I ended up wearing her father's clothes exactly as Yuria had instructed.
Walking around in flip-flops, a Hawaiian shirt covered in bright red hibiscuses, and basketball shorts—with a pair of shiny black sunglasses hooked into the collar—I looked like a total punk who’d let the summer heat go to his head no matter how you sliced it.
"Whoa! That look actually suits you, Ryouta!"
"You're definitely making fun of me!"
While Yuria was dressed in her usual trendy outfit for a day out, I was the only one forced to look like a delusional delinquent. Dammit.
I bit my lip in frustration and wiped away the beads of sweat forming in the heat with the back of my hand.
Good grief, I wanted to get into that air-conditioned mall as soon as possible. In this humidity, I couldn't stop sweating.
We were currently making our way toward a massive shopping mall situated just past the high-end residential district.
The mall had everything from furniture to groceries, making it a popular hangout for the local residents. I used to come here with my family on weekends all the time when I was a kid.
"It’s pretty close by. Do you come here with your family much, Yuria?"
"Hmm... I’ll come by myself because they have boutiques for the brands I like, but I don't really go to the mall with my family that often."
"Really? Since you guys go on regular overseas trips and all, I figured you were a total party-people family. That's unexpected."
"What kind of image do you have of us? Oh, but we've been going to that Cocosco that opened near the mall lately. It feels like an overseas supermarket, so my parents are obsessed with it."
"Cocosco... that membership-only place?"
"Yep. Have you ever been, Ryouta? In the food court there, they have this deal where you can get a hot dog and a refillable soda for only 200 yen! Isn't that insane?"
"Yuria... eating a hot dog..."
"Hey. Don't you dare start a perverted fantasy at the speed of light."
"I-I wasn't!"
I was just imagining the sight of Yuria opening her mouth wide for a hot dog (with deep, suggestive meaning)!
Or better yet, Yuria sucking on a drink straw— (Self-censored).
"Anyway, how about we go buy your clothes now and stop by Cocosco on the way back? We can buy a ton of meat and seafood and have a barbecue tonight!"
"That sounds great, but I don't really have much cash on me today."
"Good grief, what are you worrying about that for at this stage of our relationship? You're always winning figures for me at the arcade, and besides, staying the night was my idea anyway, so don't sweat it. Plus, my parents gave me a mountain of cash for living expenses while they're abroad. Just relax."
"O-oh, really? I feel kind of bad about it."
Between the scandalous photos of the maid outfit and everything else, I felt like I was constantly on the receiving end with Yuria. I’d hoped to at least cover the cost of dinner, but if that was the case, I’d just have to swallow my pride and let her treat me.
Besides, my expenses this year from spending time with the Beautiful Girl Trio had been so huge that I’d been constantly hitting my parents up for advances on my allowance. I didn't have a cent to spare, so I really had no choice but to rely on Yuria.
"Never mind that, your clothes come first! Since I'm the one picking them out, I'm going to make you look incredibly cool!"
With a radiant smile and a bounce in her voice, Yuria suddenly grabbed my hand and started running.
"Come on, stop dawdling! Let's get to the mall and into that sweet, sweet AC!"
"I get it, I get it!"
And so, I was pulled along by the hand, led toward the massive shopping mall.