Chapter 375: Love Loser
A little later, inside the familiar kimono shop.
"Welcome..."
The female clerk, dressed in a traditional kimono, wore a kind smile, but she could not help freezing for a moment when she saw Utsunomiya-san and Yuuki Asuna walk in.
She had a deep impression of this extremely handsome boy and the long black-haired girl who had come with him yesterday.
After all, such young customers did not come to the shop often. And although they had looked like a high school couple, they had bought two kimonos costing over forty thousand yen each without even blinking.
The key point was...
It was one thing for him to have come yesterday and returned again today, but why had the girl beside him changed?
Although the clerk was very confused, she worked at a high end shop, so she naturally did not say anything. She quickly resumed her normal, kind smile, as if she had never seen Utsunomiya-san before, and bowed slightly.
"Welcome, both of you. Please feel free to look around, whether you are buying or just browsing."
"Thank you."
Yuuki Asuna politely replied, then took Utsunomiya-san's arm and entered the shop, looking as if she had seen through everything but had chosen not to say it aloud.
She certainly knew that Kato Megumi and Utsunomiya-san had been here yesterday.
After all, she, Kato Megumi, and Iwanaga Kotoko had long since agreed that they could not hide things from each other.
They were not only good friends, but also teammates who had to face the death game together.
Conflicts caused by hiding things from each other, or even situations resembling a love battlefield, were absolutely not allowed to happen.
"Eh? Asuna?"
Just as Yuuki Asuna was about to start picking out her favorite kimono, she saw a wisp of pink hair, representing chaotic neutral, pop out from behind a tall display case.
Following that flash of pink came Fujiwara Chika's surprised voice.
"Asuna, Utsunomiya-san, I didn't expect to run into you here! If I had known, we wouldn't have split up to explore freely. We should have just come together~"
"Fujiwara."
Asagiri glanced at the sweetly smiling Fujiwara Chika, then looked at Kaguya Shinomiya and Hayasaka Ai, who were standing not far away, feigning calm.
"Are you buying kimonos too? Didn't you bring any from home?"
"Kaguya has kimonos, but she said the styles were too old fashioned. Hayasaka has never worn a kimono before, so I'm accompanying them to buy some. But we've run into a problem."
"A problem?"
"Yes, a very serious problem."
Fujiwara Chika stared at Asagiri pitifully and said in an aggrieved voice,
"Because of my figure, I'm not suited for kimonos. When I put one on, the silhouette gets all uneven, and it doesn't look good at all!"
Upon hearing Fujiwara Chika's words, Yuuki Asuna, Kaguya Shinomiya, and Hayasaka Ai all had different reactions.
Yuuki Asuna merely clenched her fists unconsciously.
Kaguya Shinomiya and Hayasaka Ai not only clenched their fists, but also gritted their teeth. Looking at Fujiwara Chika standing there, their eyes even showed signs of anger.
Unforgivable.
That was simply too unforgivable!
"I see."
Just as Hayasaka Ai and Kaguya Shinomiya were struggling to control their emotions, Asagiri launched an attack, kicking them while they were down.
"Hayasaka and Shinomiya are suited for kimonos since their proportions won't disrupt the shape at all. In that respect, they are truly the epitome of a traditional Yamato Nadeshiko."
"Utsunomiya-san..."
Black lines nearly appeared on Kaguya Shinomiya's face as she displayed that classic expression that looked like a smile, yet held no trace of humor.
"Although it sounds like you're complimenting me, I don't know why, but I can't feel happy about it at all..."
"It's correct not to be happy."
Asagiri replied like that, then looked at Hayasaka Ai standing beside her.
He simply shook his head and sighed softly without saying anything.
That behavior actually made Hayasaka Ai, who had already mentally prepared herself for mockery, feel somewhat unaccustomed to it.
She could not help frowning slightly.
"Are you trying to use that 'I'm a filler' joke again? If you want to say it, just say it. Don't hesitate here."
A look of pity appeared in Asagiri's eyes as he spoke slowly.
"Forget it. It's not necessary."
"You..."
Hayasaka Ai stomped her foot in annoyance and said angrily,
"Tease me, mock me! Why aren't you mocking me?"
"Are you okay?"
Asagiri looked deeply shocked and said in surprise,
"Did your M attribute just explode? Why are you begging to be roasted?"
"I..."
Hearing Asagiri's words, and noticing the gazes of Kaguya Shinomiya and Fujiwara Chika, Hayasaka Ai finally realized that she had lost her composure.
She pursed her lips, turned her head to the side, hummed softly, and directly avoided Asagiri's gaze.
At this moment, Hayasaka Ai suddenly felt something indescribable in her heart.
Actively seeking attention was not something she would normally do.
It was not that her M attribute had exploded and she wanted to be roasted by Asagiri.
In fact...
It was because Asagiri had spoken to both Fujiwara Chika and Kaguya Shinomiya, but had ignored her, which made Hayasaka Ai feel a little dejected.
