An Unexpected Day Out

I apologize, but Number Two’s flight has been delayed.Consequently, your training session will have to commence this afternoon.

Lounging on the sofa, Senior crossed her legs, clad in a daring ensemble of distressed denim shorts and a grey-green, off-the-shoulder, lettered crop top.

Frankly, for Senior, who already possessed an exceptional figure, this somewhat revealing attire left me unsure where to direct my gaze.

Today was Saturday, and Senior had arrived at the ‘Chrysalis’ mansion early to inform us of the training postponement.

Presently, we found ourselves in the room, enjoying some light snacks.

“Senior, you could have simply contacted us by phone,” Leidi remarked with a gentle smile, gracefully sipping her black tea.

“There was no need to go to such trouble to visit in person.”

“Oh, it’s quite alright; consider it a visit for fun,” Senior replied.

“And if you could, please don’t be so formal, especially you, Leidi-chan.”

“You’ve been calling me ‘Senior’ ever since we met.”

“Just call me Samidare or Ruka.”

‘It seemed Senior wasn’t fond of that title.’

‘Perhaps it implied “being called ‘Senior’ makes one feel old”?’

‘Women generally disliked that, a sentiment I could somewhat understand.’

“How could we possibly do that?”

“That would be far too impolite.”

‘Leidi was smarter than me; she must have understood this long ago.’

‘I couldn’t quite grasp her reason for insisting.’

“Very well then, as your ‘Senior,’ I order you to call me Ruka,” Senior declared with a chuckle, a long biscuit dangling from her lips.

“At the very least, we should add ‘sister’,” Leidi replied, a smile gracing her lips.

“Sister Ruka.”

‘It appeared Leidi had conceded.’

“Ping-chan, why don’t you try it too?” Senior turned her gaze towards me, a satisfied expression on her face, awaiting my response.

“S-Sister Ruka,” I stammered, feeling a blush creep up my neck as I averted my gaze.

“Mmm, I’m in a good mood now,” Senior—or rather, Sister Ruka—mused, resting her chin in her hands on the small silver table, a look of utter contentment gracing her features.

“I’ll go easy on you this afternoon.”

‘I wondered if things would turn out quite unpleasant this afternoon if we hadn’t addressed her as such.’

‘What exactly would our training entail later today…?’

“Since Number Two won’t be arriving for quite some time, how about the three of us go shopping?” Sister Ruka proposed.

‘It was only a little past nine in the morning, so we certainly had plenty of time.’

‘However, I wasn’t particularly keen on shopping.’

‘It truly felt like I was ‘being’ a girl.’

“That sounds lovely,” Leidi agreed.

“It would be an excellent opportunity to help Xiao Bai familiarize herself with the area.”

“Should we bring our bodyguards and maids along, or just the three of us?”

‘Leidi seemed to have uttered something quite extraordinary.’

“Just the three of us will do,” Sister Ruka decided.

“There’s no need for bodyguards; I’ll be enough.”

‘Sister Ruka was quite extraordinary herself.’

“In that case, we’ll rely on you, Sister Ruka.”

Leidi then subtly gestured with her eyes, prompting Sister Ruka to smile and look at me.

“Sister Ruka, would you like to help me change Xiao Bai’s clothes?”

“It promises to be quite entertaining.”

“Huh?!”

I abruptly stood up, an urge to flee overwhelming me.

‘My instincts screamed danger!’

‘Being stripped naked once a day was quite enough!’

“Oh, splendid!”

‘Sister Ruka, you shouldn’t be smiling so gleefully either!’

“Hey, hey! W-wait, wait a minute, you two!”

Ignoring my shouts and struggles, Leidi had somehow positioned herself behind me, her arms looping under my armpits to hoist me up.

Sister Ruka, meanwhile, advanced with a mischievous grin, her hands poised in a ‘grab-grab’ motion.

‘Rub, rub, rub~~~’

“Eek—!” I shrieked, my eyes squeezed shut in a futile protest.

‘Don’t just start groping my chest right away!’

****

“Ugh—”

I hung limply, utterly resigned to whatever they might do to me.

“Finished! Absolutely perfect,” Sister Ruka declared with a laugh, placing a white straw hat adorned with a ribbon bow upon my head.

“Look up, come on,” Leidi chimed in, standing beside her.

“You look incredibly beautiful.”

‘I couldn’t bring myself to be happy.’

‘One Leidi was already too much, and now there was Sister Ruka as well.’

‘And what was with their obsession with my chest?!’

