A Popular Girl Confessed to Me, the Loner—Thinking It Was a Prank, I Tried to Scare Her Off... But She Was Actually Serious. - Chapter 13: Choosing an Outfit and Being a Guy

Saturday morning.

I woke up before my phone alarm even went off, staring up at the ceiling from under the covers.

(…Today’s the movie date.)

It still didn’t feel real. But the nerves? Very real.

I checked my phone again. More than two hours until I had to meet her, yet I couldn’t sit still. My chest felt tight with anticipation.

I slowly got up and stood in front of my closet.

Not a school uniform—casual clothes.

And that somehow made everything feel way harder.

“…This one? Nah, too plain.”

“What about this? …Nope. Screams ‘total nerd.’ Pass.”

Normally, I’d just throw on a random T-shirt and jeans and call it a day.

But today wasn’t normal.

It was a date. With Hiyori. Our first one.

Naturally, I found myself talking to myself way more than usual.

That’s when there was a soft knock on the door behind me.

“Big bro, you up?”

It was my younger brother, Ren Manabe, a third-year in middle school—two years younger than me.

Big eyes, silky longer hair, slender build, and honestly, a face so pretty he’s often mistaken for a girl.

Apparently, he’s treated like a “princess” at school.

He’s got that effortlessly cute vibe going for him.

The only romcom element in my life so far? Was having a sibling with more character than me.

“…Yeah, I’m up. You can come in.”

“Excuse me~ …Huh?”

Ren tilted his head the moment he saw me.

I had clothes laid out on the bed, trying to figure out which one made me look the least awkward.

“…You’re really going all in, huh?”

“…Shut up.”

“Wait… are you meeting a girl today?”

Oof.

“…Yeah. We’re going to see a movie.”

“Whoa, it’s a date! Big bro’s got a date! A d-a-t-e!! Oh my goooooood—!”

Ren squealed and rolled around on the bed like he was witnessing a miracle.

He really did act like a girl sometimes. Way too good at teasing, too.
“It’s not a big deal. It’s just a movie.”

“Says the guy who’s got like five outfits laid out.”

“…Quit staring.”

I was desperate here. I had no clue what the right choice was.

Try too hard and I’d just look like a try-hard loner. But I didn’t want to look like I wasn’t trying at all either.

“Hmm… Did she ever mention what kind of clothes she likes?”

“Huh? …No, not really.”

“Then maybe just wear something that you think feels normal. If it looks like you’re forcing it, she’ll probably notice.”

That was… actually solid advice.

What the heck? This kid might actually be too good at this. Is he secretly a girl?

Like, he actually gets how girls think.

“…You’re super nervous, huh?”

“No, I’m not.”

“Liar. You’ve got a wrinkle between your brows. Totally stiff.”

“…Yeah, well.”

He completely saw through me.

And for once, I didn’t feel like denying it.

“…I mean, of course I’m nervous.”

“Yeah? Why?”

“…What do you mean, why…”

Ren tilted his head again, all innocent-like.

“I mean, I don’t know if she’s your girlfriend or what, but she obviously likes you, right?”

“…I mean, yeah, she seems like she does…”

“Right? So, it’s just weird that you’re still freaking out so much.”

And that’s when it hit me.

(…Oh. I still haven’t fully believed it yet.)

That someone like her would actually enjoy seeing a movie with me.

That she’d walk beside me and smile.

Somewhere deep down, I was still scared. Still doubting.

But even so…

I still wanted to see her today.

I wanted to walk beside her.

“…Thanks, Ren.”

“Mm-hm. Have fun out there~!”

Ren grinned as he walked out of my room.

I picked up the last outfit still on the bed.

This was the one I chose—for who I am today.

Not copying someone else, not pretending to be cooler than I am.

Just me, as I am right now.

I stood in front of the mirror and let out a quiet breath.

(Alright… time to go.)