Gotoh Hitori, who had completely fallen under Yukima Azuma's lead in every sense, had long forgotten her initial resistance to being invited out.
On the contrary, at this moment, she felt an unmatched sense of security being with Azuma.
The reason behind this feeling was something Bocchi herself didn't fully realize, but Azuma understood well.
Because of her social anxiety, Bocchi was terrified of inconveniencing others or being disliked.
She was always cautious, careful with everything she did, carrying a constant weight of pressure and distress.
But in front of Yukima Azuma…
How could she describe it?
Gotoh Hitori had practically exposed her most vulnerable side.
Azuma ignored all the awkwardness caused by her social anxiety and treated her completely normally.
Because of that, Bocchi unconsciously started seeing Yukima Azuma as her safe zone.
It was like letting go:
"He already knows I'm a hopeless mess… so there's no point pretending anymore."
Even if she didn't think it consciously, her body acted like it did.
In Tokyo's Ginza district, on a busy street.
Facing the sea of people, Gotoh Hitori instinctively clung to Yukima Azuma, almost wanting to bury her face in his back.
It was her first real time strolling through the city, and she now saw Azuma as her only lifeline.
"Let's stop by the fashion store first, then grab some Chinese food, Bocchi," Azuma said.
"Uh, sure…"
Without fully processing what she heard, she answered instinctively.
Her mouth was faster than her brain.
Only afterward did she wonder —
"Wait, why the fashion store first?"
Was Azuma-kun planning to buy clothes?
In her mind, she pictured herself waiting outside the fitting room while Azuma changed inside.
When he pulled the curtain aside…
She would compliment him.
It felt like something straight out of a youth drama.
Thinking of all the times she had been hurt watching youth dramas on TV, Gotoh Hitori felt a small joy in her heart.
Maybe someday, looking back at this memory, she wouldn't feel that painful stab of loneliness anymore.
"Alright! I have to compliment Azuma-kun properly."
"Should I look up good compliments online?"
While Bocchi was busy scheming,
Azuma had already pulled her into a women's fashion store, and before she realized it, pushed her inside.
Immediately, a store clerk approached them.
Aaaaaaah!!
Inside, Gotoh Hitori screamed.
One of the many reasons she hated shopping was the store employees.
Even just a glance—
In just a millisecond—
The staff would appear in front of her and start talking.
A terrifying species.
Bocchi completely couldn't handle it.
"Please help her become even cuter," Yukima Azuma said calmly.
Bocchi: A!?
"Of course, please wait a moment," the saleswoman replied with a bright smile.
She loved customers like this:
Ones who didn't fuss about the price and bought what they tried on.
Unlike those high school girls who tried on ten outfits, bought nothing, and didn't even hang the clothes back up properly.
(Saleswoman resentment +1)
"Wait… wait a minute… Azuma-kun! I… I… I… I oyster… crab… fish…!"
Bocchi clung tightly to Azuma's arm, pleading in a whisper, her words devolving into nonsense.
At this point, she didn't even care about physical contact.
Compared to the saleswoman and unfamiliar clothes, Azuma was still a thousand times safer.
Her head shook back and forth like a wind chime.
But even though she resisted faintly, Azuma didn't respond.
If he backed down now, it would only lead to a bad ending.
The saleswoman quickly brought over two outfits.
"I'm not sure what style you prefer, so I picked two of the latest trends. Please try them on."
Azuma took the clothes before Bocchi could react.
"I'll take it from here. She's a little shy."
The saleswoman nodded knowingly, smiling warmly at them as they headed toward the fitting rooms.
So sweet! If only I had a considerate, handsome, rich boyfriend like that…
(Saleswoman sighing +1)
Bocchi was pushed into the fitting room, still clutching the clothes and shaking her head nonstop.
Azuma pressed down lightly on her head.
"Go change! Bocchi, this is a favor between friends!"
Bocchi's eyes widened.
Master Order v2.0!
