It was the first Sunday of winter vacation.
Today, we were all supposed to head out together to buy everything we needed for the Christmas party, which was now only two days away.
Originally, the plan had just involved five of us—me, Sara-san, Hanako-san, Hayato, and Todo-san. However, after a recent group chat where everyone else decided to join in, it was settled that we would make it a full group outing.
This morning, we met up with the three members of the long-distance group at the Station Front—Nishikawa-san had picked up Yuji and the others by car—before heading to our usual Shopping Mall to start the day.
"Ooh, it’s quite big… wait, ah?! They have a Machetia!"
"Heh… it looks like several brand-name shops have been added since I moved away."
Tachikawa-san let out an excited cry as we entered the building from the parking lot's connecting walkway and stopped in front of the guide map by the escalator. Nishikawa-san was looking at the map with equal interest, mentioning it had been a while since her last visit.
If I recalled correctly, Machetia was a casual brand that had recently become quite popular with girls. Probably.
"Are you a fan of Machetia, Tachikawa-san?"
"I’ve been obsessed lately! Look, even this coat is…"
As she spoke, Tachikawa-san flipped the tag on her collar to show it off. Natsumi-senpai leaned over for a quick look.
"Heh, no wonder I thought it looked stylish."
"Ehehe. It’s a trend among the girls in my class right now… or rather, the whole school!"
"Now that you mention it, I think there were a few people in our class into it too. Hey, Sara… though I guess you wouldn't be interested."
"That is correct. I have no interest in brands."
Sara-san brushed off Natsumi-senpai’s prompt with ease. Still, she seemed at least a little curious, as her eyes lingered on Tachikawa-san's coat for a moment.
"But Satsukawa-senpai is always so fashionable, isn't she? Your style is so refined and mature, but it’s still cute on top of that."
"To begin with, Sara used to be the type who was indifferent to fashion itself, let alone brands," Natsumi-senpai explained. "Even when I dragged her to places like this, her attitude was that anything was fine as long as it was loose-fitting and didn't show her body line. Even in the middle of summer, her only choice was an extra-long skirt."
"Ah… now that you mention it, I don't think I’ve ever seen Satsukawa-senpai in a miniskirt or wearing pants."
The two of them were exactly right. Sara-san certainly favored that specific style. Even in the sweltering heat of midsummer, she refused to unnecessarily expose her arms or legs, and things like miniskirts or short pants were completely out of the question. When she walked alongside Natsumi-senpai, their polar-opposite fashion choices made the contrast even more striking.
"Right? That’s why her recent style is so effective. The Takanashi-kun-exclusive Outfit advice I gave her before was a total hit, and she’s just stuck with that preference ever since."
"U-Um… does that mean Satsukawa-senpai’s fashion is based entirely on Takanashi-kun’s tastes?"
"I won't deny that my choices are made with Kazunari-san’s preferences in mind," Sara-san stated flatly, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, though a small, bashful smile played on her lips. She flicked a glance toward me to gauge my reaction. Well, I was well aware of that, and to be honest, it made me happy.
"Kazunari, what about my clothes?"
"Eh?"
While I was still captivated by Sara-san’s bashful expression, someone tugged on my left arm as usual and asked me that out of the blue.
Uh…
"I think they’re very cute. They suit you well, Hanako-san, and you look quite mature today."
Hanako-san’s outfit today wasn't her usual flashy, "Gothic Lolita" style. While it was still undeniably cute, it was more subdued overall, giving her a soft, gentle sort of loveliness. The check-patterned long skirt added a touch of maturity to the look.
I still couldn't find the perfect words to describe it, though.
"Thanks… I put in a bit more effort to give off a Big Sister vibe today. I’m glad you noticed."
Even with my vague and clumsy praise, Hanako-san gave me a soft, gentle smile. She tightened her grip on my sleeve just a little.
Honestly, that smile and her gestures felt like a bit of a low blow.
"…That guy really just throws out straight-ball compliments without a hint of embarrassment."
"…Kazunari is always direct, so I think it’s easy for the other person to tell he’s being sincere."
"…Fufu, that is Takanashi-san’s wonderful quality, after all."
…I can hear you, you know.
I wasn't sure if I was being praised or teased, but since I lacked the cleverness to give sophisticated compliments, I just said exactly what I was thinking.
"Fufu… Kazunari-san♪"
"Kazunari."
But despite my clumsiness, Sara-san—and Hanako-san too—smiled happily.
So… I suppose this was fine.
"Now then, let's leave that Stupid Couple and the one with the brother complex alone. Shall we decide where to attack first?"
"I agree! Oh, but Machetia too!"
"Really, Yoko. That’s not what we're here for today, is it?"
"Fufu… but since we're here, why don't we take a look later? I’m interested as well."
"Oh? But Eririn, don't you usually like a different style of brand…?"
"That’s that, and this is this. As a girl of this age, I have to make sure I’m keeping up with the trends."
A girl… huh.
It was just an image I had, but Sara-san and Nishikawa-san both seemed a step or two more mature than other girls their age. It was hard to picture them being interested in the same clothes as a typical High School Girl. Not that it was a bad thing, of course.
"Hmm… is that so? In that case, I shall also…"
"Oh?! So Satsukawa-senpai is interested in trendy fashion after all…"
"No, I will head toward the men’s section."
"So it’s for Takanashi-kun’s clothes after all!!"
"Naturally. Is there a problem?"
Sara-san ruthlessly dismissed Tachikawa-san’s retort with a straight face, speaking as if it were a matter of absolute fact. Beside her, Hanako-san gave a silent, firm nod of agreement. Were they both planning to pick out my clothes?
