Chapter 46: A Long-Awaited Break

A few days passed, and now that the chaos surrounding the Eden Treaty had finally settled down, I found myself with a rare day off. When I woke up that morning, I saw a message from Maiha on my phone…

"Do you want to go pick out some clothes? ^-^ I invited Masa-chan too, so if you can come, meet us at the main gate >ω<"

Oh—this is…! Girls’ shopping time. A spark of youth, an unmistakable aoharu moment. Things had finally calmed down, and I definitely wanted to go. Besides, with the Halo Grand Festival coming up soon, I really needed to recharge.

I replied that I’d head out right away, hurried to get ready, and made my way to the meeting point.

"Ah, Aika-chan~! Okay, let’s go right away~"

"We’re going clothes shopping, correct? I am quite looking forward to it."

The two of them were already waiting for me, and once they greeted me, they began walking toward the station area.

It had been a while since we last came to our usual shopping mall—things had been hectic with the Eden Treaty after all. The last time we were here, the security robots apparently went berserk, so hopefully nothing strange happens today.

"Okay, first we’re going this way~"

Following Maiha as she marched confidently ahead, we arrived at—

"Eh—this place is…"

"Mmhmm, it’s a lingerie shop~"

Wait—didn’t she say clothes? I glanced toward Masa, but she was staring blankly, clearly not a reliable ally here.

"Before clothes, I thought we should pick out underwear first~ Look, that one over there is super cute~"

I mean… it’s been a few years since I woke up in a girl’s body, so although it’s still a little embarrassing, I can handle coming here alone. But coming with friends for the first time… my face felt dangerously hot.

"M-Masa-san…?"

"Y-yes… well. I personally don’t mind either way…"

"Eeh~ let’s pick things out together~?"

She looked at us with pleading eyes, and refusing her felt far too cruel. So both Masa and I gave in and agreed to go along with Maiha.

We measured our sizes using one of those semi-automatic sizing machines most clothing stores have, and after Maiha tried to force frilly underwear onto Masa—who resisted desperately—we eventually gathered a good selection.

"It’s hard to find cute ones in big sizes, you know~ Hasumi-senpai is super, super big, right? I wonder how she manages~?"

"I-I wouldn’t know…"

I’m pretty average, so I’ve never had trouble picking underwear, but for Maiha—who’s generously sized in many ways—it seems to be a challenge. As for Hasumi… who knows.

"Oh! Look at this one! It’s so pure and elegant—I think it would look amazing on you, Aika-chan~!"

"R-really…?"

She was holding a pure white bodysuit-style lingerie piece, decorated with lace and frills. It was certainly beautiful. Whether it suits me… I’m not sure.

"Yep! It would totally suit you~! And Masa-chan, I’ll pick something for you too~"

"…I’m fine with something simple, all right?"

After purchasing the pieces we selected for each other, we moved on to looking at clothes.

"Aika-chan, since you have long, pretty hair, how about this~?"

What she held up was an off-shoulder two-piece: a white frilled blouse on top and a navy skirt below.

"Showing my shoulders is a little embarrassing… but I do think it’s nice."

"Then how about puff sleeves? I think they’d look great on you~"

"M-Maiha-san, how about this one for you?"

I suggested a black pencil skirt, a cream-colored sweater, and a matching black beret. Since Maiha is tall, a fitted skirt that highlights a feminine silhouette should suit her well.

"Ohh, I see. So it’s a cool, elegant vibe? Yeah, I love it, Aika-chan~"

Next was Masa. She was browsing by herself, but Maiha approached her holding a light pink blouse and a black high-waisted skirt—the kind commonly called a “maiden-killer outfit.”

"Masa-chan, this one!"

"I prefer pants over skirts… they’re more comfortable…"

To be honest, with her delicate frame and dark hair, she would look great in it. And, well… I kind of want to see her wear it.

"That is true… then how about this one?"

I picked up a pair of tartan-check culottes, a white shirt, a cardigan, and a bucket hat.

"Oh, this is pretty nice."

"Hey, what about mine—!?"

"Maiha, please stop trying to dress me in frilly outfits."

Hearing that, Maiha puffed her cheeks a little, clearly dissatisfied. “It would look so cute on you…” she muttered under her breath. Still, after browsing around, trying things on, and making our purchases, it was already past noon.

Our stomachs were growling, so we headed to the restaurant Maiha recommended… but—

"Haa… As expected of a Trinity restaurant. The prices are a bit steep, but the food and service are excellent. Quite a good place."

"Yeah, though the portions are a little lacking. But oh well☆"

…Oh no. Sitting at a table deep inside the restaurant were the four notorious members of the Gourmet Research Society—one of Gehenna’s most problematic groups. They were infamous enough that not only the Gehenna Prefect Team, but even our own Justice Task Force and other district security forces had dealt with them before.

"Hey, aren’t those…"

"Yes. Almost certainly the Gourmet Research Society. They’re wanted in Gehenna, and if they don’t like a restaurant, they blow it up…"

The restaurant hadn’t been blown up yet, and from their conversation, it didn’t seem they had any complaints. But still… I had no intention of eating while wondering whether an explosion might happen at any moment.

"Yeah, that’s true, but… that silver-haired girl—wasn’t she the one running that weirdly named food stand back at the beach?"

Silver-haired… that would be Izumi. We only saw her from a distance back then, so even if she saw us now, she probably wouldn’t notice.

"Um… I’m sorry, but… could we pick a different place?"

In emergencies they’re surprisingly reliable—at least according to what I knew from my previous life. But during normal daily life… they’re exactly the kind of people I’d rather stay far away from.

The three of us agreed instantly, and we quietly slipped out of the place. Instead, we chose a nearby traditional restaurant said to be run by someone who had trained in Hyakkiyako.

And while we were at it, I also reported the Gourmet Research Society’s location to the Justice Task Force. They weren’t causing trouble at the moment, but the response I got was that they would assign surveillance and keep an eye on them.

After filling our stomachs, we moved on to shopping for cosmetics and bath products. Maiha was in an especially cheerful mood today, and since she suggested it, we decided to buy matching items.

"Hehe, matching shampoo! I’ve always wanted to do this with friends~"

Her expression was so bright and happy that I could tell she truly enjoyed spending time with us. Though… one thing did catch my curiosity.

"Maiha, I thought you had many other friends besides us?"

Unlike me—naturally shy and not very social.

She smiled softly and answered.

"Yeah, I talk to lots of people, but the ones I hang out with over and over again like this… the only ones I’m really close with are Aika-chan and Masa-chan."

"Really?"

"Yep. You two are super important to me, you know?"

Being looked at so warmly was embarrassing—but nice.

"That is truly wonderful to hear. And of course, you two are precious to me as well."

Masa fell silent for a moment, then blushed and murmured, "You… should already know without me saying it…" So youthful and sweet… truly the essence of youth.

After that, we enjoyed the rest of our day, and once it was time, we returned to Trinity Academy and split up.

As for the Gourmet Research Society: although the restaurant Maiha wanted to visit ended up unharmed, a different coffee shop in Trinity wasn’t so lucky—they blew it up. However, since the Justice Task Force had been watching them, they were caught on the spot and handed over to the Prefect Team.

They really have no restraint, even outside their own district. Well… considering they once attacked Trinity’s aquarium to steal the Gold Maguro, I guess this isn’t surprising.