After finishing a mock battle, I took a breather. I had arranged to meet up with Komachi at the academy cafeteria to discuss future guidance.
The academy was deserted since it was the weekend. We sat in a corner of the large cafeteria.
"Sempai, your outfits are way too lame."
Komachi blurted this out abruptly.
"What the hell, you're just changing the subject."
I finished sipping my hot coffee and gently placed the cup on the table.
"I'm serious! Your outfits are so lame it's sad. What is up with that outfit? I don't even want to be seen walking with you. I don't want people to think I know you."
"That's harsh. My sense of style is top-notch. I'm dressed head-to-toe in brand names."
"Brand names are okay as long as it's a small detail, but that's it."
"Huh? Really? Is that true?"
"First off, what is that hat? Are you trying to be a clown? Is it Halloween? It's just too lame."
"That's mean. There's a designer who created this."
"Sempai! Do you see anyone wearing a bright red silk hat like that in their daily life? Nobody, right?"
"Actually, there are."
"Where?!"
"Right here."
I pointed to my own face.
"I'm right here."
"Ahh! You're so annoying! Can't you understand what I'm saying? This guy!"
Komachi began to scratch her head, visibly irritated.
"Don't frown so much or it'll become a habit. You're too young to have menopause."
"Whose fault is that? Whose?!"
"Is it me?"
I had no idea what had triggered her intuition.
"Oh, come on! Is it okay to wear such flashy jackets and shirts as everyday clothes?"
"Is that so? This purple jacket with a red glittery shirt and shiny golden pants look cool, don't they?"
I thought they looked cool.
Even in my past life, I was known for my great fashion sense.
"Regarding the catastrophic state of your fashion sense, Senpai..."
"What's wrong? Don't be such a Neller, come on!"
I took off my hat and put it on the table.
"Seriously...?"
Komachi stared at the top of my head in disbelief.
"What's wrong? Why are you making that face?"
"What is...that hairstyle?"
"What about it?"
"It's not an 'what about it?' situation! Why is it all spiky and explosive, like a leek with a sword sticking out of it?!"
"Isn't it funny? I'm a fashionable thief!"
I pointed to my hair with a smirk.
It was my day off, so I had dressed up in style. I was looking sharp.
I hadn't been able to showcase my fashion sense lately because of all the preparations for entering academy, but this was the perfect opportunity.
It had taken me two hours to style my hair with wax, but it was a masterpiece. I had taken inspiration from the night host crew in my past life and created the perfect hairstyle.
"This is just too ridiculous!"
"You think so? It's cool, isn't it? It's rock and roll."
I smiled, feeling satisfied with myself.
"I don't really want to say this, but..."
"What is it?"
Komachi's face looked sad and she hesitated to speak.
"Come on, just say it clearly," I urged.
"Well, it's just that... didn't you have any friends in your past life?"
"W-what the heck!" Is this girl a psychic or something? How did she know that I didn't have any friends in my past life? Is she a goddess or what? I became flustered and my eyes widened in disbelief.
"I see..." Komachi let out a deep sigh and I couldn't help but protest.
"What are you talking about? Of course I had friends! I was the most popular guy in my class!" It was a complete lie, but I protested with momentum.
"You mean you were popular because you were a loser?"
"Hey! Don't underestimate me!" I was out of breath and had stood up without realizing it.
"Anyway, forget about that. Haven't you ever had a girlfriend?"
Suddenly, she launched a critical attack. My fragile mental state turned into a mess.
"What?! What are you talking about? Of course I have! I was popular with all the girls in the anime world!"
Komachi chuckled and looked at me mockingly. "You don't really attract girls, do you?" Her words were barely audible.
I was mentally devastated. It felt like I was a criminal caught by a brilliant detective who had uncovered the truth.
"Anyway," Komachi clapped her hands together. "Go change into your academy uniform and wash out the wax in your hair. We're going to the city. We'll buy some new clothes for you."
"Why?" I asked.
"Ugh! You're so slow on the uptake! I already told you, it's because you look lame! We're buying new clothes, got it?"
In summary, Komachi revealed some hard truths about my past and present, leading me to change my appearance with her help.
"Uh, sure," I replied, feeling intimidated by Komachi's pressure.
"Alright then," she said with a smile.
