...

It feels so weird to Tamaki. Isn't this the sort of thing she spent so long running away from? But here she is, trying it on in secret, afraid someone will find out. She doesn't really know why, it's not like it's incredibly embarrassing to her. She's not even ashamed of it. But the idea of it is weird, she admits.

In the evening, when all of her work is done, and the night is too dark for fighting any kind of fire, she ditches her uniform (or lack of it) for something different. Collared shirts and slacks. Blazers and jeans. That sort of thing. She's even started to tie her hair up in a (poor) attempt at making it look shorter. She writes in her journal that she'll get it cut soon, just as soon as she works up the courage to do so.

It's not long before some of the other girls notice. Iris does first, while Tamaki tries to procure some of her clothes from her locker. She's mostly just curious.

"I always thought you were a girly-girl, y'know?" She muses out loud. Tamaki shrugs and doesn't really speak much about it.

"I dunno' why… I just like it. Ever since I was training to become a sister."

Iris nods and smiles, before shuffling off for her evening prayers.

Deciding to get ahead of any possible awkwardness, she makes a note to point it out to Maki a few days later. She takes it quite a bit more… enthusiastically.

"Really? I didn't think that kind of stuff was you, but… congratulations!"

Tamaki raises an eyebrow at the exclamation, she never considered it that big a deal. Maki just giggles at her confusion.

"I'm joking… you didn't even really need to tell me about it. Neither of us care about what you wear, it's your body." She explains, patting Tamaki on the shoulder.

"Although… could you show me what you look like?"

Tamaki turns bright red at the suggestion, but Maki is eager and the catgirl is clearly trapped. She nods nervously, before grabbing some of the clothes and stumbling off towards her room to change. It only takes a few minutes before she emerges from the room to an eager Maki, dressed in a white shirt with a black tie, and black pants. She stands with her arms close to her body, she feels strangely… vulnerable. Maki looks her up and down, before breaking into a smile.

"You almost look like a freshman college student! Very good." She praises.

"Would you say I'm… y'know…" Tamaki suggests, rubbing her thumbs together nervously. It takes Maki a minute to figure out what she means, but when she does, she nods.

"Handsome? Of course!"

Tamaki smiles uncontrollably with butterflies in her stomach. It's an odd form of euphoria she hasn't gotten before. She can't really explain it, but she likes it. From looking at Maki's joyful expression, she also figures out that she likes Maki too.

"I uh… like being called… that…" She stutters.

Maki waltzes up to her and takes her by the arm, giggling to herself. "Well, good! As of today, I'm your princess who can help you learn more about yourself!"

Tamaki never considered herself the smartest sort, but this seems like flirting disguised as some sort of life coaching.

Princess…?

She's too lovestruck and happy to really care.

…