Chapter 7.

Evening had come, and Misaki and I had left the dormitory. It was intact the first day I left the dormitory after coming into SW East.

There were many beautiful buildings there where the residents of that area lived. There were also many soccer fields there.

"So, where are we going to?" I asked, looking around.

"We're almost there, I just want to buy myself some clothes." She said, smiling.

*Why me, though? I'm sure she could have asked someone else. It's not like we're close anyway.* I thought, looking at her from the corner of my eyes.

We talked while walking till we reached a store at the corner.

"This one." She said, smiling.

Then I saw some girls walk out of the store carrying bags, smiling and talking. We walked in and then up the stairs. As we walked in, I saw more girls there. The store was filled with girls!

" Why does it feel like I shouldn't be here?* I thought, looking around.

"Um, Sugawara-san?" I called.

"Hmm?"

"I really don't think it's okay for me to be in here." I said, looking around.

"Hmm? Oh..." She said, smiling.

"Don't worry about it, guys do come here often. The section for males is downstairs, though." She said, as if relieved at my reaction.

*Huh? I'm seriously worried, and what's up with that sadistic look?*

"Maybe I can wait outside for you." I said about to walk out.

"Why, though? Are you the shy type?" She asked, smiling before dragging me around.

"Hey now, what the hell...?"

"How's this?" She asked, picking out a black dress.

"Cool." I said, looking away.

"Okay, let me try it on." She said, walking into a fitting room.

"Ha…"

"Okay, take a look at this." She said, turning around to show me the dress.

"Mm, cool." I said.

"O-okay, I think I'll be leaving now."

"Hmm, why?"

"Why? I've got nothing more to do. And I've gotta go practice." I said as she smiled.

"Okay then, why don't we stop at an eatery before we go back?" She asked, smiling.

After eating, we decided to head back to the dorm. I still didn't figure out why she wanted me to follow her there, but I had a hunch. It was more of a guess, though.

We didn't really talk much as we walked back. As we walked down the road, I saw her fidget.

*What's wrong with her?* I thought.

"Hey, look, it's Sugawara-San." I heard someone say as we walked past a bunch of girls.

I ignored them and kept walking but looked at Sugawara, who kept fidgeting.

"Hey Sugawara, who's your new friend?"

Another person asked, grabbing her shoulder and making her face her.

"Who's the dude? Did you decide to settle for an ugly guy?" Someone else asked.

*Geek, did they just say ugly boy? Hey, not everyone with blinding bangs are ugly!* I thought facing them.

"Umm, can you continue this later, we need to leave." I said.

"Huh? How's this any of your business, ugly?" A girl asked.

"Not everyone's like you, Aunty." I said, grabbing Sugawara's hand.

"Let's go." I said.

"Huh? What did he just call me, Aunty?!"

"Your make-up is a little too much!" I said, walking away with Sugawara.

*Crap, I overdid it. Mom, I'm sorry for speaking to a girl in that manner.* I thought letting go of her hand.

"Th-thanks."

"Was that the reason you wanted me to join you?" I asked without looking at her.

"W-well... I'm sorry." She said, looking away.

"I have no problem with it, but don't expect me to join you next time, I really hate going out." I said as she nodded.

"Yeah, thanks." She said, smiling.

"But that's not all, is it?" I asked.

"Huh?" She asked.

"Why didn't you ask Tanaka to join you, or maybe the other guys?" I asked.

"Well, I don't know. It's kinda hard to approach him, and you looked more approachable." She said.

"Cause you felt that I had little experience with girls?"

"No, I knew you had none." She said, giggling softly.

"Hey! That's not nice."

"Hahaha. Well… thanks, though. You really helped me out."

"Mmn."

I didn't want to bother myself with her. The problem was hers alone, so she'd figure things out on her own. Since she didn't want to talk about it, I let her be.

We arrived at the dorm early and went our separate ways.

"Ha... I really wanna go up and have a long rest. But I bet Ueta brought the girls over." I said, lying on a bench.

*I mean, they could go somewhere else to discuss.*

☆☆☆

"Hey, wake up silly." I heard a voice say while splashing water on my face.

*What the hell?*

"Hmm?" I opened my eyes slowly just to see Ueta standing there.

"Hey." I said, sitting up and rubbing my eyes while looking out the open window.

*It's already dark out.*

"It's time for dinner." She said, folding her arms

"Oh, right." I said, standing up and stretching.

"Let's go." She said as we walked out of the exercise room.

"Your hair." She started.

"Huh?"

"It's growing out, and the natural colour is showing." She said, looking away.

"Oh, you're right." I said, looking at the tip of my hair.

"W-well, I can help you cut it." She said.

"Oh, can you?" I asked.

"Well, if that's what you want, then I guess i can help." She said.

"Well then, it's not really important."

"Ack."

"I'll be changing the style soon, so it's okay if it grows. And since the dye isn't permanent, I'd just wash it out." I said.

"O-oh." She said, forcing a smile.

*Huh? Did I say something wrong?* I thought, looking at her.

"W-well, I'll still cut it, I'll ask for your help then, but I want it to grow out first." I said, smiling as her face brightened.

"Okay." She said, smiling.

"Just cause you asked."

"Hey, come on, you two, let's have dinner." Yusuke said.

"We'll be right there." Ueta said, smiling as we walked into the dining room.

*Huh?* I thought, looking at Akaji, who looked away immediately.

*Was he just… glaring at me?*