Apparently the Gal who Bullies me Likes me

Chapter 8 (Part 1)

Real Intention

"Hey, let's go somewhere together."

The station I was supposed to get off at is getting further and further away while Tachibana is still looking down and still keeping her silent, not letting go of the sleeve she had grabbed.

"Where are we going?"

"Anywhere is fine."

"Is it no good?"

Tachibana gazes up at me while holding my sleeve.

I couldn't refuse her if she stared at me with such eyes.

We had then decided to get off to the last station as that station is close to the shopping district.

The station was surrounded by shopping malls, electronics stores, and other large facilities.

"Let's go shopping!"

At Tachibana's request, we left the station and headed for a nearby shopping mall.

The sun is beginning to set.

The rain had stopped when we are still at the train.

People passing by were not using their umbrellas anymore but Tachibana walked in front of me skipping along while holding my umbrella even though it was not raining.

She is so innocent.

Tachibana is bright that It's dazzling being next to her.

Even though a few moments ago she was so silent on the train but when we arrived here, she suddenly became energetic.

I was a little excited as this is the first time I've come this far after school especially with a girl.

I'm also thrilled as if I'm doing something wrong as I rarely come to a place like this which is a lot different from my everyday life.

When we arrived at the mall, I was surprised at its size. 

It seems that they renovated the place as it's now wider and larger than from when I went to this place last time.

There are various shops in the mall such as Clothing stores, general stores, bookstores, movie theaters, cafes, and etc.

Upon arriving at the mall, Tachibana looked around the stores from one side to the other.

I then ask her, "Are you going to buy something?"

"I would buy something if I saw something that I like."

If that's the case how come you want to enter a store?

Isn't shopping supposed to be done with a purpose in mind, for example like going to this to store to buy that sort of thing?

"... You haven't been to a mall with a girl before, Am I right?"

Yes, it's true that I've never been to a mall with a girl before.

So this is what they called window shopping.


...


We stopped at the bookstore.

Tachibana is currently browsing the aisle where you can find fashion magazines in them.

Suddenly, she finds a magazine with a popular all-girl idol group on the cover.

The members of that group are all cute.

I pick up the same type of magazine and look at the feature page where that group has an article. It seems that all of the members have well-defined faces and individuality.

I'm sure that if Tachibana joins them she wouldn't be out of place.

As I was thinking about that...

"Hmmm, so you like those type, huh?"

Tachibana peeks out from the side.

"Nope, it's not like I like them or anything."

"Hmmm"

She looks at me suspiciously.

I wonder what's up with those eyes of her.

As if she just remembered, Tachibana then said "Hey, hey! Let's go look at some clothes!"

Tachibana leaves the bookstore hurriedly.

"Hurry up!"

We are now both heading to the clothing store.

I'm an indoor person, so I don't care what clothes I wear.

"What kind of clothes do you usually wear, Tachibana?"

"Well I sometimes wear a one piece, also..."

She told me about the various types of clothes she wears and how she is mixing and matching them, to be honest I had no idea what she's talking about.

"But I sometimes wear my school uniforms even on my days off, you know?"

"Why would you that?"

Why would someone wear their uniform when they weren't even going to school?

"Because after I graduate I can't wear my school uniform anymore. Besides, being JK is a brand, so I have to enjoy wearing them while I still can."

I see that's really a deep reason.

As soon as we arrived at the clothing store, she immediately became friends with the clerk and talked to her a lot.

"How about this?"

I don't really know what to answer even if she ask me.

"Maybe it's good?"

"What about this one?"

I don't know.

"I think it looks good on you."

In response to my random reply.

"Are you really sure you're thinking about it?"

"Of course, I'm seriously thinking."

"Well, which one should I choose?"

When I think about it this one looks good on Tachibana.

"I think this one's better."

I pointed to the one that I thought was better.

"Hmm that one huh?"

What do you mean by that?

It looks like she ended up buying the one I chose.

As we are checking out at the register, the clerk said...

"You two looks like a perfect couple!"

When I heard that my body got hot.

"Ah, no..."

"Uhmm, well..."

It seems that we both don't know what to say to her.

We both receive our clothes and quickly left the store. For some reason the clerk had a strange look on her face.

"..."

Now we are in an awkward situation.

It seems that we were mistaken as a couple.

It was Tachibana who broke the silence.

"Oh, that's right! Let's buy a banana juice!"

"Banana juice?"

"Oh didn't you know? After the tapioca fad it was replaced by the Banana juice."

"I see..."

As expected of a JK, or is it a gal? She's really knowledgeable about the latest fad.

​
...

​
At the banana juice shop. Tachibana is talking to the clerk.

"Is this the new one? Oh yeah! Wow, so there are flavors like this. Ah! I really like your nail polish!"

She is really having fun talking to her.

She did the same thing on the clothing store earlier. Does she really always talks to much the store clerk? If I'm in her position I wouldn't be able to do that at all.

"Which one do you want?"

Tachibana then urges me to order.

"Oh, I'll have the same one as her, please."

I didn't know what to order so I just asked the same thing Tachibana had.



Note: JK is short for JoshiKousei, which means high school girl.