Chapter 67

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Yugen-san."

"No, I just got here myself."

The meeting place was a station in the city center.

Yugen looked at Airei's outfit as she arrived... and felt a little relieved.

This time, she wasn't wearing tight-fitting clothes like last time.

She had on a black long-sleeved shirt, a light white cardigan, and wide pants.

Over that, she was wearing the usual autumn coat.

The lack of stimulation made Yugen feel a bit more at ease.

"Where's Ayaho?"

"She's running late. She should be here soon..."

At that moment,

something collided with Yugen's back, as if hugging him.

"Brother!"

"You're late, Ayaho."

"Ah, sorry. I got caught in traffic."

It seemed she had come by taxi.

She probably avoided the train to reduce the risk of harassment.

"Airei-san, it's been a while."

"It's been a while, Ayaho-san."

Ayaho ran over to Airei and held her hand.

"Sorry for troubling you."

"No, it's fine. I'm glad if I can be of help."

"I've always thought Airei-san's clothes are so stylish. I'll rely on you! ...In return, I'll tell you about Brother's preferences."

"Hehehe... I'd really appreciate that."

Ayaho answered with a wry smile. On the other hand, Yugen's guard went up at her mention of "Brother's preferences."

He needed to be careful to make sure she didn't say anything strange.

"Anyway, it's going to take a while. Let's go."

At Yugen's words, Airei and Ayaho nodded in unison.

They entered a shopping mall near the station, which had a variety of stores, including high-end shops.

"Hey, Airei-san, which one do you think suits me better?"

Ayaho held two winter coats, one beige and the other gray.

Yugen would have said, "Both suit you," but... in reality, the beautiful Ayaho would look good in either.

"I think both suit you, but... the beige one gives a cute impression, while the gray one gives a more elegant impression."

"Hmm, the beige one might make me look childish?"

"Yes, but that can be cute too."

"...Does the gray one make me look more mature?"

"Yes, it makes you look about one or two years older."

After thinking for a few seconds, Ayaho seemed to decide on the gray one and put the coat in the basket Yugen was holding.

(...She was worried about it.)

To Yugen, Ayaho was always a cute little sister, so the idea that she was concerned about looking childish was a bit surprising.

She's only in the second year of junior high, so it's fine to look childish.

But she probably wants to grow up and act more mature.

"Are you done, at least?"

Women's shopping takes a long time.

Especially with two of them, chatting away, it takes even longer.

Yugen was already feeling tired.

"It's the clothes. But I want to look at shoes next. Airei-san, don't you want to look too?"

"Yes... I still have some money left, and I want to buy some boots."

"Okay."

Since anything he said would just prolong the shopping, Yugen decided to accompany them.

He first paid for the clothes.

(...Maybe I should invite Soichiro and Sei next time.)

With three men, it might be less boring, he thought.

But then, inviting those two would mean bringing along Ayako, Chiharu, and Tenko as well.

Five women shopping.

It would probably go on until nightfall.

Just imagining it made Yugen shudder, so he stopped thinking about it.

"Okay, Brother, let's go to the shoe store."

Ayaho invited Yugen to the shoe store.

In response, Yugen handed the paper bags to Airei and Ayaho.

"Sorry... Can I go to the bathroom for a moment?"

Meaning the restroom.

Ayaho puffed out her cheeks.

"Hey! Hurry up!"

"It'll be faster than your shopping."

Yugen said this and started jogging to find the restroom.

It took about fifteen minutes to find the restroom.

Ayaho must be in a bad mood...

Yugen sighed inwardly as he hurried to the meeting place.

(Why do I have to be blamed for being a little late when I'm accompanying them shopping?)

Feeling a bit unjust, he still couldn't leave the two princesses waiting, so he jogged over.

Then...

Airei and Ayaho were talking to a familiar boy.

It seemed Ayaho was mainly talking to the boy, while Airei was standing slightly behind her, watching the situation.

(While I was gone... This is troublesome.)

Yugen sighed inwardly and jogged over to the two of them.

So, this is a love triangle (or is it?).

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