Infinite Stratos - Volume 7, page 15
"You like?"
"Y-Yes...I like..."
"Is that so—"
...Huh? Kanzashi stopped in her tracks.
She thought through it carefully again.
They talked about anime.
↓
Do you like it?
↓
Yes, I do.
↓
Is that so—
...Huh, huh, huh? That-That means...
"Did he just ask me, whether, I like...anime, or something...?"[7D 18]
There was no assumption. That was what he basically asked.
"U~!!!!!!"
Feeling like she wanted to find a hole to hide in, Kanzashi again ran forward.
◆
"Haa..."
It was a switched-off setting now. In the Middle School Student Council Office Section of Saint Marianne Academy.
Ran was dressed in the basic black uniform, and it was the 17th time she sighed today.
Though she was sitting in the Chairman's position, she sprawled her body on the table.
"What's wrong, Kaichou?"[7D 19]
"Why are you so lifeless? Today's the School Anniversary, you know?"
Some of Ran's classmates and friends from the Student Council surrounded her worriedly.
Ran spoke weakly as if her soul was coming out.
"The one I invited..."
"OOH! Who who who? Who did you get? What's his name!?"
"It's not that..."
"Then—what happened to the guy you invited?"
"He's late..."
Haa. She sighed again.
"Huh, what's wrong with that? Just wait."
"It's not that he's not coming, right?"
"That's true..."
"How long will he be late?"
"Two hours."
This means that they couldn't go on the shopping trip in the morning.
"Isn't it okay to go in the afternoon? There's still 3 hours left before the School Festival closes."
"Isn't that too short? A little longer, even till night. Maybe we can raise a campfire."
"Nope, that's impossible. The Festival Rules are part of the School Rules, they're really strict."
"Yeah..."
Haa...she sighed again.
It couldn't be helped, but Ran didn't give up as she opened her phone's mailbox again.
"Sorry. I'll be late due to school circumstances. Most likely, I'll be there at around 12."
(Uu, I thought we could go out in the morning...)
But if he arrived around 12, it would suit her, wouldn't it?
They'd be seen if they were to eat lunch with everyone on the rooftop.
(In that case, ehehe...there'll be rumors of him being my boyfriend. Just like that...)
Yay~ Just when Ran was lost in her thoughts, the phone again let out a *Bzzt* sound.
"Mail...? Ah!"
It's from Ichika-san! Ran forcefully swallowed her words before she said that out.
Ran never told anyone that she'd invited someone, no matter how close that person was. It's a secret amongst secrets.
(Wha-What's wrong? Will he be here earlier than expected?)
Her heart beating even faster, Ran pressed the phone, and the phone showed the content of the mail.
«Sorry, the investigation will last into the afternoon. About 2 hours later.»
...
"Huh?"
Unable to understand the situation, Ran instantly stopped thinking.
(What's this investigation...? And, he's going to be even later...)
And most glaringly were the words 'Two Hours'.
If the estimated time's changed from 12 to 2, there's only 1 hour to go out.
And if there's one hour left, it means they'll be starting to pack up.
Ran stared at the phone blankly, tears welling up in her eyes.
(Ichika-san, you...Ichika-san, you...)
*GANK!* She lifted her head up.
"IDDDDDIIIIIIIIOOOOOTTTTTT!!!"
◆
"Haa...Haa...Haa..."
I ran full sprint from the station, and finally got to the entrance of Saint Marianne School.
It's now 2pm sharp.
I hurriedly pulled my phone out and called Ran.
*Duruuu*...*duruuu*...
(Huuh? She isn't picking up?)
That's strange. Though I wanted to hang up and see if I mistook it for the wrong person, the screen clearly showed the name 'Gotanda Ran'.
"..."
--Ah.
Just when I stepped through the entrance, I saw Ran sitting at the bench at the entrance below the [Maiden's Statue] in a lonely manner.
"Hey, Ran~, Heeey!!"
