Buying supplies for the Make-Up Work Club was, as expected, just an excuse.
Hanako brought me to a shopping center near Trinity and headed straight for a clothing store. She had clearly prepared a careful plan in advance.
So giving me a gift was only the beginning. There must be some follow up combo waiting for me.
Since I had already agreed to accept socks, it would only be natural to look at casual clothes to match them, right?
I do not really understand fashion, so it would be reasonable to let Hanako help me choose, right?
Then while I was trying on clothes, if she secretly paid and turned it into a fait accompli of giving me even more gifts, that would be perfectly normal too, right?
Back and forth like that, not only could she make me owe her more acceptable favors, she could also use the opportunity to dress me up the way she likes, and even obtain information about my measurements.
"Sensei, how about this one?"
Hanako's voice pulled my attention back. The moment I saw what she was holding, my expression changed.
She was holding up a pair of socks, smiling as she showed them to me. "Do you not think this pattern is interesting?"
The pattern was indeed interesting, but the problem was...
They were long socks.
In my common sense, I vaguely remember that long socks are not limited to women's wear. The style Hanako was holding did look unisex, and since I usually wear long pants, it would not be visible from the outside...
But from my personal perspective, I still felt a slight psychological discomfort.
More importantly, if Hanako really gave me long socks, what was she planning next?
Was she going to buy two pairs, give one to me and keep one for herself, then make me wear them to school and enjoy the thrill of secretly matching outfits that no one could tell on the surface?
I couldn't help but take a sharp breath. Hanako really knows how to play.
Would the next step not be outerwear, but something underneath?
I'm firmly in the boxer briefs camp.
"I-It's quite nice," I replied under her gaze.
As if unaware of the turmoil in my heart, Hanako smiled slightly and put that pair back, her eyes drifting over the other socks as she murmured thoughtfully.
"Hmm... but since this is a rare opportunity, perhaps... this white design feels better."
She picked up another pair. Although she said it was better, I couldn't really tell much difference.
Either way, if I actually wore them, I would feel embarrassed at all times.
"By the way, may I ask what kind of socks you usually wear, Sensei?"
Fortunately, she didn't seem to be completely ignoring my opinion. After all, it was supposed to be a gift for me.
Since she asked, I quickly offered a tactful suggestion.
"As for me, I prefer something a bit more simple."
"I see, so that is how it is."
Hanako looked enlightened, as if she truly understood my hint, which made me want to ask what exactly she thought she understood.
But the next moment, I heard her murmur as if to herself, "But today's... should be fine."
How is that fine?
As if sensing my thoughts, Hanako smiled. "After all, this pair is for me to wear. In any case, I will go pay first. Please wait a moment."
With that, she walked toward the counter.
I was stunned for a moment, then let out a sigh of relief.
So she hadn't started choosing my gift yet.
After thinking about it, I followed her to the register and heard the clerk politely ask Hanako, who had already quickly completed the payment.
"Is this meant to be a gift? Would you like it wrapped?"
"No, it's for me to wear." Hanako paused, then added politely, "Also, if possible, I would like to wear it out directly. May I borrow your fitting room?"
She must be eager to show her new look in front of me, the one secretly in love with her.
"Of course. The fitting room is over there."
Hanako thanked the clerk for the directions, then walked over to me. "I will go change first, Sensei."
I imagined how she would look after changing into the new socks, whether she would act shy in front of me, and nodded happily. "Alright."
The girl went alone into the fitting room. When she came out, what she had been holding and what she was wearing had already been swapped.
Naturally, my gaze fell on her legs.
Even though I still could not clearly describe the difference from before, I felt that something was different.
"I'm back."
After greeting me, Hanako did not wait for my response and hurried back to the counter again.
The smile that had just appeared on my face froze instantly. A very ominous guess surfaced in my heart. This possibility, which I had previously overlooked, became reality as I heard her speak to the clerk.
"Could you wrap this pair for me?"
"...Eh?" The clerk was momentarily confused, looking at the white long socks in Hanako's hand, then at Hanako's pure and refined appearance. "Excuse me... do you mean the pair you were originally wearing?"
"Yes, please." Hanako spoke as if she were saying something perfectly ordinary. "They are a gift for this Sensei over here, so please wrap them in something cute."
In that instant, everything became clear.
The socks she was giving me were the ones she had just worn?
So this was where Hanako had been waiting for me. I truly didn't expect this.
Under normal circumstances, a joke like this would completely ruin my reputation. It was unquestionably excessive again.
Perhaps by doing this, she wanted both to see me flustered and to make some students keep their distance from me, thereby reducing her competition.
What a vicious scheme.
Unfortunately, no matter how carefully she calculated, she miscalculated one thing.
With my peerless appearance, what kind of unfathomable attraction do I possess for any maiden in bloom?
In other words, no matter how terrible my reputation becomes, the moment students see me, they will still uncontrollably develop goodwill toward me. Once they understand my true nobility, they will fall for me even more easily.
Therefore, not caring about such trivial reputation at all, and in fact wanting to turn the tables on Hanako, I narrowed my eyes.
In one swift step forward, I snatched the still warm white long socks from Hanako's hand and stuffed them into my pocket, then spoke to the bewildered clerk.
"Sorry, she was joking. Apologies for the trouble. Hanako, I just remembered I have something urgent to do. See you tomorrow."
Without waiting for Hanako or the clerk to react, I made a strategic retreat.
Later that evening, after I had already returned to Schale, I finally received her delayed momotalk message.
Hanako: Hehe∼ Sensei is even bolder than I imagined∼
Hanako: Please feel free to use them. Remember to tell me your thoughts afterward, alright?
Me: The scent is excellent. If I get tired of it, should I return them to you?
After quite a while, having worked for some time, I glanced at the chat screen that still had no reply, then at the spoils on my desk emitting a faint fragrance, and smiled faintly.
This round is my victory.