Mahiru was shaking, but she held her head high.

Even as everyone was staring at her.

Well, not just her. Some were still staring at Chiaki, as she'd only visited the mall once since starting the Nudist program, and it was likely many of the people here hadn't seen her the first time.

Mahiru supposed that was always how it would be. There would always be someone who hadn't heard or seen for themselves. There would always be someone looking at her.

She could handle it.

Or at least that's what she kept telling herself.

"Nnnnng…" Mahiru let out a little whine as her bare feet slapped against the cold floor of the mall. Mahiru had shown to be appalled at the idea of even being barefoot all the time, but Chiaki had assured her she would get used to it. Whispers were loud around her, and she could feel their eyes on every inch of her, particularly the spots she was covering up. Her ass was unfortunately on full display, and she knew that by the next morning, likely hundreds of images of it would be online. But she couldn't think about that now.

"Are you okay?"

Mahiru turned towards the soft voice she'd come to enjoy so much and found Chiaki staring at her. Mahiru took a deep breath.

"No," she answered honestly. "But I'll get used to it." Chiaki frowned, but she turned and kept walking. Mahiru found her eyes drifting to the girl's arms. While the first time they'd been out here, they were pushed so hard against her body that it looked almost painful, this time…they were lighter. Maybe Chiaki had grown more comfortable, as she was so relaxed Mahiru could almost see her nipple.

She had to shake her head at that thought. She couldn't let herself get distracted like that. They were here for a reason, not just to show off, however much the people around them thought differently.

The photographer wondered how many people around them knew. Knew Chiaki, but just wanted to see. Who figured Mahiru had likely just joined alongside her. She had her card in her bag, next to Chiaki's, so she didn't have to worry about having the cops called on her regardless, but even having to stop in front of a police officer and hand that card over felt daunting.

Someone snuck up behind her and slid almost between her legs to take a picture. Her eyes widened as the hand over her groin tightened, and she nearly kicked him. Hiyoko got to him first, however, moving around to slam her foot between his legs, and leaving him groaning on the floor.

"Pathetic," she said as she caught back up to the two naked girls.

"Wh-Where first? Your store or mine?" Chiaki asked.

"Mine is on the second floor," Mahiru replied, the idea of going up the escalator also daunting. Doing anything while naked seemed utterly terrifying.

"Got it," Chiaki said and then blushed. "Ah…I'll have to see Kaito again," Mahiru remembered the boy behind the game counter who hadn't taken his eyes off of Chiaki the last time they went in.

"He might not be there," she offered, but Chiaki shook her head.

"I've been there so often that I know his schedule," she explained. Mahiru frowned.

"Well…maybe he'll look at me instead?" she offered, even though she knew as the words left her mouth that it was a false hope. Clearly, the boy liked Chiaki, so even if Mahiru was also naked, as long as Chiaki was, he'd probably look at her. She kept her mouth shut about that fact, but Chiaki's expression told Mahiru she'd probably reached the same conclusion.

"Hey, not to alarm you two, but we've got a stalker."

Hiyoko's words made both girls go cold and they quickly whipped around. Mahiru blushed as, even with her chest covered by her arm, she felt her modest bust still jiggle. Just as they turned, a flash of distinct blue hair vanished behind a corner. Mahiru's eyes narrowed, and when she turned back around, Hiyoko was looking away with a blush. It took Mahiru a moment to realize she'd likely gotten embarrassed from seeing her best friend's bare ass in a moment of surprise, and Mahiru wanted to whine all over again.

"Let's just keep-" Chiaki started.

"Oh!"

A loud exclamation made them pause. Normally, Mahiru wouldn't have paid it any more mind than the dozens of other people whispering and gasping around them. Something about it sounded familiar, however, so this time, she did. When she turned, she found Kazuichi walking up to them. But something surprised Mahiru. He wasn't looking at Chiaki.

He was looking at her.

"H-Hey…" he said, wearing his jumpsuit instead of the usual Hope's Peak uniform. His movements were slow, and he almost appeared like he was in a trance. He was staring unblinkingly at Mahiru's form, which she should've found rude, but for some reason, she didn't. Maybe it was because he'd done the same on Chiaki's first day, and then been respectful afterwards, and he'd do the same to her.

But for some reason…she almost didn't want that.

"H-Hey…" Mahiru stuttered back. She double-checked that she had everything covered up properly, and once she was assured her nipples were covered, she cleared her throat. "H-How are you?"

"Better now," he said quietly and then shook his head. "I'm good, good."

"Good. Great," Mahiru said awkwardly. She didn't need to look to know he was probably sporting an erection. "We were just…um…gonna do some shopping."

