As soon as we reached the shopping mall, Yuria led me straight to her "recommended boutique."
The shop had a name written in the Latin alphabet, and the interior was lined with mannequins wearing the kind of stylish outfits you'd see on some handsome guy.
I hated how these mannequins were making me realize exactly how tacky my normal clothes were... Dammit.
"Ryouta, over here! Come look."
"Hm?"
I headed over when Yuria beckoned me. She had already picked something out and held it up as I approached.
"Hey, what do you think of this?"
She’d already chosen an outfit despite the massive selection... As expected of Yuria.
"A white cut-and-sew and black cargo pants. Both are in that 'oversized big silhouette' style that's trending this year. Pretty good, right?"
A flurry of jargon I didn't quite understand flew my way.
I see... I didn't get it at all.
The only thoughts in my head were painfully simplistic. They certainly looked like something an extrovert would wear, but...
"Wouldn't it be better if clothes actually fit? If they're this baggy, I'll just look sloppy."
"No, this is the current trend, so quit complaining. I already got permission for you to try them on, so just get in there."
"But still..."
"Good grief. Sigh... I guess it can't be helped."
"Hm? What?"
"I might just fall for you if I saw you in this, Ryouta..."
She said it in a completely flat, forced monotone as she shoved the clothes against my chest. Her acting was so terrible I could hardly believe she’d played the lead role in the recent Cultural Festival... I wasn't the kind of man to be swayed by such transparent words.
But... I didn't care if it was a trap! Trap or not, I was taking the bait!
"Fine, let's go with this."
"Wow, you're such a pushover! What was with that sudden change of heart? You definitely would have picked them no matter who told you that."
"That's not true! I—I just decided to trust your taste, Yuria, so I thought this would be fine!"
"My taste... Hmph, well, whatever."
Seeing Yuria's slightly smug, happy expression, I took the clothes into the fitting room and changed.
Actually... as much as I hated to admit it, these clothes were great.
I’d expected these baggy sleeves and pants to be stifling in the summer heat, but they were surprisingly airy and comfortable. Since the silhouette was so loose, it actually made a guy like me with no muscle look a bit more well-built.
"Ugh, I'll admit it. Your taste is solid, Yuria."
I bit my lip in mock defeat as I stepped out of the fitting room.
"Oh, not bad, Ryouta. Looking good."
"Y-Yeah."
"Excuse me," Yuria called out to the staff. "He'll be wearing these out, so we'd like to pay for them now."
"Certainly!"