Chapter 128

Although Bocchi also has a favorite swimsuit, he didn't dare tell Ishikawa Hayato after Kita's rejection.

"This is... my first time going to the beach, and I don't even need a swimsuit..."

"Then just choose what Bocchi likes. If you have any other questions, I'll ask the staff for you."

Bocchi looked at Ishikawa Hayato with surprise. Wasn't he supposed to help her choose?

"Falcon, what do you like?" she asked timidly.

"Ishikawa Hayato stroked his chin and said."

"Although Bocchi looks quite good in the clothes I like, I'd rather see Bocchi wearing the clothes he likes and looking happy in front of me."

He imagined that scene and expressed his thoughts in a very perverse way.

"That scene must look delicious."

112. Swimsuit

Imagine a high school couple, a boy and a girl. The boy sits casually on a bench in a store, waiting for the girl to show off the swimsuits she's chosen and offering her thoughtful critiques. What would the people around them think?

He glanced at them with surprise, then left after expressing concern for the couple's future.

But for the two main characters in this drama, it's a different story.

Looking at the swimsuits that Bocchi brought with a mixture of unease and anticipation, Ishikawa Hayato was a little overwhelmed.

She kept her head down, holding up a thin swimsuit against herself, but her bright, animal-like eyes peeking out from between her bangs carefully observed his expression.

Looking at the swimsuit attached to her sportswear, Ishikawa Hayato couldn't help but imagine what she would look like wearing it.

Her alabaster-white skin and incredibly alluring figure were accentuated by a cute little swimsuit, while her small face exuded a delicate and adorable charm...

Ishikawa Hayato had to admit that when Bocchi wasn't being silly or socially awkward, she was definitely a stunningly beautiful girl.

She even brought an extra Y-shaped swimsuit with her once, though she was too shy to show it off and ask Ishikawa Hayato what he thought.

But it was clearly something he brought on purpose.

Ishikawa Hayato also gave serious comments on each swimsuit she showed off.

Bocchi listened attentively to his evaluation.

As she grew happier, she gradually became certain of her thoughts, and slowly, as if she were experiencing the joy of choosing clothes, she began to search for swimsuits that she liked.

The cheerful way she rummaged through the shelves for swimsuits gave her a rather normal teenage girl vibe.

She even got carried away with her joy and showed Ishikawa Hayato the little bee-like swimsuit that Kita had previously rejected.

Ishikawa Hayato's response to the garment was...

"Bocchi, you're not trying to use your clothes to attract attention and avoid being noticed directly, are you?"

"Huh!?"

It was only after Bocchi showed it to me that he noticed this, staring blankly at the clothes before looking at Ishikawa Hayato with trembling eyes.

Finally, she slowly recalled what Ishikawa Hayato had just said, which had been unconsciously backed up in her brain.

"Ah... um."

Bocchi believed that Ishikawa Hayato was arguably the person who understood her best in the world.

But she was very nervous about what Ishikawa Hayato would think of her choice.

"If Bocchi chose this outfit because she liked it, then it's quite cute."

Ishikawa Hayato was telling the truth; what he was thinking was that the feeling of having a silly girlfriend wasn't so bad after all.

"However, if you just want to hide yourself, wearing some common swimsuits that don't show off your figure will suffice."

Bocchi listened quietly; she could sense the seriousness and sincerity in Ishikawa Hayato's words.

Such a thoughtful evaluation and an expression of one's own thoughts made Bocchi so happy that he didn't know how to express it.

This is also why she likes Ishikawa Hayato.

If you were to ask her what kind of salvation Ishikawa Hayato gave her, she would answer...

In a chaotic world, she stood at a crossroads, unsure which way to go, which side was safe, and with no one waiting for her or caring about her thoughts, he walked up to her and asked.

"Miss, which road do you prefer? I'll lead the way."

His attentiveness gave her a sense of security and joy, which is why she could accept Ishikawa Hayato's philandering ways.

Finally, after confirming his own thoughts and taking into account Ishikawa Hayato's previous opinions, Bocchi chose a swimsuit.

She went to the fitting room by herself, changed, looked at herself, and then went to the counter to pay.

After finishing, she walked back to Ishikawa Hayato's side, carrying the canvas bag stuffed with her swimsuit, and said uneasily.

"Falcon, I've made my choice."

She understood what Ishikawa Hayato meant: what mattered was not other people's decisions, but her own choice.

Surrounded by someone she can rely on, she can be a little willful and follow her own ideas.

"Hmm, that's good." Ishikawa Hayato stood up with satisfaction and took Bocchi's hand.

Seeing his reaction, Bocchi smiled and walked alongside him.

She did this because...

Swimsuits are best seen at the beach.

