Crossover: After deciding to give up, i became popular

"Katou, are you out by yourself?" Kanade asked as they walked side by side.

"Sort of," Katou replied, her tone calm as always. "I was supposed to come with Eriri, but she bailed at the last minute."

"That girl…" Kanade muttered, sighing. He felt a pang of sympathy for Katou.

Shouldn't she be at least a little upset about being stood up?

Then again, this was Katou Megumi—her seemingly endless patience was why she could put up with Eriri's temper and remain one of her few close friends. If it had been Kasumigaoka-senpai who got stood up, Eriri's door would likely already have a hole punched through it from her knocking.

"Do you have any plans for later?" Kanade asked cautiously. "We were thinking of heading back soon..."

The misunderstanding about his relationship with Mahiru had been cleared up. Now, it seemed best to part ways before things got complicated. While Kanade had no issue hanging out with Katou, he knew Mahiru might not be as comfortable.

A friend of a friend isn't automatically your friend.

If he ignored this simple truth, he could end up stuck in a tricky situation, trying to juggle everyone's feelings and pleasing no one.

"About my plans… Could I make a request?" Katou said, setting down her dessert spoon. Her gaze shifted to Mahiru, as if seeking her approval.

"...Sure," Mahiru replied hesitantly, caught off guard by the sudden question.

Kanade found himself standing exactly where he had been earlier, just outside the women's clothing store. The only difference was that this time, both Katou and Mahiru had dragged him along.

He hadn't been given much explanation—just that they needed to stop by the shop. Kanade suspected Katou had whispered something to Mahiru to convince her, but what it was, he couldn't say.

"Are you coming in, Kanade-kun?" Katou asked.

"Eh? I'll pass…" Kanade quickly shook his head.

The idea of stepping into a women's clothing store made his stomach churn with anxiety.

"It's fine," Katou said gently. "I asked one of the shop attendants, and she said it's okay for you to come in."

She offered a disarming smile. "After all, it's important to have a boy's perspective when picking out clothes, right?"

Mahiru, who had been quiet until now, nodded eagerly. She didn't want to leave Kanade outside alone, vulnerable to potential "bad aunties" who might hit on him again.

"...Alright," Kanade relented.

He steeled himself as he stepped inside, repeating a mantra in his head:

It's just a store. Don't look at the lingerie. Don't look at the swimsuits. You'll be fine.

The other female customers seemed understanding enough. While some glanced in his direction and whispered among themselves, no one made a scene. Kanade kept his head down, scrolling through his phone to avoid their stares.

But every second felt like an eternity.

"Kanade-kun, we're done!"

The soft, clear voice rang out like the final school bell on a Friday, signaling sweet relief.

Kanade looked up—and froze.

Mahiru stood before him in a striking black gothic lolita dress, complete with semi-sheer black stockings and a matching miniature black hat perched atop her golden hair. Dark rose embroidery adorned the fabric, and the contrast between the dark tones and her radiant blond locks was breathtaking.

She was stunning—no, enchanting.

A fallen angel, shrouded in darkness yet impossibly alluring…

Kanade caught himself spiraling into a dangerous train of thought.

"Kanade-kun, you're staring," Katou teased, her tone light but sharp enough to pull him back to reality.

"My eyes are round, not straight!" Kanade protested, scrambling for a defense. "And my nose didn't grow bigger!"

"Kanade, do you… think it looks good on me?" Mahiru's voice was barely above a whisper. Her face was flushed, her hands fidgeting nervously as she awaited his answer.

Kanade gave her his most reassuring smile. "It's perfect! If I could, I'd give it 200 out of 100 points!"

Mahiru's cheeks deepened in color, her lips curving into a shy smile. She didn't respond, but her eyes sparkled with relief and joy.

Kanade turned to Katou, who stood calmly behind Mahiru.

"What about you, Katou? Aren't you going to try on something too?"

"Hmm? Kanade-kun, are you aiming for a harem now?" Katou tilted her head, her gaze suddenly sharp.

"What kind of conclusion is that?!" Kanade exclaimed, exasperated.

Katou chuckled lightly. "I'll pass. Today, she's the star of the show," she said, gesturing towards Mahiru. "You should keep your eyes on her."

Mahiru hesitated for a moment but finally met Kanade's gaze.

"...Mahiru, are you planning to wear that outside?" Kanade asked abruptly, realizing something troubling.

The whole reason they'd come here was to replace her stained dress. While this outfit was stunning, it was also a head-turner—far too eye-catching for a casual outing.

Kanade couldn't shake an unsettling thought: what if someone approached her? What if she took a liking to them…?

He knew it was irrational, even ridiculous. Mahiru wasn't the type to be swayed so easily. But despite understanding this, a bitter pang tightened in his chest.

An ugly possessiveness…

"Kanade-kun," Katou's gentle voice broke through his turmoil. "If there's something on your mind, you should say it. Whether it's a compliment or something else."

Mahiru stood beside her, her eyes filled with quiet concern.

After a long pause, Kanade finally spoke. "Sorry," he muttered, then turned to Mahiru.

"Mahiru… Can you change into something else?" he asked, his tone soft but firm. "It's not that it doesn't look good—it looks amazing. But I'd prefer if you didn't wear it outside…"

He knew his request was sudden, but he couldn't help it. He had to be honest, even if it revealed his vulnerability.

Mahiru's eyes widened in surprise before she quickly nodded. "Of course. I'll go change right away."

She disappeared back into the dressing room.

"Feeling better now?" Katou asked, her gaze steady and knowing.

Kanade gave her a weak smile. "Yeah… Thanks, Katou."

Katou pressed her lips together, a faint sigh escaping her. She glanced at Kanade, who was doing his best to act nonchalant.

He may have resolved this moment, but the weight in his heart still lingered.