"..."
On hearing my voice, she lifted her head up.
--Humph.
"What?"
Ran turned around and walked away quickly.
"Hey, hey! Ran! What's with you!?"
Just when I wanted to chase after her, a female in nun habit came to stop me.
"Did you bring an invitational ticket along?"
"Ah, I did. Erm..."
I searched through my pockets.
I ran all the way here from IS Academy, so the stuff in my pockets were all crumpled. The nun looked at the invitational ticket and stared at me suspiciously.
She continued to look at me for 2 minutes with an expression like she was watching a suspect's expression.
"Then, welcome."
After getting the ticket back from the nun, I ran off to chase after Ran.
"Don't run in the school!"
"So-Sorry!"
The nun scolded me angrily.
Can't be helped then. I could only walk briskly to chase after her.
"This is hard..."
However, I could only see female students of Saint Marianne Academy dressed in black blazers in the School Festival, and lost Ran completely.
(And there's a strange look from just now...)
Looking around, I found many groups of threes, fours looking at me from afar.
(Ahh, am I treated as some sort of mystical beast here...)
Haa. I sighed. Now what do I do?
"Hey hey. Isn't that guy pretty good looking?"
"Yeah yeah! Just one guy?"
"But I think we've seen him before, right?"
"Ah! That person! Look! It's Orimura Ichika! Didn't he appear on TV before?"
"Huh!? Why—Why!?"
"He took someone's invitational ticket in, right? But there's only one."
"Let's-Let's go and talk to him..."
"Ah! He's walking over here!"
The noisy girls were raising a commotion. I felt somewhat nervous and approached the nearest group of girls.
"Well, if you excuse me?"
"""YES! ANYTHING WILL DO!"""
Their voices overlapped.
Wha-What's going on? What's with you people?
"Well, you're all from the same middle school, so do you know Gotanda Ran? She should be the Student Council President or something."
"Ye-Yes! We do!"
"Do you know where she is now? She didn't pick up my call."
"Wh-Who! Who knows?"
Well, normally speaking, that should be the typical response.
Can't be helped then. I'll check out where the Student Council office is and look over there.
"Well, if possible, can you follow us and sightsee the School Festival?"
"Huh?"
*Jiii*—
(What's wrong? Why do I feel that someone's glaring at me?)
It's not some girl's curious stare, but I do feel a powerful stare with intent aimed at the back of my head.
(Don't tell me...)
Suddenly, I formulated a plan and said loudly so that the person who was staring could hear me.
"YEAH! THE PERSON WHO INVITED ME DIDN'T SHOW UP! I'LL GO OUT WITH YOU PEOPLE THEN!"
"RE-REALLY!?"
The expressions of the trio of girls in front of me glowed radiantly...uu, I feel guilty.
"Ahhh~"
*DADADADA*—a girl came running over—it's Ran.
"I-ICHIKA-SAN! WHY DID YOU KEEP ME WAITING! THEN, LET'S GO! THERE'S NOT MUCH TIME LEFT!"
Ran forcefully tugged at me and pulled me away from the group of girls. As expected, the one who was glaring at me was Ran.
For some reason, it seems that she was looking at me from the shadows.
I palmed my hands together to apologize to the girls.
"..."
Ran pulled my arm and walked away fast.
After I entered the school campus, she never stopped to break the silence.
"Ran. Hey—Heeyy..."
"..."
"Are you still angry about me being late? I'm sorry."
"It's nothing. It's not about that..."
I thought that she finally decided to speak up after much difficulty, but she pouted her face and started muttering.
On a side note, the programs and performances of IS Academy and Saint Marianne Academy, which are both all-girls schools, feel similar.
(But this school feels somewhat more historic compared to IS Academy with its brand new facilities.)
The windows are as tall as the church, and the sunlight shone in brightly.
The floor and walls are all a simple cream-color, giving off a stern feeling.
