Chapter 364

"I'm sorry, although I'd like to invite you back for another visit, I have some things to do this afternoon..."

"It's alright, it's alright! Sakurakoji-kun is very busy, I know!"

"Okay, I'll treat you to dinner next time. Also, are you sure you can wash your own clothes?"

"No problem, after all, it's my own choice to wear it, so I'll take care of this myself!"

"I'll send you the cleaning instructions for the wigs, clothes, lace, and accessories later."

"Hmm... do we have to wash them separately? That's quite complicated..."

She, who had just been full of confidence, began to feel uneasy.

"Of course, the more delicate the piece, the more care you need to take in maintaining it—remember, never just throw everything in the washing machine. Well then, I'll be going now, bye-bye~"

"Okay! Goodbye!"

After watching her walk towards another main line, he turned around and took the subway to Ten no Yashiro Station.

Kitagawa Marin needs to take the JR Saikyo Line, which requires two transfers to get home. He needs to take the Fukutoshin Line, which requires one transfer.

One goes south and the other north, their directions are different, and their stations are also different.

He glanced back briefly to make sure the other person hadn't fallen behind, then headed towards Line F, which leads towards Shibuya.

After getting off the bus at the underground shopping mall, he skillfully navigated Underground Street shops and headed straight for the apartment elevator.

He felt quite curious throughout the journey.

He's always been the one stalking others with ulterior motives. He never imagined he'd be the one being stalked by a woman...

Although that's not what the other person meant, he didn't mean it that way before either!

Turning from the main road of the commercial street into the alley where the elevator was located, he pressed the button, stood on tiptoe, and waited for his prey, who seemed to be a hunter.

As soon as Kansai Shizuha saw him disappear into the main road, she hurriedly followed. When she reached the corner, she looked inside anxiously, and then—her eyes met those of the man who had been waiting for her.

Kansai Shizuha's petite body trembled, her head swaying left and right as she looked at both sides of the road, a fine layer of sweat beading on her skin. Embarrassed, she wanted to make a quick getaway.

"Come here,"

Sakurakoji Talent smiled and waved to her, "This is my apartment building. You can't get up here if you don't come with me."

"Huh?"

Kansai Shizuha was startled and immediately stood still.

Is the other person talking to her?

"You need to talk to me, right? Then come over."

She'd been discovered?! Adrenaline surged through Kansai Shizuha's body, and she swallowed hard.

Remembering her purpose, she suppressed the urge to escape, crossed her Hands in front of her, took small steps, and followed him into the elevator with her head down.

The elevator doors slowly closed, and the lingering smell of the apartment inside gave her the feeling of being in another dimension.

After a brief feeling of weightlessness, the numbers on the electronic screen changed rapidly.

In addition, the atmosphere in this Sora was frozen solid, as if the air itself had stopped moving.

"When... when did you...?"

Feeling that this wasn't a solution Kansai Shizuha asked hesitantly.

"Hmm... I think it started at the cosplay event."

He glanced sideways at Miss White Tiger.

It must be said that although she was a delicate young lady who attended all-girls schools from childhood, Miss White Tiger's action ability is truly amazing.

"They discovered it so early?!"

She looked up abruptly in shock, her large sunglasses falling off and revealing her pink and gray eyes.

"After all, Miss, you are too suspicious. I think it would be hard for anyone but the most oblivious person not to notice."

"Then, what about that girl from earlier...?"

"No... she just belongs to the carefree type."

"Oh, I see."

She bowed deeply to express her apology, "Um, I'm sorry! But I didn't mean any harm, it's just..."

The elevator doors opened.

He stepped out first and headed straight for the cosplay studio. "We'll talk about the details later, come with me first."

After entering the password to unlock the door, he pushed it open.

"Please come in."

"Sorry to bother you~"

She wasn't without reservations, but Kansai Shizuha still went inside. At least this was a crowded apartment building, and the other person didn't seem like a bad person.

She looked around the interior furnishings with a mixture of curiosity and caution, surprised by its simple and practical style, which made it seem less like a home and more like a studio.

"It's so high... The view outside is really nice."

Walking to the large glass window in the living room, she marveled at the vast and bright view outside, "About how many meters is this?"

"It's about a hundred meters here, and there's still over a hundred meters above."

"So impressive..."

Before she could finish speaking, her gaze was drawn to the clothes rack in the corner of the living room. She rushed over in a few seconds, "These, these are all..."

"Ah~ those were just Cosplay Costume I quickly made to practice. Speaking of which, you were at the event too, right? Are you interested in cosplay?"

These are all generic works, mostly made by others, in different sizes, and mostly women's styles—because they are meant to attract women, as he, with his talent as Sakurakoji Talent, simply couldn't wear them.

