【Ch13 - Shopping For Two ②】

【AN: Oh hey its been years. I got a job and forgot about this. I'm back for now I guess. Edited the previous chapters a bit. Here goes nothing.】

Rewinding a bit...

My first week of training was almost over. Though I call it that, it was closer to an orientation and something more like medical examinations than anything close to actual training. Whatever they were examining though, I would not be able to tell you. You'd think that this would be kind of leisurely given all of that, but I was still exhausted by the end.

Why? Well, the moment that Tama disappeared from my side, Kitohana-sama would invariably appear to bother me. Incessantly. At times with distressingly close skinship.

Today seemingly was no different.

Tama had only just left and I could already sense a familiar presence behind me. It was an actual sensation too, something like a sixth sense that had been growing over this last week as my apparent powers settled... or something.

In any case, I turn around and the oh-so-familiar kami was in front of me, grinning all the while.

I could only sigh deeply.

"So... is there a reason why you're so quick to show up the moment Tama is gone?”

"Hoh? I am surprised. For you to take such a lengthy time to question me on this matter, I had thought you would simply not inquire about it!"

She rests her cheek in her palm, head tilting quizzically at my question.

"Alas, I am certain I do not actually need to inform you of the reasoning, given the subject matter of our discussions, my dear Takeda."

Said matter being Tama, she wasn't wrong. Practically every conversation we've had revolved around her. In distressingly intricate detail. From her preferences, dislikes, mishaps in her love life, the list goes on. I'm not entirely sure the concept of privacy exists in the mind of this kami.

Frankly, it makes me worry about my own...

“It is an undue worry, my dear.”

Please stop casually reading my mind. Also, undue because it was an unfound worry or because I shouldn’t have expectations of it in the first place?!

“Ufufu”

...

Ahem.

“A-anyway. I’m still not sure why you’re telling me all this about her anyway. Unless you want me to be as awkward as possible around her.” If I had the desire to tease Tama about anything, I have been supplied ample ammo to last me a few lifetimes.

Well, I also get the feeling that I wouldn’t be long for this world if I decided to actually use it.

So really, this was all very useless information.

“The poor girl has ever been reticent about her personal affairs. I simply wish to assist in producing a harmonious relationship with your contractee. As you are a valuable subordinate, such assistance is simply expected of one within my station.”

If this last week has informed me of anything, it would be that not a single one of her words were to be taken at face value. While obvious anyway, this fact has certainly been cemented deep into my mind.

“So, the real reason?”

"My, to doubt my sincerity at this juncture? As she simply would never divulge this information on her own, I am only hoping to grant you a better understanding of her nature that she would naturally fail to provide in her poor courtship of you."

"Courtship? I'm pretty sure she has no intention of that..."

Our conversations barely went beyond small talk. It felt more akin to simply just training alongside a new co-worker. Well, there was also the occasions of her defusing the stray curious onlooker to my existence. But nothing beyond that. 

Nevermind courting, I'd be surprised if she was even interested in befriending me.

"It is precisely due to that impression of yours that I share this all with you. She has ever been too serious about her workplace decorum. One would wager that she is likely allowing you time to acclimate yourself before she decides on engaging in being more personable. Considering the timing, I see it as likely she will invite you to some sort of outing in due time."

Or so Kitohana-sama proclaims pointing her folded fan toward me. I probably still had a rather disbelieving expression on my face as she waits for a moment staring daggers at me before continuing.

"So do expect such an invitation, my dear Takeda. Whilst I suspect our little Tama-chan shan't engage in anything beyond building a potential friendship, do not put it past her to attempt some ill-advised play to appeal herself to you."

While I still had a hard time believing her, all I could do was nod, "...I'll keep that in mind."

She gives me a look over for a moment before turning away, "Hmph, I suppose if you are this reticent to believe my words, I shall depart for today. 'Tis about time in any case~"

That quickly? It was barely a quarter of the usual time. Not to mention I had a bad feeling about her last statement just now. Before I could begin to question anything she disappears into a gate, a wider than usual smirk evident on her face.

Well, lets try not to put too much stock into her teasing.

"I need help with shopping, are you free tomorrow?"

Of course. 

It really didn't take long for Tama to end up in front of my doorstep with an invitation. If it weren't for the lack of annoyance in her tone I'd swear Kitohana-sama was behind this as well.

"Shopping? What for?"

"Furniture and the like. Given how long its been since I've stayed long-term in a mortal residence, I figured it'd be faster to ask you to help me out deciding on the latest appliances and the like."

Unsurprisingly, not a date. Which did annoyingly line up with what I was told earlier. And maybe it was because Kitohana-sama's words were still fresh in my mind that I couldn't help but be a little bit more conscious of her despite the innocuous request.

Especially since this was my first time seeing her in anything other than her shrine garbs. It was just a loose casual attire, but it wasn't hard to admit that she was quite cute in it. Not that she normally wasn't, but it was refreshing.

Not the time to dwell on that, though.

"Yeah that makes sense. Sure, I can help."

"Excellent, I'll come by around noon."

With a final affirmative nod, our conversation ends just like that. I watch her disappear into the neighboring unit before retreating into my own.

A simple shopping trip. Despite the mundanity of it, I couldn't help but wonder what could possibly go wrong as I think back on that kami's words.

How naïve I was.

Fast forward to my current situation and no, I most definitely did not foresee my predicament in any of the scenarios I had come up with back then.

Tama was looking at me quizzically while we were standing outside of a lingerie shop. Treating it as if it was the most natural thing in the world to ask my opinion on what she should buy from here. On our very first non-work related outing together.

I take a deep breath.

"Just... just hold on a second. What exactly would I be giving you recommendations on from here?"

"Underwear, of course."

There was not a hint of shame or embarrassment in her response. I'd almost be convinced that I was the weird one here with how little she seemed to care.

"...And why would you want that?"

"As I said, you are the first male human acquaintance I've made at least some cordial rapport with. So I figure it would be a waste to not at least get an idea of what someone like you would find appealing."

I'm realizing more and more now that Tama lacks sense in the weirdest of places.

"Putting aside how much sense that makes... if I do help here it would only really mean I'm just telling you my preferences in particular. I think you'd get a better idea by searching online or something."

"But I did say it was to learn the opinion of someone like you, though?"

"Huh?"

Kitohana-sama's mention of her potential ill-advised approaches rings in the back of my mind again. Surely she wasn't trying to subtly flirt with me? Given the stories that I've been inundated with about her prior attempts at romance, I couldn't even casually dismiss the possibility.

"I am not entirely sure what you are confused about. Having specific preferences known would possibly be of use in the future. Also, I'll have you know I have already done the generalist research you've mentioned."

Use for what exactly?!

I barely had any time to even try to parse her actual intentions with this conversation before she pushed on my back forward towards the entrance.

"I am aware that this may be embarrassing for you but it would be a waste for me to let this opportunity pass, so let us go."

If you're aware of that, could you have at least not dragged me here immediately once you had the chance?!