Chapter 2
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Chapter 2: Prologue II
Passing through the large gate, which only serves to give the dojo an air of dignity, I visit Haruka’s house next door. Unlike my house, which is a fifty-year-old wooden single-story building, Haruka’s house is a newly built single-family home. Haruka’s room is on the second floor, which already makes me somewhat envious.
Yūhigōka, where we live, was originally an area where tenant farmers who received land after the war flourished, so it was mostly a rural area with local landowners owning most of the land. However, with the development of major highways and the decrease in birth rates, more people have started selling their land and moving out. That’s why people like Haruka’s family, who seek a somewhat inconvenient but peaceful location, move here.
The nameplate “Ōkushi” is also written on a faux marble in Roman cursive, unlike our house. Even though it’s next door, Haruka’s house feels stylish, as if the times have changed, which makes me a bit nervous.
“I figured Mom would be asleep anyway.”
“Okay, I’m coming in.”
There’s indeed no sign of people. Of course, she might be sleeping, but it doesn’t mean she’s not here. Haruka’s family is dual-income, and on days off, Auntie doesn’t wake up early. So, Haruka comes to the house for breakfast. Mom was also happy to have a daughter around.
Going up to the second floor, the room immediately to the left is Haruka’s. When I open the door, a blue carpet is laid out on the wooden flooring. Since all the rooms in our house except for the kitchen are tatami-floored, I always find it admirable.
Haruka-san, without being puzzled by my envious gaze at the floor, rummaged through the wardrobe in the back of the room and took out a pure white dress.
“How about this? I thought it would look great on you.”
“I don’t think so.”
If asked whether this would suit Haruka-nee, I would definitely nod in agreement. There’s nothing embarrassing about going out together. But being told that this cute dress with frills on the skirt, sleeves, and collar would suit me doesn’t make me happy at all.
“And over this…”
“There’s more?”
Next came a black apron dress. I’ve even memorized the name. A Gothic Lolita outfit, to be exact, was laid out on Haruka’s bed.
“It’ll definitely look good on you. Be confident.”
“Confident in what?”
This is the reason why I don’t want to go out with Haruka. Haruka-nee’s hobby is dressing me up in girl’s clothes and taking me out.
It all started in junior high. I was made to wear a cheerleader costume for the sports festival. I was forcibly dressed by the surrounding girls and made to be the center of the cheer competition. It was an embarrassing humiliation that still makes me feel like my face is on fire when I think about it. But Haruka, who saw that, apparently thought it looked astonishingly good on me.
Initially, they were Haruka’s hand-me-downs, but eventually, she started buying clothes specifically for me, and now she brings out several outfits every month, bought from who knows where.
“So, change and come out.”
“Ah, wait a minute.”
Haruka hurriedly left the room. I was left alone with the cute Gothic Lolita clothes on the bed.
“I have to come up with some excuse to refuse.”
Half-heartedly, I put on the dress. I wonder what percentage of men worldwide know how to wear this kind of outfit. Without any special hesitation, I ended up dressed in Gothic Lolita attire.
“I’m changed.”
I poked my head out of the room and called for Haruka. Even though Auntie should still be asleep, I couldn’t predict when she might come out.
“It suits you after all! You look good in sweet styles, Nao!”
Haruka-nee, joyfully flooding into the room, hugged me tightly. Once this happens, it’s hard to break free. It’s not just about height. Haruka-nee’s strength, honed through many achievements in elementary school kendo tournaments, seems to know no bounds. It’s really unfair. I can only manage to be somewhat above average in sports.
“Um, Haruka-nee, I really think I should stop doing this.”
I mumbled through the frills around my mouth. Before I could clearly express my desire to stop, large tears began to flow from Haruka’s eyes.
I was convinced that this repeated failure was inevitable.
“Because this is what I have…”
Tears flowed like a waterfall, showing no signs of stopping.
“It doesn’t look good on me! I’m a Giant God Warrior after all!!”
As if releasing me, Haruka collapsed onto the carpet and rolled around like a child throwing a tantrum. It makes me want to hold my head in despair to see a tall, beautiful high school girl acting like this. What’s more, this person is a close childhood friend who lives next door to me.
The term “Giant God Warrior” was Haruka’s nickname from the past. It might be more accurate to call it a alias. Someone started calling her that because she was tall and excelled in kendo since elementary school.
There was no malice in it, it was a symbol of admiration and respect chosen from a popular game at the time. However, for Haruka-nee, whose essence is entirely feminine, this nickname was one she detested the most.
Haruka-nee quit kendo because of it. I also stopped practicing kendo, somewhat following her lead. I never called her by that nickname because she disliked it, but Haruka’s strength was something I admired.
“I-I understand. It’s my fault.”
In the privacy of her room, Haruka cried loudly, and I did my best to console her. I couldn’t risk someone seeing us and misunderstanding the situation.
“Come on, we’re going out, right?”
I pulled Haruka, still lying on the floor, up. Her tears seemed to have finally stopped.
“You’re wearing that dress, okay?”
“I-I understand.”
I hurriedly responded to Haruka’s insistence. It seems I couldn’t escape this curse once again. Accompanied by a now cheerful Haruka, I set out on a secret and dangerous journey with no treasure in sight.