Chapter 153
Chapter 153
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Early Summer Uniform
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Changing Karen's clothes and buying new outfits for her went more smoothly than expected.
That was largely because, around the middle, Karen herself started enjoying it somewhat.
She was extremely embarrassed at first, but I really liked how she gradually got better.
Thanks to that, Grace and I both comfortably enjoyed dressing Karen.
"The short-sleeved shirt looks nice."
"Right? It definitely looks cooler."
After spending yesterday getting Karen new clothes tailored, I decided to wear my summer uniform to school as well.
I'd realized while wandering around outside that the weather had definitely gotten warmer.
It wasn't as hot as the south, but summer was approaching inevitably.
"Honestly, doesn't wearing long-sleeved shirts all the time feel stuffy? I think I've felt that way since around midterms."
"Isn't it just that you overheat easily?"
"Oh, is that it?"
I do tend to overheat quite a bit... But aren't long-sleeved shirts really stuffy?
I felt it right away as soon as I put on a short-sleeved one after so long.
Anyway, it was true that I was wearing summer uniform much earlier than other students.
Most were still in their spring/fall uniforms with long sleeves, and hardly anyone was in summer gear.
"Heh heh..."
"Why are you laughing creepily?"
"I'm just happy because it's cool. What can I do?"
"That much?"
"I can swing my arms like this without the sleeves getting in the way—how great is that? Plus, it's just way cooler overall. How about Ella starts wearing summer uniform tomorrow too?"
"I'm not doing it yet. It's only mid-June. What's with the heat?"
"It's not super hot, but isn't the weather gradually warming up?"
Am I the only one feeling it...?
No, because even the Rosaki sisters mentioned the weather warming up while we were shopping for Karen's clothes yesterday.
"It's warming up, sure, but isn't it a bit early to switch straight to short sleeves?"
"Ah."
Hm.
There is a temperature difference between day and night, right?
If that's what she meant... I could understand.
"Well, wouldn't it be fine to throw on a cardigan in the mornings or evenings?"
"Too much hassle. I'll switch when it gets hotter."
"Hng."
"Don't make weird noises."
"Hiiing..."
"Jeez..."
Well, I wasn't going to push it anyway.
After all, I was only wearing it because I'm hot-blooded.
Forcing short sleeves when it's not that hot yet might just lead to catching a cold, which would be worse.
"Yaaawn..."
"...Already sleepy?"
"The sunlight's so warm... Anyway, all the morning classes today are boring ones."
"...True."
"And they're not important, no assignments or anything. It should be fine if I nap first, right?"
The academy teachers tend not to bother me anyway.
They tried waking me at first, or asking me questions on purpose... But maybe because I answered too easily?
Or perhaps they just leave me alone because of my exam scores.
"Anyway, I'll just take a short nap and get up. I stayed up late last night playing with Lize."
"Sigh..."
I closed my eyes, using the sound of Ella sighing deeply beside me as a lullaby.
The short-sleeved summer shirt was nice, but it felt like something a bit warmer would be better for sleeping like this.
Should I bring a light cardigan next time I head to the academy?
*
After classes ended, we naturally headed to the club room.
It was the usual, but there was one slightly different thing.
That was...
"Ivana's in summer uniform too?"
"Yes."
Ivana was wearing summer uniform as well.
Short-sleeved shirt and a slightly lighter, flowier skirt—exactly like mine.
"I was sleeping through class, so I didn't notice... It's surprisingly novel."
"Is it that surprising? Camellia's wearing it right now."
"Oh, right."
True.
Since I was in summer uniform too, it wasn't that shocking...
"But you're the first other person I've seen in summer uniform today."
"Oh."
"I even suggested it to Ella next to me, but she said it's not that hot yet."
Still, seeing someone besides me in it was novel.
I hadn't even expected Ivana to switch first.
"Ivana, did you wear summer uniform because it's hot?"
"Yes. In the north... it doesn't get this hot. But it's already warm here."
"Ah."
"Summers in the north don't get this warm, but here..."
"Yeah, that makes sense."
The north is cold year-round, and even summers stay chilly.
For Ivana from there, the central region's temperatures must feel sweltering already.
Though for me, it was just that I overheat easily.
"Um... so how will you survive this summer, Ivana?"
"......"
Ella's question.
But Ivana didn't answer easily.
True... Even if the center is cooler than the south, it must feel brutally hot to her.
Will she be okay?
I hadn't thought about it until Ella's question, but it seemed like it would be rough.