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We reluctantly changed into our uniforms and wiped off the wax in our hair. We found ourselves in front of a men's clothing store in the commercial district.
"Our budget is around 30,000 yen," Komachi said.
"Is that really enough?" I asked.
"It's more than enough! We can even buy shoes," she replied confidently.
Komachi's loud voice caught the attention of several passersby.
"Komachi, you're making a scene. Calm down. You're going to make us look like country bumpkins," I scolded her.
She regained her composure and said, "Sorry about that. I tend to get carried away. It's just that my mouth tends to run away with me."
"I see. That's kind of cute," I said, scratching my head.
"I didn't mean it in a good way! ...Uh, I mean, yeah," Komachi said.
"Uh, sure," I replied.
"Okay, let's start with bottoms. Let's go inside," she said, walking ahead of me towards the section we needed.
"What are you going to buy?" I asked.
"Chino pants," she replied.
"Chino pants? But we're not college students!" I protested.
"Well, you're a high academy student," she pointed out.
"Oh, right," I remembered.
"And besides, people of all ages and genders wear chino pants. Are you underestimating them?"
"Hmph. I tried them on. It's a retort from my self-proclaimed disciple."
"Okay, okay. I'll let that slide."
He took the plain black chino pants and said, "Let's buy this one. It's safe."
"Isn't it too safe? I want something with more silver, a shiny and elegant one. Something that shines brighter, as if Gaia is whispering to me. Look over there!" I pointed to the wall, where metallic pants with jagged decorations were hanging.
"Huh?"
Puzzled, Komachi looked where I was pointing.
"Isn't that cool? It's the kind that would make me shine even more. Let's get that one!"
"Please be quiet. Don't give any opinions, Senpai."
"That's harsh!"
"It's still cute compared to your sense and vocabulary, Senpai."
"That's harsh!"
"Okay, let's move on to the jacket."
"Alright, alright."
"Very well."
They walked to the jacket section, ready to continue their shopping.
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I felt like a grade schooler whose parents had control over their clothing choices.
"Well, that's better than before. You look good in it, Senpai," said komachi.
I felt like a dress-up doll in my all-black ensemble.
"What do you think? Isn't it tacky?" I asked, pinching my shirt.
"It's not tacky," komachi replied.
"I'll blend in with everyone else. Is that what you want?" I complained.
"Are you aiming for the pinnacle of fashion?" komachi asked sarcastically.
"That's an unreachable goal for me," I replied, crestfallen.
"That's too harsh," I added.
The outfit consisted of plain black chino pants, a beige bomber jacket, white sneakers, and a featureless white shirt. My hair was unstyled, and I wore no jewelry.
"I suppose this is an acceptable look for going out in public," komachi said.
"But I really want to wear more silver accessories on my wrist," I said.
"No, you can't have it."
"Silver chain around your waist."
"No way!"
"Thick, heavy belt with skull motif."
"I said no!"
"Are you my mother?"
"It's similar. I take care of my master's daily needs and finances."
"Stop with the finances!"
"Hehe."
Komachi covered her mouth with a clenched fist and smiled.
"Don't laugh."
"I'm sorry, I couldn't help it."
"My so-called disciple!"
"What is it? Why are you suddenly shouting?"
"Here you go."
I handed Komachi a small package.
"Huh?"
She looked confused.
"I'm a capable man."
I had bought the necklace that Komachi had been glancing at through the window earlier.
Because I'm a capable man.
A rough maker who can create a heroine's smile.
I just come up with these clever ideas easily.
Oh well.
I'm too good at my job, it scares me for the future.
"A capable man, huh?"
It was a voice that didn't sound very hopeful.
"I'll give it to you."
I told her bluntly.
"Okay, okay. But... this?"
komachi's eyes widened.
"I'm someone who sees through everything."
I said, realizing that my answer was meaningless even to myself.
"This is quite expensive, isn't it? And why..."
"I'm a capable guy."
"Seriously!"
komachi poked my shoulder.
"Really... You're such an idiot, senpai. It's so lame that it makes me want to puke."
"You talk too much."
Mikomachi hugged the package and smiled broadly.
"She's such an easy girl. She's getting lost in cheap jewelry that has no special abilities."
"You talk too much."
"Well, fine then."
"I'll let it go this time."
To the surprisingly honest komachi.
"O-okay."
I had no choice but to respond like that.