"Wa, Gotanda-san got a boyfriend!"
"So good—I'm so envious—"
"That super-strict Gotanda-san!"
The conversations of the girls I passed by entered my ears...haa, girls really like to talk about such things.
"Ah, there's takoyaki[7D 20]. Do you want some, Ran? My treat."
"...Crepes."
"Huh?"
"Crepes are better."
"Ohh, is that so? We'll go to the crepes shop then."
Maybe it's just me, but with everyone looking at us like that, Ran seemed to feel better.
"Speaking of which, Ran, it's about time to let your hand go."
"No, no!"
"Huh? Why?"
"Because...I-Ichika-san, you never looked like you wanted to reflect on being late!"
"No, that can't be helped—"
"Yo-You're not a guy if you don't reflect on it!"
Uu, that's really cruel.
"This-This is to make Ichika-san reflect on this."
As she said that, she let my hand go, and then held my wrist again.
Hm? Why must I reflect on this? That's weird.
"The-Then. Let's go."
Suddenly becoming really stiff, Ran's knees felt like Tin plate soldiers that couldn't bend their knees as she kicked her steps.
"..."
"Ran?"
"Ye-Yes!?"
"Why do I feel that you're forcing it?"
"That's not true!"
Really? That's suspicious.
"Hmm—then, let's check out the crepes shop."
"O-Okay!"
I don't know when Ran's mood improved completely as she smiled radiantly like the sun.
One hour before the School Festival ended, I got dragged around on the wrist by Ran.
◆
"I'm really sorry, but our restaurant can't allow you to enter like this."
"...Huh?"
I'm at the restaurant on the highest level of the [Teresa] Hotel, and the slightly old waiter's blocking me outside.
"Huh, no, but...how do I get in?"
"Yes, please put on a suit or a tuxedo."
"No, I don't really have that..."
That's...not good, not good at all. Couldn't I enter with just a ticket? You should have explained it to me properly...Mayuzumi sisters...
"Dear customer, you can get one from the shops on level 3. How about you check it out?"
"Erm, if I may ask, how much is the cheapest suit?"
"Yes...about 100,000 yen."
Guaaa! That wasn't a fee a high school student could take.
Speaking of which, what happened to Houki? Seems like she couldn't go in too if she wasn't in a dress...
"What's wrong?"
A clear voice could be heard from behind me.
Just when I was about to ask what was going on, there was a woman in a dress behind me.
"This is...Miss Meusel."
The waiter bowed to her respectfully.
On a side note, this woman has flowing long hair, is extremely tall, huge breasts, a slender waist and a beautiful hip curve. She's really a beauty.
She's dressed beautifully in a purple dress, giving off an adult charm all over.
"Is there a problem?"
"No, this customer's attire doesn't match the dress code, so he's not allowed to enter."
"Can't he go in? That's pitiful."
"Even if you request it, Miss Meusel, I'm really sorry..."
"Fuu, can't be helped then."
This woman—Meusel-san scratched her chin and turned to me.
"Shall we go?"
"Huh? Where...are we going?"
"The suit shop. I'll get one for you."
"Huh...Huuh!? Ho-How-How can I do that?"
"I can. It's my interest to give young boys gifts."
What kind of interest is that?
Just when I thought about that, she suddenly grabbed my wrist.
"Hey, Mister, where's the suit shop?"
"Level 3."
"Thank you."
Huh? Huh? Huh?
"Er-Erm—"
"Fufu♪"
Before I could say anything, she moved off first to stop my movements.
This sudden development is like a sudden downpour.
...
......
.........
"Ohh, it really suits you."
"Tha-Thank you..."
The extremely expensive suits were all lined up in the shop. I'm feeling nervous since it's my first time wearing a tuxedo.
(But, well, isn't this way too expensive...?)
I wanted to peek at the price tag, but Meusel-san spotted me.
However, it feels like there're 5 zeros on the price tag.
"Er-Erm— I still can't accept this."
