Tokyo Soft Rice King.

Upon hearing Kuroba Akira's additional request, Hikawa Makoto crossed her arms and pondered.

"Hmm...high heels..."

"Yes, can I ask you for the same thing?"

"It's not impossible... but JK (high school girl) students almost never have to wear high heels... so if it's not for your girlfriend, who are you buying it for?"

His mother? But didn't he say he had no family?

"An older sister who often takes care of me."

"Wow, sister..."

Hikawa Makoto showed a disdainful expression, seemingly harboring some resentment towards her 'older sister'.

However, it was only for a moment; he quickly put away his bad attitude and turned into a puzzled expression.

So this guy has an older sister?

There's no younger sister, but there is an older sister... So why don't novels feature older sisters?

Is it because it's too realistic, leaving no room for imagination?

Kuroba Akira noticed Hikawa Makoto's confusion and offered an explanation.

"She's not my biological sister, she's an older sister from the place I'm staying with. She's twenty-four years old, a little taller than me, and her feet are about the same length..."

Kuroba Akira reported all the data needed to select high heels, and Hikawa Makoto rolled her eyes and complained.

"Wait, wait, wait! How do you know all this so clearly?!"

That's because he's touched them, that's why he remembers... He can remember the approximate length and shape of any foot that Kuroba Akira has touched, but what he remembers most vividly is the feel of it.

This isn't a special effect; it's XP being released!

However, to avoid being seen as a pervert by Makoto Hikawa and suffering disdain, Akira Kuroba came up with a less outrageous excuse.

"Of course, it's to buy suitable shoes for my sister, so I investigated using the shoes she usually wears. What else did you think it was?"

"Well……!"

Kuroba Akira turned the tables, looking at Hikawa Makoto with a mocking smile, as if to say, "You're not thinking about something perverted, are you?", which made Hikawa Makoto blush.

"you……!"

Originally, she wanted to angrily berate Kuroba Akira, but Hikawa Makoto realized that she shouldn't have asked such a private question first.

I'm just someone who helps him pick out shoes; why should I care who he's buying them for?

Thinking of this, he clicked his tongue and said.

"Tsk... Oh well, you still need to buy another pair of high heels, right? Then go buy your clothes first, and then go check out the women's shoe stores around here."

"OK...but Hikawa, you're much more responsible than I thought."

Actually, she had already visited several men's clothing stores, but Hikawa Makoto didn't see any clothes that she liked, so she didn't even let Kuroba Akira try them on.

Maybe every girl buys clothes this way, just like guys pick out Steam games on sale.

Hikawa Makoto also understood Kuroba Akira's unspoken meaning, knowing that he thought she was too picky.

"After all, this is a 'paid service,' and I don't want to dress you up like a country bumpkin... Don't complain. After several rounds of selection, I've pretty much figured out the most suitable clothing style for you. Let's head straight to the boutique now."

She knew that boys hated shopping. Although Kuroba Akira was very nice, if she dragged him around shopping but they didn't buy anything, he would definitely feel like it was a waste of time.

Moreover, Hikawa Makoto could tell that Kuroba Akira wasn't particular about clothing; he probably just needed someone 'good enough' for him.

But if she were to give such a perfunctory answer, she wouldn't be able to get over her own inner hurdle.

This isn't just about helping men choose clothes; it's also a test of Makoto Hikawa's own sense of style, so she can't easily compromise.

She has always been very 'serious', both towards others and even more so towards herself.

Finally, at the fifth clothing store, Makoto Hikawa found the clothes she liked and handed them to Akira Kuroba so he could try them on.

Kuroba Akira took the clothes into the fitting room, quickly changed into the new clothes, and then pulled back the curtain of the fitting room.

"I've changed it, how is it? Does anything look strange?"

Although the clothes were quite comfortable, he felt a little awkward, mainly because he had never tried this mature and warm style before.

"…………"

Makoto Hikawa was completely stunned.

I was captivated by this handsome guy who perfectly matched my aesthetic.

After all, she personally selected the clothes, so she was naturally the most satisfied with them.

She just hadn't expected it to work so well.

That was a look that even Shion Murasaki and Hitomi Anri had never seen before.

Perhaps they touched his body, felt his embrace, and tasted his flavor...

But I've never seen him dressed like this before... after all, he's never worn proper clothes over his school uniform before.

While 80% of the credit goes to Makoto Hikawa's excellent fashion sense, it must be said that Akira Kuroba is indeed a good clothes hanger; compared to other male high school students, his frame has fully developed.

Moreover, even though Kuroba Akira is just a high school student like himself, he is exceptionally well-suited to mature clothing, exuding the air of a college student and even giving off the feeling of an adult man... And what JK (high school girl) finds hardest to resist is the charm of a generous and natural mature man.

Therefore, Kuroba Akira's current posture can be described as a 'JK killer'.

