“Owh! ~ What a cute underwear!” Kyashii swings a pair of flashy underwear in front of my deadpan face.

Haah… What’s up with this?

We ended up in the lingerie section of the mall before I knew it. Why on earth am I being dragged here?

As we agreed earlier, the two of us will hang out after Kyashii and Nazumi-san have finished their shopping. We’re actually going to see a movie, but it’s still a while before the movie starts, so we decided to kill some time. Then again, this is not the ideal place to pass the time, is it? Besides, Kyashii should have bought these things with Nazumi-san earlier.

“Don’t you think so, Yuyo?” Kyashii excitedly asked as if glitters were shooting from her eyes.

What’s so exciting about buying underwear anyway? I don’t get it. To begin with, I shop for underwear on my own. I’m not comfortable buying underwear with friends or family members. And besides, underwear is usually hidden most of the time, which is why I prefer comfort over fashion.

“Yuyo! Hey?” Kyashii keeps swinging that bra in front of my face!

“Waah! Would you please stop that?” I hold her wrist to keep her from swinging that underwear on my face.

“What? You don’t think it’s cute?” She pouted.

“I don’t know about cute. But let’s not swing that thing on me. It’s embarrassing!”

“So, you think it’s cute?” She asked again. What is it with her and cute underwear?

“My taste doesn’t run to those types of underwear, so –” I hadn’t finished talking yet when Kyashii put the underwear back on the rack. “Ah-re? Don’t you want to try that?”

“You said it’s not cute.”

“I didn’t! Don’t change my words. All I said was I'm not into it.”

“Same difference.”

“It’s definitely not! Besides, why should my preference matter here? I’m not the one who’ll wear it. Wait… Are you perhaps–?”

 “Hmmm?” Kyashii did not bother to look at me as she scanned the rack for another pair of underwear.

“Are you planning on buying me underwear?!”

Kyashii abruptly shifted her attention to me, her left palm resting on her half-opened mouth while her eyes appeared to be laughing.

What’s with that? It’s a logical question on my part. I mean, if she’s not up to something, why should she pay attention to my preference, right?

“What?” I asked.

“Oh my, Yuyo! Please don’t think I forgot about you. I’m so sorry I have not been more generous with you. Could I get you one?” Kyashii seemed to be holding back her laughter. It’s totally leaking out of her face!

“Hold up! Hey, that’s not what I meant! I’m not in desperate need of one right now. Jeez!”

“What makes you think I’ll buy you one, though?” Her sassy smile isn’t fading.

“You’re considering my preference, that’s why. Your preferences probably differ from mine.” I pouted in response.

Kyashii has reached her limit. “Ahahaha!”

“. . . .”

Squinting, I waited for her to stop laughing.

“Ahem!” She finally calmed down. “Sorry… I think I laughed too much. You sure do look cute when you’re clueless sometimes, Yuyo.”

“Clueless??”

“Umm, don’t mind it. I just wanted to learn something about you, that’s why I asked about it.”

“And of all things, you want to know my preference for underwear?!”

“What’s the harm?” She cracked a grin.

“. . . . .”

Why does it matter what your friends like about their underwear? I have no interest in that sort of thing, so I don’t get it.

“What, you think it’s weird?” It was almost as if Kyashii could read my thoughts sometimes.

“In a way, I think it’s a bit strange.” I replied without hesitation.

She chuckled. “I’m not even sure if your lack of interest in other things, such as romantic relationships, is one of your strong points, Yuyo.” Kyashii said forthrightly.

“Huh? What’s up with that?” I was not expecting that. It was like a bolt from the blue.

“Nothing.” Kyashii scanned the underwear rack again.

I decided not to say anything as I stood there watching her. What exactly does she mean by that? And what does it have to do with underwear preferences?

“. . . .” 

Putting that aside, being indifferent to love, romance or relationships is not a weakness in my book. 

Sure, I’m not into those things like other girls my age. That’s because it’s not my thing to talk about romance or love since I’m not really into those subjects. I’m more into philosophical topics, mysteries, documentaries of various types, and the like. Although I think I know what love means, I rarely consider the concept for myself.

But despite this, I still find it fascinating to listen to others' thoughts and stories about love and romance, mostly because I'm curious on how they deal with it. Rather than love itself, I'm more interested about the way how they handle love issues.

