"Fashion & Fumbles: Is This A Date!?"
Time: 8:00PM Friday - The Day Before Shiriku went to the mall on Saturday with Sachi.
At 8:00 PM on Friday, the evening before Shiriku's mall outing with Sachi, his room became a landscape of mild chaos. Clothing lay strewn across the bed and piled over the back of a chair, the once-neat space now a whirlwind of indecision. Shiriku paced back and forth, his steps echoing against the wooden floor as he muttered to himself, "Ahhhhh!! What the heck? What am I supposed to wear?"
He stopped for a moment to survey the mess, his eyes darting between the different pieces of clothing, searching for inspiration. The thought of wearing his usual casual clothes came to him, but he dismissed it almost as quickly. "That'll be stupid. I'm going out with a friend," he reasoned out loud. But then he paused, tilting his head as if to reconsider. "Is this a date? Naahhhh," he concluded, waving the idea away with a quick shake of his head. After all, Sachi had simply said she needed company for some shopping, and he was available. Still, he couldn't ignore the flutter of nerves that lingered in his stomach.
Shiriku's hand raked through his hair as he stood in front of the closet, contemplating his options. A simple black t-shirt? Perhaps, but it seemed too ordinary for the occasion. A button-down shirt? It felt a bit too formal. He needed something in between—an outfit that said he cared, but not too much.
Finally, his eyes settled on a navy blue Henley shirt draped over the back of his desk chair. It was understated yet stylish, with a casual fit that hinted at a sense of effort without overdoing it. He picked it up and smiled, imagining how it would look with his favorite jeans and a pair of comfortable sneakers. It felt like the right balance between casual and put-together.
.
.
.
Time: 11:00AM Saturday
At 11:00 AM on Saturday, Shiriku stood before the mirror, carefully inspecting his chosen outfit. He tilted his head slightly, noting the subtle curve of the collar and the smooth lines of his shirt. His fingers brushed over the fabric, smoothing out any creases and adjusting the edges with precision. "Now this looks good, I think," he murmured, nodding in approval as he straightened his sleeves and tucked in a stray thread.
His reflection gave back a confident image, and a satisfied smile began to play across his lips. The mirror reflected a version of himself he was proud to present, and he knew he had chosen the right attire for the outing. He stepped back to get a full view, glancing at his shoes to ensure they complemented the rest of his ensemble.
Just as he was about to give himself a final nod of approval, a voice broke through from the hallway. It was Shiroe, his younger brother, calling to him with urgency. "Hey, Shiriku! Dad's ready to give you a ride to the mall!"
Shiriku turned toward the door, shouting back, "Oh, okay, wait, let me just..." He turned back to the mirror for one last adjustment, his hand lifting to smooth a stray lock of hair back into place. The final touches done, he snapped his fingers and said, "There," with a sense of satisfaction. The smile on his face grew as he grabbed his jacket, feeling a surge of excitement for the day ahead. He could hear Shiroe's impatient footsteps in the hallway, and he knew it was time to go. Shiriku took a deep breath, then headed out the door, ready to meet Sachi at the mall.
Location Mall: Time 11:50 AM
In the bustling mall at 11:50 AM, Shiriku, feeling a tad nervous, muttered to himself, "Where is Sachi? Am I late? Maybe I should try calling her." Pulling out his phone, he dialed Sachi's number. When she answered with an energetic "Hello Shiriku, are you already at the mall yet?" the tension in Shiriku's voice was palpable.
"Yeah, where are you?" he inquired about her location. Sachi, maintaining her enthusiasm over the call, directed him, "Start walking until you hit the Women's section." Confusion painted Shiriku's expression as he questioned, "Women's section?"
Sachi assured him, "It's on the first floor of the mall. Just trust me and walk there." With that, Sachi hung up, leaving Shiriku to navigate the bustling mall.
In the midst of his walk through the mall, Shiriku, growing anxious, decided to call Sachi, only to be met with a busy signal. "I'm almost at the Women's section. Where is she?" he muttered nervously. Finally, Sachi picked up, instructing Shiriku to stand outside a shop named "Ladies Swimwear."
"Huh? Ladies Swimwear?" Shiriku questioned, a mix of confusion and curiosity on his face. Sachi, maintaining her cheerfulness, affirmed, "Yup, just go there and stand outside." With a nod, Shiriku began making his way, typing and chatting with Sachi on his phone as he walked.
After two minutes, he arrived at the shop, still engrossed in his phone. Sachi's guidance reached him through the chat, telling him to stop looking at his phone and just look straight. "Ok, Sachi," Shiriku responded, his expression now a blend of bemusement and curiosity as he followed her instructions.
As Shiriku raised his head from his phone, his eyes widened, and he exclaimed, "Yo- You're not Sachi!" Simultaneously, the other person echoed, "Shi- Shiriku?!" with a surprised and confused expression. Shiriku, equally surprised, responded with, "Fu- Fuyumi?!" questioning why she was there.
Fuyumi, showing both confusion and frustration, quickly retorted, "That's what I'm about to say to you! What are you doing here? Sachi was supposed to be with me today," her face reddening with irritation. Shiriku, still perplexed, explained, "Huh? But Sachi asked me for a favor to accompany her since she said she has something to buy for today," nervously averting his eyes.
Fuyumi, now frustrated, demanded, "What? When did she ask you?" Shiriku, feeling uneasy, replied, "Yesterday." Fuyumi sighed, visibly annoyed, and declared, "Wait, I'm gonna call Sachi. She has some explaining to do," tapping her phone with irritation while trying to reach Sachi. The atmosphere was tense, with gestures and expressions conveying the confusion and frustration between Shiriku and Fuyumi.