“Sorry to keep you waiting, Yuzuru-san.”
“No, I just got here myself.”
Their meeting place was a station in the city centre.
Seeing what Arisa was wearing, Yuzuru felt… slightly relieved.
This time, unlike before, her outfit didn’t emphasise her body line.
She wore a black long-sleeved top with a light white cardigan over it, along with wide-leg trousers.
And over that, the autumn coat from before.
It was less stimulating, and that put him at ease.
“Where’s Ayumi-san?”
“Running late, I think. She should be here soon…”
Just then—
Thump. Something collided into him from behind, clinging onto him.
“Onii-san!”
“You’re late, Ayumi.”
“Ahaha, sorry! Got caught in traffic.”
It seemed she’d come by taxi.
Probably avoiding the train due to concerns like groping.
“Arisa-san, long time no see.”
“Likewise, Ayumi-san.”
Ayumi ran up to Arisa and took her hand.
“Sorry for dragging you into this.”
“No, it’s quite alright. I hope I can be of help.”
“I’ve always thought your outfits are really stylish, Arisa-san. I’m counting on you! …In return, I’ll tell you what kind of girl my brother likes.”
“Ahaha… please do.”
Arisa replied with a wry smile.
Meanwhile, at the mention of “what kind of girl my brother likes,” Yuzuru immediately became wary.
He’d have to make sure she didn’t say anything strange.
“This is going to take a while, isn’t it? Let’s get going.”
At Yuzuru’s words, both Arisa and Ayumi nodded.
The place they entered was a shopping mall near the station, housing everything from high-end boutiques to casual stores.
“Hey, hey, Arisa-san—which do you think suits me better?”
Ayumi held up two winter coats.
One beige, the other grey.
If it were Yuzuru, he’d have just said, “Both look good.”
…And in truth, on someone as pretty as Ayumi, both probably did.
“I think both suit you, but… let’s see. The first gives a cuter impression, while the second feels more elegant.”
“Hmm… does the first make me look childish?”
“Well, yes. Though that has its own charm.”
“…Does the grey make me look more mature?”
“Yes. Maybe one or two years older.”
Ayumi thought for about ten seconds…
Then seemed to decide on the grey, placing it into the basket Yuzuru was holding.
(…So she cares about that.)
To Yuzuru, Ayumi would always be his cute little sister, so he’d always thought of her as a child.
It was a little surprising that she minded seeming childish.
She was only in her second year of middle school—being childish was fine.
But perhaps she wanted to grow up, just a little faster.
“Are we done for now?”
Shopping took a long time.
And with two girls chatting away, it only took longer.
Yuzuru was already starting to feel worn out.
“With clothes, yes. But next, I want to look at shoes. You do too, right, Arisa-san?”
“Yes… I still have some money left, so I’d like to buy some boots.”
“I see.”
Anything he said would only drag things out further, so Yuzuru resigned himself to going along.
For now, they paid for the clothes.
(…Maybe next time I should invite Soichiro and Hijiri too.)
He figured having three guys might make things less tedious.
But thinking about it more carefully—inviting those two would inevitably bring along Ayaka, Chiharu, and Tenka.
Five girls shopping.
They’d probably be there until sunset.
Just imagining it made him shudder, so he stopped.
“Alright, Onii-san, let’s go check out the shoes.”
Ayumi beckoned him towards the shoe section.
In response, Yuzuru handed both girls the shopping bags.
“Sorry… mind if I go hunt a pheasant for a bit?”
In other words, the toilet.
Ayumi puffed out her cheeks.
“Ehh!? Hurry up, okay?”
“I’ll be quicker than your shopping.”
With that, Yuzuru jogged off in search of the restroom.
It took him longer than expected to find it—about fifteen minutes.
Ayumi was probably in a bad mood now…
Thinking that, Yuzuru let out a quiet sigh as he hurried back to the meeting spot.
(Honestly, I’m the one tagging along with their shopping—why am I the one getting blamed for being a bit late?)
It felt slightly unreasonable.
Still, he couldn’t keep the two “princesses” waiting, so he picked up the pace.
And then—
He saw Arisa and Ayumi talking to a familiar-looking boy.
Though it seemed Ayumi was the one mainly speaking with him.
Arisa stood slightly behind her, quietly watching how things unfolded.
(I look away for a moment and this happens… what a hassle.)
Sighing inwardly, Yuzuru hurried over to them.
