Childhood Part XIX – Costume Party (Part 1) – Start
When Honoka heard that Tsumugi was going to make their costumes for the party, she didn't knew why she agreed to it.
Maybe it was because her children seemed to truly believe that the young girl could do it, but Honoka wasn't exactly very confident in it.
Which is why she was so shocked with what was in front of her right now.
Makoto was wearing a simpler costume, but it still somehow managed to make him seem completely different than normal. He is wearing a light-blue high-schooler uniform with bright yellow buttons. His hair is a lot more messy than normal e he is even wearing big round glasses.
Komaru on the other hand, is wearing something a lot more complicated than her brother, she is wearing a complete sailor-scout costume including a long blond wig with a golden tiara.
Chiaki is wearing a pink puffy dress with details on white and gold, she too is wearing a wig, but hers is a brighter tone of blond, in her right hand, she's holding a pink umbrella with a face.
Tsumugi was last and surprisingly enough, wasn't wearing any costume, she was just in her normal school uniform.
"Wow, just, wow." Honoka looks towards the children and smiles.
"I know right?" Komaru twirls in place and makes a pose. "Told ya Tsumugi-chan was talented."
"Indeed." Daichi says while standing at the door. "It's almost too good for just a simple school party."
"I'd say it's perfect!" The younger Naegi yells proudly. "The only complaint I have is that Tsumugi-chan didn't make anything for herself." Pouting, Komaru turns to her friend.
Tsumugi puts her hands behind her back and laughs awkwardly. "I already told you Komaru-chan. I don't really like to wear the stuff I make." She then smiles and shakes her head. "Plus, I'm happy just seeing you all wearing my costumes."
"Still Tsumugi, I would love to see wearing a costume." Makoto smiles back to her and comments, making the blue-haired girl blush. "Bet you'll look amazing." He continues, not noticing the girl's blush getting even redder.
"O-Onii-sama!" Tsumugi starts playing with her thumbs while smiling shyly. "T-Thanks!"
Chiaki looks down at herself. "Even though it's so big-" She steps forward and then back. "-it's pretty easy to move in… I think."
Indeed, even Chiaki's big puffy dress was surprisingly easy to me around in, which was just more prove of the thought and craftsmanship that the otaku put into her friend's costumes.
Interestingly enough, Tsumugi herself was against the trio having combining costumes, instead she insisted that they wore different types, based on three different characters.
"Well, enough gawking at your costumes, it's time for us to go party." Daichi smiles and everybody nods.
They all walk to the front of the Naegi's residence, where Tsumugi's limo is waiting for them.
So, to the party they go.
Arriving at the school's gate in a limo was a weird experience, but one Komaru couldn't deny was pretty awesome.
Not just that, but everyone's attention fell on them once they entered the school's gym where the party was happening.
All eyes fell on their costumes, which looked so much better than the ones the other kids are wearing.
They had so much detail and a perfectly replicated color scheme which made them absolutely stunning, even the more simple costume like Makoto's.
"Oh my gosh!" A excited voice yelled from behind the group. "Y'all amazing!" Turning around, they see Chieko dressed as a knight.
"I know right?" Komaru approaches her friend and grabs her hand. "Tsumug-chan did a amazing job on them."
The green-haired girl pouts. "I can see that! Kinda wish I asked for her to make me one too."
Tsumugi puts a hand over her chest and bows slightly. "I'm sorry Chieko-chan! I completely forgot."
"C'mon Tsumugi, I was just joking." Chieko laughs awkwardly while scratching the back of her head. "Hey, why aren't you wearing a costume?" The green-haired girl asks as the otaku lifts her head.
"I don't really like to wear the costumes I make." She explains, before jokingly adding. "They make my skin blue." Tsumugi laughs at her own joke, while everybody else simply stare at her.
"Anyways, where is Hina-chan?" The brunette girl asks and Chieko shakes her head.
"She's by the drinks with her brother." The knight replies. "Let's go show her your costume! Bet she's gonna love it!"
Tsumugi and Komaru nod, before Chieko grabs both of the girls hands and start pulling them towards the drinks.