"My, that sounds like fun. I’ve never had the chance to coordinate an outfit for a man before. I’d love to join in."
"Wait, Eririn too?!"
At this point, even Nishikawa-san volunteered, staring at me from head to toe as if she was already visualizing a look. No, no, everyone, have you forgotten why we're actually here today?!
"I will say this in advance—do not forget that I have the final say. Eri and Hanako-san are only participating as observers."
"Well, I suppose that can't be helped. Takanashi-san is Sara's fiancé, after all…"
"I’m his sister, so I should at least have a little more say in the matter…"
"Rejected. If we are discussing rights, then I, as his fiancé and Future Wife, possess the only absolute authority."
"Um… guys…"
"Fufu, don't worry. I will find the perfect outfit for you, Kazunari-san."
Uh… apparently, I, the person in question, had no right to decide. I’d expected as much, so I didn't really mind, but…
I’ll say it again.
That isn't our purpose today, is it, Sara-san?
……………
……
…
"Phew, I’m stuffed."
"Really, Natsumi. Haven't I told you time and again to stop saying things like that? It’s unladylike."
Shopping had proceeded smoothly, and after a slightly late lunch, we were taking a post-meal break in the still-crowded Food Court.
Since we hadn't finished all our errands, we couldn't justify moving to another location just for lunch, so we’d settled on a quick bite here. Though, honestly, the fact that high schoolers would even consider a hotel restaurant for lunch was a bit strange to begin with.
"Whoops, my ladylike facade slipped for a second."
"…Pfft."
"Ah? You got a problem, Yuji?"
"No, not at all."
Yuji, receiving a Scornful Look from Natsumi-senpai, exaggeratedly straightened his posture and slowly shook his head. Going against Natsumi-senpai when she was in this mood was a suicidal act, even if she was being unreasonable. Yuji was wise to let sleeping dogs lie.
"Even so, seeing Nishikawa-san eat at Magburger…"
"Y-Yeah, I couldn't really picture it. And Satsukawa-senpai too…"
On the other hand, Tachikawa-san and Todo-san seemed to be in a state of shock I’d seen before. The fact that Nishikawa-san didn't fit the image of fast food was a realization every friend and acquaintance of hers eventually had to face.
"My, I am just an ordinary high school girl like everyone else, you know?"
"No, well, that's true, but..."
It was true that there was nothing strange about a High School Girl going to a fast-food place, but when it was Nishikawa-san—or Sara-san—it was hard not to feel a sense of incongruity.
"Fufu… Kazunari-san, please don't move."
"Otay."
And as for the other person in question… Sara-san was, as usual, paying no mind to the reactions around her. She looked quite happy—or perhaps joyful—as she tidied up the corners of my mouth with a damp paper napkin. I was a handful, as always. Sorry.
"…N-No way, seriously…"
"…What’s with that girl? She’s way too cute."
"…Wait, is she actually dating that guy?"
Well… if you did something like that in such a crowded place, you were bound to stand out. It was too late to start worrying about it now, though.
"Now then… putting the Stupid Couple aside, what should we do next?"
"Right, we’ve finished buying most of the supplies for the party…"
"So, is it time to go buy 'that'?"
"Ehehe, I wonder what I should get?"
"Muu… it’s hard to choose."
The "that" the female officers had started talking about with such excitement was a staple of any Christmas party. Specifically, the gifts.
"In that case, shall we split up for now?"
"I don't mind staying with Kazunari-san, though?"
"Good grief, read the room for once!"
"No fair. If the wife is going with Kazunari, then I will too…"
"H-Hanako-san, you too…?"
"Honestly."
Natsumi-senpai shot me a look that screamed "do something about this" as Sara-san and Hanako-san predictably resisted the idea of splitting up. To be honest, I didn't want to be apart from them either, but this was something we’d all agreed on.
"Sara-san, I don't want to be away from you either, but right now…"
"Yes…"
When I suppressed my own feelings and began to persuade her, Sara-san nodded immediately, though her eyes were tinged with sadness. Ugh, that expression was unfair. If we weren't in public, I’d have hugged her right then and there.
"…Sigh, these two really are something else."
"…You say that, Natsumi-senpai, but aren't you actually reluctant to be away from Tachibana-kun…?"
"…Don't lump me in with them!"
"…What do you think, Yuji?"
"…Don't toss that to me. What about you guys?"
"…Haha, no comment."
"…Uuu."
"…I understand. To go against Kazunari-san's wishes would go against my pride to begin with…"
"Thank you, Sara-san."
She wasn't exactly doing it grudgingly, but there was a lingering air of disappointment as she agreed to go with the others. I felt like "pride" was a bit of an exaggeration, but if that was how she felt, it was my job to respect it.
"In exchange… when we get home, please let me hug you a lot, okay?"
"I-I understand…"
Phew… it looked like tonight would be another long one. Then again, that was every day. And I was happy about it every day, too.
""Sigh…………""
Everyone directed a very warm—or perhaps far too lukewarm—look at the two of us. Huh, that’s strange.
"…Well then, let’s get going."
""Okay~""
Ignoring us, Natsumi-senpai started walking briskly, and the other female officers hurried to catch up. Sara-san followed them, turning back once to wave at me. I smiled and waved back. Now then.
"All right, shall we get moving too?"
"Yeah. The question is which store to pick… Hayato, are you the expert on that?"
"Yuji, what do you mean by that?"
"Haha… for now, let's just try a store that looks right. We already know which way Sara-san and the others went."
"True."
"Got it."
It was time for us male officers to get moving.
The next objective was, of course, "that"—finding the perfect gift for the Present Exchange.