It was the weekend.

On this easygoing Saturday, Shouko was going to have her birthday party. However, despite being invited, I politely declined to come.

That was because I had a different plan in mind for Saturday. One that involved five other people.

It was 1pm.

I loitered in front of the dorm lobby's elevator, waiting for the three people I called out here today.

The first to arrive was Tadokoro, who was wearing a checkered yellow shirt and jean coloured dungarees. She was wearing a large straw hat and held a weaved shopping bag.

"H-hello, Takanori-san..."

With a timid voice, Tadokoro greeted me with a small wave. Like me, this was her first time going out with a group of people outside of school.

"Hey. Thanks for coming out today."

"N-no problem! I'm glad that someone else cares about him..."

I wanted Tadokoro to come out with me the most out of everyone I invited today, since her presence and influence would be essential for what I had in mind.

The next to arrive was Taiga, who was wearing a frilly outfit consisting of a creamy white blouse and a navy blue lolita dress. Despite having a petite build, she looked tantalisingly mature in that gothic clothing.

That, or it was her high heels making look taller than usual.

"Hiya~! Thanks for inviting me, Yuu-kun!"

Casually skipping over to us, Taiga waved at me and Tadokoro with a cheeky smile.

"Likewise, thanks for coming."

"T-Taiga-san, hi!"

"Yo, yo, Yumiko-chan!"

Taiga and Tadokoro shared a hug as they greeted each other. These two had gotten very close recently due to sharing the same study group.

When they stood next to each other, I noticed how strikingly different they looked compared to one another.

On one hand, you had Tadokoro, whose simple yet wholesome fashion sense made her resemble the sun. One look at her innocent smile was enough to send someone into paradise.

On the other hand, you had Taiga, whose cute yet alluring fashion sense made her resemble the moon. I've never seen her as a woman until now... she was brimming with the seduction of the night.

How dangerous... it was like staring at an angel and a devil. Both were tempting, no matter which way you looked at it.

I gulped as my attraction for these two juxtaposed beauties heightened by a frightening amount. Good thing I asked another male to come with me today...

The last to arrive was Yukimura, who was wearing his usual black and white Abibas tracksuit. Somehow, his choice of clothes were lazier than mine.

All I did was throw on a white shirt and blue jeans, yet here he was wearing the same clothes that he used to workout in. I could smell the deodorant he sprayed on to mask his sweaty scent.

By the way, I've been thinking about investing in a Toyota AE86 recently. Should I?

"Yo, Takanori. Huh, Demiza and Tadokoro are here too?"

"Hey, Yukimura-san. They'll be joining us."

"Aight. Let's make this quick, I hate shopping."

"Do you already have a gift in mind, Yukimura-san?" Taiga asked.

"Surprisingly, yea. Dunno where I'm gonna buy it though. Guess it's a good thing you brought two girls along, eh, Takanori?"

Yukimura grinned, nudging me in the back playfully.

"Just what exactly are you getting him...?" I muttered, making Yukimura laugh.

"You'll see. We taking the train, or?"

"Yeah. It leaves in fifteen minutes, so we better make haste."

"Seriously? Damn, we better burn rubber. Let's go, glory to the loser faction!"

Yukimura exclaimed as he marched outside. Taiga and Tadokoro followed him excitedly.

"Yay, glory to the loser faction!"

"G-glory to the loser faction!"

"I thought that wasn't a thing anymore..." I muttered to myself as I trudged behind them.

Today, the four of us were going shopping for Kawaguchi's birthday presents.

This evening, we were going to surprise him.