Part 2

Muneuji-kun… wants to wear something cool…!

Sorry. I was running my mouth. I do not particularly dislike cute things—

I’m sure you’d look great in a cool costume!

*eyes widen*...

You have a chic air about you and great posture, too… I’d bet you’d look super mature if you wore something like a kimono!

Mature…

Wouldn’t you say so too, Sakujiro-san?

Indeed, I have the exact same thought. If Kaguya-kun so wishes, I also have plenty of “cool” costumes prepared.

For example… How does this Dark Knight look? I am sure you would look perfect as a knight since you have exemplary posture.

Me… as a knight…

I think that’s a great idea! Or, you could probably also dress up as a vampire. Though vampires are pretty popular, so you might overlap with someone else—

…Ah, sorry. We’re getting ahead of ourselves.

…No. By all means, thank you for drafting so many ideas for me.

Would it be alright if I browsed a little more? I would like to borrow your insights.

Why certainly.

There’s still lots of time before the party, so let’s look around until we find a costume you like!

(Oh yeah… I wonder how Muneuji-kun’s costume picking went after that.)

(I had to leave because of work, so I left everything in Sakujiro-san’s hands.)

(I hope he’s found a costume that he likes…)

Chief, how are you doing?

Oh, Muneuji-kun! I was just thinking about you.

About me?

Did I perhaps do something to inconvenience you? I do believe I handed in all my reports before their deadlines…

I-It’s not about that, I was thinking about your costume! I was wondering what you decided on after I left.

Ah… the costume. I should have reported to you since I asked for your help, my apologies.

We browsed quite a bit after you left—

And in the end, I decided to go with the witch girl costume.

Oh, I see…

Huh!? Wait, so you chose the witch girl in the end!?

Indeed. We had quite a number of candidates even after narrowing things down… We were unable to decide on just one costume.

Therefore, we consulted a third party for their opinion. And she said she liked the witch girl outfit the most among the contenders.

By third party, you mean…

Hime—my little sister. To quote her words, “It’s super cute so you’ve got to wear it!”

I see… I guess it’d be pretty hard to refuse if your sister’s the one asking.

…But is that okay with you? You looked like you wanted to wear something cooler.

Well, I suppose… But as I said a few days ago, I do not particularly dislike cute costumes.

Based on everyone's reactions, there is no doubt that this costume will look good on me.

I was simply thinking… that in a few more years… when my body matures, this genre of “cute” costumes will no longer suit me, and I will not be able to wear them anymore.

However, you told me that I suit both “cute” and “cool” costumes.

Which is why I decided on being a witch girl for this year.

…I see. I’m glad you were able to find something you liked.

Although, the mature kimono look you proposed remained one of the top contenders until the very end.

Oh… Really?

Indeed. I was not aware of this before… but the word “mature” has an appealing ring to it that resonates with me.

However—

If that were the case, I would rather you view me as a matured individual, an adult, rather than someone posing as one.

Huh…?

Can you wait for me until I turn 18?

By the time I truly become an adult, I will be sure to properly exude the coolness within these outfits more so than my current capabilities.

I-I see…

Then I’m looking forward to seeing the 18-year-old you.

Yes. I won’t disappoint you.

I will devote myself to studying harder to live up to both my words from today and your expectations.