Whether it was the catharsis of her tears or the simple comfort of his presence, Kyoko emerged from her breakdown with a refreshed expression. She reached out and took Tatsuya's arm, a natural ease returning to her movements.
"Now then, where are you planning to escort me?"
"First, I think we need a clothing store," Tatsuya replied. "Both your outfit and mine are a bit the worse for wear."
"O-oh... right. I'm sorry."
"Don't be. It doesn't bother me."
Kyoko had known Tatsuya long enough to know he wasn't being snide; he genuinely didn't mind. That realization only made her more gleeful. The idea of Tatsuya picking out clothes for her was a treat she hadn't expected to enjoy quite so much.
"Still, if Miyuki-san and the others find out you bought me clothes, I wonder if I'll be in for a lecture."
"I doubt it. I'm more concerned about your grandfather finding out. That seems like it would be much more... troublesome."
"True... He is quite fond of you, isn't he?"
They were careful with their words. In a crowded public space, names like "Yotsuba" or "Kudo" were strictly off-limits. While "Kudo" was a common enough name, "Yotsuba" carried a weight that would turn heads instantly.
They stepped into a high-end boutique.
"Welcome—oh...?"
The clerk at the entrance froze mid-greeting, her eyes darting between Tatsuya and Kyoko.
"Is there a problem?" Tatsuya asked, his voice cool.
"N-no! Not at all! Please, take your time and look around!" The clerk snapped back to her senses and practically bolted away, as if intimidated by their presence.
"What was that about?" Tatsuya murmured.
"Maybe she was just starstruck by you?" Kyoko teased.
"She was looking at both of us. It's hard to say."
In truth, it was the "visual impact" of the pair—the handsome, stoic young man and the strikingly beautiful, elegant woman—that had stunned the staff. Oblivious to their own arresting presence, they began to browse the racks.
"You seem quite at home in places like this, Tatsuya-kun."
"I wouldn't say that. I simply accompany Miyuki from time to time."
"Have you ever come with other girls?"
"Yes, a few times. But again, I was mostly there as Miyuki's escort."
He was thinking of the times Erika, Honoka, Shizuku, and Mizuki had dragged Miyuki along on shopping trips. In Tatsuya's mind, he had merely been "the escort (and the wallet)," but how the other girls perceived those outings was an entirely different story.
"I heard you and Angelina-san had quite a nice outing as well," Kyoko noted, her eyes twinkling.
"With Lina? You know the circumstances behind that. You were watching us, after all."
"I was. And I'll admit, I was a little jealous."
"Considering how that 'date' ended, I don't think 'enviable' is the right word for it."
Tatsuya spoke with his usual detachment, but for Kyoko, even that was enough to spark a bit of envy. Most of her time with him was spent on training or official business. Seeing him in such a "special" domestic context with someone like Lina made the Strategic-Class Magician seem like a formidable rival.
"How about this one?" Kyoko asked, holding up a dress.
"It suits you. However, I think this color would be more flattering."
"Really? You actually pay attention, don't you?"
"…Are you doing this on purpose?"
Kyoko had intentionally bypassed the color that clearly suited her best just to see how he'd react. Satisfied with his sharp observation, she gave him a triumphant smile and disappeared into the fitting room.
"Good grief... I suppose I should pick out a shirt for myself while I'm at it."
Tatsuya's clothes had actually taken more of the "damage" during Kyoko's breakdown. He moved to the men's section, quickly selected a high-quality shirt, and changed.
"Tatsuya-kun, what do you think?" Kyoko stepped out, wearing the dress he'd suggested.
"As I thought. That color is much better than the previous one."
"Is it? Then I'll take it."
"No need. I'll handle the bill."
Kyoko started toward the register, but Tatsuya held up a hand to stop her. He settled the payment for both his shirt and her new outfit with practiced ease.
"Please arrange for the clothes she was wearing to be delivered," Tatsuya instructed the clerk.
"Certainly, sir. And for the clothes you were wearing?"
"I'll take those with me."
"Understood."
Kyoko watched as he handled the transaction and the delivery paperwork with the efficiency of a seasoned professional. She told herself he'd simply had a lot of practice escorting his sister and her friends, but there was no denying how smooth he was.
"Shall we?" Tatsuya asked.
"Are you sure about this? I'm older than you, and I have a salary."
"Don't worry about it. I've made a fair amount from my recent patents on new devices."
"You really aren't a normal high schooler, are you?"
"Is there anyone left who actually thinks I'm 'normal'?" Tatsuya asked.
He looked at Kyoko, who knew more about his true nature than almost anyone. She gave him a slightly bitter smile, trying to deflect the weight of the question.
"Your expression is quite eloquent," Tatsuya noted.
"Well..."
"From my birth to the life I lead now, nothing about me has ever been normal. And I don't see that changing anytime soon."
"I... I really am sorry, Tatsuya-kun."
Kyoko bowed her head, her voice thick with genuine regret. She was part of the military system that used him, and a member of a family that had helped shape his fate. But Tatsuya simply told her to look up.
"It's not something you need to apologize for. I am a part of that world by my own choice. I don't require anyone's apology."
"Wait... Tatsuya-kun? And... is that Fujibayashi-san?"
Tatsuya turned to see two familiar faces. "Erika? Mizuki? This is a surprise."
"That's our line!" Erika shot back, her eyes wide with mischief. "What happened to your shadow? I thought you and Miyuki were joined at the hip."
"I've told you before, Erika—Miyuki and I do occasionally do things separately."
"Sure you do. But why are you with Fujibayashi-san? If my brother sees this, things are going to get messy."
"Oh?" Kyoko chimed in, her voice smooth as silk. "Inspector Chiba and I only have a professional working relationship, you know."
"Wow... my brother really did get rejected, didn't he?" Erika muttered, nodding to herself. "Well, I can't blame her. Tatsuya-kun definitely makes for a better picture than that idiot brother of mine."
Beside her, Mizuki was looking back and forth between them with a panicked, wide-eyed expression. She was clearly imagining the frozen apocalypse that would occur if Miyuki ever found out.
"Mizuki, calm down. Miyuki knows about this. There's no need to worry."
"Oh... is that so? Thank goodness," Mizuki sighed, her shoulders slumping in relief.
Tatsuya noticed her reaction with a wry smile. Ever since the student council election and the Yokohama incident, Mizuki had developed a healthy—if somewhat subconscious—fear of Miyuki's "Snow Queen" side.
"What an interesting girl," Kyoko mused, looking at Mizuki. "Those eyes of yours... you see quite a lot, don't you?"
"Eep—!?" Mizuki flinched.
"Kyoko-san, please don't tease Mizuki too much. She's sensitive."
"I would never dream of it," Kyoko replied with a perfectly innocent face.
Tatsuya could only shake his head. Between Erika's teasing and Kyoko's subtle playfulness, he was starting to think the military training was the easier part of his day.
(Author's Note: Mizuki is just here for flavor!)
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