"I am very sorry! I didn't make myself clear."
Origami hurriedly lowered her head and said.
"It's fine, it's fine. I just misunderstood."
Yutsuki waved her hand with a bitter smile, showing Origami that she shouldn't mind it.
Right now, Origami and Yutsuki were in an Italian restaurant inside a shopping mall. Since it was almost noon when they went out, Origami invited Yutsuki to have lunch together first.
Although when she first heard Origami confessing to her, Yutsuki was shaken and at a loss for a mont, after she recovered, she realized that the "going out" the other party ntioned didn't an dating, but simply inviting her to go out together.
And in fact, after confirming with Origami just now, it proved that Yutsuki's guess wasn't wrong.
(Seriously... just how shaken was I back then to actually let my thoughts drift to a worldline shift.)
Thinking about how she actually said chuunibyou lines that only Kaguya would say in front of Natsumi and Yoshino, Yutsuki felt her cheeks burn with embarrassnt.
"Yutsuki-san, please rest assured... I don't have... that kind of interest."
Seemingly to put Yutsuki at ease, Origami added a sowhat awkward sentence.
Obviously, 'that kind' Origami referred to ant sa-sex relationships.
I don't have that kind of interest either—Yutsuki instinctively wanted to retort. But the next mont, she realized that saying this out loud would be very weird no matter how you looked at it.
"..."
"U-Um, did I say sothing I shouldn't have?"
Origami was clearly flustered by Yutsuki's sudden silence.
"...No, it's nothing."
After a long while, like a deflated balloon, Yutsuki let out a long sigh with a bitter smile. She picked up her fork, took a bite of Italian pasta, and asked.
"So, is there a reason you specifically invited out? You couldn't have just wanted to treat to a al, right?"
"Um, actually, I want to go sowhere today. It's just that I feel a bit embarrassed going alone, so..."
"So you wanted to accompany you?"
"Mhm..."
Origami nodded with a bitter smile.
Hearing this, Yutsuki rested her chin on her hand, thought for a mont, and asked with so doubt.
"I understand the reason. But is it necessary to specifically ask for this kind of thing? Wouldn't soone else do?"
"Um..."
Hearing Yutsuki's question, a hint of hesitation flashed in Origami's eyes, but then she nodded firmly to admit it.
"Yes, if possible, I want Yutsuki-san to accompany . Otherwise, I might give up halfway hoping for a lucky break."
"What is this about... Well, I don't have any special plans today anyway. Accompanying you isn't a problem."
Yutsuki scratched her cheek, feeling speechless. Although she didn't quite understand what Origami was trying to express, Yutsuki clearly recognized her very serious attitude.
And actually, she was a bit curious. The Tobiichi Origami from the previous world, who feared nothing and had absolutely no bottom line especially when doing inappropriate things to Itsuka Shido, was going to what kind of place to be acting so timid?
So, after lunch, Yutsuki followed Origami. After walking around the shopping mall for about five minutes, they finally arrived at the destination Origami ntioned.
______________________
"A beauty salon..."
Looking at the highly fashionable building in front of her, the corners of Yutsuki's mouth twitched slightly.
Ah, how should I put it... She was completely prepared to drink so dark, mysterious potion, but what was actually brought to her lips was just plain, ordinary water—a massive sense of anticlimax.
"Um... Origami, just to confirm, you didn't get the wrong address or anything, right?"
"Mhm, this is the right place."
Seeing Yutsuki's greatly surprised eyes, Origami smiled bitterly and scratched her cheek, saying sowhat shyly,
"Actually, I only found out about this shop after a classmate recomnded it. I'm usually busy with unit training, so coming to a place like this alone is a bit embarrassing."
"I see..."
A look of sudden realization appeared on Yutsuki's face. Indeed, although the blood feud of her parents being killed disappeared after history changed, Origami still trained hard in the AST all the ti for the past four years. Plus, without Itsuka Shido's interference, it was naturally impossible for her to co to a place like a beauty salon.
Even Yutsuki herself wouldn't have the courage to co to a place like this alone.
"Pfft—"
"Um,Yutsuki-san?"
