"So, you and Rinji-nii are coming to our school's cultural festival?"
"That's right."
After heading ho that day, Rinji visited Shirogane's house, and the two told Kei about it.
Kei glanced at Rinji, then at her brother, thought for a mont, and said, "Rinji-nii can co. But you, big bro, should stay ho."
"What!? Kei, that's blatant favoritism!"
"Because you're too la."
"Huh?"
"You're the student council president. You're pretty well known even in our middle school," Kei said. "If people see you and realize you're my brother, and then find out how la you are, it'd be so embarrassing for ."
"...Am I really that la?"
Shirogane looked confused and turned to Rinji for an honest opinion.
"I don't think the word 'la' fits you at all, President."
"See? Even Rinji agrees."
"That's because Rinji-nii hasn't seen how you usually dress," Kei retorted.
"That's true," Rinji nodded.
He really hadn't seen how Shirogane dressed casually. He always wore the sa two outfits: Shuchiin's winter and sumr uniforms. Maybe also the gym uniform.
Even during holidays, he'd wear the school uniform because it was the most expensive thing he owned.
"Then he can just wear the school uniform."
"No way, that stands out too much," Kei said, squinting at her brother. "If you don't dress a bit better, I'm not taking you with ."
"What about Rinji? He usually wears his uniform too."
"I've seen Rinji-nii's casual wear when I went to Harajuku with Chika-nee and Moe. It's decent," Kei said. "Besides, Rinji-nii is handso. He looks good in anything."
"Are you saying your brother isn't handso!?"
"Then try wearing sothing besides your uniform."
"..."
As Shirogane returned to his room, Rinji turned to Kei.
"Don't you think you're being too harsh on the president?"
"We've lived together for over ten years. I know exactly what kind of person he is."
Soon, Shirogane ca out of his room.
What he wore was, frankly, a problem.
A skull-printed hoodie, jeans with chains, a cross necklace, and a belt with an eagle buckle.
It was like a concentrated burst of middle school cringe fashion.
Shirogane seed pleased with himself. He looked at the stunned two and smiled. "How is it?"
Kei: "I can't even look at you right now."
Rinji: "...President, I don't really get fashion."
With this ridiculous outfit, even Shirogane's usually decent looks were ruined.
"I can't take you out in public dressed like that."
"Is it really that bad?"
"How about this," Rinji checked the ti on his phone. "There's still ti before it gets dark. Let's go to Harajuku and buy you so clothes."
"Guess there's no choice," Kei said. "By the way, Rinji-nii, do you own anything besides the outfit from last sester?"
"Of course I do."
"Oh…"
"I have ten identical ones."
"Then let's buy so for you too."
---
"Ah… I never used to co to places like this."
Harajuku's malls had many trendy clothing stores. Prices weren't too high, but for the Shirogane family back in the day, even this was a luxury.
Even now, Shirogane's attitude toward spending hadn't really changed.
"So, which clothes should we pick? Kei, you—Kei?"
"Hm, black tank top with a sweatshirt over it gives a comfy vibe. I think this would suit you, Rinji-nii," Kei said, holding it up in front of him.
"Really? I'm not very good at picking clothes."
"Don't worry, I've got you covered."
Shirogane: "Weren't we here to get clothes?"
"I already picked yours."
Kei set aside Rinji's clothes, then grabbed a plain white T-shirt and a light jacket, handing them to Shirogane.
"Just wear this with a waist bag."
"You actually know this stuff?"
"I've been to Harajuku several tis," Kei said. "Though most of the ti I was job hunting."
Rinji changed into the outfit Kei picked and said, "It's about dinner ti. Should we grab sothing to eat nearby?"
"McDonald's is fine," Kei said. "Actually, I t a friend while job hunting who works there."
---
Since it was dinner ti, the nearby McDonald's was packed with office workers and students.
Rinji and Shirogane sat together, eating burgers. Kei chatted with a young female employee.
"You seem kind of down, Kei."
"Rinji-nii's coming to our school festival tomorrow, but I'm busy with my class event. I need to figure out how to ask for leave," Kei said while sipping cola. "Also, the weather in Tokyo has been weird lately. I'm worried it might rain during the festival."
"Don't worry, I promise it won't rain," the female employee said with a smile.
As they talked, Rinji finished his al and walked over to throw away the trash.
According to Kei, the employee was a college student she t while job hunting.
He glanced at the cheerful twin-tailed girl chatting with Kei. She had fair skin and a warm smile. He hadn't looked too closely at her face, but sothing on her natag caught his eye.
It read: Amano.
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