Fox Fox and Kitty's Autumn Outing

Nan Jiayu stood nervously before the full-length mirror in the dorm.

Roommate A combed her hair behind her, Roommate B straightened her skirt at her left, and Roommate C tidied her shoulder bag nearby.

The three of them surrounded the catgirl, making Nan Jiayu feel enormously pressured.

"Come on... do you really have to go this far...?"

Nan Jiayu asked softly.

"I'm just going out to have fun today. Something simple and autumnal is fine, it's not like I'm..."

"""No way!"""

The three spoke in unison, freezing the catgirl in place.

"Little Fish, do you even know who you're going out with today?" Roommate A said.

"I-I do. Didn't I tell you all? I'm going shopping in the commercial district by the plaza with Tianqing..."

"Exactly. That's why you need to dress up properly."

Roommate B said as she stood and adjusted the petite catgirl's collar.

"That's Tianqing, okay? She's ridiculously cute. Little Fish, don't you have any self-awareness?" Roommate C added.

Then she stuffed a pack of tissues into Nan Jiayu's shoulder bag.

After being fussed over for a full ten minutes, Nan Jiayu finally left amid the send-off of Roommates A, B, and C.

"Did you bring your ID?"

"It's fine if you don't come back tonight."

"Do you need us to ask for leave for both of you tomorrow morning?"

"What are you even talking about?! I'm just going out to have fun!"

The catgirl cried out, face red as she fled in a panic.

Today's outing had been Su Tianqing's idea.

The reason was that they had not enjoyed themselves enough during their last visit to Greenheart Park. Since they both had no classes this afternoon, they decided to visit the shopping street.

"Ah..."

Whenever Nan Jiayu thought of how her roommates had reacted upon hearing the news, she could not help letting out a long sigh.

Tianqing really was adorable, and she did quite like that little fox.

And the straightforward confession on the Ferris wheel had shaken her somewhat.

But no matter what, between two girls...

No! What was she thinking?!

Stay calm, stay calm! Today was just an outing!

Though it was not all that different from a date.

The catgirl headed toward the subway entrance.

A petite golden figure appeared in her view.

The weather was pleasantly cool today, with plenty of cloud cover. The golden-furred Fox Fox stood obediently beneath the shade of a tree, her tail swaying leisurely.

She stared intently at a flower shop by the roadside, vivid blossoms reflected in her jade-green eyes.

No matter how many times I see her, that little fox's cuteness still knocks me flat, Nan Jiayu thought.

Then the catgirl took a deep breath, stepped forward, and waved to her.

"Tianqing—sorry to keep you waiting!"

"!!"

The golden-furred Fox Fox's ears sprang upright. She turned toward Nan Jiayu, her face filled with delight.

"Little Fish!~"

"You look so cute today! I've never seen you wear something this adorable before."

Her fluffy tail wagged wildly behind her as Su Tianqing made no effort to hide her excitement.

Little Fish looked unbelievably cute today!

"Did you put this on especially because we were going out?"

"Mm... I guess so," Nan Jiayu replied, scratching her cheek shyly.

"Then let's get going!"

Su Tianqing flashed a grin and said nothing more, simply taking the catgirl's hand.

"I specifically checked out the shops there yesterday. It seems like there's some kind of festival today, and there's tons of delicious food! And also, also..."

Seeing Su Tianqing walking beside her with such an expectant expression, the catgirl's lips involuntarily curved into a smile.

Today's destination was Autumn Splendor Road, one of Rongcheng's busiest commercial districts.

Standing in the spacious plaza, they could see nothing but the surging crowd, countless neon signs, and gleaming storefronts.

The two walked side by side along the street.

"Is there some kind of festival today? It's so lively here."

Su Tianqing said in surprise.

Though she had long heard of how bustling this shopping district was, the sheer volume of people still stunned Su Tianqing.

"Forget it! Let's go have a look over there first!"

