Stealing Spree

Having gotten consent to take a photo, albeit wordlessly, Koizumi-san used that opportunity to ask me to pose by her instructions.

Yep. In a way, I somehow became her model for the duration of this visit to the clothing store. Although the store wasn’t an expensive brand and, in fact, just a rather small clothing line with way cheaper products, the number of customers browsing inside was more than I expected.

Due to that, when they heard Koizumi-san’s enthusiastic voice as she instructed me to pose for her camera, spectators started to gather around the dressing stall I was in.

Moreover, the employee who had been coaxed by her started bringing more clothes for me to try on. And in fact, most likely noticing the growing commotion, the manager of the store also showed up. However, instead of stopping the sudden pictorial in their store, she joined in on the fun.

Alas, most, if not all of the women, inside the store were convinced by Koizumi-san to overlook her rule-breaking stint. The men were obviously triggered but none of them could even say something or they would be invited out of the store.

If someone was in my shoes, he’d probably be scared by now given that most gazes landing on my figure were all heated as though they couldn’t wait to see the kind of body I was hiding beneath the clothes I tried on.

Actually, it’s kind of comforting that the store wasn’t selling any swimsuits. Otherwise, they might bring all of their products for me to try on.

Of course, if it reached that point, I’d stop the madness right away, drag Koizumi-san away and nag or scold her for the kind of situation she put me in.

In one corner of my mind, I couldn’t help but think that it might be better if I returned to the previous unbecoming hairstyle that could make me look insignificant to everyone.

“As expected of you, Onoda-kun. Everyone is so amazed at everything you wear.” Slipping inside the dressing stall to hand me another piece of clothing, Koizumi-san dished out another compliment to me.

If not for being used to that, I would probably blush in embarrassment in front of her.

Anyway, she’s clearly enjoying herself. The cool, stylish beauty that was seemingly unapproachable earlier was smiling childishly as she scanned me from head to toe.

“Uh. I don’t know what you and they see in me but I guess I can only accept that compliment. But, Koizumi-san, can we make this the last? I… I’m tired.”

Not physically, but mentally.

If this was what’s going to happen if I ever became a model, I might not really consider taking it up even as a side job.

Koizumi-san focused on my face, perhaps determining my current state. Whether or not she successfully discerned it within those few seconds I had no idea. She walked over to me and used her handkerchief to wipe my face before gently nodding her head, “Sure thing. Give me your best pose with that and we’ll be done here.”

This girl… If I was any other guy, I might’ve interpreted that differently. But thinking about it, it was only right since she’s the one who put me in this situation. Isn’t that right?

In any case, do I have the best pose? Well, whatever. Whichever pose would probably be accepted as long as it’s matched with this final set of clothes.

“I understand,” I replied as I started stripping off what I was wearing to put the new clothes on.

Naturally, Koizumi-san wouldn’t watch me change in front of her. She has to maintain propriety, after all. Even before I could start, she already faced the other way and began leaving to wait outside this stall along with those spectators.

“By the way, do I get something for this? I feel like I became your plaything for the last few minutes.”

But before she could step out, I remembered something and called out to her. Through the large mirror in front of me, I saw her stopping in her steps and flinching slightly as though she didn’t expect that.

“Uh… I guess you’re right. It’s only appropriate to compensate you.” She answered. A few seconds of contemplation later, she brought up her suggestion, “Why don’t I buy you one set of clothes? Pick the one you liked the most.”

Well, I had no particular taste in clothes but that’s better than nothing, I guess? I only brought it up for her to understand that I wouldn’t do something easily without proper compensation.

If I let this pass without doing or asking for anything, she might think that I was easy to coerce, or even if it’s not that, I might be seen as too agreeable to model for her.

“Mhm. Sounds good to me.”

Hearing my positive answer, Koizumi-san’s cheerfulness returned as she looked over her shoulder to take a glance at me.

Our gazes met through the mirror and for the second time today, she became a little flustered. Koizumi-san swiftly turned her head back to the front and instantly recovered. She then said along with sweet-sounding excited giggles, “Heh, I can’t wait to process all these photos of you, Onoda-kun.”

She already took a lot… With each of the clothes that I tried, she’d taken different angles and poses, after all.

“Do I really look that good in the camera?” As I couldn’t help but be curious, I stopped her from leaving once more by raising that question.

“Very. Didn’t you see them? They’re all here to capture your handsomeness in their eyes. I’m pretty sure that if you take a modeling gig, you might instantly hit the front page of a magazine.” Her answer also came relatively quickly but this time, she stopped herself from glancing back.

Well, I was already about to finish changing so she’d probably not be flustered anymore if she turned around. Not that I would tell her that.

“Aren’t you just exaggerating it?”

“Am I? Onoda-kun, why don’t we test it? I can submit one of your photos here to some online magazine contest. If it wins a prize, I hope you can consider my offer. If not, then you’ll never hear a thing about modeling from me again.”

This… Did I just get caught in a trap?

“Koizumi-san… Is it just me? I feel like that suggestion is part of your plan all along.”

Raising that doubt, I checked on her reflection again and sure enough, the girl flinched a little, just enough for my observant eyes to notice. Following that, she quickly laughed it off while explaining, “You’re imagining things, Onoda-kun. I’m only offering an alternative way out for you.”

Alternative way out, huh? Is that even a thing?

“I can just reject you though. Have you never considered that?” I said to provoke another reaction from her.

Unfortunately, she remained unmoved. Furthermore, she even exuded extreme confidence in me, “Ah. But you won’t do that, Onoda-kun. You’re too considerate to reject a pretty girl that you’re interested in.”

“Wait, are you talking about yourself, Koizumi-san?”

“Uh-huh. Am I wrong?”

Should I say yes? But I couldn’t deny that I’m partly interested in her… However, where did that come from? That sounded unlike her at all.

Well, I better try. She might just be testing me,

“I can agree on being too considerate but Koizumi-san, have I ever expressed my interest in you?”

Upon hearing that question, Koizumi-san’s shoulders shook as her soft, guilty-laden voice reached my ears, “Nope. You haven’t said a thing. You’re like a stalwart fortress, you know? Never leaking out your real intentions. By the way, that’s just me joking. You see, I don’t know how to respond to the possibility of your rejection.”

The girl glanced at me again and bitterly smiled. Meeting her gaze, I gently shook my head and sighed in relief, “You almost got me with that, Koizumi-san. But let’s see, thank you for your continuous praise?”

“Pfft… I’m sincere with those compliments, you know? But tell me, are you really going to reject my suggestion?”

“Uh. For you, I’ll think about it.” Well, if she’s really going to stop bugging me with it if it didn’t win any prize then I should give her that chance. But then, I also couldn’t say yes right away. In this kind of situation, pulling up an uncertain answer was the best to use.

Her laughter abruptly stopped but it was instantly replaced by something. It’s a lovely smile that she’s probably showing me for the first time. And while she was at it, she replied, “That’s very nice to hear, Onoda-kun... To tell you the truth, if you’re not with Satsuki-chan, I might start considering my chances with you. You’re a great catch, seriously.”