Vol. 2 Chapter 62 – Let’s Go Buy Swimsuits (1)

— Twenty minutes after leaving the room.

Hikaru and I had come to a nearby shopping mall together to buy swimsuits. Coming here was fine, but…

“You probably don’t need to go that far, really…” (Reiya)

As soon as we arrived, Hikaru started putting on equipment she took out from her bag. A white cap with a single-point logo, oversized sunglasses that hid the upper half of her face. Furthermore, adding a gray urethane mask that covered up to her chin, she had concealed most of her face. Her appearance, I couldn’t help feeling, leaned slightly more towards “suspicious person” than “beautiful girl.”

“But if I get recognized now, it could turn into a real mess, so it’s better to be safe than sorry, right?” (Hikaru)

“Well, that’s true, but…” (Reiya)

Thanks to being featured on the daytime talk show, ‘Asahi Hikaru’s’ face and name had now spread throughout Japan, regardless of age or gender. Although not as large as the big mall where the PC shop Hikaru and I usually go to is located, this place was also quite bustling, it being midday during summer vacation. If her identity were exposed, it was clearer than seeing fire what kind of commotion would ensue.

“So, sorry Reiya-kun, but I’ll be going out like this for a while when we’re outside.” (Hikaru)

If she gave that as a reason, I had no grounds to object and could only show my understanding. We passed through the mall entrance, went up to the second floor via the escalator, and walked down a corridor to a section lined with women’s apparel stores. It being late July, the height of summer, many stores were prominently displaying their own brand’s swimsuits at the storefront. From pop styles aimed at teens to chic ones for slightly more mature women. I’d never consciously noticed it before, but looking at it now, it was clear that women’s fashion is a considerably larger industry than men’s.

“Reiya-kun! Over here, over here!” (Hikaru)

Perhaps having already spotted a store she was interested in, Hikaru immediately started walking towards one of them.

“Wow! So cute!” (Hikaru)

Gazing at the colorful swimsuits lined up in the store, Hikaru looked as excited as when she first saw my game library.

“Hey, hey, which one do you think is good?” (Hikaru)

“Uh, umm… Let’s see…” (Reiya)

At the question posed so naturally, I froze in front of the myriad of colorful swimsuits. Until I met Hikaru… no, even after meeting her, I still didn’t understand the first thing about fashion. Moreover, my evaluation criteria for swimsuits were limited to “somehow cute” and “sexy.” And, unlike the internet world overflowing with nothing but monochromatic, minuscule bikinis, the swimsuit section in a real store is incredibly diverse. In such a state, how on earth was I supposed to handle the crucial task of choosing a swimsuit for her, a model? If I chose something half-baked, I wouldn’t be able to face Asahi Hikaru fans nationwide.

“H-How about this one…? It has a refreshing feel, kind of like you, Hikaru…” (Reiya)

However, steeling myself with the thought that there are times when a man must do what he must do, I pointed to one nearby. A sporty, tank top-style swimsuit that seemed to suit Hikaru’s image. It was a two-piece, but the bottom was shorts rather than a bikini. It was the safest of safe choices, made after thinking it would be risky to pick something too revealing right away.

“I see~… So you went with that… Hmm, hmm…” (Hikaru)

Hikaru picked it up and examined it with the gaze of an art appraiser. W-Was it too safe after all…? Indeed, thinking it over, I might have been too caught up in the stereotype of what Hikaru would wear. Maybe something cuter, a one-piece type, for a change… As I waited, feeling like a criminal about to be sentenced—

“Yeah! This looks good! Blue really gives off that ‘Summer!!’ vibe, doesn’t it?” (Hikaru)

Hikaru’s face broke into a smile beneath her sunglasses and mask as she said that. However, my sigh of relief was short-lived—

“Okay, let’s keep this one and move on to the next! I’ll pick the next one, but you’ll pick the one after that, Reiya-kun, so start thinking!” (Hikaru)

Still holding the swimsuit I had chosen in her right hand, Hikaru immediately began to look for the next one. Watching her, I felt a deep sense of understanding – so this is what they call girls’ shopping.

