Echo took me to a nearby shopping mall. We probably walked for ten, maybe fifteen minutes – I completely lost track of time. She kept chatting nonstop, and people passing by kept shooting us curious looks.
Honestly, I couldn't blame them. A camouflaged half-beast walking next to a brightly dressed girl with a guitar was sure to turn heads.
We stepped into the first clothing store that caught our eye.
"Oh, by the way, I got a nice bonus for joining the club I told you about, so don't worry about it. I'm paying!" she said, smiling widley. "Though convincing Lumi not to pay me back will be tough – he's stubborn as a mule."
I realized Echo had some traits in common with him.
But that thought quickly vanished. Together, we browsed through the clothes. My hands touched so many different fabrics for the first time, saw so many beautiful patterns…
…again I couldn't believe the difference in lifestyles between insectoids and those considered "normal."
"Excuse me," said a polite, feminine voice behind me. "What are you looking for? We currently have a promotion for beast-people. Could you tell me your species? Hard to tell with that hoodie and hat, haha."
I turned to see – it was a saleswoman.
"Uhhh…" I froze.
Luckily, Echo jumped in. She hesitated for a split second, glanced at the hood of my white, natural fur, and then it hit her:
"She's a female polar bear," she said without thinking.
"What? Impossible! I've never seen such a weak, fragile bear in my life!" said the brutish half-human, half-bear standing next to us in a suit. Somehow, neither of us had noticed him before.
"Because she has anorexia ," Echo added quickly.
"But why is she wearing a hoodie? Shouldn't she be more resistant to cold?" the bear asked suspiciously. "And she's got so little fur on her face."
We were in deep trouble, I thought. There was no way he wouldn't realize I was a moth and…
"First of all, it's none of your business," Echo snapped. "And second, she caught a cold and also has alopecia. She had to go shopping today because her brother's wedding is tomorrow, and we're picking her a nice dress! Watch this, you nosy geezer! Asael, roar!"
I swallowed hard. The bear glared at me, suspicious and menacing. The saleswoman looked embarrassed, probably new on the job, and she surely hadn't expected a simple question to turn into a customer feud.
I tried my best, but I was too shy. All I could manage was a quiet, timid:
"Rrr-rawr."
The bear laughed.
"That's just a pup! Shouldn't you be taking her to the kids' section?"
I sighed in relief. Somehow, that worked.
"No, she grew up too fast."
"Feed her lots of fish. Always helps, especially at her age. Sorry for the trouble, but for a moment there I thought it was a filthy insectoid walking around our clean, beautiful mall."
I shivered slightly but tried not to show how relieved I was.
"Well, in that case, we have discounted dresses for polar bears. I'll show you where they are," said the worker.
Soon, I found myself in the fitting room, trying on a pink dress with white dots meant for polar bear women. It would've fit me well, if only the neckline weren't designed for someone with a fuller chest than mine.
"How does it look?" Echo asked, stepping into the fitting room like nothing had happened. I jumped a little at her sudden appearance, letting out a tiny, embarrassed sound.
"Too big in the chest… and, um, I think I'd prefer something more… you know…"
"Oh wow, yeah, it's really loose. And the shoulders practically fall off. Okay, hang on, I'll bring you clothes from other sections," she said with a smile and closed the curtain.
The next half hour was spent trying on clothes for different types of beast-people.
Finally, we found the ones that fit perfectly – both in length and width.
They were XL rabbit outfits.
"Heh, bingo!" Echo said proudly. I stood next to her in a black T-shirt with "Sweet Danger" in pink letters and very tight jeans, maybe even a little snug. Looking in the mirror, I noticed they really showed off my shape… and I felt my face heat up.
"And rabbit clothes are half the price of the others. Feels like we hit the jackpot. Put on your disguise – I'm sure you'll find something for yourself!"
"Y-yeah," I replied shyly. "I can't wait."
We left the mall not long after, arms full of bags, grabbing everything from basics to more stylish stuff. The strangest purchase was a white lace dress. Echo insisted I get it, saying it fit me perfectly and that I should wear it today for Lumi. Unlike other clothes, it had a large cutout on the back so my wings would feel free and comfortable.
Once we got home, Echo made me try on every single outfit we bought and show Lumi at the table. Each time she asked, "How's it?" and he usually complimented me.
Sometimes I couldn't tell if it was honest or he was just nice.
Lumi promised to help me alter some of the clothes.
The dress was saved for last.
"Now, watch closely!" Echo's enthusiastic voice rang out as I changed into it in the bathroom. "Hold on tight!" she added, laughing. "Asael will wear this under his cover. When he takes it off at the secret insectoid government everyone will drop their jaws."
I put on the white-beige platform shoes we'd bought to match the dress.
Even though I'd never worn them before, I actually managed pretty well on my first try.
"I can't wait to see what you've come up with," Lumi said, laughing.
I looked in the mirror above the bathroom sink. Thin straps, close fit, covered neckline, defined slim waist ending in a wide lace skirt, showing my legs from the knees down.
I – probably – felt pretty. Even though I was comfortable, I wasn't sure if I really did.
I stepped out. The click of my platforms echoed through the apartment.
"Ta-dam!" Echo said sing-song as I entered the room.
Lumi stared at me in amazement, unable to find words.
"Heh, told you he'd be speechless," Echo added, smiling under her breath. "So Lumi, what do you say?"
"Wow, Asael… you look…" Lumi paused. Knowing him, he was searching for the right words that wouldn't sound weird.. "…wonderful. Sorry, that's the only word I can think of," he said, staring at the floor and blushing slightly.
"I-I'm glad you like it," I muttered shyly, feeling my cheeks burn hotter than ever.
"Awwww, what shy little cuties you are!" Echo exclaimed. "Alright, Lumi, put on your armor and let's go!"
Armor? I almost forgot. I looked around the room and saw a beautiful set of silver plates on a tall wooden stand, tucked in a small empty corner between the table and the wardrobe. It even had a cape – slightly darker than Lumi's hair – but no helmet.
I wondered if Lumi just didn't like wearing it or if there was more to it.
"Yes, I've been waiting for you. I need help with some of the fastenings – they're hard to manage alone."
Echo patted me on the back in a friendly way.
"Your turn, princess," she joked. "Help your knight. I had to deal with this stuff for years when we were on the same hero team. If you really get stuck, then I'll help."
"H-huh? B-but I've never done this before."
"That's why you've got me!" she grinned, pointing at herself with her thumb. "Alright, never mind. No time for chit-chat!"
Putting on the armor took us an hour. Soon, we all left the building - it was already dark.
Echo called a taxi. Walking through the middle of the city – even now – we probably bring more attention than just me and her alone.
Once in the car, Echo sat by the driver, and I sat next to Lumi. I looked at him in awe.
In that armor, he really looked… like a hero from a fairy tale or legend.
As I thought that, Echo asked the taxi driver to take us to the only bridge in town, called the Blue Way.
Just then, the driver pressed the gas pedal, and I couldn't decide whether I wanted to look at the tall, lit-up buildings passing by, which I'd never dared get close to before, or Lumi.
I didn't want to stare at him too directly all the time and come off as weird, but…
…he looked so beautiful.