The golden-furred Fox Fox pointed at a large mall, took the catgirl's hand, and plunged inside.

The mall sold only a few types of things—clothes, food, toys, and daily necessities.

Su Tianqing had once failed to understand how people could shop for an entire day.

But after discovering that this body was practically a perfect clothes hanger, Su Tianqing suddenly became interested in shopping.

"Look, look! Is this one pretty?"

The little fox held a dress up before a rack, then turned to look at Nan Jiayu.

It was a rather thin dress with a novel design, but the fabric looked a little too lightweight.

"It's a very pretty dress, but I think it's more suitable for spring. In a little while, it probably won't be warm enough," Nan Jiayu said honestly.

"I see... Hmm, then what do you like, Little Fish?"

"What you're wearing is already very pretty, Tianqing, but this one should be nice too."

Nan Jiayu picked up a winter top with fleece around the collar from the rack.

It had knotted toggle fastenings and fairly long sleeves, but the hem was rather short. It resembled a certain style of Hanfu and seemed to need a thick skirt to match.

Then the catgirl found a matching skirt on the rack beside it.

"It looks very warm."

"Yeah."

"Little Fish, are you buying this set?"

"Me... I think I brought quite a lot of winter clothes, and this style..."

Honestly, Nan Jiayu did not think she suited clothes this cute.

Whether it was her roommates or her younger sister Nan Xiaofeng, everyone said she looked better in clean, capable outfits, and she herself preferred styles that made moving around easier.

It was not as though cute clothes were bad... they all had their own strengths, that was all.

The catgirl's gaze naturally fell on Su Tianqing.

It suited her.

It suited her far too well.

Rather, this winter dress seemed as if it had been designed for Tianqing.

There was even a tail opening specially left at the back of the skirt for beastfolk tails!

The little fox swayed her tail from side to side, blinked, and flicked her ears.

Then she narrowed her eyes, the corners of her lips rising.

"Hehe~ Could it be that Little Fish wants to see me wearing this skirt~?"

"N-no, it's not that!" Nan Jiayu's cheeks flushed as she hurriedly looked away.

"I just think it suits you really well, Tianqing... and... um..."

The golden-furred Fox Fox took the skirt and examined it carefully.

"Hmm, Little Fish, your taste isn't bad. This skirt is pretty cute."

"But..."

Changing the subject, Su Tianqing hid the hanger behind her back, leaned closer, and tilted her head.

"If Little Fish wants to see it, then I suppose... it wouldn't be impossible for me to try this skirt on~"

"...Gulp."

Nan Jiayu swallowed, then nodded vigorously.

She wanted to see it!

She really, really wanted to see it!

"Hehe, then wait just a moment~"

Fox Fox happily wagged her tail as she slipped into the fitting room.

A salesclerk walked over to Nan Jiayu, and the two looked together at the tightly shut fitting room door.

"Was that your younger sister just now? She's so cute. That skirt will definitely suit her."

"Ah, she's not my sister. We're friends, just ordinary friends."

"Ordinary friends... Ah, I see."

The salesclerk wore an expression that said, "I understand," and smiled like an indulgent aunt.

"Another pair of girls like you came to pick out clothes last time. Young people these days are so cute."

"I'm telling you, we really are—"

Before Nan Jiayu could finish, the fitting room door opened.

The little fox emerged in her winter dress, brimming with confidence.

Nan Jiayu stared blankly for a long while before turning to the salesclerk.

"How much is this outfit?"

"Six hundred eighty. It's on sale for six hundred recently."

"Huh? Little Fish, are you buying it? But didn't you just say..."

"I'm buying it for you, Tianqing! You're just too cute!"

Watching Nan Jiayu rush off excitedly to pay, Su Tianqing flicked her ears in confusion.

Hmm... Was it really that devastating?

Fox Fox hurried over to the full-length mirror and looked herself over from top to bottom.

After a brief silence, two small figures appeared at the register, fighting to pay.