"Saki, over here!" When Marin saw Saki arrive, she instantly forgot what she had been thinking and cheerfully waved her right hand.
After getting off the train, Saki saw Kael and Marin and hurried over. Unlike Marin's flashy gyaru style, Saki's outfit was the standard high school girl uniform. Not too bold, not too plain—ordinary, with nothing striking. Still, with her looks, she was a pretty JK. But standing next to Marin, she was subtly overshadowed. Marin's gyaru style was simply too dazzling.
Neither Saki nor Marin seemed to mind. When Saki came closer, Marin hugged her.
"Good morning, Saki."
"Good morning, Marin."
After greeting each other, they smiled. Their relationship had clearly grown rapidly in just a few days. They already looked like close friends, hard to believe they had known each other less than a week.
Kael could only marvel at Marin's social skills. Cheerful and outgoing, she could quickly bond with anyone. No wonder she was popular in her class.
The three met up and began exploring Akihabara. Marin had already prepared a detailed plan, so Kael and Saki just followed along. They first browsed a shop selling anime merchandise, then visited a store specializing in cosplay outfits.
Marin saw many costumes there. She loved each one, trying on set after set with the staff's encouragement. Kael enjoyed the view—Marin was a natural model, looking good in anything. Even plain clothes looked stylish on her.
Watching this, Kael felt a dark urge to use the Heavenly Demon Manual of the Seven Emotions and Six Desires to make Marin his. But he quickly noticed the thought and crushed it.
Marin, unaware of his inner conflict, happily posed for Kael and Saki, asking their opinions. She was clearly enjoying herself. She even pulled Kael and Saki into it, giving them outfits too. Kael got a butler's uniform. Saki wore a lady's dress. Together, they looked like a noble lady and her butler.
But when it came time to pay, Marin refused without hesitation. She pulled Saki out of the store, leaving behind a smiling but surely cursing clerk.
Outside, Saki asked in confusion: "Marin, don't you love cosplay? That outfit suited you perfectly. Why didn't you buy it? If you don't have money, I could…"
Before she could finish, Marin pressed a finger to her lips. "Of course not," Marin said seriously. "You misunderstood, Saki. I have the money, but I won't buy clothes here."
"Why?"
Saki didn't understand. She had seen how much Marin loved the costumes, her eyes shining as she tried them on.
Marin explained: "If I cosplay, I want to make the clothes myself. Only then can I express my love for the character."
Kael muttered, "You really do love them deeply."
Marin replied firmly: "If I can't even make my own costume, it proves my love for cosplay is shallow."
"Well said." Kael gave a thumbs-up. "But have you thought about one thing?"
"What?"
"Making clothes takes talent. Are you sure you have it?"
It was a sharp question. Clearly, Marin lacked that talent—otherwise, in the original story, she wouldn't have needed the protagonist's help. But now, she hadn't yet faced reality. She still dreamed of making her own costumes.
Marin, unfazed, said cheerfully: "I don't know how yet, but I can learn. One day, I'll make costumes I'm proud of."
Seeing her hopeful face, Kael sighed. "Remember what you said today. I hope you'll still have this confidence later."
Marin pouted. "That's mean, Renjou-kun. How can you underestimate me?"
"Just wait—I'll surprise you."
Kael rolled his eyes. Yeah, right.
Saki, however, squeezed Marin's hand. "I believe in you, Marin."
Marin looked touched. "Saki, you're the best."
Just then, her stomach growled loudly. Everyone paused, then burst out laughing.
Saki said: "Perfect timing, I'm hungry too. Let's eat."
Marin nodded eagerly. "I know a famous maid café in Akihabara. Let's try it."
Saki agreed.
Soon, Marin led them to a maid café. As they entered, four girls in maid outfits greeted them. "Welcome home, Master."
That was the vibe.
One pretty maid asked: "Three masters, correct? Please follow me."
She led them to a table by the window. Handing them menus, she asked: "What would you like to eat?"
Marin took the menu and consulted Saki. "I'll have a heart-shaped omelet rice and a strawberry sundae."
Saki said softly: "I'll have pork cutlet rice."
She passed the menu to Kael, who said without looking: "I'll have pork cutlet rice too."
What they ate didn't matter. What mattered was who they ate with.