Hikawa Makoto is also a high school girl (JK) and her type is mature men, so she naturally became the target of 'special attacks'.

Fortunately, she still retained her composure and remembered that the man in front of her was already taken. This helped her calm down, force a smile, and compliment him in a natural manner.

"Hmm, isn't this pretty good? Even a coachman needs to dress well... His handsomeness has at least tripled."

"Is it that exaggerated? Okay, then I'll buy this set..."

Having one set of clothes to wear outside is enough for now; we can talk about winter and summer clothes when the season comes.

Although it seems like winter is just around the corner, this outfit is actually quite warm... literally making him a 'warm man'.

With a pun in mind, Kuroba Akira was about to go back to the fitting room to change his clothes before paying when Hikawa Makoto grabbed his arm.

Kuroba Akira turned around and asked in confusion.

"Bingchuan?"

Realizing her actions were a bit abrupt, Hikawa Makoto quickly let go of Kuroba Akira's arm and, while still keeping her head down and covering her eyes with her bangs, suggested...

"Um... shall I pick out another set for you? You need at least two sets of clothes, for changing clothes and stuff..."

However, this was actually her excuse.

She just hoped that Kuroba Akira could stay dressed like this all day.

Even though he wasn't her boyfriend, and even though he already had a girlfriend... she still wanted to experience a "mock date" with her "most preferred type of guy".

Even if we can't hug each other or hold hands, just walking side by side with him makes me feel good, so I guess I've gained something today.

Then Hikawa Makoto immediately came up with an even more reasonable excuse.

"This outfit is only suitable for now. If the temperature drops further in a while, it will be a bit cold to wear it... Didn't you say you have a good budget? Let me pick out another outfit for you to wear in winter?"

Akira Kuroba also thought it would be more convenient to buy an extra set of clothes for winter, since winters in Tokyo are quite cold.

Moreover, when buying clothes for Ziyin before, Hongjie was very excited and let her change into many outfits. Maybe girls are just naturally fond of changing clothes.

Letting her choose only one set might not be enough, so Kuroba Akira agreed.

"Alright... then I'll leave it to you."

"Um……!"

Hikawa Makoto raised her head and revealed an incredibly bright smile, which even Kuroba Akira found rare.

This seems to be the first time I've seen her with such a happy expression since I've known her; even her 'glaciers' have melted!

Is this also influenced by the talent of 'Styling Design A'?

I get the feeling that she's really enjoying it...

Hikawa Makoto continued happily picking out clothes for Kuroba Akira, as if she were the 'real girlfriend' at that moment. However, this good mood vanished without a trace when she caught sight of the figure outside the store.

Those people are... a trio from a band!

Upon seeing her classmate Makoto Hikawa, she immediately snapped out of her daze, turned around, and her mind raced.

She was seen by the trio → they came over to talk to her → she saw Kuroba Akira → she thought she was on a date with Kuroba Akira → she realized that Kuroba Akira had a girlfriend and was suspected of cheating on her, having two relationships at the same time → the news spread throughout the school → her peaceful campus life came to an end!

Absolutely terrible!

Panicked, Makoto Hikawa's first thought was to 'hide,' hoping that if they didn't see her, the subsequent chain of events wouldn't happen.

But it's not enough for just yourself to be unseen... there's also Kuroba Akira!

She remembered that Kuroba Akira had told him about what happened on the second day of the cultural festival, so the band trio seemed to know Kuroba Akira as well. If they saw Kuroba Akira and came over to talk to him, and he accidentally let it slip, his date with her would still be exposed to his real girlfriend, Hitomi!

Even if you deny it and say it's not a date, it won't make a difference... since it looks like a date no matter how you look at it!

In the end, I shouldn't have agreed to Kuroba Akira's request in the first place...!

Tsk... It's too late to regret now. We just have to find a way to hide with him! We can't be seen by anyone we know!

On the other side, Kuroba Akira was still waiting for Hikawa Makoto to bring him new clothes next to the fitting room when he saw Hikawa Makoto stride towards him, then push him into the fitting room with a wall-slamming motion, and then pull the curtain of the fitting room shut.

"Uh... Hikawa-kun..."

"Shh!"

Hikawa Makoto raised her index finger to her lips and then pointed outside the fitting room, indicating that something was going on outside.

Kuroba Akira immediately understood what she meant and nodded.

However, he then did something that almost made Makoto Hikawa scream... He actually picked himself up!

At first glance, Hikawa Makoto thought Kuroba Akira was going to molest her in this confined space, and reflexively wanted to slap him, but then she saw the serious expression on Kuroba Akira's face.

In the next instant, the good impression she had previously built up about Kuroba Akira helped her regain her composure, and Kuroba Akira's hands were no longer wandering over her body, but instead lifting her up.

At the third moment, Hikawa Makoto heard Kuroba Akira whisper in her ear.

"Lift your foot..."

I see... it was to 'hide the feet', right?