NOVEL NEXT chapter 25
25. Fashion Show
“Hey, Ryuusuke, what do you think?”
“Not bad, I think.”
“Then how about this one?”
“Yeah, not bad.”
“Geez. Your compliments are so clumsy! ‘Not bad’ is banned!”
“I’m, I’m sorry… it’s just a bit embarrassing.”
“Well, Ryuusuke, your face gives it away immediately, so I can tell without you saying anything. You thought it was cute just now, didn’t you?”
“…”
“Ah, you’re blushing again! Ryuusuke, you’re really easy to read!”
With that, Mashiro laughed innocently, and a fashion show was currently taking place in the fitting room of the clothing store.
For a while now, Mashiro had been trying on various outfits and showing them to me. Perhaps because she knew my preference leaned towards a neat and pure style, every outfit she showcased was pure and lovely.
The soft chiffon blouse and skirt combination she was wearing now was elegant and clean, with minimal exposure, yet it exuded a cute femininity.
Having recently dyed her hair black, the neat and delicate Mashiro looked incredibly good in the modest clothing. Moreover, her sense of fashion was exquisite; I could only describe each piece as wonderful. Well, I wasn’t even managing to compliment her in a typical way.
However, my favorite wasn’t any of the outfits she was trying on here, but rather the knee-length white dress that Mashiro had been wearing all day. That dress was truly adorable. It was angelically charming, and I was overwhelmed by the urge to hug her.
Passersby were captivated by Mashiro in her white dress, and I found myself repeatedly having to ward off men who attempted to approach her.
The world’s strongest beauty isn’t just for show.
If Mashiro passed by a thousand men, all of them would turn to look at her—her cuteness was at an unbeatable level. It was a moment of superiority knowing that I, the antagonist, was able to monopolize such a beauty, overshadowing the protagonist, Fusegawa Yorito.
With that, it seemed that Mashiro behind the curtain had finished changing again.
When the curtain opened, Mashiro spun around on the spot.
Her soft black hair floated gently, and the frilly pure white skirt spread out like a flower in full bloom. Her star-like sparkling blue eyes gazed directly at me, and I couldn’t help but gasp.
The scene was so fantastical, so unreal, that it felt as if I were inside a painting, it was that beautiful.
She was wearing the white dress that I thought was the best, and it truly was special, radiating the brightest glow of all the Mashiro I had seen.
As I was lost in admiration and speechless, Mashiro wore a mischievous grin and said, “Looks like Ryuusuke really likes this outfit the most. Your reaction is completely different from before.”
Although I hadn’t said a word, it seemed Mashiro was right; my emotions were easily read on my face. She had accurately guessed that her dress was my favorite, and my cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
Seeing my reaction, Mashiro smiled contentedly and placed all the clothes she had tried on into the shopping basket.
“It seems like the other clothes were to your liking too, so I’ll buy them all. I’ve decided to only wear this dress on special occasions with you!”
“You’re buying all of them? Um… there are quite a few, huh?”
“Well, you know, I’ve only ever worn gal-like clothes until now, right? So I don’t have any neat and pure outfits. The only dress I could get before our date was this one, so I plan to stock up on more for our outings from now on!”
“I see. So you’re in the same situation as me.”
“In the same situation as you… about clothes? Ah. Y-yeah. There was something I’ve been meaning to say about your clothes, Ryuusuke, but your style has changed, hasn’t it?”
While fiddling with her long hair with her fingertips, Mashiro continued speaking. For some reason, her face was bright red, and her gaze was wandering somewhere.
“Y-you used to wear clothes that were kind of yankee-ish, or a bit bad-boyish, right?”
That was true. For the original Shindou Ryuusuke before my reincarnation, that was the norm. I had been thorough in maintaining my appearance as an antagonist, not just on the inside but on the outside as well.
“B-but now! Your current outfit is refreshing and clean, and it’s… um, that—”
The face of Mashiro, who was hesitating to speak, turned increasingly red.
With her ears flushed and fidgeting, she mustered her courage and conveyed her feelings in words.
“—You look really good in it, and I think you’re cool. No, not just cool, you’re super cool.”
“…”
Hearing her words made my own face heat up to the ears. However, I couldn’t look away; Mashiro’s clear, translucent blue eyes captured my heart and wouldn’t let go.
“You know, I actually wanted to tell you that when we met at the meeting spot. Ryusuke, you’re so cool… But, ahaha… I was too shy to say it. You’re just too cool. I couldn’t find the right compliments, and I might not even be able to now.”
Hiding her embarrassment, Mashiro spoke quickly, then looked down again. But seeing her like that made me happy; she felt the same way about me.
Then Mashiro bravely shared her thoughts. If she could do that, then I too had to express my feelings for her.
I took a deep breath and slowly wove my feelings into words.
“Actually, Mashiro… I feel the same way. When I saw you waiting at the station, I thought you were incredibly cute. And I couldn’t approach you right away; I was mesmerized. So, even though it’s taken me this long… you in that white dress is the cutest… yes.”
My face turned bright red from embarrassment as I scratched my cheek. But I finally managed to convey it; I could compliment Mashiro.
Mashiro showed a moment of surprise at my words, but then she smiled innocently and cutely. That smile radiated the brightest light I had ever seen, and I was once again captivated by her beauty.
“Ryusuke, you know, your face shows what you want to say, so I understood everything. But hearing you say it makes all the difference. Hehe, I’m so happy my heart is going crazy!”
As she said this, she placed her hand on her chest to feel her heartbeat. I too pressed down on my heart, which was racing just like hers, feeling like it might burst.
Then we looked into each other’s eyes. After that, Mashiro took my hand.
It was a soft, small hand.
Mashiro gazed straight into my eyes with her clear blue ones, smiled gently, and said,
“Then it’s my turn to choose your clothes, Ryusuke. You don’t have anything to wear, right? Let’s pick together, and make you even cooler!”
“Thanks, Mashiro. It’s reassuring to hear you say that. So, I’m counting on you.”
“Okay! Leave it to me!”
From then on, we held hands, laughed together, and spent a joyful and happy time.