Even though she recognized it as a high-handed command,
she didn't want to disappoint him.
So, Bocchi reluctantly pulled the fitting room curtain closed and reached up to unzip her hoodie.
There's only a thin curtain… Azuma-kun can probably hear me changing…
Just as that thought crossed her mind,
A popular song from a famous band started playing over the store's speakers.
It was a track from a chart-topping playlist — one Bocchi had just listened to recently.
The music relaxed her a little.
The earlier thought popped back into her mind—
"Wait… can Azuma-kun actually read my thoughts?!"
Azuma waited outside for a long time.
Long enough that the saleswoman kept glancing over suspiciously, wondering if something was wrong.
Finally, after what felt like forever, the fitting room curtain slowly opened.
Bocchi stepped out.
Gone was the simple pink tracksuit.
In its place was a cute black-and-white maid-style dress with puffy sleeves and a small white hat perched on her head.
"That really suits you! So cute!"
The saleswoman offered a quick compliment, then tactfully disappeared.
Bocchi stood frozen, her soul practically leaving her body.
Azuma still said nothing.
Bocchi wanted to crawl into a hole.
Of course it doesn't suit me… I'm just a country bumpkin…
Resigned, she prepared to pull the curtain closed and change back.
But before she could, she dared to steal a glance at Azuma's face.
She braced herself for a disgusted look—
But it didn't come.
Instead…
He looked stunned.
For a moment, Bocchi dared to believe—
Was he… mesmerized?
Immediately, she scolded herself for being so self-indulgent.
"I'm sorry, I spaced out for a second. But really—Bocchi, you're just too cute."
At last, Azuma spoke.
And because he hadn't answered immediately, it didn't sound like a polite lie.
Bocchi's heart stirred wildly.
"Maybe… maybe I can be a little cute too… even just 1%…"
"Try on the next one too! I bet it'll suit you perfectly!"
"Uh… okay!"
This time, Bocchi changed clothes much faster.
The second outfit was a black mermaid-style dress — the kind you'd wear to a formal ball.
It was tight-fitting, mature, and emphasized all the curves she usually hid under her athletic wear.
Bocchi trembled as she pulled open the curtain again.
Dead-fish eyes once more.
"So beautiful. Thank you for your hospitality," Azuma said smoothly, with barely a pause.
Before Bocchi could even react, her phone buzzed.
[Yukima Azuma: You look amazing, but Bocchi's body is too beautiful. Better not wear outfits like this in public!]
Bocchi read the message.
For the first time, she felt embarrassed not because of her social anxiety—
but simply because she was a girl.
And it made her happy.
After all, the reason she always wore baggy clothes was because she lacked confidence.
Being complimented like this touched her heart deeply.
She crouched down, hugging her burning face.
She was about to change back—
But—
"Huh… huh!? Wait, huh huh huh!?"
She reached behind her, trying to unzip the mermaid dress.
But no matter how she tugged, the zipper was stuck.
Worse, stretching her arm back made it cramp.
Sharp pain flared, and she reflexively slammed her arm into the fitting room wall with a loud thud.
"Bocchi, are you okay?"
Azuma's voice came immediately from outside.
Bocchi wanted to reply, but the pain was so bad she couldn't speak.
The curtain parted slightly—
Azuma squeezed into the cramped fitting room.
Bocchi froze, staring up at him in panic.
Azuma took her hand gently, checking it over.
Luckily, no serious injury — just a cramp.
He massaged her arm expertly along the veins, and the pain quickly subsided.
Although at this point, embarrassment overwhelmed everything else for Bocchi.
"So the zipper's stuck, right?"
"Ah… yeah… sorry, red bean… sweet honey…"
"Bocchi, you don't need to apologize. Just turn around — I'll help you."
"…Huh?!"
Bocchi's eyes widened.
Is… is this really okay?!
We're just friends, so helping each other undress is totally normal… right?
Right?!
Her brain completely overloaded.