Romantic feelings.
One of the three major desires, an emotion born from sexual desire that leads one to harbor love or affection for another person.
Although I have recently come to understand various emotions, I have yet to experience this one.
Having had all elements unnecessary for talent stripped away, my sexual desire has also been fatally diminished, leaving me unable to feel any sense of longing or endearment toward others.
That is why, even if I tried to comprehend it, it would likely prove difficult.
(...The faint romantic feelings that Hajime Hinata held toward Chiaki Nanami, the heavy affection that Junko Enoshima directed toward Matsuda.
I can grasp the processes leading up to those emotions in both cases, but I have no idea what the actual sensation feels like.)
With that conclusion, I closed the phone I had been operating and slipped it into my pocket.
Today felt even chillier than usual, and my fingertips were freezing.
I keenly sensed the necessity of gloves and a scarf.
"…Even so."
Right now I am at Keyaki Mall.
It is the afternoon of December 23rd.
With Christmas only two days away, the stores are bustling with various events, and groups that appear to be couples are enjoying their shopping.
To be precise, roughly 50 percent couples, 40 percent mixed-gender groups, and 10 percent others.
Thanks to this scene and the season, I had been lost in such trivial thoughts.
"For the fulfillment of love they exert all kinds of effort. Mainly communication and fashion.
They save their points for outfits and engage in conversation to draw closer to their partner. Their initiative is worthy of praise."
What is trivial to me is desperate for them.
Their earnest actions are plainly uninteresting, yet they hold more value in my sight than those who do nothing.
"Shall I use my Coordinator talent for the first time in a while?
I only have one set of winter clothes anyway, so I might as well pick up a few more."
It is not that their actions inspired me, but it is a good opportunity.
After finishing my business, I could enjoy some shopping.
"Well, whatever the case, let's quickly deal with this hassle."
I put my hands in my pockets and resumed walking.
This morning there had been a discussion about the rooftop incident.
After covering the flow of events, confirming information, and soothing Ishizaki-kun, it had wrapped up around nine o'clock.
After returning to the dorm once to rest, I came here because there was something I simply had to do.
"…This really does make me a laughingstock."
I sighed as I gazed at my reflection in the glass showcase.
A school uniform completely out of place at Keyaki Mall, paired with unbalanced long hair.
I stroked the uninjured portion of my hair.
What I had to do was—
... A haircut.
Yesterday, in the fight against Ayanokouji-kun, the left side had been taken out in a large chunk.
Well, I was the one who severed it.
At any rate, the hair that had reached my waist was now chopped to shoulder length.
And only on the left side.
I have no particular attachment to hairstyles, but even I could not overlook this.
Hence, my first major haircut in life.
"…Better to get it done early."
I headed to the beauty salon I had reserved the previous night.
Among the several salons inside Keyaki Mall, I had chosen one where facilities could be rented and made the reservation.
The original purpose was likely a system allowing people interested in haircuts or hairstyling to gain hands-on experience by conversing with active staff.
The charge was only for renting the space, so it was cheaper than a regular cut.
It suited my needs perfectly in multiple ways.
"…Welcome."
By the time I arrived at the salon.
Upon entering, the staff member's face twitched for a split second.
It was obvious without even using my super analytical ability that they were struggling not to burst out laughing.
Yes, I definitely needed to part ways with this bizarre hairstyle as soon as possible.
I finished the reception process and proceeded to the designated spot with the assigned beautician.
Everything necessary for hairstyling was fully prepared there, and even from my perspective it felt like an excellent environment.
"What brings you in today?"
The assigned beautician responded pleasantly.
"I'll cut my own hair."
"I-I see. Well… it's a bit difficult to say, but with the volume of hair you have, handling it all by yourself…"
"No need for concern. I possess the talent of a Super High School Level Beautician, after all."
When I declared it firmly, the beautician became visibly flustered.
They were probably imagining the worst if I failed.
However, that was impossible.
With the talent of a Super High School Level Beautician, I could recreate any hairstyle, and with this much hair there was no style I could not manage right now.
"I-I'll just observe from a distance. Ah, the cape is hanging right there, so…"
After receiving the complete set of haircutting tools, the beautician stepped back one pace.
I am used to being watched, so it did not bother me, but further interference would be a hassle.
Let's finish this quickly.
...
"…It's cold."
By the time it was past three in the afternoon and evening was approaching, I—Suzune Horikita—had come to Keyaki Mall.
From morning until just a short while ago I had been working on winter-break assignments and independent study.
Having completed my daily quota and feeling satisfied, I decided to treat myself with some shopping.
Still, it really was cold.
While I had paid attention to my appearance for going out, I regretted not wearing more layers.
"…This is perfect. I'll buy several winter outfits."