"Right, right, me too. Uh, tools…" he said. She had never seen him act so flustered before, even when on his date with Chiaki.

"Camera strap. Games," Mahiru said, gesturing to herself and then Chiaki respectfully.

"Yeah. Makes sense," he said, and even Hiyoko was rolling her eyes at the display between the two. "Hey, Mahiru?"

"Yes?"

"Did you really…volunteer for this? You weren't made to do it like Chiaki was?" he asked, and finally his eyes met hers. Mahiru had to suppress a gasp.

Were his lavender eyes always that gorgeous?

Chiaki cleared her throat, and Mahiru realized she'd been staring like an idiot. Her face flushed even more than it already was. "Y-Yes, I did. I…didn't want Chiaki to be alone." Kazuichi opened his mouth, but Mahiru continued. "Yes, someone else would've been picked anyway, and she wouldn't have been alone but…I figured it should be her friend." Now it was Chiaki's turn to blush.

"That's…actually really sweet, Mahiru. She's lucky to have a friend like you, willing to do something like this for her," Kazuichi said, a small smile appearing on his lips. For some reason, the photographer's heart felt like it skipped a beat.

"Y-Yeah, I suppose," she replied, and the two stared at each other for a while. When several moments passed, and the whispers around them began to grow unbearable, Mahiru finally yanked her gaze away. "A-Anyway, we should be going."

"Right. I'll…I'll see you at school, then," he said.

"Or maybe out of it," Mahiru offered, and when Kazuichi raised his eyebrows, the photographer realized what she'd implied, and her face became the most red it had that day. Before he could speak, she pushed past, which was a bad decision, as his arm ended up grazing her breast. She stumbled and nearly fell as a quiet noise left her throat. A noise that only made her feel even more embarrassed and left Kazuichi wide-eyed as Chiaki and Hiyoko followed after, the latter giving Kazuichi a glare as they went.

And they left Kazuichi there staring dumbfounded after them with a raging boner.

"What the hell was that?!" Hiyoko demanded as they approached the game store.

"I-I don't know! Just…let's not talk about it, okay?" Mahiru pleaded, and she didn't know if it was something in her voice or her eyes, but Hiyoko sighed and dropped it.

"The girl with the blue hair is still following us," Hiyoko reported as they entered the store. A pair of teenage boys froze in their tracks as they walked past. They gave each other a look, pinched their arms, and then grabbed their cameras to snap dozens of photos before they slunk away, though all three girls were sure they were likely watching them through the windows now. "She's drooling and taking pictures of you two." Hiyoko glanced out the door, where she could see the girl hiding behind a plant in the corner of her eye. Her nose crinkled in disgust. "Ew, I think she's even touching herself!"

"Let's just leave her be," Chiaki said. "I'd rather not have any reason to talk to her, so let's not give her one, okay?" Hiyoko nodded, and Chiaki took a deep breath. Once she had her nerves prepared, she walked up to Kaito, who had noticed her as soon as she'd entered the store.

"You're back…and still naked," he said, a beaming smile on his face.

"Y-Yep. For the next three years," she said, shuddering as the weight of that settled on her. "I'm looking for a game." She read off the title to him, and he nodded. She could see his eyes were firmly set on her cleavage, though she'd gotten to the point where she could tell he was specifically looking at the mole on her breast. She didn't understand why people seemed so fixated on it at times, it was just a mole. Even if it was on her boob. He pointed in the direction of the game, and she turned. She heard him let out a choking sound, likely at seeing her ass, but she simply let it go.

He hadn't once looked over at Mahiru.

"Hiyoko, do you mind-" she asked, and Hiyoko nodded as she grabbed the game off the shelf, and she and Chiaki started heading up to the front. Mahiru followed right after, even though she didn't have to.

Hiyoko placed the game on the counter, took the money Chiaki had put in Mahiru's bag, and handed it over. As Kaito was ringing it up, he cleared his throat. He still hadn't done more than glance at Mahiru.

"Can I…ask for a favor?" he asked. His tone was surprisingly serious.

"Yeah, what's that?" Chiaki asked as Kaito finished the order and fully turned back to face her.

"Can I…see?"

"Hey, asshole! What the hell kind of question is that?!" Hiyoko said and looked ready to leap over the counter at him, but Chiaki bumped her.

"Hey, don't be like that," she said.

"It's just…look, I'm sure if I asked you out on a date, you'd say no, right?" he asked, and after a moment, she nodded. "I won't deny I think you're incredibly attractive, and I just…want to see."

"That's-" Mahiru started, but Kaito continued.

