"Ah... I'm so tired. It's all because of that person yesterday. They made me unable to sleep well all night. It's really unlucky, like a curse."

"Lord Ryuto, where are we going now?" Hiyori asked beside him.

"It's because of that person yesterday. They ruined the thing I just bought, so now I have to buy it again! Luckily, today is a weekend and there's no school, otherwise I would have to wait until after school. If I run into him again, I won't let him off." Ryuto said with a hint of anger in his voice.

"Lord Ryuto, that person yesterday was quite formidable. We shouldn't underestimate him. However, no matter what, I will protect you, Lord Ryuto." Hiyori assured with determination in her voice, not mentioning the incident from this morning.

"You really put my mind at ease! Very reliable. But Hiyori, you don't have to work too hard. I have good luck and won't die." Ryuto said seriously.

Hiyori looked surprised and leaned in. "Um, Lord Ryuto, are you concerned about me?"

"Who knows! Let's just keep moving." Ryuto replied, turning his gaze ahead and walking quickly.

As they walked, Ryuto couldn't help but wonder. "Why is everyone looking at us? Am I that noticeable? I always think of myself as an average person, nothing special in terms of appearance or anything. It's strange! How can something like this happen?"

After much contemplation, Ryuto suddenly remembered something and asked Hiyori next to him.

"Hiyori, let me ask you this, do you have any other clothes besides your priestess outfit?"

"Yes, Lord Ryuto. Wearing this outfit is beneficial for spellcasting and refining magic power. I've been wearing it since I was little. Is there a problem?" Hiyori answered with a matter-of-fact expression. Ryuto scratched the back of his head and looked somewhat awkward.

"Well, that's true, but wearing this in the street is too conspicuous. Even just standing next to me, all those stares from people make it quite overwhelming for me, Ryuto-kun." Hiyori nodded in agreement, observing the way people around them were dressed.

"Listening to what you say, it does seem that way. No wonder so many strange looks were directed at me yesterday."

"I think we should buy clothes before buying manga books, or else I'll go crazy."

"Um... Lord Ryuto, are you suggesting that you buy clothes for me? I can't accept that." Hiyori shook her head, rejecting the idea.

"It's fine. You saved me yesterday, and I haven't properly thanked you yet. Buying clothes can be a way to express my gratitude. Exchanging clothes for a life is already worthwhile. Though I don't know what others might think, that's how I feel at least."

"Well... Since Lord Ryuto said so... then okay!" Hiyori murmured with her head lowered.

"What's wrong? Why are you suddenly stuttering?" Ryuto looked at Hiyori, puzzled.

"Ah... Do I?" Hiyori blushed and exclaimed.

"Yes, your stuttering is quite obvious."

"Lord Ryuto, let's not talk about this anymore. Let's quickly go buy clothes."

"Oh, you're right."

As they spoke, Hiyori fast-paced ahead for some reason. Ryuto didn't pay much attention and just called out. "Hiyori, do you know the way to the clothing store? I don't think it's that way."

"Ah... you're right!" Hiyori turned around with a slightly red face.

Well, even though I don't know what's going on, let's just go with it. So, the two of them walked together towards the shopping street.

*********************************************************************

Because of Ryuto's otaku tendencies, he wandered around the shopping street for a while without knowing where to go, and in the end, he entered a fairly large clothing store.The two of them walked into the clothing store, and the store clerk immediately greeted them with a smile.

"Welcome, how may I assist you?" the store clerk asked.

"Please recommend some outfits for this young lady," Ryuto said, gesturing towards Hiyori.

The store clerk turned to Hiyori and asked, "May I know your name, miss?"

"Well... um, I'm Tsuchimikado Hiyori, pleased to meet you," Hiyori replied, looking a bit nervous from the sudden attention. The store clerk simply smiled professionally in response.

"Oh, so you're Hiyori, and you're here with your boyfriend to buy clothes," the store clerk said.

"Um... actually," Ryuto quickly interjected, trying to clarify the situation. "We're not a couple, miss. You've misunderstood, she is... um..."

As Ryuto spoke, he suddenly realized.

Wouldn't it be even more strange if I said Hiyori is my protector? Isn't there a better way to explain this?

Ryuto fell silent.

The store clerk, seeing his reaction, smiled knowingly and said, "You don't have to explain, I understand!"

Oh my God! What do you understand? Do you really understand? Although he wanted to say these words, Ryuto held them back.

"We've just received some new and trendy clothing in the store recently, and they would look great on Hiyori with her figure. Let me get them for you, please wait a moment," the store clerk said with a smile before leaving.

