Episode 21 – Standing Tall is Tiring

“First of all, your shirts are buttoned up too tight. What do you mean, buttoned all the way down?”

“Because buttons are supposed to be fastened.”

“Seita kun, you’re a grandma’s boy, are you”

“How did you know?”

“Because grandmothers tend to make their grandchildren wear tight clothes.”

And Yua unbuttoned the button on my chest.

“Kyaaa.”

“Don’t squeal like a girl. One or two buttons should stay in place.”

“Then what are those buttons for?”

“Buttons are also for design.”

“I-I see.”

That’s an eye-opener.

“Here, unbutton the sleeves, too.”

“Here, too? They’ll be too loose.”

“That’s what I’m trying to do !”

She lowered her gaze.

“The denim is a little long. Let’s fold them.”

Yua crouched down at my feet and rolled up my pants.

“You’ve rolled them up too much.”

“It’s cute to show your ankles.”

“No, cuteness is not…..eek !?”

Yua crouched slightly forward. The collar of her dress is spread and even her bra is completely visible.

–Today is purple……it’s not the time for that ! !

I looked up at the ceiling of the fitting room.

“You have to wear short socks and show your ankles–why are you looking up?”

“I was counting the stains on the ceiling.”

“It’s all white though……. –More importantly, your skinny jeans are too tight !”

“Because it’s skinny.”

“Too skinny ! It’d be cool to make them a little wrinkled.”

She reached for my belt.

“Wait.”

“Jee, you’ve already pulled it up too tight. You have to put it on at the waist.”

Yua undid the belt with a clank.

“Ah, hey, wait.”

“Just loosen up”

–I’m saying that’s bad…… !

The situation of having the belt removed by a beautiful girl who’s bent over in front of me is already sensitive enough. For high school boys with zero experience, it’s just too much stimulation. Both mentally and physically.

“I’ll take the belt off by myself !”

“I’ll take care of the belt–“

“I’m begging you….., Please……!”

“W-why do you sound so pitiful?”

Yua raised her eyebrows.

“I understand, then you’re on your own.”

“Thank you…….”

I loosen my belt and put my hand on the front button.

And Yua stared at me intently.

“Um…., I’m embarrassed to be seen.”

“Isn’t it unfair?”

“What?”

“Seita kun, you saw my bra.”

She noticed……!?

“Ah, that was force majeure.”

“No, it wasn’t. It was intentional.”

“No, it’s really just a coincidence–“

“I showed it to you on purpose.”

“So it was you……!”

Yua bent forward and pulled her breasts together with her arms.

“Don’t worry. I’m only doing this for you, Seita kun.”

“Tsu….”

“Fufu. Then, I’m closing the curtain. We’ve got plenty of time.”

“I appreciate your consideration.”

The curtains were closed. I waited for my excitement to calm down, and then I fixed my jeans.

Once again, I checked my appearance.

–…Yeah.

It’s pretty good, if I do say so myself. It’s clean, moderately stylish, and strangely, it makes my legs look longer. I think this meets the minimum requirement to be next to Yua without her being embarrassed.

I opened the curtains.

“How do you like it? It looks pretty good, doesn’t it?”

Yua’s face lit up for a moment when she saw me, but for some reason her expression quickly clouded over.

“Yes, I think it’s very good.”

“…..Is there still something weird about it?”

“N-no !”

She waved her hands in the air.

“I think it looks really good on you, and I think it’s really cool !”

“Really? Then I think I’ll buy this one.”

“W-we’re still choosing. You don’t have to decide yet.”

“I guess so. Can I ask you to show me other styles?”

“Yes.”

However, after that, the style became obviously strange.

A psychedelic patterned T-shirt and checkered pants. Jacket and shorts. The combination of a red shirt and a pair of overall jeans was weird.

Even I, who’s not a fashion expert, could tell. This is–

“I’m sorry if I’m wrong, but……, isn’t this too lame?”

“N-no it’s not ! I’ve seen it before on YouTube.”

“About what?”

“Game.”

“I knew it !”

“I saw it on Paris fashion show.”

“The Paris fashion show is just a bunch of crazy clothes !”

Yua looked down with a pouty face.

I wonder what happened all of a sudden. No, not suddenly. When I think about it, it was since the last time I had my hair cut, She was acting strange.

“Hey, what’s wrong? The first outfit was so stylish.”

“……”

Yua was silent for a while, and then she mumbled something like this.

“—-cool.”

“Eh?”

“Because you’re cool.”

“Oh, thank you. –But what’s wrong with that?”

“Because they’ll find out.”

“What?”

“Seita kun.”

“? By whom?”

She clenched her fists and squeezed them together.

“By other girls……!”

“Eh, W-what do you mean?”

“The other girls will find out that Seita kun is surprisingly cool in general…..”

In other words, she got impatient and suddenly brought back the hugging thing and recommended a really, lame fashion.

I don’t think I’m going to suddenly become popular just because I tweak my fashion a little. What a baseless worry. But if I made Yua’s face gloomy, it would be a complete disaster.

“Okay, then, let’s stop.”

“……Eh?”

“My makeover plan is over.”

“But…”

“It’s fine.”

Yes, this is fine. I’ve been struggling to become a guy who wouldn’t become an embarassment when I’m with Yua. If Yua thinks I’m cool, then I’ve already achieved my goal.

“I’m sorry……”

Yua shrinks back apologetically.

“No, it actually helped me. My pocket money is low, and it was depressing enough to set my hair every day –Ah, but maybe I should just buy these jeans. I think it goes well with a polo shirt.”

Yua’s cheeks puffed.

“Yes, I’m sure it will match.”

◇ 

On my way to school, Makabe, who had rushed to walk beside me, gave me a curious look.

“Your hair isn’t bouncy.”

“I dried my hair carefully.”

“And your back is straight.”

“I’ll be very careful from now on.”

“Your button is still fastened all the way up though…”

“It’ll be too sexy if I loosen the button.”

“Sexy-……?”

I smiled at Makabe, who looked at me blankly.

“I’m fine with the way I am.”

“What’s with that attitude?”

I put my hand on Makabe’s shoulder.

“I hope you’ll figure it out eventually.”

“I don’t know why, but it’s making me angry.”

It’s another cloudy day, but I’m feeling good. I straightened my back more and more and walked with big steps down the path to the school.