In other words, love and romance are not just one my favorites, so I don't think this is a weakness. Does this appear to be a weak point to others?

“Hmm… What do you think about this one?” And just like that, Kyashii’s back to my underwear preferences again, swinging a lilac partial-cup bra in front of me. She’s so insistent about this.

I checked out the underwear, and since lilac is my favorite color, so yeah, it’s pretty cute for me. 

“Of course, it’s cute since… it’s lilac.” My lips were twitching sideways as I said that. If something comes in that color, I’m hard-pressed to resist it.

“I think it’s too plain. And, I knew you’d say that because of its color, but isn’t that just your bias speaking?” Kyashii focused her gaze on the bra she was holding.

“So, your preference isn’t? Plus, simple appeals to me more.” I retorted.

“Very well. I’m trying this!”

“What?!”

Kyashii dragged me into one of the fitting rooms. “Come on in, Yuyo. Help me out.”

Wait... What?!

Hold on a sec! Do I have to go in there too?! “Help with what? You can handle that on your own, right? I’ll just wait here.”

I don’t feel comfortable with the idea of going inside together. It just seems a little weird to me since I haven’t been in a fitting room with anyone before.

“Ehh? You don’t want to help me?” Kyashii frowned.

“There’s a salesperson over here, just so you know.” My hand gestured in the direction of the salesperson who was just around the corner smiling at us.

“But I don’t want to trouble that onee-san.”

“Hey, it’s her job! She gets paid for that.”

“Why are you fussing over this? I just want your help since you’re my best friend!” I can already see her glaring at me.

“But it’s only a bra! You can put it on by yourself.” I protested. Honestly, what’s with this situation? What’s with her putting me in a spot like this?

She’s incredibly pushy! Urgh…!

Kyashii then let go of my hand with a sigh. “I’m simply looking for your opinion on whether this will look good on me when I put it on. Not good?” She then looked at me with puppy-dog eyes!

Wo-Woah! Is it even legal to have eyes like that?

Sigh…

T-Those kinds of eyes are just too cute to resist! “Yeah, fine! Whatever! We’ll just do it your way again,” I sighed, raising my hands in resignation.

“That’s what I thought!” Kyashii glowed with a smile. “Now, come on in~!” She’s humming as she steps into the fitting room.

Hmp! It’s as if she’s a child and I’m like her, err- older sister?

I turned my back on her while she stripped. Watching her remove her top made me uncomfortable, although she seems pretty comfortable with this.

Well, I’ve seen people strip in the locker room during our PE class but remain in their bras. This situation is on a whole different level! Even if I were in front of one of my closest friends, I would be embarrassed to do something like this.

“Uhm... What’s your take, Yuyo? Do you think it looks good on me?” Kyashii asked from behind.

I turned around so I could see her.

Thump!

Huh?!

In an instant, my right hand instinctively landed on my chest as I looked at Kyashii. I suddenly get this feeling as if a heavy drum has pounded on my chest!

Whoa! It’s like my heart swelled into a mallet and struck my rib cage when I saw Kyashii's figure in that bra!

Wha-What's going on?!

Is it because I'm checking someone out for the first time to see if they fit an underwear? Or is it the fact that the bra is lilac that makes it so enticing to Kyashii and I find that exciting? That has to be it, right?! The lilac color has a certain logic to it. Maybe I'm experiencing some form of euphoria from seeing it in my friend's body?

My understanding of what I’m saying is somewhat hazy, but I can't think of anything else that could be causing my chest to feel strange!

“Yuyo?” Kyashii drew my focus back to her. “D-Don’t stare at me so much. I feel embarrassed,” she’s blushing all over.

“Ahh!” My senses were jolted back to life. “Sorry, my thoughts got in the way. My bad. I didn’t mean to stare at you for so long.”

Wait…! Huh?

I’ve been staring at someone’s body for too long?! That is so embarrassing! Get it together, Yuyo!

“Uhh… Right…! I think it perfectly suits you, Kyashii. So perfect that I got excited and lost in my thoughts when I saw you wearing it! Aha-ha!” I laughed awkwardly as I scratched my cheek with my forefinger.

I’m trying to make myself sound more natural just to bail out of this embarrassing situation. This is really awkward! What the heck is going on with me?!

“E-Excited?!” Kyashii seemed fidgety. Is she not pleased with my praises?