Their time together was observed by three people who had bought swimsuits early and came to check on things.

The date for the trip to the beach was quickly set.

Back then, Nijika's reaction was quite amusing.

That day, as she was finishing her part-time job, she held a mop and looked at Kita, who had already started his vacation mode and was lazing around like crazy, and Ishikawa Hayato, who had a smug look on his face.

Seeing that none of them had any intention of working, he yelled viciously.

"It's decided, we're going to the beach the day after tomorrow!"

She felt that in the store right now, only Bocchi was working seriously; everyone else was either spacing out or daydreaming, and one person was even worse—just slacking off.

This is so unfair to Bocchi; she's clearly the one least suited for the job.

This can't go on; we need to start a training camp as soon as possible.

She made the decision to establish a one-woman government.

But it seemed that they were all happy with this.

"Real?"

"Very good."

After a long day of practice, work, and busy activities, the four of them instantly regained their energy, jumping and cheering.

Seeing everyone cheering, Nijika sighed with a smile.

And that was the night the matter ended.

Kita received a Line message from Ishikawa Hayato.

Are you free to go on a date tomorrow?

Kita stood by the station, looked around, and then took out a makeup mirror to check herself.

My outfit is perfect, my makeup is perfect.

To be honest, she didn't quite understand why Ishikawa Hayato had asked her out the day before their seaside retreat.

But there really wasn't anything else, so I agreed.

After all, they didn't have much time to spend together, and she was really looking forward to a date with Ishikawa Hayato.

To avoid repeating the same mistake, she had Bocchi wait for her first, and then had Ishikawa Hayato wait for her next.

I arrived more than ten minutes early on purpose.

But as she watched the passengers of the train that Ishikawa Hayato might have taken emerge from the station, and even as the crowds dispersed, she still didn't see Ishikawa Hayato. She knew then that he probably wouldn't arrive this early.

After shooing away the people who tried to chat her up, she leaned against the wall of the station, took out her phone to look at her friends' updates, but couldn't help but recall the scene from that day after buying swimwear, when she asked Bocchi if he wanted to buy any clothes.

They had just left the mall and were walking in the sun.

Ishikawa Hayato and Nijika walked ahead.

Bocchi lagged half a step behind, her eyes fixed on the three chatting.

Seeing her like that, Kita quietly stepped back and walked over to Bocchi, asking her a question.

"Gotou-san, are we going to buy more clothes next?"

She slowed her pace and spoke softly, trying not to attract the attention of the three men.

Hearing her words, Bocchi, who was happily listening to their conversation, also slowed down.

She glanced at Ishikawa Hayato and said with a smile.

"No, if I wear clothes I'm not comfortable in, Falcon will probably say something..."

She finished speaking with a gentle smile and great confidence, but then her expression immediately deflated. She lowered her head and hesitantly added, "Probably..."

Where did all that confidence I had when I was with Ishikawa Hayato go?!

Kita thought to herself, then smiled with relief. She remembered how happily Bocchi had been shopping for clothes earlier, and realized there was nothing she could do to help her.

"I'm sorry, I've forced you to do this."

"No, that's not true. I'm just happy that Kita- chan asked me out."

And they even encountered a falcon.

Bocchi left the second half of the sentence unsaid.

"Then, shall we hang out often from now on?" Kita, extending an invitation.

"Okay... alright," Bocchi said with a very forced expression.

Seeing her like this, Kita opened his mouth as if to say something but Kita.

She was somewhat at a loss as to what she could do for Bocchi.

At this moment, Bocchi raised her eyes, her bright eyes peering through her pink bangs, and asked timidly.

"Why did Kita- chan ask me out like this...?"

"Hey, shouldn't band members chat more often? I'd like to hang out with Gotou-san more often too."

Kita hurriedly explained.

Bocchi smiled slightly, looking somewhat relieved.

"Thank you, Kita- chan is such a kind person."

"I..."

Kita felt embarrassed to accept her praise.

Bocchi didn't look at her; her gaze was fixed on the three people in front of her, on the sun-drenched concrete pavement they had trodden on.

"So don't worry about me, just go on your date with Falcon."

"Huh?"

In an instant, Kita felt his blood freeze, and his body stiffen.

She instinctively wanted to dodge the question, but she immediately realized that if she said that, although Bocchi would quickly deny her statement, it didn't mean that Bocchi would deny her idea.

Could it be what Ishikawa Hayato and Bocchi said?

Kita glanced guiltily at Ishikawa Hayato in front of him and asked Bocchi.

"Gotou-san, how did you find out...?"

Although Kita's words essentially confirmed Bocchi's statement, Bocchi still spoke in a weak tone, his eyes flickering.