In Shibuya
Two days had passed since we went to Tojo Karen's house to personally train her.
"Sakamoto Ryuji! I have something to say to you!"
The atmosphere in the classroom that morning was a little different.
And for good reason. It wasn't Tojo, who came barging in every morning to cause a ruckus, but a beautiful girl none of them had ever seen before who kicked open the classroom door.
A slightly wavy, red bob. Long eyelashes. Large, moist eyes like a deer's.
She wore a light pink lipstick, and a black hairpin she never used to wear held back her bangs, revealing a smooth forehead.
Having undergone a complete metamorphosis in just three days from a tomboy to a picturesque beauty, Tojo Karen entered the classroom. The students of Class 2-B, belatedly realizing her identity, were left in shock.
"Whoa, whoa, for real? The sudden plot twist where the ordinary sporty girl turns out to be a total bombshell?!"
"…You watch that kind of stuff?"
"You're such a creepy otaku."
"Stop it! Not with those cold stares! Don't move away! Don't change seats! Don't run away!"
While watching the idiot trio fall apart in real-time, I observed the newly reborn Tojo Karen—thanks to Kishimoto's advice—stride confidently over to Sakamoto Ryuji, who was sitting by the window.
In her hand was not a pink love letter, but a white piece of paper with the word "Challenge" written in splendid cursive.
Tojo Karen promptly thrust it into Sakamoto's chest.
"What's this?"
"A challenge."
Tojo Karen said, confidently crossing her arms.
"This weekend, you will go on a date with me in Shibuya."
Even if her appearance has changed, that alpha-female way of speaking isn't going anywhere.
Her bold demand for a date instantly set the classroom ablaze.
Naturally, Sakamoto Ryuji's childhood friend, Yaguchi Maiya, wasn't about to stand by quietly.
"Wh-What are you saying! That! Just coming in and demanding a date! There's a limit to how rude you can be!"
"Stay out of this, Yaguchi. This is between me and Sakamoto."
"W-Well… I have a reason to get involved!"
"And what are you to Sakamoto?"
Yaguchi was momentarily at a loss for words.
She hesitated before finally answering.
"I'm his childhood friend! We've known each other since we were little! I have the right to interfere, don't I?"
"That's a problem that will be solved when I become his girlfriend."
As the two squared off, on the verge of a catfight, Sakamoto, who was awkwardly holding the love letter disguised as a challenge, tried to say something to Tojo.
"Um…"
But Tojo cut him off with a firm shake of her head.
"I'll hear your answer this weekend, not now. If you're a man, don't run away."
Was it because her presence was so overwhelming?
"O-Okay."
In the end, Sakamoto agreed before he even realized it.
Having secured his answer, Tojo coolly turned and walked out the way she came.
But I could see it.
The face of the girl who had turned away was already as red as an apple.
Though she acted bold on the outside, it seemed she had endured a great deal of embarrassment to ask him out on a date so publicly.
As she was about to exit through the back door, I quietly gave her a thumbs-up.
Her movements, which had been as stiff as a robot's, paused. Noticing me, she gave a faint smile and a nod.
I know how the original story ends, but as an observer, I can't help but cheer for her.
Well done, Tojo Karen.
Now go and steal the protagonist's heart.
***
"Karen-chan's confession was insane! So much power!"
"Y-You think so?"
During lunch, Tojo Karen, who had naturally started eating with us, shyly twirled her hair at Kishimoto's praise.
Knowing what her original messy, rough hair was like, I commented on the new glossiness of her locks.
"Oh? This? I told my dad about it yesterday, and he sent me to a salon that celebrities go to. I don't know the exact price, but I heard it cost quite a bit."
Ah, that I can believe.
There were very few things in this world that money couldn't solve.
Just then, Kishimoto, who was eating salt-flavored cup noodles for lunch, asked a question.
"More importantly, have you decided what you're going to wear on your date? You can't show up in your school uniform."
Tojo looked as if she hadn't even considered it, averting her eyes and stammering.
"N-Not yet."
"Then let's go shopping together after school! I'll pick out some clothes that will look great on you, Karen-chan!"
"Rika…!"
Tojo looked at Kishimoto with teary eyes.
It was the look of someone who had just found a lifelong friend.
Girls' shopping trips had nothing to do with me, so I continued to eat my lunch in silence, but once again, Kishimoto called out to me.
"Of course, Ryu-chan is coming with us, right?"
"…Me?"