"Are you still worried? What a cute kid."
"No, even though you gave this to me earnestly, there's no reason to help me out that much..."
"Ara, do I need a reason to help others?"
I got pressurized by the bewitching smile of Meusel-san, and became completely speechless.
"Huh, eeermm..."
--Not good. My heart's racing for some reason. *DOKI* *DOKI*
"Yes. If I really have to say the reason, it's to satisfy myself, I guess?"
"Satisfy...?"
"That's right, satisfaction. Satisfied that a penniless kid would take me. I can feel superior and honorable, right?"
Meusel-san blinked at me. It seemed that I never thought of this before.
It's just, basically, to help me when I'm in trouble, right?
Whether it's grace or bust, this woman in front of me has them big. I'm somewhat moved.
(Is this the so-called 'beautiful woman'[7D 21]?)
Just when I thought about this, my heart pounded faster again.
"Ah, look. Your tie's all crooked."
After she said that, I wanted to adjust it myself, but Meusel-san was faster than me and reached out to straighten my tie.
"Tha-Thanks..."
"Yes. That'll be perfect. Then, next is—"
"Miss Meusel. The package you ordered has arrived."
"Ah, perfect timing."
Speaking of which, I suddenly remembered that she called someone when she entered the changing room.
And now, a florist with an apron walked into the shop.
As for why I knew he's a florist, it's because he's holding a bouquet of roses.
"Thank you. The bill will be charged to the same place."
"Yes. We look forward to your next order."
The shop attendant of the flower shop bowed respectfully and went back.
Meusel-san took a whiff off the bouquet of flowers, and nodded her head.
"Nice roses. Then, here you go."
"Huh?"
She handed me the bouquet of flowers.
There are about 20 roses, and I felt that it was somewhat heavy.
"Your partner for dinner, you kept her waiting, right? You can't be called a gentleman if you don't bring a few over."
"Is-Is that so..."
"Then, go to the restaurant. Don't keep the girl waiting. Girls can spend time on this world at twice the speed of guys."
"The-Then, I'll pay for the bouquet and the suit. Please tell me how to contact you."
I still can't accept that I didn't need to pay for this, and so I asked this for the fifth time.
But I saw Meusel-san maintain her smile, waving her hand and telling me 'No need, hurry up and go'.
(Uuu, what do I do now...)
Just when I was troubled, I glanced at the watch—WAIT, IT'S ALMOST PAST AN HOUR ALREADY!?"
"Than-Thank you very much! I'll go off first, so thank you very much!"
"I'll take your thanks then."
"Finally, just your name, or full name. Can you tell me?"
Meusel-san smiled and told me her name.
"Squall. Squall Meusel."
Squall-san, is it? I'll definitely not forget about that.
"Thank you very much! And goodbye!"
"Yes. Goodbye, Orimura Ichika-kun."
I hurried to the restaurant, taking care not to let my suit crumple.
--Huh?
"Did-Did she just say my name...?"
Just when I was thinking about this, the elevator arrived.
Ah! Got to get to Houki fast!
◆
"..."
At the most inner table of the restaurant, sitting at that place and looking down at the night scenery was a restless Houki.
The reason she was anxious is the clothing she's wearing now.
"Our shop requires females to wear dresses."
Having been told to do that, Houki could only borrow a dress from the shop. As expected of female superiority in today's society. Men would be told to go buy it, and women can borrow the dresses inside the shop.
(It-It's not too weird, right?)
Houki was wearing a white dress, and the luxury showed more of the refined lady's image.
The last time she wore a dress was while doing the Cinderella fight during the school festival.
During that time, she was so focused on the right to live with Ichika that she didn't realize that the light and fluffy thing called a dress wouldn't calm her heart down.
(As expected, the kimono's still the best.)
That high performance costume's Number 1 in the world, at least for me.
Just when Houki was thinking about this, a voice came from behind, calling her.