‘What did they mean by constantly and deliberately fondling it?!’

‘Perhaps I should try to be more open-minded.’

‘After all, the days ahead were still… very long.’

Approaching the large full-length mirror, I saw myself in a light blue chiffon ruffle high-waisted sleeveless dress, paired with simple black lace-up sandals, looking undeniably cute.

The large white ribbon straw hat on my head added an extra touch of elegance.

It was indeed a very beautiful outfit, just as they had described.

This was my current appearance.

I gave the hem of my dress a slight sway, revealing glimpses of the white lace petticoat beneath, which effectively prevented any accidental exposure.

As long as my skirt wasn’t lifted, I should be safe from any wardrobe malfunctions.

‘However, if that was the case…’

“Was it truly necessary to change my underwear along with this outfit?” I asked, looking at Leidi and Sister Ruka with a hint of confusion.

‘After all, they had just stripped me completely naked.’

“Even in places no one can see, you must put in effort,” Leidi declared, her eyes sparkling with conviction.

“That’s what being a girl is all about!”

“You have to be ready for unexpected wardrobe malfunctions at any moment!”

“Coming from you, that statement carries an inexplicably high degree of credibility…”

‘If Sister Ruka, who had been so “uninhibited” on the school rooftop just a few days prior, had said it, my trust in that claim would undoubtedly have plummeted.’

“Leidi-chan, what are you planning to wear?” Sister Ruka asked, her eyes also gleaming with excitement.

“Ta-da! This one!”

From the wardrobe, Leidi selected a light blue chiffon ruffle off-the-shoulder dress, similar in style to mine, but designed to accentuate a slender figure rather than the bust.

It would undoubtedly look stunning on her.

“How about you also pair it with a hat and lace-up sandals to match Ping-chan?”

“That’s exactly what I was planning,” Leidi replied.

Leidi and Sister Ruka cheerfully exchanged styling tips.

When it came to outfit coordination (for women’s clothing), I felt utterly out of my depth.

At best, I could only offer a rather meager “It looks really good.”

****

Given the unique nature of the mansion’s architecture, the vicinity around the ‘Chrysalis’ mansion was remarkably prosperous.

Although I couldn’t read Japanese, the architectural styles of the buildings we passed and the fashionable attire of the crowds clearly indicated that this area boasted an exceptionally high standard of living.

‘How best could I, with my limited vocabulary, describe this?’

‘…’

‘There were probably no poor people in this area… yes, that was my most immediate thought.’

‘This was likely what was meant by an aristocratic district.’

‘Zero poor people!’

Led by Sister Ruka, the three of us navigated through the slightly crowded streets.

Yet, for some inexplicable reason, people consistently made way for us.

‘Were we so strange?’

‘There shouldn’t be any need to avoid us, should there?’

“Hey! Look at those three girls up ahead; they’re so beautiful.”

“Are they models?”

“They might even be idols; should we go up and ask for a photo?”

“Quick, take a picture and post it on Twitter!”

“A stunning trio of beauties discovered!”

“…”

‘I seemed to understand the reason now.’

‘Should I be happy or dejected in this moment…?’

I silently pulled the brim of my hat lower.

“Are you two getting tired?” Sister Ruka asked, turning back to us.

“Not at all,” I replied.

“It’s only been about twenty minutes.”

‘This short distance was a piece of cake for me.’

“I’m a little thirsty; perhaps we could sit down at the coffee shop ahead?” Leidi suggested, seemingly a bit worn out.

‘Had her stamina declined?’

‘Though, compared to before, she had certainly lost a significant amount of weight.’

“Let’s go then,” Sister Ruka said.

“The sun seems exceptionally hot today.”

Taking my hand and Leidi’s, Sister Ruka began to stride purposefully forward.

‘Without a hat, she was likely finding the heat quite unbearable.’

****

“Ding-a-ling~ Ding-a-ling~”

Accompanied by the crisp chime of the bell on the door, the three of us entered a coffee shop with rustic decor.

Surprisingly, the place was quite crowded, buzzing with a lively atmosphere.

‘However, a coffee shop, often dubbed a “leisure spot,” certainly lost some of its “leisurely feel” when it was this busy, which I found a bit regrettable.’

“Waiter, I’d like an iced mixed fruit juice, please~” Sister Ruka announced as we reached the counter, ordering her drink first.

She then half-collapsed onto the cool countertop, clearly feeling the intense heat.

“Xiao Bai, mango juice is fine, right?”

“Mm.”

