Keyaki Mall was already buzzing with students by the time I arrived, the usual groups scattered around—some browsing, some chatting, some pretending they had somewhere important to be. I adjusted the strap of my bag and scanned the area, looking for...
"There you are."
Before I could react, Karuizawa strutted up to me, her arms crossed, her expression hovering somewhere between disapproval and outright frustration.
…That wasn't a great start.
She didn't even bother with a greeting before giving me a once-over, her brows furrowing deeper the longer she looked.
"…What?" I asked, shifting slightly under her stare.
Her frown deepened, and she gestured at me vaguely. "Do I really have to explain?"
I blinked.
She sighed, pressing a hand to her temple as if my presence alone was giving her a headache. "Horikita-san, tell me you own something else besides your school uniform."
I opened my mouth, but she didn't give me the chance to respond.
"Seriously, this is what you decided to wear?" She exhaled in pure exasperation, like my choice of clothing had personally offended her. "What was going through your head?"
I shifted slightly, suddenly feeling very aware of my uniform. "Well… I'm going back to class tomorrow, so I thought I should get used to wearing it again. I usually just stay in my pajamas when I'm in my room, so—"
Before I could finish, a hand shot up, cutting me off.
Karuizawa clamped her palm over my mouth, her eyes wide with alarm. "What do you think you're saying out loud?!"
I immediately regretted saying anything.
Her grip tightened slightly, and she leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Girls aren't supposed to just admit stuff like that! You don't know who could be listening!"
Her words registered a second later, and an embarrassed heat crept up my neck.
It wasn't that weird… was it?
She sighed again, finally letting me go, and took a step back, looking me over with clear dissatisfaction. "You know what? Whatever. You're lucky I'm here."
"Should I be thanking you in advance?"
"Yes," she said, completely serious. "You should."
I didn't argue. I had a feeling she wasn't done with me yet.
I hesitated before asking, "…You didn't tell Satou-san, Matsushita-san, and Shinohara-san about this, right?"
Karuizawa sighed dramatically, placing a hand on her hip. "Horikita-san, do you really think I'd do that to you?"
I stared at her.
She clicked her tongue. "Okay, fine, maybe I considered it for a second, but I knew you'd be all weird about it." She crossed her arms, tilting her head slightly. "Look, I do feel kinda bad about last time. We might've gone a little overboard, but we just wanted to help."
I absently played with a strand of my hair, looking away. "…It actually wasn't that bad."
There was silence.
When I glanced back at Karuizawa, her mouth was slightly agape, her eyes scanning my face like she was trying to find proof that I'd been replaced with an imposter.
She slowly raised a hand and dramatically placed it on my forehead.
"…You don't have a fever."
I frowned, swatting her hand away. "Obviously."
She took a step back, still watching me as if I had just declared my undying love for school assemblies. "Okay, but seriously—who are you? And what have you done with the real Horikita-san?"
I felt incredibly awkward and uncomfortable.
"I'm... standing right here."
Karuizawa gasped theatrically, snapping her fingers. "Wait, I got it. You've been isekai'd, haven't you? This is the part where you tell me you've been reborn with a new personality, right?"
"…That would make a lot more sense than what's actually happening," I muttered.
She snickered, looking way too pleased with herself. "Well, whatever. Guess that means we didn't completely traumatize you."
I exhaled, already regretting my honesty. "If you keep talking, I might change my mind."
She laughed, linking her arm through mine without warning. "Too late, Horikita-san~! No take-backs!"
I sighed.
…This was going to be a long day.
My fingers lightly gripped the hem of my blazer as I struggled to find the right words.
"…Karuizawa-san."
She turned to me, raising an eyebrow. "Hmm?"
I bit my lip quietly before speaking again, keeping my voice even despite the awkwardness bubbling inside me. "This time… can you take it seriously?"
She blinked, clearly caught off guard.
I quickly continued before I lost my composure. "You… apparently know a lot about fashion, so I thought… you should be able to help."
For a moment, she just stared at me, her lips parted slightly in surprise. Then, a slow, knowing smile stretched across her face.
"Oh-ho?" She placed a hand on her hip. "Horikita-san, are you actually asking for my full capabilities? Of your own free will?"
I resisted the urge to look away. "Yes. So—"
"Alright, but on one condition," she interrupted, grinning mischievously.
I frowned. "What?"
"You have to tell me who this is for later. Okay~?" Her tone was teasing, but there was no mistaking what she meant.
I stiffened. "W-What? That's—You can't just blackmail me like that!"
Karuizawa laughed, clearly enjoying my reaction. "You're so cute, Horikita-san."
I clicked my tongue, feeling my face heat up slightly. "Fine… but I don't see why you're so interested."
She just smirked. "You wouldn't be doing all this if it wasn't for a guy~"
I ignored that and stepped forward into the store, not giving her the satisfaction of a response.
Karuizawa followed after me, instantly switching gears as she scanned the clothing racks with a sharp, practiced eye. "Alright, let's get to work."
She glanced back at me, tilting her head slightly. "You're already a total Japanese beauty—long black hair, stunning red eyes, pale skin—it'd be a crime not to use that to your advantage."
