Chapter 357: Experience Shopping With Girls
He had originally thought that Eriri and Aisaka Taiga would blow up because of Kawashima Ami's personality, but he never expected that Kawashima Ami would be the one to get shut down in the end. This truly surprised Kitamura Yusaku.
However, this was a good thing. At least he didn't have to worry that no one could keep his childhood friend in check.
Plus, with Kasumigaoka-senpai, who hadn't shown up yet, Kawashima Ami's life at Toyosaki would probably be very colorful from now on.
Before Kawashima Ami completely collapsed, Kitamura Yusaku finally walked back and took Kawashima Ami away early.
His goal for the day had been achieved: introducing Kawashima Ami to his friends and letting everyone see her true colors.
As for how to handle their interactions later, Kitamura Yusaku knew everyone already had an idea.
And whether Takasu Ryuji would continue to be tormented by Kawashima Ami's little devil personality later on... seemed to be an anticipated development.
After the two of them left, the remaining four sat down again and ate, since Kitamura Yusaku had already paid, and it would be a waste not to eat.
After gnawing on a chicken wing, Aisaka Taiga said, "That Kawashima Ami's personality is quite difficult to deal with."
"Yeah, exactly."
Takasu Ryuji nodded in agreement: "I was almost completely fooled by her."
"No, Ryuji, you were already fooled a long time ago," Aisaka Taiga said, giving him an annoyed look. "I wonder who it was that completely lost his way after receiving a few insincere compliments from her."
Exposed mercilessly by Aisaka Taiga, Takasu Ryuji blushed and said awkwardly, "Well... haha, my mistake, my mistake!"
Aisaka Taiga pouted, chewing on her straw without speaking.
Eriri, meanwhile, leaned against Kaede's shoulder, smiling, and said, "Although that Kawashima Ami looks like she has a terrible personality, it's actually not that bad. I guess her past environment caused her to become like that."
"At least I, who have trained under Utaha, am not flustered at all, not to mention that I was also mentored by Kaguya-senpai."
"Wait a minute, who? Shinomiya-senpai?"
Kaede froze for a moment, looking at Eriri in surprise.
Eriri also realized she seemed to have said the wrong thing. She shrank her neck and said, "No, Kaede-kun, you just misheard."
Kaede narrowed his eyes, deciding to have a long talk with Eriri when they got home.
After eating, they rested for a while. As Aisaka Taiga and Eriri had planned earlier, the two girls went straight to shopping, while Kaede and Takasu Ryuji took on the role of bag-carrying attendants.
Watching the two little rich girls pick through a pile of new handbags, Takasu Ryuji whispered, "Is it always like this when you go shopping with Sawamura-san?"
"More or less."
Kaede nodded and said, "But usually, I stay with Eriri to give her opinions for reference. What, you've never been shopping with a girl?"
Takasu Ryuji scratched his cheek and nodded in admission.
Patting Takasu Ryuji's shoulder, Kaede whispered, "Although I don't know exactly what you're thinking right now, you must have realized that your feelings for Kushieda aren't the romantic kind."
"Honestly speaking, I think Taiga is very cute and suits you well. Haven't you considered her?"
"Uh... don't suddenly bring that up."
"What's wrong? While those two are busy picking things out, it's fine to find something to talk about."
"We can't talk about Eriri and me, right? Wouldn't you feel like there's too much PDA?"
"...You have a point."
"Then it's settled, isn't it?"
Shrugging, Kaede continued, "Your family's situation is much better than before now. What you need to do is improve your grades, go to university in the future, and find a good job so that Aunt Yasuko can relax a bit."
"Besides that, your goal is to find a girlfriend. I bet Aunt Yasuko has mentioned this to you, right?"
"Sh... she definitely has, but I really don't know what to do."
Takasu Ryuji sighed softly and said, "To be honest... Taiga comes to my house so often now that Yasuko and I are used to it."
"But I'm not really sure if my feelings for her are romantic love or something else."
"So, you still need time?"
"Yes."
"Hmm~~~ I can understand that."
Nodding, Kaede understood Takasu Ryuji's current thoughts. "However, I still need to warn you: Taiga seems to be very popular among the first-year boys."
"Be careful not to let someone steal the base while you're still thinking!"
"Uh... no way? Those freshmen?"
Takasu Ryuji's voice involuntarily rose, clearly finding it unbelievable.
"What's there to be surprised about?"
Kaede gestured toward the enthusiastic Aisaka Taiga and whispered, "Small stature, cute looks, and she gets fierce every now and then. Don't tell me you don't know the nickname 'Palmtop Tiger.' The freshmen definitely fall for that."
"After all, the quality of girls in our grade is genuinely high."
"Hiss!!!"
Takasu Ryuji took a sharp breath, starting to face reality.
"Kaede-kun!"
Just then, Eriri turned around and waved at Kaede: "Come here and help me look! Which of these two bags is better!"
"Coming, coming!"
After responding, Kaede walked over, bringing Takasu Ryuji with him: "You can think about that other matter later."
"But for now, let me teach you some key points for shopping with girls. First, the shopping aspect."
"Oh... oh!"
Originally, Takasu Ryuji thought it would just be simple guidance and advice, but once they started, he realized just how many things he needed to pay attention to.
Which of two outfits looks better, what to say when a girl is indecisive, what to say when she tries to pick clothes for him, and so on.
Even in areas outside of shopping, Takasu Ryuji, a complete novice, felt overwhelmed.
In the end, they managed to return home safely, although he was mentally and physically exhausted.
Seeing her son return, Takasu Yasuko, who was watching TV at home, asked curiously, "Ryuji, what happened?"
"Nothing, I just went out shopping, yeah, just went shopping."
Stumbling back, he handed over the bags he was carrying. Takasu Ryuji said, "Here, these are the clothes Taiga picked out for you. I paid for them."
"Oh dear, a gift? Thank you, Ryuji, and thank you, Taiga. Remember to call Taiga-chan over for dinner later!"
Taking the bags, Takasu Yasuko said happily.
Nodding, Takasu Ryuji didn't even greet the family parrot before collapsing onto the tatami mat.
He needed a good rest.