My stepmother's burden is my ex-girlfriend.

"……How about it?"

It's a simple outfit consisting of a three-quarter sleeve shirt paired with a high-waisted skirt.

Xiaoyue just said she "felt very pure," which is actually because I chose a low-key color scheme to match Dongtou's personality—a white shirt with a dark blue skirt. Since that guy was the same way, I know that people like her tend to avoid bright colors.

I've heard that the biggest problem for women with large breasts is that they look fat no matter what they wear, so I tried choosing a high-waisted skirt that accentuates my waistline.

In fact, thanks to the shirt hem being tucked into her skirt, Dongtou's round, bowl-shaped breasts were clearly visible...

(Illustration 007)

"That's... obscene enough..."

"What exactly do you want from me?!"

Dongtou squatted down, his face flushed. His shy expression only made him look more lewd.

Xiaoyue and I both crossed our arms and groaned, "Mmm-hmm."

"This is a real problem, Yui..."

"Yeah... I look sexy no matter what I wear..."

"Stop talking...! Please don't portray me like a female pervert! Although I'm somewhat aware of my own actions!"

Dongtou finally pulled back the curtain and went into the fitting room. The rustling sound of clothes rubbing together came from inside. Was she taking off that innocent yet erotic dress? How obscene.

"Anyway, it seems we need to eliminate the presence of her G-cup before we can make any further plans... Either she'll look fat or she'll look like a video game character, it's one of the two."

"So it turns out that women with large breasts have their own difficulties too. This is the first time in my life that I've felt anything other than hatred towards large breasts."

"Were you originally the embodiment of your hatred for large breasts?"

"Why not just make a breast bag? Since we have this opportunity, let's go for the anime/manga style!"

"Breast...what?"

"That's the kind."

Xiaoyue showed me an image from an animation on her smartphone. The image showed a beautiful girl's breasts, their shape clearly visible even through her clothes.

"Wouldn't this violate the laws of physics?"

"I think there are ways to do it in real life if you want to. Anyway, Dongtou-kun likes this kind of thing, so he'll probably be very happy, right?"

"Please don't confuse reality with fiction!"

Dongtou suddenly pulled open the curtain of the fitting room and walked out in his original outfit.

"I have to say, anyone who dares to walk around with their breasts exposed is out of their mind! They have absolutely no shame! They're like Adam and Eve before they even tasted the forbidden fruit!"

"Saying that makes you sound like a really capable person, is that okay?"

"Tch—I was originally planning to let Dongtou do cosplay—"

"Cosplay! ...As for maid outfits, that's acceptable..."

"You can actually accept that?"

"So you're interested in cosplay..."

"No, no! Not at all!"

With Dongtou, whose denials had already been completely exposed, joining us, we took another stroll through the store.

Wearing loose clothing can conceal the bust line, but if you don't choose carefully, it can make you look fat.

However, if you narrow your waistline, it will unnecessarily accentuate your bust size...

Hmm—that's really difficult.

"I think a light and flowing style would be better, wouldn't it?"

"Light and graceful?"

"what is that?"

"If I had to say, it's closer to the kind of outfits that Yui likes."

I looked down at my clothes.

Today I'm wearing a white women's blouse with a beige tulip skirt. I mostly prefer lighter colors, partly because long black hair can look a bit heavy, and also because—when I'm dating that guy, he always wears mostly black clothes. It just doesn't look good for a couple to both be dressed in all black.

"I'd say the overall silhouette is rather soft. Doesn't Yui not really like to show off her body lines? Like you, choosing a larger size for the top and a light, airy skirt for the bottom... and then there are high-waisted pants? I think they also suit Dongtou's style. Anyway, you're always spacing out."

"Yes—indeed."

Was I spacing out?

Dongtou tilted his head, looking bewildered. It was clearly there.

I think it's pretty good, but Xiaoyue looked like she'd encountered a problem.

"But...it'll be the same as Yui's!"

"Can't we just repeat it?"

Dongtou tilted his head again. Xiaoyue smiled and said:

"Of course not! Don't you think it's a bit embarrassing for two soft, ethereal girls to walk together?"

"So you're saying it's not just about whether it suits you, but also whether you're compatible with other people...?"

"Ah, Dongtou, your face says 'So troublesome.' Yeah, it's really troublesome. Welcome to the world of girls."

"I'm increasingly reluctant to have too much to do with this world..."

"We don't expect beginners to have so many concerns from the start, do we, Yume?"

"what?"

I didn't quite understand why Xiaoyue suddenly brought me up, so I looked back at her face.

"Since the problem is that this would repeat what Yui said—then Yui can just make a small, thoughtful difference, right—?"

"Huh...? You...you mean me?"

"That's right! Let's take this opportunity to explore new fashion trends!"

I was so careless... So that was her real purpose!

Xiaoyue always wants me to wear cool, stylish clothes. I've told her before that kind of clothing doesn't suit me!