"Yeah, yeah! I also enjoy cosplay!"

With Kansai Shizuha turned around and asked excitedly, "Um! Can I touch it?"

"Please feel free to look around, touch, or even try on these clothes since they're basically never going to be worn again."

He extended his hand in invitation, seemingly unconcerned.

"Thanks!"

Having received permission, Kansai Shizuha looked at the two rows of neatly hung brand-new clothes and was deeply moved.

She picked it up as if it were a precious treasure and examined it closely. "Such comfortable fabric, this fabric alone must be very expensive, right?"

"This is White Lily's... The reproduction is so accurate! The colors and textures are almost exactly the same!"

"The stitching details are so meticulous; it's definitely different from the mass-produced items sold outside..."

Seeing her gradually become engrossed and begin to exclaim in amazement at each item, Sakurakoji Talent chuckled softly and turned to walk towards the kitchen.

Although he doesn't stay here often, he still keeps the place furnished with daily necessities, snacks, and drinks to make it feel more like a place to live.

He opened the refrigerator, took out tea leaves and snacks, and started boiling water...

Five minutes later, he returned to the living room.

"I've prepared some tea and snacks, if that's alright..."

He stopped mid-sentence, his movements halting as he stared blankly ahead.

Blue, blue and white bowl?

What era are we living in? This is so outdated! Can't we learn from Kitagawa Marin? His taste is so sophisticated!

He's a year younger than you.

"... Excuse me, what are you doing? Um...?"

He twitched his eyelids, his gaze shifting from her fair, slender, and radiant skin, and asked in a dry voice.

"Ah, my name is Kansai Shizuha, a second-year student at Sakurano-miya Girls' High School. Excuse me!"

Realizing she hadn't introduced herself yet, she quickly began to speak.

"My name is Sakurakoji Talent, and I'm about your age. It's an honor to meet you, my classmate... So, what are you doing?"

"Hmm? Miss Sakurakoji said I could try it on... Does that mean it's not allowed after all?"

She picked up a police uniform that was about the same size as hers and looked back in confusion.

"No, that doesn't matter... but... is it alright to change here?"

Once again defeated by his own face, he wearily placed the tray on the coffee table.

"It's alright, Miss Sakurakoji and I are both girls."

She hasn't realized the seriousness of the problem.

"That's the problem! When did I ever tell my classmate that I'm a girl?"

"Huh?"

"Although I am indeed very beautiful, I am actually a boy, you know? The real deal."

"... A lie?"

The Kansai Shizuha stared blankly, their eyes wide open. The bells seemed to echo with the cries of seven things, the cry of ninety-four doves.

She looks like this, and her eating manners were so elegant and reserved before...

Do I look like I'm lying?

He met her gaze with sincere eyes, and casually scanned her measurements to prepare for the subsequent costume making.

"Ho, ho-uh!!!"

Kansai Shizuha's pretty face visibly turned red, and she cried out in surprise, hurriedly covering her eyes with her clothes.

Even if you cover it up now...

Sakurakoji Talent, unsure of what to say, arched her eyebrows and turned away considerately. Soon after, hurried rustling sounds came from behind her.

Well, if it were someone else, seeing him today might not lead to such a misunderstanding, but because of her younger sister's height, she might assume he's the same height...

Wait a minute! Even if that were true, don't you think the two sides are two extremes in some respects? Wouldn't that make it even more jarring?

"..."

One minute later.

"Okay, okay..."

He heard the buzzing sound of Kansai Shizuha in his ear, and turned around to see a Shy and petite girl who had Uehara clothes.

Perhaps the other person's rarity left too deep an impression on him, because now, seeing her, he subconsciously associated her skin color with it...

Putting aside these chaotic thoughts, he casually clapped his hands and extended an invitation. "Let's forget about this little incident and get back to our previous topic!"

"I've prepared some tea and snacks, would you like to come and sit down, Gan?"

"It was a small, minor incident... I haven't let any boys see it yet..."

Kansai Shizuha lowered her head and muttered to herself.

But knowing it was his own fault and he couldn't blame anyone else, he could only swallow his anger and reluctantly sit down on the sofa far away from him.

"Tasty!"

She sobbed as she nibbled on the snacks on the coffee table, like a little squirrel...

"Ahem! So, what exactly does my classmate want with me, the one who's been following me?"

He sat upright, holding his teacup, and asked.

Kansai Shizuha stopped what she was doing, looked up at him, and said, "That girl... you made Marlene's clothes, didn't you?"

"You mean Kuroe Shizuku? Is that right?"

"And! You're 'Sakura Tailor,' right!"

She stood up, placed one foot on the sofa, pointed at him with one finger, and was absolutely certain.

"Is that so?"