Heartbeats and Illusions

After a brief lull in conversation, Kanade turned to Kato again. "Were you out here by yourself today?"

"Sort of," Kato replied casually. "I was supposed to come with Eriri, but she canceled at the last minute. Something urgent came up."

Kanade frowned, his brows knitting together. "That girl…" he muttered under his breath.

Eriri's unpredictable nature was infamous, and while Kato didn't seem particularly bothered by being stood up, Kanade felt indignant on her behalf. It wasn't fair for someone as composed and reliable as Kato to be treated so casually.

"Does Kato have any plans now?" Kanade asked tentatively.

He felt conflicted. On one hand, he didn't mind spending more time with her. Kato was good company, and her level-headedness was refreshing. On the other hand, he wasn't alone today. Mahiru's feelings had to be considered too.

A friend's friend isn't automatically my friend. Natsukawa Kanade knew this truth well. If left unaddressed, such situations could easily lead to misunderstandings. As the one caught in the middle, he was especially at risk of becoming unpopular with both sides—a fate he intended to avoid at all costs.

"About the next arrangements... could you listen to my suggestion?" Kato set her spoon down, her serene gaze shifting toward Shiina Mahiru, who had been uncharacteristically quiet. The angel blinked in surprise, her golden eyes glimmering with curiosity.

"...Of course," she murmured, tilting her head slightly. The unexpected inquiry seemed to catch her off guard. What could Kato possibly have in mind?

Now, Natsukawa Kanade found himself in a completely unexpected predicament. He stood outside a women's clothing store, frozen in the exact same posture he'd had moments earlier, unable to process how events had escalated to this point.

It had started innocently enough. After their dessert rendezvous, Kato had leaned close to Shiina, whispering something that had made the angel nod hesitantly. The next thing Kanade knew, the trio had somehow ended up here—at a specialty shop that, by all accounts, Kanade had no business entering.

"This feels oddly familiar," Kanade muttered to himself, recalling how Kato had once been dragged into a similar store by Eriri. Now the tables had turned, with Kato taking the lead and Shiina reluctantly following. Was this some kind of karmic loop?

His musings were interrupted by Kato's calm voice. "Natsukawa-kun, aren't you coming in?"

"Ehh? I-I'll pass," Kanade stammered, waving his hands defensively. "It's, uh... not really appropriate for me to be in there."

Kato smiled faintly, as if anticipating his reaction. "It's fine. I've already asked the clerk, and she said it's perfectly okay. Besides," she added with a sly look, "when it comes to picking outfits, a boy's opinion can be surprisingly valuable."

Shiina nodded in agreement, her golden locks bouncing softly. "...Please?" she asked quietly, her hands fidgeting with the hem of her dress.

Caught between their expectant gazes, Kanade sighed in defeat. "Alright, fine. But if I get strange looks, you're both responsible!"

Despite his internal protests, Kanade stepped into the store, doing his best to maintain a low profile. It wasn't easy. The shop wasn't just a typical clothing store—it specialized in more... delicate apparel. Averting his gaze from certain displays, Kanade focused intently on his phone, pretending to be engrossed in something extremely important.

Surprisingly, the other customers were kind enough not to make a fuss. A few whispered conversations and pointed glances aside, it wasn't as mortifying as he'd feared. Still, every passing moment felt like an eternity.

"Natsukawa-kun, we're ready!"

At last, Shiina's voice pulled him out of his self-imposed exile. He looked up—and his breath caught in his throat.

Before him stood Shiina Mahiru, transformed. She wore a black, Lolita-style dress that exuded an air of refined elegance mixed with gothic charm. Her usual white tights had been replaced with semi-sheer black stockings, and small embroidered black roses adorned the neckline of her dress. Perched atop her golden hair was a delicate black hat, completing the ensemble.

She looked like a fallen angel—a once-pure being now cloaked in the allure of darkness. The contrast between her usual radiant aura and this new aesthetic was nothing short of mesmerizing.

"Natsukawa-kun," Shiina's voice brought him back to reality, "your eyes... you're staring."

Kanade blinked, realizing he had been gawking. "W-well, it's just... you look incredible! If I had to score this look, it'd be 200 out of 100!"

