Chapter 36: Shopping and Misunderstandings.
Rize Kamishiro stood in front of Kanzaki Ryoma, holding up a dress.
"How about this one?"
Kanzaki glanced at it.
"It looks good."
Rize nodded and picked up another.
"And this one?"
"It's also nice."
She narrowed her eyes.
"And this one?"
"It's fine."
After a few more half-hearted replies, Rize finally pouted.
"Are you even looking?"
Kanzaki blinked.
"I am."
"Then why do all your answers sound the same?"
Rize folded her arms.
"You're supposed to be my boyfriend, you know? At least pretend to care."
Kanzaki sighed.
"I'm just... not good at this stuff."
He scratched the back of his head.
"I don't even know how to pick my own clothes properly."
His wardrobe was mostly black and white, simply because it was easy.
How was he supposed to judge women's fashion?
Rize stared at him.
"You're a terrible fake boyfriend."
"...Yeah."
Kanzaki had no defense.
This was not on his skillset.
---
Meanwhile, outside the store, Touka Kirishima was passing by.
She wasn't alone.
Her best friend, Yoriko kuroiwa, walked beside her.
They were chatting normally until—
Touka froze.
She recognized the two figures inside.
Rize Kamishiro.
And Kanzaki Ryoma.
Touka's expression darkened.
"...Touka?"
Yoriko looked at her, confused.
Touka barely heard her.
"Sorry, Yoriko," she muttered.
"I just need to check something."
She quickly moved closer, finding a nearby bench to sit on—
Where she can get a clear view of the store.
...
What the hell was Rize doing with a human?
She knew Rize.
Rize played with her food.
She was not the type to keep humans around.
And yet—
Days had passed since Rize first approached Kanzaki.
He was still alive.
And now?
She was shopping with him?
None of this made sense.
---
[Inside the Store]
Back in the shop, Kanzaki finally gave a real answer.
"I think the white dress would look good on you," he said.
"Or maybe the purple one."
Rize raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
"White suits you," Kanzaki explained.
"And purple matches your hair and eyes."
Rize smiled.
"Alright, I'll try them both on."
She picked up the dresses and walked toward the fitting room.
---
Yoriko, still beside Touka, followed her gaze.
"Touka, is someone you know in that store?"
Touka hesitated—
Then nodded.
"See that purple-haired woman?" she said.
"And the guy with her?"
"Yeah!"
Yoriko's eyes widened.
"She's gorgeous!"
"And the boy's kinda handsome, too."
She turned back to Touka.
But then—
A realization hit her.
Her friend was staring a little too hard.
Wait...
Could it be—?
"Touka."
Yoriko leaned in.
"You like that guy, don't you?"
Touka froze.
"...Yes."
She answered automatically, too distracted to think.
And then—
She realized what she had just agreed to.
Wait. Wait. WAIT.
Her face turned bright red.
"N-No! That's not—! I wasn't paying attention! I don't like him!"
Yoriko grinned.
"Touka, explanation is covering up."
"And covering up means... it's true."
Touka wanted to die.
"It's really not!"
Touka tried to explain—
But Yoriko's face didn't change.
She had already decided.
Touka liked Kanzaki Ryoma.
And since he was currently shopping with another girl...
Touka was jealous.
That was the only explanation.
Touka buried her face in her hands.
She couldn't tell the truth.
She couldn't explain her real reason for watching.
Because that would mean explaining...
Everything.
---
[Inside the Store... Again]
Rize stepped out of the fitting room.
She spun around.
"So? How do I look?"
Kanzaki nodded.
"It looks good on you."
"Hmph."
Rize placed her hands on her hips.
"I suppose that's a better answer."
She smirked.
"See? You can do it if you try."
Kanzaki sighed.
This was exhausting.
But he wasn't annoyed.
If anything...
Rize seemed like she was having fun.
---
Meanwhile...
Yoriko was thinking very hard.
Touka had a crush.
And as her best friend, she had a duty.
She would support her.
And help her.
She just hoped that boy wasn't already dating the purple-haired girl.
Because if he wasn't—
She would help Touka steal him.
Touka felt Yoriko's gaze.
It made her nervous.
"What... are you thinking?" she asked slowly.
Yoriko smiled.
"Nothing, nothing~"
Touka didn't believe her.
But...
She was too exhausted to fight.
She had already lost.
There was no way she could convince Yoriko now.
She sighed.
"...I hate this."