It took a while for Tooru to arrive at the store he was after. Mikoto trailed afterwards, on the verge of protesting. It's not like he could complain – he was away from being confronted at the table, thankfully. But he couldn't help but feel completely confused by what Tooru meant. Going back in time was something that existed only in sci-fi books, or movies. So what on earth was Tooru looking for in the shopping centre? There was nothing that could change back time, Mikoto was sure of that.

"Hey! W-where are you going?" Mikoto eventually caught up with Tooru, who was looking around, getting his bearings.

"You'll see." He went ahead to board an escalator. Tooru's plan was crazy and last minute, but there was a slim chance it could work in one way or another, so it was worth the risk. It'd create some reaction at the very least.

Mikoto rushed after him, scrambling to the step below Tooru. "W-what's that supposed to mean?!"

Tooru turned his hand to glance at Mikoto from over his shoulder, his azure hair brushing past his collar. "Never mind that, you'll see it eventually, if I looked at the map right…" He thought to himself. His idea would be too out-there if there wasn't any sound excuse for it. "…Anyway, have you thought about going to that store opening? Wouldn't that be a good way to meet old and new people?"

Mikoto leant against the moving railing. "Well I've thought about going…b-but that's beside the point!"

"So you have thought about going? That's good. If you're going, I'd be happy to come with you," Tooru tilted to face Mikoto more comfortably, "Just to meet any old friends from school, of course."

"W-well yeah but, going to an opening night for a store like that?!" It seemed Mikoto was still shy about many things.

Tooru laughed quietly. "Does that matter? Just think of it as an opportunity to see people. That's all it's about."

Mikoto couldn't help but frown. "T-that's all?! But won't we stand out - two grown men a-at a store opening like that?!"

A genuine smile curled upon Tooru's lips as he turned to face forward, saying nothing more. Mikoto was silenced; it was the smile he saw at the café a week ago. It felt softer and kinder, more genuine than the fake smiles he'd seen from Tooru in the past. He was sure now that this was what Tooru's smile really looked like; it was warm and charming in its own way. Yet he couldn't smile back. There was too much mystery behind what Tooru could be smiling over, and he still hadn't mentioned where they were headed. Mikoto crossed his arms in discontentment and stared off at the different people nearby, travelling in the opposite direction.

It was barely a minute before Tooru reached the end of the escalator, strolling on the second floor. If the directions were right, he only needed to take a left and his destination was there. He finally had a proper reason to drag Mikoto there, but as he walked off he knew it still wouldn't be easy.

Mikoto followed closely behind, the surroundings more familiar to him, but he wasn't exactly a regular shopper. There were some stores he wouldn't even dare look at. This was one of them.

A subtle floral scent arose as Tooru approached the turning; it was much more appealing than the stale atmosphere outside on the streets. That fragrance alone was indication enough that he was headed in the right direction, and at that point he stopped in his steps, waiting for Mikoto to stand next to him. His hand settled once again on Mikoto's shoulder.

"I still don't get the meaning of this Kouno-san…" Mikoto was still wearing an unsure frown.

Tooru just continued smiling. "You can just call me Kouno, like you used to. Besides, there's a reason I want to go to this store. You said it yourself: if we're going to such an opening party, we'll stand out. So…" Tooru inched closer to Mikoto, his hand moving across his back to reach his other shoulder, his arm resting across him as he pressed on forward, partly to stop Mikoto running away as he predicted he might do. "…the only solution is to blend in."

That was when the store window came into sight.

"Y-you can't be serious?! No! Never!" Mikoto clasped his eyes shut. He didn't even want to be seen entering a store like this one.

"Never? For someone who was saying they wanted to go back in time, you sure are being stubborn." Tooru maintained his grip around Mikoto. "Have you forgotten what it's like? It was a bit of a pain back then even I'll admit, but I have a feeling you're like me right now. Life is boring and lonely right? So all you need is to draw some attention to yourself for a little while, just like old times. It'll be a laugh even if we're not serious about it. Come on." Tooru pushed against Mikoto's back gently, surprised to find that he moved even an inch towards the store.