After that, we wandered around the sales floor, looking at various swimsuits. Sometimes Hikaru chose based on her own preference, and other times I was made to choose again. In the end, nearly ten swimsuits remained as candidates for purchase.

“Hmm… I can’t buy all of these, can I~…” (Hikaru)

Hikaru groaned, looking troubled, with numerous swimsuits in both hands. It seemed she liked all of them equally and was having trouble choosing.

“Sakuramiya-san’s pre-opening event invitation was for two days, right?” (Reiya)

“Yeah, she said it was for two days and one night, so even if I change between the first and second day, that’s two… Even if I change midway through the day, four is the limit, huh~…” (Hikaru)

“Well, you only have one body, after all.” (Reiya)

“Right~… In that case, I guess… Excuse me~!” (Hikaru)

As if struck by an idea, Hikaru called out to a female shop assistant nearby.

“How can I help you?” (Shop Assistant)

“I’m having trouble deciding which one to buy, but can I try them on?” (Hikaru)

“Yes, you can, as long as you wear under-shorts. The fitting rooms are over there, please feel free to use them.” (Shop Assistant)

The shop assistant said with a smile, gesturing towards the back of the store.

“Thank you! She said yes, Reiya-kun! I’m going to try some on, so this time you can judge based on that—” (Hikaru)

“Eh? Y-You’re going to try them on, right here, right now…!?” (Reiya)

“Of course. If I can’t buy all of them, the only way is to try them on and see, right?” (Hikaru)

Hikaru looked bewildered, her expression seeming to say, What on earth are you talking about?

“Well, but… um, mental preparation, you know…” (Reiya)

“Mental preparation…? What’s that? It’s not like you’re the one trying them on, Reiya-kun.” (Hikaru)

This time, she said it with a suspicious, fixed stare. However, I wish she would understand that she didn’t get it at all. Asahi Hikaru is, needless to say, a once-in-a-millennium beauty. She herself seems to think it’s a joke or an exaggeration, but it’s an undeniable fact. And such a beautiful girl in a swimsuit is no longer just potent medicine; it’s in the realm of “Ultimate Destruction Magic (Meteor).” It’s the kind of thing one would normally need to spend ample time preparing for until the scheduled day, attaining a Zen-like state of mind just to be able to accept it. And now, I had to face such a thing right here, right now, without any preparation. It was like a hacked ROM (randomizer) had placed the final boss in the initial stage.

“Come on, let’s go.” (Hikaru)

However, there was no way I could voice such thoughts, and she pulled me by the hand to the front of the fitting rooms.

“Alright, well, I’m going to try them on in order, so tell me which one you like best, Reiya-kun.” (Hikaru)

Hikaru took off her shoes, entered the fitting room, and closed the curtain at the entrance. A moment later, the distinct sound of rustling clothes echoed from inside. At that vivid sound of her changing, I couldn’t help but swallow hard. My heartbeat throbbed against my eardrums from inside my body, almost painfully loud. No matter what comes out, I just have to maintain my composure. Swearing that to myself, I continued to wait intently for that moment to arrive. And so, what felt like an eternity passed in the blink of an eye—

“You can open it now.” (Hikaru)

The words signaling readiness came from inside. Perhaps she was nervous too, as her voice was just a little strained.

“O-Okay… I’m opening it…” (Reiya)

Looking around like a suspicious person, I confirmed that no one else was there. Composure, composure, composure. I placed my hand on the curtain and, steeling myself, opened it. Composure, composure, compos—

Inside the fitting room, about one meter square, stood Hikaru clad in a swimsuit. A tank top-style top with straps on the shoulders and a U-shaped neckline. The bottoms were dark blue shorts, loose like a skirt. In terms of simple construction, it resembled the training wear she usually wore, but the vibrant summer-themed pattern, along with the frilly hem and cuffs, created a girlish loveliness. Above all, the attribute of ‘swimsuit’ bestowed upon it set it distinctly apart.

“S-So, what do you think…?” (Hikaru)

Looking a little embarrassed, Hikaru struck a light pose and asked for my opinion. With that, I died.