Today, school is closed.
Yesterday, villains breached the campus. Aizawa-sensei explained that the school required a full day to overhaul security and inspect the facilities. Furthermore, there is the lingering threat of another attack. One cannot rule out the possibility that the so-called "League of Villains" might infiltrate again, specifically targeting me.
Personally, I care not if they come. Behind that Mist-Man and the Hand-Brat, there is undoubtedly someone who manipulates Curses. They couldn't command a creature like that otherwise.
Aizawa, I still believe letting that Mist-Man escape was a blunder. If he possesses a Quirk that allows him to go anywhere, the enemy holds the initiative. And the worst-case scenario? They send only Curses. As things stand, I am the only one who can lift a finger against them.
I know not who pulls the strings of this "League." Their targets are myself and All Might. Regardless of my own situation, the likelihood of All Might being slain is high. To wish to curse the very man hailed as the "Symbol of Peace" to death… well, every era has its share of madmen.
But putting that aside for now…
I find myself faced with a far more agonizing dilemma. I am currently fretting over what to wear.
Today, I have a "date" with Himiko. We are meant to meet outside the front door in less than twenty minutes. Apparently, she wanted to meet at the station, but then she muttered something about me "getting lost" and gave up on the idea. What an insolent girl. I can make it to a station by myself. She treats me like a lost child constantly… If things truly went south, I could simply ask Tokoyami or my underling for directions.
"…Umu. I haven't the slightest!"
I stood before the closet in the room I share with Himiko. It is overflowing with clothes that she and my mother have bought for me. Since Himiko insisted on "no kimonos" today, I am forced to wear western clothing… but I am utterly out of my depth. Is a kimono truly so bad? Modern garments are a mystery to me.
Why must one consider the "coordination" of top and bottom separately?
Unlike a hakama, the things one wears on one's legs come in a dizzying array of shapes, and the variety of shirts and jackets is endless. To pick a combination from this pile that I find "cute"? Impossible. I understand nothing of these modern silks.
However, if I choose poorly, Himiko will likely be cross with me. "Cuteness" is the bare minimum requirement I must uphold. But I do not understand "cute." Umu, perhaps I am defeated.
Very well. When in doubt, seek counsel. My parents are at work, so… yes. I shall ask Tokoyami. I decided to make use of the "smartphone" I was recently given. Apparently, with this small, hard board, one can converse with anyone, anywhere. I was surprised enough when I first saw a telephone, but this is a marvel. Human progress is a terrifying thing. Then again, eighteen hundred years have passed since my previous life. Perhaps such progress is only natural.
Now, how does one use this thing again? I picked up the smartphone from the desk. A cordless handset is far easier; one simply presses the numbers.
Let's see… Ah, like this. And then I believe I do this… Oh, it's ringing.
"Hello? Maidoki?"
"Umu. It is Maidoki Madoka. Tokoyami, this is sudden, but what do you think one should wear for a date?"
"..."
You. You just sighed in exasperation, didn't you? I can tell. I don't need to see your face to know.
"...You should ask Toga-senpai. I am not the person to talk to about this."
"But Himiko told me to choose. I understand kimonos, but I know nothing of today's fashions. …Do you know of any particularly 'cute' combinations?"
"...Even if you ask me that, I know very little about women's fashion."
"Then a man's outfit will suffice for now. What do you usually wear?"
"Recently, I've been favoring a combination of dress shirts and waistcoats… I usually choose black."
"Black, then? Very well, I shall go with that. You've been a help, Tokoyami. I shall pat your head tomorrow."
"Please don't."
Excellent. Black clothing. If Tokoyami says so, it cannot be wrong. On that note, a "dress shirt"? A "waistcoat"? What are those? Are they in this pile?
Blast. I shouldn't have hung up so soon. But time is short. Black, black… Umu, this and this should do.
The outfit I selected was a large garment called a "parka." It has some strange English lettering on the chest, but the font is so distorted I cannot read it. I paired it with a waist-cloth called a "mini-skirt." The parka is so long it nearly hides the skirt entirely. As Tokoyami suggested, I chose black for both. I dislike baring my legs so shamelessly, but Himiko always seems pleased when I wear a skirt. This will have to suffice.
"You're black from head to toe… Did you pick this out yourself, Madoka-chan?"
"Not exactly. I didn't know what to do, so I asked Tokoyami."
"…Tokoyami-kun has no fashion sense."
You hear that, Tokoyami? Use this as an opportunity to polish your "fashion sense." And your reaction was quite lukewarm, Himiko. I shall remember this, bird-brain. I won't forgive you.
"Mmm… well… it has a 'boyish' feel to it, I suppose. It's… actually a little cute?"
"Is that so? Then this is fine?"
"…From now on, I am choosing your clothes. Madoka-chan, please never ask Tokoyami-kun for fashion advice ever again."
"O-Oh… very well."
It was a failure. Tokoyami's sense of style did not meet Himiko's approval. I looked at the girl standing before me; I couldn't quite grasp her outfit either.
I believe she is wearing a "tight skirt" and a "blouse." It has short sleeves and things called "frills" attached to it.
I don't intend to choose my own clothes again, but if the occasion arises, perhaps I should just mimic Himiko. Then I shouldn't look too strange.
In any case, I am going out with Himiko today. I haven't been told where, but it feels like a long time since we've had an outing like this. Was the hot spring trip the last time?
I hope she can truly relax today. She has been working so hard on chores and her studies; surely she is allowed a day of play.
"Here. Your hand."
"Fufu. Yes."
We interlaced our fingers, as we always do. Himiko and I began walking toward the nearest station. Come to think of it, where exactly are we going?
Well, it doesn't matter. As long as she is smiling, I am content. She looks so happy just walking hand-in-hand like this; perhaps I should invite her on more "dates."
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