Not too distant from them, another girl watches them walking away.
Her eyes are filled with anger as she looks straight into Tsumugi's face, before her gaze drifts to Komaru's costume.
"I'm not gonna lie, that costume looks pretty sweet!" One of her goons says while gazing upon the group of girls.
The girl in front of them, being Hotaru dressed In a pirate costume smiles maliciously. "Indeed it is-" She turns to her goons. "-imagine if something happened to it."
The redhead smirks as she watches Komaru and her friends talking and laughing.
Yes, she was going to enjoy this.
Some time passes as the party goes on, the noon soon turns into night and everybody seems to be having fun.
At some point, the adults join together and start talking between themselves, while the younger ones continue to enjoy the party, in this moment, Makoto and Chiaki make their way outside to take a breather.
"Having fun?" The brunette asks as the two get closer to a small tree just outside of the gym.
"Yes, a lot more than what I expected actually… I think." Chiaki wanders close to the tree and leans her back against it, a small smile on her lips.
Soon, that smile disappears and the girl looks up.
"Something wrong?" Makoto asks, slightly worried.
"I know now's not the best time, but can I ask you something?" The mauve-haired girl looks at him.
"Shoot." The older Naegi approaches her and waits for her question.
Chiaki looks up once again, silence falls between the two. "Why did you approach me that day?" Finally breaking the silence, Chiaki gazes towards the boy.
"…" Makoto gazes back at her. "I… don't really know." After thinking for some seconds, the brunette speaks back to Chiaki. "I just felt like you needed a friend, you know." He smiles gently and the girl nods.
"I see." Now looking down at her own puffy dress, she speaks up. "I'm glad I met you Makoto-kun." Chiaki smiles softly and closes her eyes.
"I'm glad I met you too." Makoto watches her face as the wind gently blows past the two.
He kind of had a feeling as to why she asked that.
Chiaki had the Hope's Peak invitation in her mind, she never brought it up once after their talk in the park, but the brunette knew that she was thinking of that invitation pretty much at all times.
After that talk Makoto had with his mother, he reflected a lot on his relationship with Chiaki and started to truly understand why she was so anxious about it.
Deep inside, Makoto hoped that the party would distract Chiaki enough from those thoughts, but it seemed like it didn't.
Makoto wanted to say what he needed to her, but he didn't knew if now was the right time.
"Well, I think we should get back in." The mauve-haired girl says, taking the boy out of his thoughts.
"Y-Yeah." He weakly nods, before sighing. ' Now's not the time, not yet.'
As the two start walking back into the gym, Chiaki instinctively wraps her fingers around his, without any of the two really noticing.
The party continues and everything seems to be going great for everybody.
"Slow down Komaru-chan or you're going to choke!" Chieko comments as she watches her friend gobble down a entire plate of food.
"I cwan't hewlp it!" The brunette girl retorts back, after gulping down. "It's pretty good!"
"Hehe, Komaru will be Komaru I guess." Hina shrugs while the other girl pouts.
Tsumugi just giggles while sipping of her juice.
"Excuse me." The younger Naegi turns to her friends. "I'm going to the toilet." Her friends nod and she smiles. "Keep a eye on my food, okay?" Not waiting for a answer, Komaru dashes off.
Chieko and Hina get right back into their conversation.
Tsumugi was about to start talking too, when she catches something on the corner of her eye.
She saw a redhead girl dressed as a pirate walking into the bathroom, just after Komaru.
Now, that shouldn't be strange, but the otaku still felt that something wasn't right.
For the past week, Hotaru actually didn't do anything to her and that was something to worry about.
Biting her lower lip, Tsumugi gets up and goes towards the bathroom.
She just, felt, that something wasn't right.
Childhood Part XIX – Costume Party (Part 1) – End
Welp, here we are at the costume party, our last stop before Hope's Peak... kinda.
Also, yes, I'm heavily leaning on Makoto x Chiaki. it's a Rarepair that I enjoy a lot and you can expect even more of those two when Hope's Peak finally comes.
Anyways, hope ya'll enjoyed the chapter and see you around!