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Chapter 376: Chapter 372 ~ Passion

”By the way… if I may ask—what cosplay are you planning to make, Marin-san?”

Marinʼs eyes instantly lit up, practically sparkling.

”Iʼm so glad you asked! Iʼll show you!”

Without hesitation, she began shrugging off her blazer, her movements quick and excited. Then came her tie—

And just as her fingers reached for the buttons of her shirt, Yuuji moved.

In one smooth step, he turned around and positioned himself directly in front of Gojo, effectively blocking his line of sight.

Gojo, who had already frozen from shock, didnʼt even have time to react.

Yuuji, meanwhile, sighed inwardly.

ʼ…This feels familiar.ʼ

For a brief moment, he was hit with an unmistakable sense of déjà vu. Memories of Aika casually changing outfits without a second thought flashing through his mind.

”Yuuji-kun, you can turn around now!”

Marinʼs voice snapped him back.

He turned… and paused.

”Itʼs, um… not finished yet, okay? Itʼs only halfway done, but… what do you think?”

She said quickly, her cheeks faintly pink.

Yuuji took a closer look.

”…I see.”

To be honest… It was… difficult to interpret.

Rather than a complete outfit, it looked more like a rough experiment. A piece of fabric with openings cut for her head, loose, oversized sleeves, and what seemed to be the beginning of a collar. The overall structure was still unclear.

He tilted his head slightly.

”Can I ask… what kind of outfit youʼre aiming for?”

Marin flinched.

”A-Ah…”

Her blush deepened as she quickly pulled out her phone.

”Here!”

She showed him an image.

A black-haired anime girl dressed in an elaborate, frilly, Victorian-style outfit—dark purple, layered with lace, complete with a decorative headdress.

Only now, with the reference in mind, did the resemblance become… vaguely visible.

”…I see.”

Yuuji paused. There were many thoughts he could have expressed.

But in the end—

”Mm. Letʼs do our best together.”

That was the only thing he said.

Beside him, Gojo sat silently.

He had caught a glimpse of the reference image as well.

And the contrast… Was staggering.

This… is what itʼs supposed to be…?

There was no lining. No proper stitching. The fabric bunched awkwardly in places, with no reinforcement or finishing. To Gojo, who had grown up surrounded by craftsmanship, this was chaos

And yet—

”Marin-san, youʼre really passionate about this, arenʼt you?”

Yuuji spoke again, a soft smile on his face.

”Of course!”

Her response was immediate. Her eyes shone brighter than ever, her earlier embarrassment completely gone.

”I want to look like the characters I love—from manga, anime, games—all of it!” 

She said, her voice brimming with excitement. 

”Cosplay lets you show your love for a character with everything youʼve got! Isnʼt that amazing? Itʼs like… the ultimate form of love!”

Yuuji watched her quietly.

There was no hesitation in her words. No doubt. Just pure, unfiltered passion.

It was… amazing.

Even now, standing there in a half-finished outfit, posing boldly with her hands on her hips. Even if they were tight around her chest and were riding up on her thighs. 

Even if the execution wasnʼt perfect. 

Her spirit was.

”Thatʼs why I want to learn!” 

Marin continued, her voice softening just a little. 

”I know I canʼt do it on my own yet… but I really love Shizuka-tan. I want to become her, no matter what.”

Yuuji nodded without hesitation.

”Mm. Iʼll support you, Marin-san.”

Then he glanced at Gojo.

”What about you, Wakana-san?”

Gojo froze for a moment.

He looked at Yuuji. At Marin.

Both of them—

So bright. So confident. So passionate.

People who stood in a world so different from his own.

And yet, they had looked at him. Not with judgment, but with genuine respect.

They admired what he could do. Treated him as an equal.

And Marinʼs words, that unwavering love for something she cherished… It stirred something in him.

A quiet determination.

”…Alright.”

His voice was hesitant at first.

”Iʼve never made clothes for other people before… so I donʼt know how well itʼll go.”

He paused… Then continued.

”But… Iʼll do my best.”

Even he couldnʼt believe what he had just agreed to.

”YES!!”

Marin practically jumped in place, her excitement overflowing.