Shiina's cheeks turned a soft pink, and she fidgeted with her hands. "R-really?"

"Absolutely!" Kanade nodded emphatically. "You've leveled up from angel to queen of darkness. It's like a new evolution!"

Compliments were a free resource, and Natsukawa Kanade saw no reason to hold back—especially when Shiina Mahiru looked this breathtaking. Her transformation into a fallen angel was so stunning that even if he showered her with praise at 200% capacity, he doubted she'd become conceited.

Still, while lavishing Shiina with glowing words, he couldn't help but glance at Kato. To his surprise, Miss Kato looked... exactly the same.

"Hmm?" Kanade tilted his head, his curiosity piqued as he eyed Kato, partially hidden behind the shy, blushing fallen angel. "Kato-san, aren't you going to try on something too?"

Kato blinked and then smirked mischievously. Her gaze sharpened, and her voice took on a teasing tone. "Oh? Natsukawa-kun, are you hoping to be flanked by girls on both sides? My, how ambitious of you."

"Wha—?" Kanade waved his hands frantically, his face burning with embarrassment. "What are you even talking about? That's not what I meant!"

He let out a groan, half-exasperated and half-amused. Ever since Kato had joined the club, she had a knack for saying bizarre things at the most unexpected moments. Had she been influenced by the chaos of the group? Or was this just her natural charm shining through in her deadpan delivery?

Kato's smirk softened into a knowing smile. "Just curious, that's all. But don't mind me," she said, casually pulling Shiina forward. "Today's spotlight belongs to this one right here. Make sure you pay close attention, okay?"

Her words seemed deliberately cryptic, but their effect was immediate. Shiina, who had been hiding timidly behind Kato, finally raised her head, her cheeks still faintly pink.

Kanade smiled at her effort, though he couldn't help but notice her trembling. She was clearly far out of her comfort zone, yet she was trying her best—a determination that didn't go unnoticed by either of her companions.

However, a sudden thought struck Kanade, making him pause. "Shiina... you're not planning to go out dressed like that, are you?"

Shiina tilted her head, blinking in confusion, while Kato gave him an inquisitive look.

Kanade scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "I mean, this outfit looks amazing on you—don't get me wrong—but it's... uh, a little too attention-grabbing. You'd be turning heads left and right."

A mental image flashed through his mind: Shiina walking down the street, her fallen-angel attire drawing the attention of passersby. If someone mustered up the courage to strike up a conversation with her...

Kanade shook his head quickly. No, that wouldn't happen. Based on what he knew of Shiina, she'd reject them just as bluntly as she had rejected others before. Still, the thought gnawed at him, stirring an ugly, gnawing possessiveness in his chest.

Why did this bother him so much? It wasn't rational, and yet the discomfort refused to fade, weighing heavily on his heart.

"Natsukawa-kun," Kato's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. She had somehow sidled up beside him without his noticing, her calm gaze tinged with concern. "If there's something on your mind, you should say it. Whether it's a compliment or something else... speak honestly."

Kanade hesitated, his lips pressing into a thin line. After a long pause, he let out a quiet sigh and murmured, "I'm sorry."

Shiina and Kato both looked at him in surprise.

Taking a deep breath, Kanade finally said, "Shiina... could you change into something else? Not because I think this is ugly—it's amazing, really—but I'd feel more comfortable if you didn't wear this outside."

He clenched his fists slightly, guilt swirling in his chest. "I know it's selfish of me to ask, but..."

Shiina's eyes widened briefly, then softened as a small, understanding smile appeared on her face. "It's okay," she said gently. "I'll change. I didn't feel completely comfortable in this anyway."

Kanade blinked, surprised by how easily she had agreed.

"Are you alright?" Kato asked, her voice softer than usual as she studied him closely.

"Yeah," Kanade replied, forcing a smile. "Thanks, Kato. And... sorry for being difficult."

Kato's expression remained neutral, though her sharp eyes betrayed a flicker of concern. She sighed quietly and looked away.

Kanade's brief moment of vulnerability hadn't escaped her notice. While he'd managed to voice his feelings, it was clear that something still weighed on him. The knot in his heart wasn't completely untied yet, but...

For now, at least, this small step forward would have to suffice.

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