Chapter 11: A Mature Woman

"Wouldn't this look good on you, senpai?"

Kana-chan held up a light pink knit sweater and pressed it against me with a grin.

"Really?"

"Totally. Try it on."

"Okay."

I stepped into the fitting room, slipped off my jacket, and pulled on the light pink knit.

In the mirror, a cute girl stared back at me.

Knits are supposed to emphasize your chest, right? Yet, somehow, there was absolutely zero charm when I wore one. Kana-chan would look way better in it...

"What do you think?"

I pulled the curtain open and showed her.

"Senpai, you look adorable! It suits you perfectly!"

"Really? Then maybe I’ll buy it..."

I don’t really care about fashion, but if Kana-chan’s happy, that’s reason enough.

"Now, what kind of skirt should we match with that...? Meg-chan, can you handle a mini?"

Ah...

"I can, but I get cold easily..."

"Then maybe pair it with tights..."

Yeah... whatever. Doesn’t matter anyway.

It’s not like I ever pay attention to what I wear.

What really matters is Kana-chan’s smile.

Aren’t I kind of cool for thinking that?

By the time I got to the family restaurant, the three of them were already there waiting.

"Sorry I’m late."

"It’s fine, nya."

"...You’re not that late anyway."

"Yeah, pretty much."

Nyako seemed normal, but Shachou and Chihirocchi were giving me a thorough once-over.

"What’s up?"

"Hmm? You’re pretty dressed up today, nya."

Noticing their stares, Nyako glanced at my outfit too.

"I went shopping with Kana-chan yesterday. She picked these out for me. What do you think? Cute?"

"They suit you, nya. Super cute, nya. But aren’t you cold?"

Nyako’s gaze dropped to my legs.

"I thought so too, but tights are actually warmer than I expected. No way I’d go bare-legged, though."

Way too cold for that.

"Huh, maybe Tama could pull that off too, nya..."

"I think it’d look great."

"Ah, sit here, nya."

Nyako scooted over to make space for me.

"You guys sure can wear skirts that short. Even minis."

"True that."

Hmm?

"Well, Shachou’s tight skirt and Chihirocchi’s uniform are both short, right? Same idea."

Sometimes Shachou comes straight from work, and Chihirocchi still wears her school uniform.

"That’s different—those are just part of the job. Casual clothes are another story..."

"I get that. I can’t do it in casual wear either."

"Shachou’s older, so that makes sense, but Chihirocchi’s putting in effort, nya. Total gal."

True. It’d be weird for a gal not to wear skirts.

"Really? Why are you two okay with it, then?"

"Never really thought about it. Honestly, I don’t have the slightest interest in fashion. I just wear whatever makes Kana-chan happy."

"Tama’s got to care about casual looks too, nya. You never know when you’ll get photographed, and looking lame’s a big no-no, nya."

"I see..."

Chihirocchi suddenly looked uneasy.

"Hey... am I really that old?"

Ah. Shachou looked genuinely hurt.

"You don’t really go for minis yourself, right? But you’re tall, and pants look amazing on you."

"Yeah, totally. You’ve got that cool vibe, nya."

"Not sure if that’s supposed to be a compliment."

"It is. I don’t feel happy being called cute either."

Whatever.

"I see..."

"Um... where do you guys usually buy your clothes?"

Chihirocchi asked timidly.

"I went to a shopping mall. But honestly, it’s better to go with a friend. Let’s be real—guys have zero sense for women’s fashion. Their judgment pretty much boils down to ‘sexy or not,’ right?"

"Still as shamelessly honest as ever, Eromi, but I can’t deny that one."

"Agreed, nya."

"Yeah, true..."

That’s just how guys are.

"So you should go with a high school girlfriend and have her help you pick something out. I had Kana-chan help me too. There’s a kind of fashion sense only girls understand, you know?"

Of course, guys have their own rules. What they think looks cool and what girls think looks cool are two totally different things.

"Got it! I'll do that!"

Chihirocchi nodded firmly.

"As expected from someone with a girlfriend."

"It’s different for non-virgins, nya. Right, Eromi-chan?"

You guys should hurry up and grow up too.

"It only hurts at first."

"I never thought I’d be the one begging you to put it in. And to a junior underclassman, no less..."