"…I'd rather not wear anything too flashy."
"I figured." She hummed, flipping through some blouses. "You'd suit something elegant, but not too mature. A balance between refined and youthful."
After a moment, she grabbed a few options and held them up to me.
"Okay, try these!"
A soft cream-colored blouse with a delicate ruffled neckline, paired with a fitted navy blue high-waisted skirt that ended mid-thigh. A subtle, classy look that complimented her natural features.
A chic black turtleneck sweater tucked into a plaid pleated skirt in deep red and black tones accentuates her slender figure. A refined yet slightly edgy combination.
A lavender knit sweater—loose but not oversized, with slightly longer sleeves that covered the hands just enough to be charming—paired with slim black jeans for a more casual, cozy approach.
I looked down at the outfits she handed me, already feeling a little overwhelmed.
"…You want me to try all of these?"
S-Stop this! S-Something like that for him...!
"Obviously," Karuizawa smirked, crossing her arms. "We need to find what really suits you."
I stepped into the fitting room, closing the door behind me with a quiet click. The mirror in front of me reflected me—long, dark hair, red eyes, and a calm and composed face. But somehow, I felt like a stranger to myself right now.
I glanced down at the outfits Karuizawa had chosen.
T-This is absurd.
Why am I doing all of this?
For a boy? There is no way I...
My fingers hesitated over the first set of clothes—the cream-colored blouse and navy skirt. A voice, sharp and firm, echoed in my mind.
I don't need to dress up for anyone.
I clenched my jaw. My own thoughts sounded foreign.
I sighed, shaking my head, and pulled off my uniform. The blouse was soft against my skin, the fabric light yet refined. I slipped into the skirt next, fastening it securely around my waist before turning to face the mirror.
My breath caught.
It… didn't look bad.
It actually suited me.
Somewhere in the back of my mind, an irritation bubbled.
I frowned at my own reflection, gripping the hem of my skirt slightly.
I wasn't the kind of girl who cared about looking cute. I wasn't the type who would willingly go shopping for clothes like this.
I imagined his face.
Ayanokouji.
W-Would he notice?
Would he look at me differently?
I swallowed, feeling a strange warmth again.
Absolutely... pathetic... right?
The voice hissed in my mind, but it was weaker now as if my thoughts were slowly being drowned out.
I reached up, lightly touching my face. My cheeks were flushed.
This wasn't normal.
I'm not normal.
I changed into the second outfit—a black turtleneck and a red plaid skirt.
This one felt different, a little more daring, a little less "me." But then again, what even was "me" anymore?
The realization hit me in a slow, suffocating wave.
I was changing.
No—I had changed.
And it's all because of him.
The thought made my chest tighten.
I should hate this. I should resist it. I should reject it completely.
But instead—
I pressed a hand over my heart.
...It feels so warm.
I stared at my reflection again, my fingers idly brushing over the fabric of my skirt.
The girl in the mirror…
She was beautiful.
Not in an over-the-top, dramatic way. Not in a way that screamed for attention. But in a way that made my breath hitch, even though I knew I was only looking at myself.
Had I always looked like this?
My long, silky black hair cascaded over my shoulders, the dark strands catching the light at certain angles, giving them a soft, almost ethereal sheen. My skin, usually something I never really paid that much attention to, appeared almost flawless—smooth, pale, with a faint, natural glow.
And my lips…
I parted them slightly, noting how soft they looked. A subtle pink hue, nothing artificial. Just… natural.
...Had they always looked like that?
I lifted a hand to my face, pressing a finger against my cheek as if to confirm I wasn't imagining things.
This had to be because of all those Cuteness Points I had been racking up.
There was no other explanation.
A sudden, irrational thought crept into my mind—
If I look like this now…
Would his unreadable gaze waver? Would he stop for just a second and really see me like back then?
I swallowed hard.
My heart beats so fast.
I don't care about graduating from this school.
I don't care about grinding for new stats, ranking up, or playing this game like I used to.
I only want—
"Horikita-san, what the heck are you doing in there? You've been taking forever!"
A sudden voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
Karuizawa's voice, sharp yet laced with worry, jolted me back to reality.
I blinked, staring at my reflection for a moment longer before shaking my head.
"I'm coming out."
I changed back into my school uniform, the familiar fabric suddenly feeling dull against my skin after wearing something else for even a short while. It felt almost suffocating in comparison.
Pushing those thoughts aside, I stepped out of the fitting room.
Karuizawa was standing there with her arms crossed, but her gaze wasn't on me—it was on my hands.
She blinked. Then blinked again.
"…Wait. Are you seriously buying all of that?"
"Yes."
Her mouth dropped open slightly. "Huh!?"
She quickly stepped closer, lowering her voice. "Wait, wait, wait. You do remember how we talked about saving Private Points, right? You were the one lecturing me about it! What happened to that?"
I hesitated for a brief second before replying in a quiet voice.
"…It's not a problem."
"EH!?"
Karuizawa reeled back like she'd just been hit with an unexpected plot twist.
But I didn't give her time to protest further. Without another word, I walked up to the counter and pulled out my phone.