"Sorry for being late, Houki."
"Y-Yes...I like..."
"Is that so—"
...Huh? Kanzashi stopped in her tracks.
She thought through it carefully again.
They talked about anime.
↓
Do you like it?
↓
Yes, I do.
↓
Is that so—
...Huh, huh, huh? That-That means...
"Did he just ask me, whether, I like...anime, or something...?"[7D 18]
There was no assumption. That was what he basically asked.
"U~!!!!!!"
Feeling like she wanted to find a hole to hide in, Kanzashi again ran forward.
◆
"Haa..."
It was a switched-off setting now. In the Middle School Student Council Office Section of Saint Marianne Academy.
Ran was dressed in the basic black uniform, and it was the 17th time she sighed today.
Though she was sitting in the Chairman's position, she sprawled her body on the table.
"What's wrong, Kaichou?"[7D 19]
"Why are you so lifeless? Today's the School Anniversary, you know?"
Some of Ran's classmates and friends from the Student Council surrounded her worriedly.
Ran spoke weakly as if her soul was coming out.
"The one I invited..."
"OOH! Who who who? Who did you get? What's his name!?"
"It's not that..."
"Then—what happened to the guy you invited?"
"He's late..."
Haa. She sighed again.
"Huh, what's wrong with that? Just wait."
"It's not that he's not coming, right?"
"That's true..."
"How long will he be late?"
"Two hours."
This means that they couldn't go on the shopping trip in the morning.
"Isn't it okay to go in the afternoon? There's still 3 hours left before the School Festival closes."
"Isn't that too short? A little longer, even till night. Maybe we can raise a campfire."
"Nope, that's impossible. The Festival Rules are part of the School Rules, they're really strict."
"Yeah..."
Haa...she sighed again.
It couldn't be helped, but Ran didn't give up as she opened her phone's mailbox again.
"Sorry. I'll be late due to school circumstances. Most likely, I'll be there at around 12."
(Uu, I thought we could go out in the morning...)
But if he arrived around 12, it would suit her, wouldn't it?
They'd be seen if they were to eat lunch with everyone on the rooftop.
(In that case, ehehe...there'll be rumors of him being my boyfriend. Just like that...)
Yay~ Just when Ran was lost in her thoughts, the phone again let out a *Bzzt* sound.
"Mail...? Ah!"
It's from Ichika-san! Ran forcefully swallowed her words before she said that out.
Ran never told anyone that she'd invited someone, no matter how close that person was. It's a secret amongst secrets.
(Wha-What's wrong? Will he be here earlier than expected?)
Her heart beating even faster, Ran pressed the phone, and the phone showed the content of the mail.
«Sorry, the investigation will last into the afternoon. About 2 hours later.»
...
"Huh?"
Unable to understand the situation, Ran instantly stopped thinking.
(What's this investigation...? And, he's going to be even later...)
And most glaringly were the words 'Two Hours'.
If the estimated time's changed from 12 to 2, there's only 1 hour to go out.
And if there's one hour left, it means they'll be starting to pack up.
Ran stared at the phone blankly, tears welling up in her eyes.
(Ichika-san, you...Ichika-san, you...)
*GANK!* She lifted her head up.
"IDDDDDIIIIIIIIOOOOOTTTTTT!!!"
◆
"Haa...Haa...Haa..."
I ran full sprint from the station, and finally got to the entrance of Saint Marianne School.
It's now 2pm sharp.
I hurriedly pulled my phone out and called Ran.
*Duruuu*...*duruuu*...
(Huuh? She isn't picking up?)
That's strange. Though I wanted to hang up and see if I mistook it for the wrong person, the screen clearly showed the name 'Gotanda Ran'.
"..."
--Ah.
Just when I stepped through the entrance, I saw Ran sitting at the bench at the entrance below the [Maiden's Statue] in a lonely manner.
"Hey, Ran~, Heeey!!"
"..."
