Episode- 03

I walk down the stairs out of breath.

　When I arrived at my destination, I saw Tohsaka sitting on the edge of the shady stairs.

　Even in a seemingly plain place, Tohsaka exudes a dazzling aura that sets her apart from the others.

"Yes, pants. My height hasn't changed, so I think the size is fine."

"Oh, yeah. Thank you."

　When Tohsaka hesitantly takes the gym pants from me, she freezes, staring at them as if she has seen something unusual.

"Don't worry. I haven't worn them since I washed them, and I actually used some good detergent."

"I-I'm not particularly concerned about hygiene."

"And it has an aromatic floral scent."

"I don't even care about the smell... I mean, I just..."

"just?"

"...I was just wondering why you have gym clothes even though there's no PE."

　Tohsaka looks at me with a face that looks like she's one step away from scolding a child who's misbehaving.

"Isn't that normal? Gym clothes are usually stored in lockers. It would be convenient in case something happens, right?"

"Wow, Fujita-kun is surprisingly good at planning things."

"...That's the pretense. The truth is, it's just a hassle to carry them home. This time I happened to have washed them, but usually I just put on long pants and head back to the locker."

"You should wash it after wearing it once..."

　That's a reasonable opinion.

"Well, I was saved thanks to your diligence and laziness, so I won't say anything more."

"It seems like a contradiction, but it helps."

　When I said that, Tohsaka chuckled.

"Well then, I'll be grateful and go get changed."

　Tohsaka stood up, glanced at me, and then went into the bathroom.

　After watching her back disappear into the ladies' restroom, I sat down a little later on the step below where Tohsaka had been sitting.

"Curry roux, huh?"

The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

　Perhaps the girl named "Tohsaka Koko" isn't the kind of girl we imagine.

　Of course, I mean that in a good way.

　　　　　♦ ♦ ♦

　I slammed the door to my private room and took a breather.

　The bathroom was filled with the unnatural smell of curry roux, and I pressed my hands to my burning cheeks.

"I never thought it would end up like this... and of all people, it had to happen to Fujita-kun...!!!"

　I held back the urge to scream and lowered my gaze to the blue pants I was holding.

"Fujita."

　The word "Fujita" is embroidered next to the left pocket.

　That alone was shocking and had a huge meaning to me.

　Because this is proof that it belongs to him.

　The embarrassment and awkwardness that would have been hidden without the embroidery is now given special value by the presence of his name on the trousers.

　The name is scary.

"I'll take Fujita's pants..."

　Although I felt confused, a sense of uneasiness was slowly building up inside me.

"Phew... okay."

　Pushing my conflict aside, I hung Fujita's trousers by the door and unbuckled my belt.

　Although she felt uncomfortable with her pants soaked in the sauce, she unhooked them and pulled them down.

　I feel embarrassed about my exposed white legs, even though no one is looking at them.

　However, when I look down at my exposed lower body like this, I realize that I am still a girl.

　Her fleshy, curvy thighs and simple shorts make her look like a real girl...or so I thought. No, maybe I'm not.

"Ha! I need to get changed quickly."

　Driven by a sense of duty, I picked up Fujita's trousers again, and my heart began to beat faster.

"Now, this.... phew."

　Why am I getting so upset about this?

　Feeling embarrassed at my own pathetic state, I finally put my feet into Fujita's trousers.

　Even though it's the same one I have, just remembering that it belongs to a boy, and Fujita in particular, makes it seem like a completely different item.

　I look down at the pants that completely cover my lower body.

"I feel like I'm doing something wrong."

　The name caught my eye and I ended up staying in the bathroom for a long time unnecessarily.

　　　　　♦ ♦ ♦

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

"It seems like it was just the right time."

"Yeah, it seems that way."

　Tohsaka comes running.

　The tight-fitting trousers fit like it wasTohsaka's.

　…Even so.

"Zii..."

"Wh-what's wrong? Look at me so closely....Ah! Do I still smell?"

"That's okay."

"it is?"

"Um yeah... well, how can I put it?"

　I hesitate, wondering if it's okay to tell her what's on my mind.

　However, in stark contrast to the usual confident Tohsaka, with her cheeks slightly flushed, concerned about her smell, and occasionally glancing at me, my emotions swelled up with incredible force as I saw her in front of me.

　Plus, when I thought of Tohsaka wearing my pants, there was no way I could resist.

"Tohsaka is really cute."

"Huh?! What the heck?!"

"No, yeah. Sorry."

"Why are you apologizing?"

　Tohsaka asks eagerly.

"I couldn't resist and said she was cute, but when I told her she was cute, Tohsaka had this reaction. Maybe she didn't like it. It was the same the other day."

"I don't hate it or anything... that's not what I think, though."

"Really? I won't force you. If you don't want to do it, just tell me clearly."

"So, well... I don't mind, you know."

"Don't worry, Tohsaka. Even if you say you don't like me, I won't be hurt. Okay?"

"I, I said so! I don't dislike it!"

"I see. I'm glad then."

　What may be considered a compliment by the general public may not be so depending on the person.

　Tohsaka seems to feel uncomfortable when people call her cool.

　However, I am truly glad that my preconceptions did not hurt Tohsaka.

"...Ugh, I'm in trouble now...seriously."

"Huh? Did you say something?"

"Nothing!"

　...But why is that?

　Is it just my imagination that Tohsaka looks a little angry? Yes, it's probably just my imagination.

　　　　　♦ ♦ ♦

　the next day.

　When I got to school and put my bag down on my seat, she came running in, giving off a lovely fragrance.

"Thank you for yesterday, Fujita. These are the pants I borrowed. I thought I'd use them today for P.E."

"Thank you."

　As I received the pants, my eyes naturally fell on Tohsaka's.

"The dirt was removed."

"Yeah, it was quite hard, but I managed it."

　Tohsaka chuckles.

　Her elegance and dignity are truly befitting of a prince.

"Ah, well..."

"yeah?"

　Tohsaka leans forward a little and puts her mouth close to my ear.

"Let's keep what happened yesterday a secret, okay?"

　She returned to her original position with a dignified look, and Tohsaka returned to her seat with a smile.

　The series of movements was so cool and worthy of being called a prince that I couldn't help but be captivated.

　However, at the same time, I felt a nudge in my heart as I felt embarrassment about what had happened the previous day.

"So cute..."

"Huh? What about me?"

　Reo, who just happened to be passing in front of me, pointed at himself with a dopey look on his face.

　I sighed a little and sat down as if nothing had happened.

"Did you just say I'm cute? That was me, right? Why me?"

　……noisy.

　The second period ended and the next class was physical education.

　We came to the locker room with our gym clothes and quickly got changed while chatting casually.

"……wha?"

　But, however.

　When I saw the name on the trousers, my mind went blank in an instant.

"I see... No, seriously."

　The voice of my heart unintentionally leaks out.

　The word "Tohsaka" was sewn onto the pants in his hand.

　Those two words alone had me breaking out into a cold sweat.