Volume 1 - CH 6.4

Shopping with the Shimizu Sisters 4

“Can I see both of your outfits again before deciding?”

I decided to postpone the choice. In the end, I think my choice would be the same, but I wanted to make sure just one more time if possible.

“That’s right. That was the plan from the beginning. Let’s try them on again and then decide.”

“If you say so, I don’t mind.”

And so, the showdown moved on to the next round.

“I went first last time, so Kei will go first this time.”

“Got it. This time, I’ll go first.”

Shimizu-san closed the curtains again and started changing.

“Well, my victory is almost certain. What about you, Kei? Are you going to wear a mini-skirt? Even so, I think the impact will be somewhat lacking compared to the first mini-skirt he received from me.”

“Ai-san, when you say it like that, isn’t that a flag? “

If you confidently claim to win against your opponent like that, in the world of manga, it’s a straight path to defeat.

“Don’t worry, when it comes to someone like me, I take care of everything from manufacturing to breaking all flags of destruction.”

“If you’re going to break it, don’t create it in the first place.”

“Kei, have you finished getting dressed yet?”

“Yes.”

Upon hearing that, Shimizu-san opened the curtains slightly and peeked out with only her head visible.

“Why are you embarrassed? Oh, could it be that you’re wearing an outfit even more revealing than mine?”

“There’s no way that’s true. It’s just that I’m not used to wearing clothes like this.”

“You’re already wearing it. That’s fine. Come on, strike a pose!”

“H-hey!”

Ai-san snatched the curtains from Shimizu-san’s grasp and opened them.

Standing there was Shimizu-san in a pure white one-piece dress.

“What the…?”

Ai-san collapsed to her knees upon seeing Shimizu-san’s appearance.

“It’s a white one-piece dress with a simple design that doesn’t even expose the shoulders. But…That’s why it precisely highlights Kei’s good qualities so well. I must say, even though you’re my imōto, it’s quite commendable.”

“Why are you looking down on me? And… what do you think, Hondō… Hondō?”

“Ah, I’m sorry.”

I was taken aback. I was so captivated by Shimizu-san in her dress that I didn’t think about anything else.

“No need to apologize. So, what do you think?”

I quickly turned my mind into overdrive. However, no matter how much I thought, I couldn’t find the right words for Shimizu-san’s current state.

“I guess it doesn’t suit me… “

Shimizu-san’s expression carried a hint of sadness that she usually didn’t show.

Unable to bear seeing her like that, I instinctively spoke up.

“It suits you.”

“Hondō?”

“That dress suits you very well. Shimizu-san, you look beautiful.”

“Ugh, what are you saying… “

Shimizu-san’s expression changed. I could understand from that expression that she was no longer sad.

“That’s good, Kei. He says you’re beautiful.”

“Don’t repeat that.”

When I looked at Shimizu-san’s face again, I felt that it was slightly redder than usual.

I wondered if it took a lot of courage for Shimizu-san to show this outfit to others.

“Shimizu-san, your face is red, are you okay?”

“Whose fault do you think it is…”

“Kei is fine. She can’t show it in words, so her skin has become more honest.”

Ai-san answered Shimizu-san’s comment. I didn’t quite understand the latter part, but if Ai-san said she was okay, then it must be fine.

“Why are you talking nonsense? I’m going to change now.”

Saying that, Shimizu-san closed the curtain again.

“Oh, is it over already? I haven’t even taken a picture of Kei in the dress with my smartphone!”

Shimizu-san didn’t reply. After a while, the curtains opened again. There was Shimizu-san, who had returned to the boyish clothes she was wearing before she changed.

“Ah, it’s really back to normal. Even though it’s a rare opportunity to see Kei in a dress…”

Ai-san said as she wiped away her nonexistent tears.

“It’s your turn, Ai. Get dressed now.”

“I’ve had enough of this.”

Ai-san casually said that.

“Huh? “

“I surrender because I don’t feel like I can win against Kei’s overpowering dress. I give up!”

“Is that really okay with you?”

“Yeah! I’m completely satisfied just by seeing Kei in that dress, so I have no regrets!”

Indeed, Ai-san’s expression shows not a trace of regret.

“…I don’t feel like I’ve won.”

Shimizu-san said that while holding the dress and walked towards the cash register. After quickly finishing the payment, she returned to the fitting room where Ai-san and I were.

“Hey, Kei, did you buy that dress? “

“Yeah.”

“What? You should have told me earlier then. I cried for nothing earlier. Now I can see Kei wearing that dress anytime, anywhere!”

“Don’t say that. Besides, you weren’t crying in the first place. And I won’t be wearing this dress that frequently.”

Shimizu-san seemed genuinely taken aback. As I was thinking about that, our eyes briefly met.

“Do you have something to say to me too?”

“That dress looked very good on you, so I’m glad Shimizu-san liked it too.”

“Ugh, you always say things like that so naturally… Also, I didn’t buy it just because you said it suited me! Well, it doesn’t matter. I’ve already bought mine, so now I just have to wait for Ai to choose her clothes.”

“I’ve already decided too.”

“What? “

“I’m going to buy this! “

When I looked closely at Ai-san, she was hugging the cardigan she tried on earlier.

“Is that mini-skirt okay? “

“I discovered that wearing that would dangerously captivate all the men around, so I decided to pass on it this time.”

Ai-san looked at me and winked. At about the same time, Shimizu-san glared at me.

“Ahaha… “

Caught between the stares of the Shimizu sisters, all I could do was force a laugh.

“…If Ai is fine with it, then I’m fine too. Now that we’re done shopping, let’s leave.”

With these words from Shimizu-san, we left the store.

――Somehow, the image of Shimizu-san in the white dress remained vivid in my mind.