"A department store?"
Takina gave Chisato a bemused look as she saw Chisato carrying a multitude of different clothing items in her hands with a grin.
"Yeah! We're on vacation, so we may as well be dressed for the occasion."
Takina nodded along before Chisato disappeared behind the door. A firm *click* was heard as it locked behind her.
"I wonder what kind of outfits she wanted to try on?"
Takina wondered this aloud to herself, closing her eyes and imagining Chisato in various different outfits. However, whether it was a sundress, shorts, leggings, with or without a sunhat, or with any other clothing combinations, Takina could only come to one conclusion.
She'd probably look cute no matter what she wears…
After a few more moments of anticipation, the door opened to reveal Chisato wearing an orange shirt with the word "HAWAII" written on it with a picture of what looked like a beach. She wore this along with a pair of biking shorts and her hair down.
"So how do I look?"
Takina eyed her for a moment before giving a shrug.
"Pretty average."
Chisato deflated, a defeated smile appearing on her face.
"You sure don't pull any punches, huh?"
"What do you mean?"
Chisato rolled her eyes before an idea seemed to pop into her head as she ran off into the clothing section.
"What are you doing?"
"Just stay right there, I'll be right back!"
Takina watched as Chisato ran off into the endless sea of clothing before returning with an outfit. Takina waited for Chisato to run back into the change room only for Chisato to stop in front of Takina and shove the clothes towards her. Takina raised an eyebrow, prompting an explanation from Chisato.
"It's for you!"
"Eh? You sure?"
Chisato responded to Takina's look of skepticism with her usual bright smile.
"Sure, I'm sure! I showed you one of my outfits, so you've gotta dress up for me! Don't think that you can look at this free of charge."
Takina rolled her eyes when Chisato struck a pose, but gave a smile all the same as she accepted the outfit and went into the changing room. However, upon seeing the complete set of clothes, an observation found its way into her mind.
Wait, isn't this a lot like…
Without a second thought, she quickly changed into the new set of clothes and put on her sandals before stepping out of the room to greet an obviously excited Chisato.
"So, how do I look?"
It wasn't a complicated outfit. It was a silky white sundress and a simple sun hat with a blue stripe through it, but Chisato seemed to love it all the same. She had practically lit up, zipping around Takina as if examining every inch of her body.
"Oh my god, it looks so adorable on you, Takina!"
"Isn't this similar to what you were wearing in that photo that Saori-san sent us?"
Chisato paused for a moment before giving a cheeky grin.
"Maybe it is?"
What is this girl up to?
"I guess if you don't want to try anything else, it's my turn again?"
Takina snapped out of her trance before giving a quick nod which prompted Chisato to dash back into the room. Takina, meanwhile, changed back into the overalls she was in earlier.
When Takina exited the change room, Chisato was already there waiting for her.
"What the-"
The sight of Chisato wearing a white crop top with denim short-shorts had rendered Takina speechless. Chisato said nothing as Takina's face began flooding with colour until Chisato decided that saying something would make things just a little more interesting.
"So, how do I look?"
Takina wasn't facing Chisato but managed to mutter out a response through the hand that was clasped over her mouth.
"You look… you look cu- I mean…"
Takina regretted falling in love with this moron.
Chisato, for her part, had begun to smile wider than she ever had before in anticipation.
"Yeah? What do I look like?"
When Takina remained silent, however, Chisato began to grow slightly indignant.
"C'mon, what were you going to say?"
"I can't just blurt it out, it's too embarrassing!"
Chisato gave a sigh before a look of determination began to generate from her face.
"Alright, then. If you can't make yourself say it, I'll just force you to."
And with a final grin, Chisato dashed back into the changeroom, causing Takina's mind to begin to race.
Geez! I swear, I don't think I'll be able to take any more of this! Is that girl trying to kill me or something?
Takina had buried her head in her hands, trying to stop her imagination from running wild while she heard rustling on the other side of the door.
"I'm done, Takina!"
Takina braced herself as the door swung open but no amount of preparation would prepare her for what she would see.
"So how do I look now?"
Chisato had a pink 2 piece dress with a flower necklace and crown draped on her neck and head. Her dressed flowed for what seemed like forever and the flowers seemed almost seemed to dance off of her body and before Takina could stop herself, her mouth began before her mind as she said:
"Beautiful."
Chisato's smile was briefly replaced by a shocked expression before being immediately replaced with a giddy grin as Takina's face burned bright red.
"Ah! You finally said it, you said it, you said it! Ahaha!"
"Y-you can stop saying that now…"
Chisato backed off, though her toothy smile remained on her face.
"So, do you have anything else you'd want to try?"
Takina shook her head, her face still feeling hot to the touch.
"I think I'm good for today…"
Chisato raised her eyebrows before patting Takina on the head a few times, eliciting a short squeak.
"!"
"Aww, did I stimulate you too much? It's alright, we can always come by later~"
Takina said nothing, her defences having been completely dashed by her partner.
###
The 2 of them were now at the cash register. Takina hadn't tried on any other outfits and as such, was in her black shirt and denim overalls while Chisato wore the same 2-piece dress and flower accessories she had as before.
"Shouldn't you pay for those?"
Chisato gave a sheepish grin.
"Well… I kinda already did?"
Takina narrowed her eyes.
"Wait, you don't mean-"
"I might've prepared for today, just an eensy weensy bit."
Takina's cheeks went pink as she paid for her own dress and hat with a sigh. So Chisato had gone through the trouble of pre-purchasing an outfit and then pretending that she had just found it all for the express purpose of being called beautiful? In any case, as embarrassing as this was, Takina found it just a little bit endearing.