Unable to settle on a proper self-reward and factoring in tomorrow's plans, I resolved to splurge on new winter clothes.
My plans for tomorrow involved speaking with Kushida-san.
The two objectives were to propose cooperation in repaying the debt owed to Class C from the Paper Shuffle, and to build a closer relationship with her to strengthen Class D's unity.
"Now then…"
With no further plans today, I could take my time.
In that case it would be better to visit several stores while researching fashion so I could ultimately choose the best clothes.
With that decision I wandered through Keyaki Mall.
I had always been mindful of grooming, but spending money specifically on fashion was a first for me.
Being in Class D made frugality essential, so I had always bought casual clothes on sale at discounted prices.
Even so, Kushida-san made the most of her appearance and dedicated some of her already limited points to it.
If this were the me from right after enrollment, I would surely have called it a foolish act.
But now I even feel respect for that action I could not take myself—devoting full effort into communication skills, even if it stemmed from fulfilling a desire for approval.
I had decided to face her properly.
If so, then to ease her burdens even slightly and to capture a bit of her goodwill, this was a necessary expense.
"…It's more difficult than I expected."
After checking two or three stores I had found outfits I liked, but it was hard to judge whether they were actually fashionable.
Blessed with good looks as I am, most things suit me, but my pride insists that alone does not constitute being stylish.
However, how exactly should one choose?
Having devoted my life thus far entirely to study, I am far less familiar with these trends than the average high school girl.
Honestly, I am at a loss.
... It cannot be helped.
"…Excuse me."
I called out to a female clerk.
"Regarding recent trends… um, what sort of clothing is considered fashionable?"
With no other solution in sight, I endured the embarrassment and carried out my last resort: consulting the clerk.
It is not… not as if I am running away.
Yes, this is evidence of my growth.
The me at enrollment would have stubbornly insisted on deciding everything alone to the very end, but now I understand the importance of relying on others.
This is the rational choice.
"I see. Recently styles like these have been popular."
As I smiled inwardly with satisfaction, the clerk guided me to the trending section.
There were winter items such as sweaters and coats, along with gloves, scarves, and accessories.
This is good.
I am not disinterested in fashion; I am simply unfamiliar with it.
I honestly want to try on each piece.
"Do you have any particular requests?"
"…Nothing specific. It's just that there is a reason I need to become more fashionable.
So, for now I would like to base it on recent trends."
"…Hehe, is this for a date by any chance?"
"…No. It is nothing like that."
My voice dropped without thinking, but I quickly caught myself.
This clerk was smiling as if beholding something heartwarming, which irritated me.
I do not care what common sense or whatever it is, but leaping straight to that conclusion simply because Christmas is near is unpleasant.
After all, a student's primary duty is study.
Overindulging in entertainment is clearly putting the cart before the horse.
"I do have a staff-recommended coordination. How about it?
You have a beautiful and elegant atmosphere, so I believe it would suit you wonderfully."
"…If I wear that, will it satisfy the trendy requirement?"
The female clerk smiled amiably and nodded.
I wasn't swayed by such obvious flattery, but becoming fashionable was what mattered most to me right now. I had no choice but to listen to the opinion of someone far more knowledgeable about clothing than I was.
"Then——"
"——With that way of asking questions, you'll get ripped off eventually, you know."
The moment I was about to accept the clerk's offer, a familiar voice spoke from behind me.
It was a somewhat androgynous male voice. I recognized the owner of this emotionless tone.
I turned around, prepared to call his name as if to confirm.
"Mind your own business, Kamu——!?"
But the instant I tried to say his name, my mouth froze open.
I blinked repeatedly, verifying that the person standing before me wasn't an imposter.
Yet my brain couldn't keep up with processing the information.
"I'll be borrowing her for a moment."
The visitor informed the clerk and had her step back.
There was no mistaking this tone of voice.
But,
"W-Who are you?"
"Izuru Kamukura. It's been a while, Horikita-san."
The visitor introduced himself as Izuru Kamukura-kun, Ryuuen-kun's right-hand man.
Or so he claimed.
However, his appearance was completely different from the one I knew.
That was precisely why I remained bewildered.
After all,
"…What happened to your hair?"
... That signature long hair was gone.
I naturally posed the obvious question to him as he turned toward me those blood-red eyes that formed his other distinctive feature.
"I cut it. Image change."
Image change.
Indeed, it was exactly an image change.
The eerie long hair that everyone knew had been neatly trimmed to shoulder length.
What is commonly called medium-long hair. And it wasn't feminine in style—it had a unique flair.
His outfit was also coordinated around a black and white color scheme. Even an amateur like me could tell it was exceptionally stylish.
He looked far too different from the version of him I saw at school.
"You really are… Kamukura-kun, right?"
Kamukura-kun gave a small nod.
"…What is Fermat's Last Theorem?"