"I've snuck you game guides, games we were to trash, given you deals I probably shouldn't have," he said. "I've done a lot for you, so all I'm asking for in return is this one thing. Please?" Chiaki paused.

"Chiaki, don't tell me you're actually considering it!" she cried, and Chiaki didn't speak. She glanced up at the security camera pointing into the store from the corner.

"I can turn it off for a moment. I'd get in trouble but it would be worth it." Chiaki looked alarmed, but he shook his head. "There's no audio, so I can claim it shorted out for a moment. I won't get fired. Hell, they don't even check the cameras most of the time, anyway."

"But-"

"I also swear there are no other hidden cameras. It would just be my eyes, and that's it. Please." His gaze and tone were serious, and Chiaki bit her lip. She glanced around the store, and other than the boys standing outside the window—who she could now see—taking pictures, and the blue-haired girl watching from outside, no one else was in the store watching. Chiaki sighed.

"How long?"

"Five seconds, tops," he said, straightening.

"Chiaki!" Mahiru cried.

"Look, I have to get over it sometime, right?! I can't keep my arms like this for the rest of my time here!" she exclaimed.

"Yes, you can! No one said you couldn't!" Hiyoko countered, but Chiaki shook her head.

"No. Eventually, I'm going to have to show myself anyway. I let Hajime see, I've let you two see, I've let Tenko see. Our entire class even saw that day at the pool!" Mahiru cringed at the memory. "What's one more when I'm gonna have to show all to everyone eventually?"

"Chiaki-!" Mahiru cried, but it didn't work. With a deep breath, Chiaki lowered her arm. The same moment she did, Kaito flicked off the security camera under the counter. Instantly, her breasts bounced as they were freed, and shame and embarrassment hit her body like a truck. Kaito's eyes went wide, his face flushing as he blinked.

Pale pink nipples set upon large, pale breasts. It was everything the boy could've hoped and dreamed for, and seeing it in person beat out anything he'd ever seen online. They were immaculate. It was an image he would cherish for the rest of his life, along with the image of Chiaki's face. Her eyes closed, her cheeks redder than the time he'd warned her about graphic sex scenes in an RPG game she'd wanted to buy. She was adorable, sexy, and beautiful all in one. Every single breath made her chest move in hypnotizing ways.

Finally, after the longest five seconds of Chiaki's life passed, she covered up again, letting out a gasp. She felt dizzy. It was different from when she'd shown Hajime, and as soon as she was covered again, Kaito flicked the camera back on, and let out a breath of his own. One hand was under the desk, likely palming an erection.

"Th-That was…thank you," he said with a nod. Chiaki nodded back, and quickly turned to leave, sputtering out for Hiyoko to grab the game for her. She did so, and her two friends followed after her, leaving Kaito alone once more. Once she was gone, he frowned.

He felt bad that he had actually recorded that, but could you really blame him? The chance to record his crush showing her tits to him? A girl who already had thousands of images of her online for him to peruse? What was this one more thing?

Didn't stop him from feeling bad as he grabbed his phone and watched back the footage, knowing he was going to have a hell of a time with it that night.

"Chiaki! Why did you-!" Mahiru cried as they left.

"I-I told you! There are already naked images of me online he's probably seen, and I know I'm gonna need to show myself eventually, so-"

"But you don't!" Hiyoko exclaimed. "No one is making you!"

"Well, I'm not going to keep my arms like this forever! I'd like to have access to them in public again sometime!" It was after she shouted that she realized the area around them had gone quiet. Her face burned once again as she turned and headed towards the escalators in a huff.

"Okay….okay," Mahiru said and took a deep breath. "I suppose…you have a point."

"Look, no matter what the government says, it's still my body, and I can do with it what I want," Chiaki said as she stepped on, as did Hiyoko and Mahiru. The escalator was mostly smooth, but it was old. Occasionally, it lurched, and every time it did, Mahiru felt her assets jiggle again. She did her best to ignore it.

"You're right. I'm sorry," she said. "I-I'll try not to question you like that again." Chiaki waited a moment before she sighed.

"It's fine, really," she said and took a deep breath. "Let's go get your camera strap." Mahiru smiled.

Thankfully, the conversation distracted Mahiru enough for her to not pay attention to the people below trying to get an upshot look at her. As it reached the top, Chiaki and Mahiru stepped off, but as they prepared to keep walking, they heard a groan. Mahiru turned and went wide-eyed as she saw Hiyoko's kimono had gotten stuck in the top, where the dancer was pulling on it.

