Chapter 35

Chapter 35

When I got home from school, I found a small package placed in front of the entrance.

“Huh? What’s this?”

After stepping into my room and checking the sender, I noticed the familiar logo of a game company. No way, I thought as I quickly opened the box. Inside was a cosplay outfit of a female game character, along with a slip of paper that read, [Congratulations on winning!].

Seriously? I actually won this…?

I instinctively held my head in my hands. That’s right. A few months ago, in a late-night haze, I had entered a giveaway with the not-so-pure motive of seeing Misaki wear this someday.

Back then, I never imagined things would turn out like this. Misaki and I had already broken up. What was I even supposed to do with this outfit now…?

Well, I guess I could just keep it as a memento and stash it away in the closet…

Just as I was about to put it away, I heard the sound of the front door opening.

“I’m home, Kazuya-kun.”

With a shopping bag in one hand, Rinka cheerfully stepped inside.

“Welcome back. What’s that?”

“Oh, this? It’s a cake to celebrate you getting second place on the finals.”

With a cool, refreshing smile, Rinka said that as she headed to the kitchen. As I watched her take out an elegant-looking cake from the bag, I hurriedly tried to hide the cosplay outfit somewhere out of sight.

“Since it’s a special occasion, we have to celebrate. Come on, Kazuya-kun, take a seat.”

“Uh… yeah.”

Just as I was about to sit down, something suddenly crossed my mind.

“I’ll do whatever you say.”

That promise. Right now, no matter what I asked, Rinka wouldn’t refuse.

But… was I really going to ask her to wear this outfit? Seriously?

Moreover, this outfit left an absurd amount of skin exposed.

Even Rinka might be seriously put off by this… right?

“Kazuya-kun?”

Rinka’s clear, composed voice pulled me back to reality.

“Come to think of it, you made me promise to do whatever you ask, right? What do you want me to do?”

It felt like her words gave me a little push forward. I let out a small breath and hesitantly held out the cosplay outfit to her.

“Then… could you wear this?”

“…Eh?”

Rinka froze for a moment as she took the outfit. With a puzzled expression, she held it up in front of her.

“Why is something like this… here?”

“Ah, well, I entered a giveaway for it a while back… and, uh, I just happened to win…”

As I desperately tried to explain myself, Rinka’s expression gradually shifted from confusion to an amused, unreadable smile.

“…Fufu, got it. I’ll go change for a bit.”

“Eh, seriously?”

“I mean, I did make a promise.”

Saying that, Rinka took the outfit and disappeared into another room.

“No way…”

Left alone in the living room, I instinctively held my head in my hands. I never expected things to go this smoothly… But what happens next?

The ticking of the clock sounded unusually loud. When Rinka comes back, what kind of face am I supposed to make? The more I thought about it, the more my mind spiraled into chaos.

Shirasaki Rinka’s Perspective

Holding the cosplay outfit Kazuya-kun had handed me, I stepped into the changing room.

With a sigh that was part exasperation and part amusement, I opened the bag. Inside was a flared skirt and an intricately decorated top. It was immediately clear that it was a magical girl costume.

Looking at it in the mirror, it was certainly a cute outfit. But the skirt was absurdly short, and the top left way too much skin exposed. Just what was Kazuya-kun thinking when he asked me to wear this…?

“…Honestly, Kazuya-kun, really…”

Murmuring to myself, I took off my uniform and slipped into the cosplay outfit. When I gave a little twirl in front of the mirror, the skirt flared up, making me feel even more self-conscious.

“This… Every time I move… is this really okay…?”

The minimal fabric only made my embarrassment grow stronger. But if wearing this would make Kazuya-kun happy, even just a little… Thinking that, I felt a small warmth spread deep in my chest.

Kazuya-kun really worked so hard for his tests…

I’ve been by his side, watching him study, so I know better than anyone how much effort he put in. That’s why, even though this is embarrassing, I should at least reward him for his hard work.

“…Alright.”

Taking a deep breath, I headed to the living room where Kazuya-kun was waiting.

Miyahara Kazuya’s Perspective

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Kazuya-kun.”

The moment the living room door opened and Rinka appeared, time seemed to freeze.

Normally, Rinka was the very picture of elegance—always neatly dressed in her pristine school uniform. But now, she stood before me in a magical girl cosplay. And not just any outfit—it was unbelievably revealing, emphasizing its cute design while exposing her shoulders and collarbones. The absurdly short skirt revealed glimpses of her dazzlingly fair skin with every slight movement.

My heart nearly jumped out of my chest. No, forget jumping—it was on the verge of going completely haywire.

Meanwhile, Rinka had turned bright red, shifting her gaze awkwardly while sneaking glances at me.

“D-Does it… suit me…?”

Her voice trembled, carrying both shyness and courage. I unconsciously held my breath. Unable to find the right words, I instinctively raised my thumb in silent approval.

“Saying nothing and just doing that… That’s a little unfair…”

Rinka let out a small laugh. But her face was still flushed, making it clear she was flustered.

“Kazuya-kun… Can I put on tights? I never wear skirts this short, so I don’t feel comfortable…”

She clutched the hem of her skirt tightly, looking up at me with pleading eyes.

She clearly couldn’t endure it any longer.

But I hardened my heart and shook my head.

“That would make it different from the game character, wouldn’t it?”

I was determined to have her fully embody the character.

After all, this character never wore black tights in the game.

“…You’re so mean.”

Rinka murmured softly, gazing at me with eyes that looked like she was about to cry.

Seeing that expression, something inside me snapped. My sense of restraint was long gone. Before I knew it, I had pulled out my phone and pointed the camera at her.

“Would it be okay if I took some pictures?”

Rinka let out a startled gasp, “Huh?!”

“Come on, don’t make that face! Try posing more like the character!”

The words just spilled out as I kept making requests.

“…W-What are you saying?!”

Rinka was clearly flustered. But perhaps overwhelmed by my enthusiasm, she reluctantly adjusted her skirt and struck a magical-girl-like pose.

“Nice! Now, give me a bigger smile!”

“L-Like this…?”

“Brighter! And don’t hold your skirt down!”

Despite her embarrassment, Rinka kept responding to my requests. And each time, her face grew redder, which only made her look cuter.

…Yeah, I definitely overdid it.

But seeing her play along made me so happy that I couldn’t stop taking pictures. Of course, she later pouted and scolded me, “You should have held back a little more, you know!” but I had no regrets.