"It is the theorem that states no natural numbers X, Y, and Z satisfy the equation Xⁿ + Yⁿ = Zⁿ when n is a natural number of 3 or greater. Would you like me to provide the proof as well?"
It really was him.
There were only a limited number of people in this school who could answer Fermat's Last Theorem.
After clearing my throat once, I tried speaking with him again.
"…It's been a while, Kamukura-kun. Do you need something from me?"
"I don't have any particular business. I simply happened to notice you were about to get taken advantage of by the clerk and stepped in to help."
"I wasn't about to get taken advantage of. That clerk was a little irritating, but I didn't sense any dishonesty in her approach."
"She probably wasn't lying. However, she is a sales clerk—she has to generate profit.
She likely planned to compliment you and push you to spend right up to the very limit of your points."
Kamukura-kun struck right at the painful spot.
It was a convincing argument, so I couldn't refute it.
"…You dress stylishly too. That's surprising."
Disliking how he was seizing control of the conversation, I changed the subject.
"Just killing time. I don't usually bother."
"For just killing time, you seem quite skilled at it."
A large black jacket layered over a thin white knit sweater, paired with light beige corduroy pants and black leather shoes.
I wasn't very familiar with the different types of men's pants, but they were probably in fashion.
"Because that's the impression I aim to give."
I had thought that simply wearing what suited me was enough, but apparently fashion extended to the level of manipulating how others perceived you.
Perhaps that was why Kushida-san enjoyed it so much—she had already reached that level.
"From the looks of it, you're struggling quite a bit with selecting clothes. Do you really want to become fashionable that much?"
"…Yes, I do. Is that a problem?"
He must have overheard our earlier conversation.
In that case, I could assume he already knew I was trying to dress better.
It was embarrassing, but rather than awkwardly pretending, I decided to be straightforward.
"Not at all. I'm just curious why you suddenly decided you wanted to become fashionable.
Did you find a guy you like? Or get yourself a boyfriend?"
"…No, that's not it at all. Even you spout such worldly nonsense.
Is it really that strange to want to dress nicely for myself?"
"No, I consider that a valid reason as well.
However, given the season and your reaction earlier, it felt like you were trying to show yourself off to someone—which is why I asked that question."
As sharp as ever.
I hadn't meant to act any particular way, but it seemed he had sensed something off.
"…Since you saw the entire exchange, there's no point in making excuses to you now.
Yes, I'm considering dressing up to show someone. Got a problem with that?"
"I have no complaints."
In response to my blunt admission, he showed a hint of exasperation on his otherwise expressionless face.
His emotional changes were much easier to read than before.
Perhaps when he had nothing going on, he was surprisingly relaxed.
"Is the person you want to show Horikita Manabu?"
"…Why would I need to show my brother my casual clothes?"
"If it's not a romantic interest or boyfriend, then the options are family or a friend, right?"
"…It's a friend."
"I see. That's slightly unexpected."
He spoke as if satisfied that his prediction had been off.
As expected, he was an odd one.
"Well then, I'll take my leave here."
Now that the conversation had reached a conclusion, he moved to depart.
"Wait."
"Is there still something you need?"
"Yes. There's one thing I want to ask you."
I stopped him from leaving.
What I wanted to ask about was Kushida-san.
She owed a debt to Class C.
I wanted to know the current state of that situation.
"Is this something we can discuss here in the middle of the walkway?"
I shook my head.
It concerned another person's private matters, after all.
"In that case, let's exchange contact information. Please send me the details through private chat."
He took out his phone from his pocket.
I did the same, and we quickly exchanged contacts.
"It's probably about Kikyou Kushida, right? I can share what I know to a reasonable extent."
"…You're being unusually cooperative. What's your goal?"
I was no longer surprised that Kamukura-kun had already guessed the topic.
What interested me more was his willingness to help.
"Consider it thanks in advance for something yet unknown."
With that, he turned his back and this time truly began to leave.
But right before he walked off,
"If you want to dress fashionably, rather than buying something now, you'd be better off consulting Kushida-san first. You're much less likely to fail that way."
He offered the advice before departing briskly.
I watched his unfamiliar retreating figure.
I had once heard that a person's first impression is largely decided by their hairstyle, and it might truly be the case.
Today, he seemed to carry a somewhat gentler atmosphere than usual.
"…It grates on me to do exactly what he suggests, but well, consulting Kushida-san might be one option."
I had no intention of fixing my personality that made me complain about advice, and being honest was more of a virtue anyway.
Still, this was the perfect chance to try building a better relationship with Kushida-san.
I only bought the clothes as my personal reward and saved the points I would need for tomorrow.
***
If you want to read up to 25 chapters ahead, don't hesitate to visit our patron: pat reon . com / XElenea (remove space)