[Warning 15+]
Author's Notes:
Part 6 Sub-Part 2 Begins
Part 6 Sub-Part 2 Begins
Part Six
―With the Same Energy as Before, Wearin' a Smile
Chapter 213
It's Kinda Unexpected, Right?
―With the Same Energy as Before, Wearin' a Smile
Chapter 213
It's Kinda Unexpected, Right?
With the footsteps of the upcomin' Cultural Festival drawin' near, the entire school was wrapped in a restless, buzz-filled atmosphere that felt far from ordinary.
In classrooms all over, every break time erupted into heated, excited convo about what they were gonna do or wanted to do.
Over in Kazuki's class, since they had decided on their attraction earlier than the others, a group of girls was takin' the lead, squealin' with excitement as they brainstormed the specifics.
In this class, Kazuki's role was part of the cast.
Kazuki's job on the actual day was servin' customers, so as far as prep went, it mostly meant deciding what kind of look he'd wear to greet the guests.
"..."
Amidst the noisy, energetic vibe, Kazuki was lookin' at his smartphone in the corner of the classroom so he wouldn't get in their way.
Displayed on Kazuki's screen was a digital teen fashion magazine. He was readin' it to get an idea of how to pull off the Crossdressin' Cabaret Club look.
In it, various types of models gorgeously graced the pages, with a wide variety of articles rangin' from trendy clothes and accessories, uniform coordination, and beginner-friendly makeup features, to showbiz news and songs popular with girls.
Right in the middle of all that, Kazuki suddenly spotted his Big Sis, lettin' out a dry chuckle.
Kazuki knew Momoka was involved in this kind of work, but this was the first time he'd actually seen her like this. It felt a little embarrassin'.
Even though Kazuki only ever saw Momoka's lazy self at home, sure enough, she actually looked pretty legit.
Between Kazuki's Big Sis' appearance and the novelty of the articles, Kazuki kept scrollin' page after page.
Do other girls their age out in the world get into this stuff too?—Just as Kazuki thought that, Himeko's face suddenly flashed in his mind.
Did Himeko, always chasin' after the latest trends, read stuff like this too?
Once Kazuki started wonderin', his curiosity shot right up. Himeko probably got super hyped up with her buddies at school talkin' about what was written in these articles.
Knowin' how cheerful Himeko was.
Himeko'd definitely be bringin' up topics from features that caught her eye, gettin' teased for her slightly off-the-mark comments, and standin' right at the center of her group. Imaginin' her like that brought a smile to Kazuki's face, even as a sharp pang stirred in his chest.
Were there any boys among the classmates who teased Himeko?
Was there anyone who had a crush on Himeko or tried to make a move?
Even through the eyes of Kazuki, who had a model for a Big Sis, Himeko was a charmin', likable girl. It wouldn't be weird at all if she was popular. What was she actually like in her class?
...Stuff like that kept weighin' on Kazuki's mind.
Ever since realizin' the feelin's smolderin' in Kazuki's chest, even minor things like this made him connect them to Himeko, and imaginin' what she was up to in places he didn't know about threw his heart into turmoil.
Even if Kazuki wanted to check, that one-year age gap stood in his way like a massive wall.
Even in convos with Hayato, if Himeko's name popped up, Kazuki'd react on instinct, and every time his smartphone buzzed with a notification, his heart would race with expectation, thinkin' 'Could it be?'.
No matter how hard Kazuki tried to keep his cool, it didn't work out at all. To the point where he worried he might snap one day. But then he even thought that this version of himself wasn't so bad, lettin' out a dry chuckle.
"Kaidō-kun?"
Right then, a female classmate peered into Kazuki's face with a look of deep curiosity.
"Gasp! Kirino-san...?"
"Well, you've been starin' at your smartphone makin' a hundred different faces for a while now, so I couldn't help but wonder what was up."
"Oh..."
Kirino offered a friendly smile as she spoke.
A cheerful girl who pulled off her fluffy bob haircut effortlessly, she was one of the central figures in class whom Kazuki talked to pretty often. Kirino had deep knowledge about otaku hobbies and was also one of the masterminds behind the Crossdressin' Cabaret Club idea for this year's Cultural Festival.
Kazuki knitted his brows in slight embarrassment, wonderin' if his earlier train of thought had been written all over his face, but what he was lookin' at on his smartphone wasn't really anythin' to hide anyway.
After showin' a moment of hesitation, Kazuki turned the screen toward Kirino.
"Oh, this is this month's issue."
"Well, I was researchin' what kind of outfit I should wear for the Cultural Festival. But when I tried visualizin' it all, since I'm pretty tall and have broad shoulders, I figured it might not suit me that well."
