What’s under Kamiyama-san’s paper bag?
Chapter 18 Arai-san chooses casual clothes.
Kamiyama-san and Harusame. There were various things happening, but we managed to succeed in buying what we were looking for, at least.
I asked Kamiyama-san to go to the restroom and adjust the paper bag on her head, then I turned towards Arai.
“Well… now it’s just Arai…”
As I looked at Arai with lifeless eyes, Arai smiled as usual.
“Well… honestly, I don’t really understand fashion and all. Harusame-chan, on the other hand, always dresses stylishly.”
” “M-M-Me? Y-Yes… that’s right! I do… have some knowledge… I read fashion magazines every month… I wanted to keep myself updated with the latest information, just in case I made friends who liked fashion…” Blushing, Harusame answered.
Upon hearing that, Arai held Harusame’s hand and said.
“Oh, that’s great! In that case, maybe I should have Harusame-chan choose my clothes.”
“Sorry, can I interrupt for a moment?” I urged the two of them to look around the store. Inside the store, the scared-looking shop clerk and the girls who were customers had huddled in a corner, observing our actions.
As I turned my gaze back to Arai from those fearful individuals, I solemnly spoke.
“Arai can communicate with people just fine, so why not leave everything to the shop clerk?” I didn’t know what would happen if I left it to Harusame.
I couldn’t afford to cause any more trouble in this store, so I decided it would be better to just leave everything to the shop clerk.
“Hey, what do you mean, Komina? Are you saying you don’t trust my sense?” I explained to Harusame, who was getting defensive.
“It’s not that I don’t trust your sense. It’s just that you must be tired today, right? Besides, today is about overcoming our individual weaknesses.
I thought if you helped, it wouldn’t be a practice for Arai anymore.”
Once again, I blurted out without thinking. However, Harusame understood and sat down on a nearby chair before speaking.
“…I guess you’re right… I might be tired today after all… If you say so, I’ll take a break… I guess… Well, look at that… Komina, you have some unexpectedly good points too…”
“Alright, let’s leave it to Arai then.”
Having successfully convinced Harusame, I approached the cowering shop clerk in the corner and handed over Arai.
“Excuse me. Um, it’s okay now… Oh, no… Please don’t be so frightened, I’m sorry. I’m really sorry. Um… Could you help me pick out a set of clothes that would suit this child?”
Saying that, I entrusted Arai to the shop clerk and left the store with Kamiyama-san and Harusame, who had returned from the restroom.
It must have been about thirty minutes. Just as I thought I heard the shop clerk say, “Thank you very much,” there stood Arai, transformed into a stylish outfit befitting the current fashion, looking a bit bashful. Looking at us with a shy smile, Arai spoke.
“Hehe… H-how is it…?” I expressed my honest impression.
“It suits you really well. I think from now on, you should dress like that on your days off instead of wearing a uniform.”
Kamiyama-san and Harusame also kept saying how cute it looked.
“Oh, really… Thanks, everyone.”
Arai smiled happily. I couldn’t help but smile along.
“With this…” Arai, who had been shy, suddenly turned serious.
They raised their clenched fist high in the air and declared loudly.
“With this… it’s a complete victory for the Conversation Club!” Passersby looked at Arai, who suddenly shouted.
Kamiyama-san and Harusame also raised their fists, celebrating the success of the club activities.
What does this have to do with winning or losing in shopping? As I stared blankly at the three of them, Arai called out to me.
“Komina-kun, won’t you join us?”
“That’s right! You’re a member too, right? We won, so you should be happy with us.”
Harusame chimed in as well.
“No, I’ll pass… Actually, please let me abstain, if you don’t mind.”
“What are you saying? Aren’t you happy? You were finally able to shop properly, right?” As Harusame and I argued, Kamiyama-san pointed to the stationary store across the street and said.
“Um… I actually want to go to that stationery store over there… Is it okay…?” I had a thought and decided to ask.
“Kamiyama-san… Did you mistake the stationery store for the clothing store…? Do you want to buy paper bags?”
“…Yeah… I thought since we’re already here, I might as well get a stylish bag…” I see. In Kamiyama-san’s mind, paper bags are considered fashion items.
I see, I see. I see… And so, we also stopped by the stationery store, bought paper bags, and headed towards the train station.
There were various things that happened at the stationery store too, but if I were to tell everything, my head would probably explode, so I’ll skip those details. No, please let me skip them, if you don’t mind.