"Which one should I wear? ♪ Is this one okay? ♪"

Before I could stop her, Xiaoyue had already started picking out slim-fitting pants.

This isn't right! Today was supposed to be the East End students' makeover event! Why is it me?

Perhaps she had already picked out a few items, because in the blink of an eye, Xiaoyue chose an outfit and handed it to me.

"Then, why don't you try it on?♪"

"I...I just..."

"Wear it, wear it, and see!♪"

I gave in to her unyielding smile and turned to my classmate on the east side for help.

...Turn his head, and the student on the east side looked elsewhere.

That's so heartless! They just want to find someone to take the fall for, and this is how they do it!

"Come on, come on, come on! Come on in! Oh, your hair needs to be tied up in a bun! It'll look better this way! Here, take this hair tie!"

Urged on by Xiaoyue, I was pushed step by step into the fitting room.

I looked at myself in the full-length mirror, then at the clothes in my hands. It was a style I usually avoid—one that clearly showed off my figure. Waaah…! What's the harm in giving this kind of clothing to a girl who didn't even look good in her uniform not long ago…?

In short, Xiaoyue should be satisfied after trying it on just once... That's the only way to put it.

I quickly took off the clothes I was wearing and put on the clothes she gave me.

The top is a blue-toned sleeveless top, and the bottom is white slim-fitting pants—leggings. Although not revealing at all, they clearly accentuate the leg lines.

I tied my hair up as she suggested. I felt that tying it in a ponytail would be the same as Xiaoyue's, so I tied it into a bunch at neck height that hung down to my shoulders.

I don't know if it looks good or not... Even after looking in the mirror at the finished look, it's still hard to tell.

I currently lack a standard for judgment.

To be more precise... there was no one I wanted to wear it for him to see.

I used to want someone to see me looking my best. So I would imagine their reaction and choose accessories they might like to compensate for my lack of taste. Now I've lost that standard, and like my classmate Dongtou, I'm a complete beginner when it comes to dressing—I'm not even sure what it means to be truly accomplished.

...Never mind, whatever.

I was too lazy to think about it anymore, and somewhat resignedly pulled back the curtain.

"……How about it?"

Xiaoyue and Dongtou stared at me for a long while—

"Oh oh oh oh oh~~~!"

"So handsome...!"

The result was very well received.

Xiaoyue blushed with excitement, while Dongtou's eyes shone with longing.

Huh...? Is it pretty? Really?

"I knew this would look good on you, because you have such a tall and slender figure! Very few girls suit white skinny jeans, I'm serious!"

Xiaoyue started speaking very quickly, so it seems she was telling the truth.

My heart started to itch.

Before, dressing up was about not embarrassing myself in front of the opposite sex—or rather, men. But, trying on different clothes while discussing them with my female friends... well, it doesn't feel so bad.

I took another look in the full-length mirror.

Wearing a long, tailored pantsuit, I looked about three years older.

Seeing this, one might think that her current style is a bit childish, or perhaps too girly, or that she cares too much about what boys think...

Surprisingly, this kind of outfit... actually looks pretty good?

I checked the price tag and found it surprisingly affordable. Lately, I've started borrowing books from that guy again, saving me some money on books. Besides, reading isn't expensive to begin with, so I have a little extra allowance... Well, okay, it's a rare opportunity.

"...I'll ask the clerk to cut off the label."

"Hooray! My dream has come true!"

Anyway, I can't keep dressing like I did in junior high. This is a good opportunity... Besides, I no longer need to cater to that man's tastes.

"Now it's time for the grand finale! Dongtou, here, this is for you!"

When I went to the store to pay and cut the tags, Xiaoyue had already picked out the clothes for Dongtou.

The clothes I gave to Dongtou were mostly dark in color. I guess they avoided colors that make someone look fatter.

"W-This...? It seems a little too cute for me..."

"Of course! I want you to look cuter in this! Okay, come on in!"

She pushed the hesitant student from the east into the fitting room and pulled up the curtain.

As for Dongtou, I hope she can learn to enjoy dressing up, rather than just using it for dating. I think that would somewhat improve her lack of confidence... Besides, right now, I feel she's a bit too dependent on that guy. Although, as long as they both seem okay with it, I have no right to interfere.

As I pondered these things, Xiaoyue and I waited for her to change her clothes at the entrance of the fitting room.

at this time……

"Huh? You guys..."

Upon hearing the familiar voice, we turned around.

I was so frightened that my whole body stiffened.

Two male high school students were watching us from outside the clothing store.

One of the hair ends was styled slightly, and the three-quarter sleeves and three-quarter pants created a playful and mischievous look.

She is our classmate and Xiaoyue's childhood friend—Kawaba Kogure.

The other is the opposite, wearing a worn-out vest, shirt and wrinkled khaki twill pants, with an expression that thinks everything in the world is boring.