"Ahaha, I getcha~"
As Kazuki let out a sheepish sigh, Kirino wheezed with laughter, waving a wrist in agreement.
After havin' her laugh, Kirino rested an index finger on her chin, hummed a thoughtful "Hmm," and scanned the classroom before locking her gaze right onto Kazuki's face.
"Wait, so you're actually goin' all-out instead of turnin' it into a total gag, Kaidō?"
"Might as well, since we're doin' it."
Kirino let out a voice that sounded a bit surprised.
To begin with, in terms of facial features and build, there were barely any boys who could pull off crossdressin'.
Sure, a tiny handful were gettin' enthusiastic approaches from the girls, but that was just a select few.
Most of the remainin' male cast were optin' for the comedic route to get laughs.
Especially the boys in Sports Clubs with solid builds—that trend was super obvious with them.
So, Kirino's surprise was only natural, really.
"It doesn't suit me, huh?"
Is it really too much of a stretch for Kazuki after all?
As Kazuki let his insecurity bleed through his expression and words, Kirino frantically waved both hands in front of him, as if tryin' to say that wasn't the case at all.
"N-No, I don't think that's true at all! I mean, Kaidō, your body's toned, and stuff like your shoulders or Adam's apple can easily be covered up with clothes or wigs. Plus, even among women, havin' handsome, sharp features actually makes makeup pop and is a huge factor in lookin' dignified and gorgeous!"
"Huh, really?"
"Yup yup, even among celebrities, there are dignified beauties with sharp features. Like... ...MOMO, for instance."
"Gasp! H-Huh..."
Though startled by his Big Sis bein' brought up as an example out of nowhere, Kazuki was thoroughly impressed by Kirino's explanation.
Thinkin' it might actually be a good idea to have Momoka teach Kazuki a few things, he began calculatin' in his head how to bring it up with his Big Sis, when Kirino peered into his face once more and muttered with a tinge of surprise.
"Still, it's kinda unexpected~"
"Huh, what is?"
"You, Kaidō."
"Me?"
"Yeah. No offense, but a Crossdressin' Cabaret Club is a total gimmick, right?"
"Ahaha, true. But that's exactly why I thought goin' all-out with it might be pretty good."
"And if you turn into a legit gorgeous girl, Kaidō, it might change the other boys' mindsets."
"Who knows? If that happens, it seems like things'll get pretty interestin'."
"Exactly... ...and that's why it's so unexpected."
"...Huh?"
Kazuki didn't quite get Kirino's logic.
As Kazuki tilted his head, Kirino stared into his eyes as if probing for somethin', then gave a firm nod and asked as if confirmin' somethin'.
"Hmm, if it were you before summer, Kaidō, you definitely would've skillfully dodged an event like this so you wouldn't make any waves."
"That's..."
Kirino's eyes were filled with certainty, almost as if she were reading Kazuki's innermost thoughts.
Kazuki's heart gave a sudden thud.
In truth, Kirino had hit the nail on the head.
"It's like you opened up a bit, or rather, that wall you used to keep up to hold people at a distance vanished, makin' you way easier to talk to. When we were decidin' on our Cultural Festival attraction, it was precisely because you said 'That sounds fun' that we ended up goin' with such a gimmicky plan in the first place~."
"...Gasp!"
Seein' Kazuki's eyes dartin' around in panic, Kirino cracked a mischievous smirk.
"Personally, I like the current Kaidō way better than the old one."
Sayin' that, Kirino patted Kazuki on the shoulder and headed back to the group she had been talkin' with earlier.
Kazuki stood there stunned for a moment.
When Kazuki finally realized he'd just been teased, he let out a dry chuckle to himself, thinkin' that this wasn't so bad after all.
Lookin' from the outside, had Kazuki really changed that much?
Kazuki didn't know.
But if it were the old Kazuki, classmates definitely wouldn't have teased him so casually like this. After all, he had intentionally acted in a way to prevent that.
If Kazuki had changed before he even noticed, it was all thanks to his new buddies—and one friend's little sis.
Then Kazuki suddenly wondered what Himeko would do in a situation like this.
Knowin' Himeko, she'd probably... ...Lettin' out a soft smile at the thought of her in his mind, Kazuki called out to a group of girls who were passionately discussin' who would look best in what kind of outfit.
"Hey, do you mind if I consult you girls about makeup for a second? I'd love for you to teach me everythin' from scratch."
""""...Gasp!?""""
The girls called out to by Kazuki stood stunned for a second, their convo comin' to a dead halt.
And as soon as the meanin' of his words sank in, they exchanged glances, nodded at each other, and welcomed Kazuki right into their circle with excited squeals.
Author's Notes:
Kitty's 12-week medication treatment is finally finished!
Check out the Activity Report for more details.
Meow~.