"What do you think?" Makoto asks, holding the skirt in front of him.
"Hm," Taisuke rubs his weak attempt at beard. "It's really short."
"You didn't have to add that smile, pervert."
"I'm a reference for all guys," Taisuke states.
"Then all guys are perverts," Makoto bounces back. "Come on."
Both of them move on through the store, still arguing like lovers.
"You know, it's kind of embarrassing to be the only guy in here," Taisuke says.
"You go shopping with me all the time, and now it's suddenly embarrassing?"
"Well. Have you checked at what section we are?"
"What's wrong with the lingerie section? We've been here before."
"Yes. But that was a long time ago. Before you…"
"Before I what?"
"Before you were a girl. Now you've, uhm, matured and developed and..."
"You really are a pervert."
"You're saying that as if it's an insult."
"It was meant to be an insult, baka. Anyway. You don't have to worry about it. You're not the only guy in here."
Taisuke follows her gaze.
She's right. Another guy entered the store.
A tall guy, with haunting blue eyes. His hair is brown and quite long. It's kept in check by a dark blue hairband. He wears a button shirt in casual dark red. He left all the buttons open, showing everyone the plain white T-shirt underneath. A chain is dangling on the side of his dark jeans. Normally this chain would break the entire cute image, but on him, it just gives him a slightly edgy side. A layer of mystery added on his surface layer of cuteness.
"What the hell is he doing here?" Taisuke whispers.
"Why don't you ask him?"
"..."
The guy is wandering around the store, his path trailing closer and closer to the duo. Until…
"Hey, Taisuke. Choosing a bra for your girlfriend?"
"She's not my girlfriend."
"Then why are you shopping with her?"
"Because she asked me to. By the way, what are you doing here?"
"Well. What do people usually do in a clothing store? I need some new shoes."
He is right. His sneakers might have been dark blue once, but they have all but faded away now.
"Unfortunately," he adds. "I don't have a personal stylist with me. Could I ask for your advice, Mako-chan?"
"Sure," Makoto says, smiling. "Taisuke, why don't you help him out? You're really good at this."
"I… but…" Taisuke tries some weak responses, but he quickly silences.
Makoto and the guy are glaring at each other.
"Fine," the guy says. "Come on Taisuke. I could use a man's advice. As far as you could be called a man."
Taisuke and the guy leave.
"See you at school," Makoto adds. "Sekai-chan."
With a satisfying smile, she turns around…
And bumps against someone. Staggering back, she trips over something. Two strong hands grab her to prevent her from falling over.
"Sorry, did I startle you?" her savior asks.
"A bit. You can release me now."
"Oh, yeah."
The guy releases her and puts his hands in his pockets.
She takes a good look at him.
His black hair is tied in a short ponytail. His semi-closed eyes are purple and stare at her intently. He wears a black jacket with an ash grey hoodie. A real bishonen.
"You're Katsura Kotonoha, aren't you? From class 4."
"You can call me Koto. No one ever uses my real name."
"What brings you here, Koto-kun?"
"Well. I was planning to get a new T-shirt. But then I saw you all by yourself and I figured you could use some help."
"Well...fine, you can help me. But afterwards we're looking for a shirt for you."
He smiles. "Okay."
"Koto-kun," an icy voice interrupts them. "How nice to see you here."
"Hey, Sekai-kun. What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same thing."
"Hey, come on guys," Taisuke interrupts them. "No need to make a scene in here."
"I'm not making a scene," Sekai insists.
"Yeah, sure," Mako says. "Let's go home. It's getting late."
"I'll walk you home," Koto proposes.
"Your home is on the other side," Sekai says. "I'll walk her home."
"Hey guys," Makoto call them.
Both of them turn. Makoto and Taisuke are already standing at the door.
"Are you coming?" Mako-chan asks.
A hint of a smile plays on their lips when they join her.