Seeing Yutsuki suddenly laugh out loud, Origami showed a confused expression.
"No, it's nothing."
Yutsuki shook her head with a light smile.
Honestly, up until just now, Yutsuki's understanding of Tobiichi Origami was still stuck in the previous world. But now, looking at the girl in front of her who invited her because she didn't dare go to a beauty salon alone, Yutsuki clearly realized that the Tobiichi Origami of this world also had the side of a normal teenage girl.
"But honestly, at first I thought you were going to take to a pharmacy to buy so weird drugs, or get so illegal anti-theft gear, or take to a lingerie shop to pick out so sexy lingerie to seduce Shido." "Wh-what nonsense are you saying,Yutsuki-san!" Hearing Yutsuki's words, Origami's eyes instantly turned into swirly spirals, and even her voice started to stutter.
"S-Sorry, it was a slip of the tongue..."
"H-how could I possibly ask soone to accompany for that kind of thing!"
"...Eh?" Yutsuki froze. The implication of these words—could it be she had already gone by herself?
"Ah—" Seemingly realizing she accidentally let it slip, Origami's face turned as red as a boiled lobster, and you could even vaguely see steam rising from the top of her head.
"A-Anyway. Let's hurry up and go in!" As if to change the subject, Origami grabbed Yutsuki's hand and walked briskly into the beauty salon.
"Eh? Wait. This is my first ti at a beauty salon too!" Yutsuki couldn't help but shout in panic.
Honestly, when she first saw Origami taking her into a beauty salon, Yutsuki was very resistant. After all, although she had never been to such a place, according to the internet, stylists in beauty salons often like to use tricks to upsell you on dyeing, perming, and treatnts. However, since the person getting the treatnt wasn't her, and Origami clearly knew these things and decided to co here anyway, Yutsuki didn't stop her.
But what surprised Yutsuki was that the attitude of this beauty salon was excellent. The staff didn't do any annoying upselling and directly started cutting hair according to Origami's requests. They even said sothing about Origami being the 100,000th custor of the shop, so today's expenses were completely free. They even served fruits and snacks for Yutsuki, who was just there to keep her company.
(I see, this shop also belongs to Ratatoskr.)
Holding a bit of doubt and curiosity, Yutsuki tried to use her phone to intercept the radio communications in the area, and sure enough, she found a ssage sent from Kotori on the Fraxinus.
[We've already heard the situation from Yoshino and Natsumi. We will support you from the shadows. Do your best on the date, Yutsuki-nee!]
Seemingly knowing that her actions were discovered by Yutsuki, Kotori didn't hide it and directly sent a cheering text to Yutsuki.
"Kotori-chan... this isn't a date."
Yutsuki shook her head with a bitter smile. However, knowing that this shop belonged to their own people made Yutsuki feel a lot more at ease. Since it was a rare opportunity, and figuring she might as well take advantage of a freebie, Yutsuki asked the staff to give her a simple trim while waiting for Origami.
After that, about fifteen minutes later, Origami ca back.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
Seeing Origami's appearance, Yutsuki showed a surprised expression.
Her surprise wasn't due to the exquisite skills of the beauty salon's stylist. Originally, Origami was undoubtedly a top-tier beautiful girl, so no matter how much care and dressing up she received, it would just be icing on the cake.
What truly surprised Yutsuki was that Origami's original waist-length, snow white hair had been cut to shoulder length. Just like the Origami from the previous world.
"Origami, did you plan to cut your hair short when you ca this ti?"
"Mhm."
Origami nodded gently.
"Uh... Well, as long as you're fine with it. Although I think it's a bit of a waste to cut it after growing it so long."
"Despite how I look, I thought about it for a long ti before making up my mind... After all, it's highly likely he likes long hair..."
Gently stroking her own hair and muttering softly, Origami looked at Yutsuki with a slightly helpless smile.
"But I still gave up on that."
Although demonic whispers like 'If I cut it, I won't be able to give Shido a 'hair [BEEP]'' constantly echoed in her heart, in the end, Origami still gave up the idea of keeping her hair long.
The Origami of this world knew very well that what Shido truly cared about was not these purely superficial things.