"I finally got you to call me beautiful~"
Just a little bit. She didn't care about the adorable sense of childish joy that emanated from her one bit, or the wonderful sight that was the flowers that seemed to perfectly compliment her hair and skin, or maybe-
"Hello? Earth to Takina? You're about to-"
*WHAM*
After realizing that she had tripped, Takina gave a sigh before rolling onto her back. The 2 of them were now on the beachside and the sun had begun to set. She then looked up to see Chisato extending her hand. Takina took it, feeling herself being pulled up by Chisato's surprisingly strong arms before dusting herself off with her free hand.
"Thanks."
"No problem."
Takina was slightly confused by the lack of Chisato's usual energetic tone but ignored it, continuing to walk off.
Or at least, she tried to.
"Chisato? Can you let go?"
Takina looked at the playful grin on Chisato's face as she felt her grip tightening on her own hand. That's when she realized that Chisato wasn't going to let go that easily.
"C'mon, we're in public and this is embarrassing…"
"Oh? Is it?"
Crap. She'd just given Chisato an idea, hadn't she?
A concerned and confused look adorned Takina's face before she was yanked towards the sea at a breakneck pace.
"Wha- Chisato! What are you-"
Takina stopped as Chisato stopped running. She stared curiously as Chisato cupped both of her hands over her mouth, took a deep breath, and…
"I'm in love with Inoue Takina!"
Takina's body jerked and her face instantly flashed beet red.
"What the heck are you doing?!"
Chisato continued, seemingly unbothered.
"Relax! There's no one for miles!"
Chisato took another deep breath before yelling in an excited voice that caused Takina's heart to leap into her throat, her face becoming overcome with embarrassment.
"I get to be with the girl that I love for the rest of my life! I'm the luckiest girl in the world!"
Takina was absolutely burning with embarrassment at this point.
"Isn't this way too much?"
Chisato gave a loud laugh, clutching her belly.
"What?! This isn't even close to enough! C'mon, it's your turn now."
"I…"
Takina's face was still flush, but she cleared her throat and stepped forward.
"You've gotta loosen up, Takina!"
Chisato gave Takina a light punch in the shoulder, eliciting a small smile. Takina took a deep breath, cupping her hands over her mouth and leaning towards the ocean.
"The girl who saved my life is in love with me and I'm going to be with her even when she becomes too old to walk on her own! I-I'm really the luckiest…"
Takina became unable to continue when she felt Chisato's gaze on her back. When she turned around to face her, her face had already been turned completely red.
"Why'd you stop?"
Takina looked away towards the ocean, tucking her knees into her chest.
"It was too embarrassing."
"Eh? C'mon, don't stop. I want to hear you proclaim your love to me some more…"
"You talk too much."
"It's what you signed up for."
There were a few more moments of silence as Chisato sat down right next to Takina, her playful grin remaining on her face.
"So, did you like it?"
Takina's nerves had somewhat subsided. She turned to shoot Chisato a look of slight confusion.
"Hm?"
"Holding hands."
"Gak-"
Takina put her arm between the 2 of them, yet this didn't deter Chisato who leaned under it so that her face was mere inches away from Takina's.
"So? What did you think about it?"
"I…"
Takina broke eye contact.
"That's confidential…"
Chisato pouted for a moment before leaning back and crossing her arms.
"Hmph. Fine, if you didn't like it, then I guess I won't do it again."
Takina looked back at Chisato.
"Hah?"
"If you don't admit that you liked it, then we aren't holding hands tomorrow."
"Wha-"
Takina hesitated, looking at Chisato's look of irritation for a moment before finally cracking.
"In that case, then…"
"Yes? 'In that case'?"
Takina winced with embarrassment before tentatively reaching her hand out to Chisato.
"In that case, then can I please have your hand back?"
Chisato almost went giddy with excitement, her smile nearly falling off her face before she eagerly took Takina's outstretched hand.
"Well, who am I to refuse such a heartfelt request?"
"You talk too much…"
Chisato rolled her eyes, but that remark wasn't enough to wipe the smile off of her face.
"You're a real charmer, y'know?"
Takina didn't respond and the 2 of them walked in mostly silence before…
"Y'know, I was wondering when you guys were going to notice me."
The 2 of them whipped around, still holding hands before they spotted a drone with a familiar logo on it. Realizing who it was, Chisato dropped Takina's hand as if it were coated in acid before shouting out:
"Kurumi?!"
The drone once again flickered to life, raspy audio making it through a speaker that neither of them were able to see, even with their excellent eyesight.
"Yep. Once you guys are done making heart eyes at each other, you can come back to the RV to pick up the keys to your safe house."
With that, the drone flew off, leaving a red-faced Chisato and a stunned Takina in its wake.
"Well… I guess we should get going, right?"
Takina gave a nod and was about to start walking before she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around to see Chisato's outstretched hand.
"Shall we?"
Though her cheeks were bright red, Takina gave a reluctant nod and grabbed Chisato's hand with a shy smile.
"Alright then."
A/N: Honestly, I want to thank you all for sticking around this long. It's frankly shocking to see just how supportive the LycoReco fanbase is. I guess we're all starved for ChisaTaki, huh? In any case, I want to make it clear that I am 100% seeing this fic through to the end.
That being said, I've got other fics to work on- I mean a life outside of writing so I'm going to be taking a month-long hiatus from this fic.
So yeah. Thanks for sticking around and I'll see you guys in a month (or sooner if you read my other fics).