”Oh my gosh, Iʼm so happy—I seriously canʼt even explain how happy I am right now!”

”Thank you, Wakana-san. Iʼll be in your care.”

Yuuji added with a polite nod. 

”L-Likewise!”

Gojo quickly bowed his head in return. Behind them, Marin was still bouncing with energy.

”Yay~! Iʼm finally going to become Shizuka-tan!”

Gojo couldnʼt help but smile faintly at her enthusiasm.

”So… thatʼs who you want to cosplay?”

He wondered what kind of character this ”Shizuka-tan” was. The image he saw earlier had been… a bit bold, but that wasnʼt unusual. Many series had exaggerated or stylized artwork.

Surely, the character herself must be someone truly admirable to inspire such devotion.

”Yep! I want to be Shizuku Kuroe-tan from Saint Slipperyʼs Academy for Girls – The Young Ladies of the Humiliation Club: Debauched Miracle Life 2!”

Marin beamed.

”…Iʼm sorry?”

”…”

Yuuji blinked. And suddenly, that familiar sense of déjà vu hit him again.

ʼ…Why does this feel strangely familiar…?ʼ

”S-Sorry… I donʼt know very much about this stuff… Iʼve never heard of it.”

”Seriously?! Then let me give you a run down!”

”...Sure.”

ʼYep… Iʼve definitely gone through this before.ʼ

Yuuji thought inwardly. 

”Slippery Girls 2 is a super popular eroge that flew off the shelves last year! Theyʼre making an anime too! Isnʼt that crazy?!”

Marin then began explaining on and on about the crazy, kink-filled plot of the eroge… While Yuuji and Gojo stayed there listening.

Yuuji was used to it… While on the other hand, Gojo was having an existential crisis. 

Was this something a high school girl normally talks about? Marin was telling them about it like itʼs normal. 

Words like ”humiliation” and ”sex slaves” flowed out of her mouth as if they were natural. 

At first, he thought she could just be teasing him. But when he looked at her…

ʼNo—sheʼs not joking at all.ʼ

Gojo stared at Marin Kitagawa, his thoughts racing.

ʼHer eyes… Sheʼs completely serious.ʼ

Slowly, he turned toward Yuuji Tsubakihara—and his confusion only deepened.

ʼH-Heʼs not reacting at all?! How is he so calm?! Wait… am I the weird one here?!ʼ

Meanwhile, Marin continued, completely unfazed.

”—and before I knew it, I was totally hooked! I fell head over heels for her, and I just thought—I wanna be Shizuka-tan too!”

Her smile shone brilliantly, her ruby-pink eyes sparkling with pure admiration.

Even if someone didnʼt understand her taste, one thing was undeniable. She meant every word.

”What about you, Yuuji-kun? What do you want to cosplay as?”

She asked, suddenly turning toward him. 

Her gaze was filled with curiosity and excitement.

In her mind, she was already imagining possibilities.

Tall, cool ikemen characters… elegant, aloof princes… even powerful, beautiful female characters—

ʼHe could totally pull off anything…ʼ

”Hm? Ah—actually, I only wanted to learn sewing because my… little sisters wanted to try cosplaying.”

”EH?!”

Marinʼs reaction echoed through the room.

Before Gojo realized what happened, she had already stepped forward, placing her hands on Yuujiʼs shoulders and leaning in close, her eyes wide with intensity.

”But Yuuji-kun! Youʼd be amazing as a cosplayer!!!”

”Ah… well…”

Yuuji paused, thinking.

ʼAika did mention it before…ʼ

He had considered it, but never really had the chance or time to do it before—but now…

ʼMaybe it would be a nice surprise for her.ʼ

”…I donʼt really have any characters in mind right now.”

”Thatʼs totally fine! I can suggest a bunch!!!”

Marin beamed. 

Yuuji considered it for a moment… Then nodded.

”…Alright. Iʼll give it a try too.”

”Yay!!”

Marin practically bounced in place, unable to contain her excitement.

”Now weʼre officially cosplay comrades!!!”

Gojo watched the exchange quietly, still trying to process how things had escalated so quickly.

Just moments ago, he had been alone.

Now, he was somehow part of this.