“Oh... Uhh… y-yeah!? That’s how I felt, so I ended up staring at you for a while. Sorry for that. B-Besides, anything you wear will look good on you since you’re pretty and stylish.”

Kyashii’s face becomes redder than it was a few moments ago as she fixes her gaze on the floor. “Dummy,” she said softly, almost mumbling.

Huh? Dummy? Did I say something wrong?

Uhh… No, never mind that! Let’s just leave that alone for now. I’m not even sure what’s going on anymore! All I know is that I need to get out of here right now! It’s beyond me why I cannot breathe properly in this place!

“I’ll wait outside for the time being.” I informed Kyashii, who merely nodded without looking at me. She’s still staring at the floor as I exit the fitting room.

Hooh…! I exhaled deeply as soon as I stepped outside.

I had no idea getting into a fitting room with a friend could be so nerve-racking! What a crazy experience!

I shifted my focus to the floor.

Hmm... Now that I’ve calmed down a bit, I can barely recall what I said to Kyashii. Because of the throbbing in my chest and my embarrassment, I could not properly praise her.

Jeez! What the heck was that anyway? I suppose I should follow up on my compliments later on.

Kyashii emerged from the fitting room. “I’m buying this,” she said, smiling. Her face has returned to its natural color.

But wait, she’s actually going to buy that? “Why squander your money on something that isn’t your style?” It’s my logical reasoning that kicks in.

Great! It seems I have recovered from the fitting room hiccup.

“I want to. Hmph! A-And you said I looked good in it.”

“Well, yeah. But if you tried any underwear according to your preferences, I’d still say the same thing.” I argued. This girl isn’t being practical.

“I already know that I look good in those. I’m buying this for a change,” she insisted as she walked towards the cashier.

We have a salesperson giggling behind us since she heard us bickering over an underwear. I awkwardly smiled at her before turning to whisper to Kyashii.

“You could just buy another pair of underwear in your preferred style. You said a while ago that was plain.” I’m still trying to make Kyashii change her mind here.

She just ignored me and paid for it anyway.

I sighed as I rolled my eyes. Guuh! What a stubborn and impractical buyer.

We’re on the movie theatre’s main floor to see a horror movie. Kyashii and I share a common interest in horror films, so we chose one to watch today.

It will be half an hour before the movie starts. I figured we should get something to eat while we watch it. “How about we grab a few snacks for the movie?” I asked Kyashii while she was sitting on a bench nearby the theatre.

“Can we bring snacks inside?”

“Huh? I think so. I always bring snacks with me to the movies, and I’ve never had a problem. Besides, I see some adults do it all the time, so I think it’s fine.” I shrugged.

“I didn’t realize you weren’t a stickler for rules,” she smiled.

“Well, from what I understand, snacks should be fine as long as they’re not smelly or bothersome. So, should we grab some?”

“Oh, sure.”

“Do you want me to buy you some popcorn, or do you want to tag along?” She seems tired after all that walking.

“Can you get me one? I’d like a corn potage popcorn, please?” Kyashii said with a beseeching smile as she clasped her hands together.

“Okay then. You seem a bit tired. Are you alright?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. It’s just that my feet are feeling a little tired. I walked around with Hana earlier today as well.”

“Oh, right… That makes sense. Then, what drink should I get for you? Matcha soy milk latte?” That’s her favorite drink.

“Will you treat me?” Kyashii grinned.

“Yeah, sure. Why not?”

“I love you, Yuyo!" Kyashii responded sweetly to my surprise. "Then, I'll gladly take you up on that. Thank you~!"

“I see how your love is only worth a matcha soy milk latte.” While I was surprised by her unexpectedly passionate response, I chose to tease her instead. She has rarely said anything like that since we became friends.

“Well, yeah! Just be thankful it’s like that. Hmmph!...” I got a scowl from her.

I smiled at her response and continued on my way to get our movie munchies.

It seemed as though Kyashii had gulped down a kilo of sugar, as it showed in her attitude earlier. I couldn't remember if she'd ever uttered those words to me before or if I'd ever said them to her. As we do not share a friendship where we speak sweetly to one another, I find it tough to say cheesy lines like that simply because I’m not a sweet talker by nature.

Even so, it was heartwarming to hear her say those words to me. It was comforting.

Hmm…

Although Kyashii can be a little pushy and overbearing, my life is so much better with her in it.