"Stupid…old…machine!" she cried as she yanked. The stairs lurched, and she was pulled further in. Her look of anger turned into one of shock as Mahiru could see her sash loosening. "Shit." She turned to the two. "Um…a little help?"

"W-We can't! If we do, we'll be…" Mahiru said, and the escalator lurched again. Hiyoko's kimono was sucked further in, and it fell over her bare shoulder. Instantly, Mahiru understood why Hiyoko's expression turned from one of shock to horror.

"B-But, Mahiru!" Another lurch and the top of her chest was exposed, the sash loosening further. "I-I…" Her voice lowered to a near whisper. "I-I'm…not wearing…a bra…"

Mahiru felt the air escape her lungs. Hiyoko had a small chest, and when she was wearing her kimono, not only was wearing a bra that small uncomfortable, but you could sometimes see it through the kimono. Because of that, she often went without one, which meant that if her kimono was ripped off here…

She'd only be left wearing her sandals and panties.

"I-I can't! I'm…I would…!" Mahiru felt bad that she couldn't help her friend, at risk of exposing her entire body on the very first day. She wasn't ready. She knew, like Chiaki, that she'd likely have to show off everything eventually, but not this soon!

"Mahiru!" Hiyoko cried in alarm as the kimono slipped further. Both of her shoulders were now exposed, and Mahiru even caught a glimpse of her tiny nipple before she yanked it back up. Tears were filling her eyes, but Mahiru could do nothing. She was frozen. She couldn't, she couldn't, she couldn't…

But Chiaki could.

Mahiru heard a sharp exhale behind her before Chiaki lunged into action. Both hands grabbed onto the kimono and pulled. Her now completely bare and exposed breasts swayed and bounced wildly as she pulled with all her strength. A crowd had gathered by this point, and Chiaki let out a grunt as both she and Hiyoko pulled against the might of the escalator. Mahiru was shocked as she stared at Chiaki's nude body. From this angle, anything between her legs was still obscured, but everything else was on complete display, for everyone to see. A deep shudder ran through her as her eyes were locked onto Chiaki's perky chest and beautiful nipples, even though she'd seen them in the store only minutes prior.

RIP!

Finally, it separated, and both girls went flying. Mahiru watched in horror as Chiaki landed on her ass, her breasts sliding down to either side, her legs spread. She felt a tremor run down her entire body as she caught a glimpse of something pink and beautiful and hot before Hiyoko mercifully landed on top of her, her head lying on the girl's stomach facing up. Her kimono was ripped down the side, and Mahiru could see a glance of the adorable panties Hiyoko wore underneath, but thankfully her chest was still covered, unlike Chiaki's. The crowd roared as pictures were snapped in a frenzy. Chiaki groaned and rubbed her back as she sat up, and when she realized what position she was in, she squealed and clamped her legs together, accidentally nearly choking Hiyoko as she covered her chest. Hiyoko punched her thigh, and Chiaki released her, then immediately slammed them shut again as she stood.

Hiyoko had to hold the kimono up as she stood, as the sash was completely undone. They'd probably have to duck into a bathroom to get it made again, as Chiaki didn't know how, and if what had just happened was any indication, Mahiru wasn't keen to show off.

The three were about to keep moving and get away from the crowd when a bunch of people burst through and suddenly surrounded them. They held expensive-looking cameras, much to Mahiru's shock. They spotted her first and swarmed around her.

"Excuse me, are you Chiaki Nanami? Or are you Mahiru Koizumi?" one asked.

"I-I'm Mahiru…" she said, and the flashes of the cameras instantly became almost blinding.

"How brave of you to come to the mall on your first day in the program!"

"Do you like being naked?"

"What's it like?"

"Why are you covering up?"

"Was it voluntary involvement?"

"Do you have a boyfriend?"

The questions came like a river, and that, along with the cameras, was so disorienting she almost raised an arm to cover her eyes. She stumbled back, and almost lost her balance.

"What's Hope's Peak like as a nudist?"

"Do you feel ashamed when children see you?"

"Will you show us everything?"

"Have you been assaulted?"

The questions wouldn't stop. She turned around, but that just let them see her behind. She was surrounded. She felt her legs giving way. It was too much attention, too many eyes, too many cameras. She couldn't-

"HEY!"

Suddenly someone was in front of her, then someone else. Mahiru looked up to see her friends standing in front of her. Chiaki was covering herself once more, and Hiyoko was still desperately holding up her kimono. The rip was still obvious, as were her panties underneath. It was a horrible display, yet Hiyoko still stood between them.

"Go find someone else to bother!" she cried.

"Who's this kid?"

"Why does she look like she went through the shredder?"

"What's she doing?"