”By the way, Wakana-san. Do you have any experience making cosplay outfits?”

Yuuji said, turning toward him.

”Uh… not really. I can sew and make clothing, but Iʼve never specifically made cosplay before. Weʼll probably have to figure things out from the basics.”

Gojo admitted honestly.

”Oh! Iʼve got that covered!”

Marin spun around energetically and skipped back to her bag, the loose fabric of her unfinished outfit swaying with her movement.

She rummaged through it quickly—

Then pulled something out with a flourish.

”Tada~! Look what I brought!”

She handed over a book.

Gojo took it carefully, opening it as Yuuji leaned slightly closer to take a look as well.

Inside were pages filled with costume designs, sewing techniques, and references—patterns, layering methods, fabric suggestions, and construction tips.

”This is amazing! It covers everything—from choosing fabric to drafting patterns…!”

”Right?! Super helpful, isnʼt it?”

”Oh! It even explains how to use sewing machines step by step!”

”Uh-huh! Uh-huh!”

Wakana Gojo flipped through the pages with growing excitement, his eyes lighting up with every section he discovered. Beside him, Marin Kitagawa nodded enthusiastically, practically bouncing on her heels.

Yuuji, however, had gone quiet.

He watched them both for a moment… then glanced back at the book. He had made a realization.

And a A beat later, the same thought dawned on the other two.

ʼ…If she had a guide this detailed… then why…?ʼ

Marin froze.

Her expression stiffened, cheeks flushing a deep pink as she instinctively hugged the book closer to her chest.

ʼTheyʼre definitely wondering why I couldnʼt do it myself…!ʼ

The silence lingered for just a second too long.

Then, Yuuji spoke.

”Well, then… for the first step, maybe we should gather what weʼre missing.”

Marin blinked, caught off guard.

He continued calmly, his tone natural, as if nothing awkward had happened at all.

”Some additional fabrics, trims, and frills for Marin-sanʼs outfit. Iʼll also need materials for my little sistersʼ costumes. As for mine… I suppose Iʼll leave that to you, Marin-san.”

Just like that, the tension dissolved.

Marinʼs eyes lit up again, her embarrassment melting away.

”Thatʼs a great idea! Leave it to me, Yuuji-kun!”

Gojo raised a hand slightly, regaining his composure.

”Before we buy anything… we should take measurements first.”

Marin nodded immediately.

”Got it! Letʼs do it now—!”

”Actually, itʼs already getting late. We have the weekend coming up… but maybe itʼs better to start properly on Monday.”

Gojo added, glancing toward the window. 

Marin paused.

”…Oh.”

She glanced briefly at Yuuji.

He considered the time as well—Yuna and Nina would likely be done with their duties soon.

”…I agree, letʼs continue next time.”

Yuuji said with a nod. 

”…ʼKay. That works!”

Her smile returned just as quickly as before.

She turned and lightly tapped Gojoʼs shoulder.

”Thanks, Gojo-kun! Mondayʼs gonna be awesome!”

”…Right!”

”Thank you as well, Wakana-san,” Yuuji added politely. ”Iʼll see you then.”

”U-Uhn! See you later, Yuuji-san!”

After Marin changed back into her uniform, the two of them left the classroom together.

The hallway was quiet. Bathed in the warm glow of the late afternoon sun.

For a while, neither of them spoke. But it wasnʼt awkward. Just comfortable.

Then, Marin suddenly leaned forward slightly, peeking up at him with a playful glint in her eyes.

”Hey, hey—letʼs exchange numbers!”

Yuuji looked down at her.

”So we can coordinate better. Iʼll send you character ideas too! And we can plan when to meet up for measurements and fabric shopping!”

She continued brightly. Her grin widened, full of energy.

The sunlight streaming in from behind caught in her golden hair, giving it a soft, radiant glow. It traced her silhouette gently, painting her in warm hues and tinting her cheeks with a faint blush.

For a brief moment, Yuuji found himself staring.

”…Sure.”

”Great!”

Her smile bloomed even brighter, just like when she spoke about her beloved Shizuka-tan.

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AN: I hope you guys enjoy this chapter~! Please comment your thoughts~! I would love to hear what you think about it~!!!! 

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