The cashier scanned the items, and in one smooth motion, I confirmed the transaction with my Private Points.
The electronic beep echoed in my ears, sealing the decision.
I had spent a ridiculous amount.
But strangely… I didn't regret it.
As I stepped out of the store, the weight of the shopping bags in my hands felt strangely satisfying. Each item inside had a purpose—one that, deep down, I already knew.
Karuizawa followed closely behind, still looking at me like I'd just pulled off some absurd in-game strategy she couldn't wrap her head around.
"Are you sure this was a good decision?" she asked again, her voice laced with disbelief. "Those clothes were kind of expensive, and I mean… it's not like you—"
"Karuizawa-san," I cut her off sharply. "Class D still has 365 Class Points, correct?"
Karuizawa blinked in surprise at the sudden shift in my tone.
"So I'd say it's reasonable for me to spend my Private Points like this."
I hadn't even realized how I'd phrased it until I saw Karuizawa take a tiny step back, her expression caught somewhere between startled and impressed.
"…O-okay!" She raised her hands in surrender, then let out a nervous laugh. "I mean, thanks to you, Horikita-san, we actually have that much freedom now, so I'm not gonna tell you what to do with your points."
She glanced at my bags again, "Still, I can't believe you really bought everything. You must be seriously invested in this, huh?"
I avoided her gaze, gripping the handles of my bags a little tighter.
"Oh!" Karuizawa suddenly perked up beside me, her entire demeanor shifting in an instant. Her eyes lit up, and before I could even question it, she raised a hand and waved enthusiastically.
"Yousuke-kun! Over here!"
I blinked, startled by her sudden excitement. My grip tightened around the shopping bags as I followed her gaze.
Sure enough, Hirata was heading in our direction, his usual composed expression in place. But that wasn't what caught me off guard.
It was the person walking beside him.
Ayanokouji.
The moment his golden-brown eyes landed on me, something in my chest tightened, and a strange, unsteady weakness spread through my legs.
Why… why now?
The world around me felt like it blurred for a moment, my thoughts tangling into a mess. I could hear Karuizawa saying something, but the words didn't register. My heart pounded, familiar heat creeping up my cheeks.
I wasn't prepared for this.
"Hey, Horikita-san?"
Karuizawa's voice snapped me back slightly, and before I could react, I felt her hand wrap around my wrist.
"Come on, let's go," she said, tugging me forward without hesitation.
I opened my mouth to protest, but the words barely made it out.
"W-Wait—"
She either didn't hear me or chose to ignore it.
And just like that, I was being pulled straight toward him.
Karuizawa greeted Hirata with an effortless smile, her tone light and familiar.
"Yousuke-kun! It's been a while!" She glanced at Ayanokouji before adding, "Oh, and you too, Ayanokouji-kun. It's been ages since we talked, huh?"
Ayanokouji gave a slight nod, his voice as unreadable as ever. "Yeah."
Meanwhile, Hirata turned to me with his usual warm expression. "Horikita-san, it's good to see you looking well. Chabashira-sensei mentioned you weren't feeling great recently, so I'm glad to see you up and about."
I blinked, barely processing his words. My thoughts were a mess, tangled up in the presence standing beside him.
"I... That's good," I replied, my voice slightly stiff.
Karuizawa gave me a curious glance, but before she could comment, she turned back to Hirata.
"So? What are you two doing here?"
Hirata smiled. "I was just showing Ayanokouji-kun a new spot in Keyaki Mall. Apparently, there's something with challenges—kind of like an interactive game?"
Karuizawa made a face. "Ehh? That sounds boring."
She turned to me, probably to get my agreement, but the words died on her lips as she finally noticed my expression.
I was standing unevenly, my fingers gripping the shopping bags just a little too tightly. My gaze, however, was locked on him.
He still hadn't said another word.
Karuizawa blinked. And then, in an instant, something clicked in her mind.
Oh.
So that's what this is about.
A slow, wicked smirk curled on her lips.
I immediately felt a sense of danger.
No, no, no… don't you dare—
My frantic thoughts must have been written all over my face because her smirk only grew sharper.
Karuizawa suddenly let out a small, dramatic gasp, clapping her hands together as if just remembering something crucial.
"Oh no! I totally forgot—I left something super important at home!" She turned to Hirata with wide, pleading eyes. "Yousuke-kun, would you mind coming with me to find it? I really don't wanna go alone."
Hirata blinked at her sudden request, then instinctively glanced between me and Ayanokouji. Something must have clicked in his mind because, after a brief pause, he gave a serious nod as if making some grave decision.
"You're right. I can't let you go alone," he said with unnecessary solemnity. "That would be irresponsible."
I frowned. "Wait, what—"
"Great! Let's go!" Karuizawa cut in cheerfully before I could say anything else. But then, as if just remembering one last detail, she spun back around and reached for the shopping bags in my hands.
"Let me hold onto these for you, Horikita-san," she said sweetly, winking at me. "I'll bring them back to you later, okay?"
"Wha—"
Before I could even process what was happening, she had already plucked them away, turned on her heel, and disappeared into the distance with Hirata in tow.
And just like that…
Ayanokouji and I were left alone.