"Get out of here, you're blocking the shot!"

"She said leave!" Chiaki cried and turned to Mahiru. "How important is that camera strap, Mahiru?"

"I-It can wait another day…" Mahiru said in a near stupor. She couldn't believe her friends, in their current states, would subject themselves to so many cameras, and so much attention, all to protect someone who likely had dozens of pictures on the internet already. It brought tears to her eyes.

"Good, then let's go! Now!" Chiaki turned and pushed through the crowd, leaving an opening for them. Mahiru and Hiyoko followed the latter almost tripping on her ruined kimono.

They booked it back down the escalator, with Hiyoko holding the bottom up as high as she could, and the paparazzi were unable to follow, getting congested at the top. By the time they managed to get to the bottom, the three girls had already left the mall entirely, and they loudly cursed at the missed opportunity.

"We'll get them next time, and next time, we'll get them completely," one said, and his friend nodded.

Outside, as they paused to catch their breath, they found a small area covered by trees. Once ducked down in the area, Mahiru finally took a deep breath and uncovered herself to redo the sash on Hiyoko's kimono. Both girls respectfully averted their eyes and once it was done, she covered up again. Hiyoko looked down at her ruined kimono and groaned. "Damn it…now I need to get a new one."

"I'm sorry I…I couldn't do…" Mahiru started, but Hiyoko shook her head.

"It's fine, I know you were terrified, and those jerks didn't help at all," she said with crossed arms and a huff. "So don't worry about it."

"You're sure?" she asked, and Hiyoko nodded.

"I'm sure. Now come on, let's go back already. I don't want to be walking around with my panties out anymore than I have to," she said as she walked away, and Mahiru followed right after.

The trio made their way down the streets, with Hiyoko and Chiaki talking about whatever, as Mahiru wasn't listening. All she could think about was Chiaki and everything the girl had done today.

She'd flashed the boy at the counter. She'd exposed herself to help Hiyoko keep from being exposed too. She stood in front of Mahiru to protect her and got them out of that situation. She was…

"Incredible."

She hadn't realized she'd said it aloud until Chiaki and Hiyoko paused to look at her. "What?" Chiaki asked, and Mahiru debated staying silent. A moment of contemplation passed, and she shook her head and met the girl's eyes.

"Chiaki, you're amazing!" she exclaimed, and Chiaki seemed taken aback.

"M-Mahiru-"

"You're amazing, and kind, and insanely pretty, and respectful, and helpful, and the best friend I could ask for!" Their eyes went wide. "So…thank you…for being my friend."

"I…I…um…" Chiaki blinked, her cheeks red. "Y-You're welcome. And…thank you for the compliments. I think…you're an amazing friend as well, the best I could've asked for." She paused. "A-Along with Hajime." Mahiru couldn't help but laugh at that, and she nodded as well. Chiaki took a deep breath, and turned, resuming her walk.

Mahiru could tell she was still smiling.

Hiyoko waited for Mahiru to catch up, and as they stood a bit back from Chiaki, Hiyoko leaned in to whisper.

"'Insanely pretty', huh~?" Mahiru stopped.

"Did…did I say that?" she whispered.

"Yep~" Hiyoko said, a smug look on her face. Mahiru felt her body shudder as Hiyoko ran ahead, and a moment later, Mahiru was able to force her feet to move as well.

It's not like it wasn't true, but…why had she said it? Why had she said it so blatantly?

Mahiru gulped. Why did Chiaki and her body make Mahiru feel this way? It couldn't be what she thought it was, could it? No, that was crazy. She'd never even had any interest in women before! Not that she'd had much in men either, but that was beside the point!

But as she stared at Chiaki, and found her gaze drifting to the girl's butt, her hips swaying with every step, she had to wonder.

How did she feel about Chiaki? Did it matter? Was Chiaki even into girls? If she was, would she even say yes to Mahiru in the first place?!

She shook her head to try and clear the thoughts, but they persisted. What was she going to do? Should she confess? What if it ruined their friendship? That was the whole reason she became a nudist in the first place, so if she ruined that…she wasn't sure what she'd do.

"Mahiru! You're falling behind!"

Mahiru looked up to see Hiyoko calling out to her. They'd made it back to school. Mahiru let out a breath.

She had to sort out her feelings. Maybe…she needed to talk to someone. Someone who didn't know Chiaki, and someone she could trust.

As she, Hiyoko, and Chiaki walked back to their rooms, with Mahiru's eyes never leaving Chiaki's behind, she thought of just the person.

Someone she hadn't had a chance to talk to in over a week.

Someone in the reserve course.

Sato.