"Nakao, I really am grateful that you tried to stop those guys from Dorm One." Ashiya rested her right forearm on a bent knee. "And I know how much you were looking forward to winning the pageant again this year, but I don't see how-"
"It wasn't just to retain my title as school idol!" Nakao rested her elbows on her knees "If I don't keep myself in front of Nanba somehow I'll get lost in the crowd."
"He knows that you tried to stop them from locking me in the storage shed. Isn't that a better way to get his attention than being the prettiest guy on campus?" Ashiya glanced down the walkway wondering what was keeping Kadoma.
"You're only saying that because you didn't want to dress up in the first place. You didn't look any more girly than the contestant from Dorm Three so don't be so concerned about blowing your cover."
"Hey guys, sorry I'm late." Kadoma muttered in the deepest voice she could manage as the other two got to their feet. "My brother says paint splatters and tie-dye is the latest trend, but I don't know if we should believe him."
"Let's see what we find at the store when we get there." Nakao didn't look forward to shopping the way she used to.
"Um, Ashiya, I am really sorry for not warning you in time. We weren't even close to where they were supposed to ambush you." Kadoma kept her eyes on the sidewalk.
"You don't have to apologize again, I already forgave you." Ashiya saw that the girl still felt dejected about the accidental betrayal and tried to cheer her up "Besides, when Sano and I were alone in the storage shed he rested his head on my shoulder like he was very relieved that I wasn't hurt."
"What? No way!" Nakao's jaw dropped open.
"Nakatsu interrupted, but I'm certain he likes me."
"Oh, well in that case, I guess it's alright that we made Sano mad for kidnapping you."
Nakao looked at passing shop windows trying not to think about the fact that if she were kidnapped Nanba wasn't going to search for her. She watched a couple of cute ruffled skirts walk by knowing her next opportunity to wear a dress wasn't until the annual winter dance with St. Blossom. "I thought Kujo's punishment of running laps, push-ups and sit-ups was a little overboard, but you haven't said what you think about Tennoji's punishment yet."
"It's the perfect camouflage." Kadoma slid her right hand over her bare scalp "No one thinks I'm girly now."
"What does Kujo think about it?" Ashiya smiled at how easy it was to make her blush.
"He's already rubbed my head twice. I hope it grows out fast." Kadoma held the door open for the other two.
Ashiya opted for the long sleeve button-down plaid shirt worn over a T shirt and baggy jeans to be safely in 'guy territory'. So many guys at school believed the traditional stereotypes about girls that it was easy to fool them. She was the fastest runner on the track team so any feminine type behavior was attributed to being raised in America. Nakao's gaming and computer skills covered the obsession with being the prettiest looking guy, of course a healthy dose of arrogance also helped, and Kadoma wasn't harassed for being short as much since joining the Karate club.
Nakao passed by the long sleeved t shirts since she didn't have sufficient binding to carry off the look. Nanba looked hot when he loosened his tie and unbuttoned his collar, so she chose a thin jacket with a matching narrow tie and dark slacks with a relaxed fit because her hips didn't fit in boy jeans. Nakao also grabbed a hoody and board shorts on her way to meet up with Ashiya by the dressing rooms because her allowance was generous despite the silent treatment.
Kadoma could not believe this girl had fruity smelling hair. How in the world did anyone mistake her for a guy? She grabbed a package as they walked by the underwear reasoning that if Ashiya had girly shampoo then she'd have girly panties as well. "Hey, Ashiya, don't forget about the details."
"Thanks." There were enough pairs in the package to cover a corner of a drawer giving her additional hiding space.
Nakao met up with them a few minutes later while Ashiya was paying too much attention to the cosmetic counter. She wondered why Sano hadn't figured out strawberry-scented Ashiya's true gender yet letting her eyes wander to the cute little sweater and pencil skirt passing by. Nanba probably wouldn't look at her twice if she wore something like that because he didn't see past long thick hair and a pretty face.
"Excuse me Nakao, but you have any suggestions to fix the fruity smell?" Kadoma murmured as she walked behind her upperclassman to join Ashiya.
Nakao grabbed them by their shoulders pushing them to the other side of the aisle. "Hurry up, the Wii competition will be starting and I plan to take Nakamura down this time."
Ashiya instinctively grabbed the spice scented soap and shampoo that Nakao shoved at her on their way to the cashier. This brand was probably a better idea than her favorite, especially with Nakatsu's new habit of resting his arm on her shoulder.