On hearing my voice, she lifted her head up.
--Humph.
"What?"
Ran turned around and walked away quickly.
"Hey, hey! Ran! What's with you!?"
Just when I wanted to chase after her, a female in nun habit came to stop me.
"Did you bring an invitational ticket along?"
"Ah, I did. Erm..."
I searched through my pockets.
I ran all the way here from IS Academy, so the stuff in my pockets were all crumpled. The nun looked at the invitational ticket and stared at me suspiciously.
She continued to look at me for 2 minutes with an expression like she was watching a suspect's expression.
"Then, welcome."
After getting the ticket back from the nun, I ran off to chase after Ran.
"Don't run in the school!"
"So-Sorry!"
The nun scolded me angrily.
Can't be helped then. I could only walk briskly to chase after her.
"This is hard..."
However, I could only see female students of Saint Marianne Academy dressed in black blazers in the School Festival, and lost Ran completely.
(And there's a strange look from just now...)
Looking around, I found many groups of threes, fours looking at me from afar.
(Ahh, am I treated as some sort of mystical beast here...)
Haa. I sighed. Now what do I do?
"Hey hey. Isn't that guy pretty good looking?"
"Yeah yeah! Just one guy?"
"But I think we've seen him before, right?"
"Ah! That person! Look! It's Orimura Ichika! Didn't he appear on TV before?"
"Huh!? Why—Why!?"
"He took someone's invitational ticket in, right? But there's only one."
"Let's-Let's go and talk to him..."
"Ah! He's walking over here!"
The noisy girls were raising a commotion. I felt somewhat nervous and approached the nearest group of girls.
"Well, if you excuse me?"
"""YES! ANYTHING WILL DO!"""
Their voices overlapped.
Wha-What's going on? What's with you people?
"Well, you're all from the same middle school, so do you know Gotanda Ran? She should be the Student Council President or something."
"Ye-Yes! We do!"
"Do you know where she is now? She didn't pick up my call."
"Wh-Who! Who knows?"
Well, normally speaking, that should be the typical response.
Can't be helped then. I'll check out where the Student Council office is and look over there.
"Well, if possible, can you follow us and sightsee the School Festival?"
"Huh?"
*Jiii*—
(What's wrong? Why do I feel that someone's glaring at me?)
It's not some girl's curious stare, but I do feel a powerful stare with intent aimed at the back of my head.
(Don't tell me...)
Suddenly, I formulated a plan and said loudly so that the person who was staring could hear me.
"YEAH! THE PERSON WHO INVITED ME DIDN'T SHOW UP! I'LL GO OUT WITH YOU PEOPLE THEN!"
"RE-REALLY!?"
The expressions of the trio of girls in front of me glowed radiantly...uu, I feel guilty.
"Ahhh~"
*DADADADA*—a girl came running over—it's Ran.
"I-ICHIKA-SAN! WHY DID YOU KEEP ME WAITING! THEN, LET'S GO! THERE'S NOT MUCH TIME LEFT!"
Ran forcefully tugged at me and pulled me away from the group of girls. As expected, the one who was glaring at me was Ran.
For some reason, it seems that she was looking at me from the shadows.
I palmed my hands together to apologize to the girls.
"..."
Ran pulled my arm and walked away fast.
After I entered the school campus, she never stopped to break the silence.
"Ran. Hey—Heeyy..."
"..."
"Are you still angry about me being late? I'm sorry."
"It's nothing. It's not about that..."
I thought that she finally decided to speak up after much difficulty, but she pouted her face and started muttering.
On a side note, the programs and performances of IS Academy and Saint Marianne Academy, which are both all-girls schools, feel similar.
(But this school feels somewhat more historic compared to IS Academy with its brand new facilities.)
The windows are as tall as the church, and the sunlight shone in brightly.
The floor and walls are all a simple cream-color, giving off a stern feeling.
"Wa, Gotanda-san got a boyfriend!"