"B-but we're grown men now! We can't just- hey! K-kouno!" There was no helping it, Tooru reached behind him and used both arms to push him more forcefully. "Y-you're so mean!" A pitiful distressed whinge was all Mikoto could do to protest. Running away was a possibility, but for whatever reason he didn't want the meeting with Tooru to end on such a stupid note, and he had a feeling Tooru wouldn't be as city-smart as he was, he couldn't just leave him alone, even if it meant something this shameful.

Before he knew it, Mikoto had been dragged into the shop. A representative greeted them enthusiastically, "Welcome! How may I help you?" He begrudgingly hauled one of his eyelids up out of slight curiosity. He let out a gasp, his sight flooded with pastel colours all around. This shop was the worst! Why on earth were they even in here? He tried to turn to protest further to Tooru, but the store greeter caught his eye. She was undeniably pretty, her hair cascading down a dress embossed with bows and patterns, her dainty legs covered in laced socks; typical items from a sweet lolita shop such as this. Mikoto felt his cheeks flush slightly, forgetting where he was for a second.

Tooru pressed on. "We'll be fine, thank you." He continued to drag Mikoto away, delving deeper amongst the racks of frills, leaving the store greeter behind. "Hmm, it certainly looks a little different since we wore things like this. This must be what's in at the moment; we'll surely blend in…" His eyes glanced around at the delicate clothes, picking out a lace-edged skirt.

Mikoto had been brought back to his senses as he was shown it. "Blend in?! B-but…!" His reactions didn't do much to change Tooru's smile, this was a lot easier than he thought. He knew Mikoto would be against it, but he'd already managed to get him this far. He suspected that Mikoto secretly wanted some attention like back then; he hadn't exactly run away from the idea yet.

"But what? This is Natashou's other brand name isn't it? Everyone else will be wearing things like this, it's perfect. We won't stand out too much from anyone else attending the party."

Mikoto couldn't think of a valid argument, all he had was his intention to refuse, but even he knew Tooru's thinking was logical. "B-but! Clothes like that -!"

"What about them? I've already explained my thinking. Besides…" He swiftly clutched a shopping basket in one hand, grabbing onto Mikoto's arm with the other, his smile remaining unchanged. "…You're already pulling pretty funny faces over this. It's much more interesting than just sitting down over a coffee like last time isn't it?"

"T-that's beside the point! " Tooru continued through the shop despite Mikoto's reluctance, ignoring his comments. He stopped amongst a rack of jumper-skirts, continuing as if Mikoto had agreed. His protests were becoming quieter; Mikoto was beginning to begrudgingly accept the inevitable.

"Ehh, I wonder what'll look best. Which one is the prettiest?" Tooru had gotten more interested in his experimental endeavour, Mikoto wanted change, and he was the one to deliver it.

"U-uh…" Even if he would often point out the fact that he was a man, even Mikoto had an opinion of ladies clothes, and voiced his thoughts in a mumble. "…T-the ones like the store girl was wearing…" His cheeks turned as rosy as his hair colour once more, not wanting to admit his opinions of such things.

"Hmm? Like this one?" Tooru brought out a printed jumper-skirt from the many frilled items on the rack. It was powdery yellow, with a delicate rose and pearl print, soft lace bordering all the edges.

"Y-yeah…" Mikoto could only glance at it. Tooru continued to delve through the rack, finding a matching dress in lavender, before dashing off to find the store greeter.

"Excuse me, could you possibly help me pick matching items for these?" He asked politely. Mikoto froze, not quite believing what he was seeing. How could Tooru approach a cute girl to ask a question like that?!

"Of course!" The girl let out a friendly smile, going around the store recommending co-ordinating items for both outfits. Tooru swiftly grabbed them all, not even allowing Mikoto to voice any protests.

It wasn't before long that they were shown to a decorated archway towards the back of the shop. Tooru nodded in thanks to the store girl.

Before Mikoto even had a chance to oppose, he was pushed into a fitting room, along with a pile of clothes he'd sworn he never wanted to wear again.