"How does this one look?"
Rize had started browsing through clothes.
She'd picked out her first dress and was showing it to Byakuya before even trying it on.
"Looks nice."
Byakuya replied.
"What about this one?"
Rize swapped to a different style.
"That one's nice too."
A similar answer.
"And this?"
"Also looks good."
After several dismissive-sounding responses, Rize's expression soured slightly. "Why are all your answers so half-hearted? Can't you take this seriously?"
"I am being serious. I've just never helped a girl pick out clothes before—I don't really have an eye for this."
Byakuya scratched his head awkwardly.
He didn't even know how to shop for himself. His approach was basically: black or white, and if it looks passable, buy it.
Asking someone like him to evaluate women's fashion was a tall order.
That said, Rize really was here to shop.
Byakuya had assumed she was just messing with him for fun—she'd done that before.
But watching her hold up dress after dress for his opinion, she clearly meant it.
"You're not being a very good boyfriend, are you?"
Rize pouted playfully.
"..."
Byakuya was momentarily speechless.
They were fake dating. What exactly did "being a good boyfriend" even mean here...
But at this point, no one would doubt they were a couple. Rize's acting was flawless.
Meanwhile, Touka Kirishima happened to be passing by this very store with her classmate.
She'd been walking alongside Yoriko Kosaka when she glanced sideways—and spotted two familiar figures inside.
Touka stopped in her tracks.
"Touka-chan?..."
Yoriko asked, puzzled.
"Sorry... Yoriko, give me a moment. There's something I want to check."
Recognizing the two as Byakuya and Rize, Touka's curiosity was immediately piqued.
If Byakuya was still Rize's "prey," would that woman really be out shopping for clothes with him at night?
And it had been quite a while since Rize first made contact with this human boy. She'd never shown this much patience with anyone before.
Touka genuinely wanted to know what was going on between Rize and this young man.
"Oh, sure, no problem."
Yoriko had no idea what was happening, but she was happy to wait with Touka.
They were best friends, after all.
...
Meanwhile, Byakuya had already noticed Touka and Yoriko, but he didn't pay them much mind.
Right now, Rize was demanding his input.
"I think white dresses suit you best. Purple would probably look great too."
Byakuya offered his opinion.
He had an instinctive fondness for white. As for purple—it felt like it would complement Rize's hair and eye color perfectly.
"I see. Then I'll try these two on first."
Rize selected two dresses that matched his suggestions and headed for the fitting room.
By now, Touka had found a spot where she could observe without being easily noticed—a bench provided for waiting customers.
Yoriko sat beside her.
Curious about what was going on, Yoriko followed Touka's gaze toward the clothing store.
Was there someone in that store Touka was watching?
"Touka-chan, is there someone in there you're interested in?"
Yoriko asked.
"Yes. See that woman with purple hair and glasses? And the guy with her."
Touka didn't mind sharing with Yoriko—as long as it didn't involve ghoul-related matters.
She absolutely didn't want Yoriko to know she was a ghoul. Her best friend would surely be terrified and distance herself.
"Oh, I see them! That girl is gorgeous! And the guy's pretty handsome too."
Yoriko immediately noticed Byakuya and Rize's striking appearances.
But then something occurred to her. She turned to look at Touka.
Touka's intensely focused expression made her curious now.
"Touka-chan, could it be... you like that guy? Is that why you're watching so closely?"
Yoriko couldn't help but voice her suspicion.
Given the circumstances, it seemed highly likely.
"Yes..."
Touka's mind was so occupied with watching the pair in the store that she'd barely registered Yoriko's words and answered reflexively.
When she realized what Yoriko had actually asked, her face flushed red. "No no no! I wasn't listening properly just now—I definitely don't like that guy!"
"No need to explain, Touka-chan. Explanations are just cover-ups, and cover-ups mean it's true."
Yoriko wore an "I understand everything" smile.
"It's really not like that! Please believe me, Yoriko!"
Touka wanted to cry. This was a massive misunderstanding!
"Of course I believe you, Touka-chan."
Yoriko said the words, but her expression remained unchanged.
Clearly, she'd already decided that Touka liked this guy—and that the guy was currently out shopping with another beautiful woman, which was why Touka was secretly watching them.
To her, this was the only explanation that made sense. Touka's denials were obviously just embarrassment~
"..."
Touka wished she could disappear.
This misunderstanding was impossible to clear up unless she told Yoriko the truth.
But she didn't dare. If she explained, Yoriko might wonder how she knew so much about ghouls. She couldn't take even the slightest risk there.
There was no solution. Touka could only force herself to endure it.
Meanwhile, Yoriko was thinking: now that Touka had someone she liked, as her friend, she had to support her—ideally help her somehow.
She just hoped that guy wasn't already dating that purple-haired woman. If not, maybe she could help Touka win him over!