Ch. 5: Luca's True Intentions
After we had returned from the river to the castle town…-
I ended up borrowing Luca's coat.
Tiga pulled on my hand, walking in front in silence.
Tiga hasn't said anything to me.
Silence filled the space between us, and I felt awkward when…-
Suddenly, Tiga stopped in front of a clothing store along the roadside.
Tiga: "I'll buy you something you like."
OO: "Eh!?"
Tiga pulled on my hand and we went inside the store.
What's with this all of a sudden?
Tiga: "Here, take this."
I stood there bewildered and Tiga suddenly held out an outfit to me.
[CHOICE]
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I can't do that (SUN)
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Be bewildered (MOON)
Tiga: "There's no mistaking my choice anyway, so just try it on."
OO: "…but…"
Tiga: "You'll catch a cold in those wet clothes, so hurry and change. I'll just throw that guy's jacket away here."
As Tiga had said, I changed my clothes.
He's being pushy but…
After I finished changing, I showed Tiga how I looked.
Tiga: "Not bad. But there's still…"
Tiga went to choose even more from the clothing racks, but now his clothes were wetter than me.
OO: "Tiga, you should change too."
Then Tiga smiled mischievously at me.
Tiga: "You choose for me."
OO: "Me?"
Tiga: "I'll change if it's something you picked."
This is kind of embarrassing…but if he doesn't change, he'll get sick.
From the many clothes, I selected one outfit and held it up to Tiga.
Tiga: "What's with these clothes? Don't you have any taste?"
OO: "A-are they weird? I thought they'd look good."
Tiga: "I've got no choice but to wear them, but in exchange you get this."
What he handed to me was so vibrantly colored it made me think of a clown, not something I would wear at all.
OO: "Wait a minute, that's…!"
Seeing my discomfort, Tiga laughed joyfully.
It was a little funny, and I found myself caught up in that laugh as well.
This is fun.
As we laughed together…-
Luca: "Wouldn't this be better?"
Luca, suddenly at my side, handed me a different dress.
Tiga: "Geeeeeez Luca!! Again!?"
Ignoring Tiga as he raised his voice in anger, Luca tossed me a wink.
Luca: "Hmm, you want something with elegance right? Ah, then what about this?"
The one-piece he handed to me was covered in garishly pink lace
OO: "…um."
Tiga: "There's no way that'll look good on her!"
Tiga put the clown-like outfit back on the rack and moved to stand between Luca and me.
Tiga: "Hey, Luca! C'mere!"
OO: "T-Tiga!"
Tiga: "You just wait here for a minute!"
Saying as much, Tiga took Luca and left the clothing store.
What do I do…
Remembering Tiga's look of anger, I felt uneasy and followed after the two of them…-
I saw the two of them in an uncrowded area not far from the store.
OO: "Tig…-"
Tiga: "What the hell have you been doing since yesterday!? Slinking about and following us…"
Tiga's harsh words drowned out my voice.
Luca: "What, I just wanted to get closer to her, you know?"
As Tiga hounded him, Luca replied flippantly.
Luca: "I mean, OO is the Princess of Träumere after all. What's the harm in wanting to get along with her, you know? If things go well and I get her favor, the day might come when I stand above you."
Tiga: "What the…"
Luca: "Ever since we were little, whatever you wanted, I had to obey, since you're the prince… I didn't much care for that."
Tiga: "Luca…"
Luca: "Well, that's why I don't have any interest in that girl other than that. She's so unsophisticated, definitely not my type."
…!
Tiga: "…why you!"
Tiga rushed at Luca in anger and grabbed him.
OO: "Tiga…!"
Without thinking, I ran towards them.
OO: "I can't do that."
Tiga: "I said I'd buy it."
OO: "I mean, even if you say that, all of a sudden…"
Tiga: "Will you not wear something I pick out?"