Making an assumption, if the girl before her cut her hair short, Itsuka Shido would probably naturally co to like short hair too.
(As expected... I don't want to lose.)
Silently telling herself this in her heart, Origami made up her mind and looked at Yutsuki with a serious gaze.
"Ryougi Yutsuki-san."
"What is it?"
Yutsuki looked at Origami with so confusion.
"..."
Origami looked as if she had so major announcent to make to her, but despite waiting for a long ti, Yutsuki didn't hear a single syllable from Origami's mouth.
"Origami?"
Strange, is my hearing going bad?
Yutsuki frowned in confusion.
"...No... it's nothing."
Pursing her lips and swallowing her words back into her stomach, Origami covered her blushing face with her hand, her tone carrying a bit of lingering fear and relief.
"?"
Yutsuki scratched her hair in confusion. Although she was a bit curious why Origami wanted to cut her hair, seeing that Origami didn't plan to tell her, Yutsuki didn't press further.
"Hey, can I decide the next itinerary? There are so things I want to buy."
"Ah? Yeah, sure. Absolutely no problem."
Origami was probably also looking to change the subject, so upon hearing Yutsuki's words, she nodded in agreent without hesitation.
_________________
"An accessory shop...?"
At this mont, Origami had the sa surprised expression as Yutsuki did when she saw Origami going to the beauty salon earlier.
"What, can't I want to co to this kind of shop?"
Yutsuki asked with a light smile.
"No... it's just that Yutsuki-san... doesn't seem like the type to be interested in these little accessories."
Origami answered a bit awkwardly.
"Well, practically speaking, I'm indeed not interested. It's just that I lost the hairband I used to tie my hair when cooking before, so I figured since I'm here, I might as well buy a new one."
"I see."
Origami nodded in understanding.
(Well, actually I've never bought one in this world at all, but from my perspective, saying I lost it is indeed true.)
After silently adding this in her heart, Yutsuki shrugged and pushed open the door to the accessory shop—
"Shido, I still think this four leaf clover one would be more suitable."
"Darling, Darling~ What do you think of this bow? Do I look pretty wearing it?"
"Mhm, it suits you very well, Miku. Ah—"
The mont she opened the door, what Yutsuki saw was the boy Itsuka Shido whose eyes t hers perfectly. And hugging his arms, one on the left and one on the right, were the peerlessly beautiful girls with night-colored and violet long hair—Yatogami Tohka and Izayoi Miku.
"Wait, Yutsuki, listen to —"
—SLAM!
Yutsuki shut the door imdiately.
"Yutsuki-san?"
Standing behind her, Origami looked at Yutsuki in confusion.
"Ah, wait a mont. My phone rang."
Saying this, Yutsuki casually pulled Origami away from the accessory shop. At the sa ti, she picked up her phone, quickly typed on the keyboard, and sent a text ssage to Shido inside the shop.
[Not bad, Shido. You know how to multitask on a date. You really grew up to be an incredible playboy. (Laughs)]
Soon, a reply ca from the phone.
[No, no, Yutsuki, you misunderstood. There's a reason for this. Σ(°д°lll)]
[Don't worry, it's not my first ti seeing this kind of thing. Just teasing, I'm not angry. ╮(─▽─)╭]
[Really? Then why did you close the door and walk away without saying a word? QAQ]
[Origami was right behind just now. If you think it's fine for her to et Tohka and the others in that situation, I'll bring her in right now. (ಠ_ಠ)]
[—I am endlessly grateful,Yutsuki!-sama]
[Well, if you're really grateful, leave tonight's dinner to . I haven't cooked in a long ti, you'll help .]
[Yes, understood.]
"Yare yare..."
Yutsuki put her phone back into her pocket and said to Origami.
"By the way, I'm going to the shopping district next to buy so ingredients. Origami, co help carry things."
"Eh? Well, I suppose I can... Yutsuki-san, weren't you going to buy a hairband?"
Seeing Yutsuki suddenly change her mind, Origami felt a bit gloomy.
Yutsuki smiled lightly and spread her hands.
"Well, it's not anything important, I'll just buy it next ti. I'll make do with a rubber band for now."
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