—Alright, let's hurry in.
Natsukawa Kanade led Shiina Mahiru into a women's clothing store.
It doesn't matter if you don't want to go back like this. Just change your clothes. You can also find a laundromat to store and treat the dirty skirt you took off. The fee isn't very high.
—You can go in alone. If you need anything, ask the clerk. I'll wait outside.
After all, it's for women only, and they also sell swimsuits and underwear. It wouldn't be appropriate for him, as a man, to enter. It's a pity there are no waiting areas for men nearby.
Or maybe you could exchange some tips and tricks about dating with them or... interests and hobbies among guys?
—Hmm...
Shiina Mahiru nodded and replied softly.
Kanade took out his phone and waited patiently outside. After a while, he suddenly heard footsteps approaching.
So fast?
Kanade was stunned, thinking: Wouldn't it take a girl a long time to choose clothes?
However, when he looked up, he discovered that the people approaching were not the angel, but two strange women who had defeated mature women.
—Big brother, are you alone?
—If you have time, how about we have some tea together?
"…"
Does he look like someone?
Kanade was bewildered. Normally, a man standing in front of a women's clothing store would be waiting for his companion, right? He certainly didn't look like the type looking for women traveling alone.
But despite what he thought, he declined politely:
—No, I'm waiting for someone...
The next second, someone suddenly grabbed his arm.
When he turned around, he saw Shiina, who was supposed to be choosing clothes in the store, suddenly appear beside him for some reason, still wearing the dress she came in.
—Sorry for the wait. Let's go.
Before finishing her sentence, she pulled his arm and walked away without saying anything.
"…"
Did she not find a style she liked? Or was she just trying to help him? It wasn't that she was jealous or worried about him being scammed, right?
But whatever the reason, it helped him. He really couldn't handle that situation.
—Are you okay?
—Hmm? What did you mean by Kanade...?
Shiina turned around, somewhat confused. After thinking for a while, she got angry again.
—Did I accidentally interrupt Kanade's good fortune? I'm so sorry...
—Why would you think of going to a place like that...
Kanade didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He would definitely not accept that kind of flirting... at least that's what he thought now.
—I'm worried about you. Do you mind if you don't change your clothes?
—It's fine...
Shiina shook her head. Although she was a little worried, considering the possibility that someone might snatch away clothes that Kanade would like while she was carefully choosing them, she immediately felt that the dirty skirt wasn't such a big deal.
As the saying goes, when a girl falls in love with someone, her battle is how to keep his attention. Compared to making everyone think she's beautiful, making the person she likes think so is definitely the most important thing.
If you think too much about strategy and the real target runs away, you'll have no one to cry to.
—Kanade, let's go back.
Shiina suggested it. Probably they had bad luck today. They didn't know what to do if they stayed home, and going out to play wasn't a good start.
She always felt that nothing good would happen if she stayed here, so she might as well go back and play with Kanade.
Kanade was about to respond when he was distracted by a sudden sweet voice.
—Natsukawa-kun...
Miss Kato, always calm and serene, suddenly appeared before them. She tilted her head slightly; her curious eyes seemed to be trying to understand their relationship.
—Are you on a date?
A date generally refers to a meeting between two people to get to know each other. Originally, it didn't imply any special feelings, but now it usually refers to a man and a woman traveling together...
For Kanade, this could be considered a date, but when he turned to look at Shiina, he noticed she seemed embarrassed.
"…"
Kanade understood what she meant, so he explained:
—No, we just happened to run into each other.
In the past, Shiina had always reminded him not to reveal their special relationship in front of their classmates, and he remembered, so he did as he was told.
The actions of the two seemed somewhat intimate, so Kanade told Kato what had just happened, explaining that Shiina only wanted to help him and had no other intentions.
After saying all this, when he looked back at Shiina, he noticed she still looked a little embarrassed. Kanade knew she was still a bit worried, so he comforted her gently:
—Don't worry, Kato-san isn't gossipy and won't tell anyone.
The angel looked at him without saying anything, but tugged at his sleeve a little harder.
"…"
It seems Shiina needs more reassurance...
—Kato, are you free now?
—Yes, I am.
Kanade nodded, and after receiving a positive response, he invited her to join him, thinking of finding a place to clear some things up...
At a dessert shop.
Kanade put his hands together with a very sincere attitude.
In short, this is what happened. I hope Kato can keep it a secret and not disclose it.
With Shiina's tacit consent, they took Kato to the pastry shop, told her they were neighbors, and explained their relationship as "friends" and mutual help. Other more complex details, such as the rejection of the confession and shared meals, were not mentioned.
A convincing lie must have some truth to it, and Kato is a considerate and good girl, so she probably won't do anything to destroy their relationship.
—Natsukawa-kun is so astute that he tricked me into eating your dessert...
Kato took a spoonful of dessert to her mouth, savoring its tartness, looking a bit distracted.
She is reluctant to help others and will be grateful for any favor she receives. Now she has no choice... But it doesn't matter. She didn't intend to do everything for others.
—Because Kato is a good girl and isn't good at rejecting others.
Kanade joked, but couldn't help feeling a little guilty.
He knew Kato Megumi a little, and he knew that after begging her with all his might, she would definitely agree to his request, and he even convinced her to accept his bribe...
Sorry, Miss Kato, I'll make it up to you later...
Shiina, who was there, watched the interaction between the two with envy, unable to say a word.
Naturally, she understood that Kanade was helping them solve their problems, but that was only what she thought. For now, it was fine not to explain it so openly...