Just like the sweltering summer I endured last year.
"It'll be fine."
"Uh... really?"
"It's hot, but not a huge difference."
"......."
"......."
Ivana's response.
Ella and I exchanged glances, gauging each other.
She knew it would be hotter than northern summers but had no idea how much.
Even if central summers are milder than the south, a summer's a summer.
"Hm... Shall we head to the club room first?"
I didn't want to make a fuss right now.
Plus, this wasn't Ivana's first year in the center.
She'd manage.
"Hoo... The club room is way more comfortable than napping in class."
"You're lying down again?"
"But it's comfy—what can I do?"
As soon as we got back to the club room, I flopped onto the bed.
I tossed my bag aside carelessly, not caring if my uniform wrinkled.
It's not like a few wrinkles make me look bad.
"Why don't Ella and Ivana lie down too while we're at it? It might be cramped... but it's big enough for all of us."
"I'll pass. Who lies down the second they walk in?"
"You think so?"
"...Huh?"
Surprisingly, Ivana accepted my invitation.
Well, she's always been unpredictable in various ways, so it wasn't completely out of left field.
Still, I was a bit shocked.
She set her bag on a chair and climbed onto the bed.
"Ooh..."
I reacted without thinking at the sight.
I really hadn't expected her to actually do it.
"........"
Ella, still standing in the club room, stared over with a pretty shocked expression.
There seemed to be just a hint of dissatisfaction in that look.
I don't know why... but it felt like there was a tiny bit.
Of course, right now, Ivana climbing onto my bed mattered more.
"Hm."
She got on and just sat there quietly.
This wasn't quite what I'd had in mind.
"This bed's pretty high quality."
"Right? I splurged on the best one available."
"It's... similar to the one in my dormitory."
"Probably top-tier among what's sold in the academy."
Do owners of luxury beds just get each other?
Ivana sat on the bed, feeling it out and appraising it.
Nodding to herself or glancing at me occasionally.
My club room bed really was top-notch, and since she'd moved to a B-rank dorm room, she'd probably bought new furniture too.
She must have taken an interest in that sort of thing.
"What do you think?"
"It's good."
"Hehe, right? It's so plush and comfy you want to stay lying down forever. The downside... is there's no proper blanket, I guess?"
I have a throw blanket, but nothing big enough to fully cover me.
I'd wanted one originally... but Ella and others said why buy that when no one sleeps here overnight.
Of course, I thought inwardly that it could be useful for napping...
"And no pillow either... now that I think about it?"
"You've used it for months and only notice now?"
"Well, I've been using dolls as pillows, so it didn't really register."
"Sigh..."
I chatted with Ella, who was still standing, then looked back at Ivana.
She'd finished appraising the bed and was now looking at me.
Her crimson eyes staring felt oddly intense, but since my eyes are red too, maybe others feel this way around me.
Especially Lize.
I'd stared at Lize up close plenty of times.
"Ivana."
"Yes."
"You just gonna sit there? You're on the bed for once—why not lie down?"
"Wait, you...? Does she really need to if she's comfy sitting?"
"Beds are made for lying down."
"Well... true..."
Ella tried to dissuade me after hearing that.
But what I said wasn't wrong, right?
Beds are literally for lying on, and if she just wanted to sit, there were chairs—even if not as plush.
Plus, it wasn't so small that two people would feel crushed.
"Still, she might... prefer sitting...?"
As Ella glanced at Ivana while saying that, Ivana quietly shifted.
Not because of Ella, but following my suggestion.
Quietly, she lay down next to me—against the wall, so facing inward toward the club room, away from where Ella stood.
"How's it feel? Comfy?"
"Definitely..."
She lay on her side facing away, so I only saw her back...
But it was a comfy bed anyway.
She was probably still relaxed lying down.
"It's as comfy as the one in my dorm room."
"Hmm..."
I glanced at Ivana while listening.
Since it was summer uniform, the short-sleeved shirt was cooler than the spring/fall version.
Not just the sleeve difference—the fabric was lighter too. Was that why?
As she lay down, a small part of her shirt... especially around her side and waist... slipped free from her skirt.
"........"
Her pure white skin at the side and waist came into view.
At the same time, I felt this urge to touch or stroke it once, personally.
Of course, I didn't act on it.
We weren't close enough yet.
If it were Lize or Ella—or more broadly, maybe Karen or Grace—I might've done it as a joke.
Excluding Grace, putting a hand on their skin casually probably wouldn't be a big deal.