After all, no matter what, she and Asagiri were also...
Eh?
Thinking of this, Hayasaka Ai suddenly realized something.
Although she felt that even if she and Asagiri could not be called friends, they were at least familiar with each other, but thinking back carefully, she seemed to have never taken the initiative to talk to him.
Could Utsunomiya-san think...
That she hated him?
"No, no, that's not right!"
Hayasaka Ai shook her head vigorously, wondering why she would feel so anxious and conflicted because of Asagiri.
This was not right.
Not right at all.
The relationship between Fujiwara Chika, Kaguya Shinomiya, and Utsunomiya Asagiri was already complicated enough.
If she were to get involved...
That would be far too chaotic.
"Asagiri."
Meanwhile, Yuuki Asuna, who was struggling over which kimono to choose, looked at her boyfriend beside her and asked for his opinion.
"My hair is very long, so if I wear a kimono, I'll definitely need to change my hairstyle. What kind of hairstyle do you think would suit me better? An updo? A ponytail?"
"If I have to choose between the two, I think an updo suits you better."
Asagiri thought for a moment before replying seriously.
"Although an updo would look slightly old fashioned and stiff on Megumi, that's because her hair is black. Your hair is flaxen, so it looks brighter and more lively. Even if you put your hair up, it won't have that old fashioned, stiff feeling. However..."
Curiosity appeared in Yuuki Asuna's eyes as she shook Asagiri's arm.
"However, what?"
"I think it would be better if you tied your hair up and placed it in front of your shoulders."
The hairstyle Asagiri was talking about was the one commonly known as, "Ma'am, that hairstyle is very dangerous."
Yuuki Asuna imagined herself with that hairstyle while wearing a beautiful kimono.
A sweet smile appeared on her face, and she nodded.
"Hmm, it does seem pretty nice. But why did you recommend different hairstyles for me and Megumi?"
"Heh, let me reiterate. I am a professional, top tier in the industry, a creator standing at the pinnacle of the indie eroge world."
Asagiri crossed his arms over his chest and spoke slowly with an inscrutable expression.
"Every girl has a different temperament, especially when it comes to kimono CGs. It's not just about changing into a new outfit. You also have to think about which hairstyle to give the female character."
"The hairstyle must complement the character's personality. While giving the player a fresh feeling, it also can't make them feel that the change is abrupt. This is an art."
Yuuki Asuna nodded, seeming to understand, then leaned a little closer, looked at Asagiri, and asked,
"Then, in your eyes, what kind of personality do I have?"
"Rather than personality, it's more about charm points."
Facing this somewhat complex question, Asagiri did not hesitate for even half a second and immediately gave a perfect answer.
"You usually look stubborn and competitive, but inside, you're actually a bit timid and cowardly. Even so, for certain things, you will still summon your courage and act."
He smiled.
"You are very gentle and considerate. These are all your important charm points."
Yuuki Asuna showed an embarrassed smile, and joy welled up in her eyes.
"So I'm that charming in your heart? Hehe~"
"You're starting to giggle foolishly. Your lovestruck girl syndrome is acting up."
"I told you, I'm not a lovestruck girl!"
"Heh, didn't expect that, did you? Buddy here can also do callbacks. You thought you dodged it? Hehe, wrong. I was just waiting for the critical moment to strike."
Hearing the conversation between Yuuki Asuna and Asagiri, Fujiwara Chika leaned in, a sweet smile on her face that made it impossible to feel any ill will.
"Eh, eh, then Utsunomiya-san, describe me too~"
"Hmm..."
Asagiri looked at the smiling Fujiwara Chika, then spoke his mind directly.
"Big."
Fujiwara Chika tilted her head and asked in confusion,
"What's big?"
"Big is correct. Don't worry about what's big."
At this moment, Kaguya Shinomiya took a deep breath, prepared herself mentally, and slowly walked over while feigning calm.
"Then... what is your impression of me, the President?"
"You? That would definitely be..."
Before Asagiri could speak, Kaguya Shinomiya issued a warning first.
"If you dare say something like small, I will... I will..."
"I can't evaluate that."
"Huh?"
Seeing Kaguya Shinomiya's slightly furrowed brows and somewhat dissatisfied expression, Asagiri spread his hands and smiled.
"You want me to evaluate you as the President? I don't usually go to the Student Council office. I'm just a nominal Vice President, so I can't evaluate you at all."
"Then... then..."
Seeing Kaguya Shinomiya's pretty face flush red as she hesitated, Hayasaka Ai, standing in the distance, silently cheered her on in her heart.
Come on, Kaguya.
You can do it!
Amid Hayasaka Ai's prayers, Kaguya Shinomiya...
Chickened out.
"Never mind then..."
Seeing Kaguya Shinomiya say this listlessly before turning to leave, Hayasaka Ai felt so helpless she almost wanted to cry.
What kind of love loser is this!?
.....
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