"So good—I'm so envious—"
"That super-strict Gotanda-san!"
The conversations of the girls I passed by entered my ears...haa, girls really like to talk about such things.
"Ah, there's takoyaki[7D 20]. Do you want some, Ran? My treat."
"...Crepes."
"Huh?"
"Crepes are better."
"Ohh, is that so? We'll go to the crepes shop then."
Maybe it's just me, but with everyone looking at us like that, Ran seemed to feel better.
"Speaking of which, Ran, it's about time to let your hand go."
"No, no!"
"Huh? Why?"
"Because...I-Ichika-san, you never looked like you wanted to reflect on being late!"
"No, that can't be helped—"
"Yo-You're not a guy if you don't reflect on it!"
Uu, that's really cruel.
"This-This is to make Ichika-san reflect on this."
As she said that, she let my hand go, and then held my wrist again.
Hm? Why must I reflect on this? That's weird.
"The-Then. Let's go."
Suddenly becoming really stiff, Ran's knees felt like Tin plate soldiers that couldn't bend their knees as she kicked her steps.
"..."
"Ran?"
"Ye-Yes!?"
"Why do I feel that you're forcing it?"
"That's not true!"
Really? That's suspicious.
"Hmm—then, let's check out the crepes shop."
"O-Okay!"
I don't know when Ran's mood improved completely as she smiled radiantly like the sun.
One hour before the School Festival ended, I got dragged around on the wrist by Ran.
◆
"I'm really sorry, but our restaurant can't allow you to enter like this."
"...Huh?"
I'm at the restaurant on the highest level of the [Teresa] Hotel, and the slightly old waiter's blocking me outside.
"Huh, no, but...how do I get in?"
"Yes, please put on a suit or a tuxedo."
"No, I don't really have that..."
That's...not good, not good at all. Couldn't I enter with just a ticket? You should have explained it to me properly...Mayuzumi sisters...
"Dear customer, you can get one from the shops on level 3. How about you check it out?"
"Erm, if I may ask, how much is the cheapest suit?"
"Yes...about 100,000 yen."
Guaaa! That wasn't a fee a high school student could take.
Speaking of which, what happened to Houki? Seems like she couldn't go in too if she wasn't in a dress...
"What's wrong?"
A clear voice could be heard from behind me.
Just when I was about to ask what was going on, there was a woman in a dress behind me.
"This is...Miss Meusel."
The waiter bowed to her respectfully.
On a side note, this woman has flowing long hair, is extremely tall, huge breasts, a slender waist and a beautiful hip curve. She's really a beauty.
She's dressed beautifully in a purple dress, giving off an adult charm all over.
"Is there a problem?"
"No, this customer's attire doesn't match the dress code, so he's not allowed to enter."
"Can't he go in? That's pitiful."
"Even if you request it, Miss Meusel, I'm really sorry..."
"Fuu, can't be helped then."
This woman—Meusel-san scratched her chin and turned to me.
"Shall we go?"
"Huh? Where...are we going?"
"The suit shop. I'll get one for you."
"Huh...Huuh!? Ho-How-How can I do that?"
"I can. It's my interest to give young boys gifts."
What kind of interest is that?
Just when I thought about that, she suddenly grabbed my wrist.
"Hey, Mister, where's the suit shop?"
"Level 3."
"Thank you."
Huh? Huh? Huh?
"Er-Erm—"
"Fufu♪"
Before I could say anything, she moved off first to stop my movements.
This sudden development is like a sudden downpour.
...
......
.........
"Ohh, it really suits you."
"Tha-Thank you..."
The extremely expensive suits were all lined up in the shop. I'm feeling nervous since it's my first time wearing a tuxedo.
(But, well, isn't this way too expensive...?)
I wanted to peek at the price tag, but Meusel-san spotted me.
However, it feels like there're 5 zeros on the price tag.
"Er-Erm— I still can't accept this."