Why does it feel like this person is purposely teasing me? Isn't she setting me up? Ryuto sighed as he watched the store clerk walk away.

At that moment, Hiyori looked at Ryuto with a puzzled expression.

"Um, Ryuto-sama, what is a couple?"

"Uh, a couple... a couple, well... right, a couple refers to two people who have a very good relationship as friends! Yes, that's it," Ryuto replied, secretly wiping away a sweat. How could she ask me that? It's like asking a monk for a comb! This is ridiculous.

"Oh, I see," Hiyori nodded with an understanding expression. "Since I only met Ryuto-sama yesterday, it's true that we're not a couple!"

Phew! I explained it quite perfectly, didn't I? Now there won't be any unnecessary misunderstandings. Ryuto sighed with relief, proud of his quick thinking.

"However, that's just for now. I believe we will become a couple with Ryuto-sama soon!" Hiyori declared confidently, expressing her determination.

Oh my God! Why is she so determined in this aspect? Hey, it feels like she's mistaken her direction for her efforts. This is absurd, Ryuto sighed in despair.

"Ryuto-sama, are you okay?" Hiyori asked, noticing his strange expression.

"It's nothing, just a slight headache," Ryuto waved it off, indicating there was no need to worry.

At that moment, the store clerk returned with three sets of clothes, including a dress.

"Hiyori, why don't you try them on?" Ryuto suggested, with a slightly pained expression.

"Okay, Ryuto-sama!" Hiyori eagerly replied and headed towards the fitting room.

After a while, a voice came from the fitting room.

"Ryuto-sama, how do I wear this outfit?"

The store clerk, who was nearby, pushed Ryuto and said, "Can't you go in and help Hiyori, please?"

"Um... how would I know? I've never worn it before," Ryuto answered with a slightly panicky tone.

The store clerk smiled knowingly at Ryuto's reaction. "I understand, let me go in and assist!"

After finishing speaking, the shop assistant walked into the fitting room.

Oh! My God! You understand again? Do you really understand? Hey, this student, you can't pretend to understand. It will bother Teacher Ryuto. It's obviously teasing me! Ryuto sighed weakly again.

I don't know why, but screams like "Oh, this child is not wearing a bra... this child has good skin" occasionally came from the fitting room. What the hell are you doing in there? Are you really a shop assistant? It sounds like you're taking advantage of the situation.

After a moment, the voice of the shop assistant came from the fitting room.

"Customer, take a look. Miss Hiyori looks great in this outfit!"

As soon as the shop assistant finished speaking, Hiyori walked out of the fitting room. She spoke softly while looking down.

"Um, Ryuto-sama, how does it look?"

Hiyori asked casually.

"It looks good! Huh? Why are you asking me?"

Ryuto subconsciously answered and couldn't help but ask in confusion.

"The shop assistant said so. She said the key is whether Ryuto-sama likes it or not."

Ryuto turned his gaze to the shop assistant standing on the side after hearing that.

The shop assistant was smiling and giving a thumbs up to Ryuto, as if saying "I understand everything."

Oh! My God! I'm too tired to criticize anymore. Oh well, Ryuto is completely speechless.

That was how Hiyori tried on all the clothes.

The shop assistant began to praise loudly.

"This customer, Miss Hiyori has such a great figure. Every outfit looks great on her!"

"Let's buy all three!"

Ryuto, mentally exhausted by the shop assistant, reluctantly answered in a weak voice.

"It will be a total of 37,500 bett. Thank you for shopping with us! Would you like to pay by card or cash?"

The shop assistant had a smile on her face.

"Why is it so expensive?"

Ryuto couldn't help but complain after hearing the price. Although he was not completely unprepared, the result clearly exceeded Ryuto's expectations.

"These are all the latest styles, so of course they're expensive. Besides, the outfits look so good on Miss Hiyori, so it's worth it!"

"And, I also picked a few pieces of lingerie for Miss Hiyori earlier. I'm sure the customer will be satisfied. Would you like to see them?"

The shop assistant once again gave a smile with ill intentions.

"..."

Even though he didn't quite understand, it was better not to answer. Ryuto made a wise decision to remain silent.

"Ryuto-sama, how about I pay instead?"

Seeing Ryuto remain silent for a long time, Hiyori suggested.

"No need, we agreed it was a gift. Miss, let's pay by card!"

While saying this, Ryuto had already made up his mind to make the noble sacrifice of his bank card. Forgive me, Bank Card-sama, but it seems like I can hear your cursing in the depths of the underworld.

You, who prioritize romance over friendship.

Hmm, it must be an illusion.