"Yep! Ryu-chan is our 'comrade' in helping Karen-chan with her crush, after all!"
The way she emphasized the word "comrade" seemed like a pre-emptive strike to block any escape routes.
I tried to think of an excuse to avoid being dragged to a mall to serve as their pack mule, but nothing came to mind.
Besides, if I refused, it would probably just cause problems later.
"Fine. Let's go."
Looks like I'll be getting home late again today.
***
After school, we took the subway to Shibuya, the nearest downtown area, to buy clothes for Tojo's date.
Shibuya.
Known as the district of youth and fashion.
Along with Ikebukuro and Shinjuku, it was one of Tokyo's three major sub-centers and a hot spot just a few stops away from Minato Ward, where our school was located.
Most of the people walking the streets were in their twenties or thirties, each dressed in vibrant clothes that expressed their unique individuality.
Of course, it wasn't strange for us to be in our school uniforms, but compared to everyone else, our attire was painfully plain, and we couldn't help but feel a little intimidated.
"Ryu-chan, people keep looking this way."
"That's because of you two."
"No, I really don't think that's it."
Tojo glanced at me as she spoke, then stuffed her hands in her pockets and took in the dazzling scenery of Shibuya.
"So where should we go first? I don't come to places like this often, so I have no idea."
At that, Kishimoto, the very person who had dragged us here, confessed with a bright smile.
"I don't really know either."
A stunned Tojo shot back.
"What? You were the one who suggested coming here."
"I lived in Shizuoka until recently, so I don't know my way around! I still get super lost on the subway if Ryu-chan isn't with me!"
I had a feeling something was off when she was so insistent on me joining the party.
So they didn't bring me to be a baggage carrier, but a human GPS.
Seeing as I had probably been to Shibuya more often than the two of them, I let out a small sigh and nodded.
"Let's head to the Tokyu Department Store first, then."
"Oh! Good idea!"
When you don't know where to go, it's best to head for a place that has everything in one spot.
And for these rich young ladies, money wouldn't be an issue, even at a department store.
Since the two of them didn't know the way, I took the lead.
I could feel more eyes on us as we headed toward the crowded areas, but I deliberately ignored them.
Life would be too exhausting if I paid attention to every little thing like that.
Soon, we entered the Scramble Crossing, one of Shibuya's landmarks.
***
The Tokyu Department Store was a massive shopping complex with eight floors above ground and one below.
With hundreds of stores inside, it was a solid choice if you didn't have a specific clothing shop in mind in Shibuya.
We took the escalator from the first floor up to the third, where the women's clothing section was.
The entire floor was dedicated to women's apparel, making it a space that naturally felt unwelcoming to a guy like me.
A quick glance revealed stores for women's lingerie and swimwear.
It felt like I had stepped into a forbidden zone for men.
But since the main purpose of our visit was to buy Tojo a date outfit, I had no choice but to accompany them.
"Oh! That outfit is so cute! And that one too!"
Like a fish back in water, Kishimoto, the former part-time model, darted around the women's section.
Tojo, who was dragged along with her, seemed unaccustomed to this sort of thing, but she didn't look displeased.
I followed slowly behind the two of them, my hands in my pockets.
Finally, they entered a luxury brand store.
As soon as she was inside, Kishimoto unhesitatingly grabbed a few outfits, held them up to Tojo, and then pushed her toward the fitting room, telling her to go try them on.
Swept up by Kishimoto's uncharacteristically forceful pace, Tojo found herself stumbling into the fitting room.
Immediately after, her surprised voice came from inside.
"Wait! This cute style doesn't suit me!"
Kishimoto told me to wait a moment, then strode into the fitting room Tojo had entered.
"Ri-Rika?"
"Shh! Big sis will take care of everything, so just stay still!"
"Wai-be gentle, that's a sensitive spot!"
A rather suggestive conversation, the kind you'd often hear in a rom-com, drifted out from the fitting room. After about five minutes, Kishimoto emerged with a refreshed expression.
"Where's Tojo?"
"She'll be out in a second."
Just as she said, after a moment of rustling behind the fitting room curtain, Tojo walked out, no longer in her school uniform.
"Rika, this skirt is too short…"
Kishimoto gazed lovingly at Tojo, who was extremely embarrassed by the frilly clothes she was wearing for the first time, then glanced at me.
"What do you think?"
"It looks good on you."
That wasn't just flattery; it was the truth.
They say the clothes make the man, and it turns out they were right.