"Are you still worried? What a cute kid."
"No, even though you gave this to me earnestly, there's no reason to help me out that much..."
"Ara, do I need a reason to help others?"
I got pressurized by the bewitching smile of Meusel-san, and became completely speechless.
"Huh, eeermm..."
--Not good. My heart's racing for some reason. *DOKI* *DOKI*
"Yes. If I really have to say the reason, it's to satisfy myself, I guess?"
"Satisfy...?"
"That's right, satisfaction. Satisfied that a penniless kid would take me. I can feel superior and honorable, right?"
Meusel-san blinked at me. It seemed that I never thought of this before.
It's just, basically, to help me when I'm in trouble, right?
Whether it's grace or bust, this woman in front of me has them big. I'm somewhat moved.
(Is this the so-called 'beautiful woman'[7D 21]?)
Just when I thought about this, my heart pounded faster again.
"Ah, look. Your tie's all crooked."
After she said that, I wanted to adjust it myself, but Meusel-san was faster than me and reached out to straighten my tie.
"Tha-Thanks..."
"Yes. That'll be perfect. Then, next is—"
"Miss Meusel. The package you ordered has arrived."
"Ah, perfect timing."
Speaking of which, I suddenly remembered that she called someone when she entered the changing room.
And now, a florist with an apron walked into the shop.
As for why I knew he's a florist, it's because he's holding a bouquet of roses.
"Thank you. The bill will be charged to the same place."
"Yes. We look forward to your next order."
The shop attendant of the flower shop bowed respectfully and went back.
Meusel-san took a whiff off the bouquet of flowers, and nodded her head.
"Nice roses. Then, here you go."
"Huh?"
She handed me the bouquet of flowers.
There are about 20 roses, and I felt that it was somewhat heavy.
"Your partner for dinner, you kept her waiting, right? You can't be called a gentleman if you don't bring a few over."
"Is-Is that so..."
"Then, go to the restaurant. Don't keep the girl waiting. Girls can spend time on this world at twice the speed of guys."
"The-Then, I'll pay for the bouquet and the suit. Please tell me how to contact you."
I still can't accept that I didn't need to pay for this, and so I asked this for the fifth time.
But I saw Meusel-san maintain her smile, waving her hand and telling me 'No need, hurry up and go'.
(Uuu, what do I do now...)
Just when I was troubled, I glanced at the watch—WAIT, IT'S ALMOST PAST AN HOUR ALREADY!?"
"Than-Thank you very much! I'll go off first, so thank you very much!"
"I'll take your thanks then."
"Finally, just your name, or full name. Can you tell me?"
Meusel-san smiled and told me her name.
"Squall. Squall Meusel."
Squall-san, is it? I'll definitely not forget about that.
"Thank you very much! And goodbye!"
"Yes. Goodbye, Orimura Ichika-kun."
I hurried to the restaurant, taking care not to let my suit crumple.
--Huh?
"Did-Did she just say my name...?"
Just when I was thinking about this, the elevator arrived.
Ah! Got to get to Houki fast!
◆
"..."
At the most inner table of the restaurant, sitting at that place and looking down at the night scenery was a restless Houki.
The reason she was anxious is the clothing she's wearing now.
"Our shop requires females to wear dresses."
Having been told to do that, Houki could only borrow a dress from the shop. As expected of female superiority in today's society. Men would be told to go buy it, and women can borrow the dresses inside the shop.
(It-It's not too weird, right?)
Houki was wearing a white dress, and the luxury showed more of the refined lady's image.
The last time she wore a dress was while doing the Cinderella fight during the school festival.
During that time, she was so focused on the right to live with Ichika that she didn't realize that the light and fluffy thing called a dress wouldn't calm her heart down.
(As expected, the kimono's still the best.)
That high performance costume's Number 1 in the world, at least for me.
Just when Houki was thinking about this, a voice came from behind, calling her.
"Sorry for being late, Houki."
