After finishing his strange conversation with the elderly Uma Musu, Kitahara Sota was unceremoniously kicked out of the clothing store, head still spinning with confusion.
However, before he'd left, the elderly lady had suddenly given him an additional task—to help Tokai Teio pick out two outfits and take them back with him.
But why, though?
He and Tokai Teio were just ordinary friends—and mainly just casual acquaintances bound by mutual benefit, at that.
If he were to abruptly make such a suggestion without her asking, wouldn't she think he was so sort of pervert?
Wait a second. A pervert?
He suddenly stroked his chin thoughtfully.
If I do sothing like this, will her opinion of drop?
Honestly, though he wasn't as wary of Tokai Teio as before, the rate at which their relationship was progressing lately felt unnaturally fast.
They'd only known each other for two weeks, yet they'd already beco ordinary friends. At this rate, what would happen when their three-year term was up? He didn't even dare imagine it.
So why not seize this chance to lower her opinion of him? If he played it right, Teio might even start being cautious around him and actively maintain her distance.
With that thought, his mood instantly brightened, and he imdiately tracked down Tokai Teio, earnestly suggesting the idea.
Then, after only a brief mont's hesitation, Tokai Teio gave a gentle nod.
"Mm, then I'll leave it to you."
Kitahara Sota: "…?"
Wait, why was this developing differently from what he'd envisioned?
Forget outright rejection—at least show a bit of hesitation before turning him down, right?
After all, Teio should be fully aware of his non-existent fashion sense. How did she end up agreeing so readily?
Kitahara felt question marks floating above his head.
"I'm just asking you for a bit of advice. What exactly were you thinking, you dummy trainer-san?"
Tokai Teio explained calmly, her tone and expression perfectly normal.
Though, for so reason, her tail was swishing slightly behind her as she spoke.
Kitahara wanted to argue, but after glancing at Eclipse, who wore black every single day, and the hopelessly dysfunctional individual standing nearby, he suddenly realized he might actually be the only viable option for her.
Tokai Teio might not be from Symboli Rudolf's family, but she still ca from a rather well-off household—calling her a young lady wouldn't be exaggerating. She surely knew quality when she saw it.
Considering the situation in the store, it was quite normal she'd want to buy so clothes. With no one else around who could advise her, asking him did seem reasonable.
Once he'd sorted out that logic, Kitahara gradually cald down, imdiately regretting his previous foolish thoughts. Now he'd really dug himself into trouble.
Despite his regret, he'd already made the offer and couldn't back out. Resigned, he sighed inwardly and dutifully helped Tokai Teio pick out so outfits.
Of course, it wasn't as extre as Agnes Tachyon's requests—Teio wasn't nearly that shaless, and so they only ended up with a few ordinary choices.
After the shopping session ended, Kitahara was forcibly expelled from the store yet again, with an additional warning from the elderly Uma Musu that he must bring at least four people next ti, or she'd kick him out on the spot.
Standing bewildered outside, Kitahara couldn't fathom what the elderly lady had in mind. Wasn't she deliberately making things difficult?
He'd already gathered enough data for Teio's and Tachyon's racing outfits, and they'd just finished shopping. There was no way they'd return so soon.
If they were out of the equation, did that an he had to drag Oguri Cap, Special Week, and Grass Wonder along?
He'd planned a racing outfit for Grass-san, but he hadn't told her yet. She was rely an outsider affiliated by na, and there wasn't a rush since her debut wasn't imminent. He'd intended to wait until Eclipse and the others' outfits were ready before ntioning it, but now…
Or maybe, if worst ca to worst, he could rope in Agnes Digital as a placeholder.
Considering her personality, she'd probably be intrigued by the store—especially by that enigmatic elderly Uma Musu. She wouldn't refuse an invitation.
With that thought, his figure gradually disappeared down the road.
Just after his back vanished from view, two small silhouettes appeared from the opposite direction, trotting toward the shop entrance.
"Kita-chan, are you sure it's this place? It looks kind of…um, questionable."
"Dia-chan, trust . It might look shabby from outside, but you'll definitely be amazed once we're inside."
...
Completely unaware of what he'd just missed, Kitahara Sota smoothly returned to Tracen Academy.
As soon as he entered campus, Narita Brian, who he'd parted ways with earlier, quickly approached them, ntioning that the president was looking for Tokai Teio. She imdiately took Teio away, likely to discuss the earlier attack.
Agnes Tachyon had wanted to stay, even hoping to visit Kitahara's dormitory.
But having learned from past experiences, Kitahara wouldn't make the sa mistake twice. He directly had Eclipse contact Agnes Digital, Tachyon's kryptonite, who had just co out of the infirmary, and let Digital haul Tachyon away.
As usual, Eclipse accompanied him back to his dorm.
However, this ti, after escorting him, Eclipse didn't leave right away. After a brief hesitation, she took out the unidentified potion they'd confiscated earlier from Agnes Tachyon.
Kitahara felt an ominous premonition.
"Eclipse, calm down. Most of her potions have issues, especially this naless one."
"It's fine. My constitution is strong enough. I'll just take a sip."
Eclipse said this calmly, preparing to taste it.
But before she could raise it to her lips, Kitahara, sweating nervously, quickly snatched it away.
"Don't! Let do it instead."
If the potion had so questionable side effects and he took it, Eclipse could easily restrain him if necessary.
But if sothing happened to Eclipse, he'd stand no chance—today might even beco his last.
Wait… With her personality, what if she decided to just go with it?
Despite the terrifying possibility, he had no other choice. He carefully dripped a few drops onto his palm and lightly touched it with his tongue.
The next second, his body erupted into a dazzling brilliance, even brighter than last Saturday.
The good news was, the potion seed to actually be just an ordinary nutritional supplent—though perhaps more accurately, a glowing potion with a nutritional side effect.
Only then did Kitahara recall an important detail.
"Wait a minute, Eclipse, why did you suddenly want to try this potion anyway?"
Eclipse tilted her head thoughtfully, then seriously replied.
"Because I thought… glowing seed fun."
Kitahara Sota: "…"
God damn it!
...
Despite his internal grumbling and inability to comprehend Eclipse's thoughts, Kitahara still spent two hours glowing alongside her.
After Eclipse left, Kitahara seriously began considering ordering a batch of these potions from Agnes Tachyon, specifically to keep Eclipse amused—and hopefully reduce the chance of her soday deciding to end him when in a bad mood.
While deep in thought, ti silently slipped away, bringing the night and eventually dawn.
As always, he woke up early, saw he still didn't have work today, rolled over, and prepared to continue sleeping.
And just like always, before he could drift back to sleep, the door knocked.
Kitahara assud it was Eclipse coming over again, but upon opening the door, he was t by a combination he'd never expected:
Silence Suzuka, and Special Week leaning on her for support.
Before he could grasp what was happening, Suzuka anxiously handed Special Week over to him.
"Sorry, Kitahara Trainer-san, sothing urgent ca up on my end. Please look after Special Week!"
With that, Suzuka thrust Special Week into his care and imdiately dashed away without giving him a chance to speak.
Watching Suzuka disappear down the road, Kitahara turned to Special Week, about to ask her what had happened with Suzuka, but her expression looked even more confused than his own.
…Forget it.
Looking at the baffled airhead before him, Kitahara sighed.
"Let's just go inside first."
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