Chapter 65: Chapter 64 - Rika’s Transformation

Kuro Kurogane made a serious error.

He said yes to Rika Saionji about having an appointment "to shop."

Originally, it sounded fine.

Then he remembered girls hardly ever mean "to shop."

Especially girls that are getting ready secretly for Comiket.

It was Saturday afternoon.

Shibuya, a crowded and most populous area of Tokyo, with the warm summer sun shining down on the masses of people.

Outside of the station, Kuro was standing there checking his phone he wondered why he felt such a strange and nervous heartbeat coming from inside of his chest.

His phone buzzed with a message.

"I’m behind you."

Kuro casually turned to look, only to completely stop functioning.

"...Oh."

That was about all he could get out of his mouth.

The person that was standing behind him resembled someone he knew as Rika, but had no resemblance at all.

Eliminated: rigid eyeglasses , structured hair

and cold, quiet library look .

Replaced with: soft brown contact lenses ,

dark hair free and loosely falling over shoulders , large white cardigan , black skirt

, very light makeup , thin silver necklace .

Breathtakingly elegant!

Breathtakingly stylish!

Breathtakingly beautiful!

Rika was quick to see that Kuro was staring at her, stunned into silence for quite a period of time before she slowly looked away from him,

then began to blush with deep red filling her ears.

l

"...You’re staring at me."

"...You look different?"

That was a weak response but an honest response.

Also, when Kuro gives Rika a non-complimentary compliment, they hit at a much more forceful rate than when it is given by a regular person they know.

Rika also looked away from Kuro after hearing him say this to her.

"...My older sister forced this whole outfit on me."

"Your older sister is something else altogether."

"...Agreed."

A few long and loud seconds went by without either one of them saying anything.

Then Kuro mustered up the courage to ask:

"...Why the contacts...?"

Rika adjusted her glasses slightly, not wanting Kuro to see them now.

"...It’s so that people don’t see me as much at conventions."

"...I see."

Then in a whisper: "...Is that not true?..."

Kuro blinked.

Rika had a concerned look on her face expressing how worried she was if Kuro would like her. Then, very honestly, she said, "No."

After looking at Rika again, he said, "They look good on you." This would be considered viable emotional damage.

The moment Rika heard this, she went completely still. Her heart stopped beating. Kuro always had that effect on her when he said dangerously sincere things to her.

In a low voice, she said to him, "Thank you." Then she smiled to him with a tiny smile.

Then, when she saw the tiny smile on her face, it caused Kuro to experience a sharp pain in his chest.

Meanwhile, Yuna Saionji was secretly watching Rika and Kuro from the window of a cafe with an iced coffee in her hand. She said to no one in particular, "Wow, she is down bad."

Yuna was right about her observation.

The actual shopping trip ended up being quite fun because Rika changed so much while talking to Kuro about anything Otaku.

Before, she was a very calm and quiet person. However, when she is in an anime store, she becomes a completely different person.

"...This artist’s panel composition is amazing."

"...This Limited Edition sold out in three minutes."

"...There is no way this adaptation ruined all emotional pacing."

While Kuro was following behind Rika with a bag full of her purchases, Kuro absolutely loved hearing Rika talk because this is one of the very few times he got to see Rika be so expressive while talking about something that she is truly passionate about.

Suddenly, Rika stopped, and Kuro blinked.

"What happened?" he asked.

Rika silently pointed to a mannequin display that was not too far from them.

Cosplay Section...

And more specifically maid outfits.

And after a few seconds of silence...

Rika turns and looks at him.

"...Hypothetically..."

Dangerous Word.

"...What..."

"...Would Maid Cosplay make me look stupid in any way?..."

Direct critical hit to Kuro’s brain.Instantly imagined Rika in maid outfit and resulted in complete destruction.

"...Kuro-kun?..."

"...Don’t Give Me Dangerous Questions Out Of The Blue Like That. Something About A Thought And What Becoming A Maid Will Do To My Brain...."

Rika stopped in her Tracks for just a millisecond...

Then to Kuro surprise, She smiled.

Laid back smile.

Teasing smile.

Small. Not obvious. But definitely very mischievous.

"...Interesting Reaction. ..."

Oh No.

Rika has now learned to be teasing!!. This will lead to the downfall of society as we know it.

After five Or six more stores they decided to take a break and relax at a quiet café.

Inside was nice with soft music playing and there were shopping bags surrounding the table next to where they were seated.

Rika was quietly stirring her iced coffee.

"...I am really happy you came..."

Simple sentences but complete jonesty.

Kuro finally looked over at Rika .

And while doing So, he realized how relaxed Rika was today .

Not a "Perfect Student Council Beauty" relaxed but just casual And comfortable.

Almost like she didn’t feel she had to keep any distance from him anymore.

Then he quietly said to Rika...

"...I am enjoying spending time with you too..."

Direct emotional damage again, Rika looked down right after Kuro said that.

She almost smiled if she wouldn’t be embarrassed.

However hearing Kuro say it made her ridiculously happy.

Then all of a sudden Kuro saw something in the bottom of one of the bags he carried with him that was out of place.

What was it?

A folded piece of clothing.

It was a costume.

The colors were black and pink, and suspicious.

"What is that?" Kuro asked.

Rika became still.

"Nothing."

Kuro sighed because he was not satisfied with that answer.

"Yuna made me buy cosplay," Rika said quietly.

"Cosplay for Comiket?" Kuro asked.

"Maybe."

Kuro found that interesting.

Kuro pictured Rika in a costume an embarrassed look on her face.

And Kuro’s heartbeat began to race with anticipation.

As the sun began to set and the city was cast in an orange hue Kuro and Rika walked together down the street, through a crowded area and carrying supplies to a convention.

Kuro felt very comfortable walking next to Rika, and the atmosphere around them was quiet.

There was no pressure.

There was no chaos.

There was simply two people enjoying each other’s company.

And then suddenly, Rika broke the silence.

"You know, I usually hate crowded places," she said softly.

Kuro turned towards her.

"What?" he asked.

Rika hesitated for a moment.

"But today was not as bad as I thought it would be," she said quietly.

All the meaning was there.

She was not talking about the city.

She was talking about being with him.

And for Kuro, he felt he understood that at this moment.

Then there was a gentle breeze that blew down the street.

It blew through Rika’s hair and caused it to blow softly over her face.

Without thinking, Kuro reached out to brush the hair out of her face.

They both froze.

Looking directly into someone’s eyes.

Those were too close together.

Those were too close together.

Rika had no breath at all anymore.

Because he caressed her cheek with his fingers.

They were warm, gentle and careful.

Then Kuro remembered what he had done.

He quickly and awkwardly moved out of Rika’s reach.

"I’m sorry."

Rika carefully caressed where Kuro had nuzzled.

And then she made this sound.

"It’s okay," she whispered.

However, her heart did not return to a normal rate for the remainder of the night.