Asia had no idea how she got into this predicament. All she knew was that her new friend, Yuuma Amano – or in Japanese: Amano Yuuma, – threw off her blanket and woke Asia up this morning. Asia didn't mind. She was quite happy that her friend wanted to be with her!

But… The clothing store?

Asia stared blankly at the huge amount of swimsuits on the shelves. Her mind recalled flashbacks of when the Devil and an Angel brought her here… All those clothes they made her try out…

"Muuu!" Asia made a groaning sound and clapped her cheeks. Face your fears Asia!

Asia glanced around and saw Issei give her a worried glance. She wore a bright smile and waved at him. He nodded and turned back his attention to his wife.

Issei was such a kind person. He was one of Asia's first new friends and gladly took her under his wing. Asia owed him a lot. She wanted to repay him in kind but he would wave her off whenever she wanted to pay back his kindness.

The pout on Asia's face faded when Yuuma appeared in front of her with a pair of underwear in her hand. People called it a bikini?

"Asia-chan!" Yuuma said excitedly. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that her eyes turned into stars with how bright they were shining. "You should try this on!"

Asia looked at the clothing on the hanger. It was a pair of underwear. The sides of the panties were held together by a pair of tied strings instead of a band. The bra was also held together by strings instead of adjustable straps.

Yuuma, noticing Asia's stare, explained. "Ah, this is what you call a 'string bikini.' It's very cute isn't it?"

"I-It's small."

"Try it on!"

"Eep!" Yuuma pushed Asia into the dreadful changing room that Asia got well acquainted with the last time she was here. Asia, one too polite to refuse something that wasn't sinful, was shoved into the stall with the curtain shut behind her by the excited Yuuma.

"Just call me if you need any help, okay Asia-chan?"

"Okay!" With a small smile at the antics of her friend, Asia started changing. She stripped off her baggy white t-shirt and dark pleated skirt, leaving her in her underwear. She noticed the sign: "When trying on swimsuits, do NOT remove your underwear."

Asia gave the string bikini one last look. It was pretty cute. It was a light yellow and had floral patterns. And so, Asia tried it on. She untied it from the hanger and put it on herself. She had been helping around the kitchen lately so she had gotten accustomed to tying on the apron she would wear. Putting on the stringed bikini was no problem for her.

Asia looked in the mirror and saw herself. She nodded to herself, the underwear called a "bikini" was cute indeed. She liked the color too! It highlighted her fair skin while not contrasting with it.

"Asia, do you need help?" Yuuma asked.

"Ah– I'm done. It's good."

"Let me see then!"

Asia blushed. Someone seeing her in her underwear? No way!

"But I'm in my underwear!"

"Pfft!" Asia heard Issei. "I knew this was gonna happen."

"Don't give me that 'I told you so face!' You! You pervert!"

"Was that supposed to be an insult, Amano-chan? Because if it was, it wasn't one bit insulting. I love erotica and I'm not afraid to show it!"

"Asia," Yuuma ignored Issei's smug voice. "Swimsuits are underwear you wear to be seen."

"I-I-I-I-I-I-Is that so?" Asia stuttered. She made no move to go out.

"I think you're supposed to show her how it's done, Amano-san," Issei said.

"You just want to see me in a bikini."

"You said that yourself," Issei said. "But yes. I want to see you in a bikini."

"Pervert."

"Yes, I am."

"Jojo references won't save you from my disgust," Asia heard the curtain of the neighboring changing room open then close.

"Asia," Issei called out to her. "If you don't want to show yourself in a bikini, you don't have to." Issei was kind indeed.

"Well…" Asia stopped talking. A hint of fear crept into her. Yuuma was a dear friend to her, she didn't want to destroy their new friendship by not doing something that the other girl didn't want.

"I understand. But Amano-san wouldn't wreck your friendship for something as small as this, would you Yuuma-chan?"

"I wouldn't," Yuuma confirmed Issei's words. "For Asia at least. For you though, Ise-kun, I wouldn't mind."

