I'll admit, I don't know much about fashion. My taste is average at best, so when Emily started browsing the racks, I wisely kept my mouth shut.
The last thing I wanted was to influence her choices with my lack of expertise.
I'd noticed something about her wardrobe before, aside from her school uniform skirts, she rarely, if ever, wore skirts.
At least, I couldn't recall seeing her in one. I'd been curious about it once and almost asked her why, but in the end, I figured it was probably just a personal preference and left it alone.
Sure enough, as we browsed the store, she completely ignored the skirt section. I didn't press her about it and just let her shop at her own pace.
The only time I spoke up was when she asked for my opinion on colors.
Next door was a lingerie shop. Normally, as her friend and not her boyfriend, it would be unthinkable for her to drag me into a place like that.
But then it hit me, this was the perfect chance to test my ability once more.
So, after she paid for her clothes, I pointed toward the lingerie section and said, "How about we check that area too?"
Emily turned to me with a cold stare, and I immediately felt like I'd made a mistake. Panicking, I added, "Let's check it out together."
And just like that, something strange happened. Her sharp gaze softened, and she turned toward the lingerie section without a word of protest. She even glanced back at me, silently signaling me to follow her.
Was it the tone of command?
The lingerie section was filled with a dizzying array of designs and patterns. According to Emily, smaller-busted women often had fewer options, and that included lingerie.
She browsed quietly, not asking for my input, which wasn't surprising. After all, lingerie was personal. Asking a male friend's opinion about it would've been downright weird.
Meanwhile, I stood there awkwardly, surrounded by lace and satin. Nobody gave me any strange looks, probably because Emily was right next to me, but I still felt a bit out of place.
So far, things were unusual but not outright abnormal. Nothing that could serve as concrete proof of my suspicions.
I decided to push further.
When Emily picked up a matching bra and panty set, I said, "You keep picking things up and putting them back. How will you know if they fit without trying them on?"
She raised an eyebrow. "My chest is small, so as long as it looks nice, it'll fit. Size is more of a problem for other people."
"You can tell how it'll look just by imagining it?"
"It won't be that different."
"Really? Then try it on and show me."
The moment those words left my mouth, I braced for a retort reply, or at least an angry retort. Instead, Emily tilted her head, glanced toward the fitting room, and said, "I don't really like trying things on in places like this. But if you want to see… fine."
What?
Even if we were dating, which we weren't, I doubted most couples would do something like this. It felt completely unnatural. But still, it was my first time being here.
Emily took the set and headed toward the fitting room.
While she stepped inside, I stood frozen, trying to figure out my next move. Then she poked her head out and gestured for me to come in.
"You're not seriously expecting me to walk out there wearing this, are you?" I blinked, stunned.
That's when it hit me, my words earlier had been way more outrageous than I realized. I'd somehow assumed I could just wait outside like it was no big deal. But this was lingerie! Was I an idiot?
It felt wrong. It should've been wrong. But even as I followed her inside, no one batted an eye. There was no commotion, no disapproving stares, murmuring, nothing.
The fitting room was designed to be spacious, so even with the two of us inside, it didn't feel cramped.
After setting down her bag, Emily slipped off her shoes.
Perhaps it was the fact that she was about to change clothes in front of me, but her movements were slow and deliberate. Her gaze occasionally flickered toward me, as if checking my reaction.
When she pulled off her top, revealing the gray bra underneath, I couldn't help but notice that her chest really wasn't very big. The bra itself wasn't particularly flattering either, plain and practical rather than stylish.
Sensing my eyes on her, Emily gave me a sharp look and said, "Could you at least turn around and stop staring?"
"Why? Am I not allowed to look?"
"Why would I let you see me …" She cut herself off, her cheeks suddenly turning red.
Seizing the moment, I decided to push further.
"I want to watch you change." I expected her to snap at me, or at least get angry, but instead, she fell silent. Her expression returned to its usual calm, almost indifferent state.
Before I could even process her reaction, Emily reached behind her back and unhooked her bra.
I froze.
She was actually doing it.
Her chest, just like she'd said earlier, was small, especially by feminine standards. Still, it wasn't completely flat. There was a subtle curve, just enough to hint at softness.
Her breasts were small enough that gravity didn't seem to affect them at all, maintaining a firm, youthful shape.
What caught my attention the most, however, was the color of her nipples, surprisingly light, even paler than Lily's. It almost gave the impression that her chest was even younger than it appeared.
Emily seemed to be the kind of person who undressed completely before putting on something new.
After setting her bra aside, she casually pulled down her shorts and panties in one motion, leaving her completely bare naked.
I couldn't help but notice how she bent forward slightly as she stepped out of them, causing her chest to tilt downward.
Yet, there wasn't the slightest bounce. It reminded me of school, back when a girl classmate who hadn't started wearing bras bent over and accidentally gave me a peek down her shirt.
The size comparison was… unsettlingly similar.
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