07 - Bad feeling

After walking a few steps from the mall entrance, I saw Nagi in the distance, leaning against one of the mall pillars while playing on his phone.

Step by step, I managed to move forward. The one thing I was hoping for right now was that Nagi wouldn't notice my presence.

I did say that I would go along with whatever Akane asked, but— I never knew Akane would ask me to do something like this!!

Unfortunately, I had no other choice— my pride as a man or money...

You already know which one I chose.

My face feels incredibly hot right now, my heart is pounding fast, and my legs keep trembling uncontrollably.

"Um.. Nagi," I called softly, touching his cheek with my index finger.

"Hm? EH—"

"YUICHI!?"

***

A few hours ago...

On a sunny Saturday, I woke up feeling refreshed. I realized it was a day off, especially after remembering Akane’s promise that she would treat me at the mall today.

Did I feel bad? Of course. But the problem is, the money my parents sent me this month is running low, and I’ve already borrowed too much from Nagi.

I’m sorry, Akane, but I don’t have any other choice.

Well, maybe this can be a lesson: I really shouldn’t buy too many harem genre visual novels.

I haven’t even finished all the endings yet...

I stretched my arms up to relax my muscles after waking up.

Then, I glanced at the wall clock hanging in my room. "Akane said we’d meet at her father’s villa in an hour, so at seven, right?"

There’s still time to get ready.

I went about my morning routine as usual. Starting with washing my face and brushing my teeth, then tidying up the bed, cleaning the room, and finally having breakfast.

Ting—!

I heard the sound of a message notification from my phone.

I quickly grabbed and opened my phone to see who had messaged me.

Akane? Has it already been an hour? I need to get ready. But before that, let’s see what the message says.

"Good morning, Yui-chan!"

"If you’re free, just head over to my father’s villa near the beach, exactly at— ***."

***

After about fifteen minutes on the bus, I finally arrived at a villa that looked quite old.

Is this the place?

I swallowed nervously.

Even from the outside, the interior looks luxurious, huh? Will they think I’m homeless if I enter wearing these simple clothes?

I walked to the front gate and pressed the bell beside it.

An elderly servant quickly approached the gate. He immediately opened it for me.

"Ah, are you Miss Yamashita’s guest? Miss Yui-chan, right?" the servant asked.

I nodded awkwardly.

Akane even has a servant...

"Well then, please go up to Miss’s room on the second floor, she has been waiting for you for quite some time," he explained.

"Okay..."

***

Following the servant’s directions, I headed straight to the second floor. I kept walking, passing a long hallway. The hallway was filled with framed pictures of us from when we were kids.

I think you’re going a bit overboard with these pictures, Akane...

Oh, right, didn’t that servant mention something about a room earlier?

Come to think of it, Akane has many villas or houses to choose from. For instance, there’s the villa near my hometown, and then there’s this one...

I guess, being rich, Akane can live anywhere she wants. That must be nice, right?

Not really though... The burden is just as heavy. From what Akane has told me, she has to take many extra lessons all in one day. Her father wants her to be on par with her two siblings, which is why she often runs away.

***

After a while, I finally reached Akane's room, as directed by the servant earlier.

For several seconds, I stared at the wooden door of the room in confusion.

Do I really have to go in?

How am I supposed to greet Akane once I get inside?!

Moreover, this bad feeling I’ve had since earlier... What’s it about? I keep feeling chills even though the weather isn’t cold at all.

It feels like I shouldn’t open this door.

But—

I sighed.

I then opened the door, fully bracing myself.

I saw Akane busy folding some messy clothes, while a few other pieces were hanging over the wardrobe.

"Akane-san, need some help...?"

Akane’s shoulders shot up reflexively when she heard my voice, clearly surprised by my sudden arrival.

"Ah.. Yui-chan? No need," Akane replied, continuing to fold the clothes neatly.

"What are all these clothes for? There seems to be a lot... Why didn’t you ask for help from the servants?" I asked, curious. She seemed determined to fold all the clothes by herself with great enthusiasm, like she was preparing a gift for someone.

"I didn’t want to bother them; they already have enough to do. Besides, these clothes are a gift for my beloved childhood friend ♡."

"That’s why I’m folding them myself, so my intentions are clearly conveyed," Akane explained, looking directly at me.

I KNEW IT. These clothes are for me?!

I mean, I don’t mind being given girls' clothes since I’m actually short on clothes to wear.

If they still look a bit tomboyish, maybe I could accept them, but— the problem is the clothes I’m looking at right now are way too feminine..! Who would want to wear these?!

"Um.. Akane-san, can I go to the bathroom? I really need to go," I said, making up an excuse. My instincts were screaming that I needed to escape from here as soon as possible.

Akane suddenly gave me a sharp look, the corners of her lips slowly curling into a wicked smile like the one I saw from her at school yesterday.

My instincts were spot on...

"Why are you in such a hurry, Yui-chan? It wouldn’t hurt to try one on first, right?" Akane replied. Her words left no room for refusal.

***

"Uu..."

Without mercy, Akane forced me to wear the girls' clothes she had prepared earlier. After trying on one after another, she finally found an outfit that fit me.

"So? Not bad, right?" Akane said proudly.

I looked at myself in the mirror. After seeing myself like this, am I really still a guy...?

Akane styled my short hair into a simple short ponytail. As for the clothes, I wore a plain white short-sleeved shirt, since none of Akane’s clothes fit me properly.

On the bottom, I wore a short white skirt with light brown checkered patterns.

This skirt doesn’t even cover all of my thighs...

"Sorry, Yui-chan. I didn’t realize none of my clothes would fit you. I just guessed your size, and I thought it was right, but your chest... Hm..."

Why did you stop talking as soon as you got to the chest part?! What’s wrong with my chest..!!

"Looks like I’ll need to measure your body when I buy clothes next time."

"Thanks, Akane-san, but NO."

"Aww... Why not..?" Akane looked sad and disappointed, but I didn’t care anymore.

Ting!

A notification rang out, but it wasn’t from my phone since the sound was different.

"Yui-chan, I think you should head to the mall now," Akane said suddenly.

"Huh..? Why?"

"Nagi-kun is already waiting there," Akane explained briefly.

"Nagi..? What does this have to do with him?" I asked, confused.

"Oh—! Did I forget to mention? My request in exchange for treating you is... You have to go on a date with Nagi-kun," she said.

WHAT!?

I never heard about this???

"One more thing, you need to send me a selfie with Nagi-kun when you get there," Akane added, her expression neutral as she smiled. "Don’t even think about running away, Yui-chan!"

TO BE CONTINUED.