The day after my chance encounter with Hifumi, I once again met her near the school gates after class.
This time, however, we had arranged it in advance: we planned to go to the shopping center in Shibamachi so I could help her pick out a suitable swimsuit with my excellent sense of style.
In essence, it was still Hifumi wanting to show the first glimpse of herself in a beautiful swimsuit to the person she liked.
Upon seeing me, the girl immediately lit up with a radiant smile and came over. "Sensei, let's go!"
However, I frowned, sensing complications. "Wait a moment… is it just the two of us?"
"Huh?" Hifumi tilted her head in confusion. "Sensei, did you invite someone else?"
I studied her expression carefully; there was no sign of fluster. I smiled and shook my head. "No, nothing. Just asking casually."
Hifumi didn't dwell on it either, her mind clearly brimming with excitement. She nodded emphatically. "Okay, then let's head off right away!"
On the way, I couldn't help but recall our conversation from yesterday when she invited me...
Hifumi had mentioned wanting to go to the beach with me.
I muttered, "To the beach?"
"Yes!" Hifumi eagerly nodded. "When it comes to summer, it has to be the sea… Azusa hasn't even been to the beach yet."
"Speaking of which," I said, "during the training camp, when the power went out and we had the swimsuit party, I also said we should take everyone to the beach sometime."
"That's true… but you don't have to spend money, Sensei. I've been saving up for this day myself…"
I thought for a moment, then smiled. "Well then, going to the beach sounds pretty nice."
Hifumi smiled back. "See?"
Watching the girl, I added, "I also remember you said you wanted to buy a new swimsuit."
"Ah, right! Since I want to take this rare chance to show my summer self for the first time… the school swimsuit is definitely out of the question." Hifumi paused, a little embarrassed. "Also, back then Koharu interrupted the conversation, and Sensei never gave me an answer…"
"You mean the one you wanted me to help choose?"
"Yes…"
"Of course! I'll be happy to help."
Seeing me nod enthusiastically, Hifumi sighed in relief and asked, "When would you be free? If possible, we could go together after school tomorrow!"
And so, here we were now, on our way to the shopping center.
It seemed straightforward enough, but…
At that swimsuit party, there was another girl who clearly said she didn't have any swimsuit besides the school one and had been invited by Hifumi, making a sort-of promise to join.
Hifumi remembered every word she had said to me clearly. When she mentioned wanting to go to the beach with me, she even used the fact that the other girl had never seen the sea as a convenient excuse. Yet, when it came to a shopping center date with me, she completely forgot to invite her momofriends clubmates or companions.
Just like the time Azusa visited Schale, she didn't even notify Hifumi.
I can't tell whether it was intentional or accidental.
Perhaps this is the astonishing tacit understanding that stems from the unbreakable bond between Azusa and Hifumi.
I can't wait to see if, when Azusa finds out we went swimsuit shopping without her, it will awaken her feelings for me, fulfilling the card "conquered".
For now, I decided to watch quietly. Mainly because it's quite entertaining to see cute girls subtly and openly competing for me.
Anyway, after smoothly arriving at the shopping center with Hifumi, we headed straight to the swimsuit section.
While Hifumi excitedly browsed swimsuits, I took a glance as well.
Since we were going to the beach, even if some styles looked similar, I still needed a few proper swim trunks for myself.
After all, with my looks and charisma attracting attention, I had to maintain an appropriate image in public, avoiding unnecessary controversy, or even students criticizing me for lacking moral standards…
"Ugh... hmm…" Hifumi held a frilly swimsuit, her expression conflicted. "It's cute, but overall it feels too plain… and since I'm already pretty plain, if I don't wear something more flashy, I might just blend in like a rock on the beach…"
I glanced at the swimsuit she had put back. I thought it suited her well.
Besides, maybe her self-evaluation was a little too low.
"I actually think you're very special, Hifumi," I said after a pause. "Especially cute."
"Ah waah… Sensei, don't tease me…" Hifumi said, though it sounded more like she was used to my compliments. "Ugh, is there anything a bit more eye-catching?"
As she said this, Hifumi scanned the area and finally fixed her gaze on a corner.
I followed her look and fell silent.
It was a cow-patterned, high-cut one-piece swimsuit, complete with horn hairbands and a bell, just like the administrative officer of the Gehenna Prefect Team.
Hifumi thought for a moment, seeming to make a decision, and reached toward that overly bold swimsuit...
I stepped forward immediately, holding up the swimsuit Hifumi initially found too plain. "How about we try this one first!"
The blonde girl froze, hesitating. "Eh? Th-though this one is cute too, it feels like a normal style for Trinity students…"
"Trust me!" I switched to a coaxing tone. "Just try it a little."
"Ugh… w-well, since Sensei says so, and it is cute… then, please wait a moment."
Taking the light, cute white swimsuit from my hands, Hifumi headed toward the fitting room.
During this gap, I quickly took the cow-patterned swimsuit and the swim trunks I had picked, and went to the front desk to check out and bag them.
This is what you call being prepared.
"Um…"
Before long, Hifumi emerged from the fitting room in her new swimsuit, cautiously asking, "How… does it look?"
"Great! Absolutely perfect!" I exclaimed. "This summer is already yours, Hifumi!"
"Ahaha… getting such praise is kind of embarrassing…"
The girl clasped her hands behind her back, her cheeks flushed, smiling shyly. "It may not be super flashy… but if Sensei likes it this much, I feel a bit more confident."
After a pause, Hifumi said with a grin, "…I can't wait to go to the beach now!"