‘Leidi, as always, knew my preferences, and naturally, I knew hers too.’

“Waiter, two mango juices, please.”

After placing our order, we settled onto the stools on either side of Sister Ruka.

I removed my hat and gently fanned Sister Ruka, who was still leaning on the counter.

“Thank you, Ping-chan,” Sister Ruka said, turning her head to smile at me while maintaining her position on the counter.

“You’re so considerate; you’d make a wonderful wife.”

“Hehe,” I replied with a simple smile.

‘Honestly… it seemed my maternal instincts had once again overflowed.’

“Let me help too,” Leidi offered, taking off her hat and joining in the fanning.

“I’m so incredibly lucky to have you two as my younger sisters,” Sister Ruka declared.

“I’ll surely cry when you both get married off~”

“Yes, yes, yes~”

Leidi responded with a cheerful expression, but my own feelings were quite complex.

‘I probably wouldn’t marry a man… probably…’

“Hey there~ May I sit beside you?” a man with a captivating, magnetic voice asked.

An elegantly dressed middle-aged man approached, seemingly to strike up a conversation (perhaps?).

He was quite handsome.

“Please, feel free,” Sister Ruka replied, straightening up from her slumped position on the counter.

“Waiter, one latte,” the man said as he took a seat next to Leidi.

“All three sisters are truly beautiful,” he began.

“Are you models, or perhaps actresses?”

It was certainly a charming opening line, and coupled with such a mature and handsome smile, most girls would likely be swept off their feet.

“We’re truly flattered by your words,” Sister Ruka responded with a smile.

“We’re just ordinary high school students.”

“Oh~ You mean you haven’t been scouted yet?” the man said, smiling as he continued to flatter us.

“It seems talent scouts truly lack vision.”

“Oh, no, no, we’re not quite at that level yet~” Leidi chimed in with a laugh.

‘But Leidi, you’re saying that against your true feelings, aren’t you?’

‘You’re actually quite pleased, aren’t you?’

“If you’re interested, might I offer you these business cards?” the handsome man asked, extending three cards towards us.

“SHINING PRODUCTION Agency?” Sister Ruka exclaimed, a hint of surprise in her voice.

“Are you a talent scout, sir?”

‘So this handsome middle-aged man was a talent scout?!’

“Indeed,” he confirmed.

“Would the three beautiful ladies perhaps consider giving our agency an opportunity?”

“The moment I saw you, the spectacular scene of thousands of fans waving glow sticks before you appeared to me like a cosmic explosion.”

‘Sir, your words are awfully sweet!’

‘Have you been coated in honey or something?!’

“We’re very sorry, but our studies are our priority right now,” Leidi said, briefly pausing before politely declining the man with a smile.

“We’ll have to decline this rare opportunity.”

‘For various reasons, there was absolutely no way we could become entertainers.’

‘You, mature, handsome, and polite sir, should look for others.’

“Is that so?” he responded.

“It’s quite a pity for a diamond craftsman to be unable to polish raw diamonds so close at hand.”

“However, if you ever have the inclination to become entertainers, please feel free to call the number on the business card.”

Without further insistence, the man graciously accepted our refusal, displaying a magnanimous and carefree demeanor.

‘Oh, you mature, handsome, and polite sir, you must be very popular with women!’

‘I genuinely wished to apprentice under you!’

“Waiter,” the man called, waving a hand at a staff member, then pulled out a black leather wallet.

“Please pack the latte to go, and I’ll cover the ladies’ expenses.”

‘Sir!!!’

“Oh, no, no, we couldn’t possibly,” I said, rising to my feet, attempting to stem the man’s generous enthusiasm.

‘My impression of him was already soaring!’

“As a token of appreciation for meeting such beautiful young ladies, this small expense is utterly negligible,” the handsome man replied, offering me a charming smile.

“It’s my pleasure, truly.”

‘Sir! I’m practically falling for you! (Not in that way, of course!)’

“Thank you very much then, sir,” Leidi said, waving politely to the man as she bid him farewell.

“We hope to see you again.”

“I truly hope our next meeting will be at my agency, haha,” the man chuckled, picking up his packaged coffee.

He waved goodbye to us and exited the coffee shop.

“Leidi~ That man is so handsome!” I exclaimed, a little excitedly, to Leidi.

“Exactly, he’s incredibly handsome!” Sister Ruka agreed.

“If his words weren’t just empty flattery, then he truly is a ninety-nine-point man,” Leidi remarked, also giving the man a high appraisal.

‘Sir, we’re rooting for you.’