The Story of Making a Popular Girl Dependent on Me

“Rokka, let’s go out together on Saturday.”

I was surprised by the suddenness of it and looked up to see Riho looking at me with an unusually serious expression.

It’s Friday after school now, four days have passed since Setsune took a day off, but Setsune came to school the next day saying she was feeling better and attended classes.

“What’s the sudden plan?”

“Sometimes it’s good. Also, I’ll stay over at your place on Saturday, so be prepared.”

Riho just said what she needed to and left without waiting for my response.

“Sigh. At least decide on a meeting place and time before you leave…”

While complaining to myself about that, I felt relieved by Riho’s usual behavior and naturally smiled.

(Oh well. I have to ask her through a message when I get home. And I have to tell my mom that Riho is coming.)

I decided what to do when I got home, finished getting ready, and went back home.

The next day. I forced myself to get up despite feeling sleepy. I have plans to hang out with Riho today, so I have to get ready to go out.

“I’m sleepy. Why did we agree to meet at 10 o’clock…”

Last night, when I was confirming the meeting time and place with Riho, she specified the meeting time.

After changing and leaving the house, I headed to the meeting place while reflecting on yesterday.

(But being invited by Riho to hang out is unexpected. She didn’t tell me what we’re going to do, is something up?)

I felt puzzled by Riho’s sudden actions, but knowing from our long relationship that she wouldn’t harm me, I didn’t dwell on it and headed to the meeting place.

When I arrived at the meeting place, Riho was waiting for me as usual, earlier than me.

“Good morning. Let’s have a good day today.”

“Good morning. Shall we go right away?”

Saying that, Riho suddenly took my hand and started walking.

She’s not one to show much physical affection like me, so I was surprised by her unusual behavior, but I thought it might be nice once in a while and didn’t pull my hand away.

“So, where are we going today?”

“Somewhere you’ll like.”

“Hmm. I’m not sure, but I’ll look forward to it.”

“I’ll leave it to you.”

When I said that, Riho smiled proudly.

I don’t know where she’s taking me, but if she’s considering me and taking me there, I don’t mind, so I decided to follow silently.

“Alright, we’re here.”

Riho brought me to a shop selling lots of cute clothes.

“Clothes? Did you want to buy clothes, Riho?”

“No way. Didn’t I say? Somewhere you’ll like. Try wearing a skirt once in a while.”

“Riho. You know why I don’t wear skirts, right?”

“Yeah. But Setsune isn’t here now, and if you just try them on without buying, it’s free, so it’s been a while, right?”

I stared at Riho for a while without replying, but she didn’t seem to mind.

“Sigh. Alright. I didn’t bring much money, so I’ll just try them on.”

“That’s fine.”

After hearing my response, Riho took my hand again and led me into the store.

As soon as I entered the store, my heart leaped at the sight of the cute clothes displayed inside.

After Riho entered the store, she immediately let go of my hand and went somewhere on her own, so I was currently looking around the store alone.

“Oh, this skirt is cute.”

The one I picked up was a black long skirt. I haven’t bought a skirt recently, but I realized once again that I like seeing cute things like this.

After looking around for a while, Riho came back with some clothes and skirts in hand.

“Where were you? And why did you bring so many?”

“I picked them out for you, so try them on.”

Saying that, Riho handed me the items and led me to the fitting room.

I reluctantly accepted and tried on the clothes, feeling a bit excited to see what she had chosen.

So, I tried on the clothes I was given, all of which were cute things I liked, and I started to enjoy it more and more.

Among the things Riho brought, there were also girly clothes, which I had never worn before, so it felt very fresh.

And the last item left was the black long skirt that I initially thought was cute.

I put it on last and opened the curtain for Riho to see.

“How is it?”

“Yeah. It suits you very well. It goes well with today’s outfit, and that’s nice.”

Riho said that and called out to the store clerk.

“Excuse me. I’ll buy that skirt, please.”

“Wait, Riho! I didn’t say I’ll buy it!”

“I’ll buy it for you, so be quiet. Also, I’ll wear it home, so please take care of the price tag and all.”

Ignoring my opinion, Riho continued interacting with the store clerk.

After making the payment, she packed the item I was wearing when I came in a bag and waited for me to come out of the fitting room.

Resigned, I put on my shoes, grabbed my bag, and headed to where Riho was waiting.

“I’ll pay you back later.”

“No need. I told you, I’ll buy it. Take it as a thank you for hanging out with me today.”

“Sigh. You’re so pushy.”

“That’s just how I am. Alright, let’s go to the next place.”

It seems there’s another place to go, and Riho and I naturally held hands and started walking.

“Let’s see. I think it’s around here… Oh, there it is.”

The next place she brought me to was a beautiful street lined with various shops.

It seemed like the next destination was among these, and Riho was looking for that place.

“Alright, let’s go. Get ready.”

“Is it a dangerous place? Just a regular shop, right?”

“No, you’ll probably be in trouble soon.”

I didn’t quite understand what she meant, but it seemed like a place not good for me, so I geared up and followed Riho.

“Welcome~. How many in your party?”

“Two.”

“I’ll show you to your table.”

As we entered the shop, we were guided by the staff to a table.

However, on the way, I saw it. A creature packed with fluffy cuteness, white and fluffy.

“W-Wait, Riho. Is this place…?”

“Yeah. It’s a cat cafe.”

The moment I heard “cat cafe,” I felt dizzy and unsteady, but Riho supported me.

“Pull yourself together! Your wounds are still fresh! More of those cuties will come to you! Hang in there!”

“…R-Right. It’s a rare opportunity, so I shouldn’t waste it.”

As you can probably tell from my reaction so far, I love cats. I’ve avoided them for a certain reason, but I couldn’t waste the opportunity Riho had created for me.

We sat at the table we were shown, ordered drinks and food.

While waiting for our order to arrive, I was restless and fidgety.

“R-Riho. Where are the cats now?”

“Some are lounging around. Oh, one is coming this way.”

I looked in the direction Riho pointed, and the white cat with beautiful fur I had seen earlier was approaching us.

After observing us for a while, the cat jumped onto my lap and settled down.

“S-So cute. Riho, what should I do…?”

“Just pet it normally.”

“Right, I see. Okay… Aww, its fur is so fluffy. Oh, it’s closing its eyes. Does it feel good?”

Every time I petted it, it closed its eyes in pleasure and purred, looking too cute, making me feel warm inside.

After petting it for a while, the cat started to doze off on my lap, looking content.

“It’s really taken a liking to you.”