Chapter 121: Say I’m Cute

Reading Settings

Translator: Soafp

---

After leaving the café, Sora led Ginji to a city-run bicycle lot, where they parked the bike and boarded a bus.

The bus was about half full, but they were lucky enough to find two seats next to each other.

“Don't come around this way often. If I cross the river, I usually take the train.”

“Really? I come here pretty often for art school. It's not as busy as the city, but there are still a lot of nice shops. Ahh… this air conditioning feels so good.”

Sora sighed with relief at the cool air and tugged at her shirt collar to let air in, almost revealing her underwear. Ginji quickly looked away, but Sora didn't seem to notice. As Ginji wondered how to bring it up to Sora, who still acted like a boy in unexpected ways, she tilted her head up and looked at him.

“What's wrong?”

“You're a girl. You should be a little more careful.”

He pointed to her collar. Sora peeked inside, then leaned up to Ginji's ear and whispered,

“Today's underwear is cute… wanna see?”

“…Idiot.”

He flicked her forehead. Sora grinned mischievously, rubbing her forehead like a proud child whose prank had succeeded. Ginji turned his face away to hide his expression, and Sora gently leaned her head on his shoulder.

“So… where are we going?”

“A clothing store. There's a sports shop on the second floor, but they also sell small-sized coveralls. I go there now and then.”

For reference, Sora usually has to roll up the sleeves and cuffs on even those small-sized coveralls.

“They got work clothes and stuff too?”

“Um, yeah, last time I checked they did.”

From the way the conversation was going, Ginji assumed Sora was buying coveralls again and thought he'd get some work clothes for their art festival project. When they got off the bus and arrived at the store, they found banners everywhere and posters plastered across the entrance. The shop, just as Sora said, sold everything from work uniforms to judo outfits. Inside, it was practically a maze—there were fitting rooms all over, and the aisles were so narrow from the overload of stock that it was hard to walk.

“This way, this way. I want you to help me choose.”

“…I refuse.”

Ginji had expected coveralls, but Sora led him to a very colorful section, surrounded by what looked like college girls chatting excitedly as they browsed the racks.

It was, of course, the swimsuit section.

Only women were allowed to try things on. Men weren't permitted past the fitting area unless accompanying someone. To Ginji, it felt like hostile territory.

“…See, I only have the school-issued swimsuit. And it doesn't even fit anymore.”

She lifted her ch*st slightly from below, and despite her petite frame, her relatively full figure drew Ginji's eyes. Ever since she stopped flattening her chest to pass as a boy, she had grown a bit in just a few weeks. Sora might not be gaining height, but her body was in full adolescence.

“I mean, yeah, we're planning to go to the beach, but I don't know anything about girls' swimsuits.”

“Me neither. I tried shopping online, but there were too many things I didn't understand…”

She couldn't figure out how to match tops and bottoms, and since she had never bought anything but school swimsuits, her knowledge was basically on the same level as Ginji's.

“I wasn't even sure about the size charts. But there's no way I can shop for one by myself at a store! Still, I really want a cute swimsuit… Ginji, this is a serious wish!”

For Sora, who struggled with strangers, shopping in a store was terrifying—especially discussing swimsuits. She could have gone with Suzu, but deep down, she really wanted Ginji to pick one out for her. That was her maiden's heart speaking.

“…Still, it's a bit much…”

“But you said you'd do anything, right? A man doesn't go back on his word, does he?”

“…Fine.”

Clinging to him tearfully, Sora finally got Ginji to sigh and give in.

And so began a parade of Sora showing swimsuits to Ginji.

“What about this one?”

“Looks good.”

“And this?”

“I think it's fine.”

“This one?”

“Maybe something less revealing…”

“…Got it.”

Ginji gave the same vague approval for every one, but Sora's superhuman observation skills picked up on the nuances in his reactions and had a clear read on his preferences. She picked the top and bottom with the best reactions, confirmed the size, and went to the register without trying it on.

“You sure about the size?”

“It's adjustable, and I measured myself at home, so as long as I can check it in person, I'm fine without trying it on. Besides… you liked it.”

“…Yeah, I guess I did.”

Having just spent a stressful amount of time in the swimsuit section, Ginji was visibly spaced out.

“…Muuu.”

Sora puffed her cheeks in slight dissatisfaction at his lackluster reply.

“What is it?”

“Nothing… I'm just looking forward to the beach.”

“Yeah, me too.”

Afterward, Ginji bought his own work clothes, and they returned home. At Sora's place, the two of them chugged cold barley tea.

“Man, that hit the spot.”

“Right? Ginji, I need a few minutes to get ready, so just sit and relax, okay?”

“Huh? Ready for what?”

“Just wait. Have some fruit or something.”

She handed him some sliced apples and disappeared toward the bathroom. Ginji sat in the living room, confused, until he heard the sound of the shower running.

After a short while, the bathroom door opened.

“Ta-da!”

“Wha—!?”

Sora walked in wearing her new swimsuit. A white flared top and detachable yellow skirt-style bottoms—cute, but still revealing. Her hair had even been styled—she was clearly serious about this.

Blushing furiously but standing tall, Sora looked both embarrassed and proud. Wearing a swimsuit indoors felt somehow more intimate, like being in underwear, which added a strange realism. With Sora blushing like that, Ginji had no idea what to do.

“How do I look?”

“…It suits you.”

“Not that.”

Unable to make eye contact, Ginji got his cheeks squished by Sora as she turned his face to hers.

“Say I'm cute.”

“…You're cute.”

“Ehehe, I love you, Ginji.”

Ginji's feelings were so obvious that even someone less observant than Sora could see it. Satisfied, she exhaled and stood up. She pulled a small pouch from her bag.

“Thanks for helping me pick the swimsuit. Also… I have one more favor.”

She pulled out a leather choker.

“C-could you… put this on me?”

Still in her swimsuit, Sora—blushing all the way to her ears—held out the leather belt choker to Ginji.