find it wise to avoid running your mouth.”
“...I apologize for my ignorance of fashion.”
But hey, thought Kai, it’s not just otaku! All men are like this! They are...right? Right?!
“I think this shall do.” Kotobuki quickly assembled her outfit and headed toward the fitting room.
“Er...pardon me for exposing my ignorance once again, but may I ask something?”
“Whatever might it be? Given how close we are, you needn’t be shy.”
“Is there anywhere in particular I should go while you’re changing clothes?”
Being a lone man in the women’s clothing section put Kai ill at ease. He worried that some of the employees might shoot him suspicious looks.
“Worry not. Employees at stores like these are experienced in these matters, so I’m sure they’ve already noticed that we entered together. Besides, nothing about you warrants suspicion.”
“Perhaps...I’m overthinking it?”
“You are indeed. But if you’re so worried, why not wait before my changing room? That would make it clear that you didn’t come alone.”
“It would put my mind at ease...but would I not hear you changing?”
“H-How closely do you intend to listen?!” exclaimed Kotobuki, holding her clothes close in shock.
“Would I normally not be able to hear those sounds?”
“Normally, you would not.”
“Well, that’s another worry off my chest.”
“...Nakamura, I am now painfully aware that you’ve never shopped for clothes with someone in your entire life.”
“Indeed. You’re the first one I’ve shopped with, Kotobuki. Perhaps you could consider it an honor?”
“Should I ask why you seem so proud of this?” Kotobuki seemed exhausted by Kai’s joke.
“Incidentally, Kotobuki, who do you typically shop for clothes with?”
“...My mother.”
“Not your friends?”
“Did you just chuckle to yourself? Do you mean to imply that I have no friends?”
“Heaven forbid. I know you’re better than that.”
“Well, I do. Not many, but even I have friends.”
“But of course! I didn’t intend to tease, so you needn’t get riled up. I merely found it amusing that despite your condescension towards me, you’re a high school student who still shops with her mother.”
“I believe that qualifies as ‘teasing.’ Not that someone who dresses in hand-me-downs has any right to speak.”
The two shot back at each other until the moment Kotobuki stepped into the changing stall and pulled the curtain shut. Of course, it couldn’t have been further from a real fight; talking trash with this dubiously devilish newbie had simply become a daily routine, a way of goofing off. Finally, Kotobuki poked her head out from the curtain to have the last word.
“I look forward to hearing you bow down and apologize for your insolence once you see me transform into the Guild Girl.”
“Oh, you.”
Kai gave the forehead on that smug face of hers a light flick as he laughed. Kotobuki grinned ear to ear as she pulled her head back behind the curtain.
Kai didn’t wait long in front of the fitting room before an unanticipated dilemma befell him. As Kotobuki said, he couldn’t hear any sensual shifting of clothing. But even though he was separated from her undressing by a curtain, he was extremely aware that he was separated from her undressing...by only a curtain.
Kotobuki, you liar, he thought. Well, technically she didn’t lie...
Needless to say, it was uncomfortable. With her presence on his mind, he couldn’t help but imagine what was going on. Whether he wanted it to or not, his mind’s eye envisioned Kotobuki stripping off each layer of clothing, one by one, in crystal clarity.
You should’ve known better than to let a teenage boy’s imagination run wild, he screamed internally. It was a vain attempt to distract himself from the unease that was making his cheeks redden. I dunno how I can even look at Kotobuki after she gets out...
He needed to cool his head, so he subtly snuck away from the fitting room area. But that meant killing time around a women’s clothing department; a lone man in a desert of clothes, clothes, and more clothes he wouldn’t buy nor care about. He felt forsaken by the powers above. And since he obviously had nothing to do, he found himself worrying about other people watching.
I know Kotobuki said I was overthinking it, but...
Sure, maybe the employees wouldn’t find Kai suspicious. But would the other women shopping be so charitable? Wouldn’t they say,
“Oh dear, this hideous insect has scuttered into our secret garden!”
“Gross!”
“I’m calling the police!”
Well, probably not, Kai figured. Yeah, I’m just being too self-conscious. But having this stuff in the back of my mind still makes me uncomfortable...
Maybe he could duck for cover in one of the rest stops a short distance away? After sending Kotobuki a message on LINE to let her know, of course.
Nah, she’s doing this all for me, so I shouldn’t be so insensitive.
This wasn’t just some hang out with a friend. This was technically a date. So, with nothing else to do, Kai sauntered aimlessly around the women’s clothing section while doing his best to avoid the field of vision of any of the female patrons. Of course, he took care not to stray too far from Kotobuki’s fitting room.
This would probably happen a lot more often if Kotobuki and I were dating, thought Kai. And they’d be tougher to avoid too.