"Funny. I don't remember doing anything to you though. In fact, I remember you throwing a light spear at me."

"You suddenly turned into a beast! What was I supposed to do?"

"Asia, don't trust Amano-san. She's a very good actor," Issei suddenly started telling Asia.

"Asia, don't trust Hyoudou-san, he just wants to use his tentacles on you," Yuuma said from the other stall.

Asia giggled at the arguments of her two friends. She could feel no real heat behind their words, but the way they talked to each other amused Asia for some reason. She didn't know why, but it did. She wondered what their relationship was…

"I'm done. Asia poke your head out so you could see how to wear a bikini," Yuuma said. Asia heard the curtain open, Yuuma porbably stepped out.

Asia peaked from between her curtain and the wall to see Yuuma in a black bikini. The panties weren't stringed like Asia's but the top was. It had pure white feather designs that stood out in the black cloth. Asia could still see Yuuma's panties since the bikini was skimpier than her underwear.

So this was a how you wore swimsuits…

With a breath for courage, Asia swung open the curtain that hid her.

"Oh! Asia! You're so cute!"

Yuuma jumped up and down and shook Asia's shoulders.

"Th-Thank you. Awawawawa—"

"Omigosh! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I was just so excited!"

Yuuma gave Asia a bear hug.

"Thanks for the yuri scene."

"Shut up Hyoudou," Yuuma scowled and raised her middle finger in the direction of Issei. Her scowled was replaced by a huge grin as she took Asia' hands and swung around the poor girl. "You really are cute Asia!"

"Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-You're cute too Yuuma chan…" a dizzy Asia said. Her eyes have turned into swirls.

"Aww… Thank you!" Yuuma held the other girl by the shoulders, steadying her.

"You are cute. But under that cuteness-"

"Shut up Hyoudou."

Issei stuck out his tongue at Yuuma.

"Oh! Could you please take a picture of us?"

Issei rolled his eyes at Yuuma's request.

"Do it for her."

Issei shrugged.

Yuuma smiled. "My phone is in my pants. On second thought! Let me just get it," Yuuma quickly entered the room she used and took out her phone. Unlocking it, she gave it to Issei.

Issei took the phone and pointed the camera at Asia and Yuuma.

Having had several pictures with Yuuma and Irina, Asia now knew what to do. She held up her fingers in a "V." This is what people called a "peace sign."

After several seconds. Issei held up his thumb. Yuuma happily swiped her phone away from him. Her earlier smile later turned into a frown, then a scowl. "Don't take selfies of yourself!"

Issei smiled smugly.

"Hold this please Asia," Yuuma handed the phone to Asia. She then proceeded to pound Issei with her fists. "I knew I shouldn't have trusted you!"

Asia smiled at the two as they continued their fight. It was a playful fight right?

She looked down at the phone handed to her. Sure enough, pictures of Issei's face were taken but there were pictures of Asia and Yuuma as they posed in their bikinis. Asia swiped left to see more pictures of Yuuma and Asia. These were taken when they got ice cream yesterday. Another swipe and there they were more, both girls wet from giving a bath to Sir-Bear-Rus.

Asia accidentally clicked something (she was pretty bad with technology) and saw pictures that she probably wouldn't have seen. Issei and Yuuma, holding hands and sharing cute meals together. The Issei and Yuuma in the pictures were younger than the ones that Asia saw now. Not to mention they looked to be so happy together.

A sudden sadness plucked at Asia's heartstrings. What happened? Why did their relationship go from being so happy together to this…

"Next time! Don't wear something that says 'oppai!' Isn't that embarrassing?! I'm embarrassed just by being here with you. You're embarrassing!"

"Weren't you the one who picked this out for me?"

And so the two argued while Asia went back to the selfies Issei took. Asia smiled. It was a kind smile with a hint of sadness.

Why can't these two get back to being the friends that she saw in the pictures?