The night air was quiet, the glow of the monitor dimly lighting Reina's room. She sat cross-legged on her bed, her white hair spilling down like a river of snow. Her black eyes scanned the floating holographic display projected by ANIER.
ANIER: "Message received from Shion Kurobane. Location: Hokkaido Shrine. Time: 23:00. Dress code: kimono. Recommendation: comply for social blending."
Reina tilted her head slightly. "Kimono…?"
The thought alone made her hesitate. She'd never once worn one before. Her closet was filled with school uniforms, lab coats, simple blouses, and comfortable shorts. A kimono was something distant, old-fashioned, something she had no experience with.
But Shion had specifically mentioned it, and everyone else would be wearing one. To blend in, she couldn't just walk in with her plain attire.
"…Yes," Reina finally said, her voice soft.
ANIER: "Acknowledged. Response sent."
The screen flickered shut. Reina exhaled, rubbing her temple. "What a hassle…"
Still, she stood, slipping her feet into slippers as she padded down the quiet hallway toward her parents' room. Her father was away on business, but her mother's light was still on.
"Mom," Reina called softly, sliding the door open.
Her mother looked up from her book, surprise in her eyes. "Reina? You're still awake."
Reina stepped inside, her hair swaying behind her. "…I need help. With something."
"Oh?" her mother smiled knowingly. "What could my genius daughter possibly need from me?"
Reina hesitated for a beat, then explained in her usual blunt way. "…I need a kimono. For an event. Next week."
Her mother's eyebrows rose, her lips curling into a mischievous smile. "A kimono? My, my… and who is this event with?"
Reina blinked. "…Shion. He asked me to help with equipment during his performance."
Her mother chuckled under her breath. "Ahh… I see, I see…"
Reina narrowed her eyes slightly. "See what?"
"Nothing, nothing," her mom waved it off quickly. But in her heart, she was already thinking: So it's finally happening. My little Reina… going on a date.
Reina remained silent, deciding not to pursue the odd tone in her mother's voice. "Do we have one?"
Her mother tapped her chin. "Well… not one of your own. But you could borrow mine. Or… we can buy you a new one. It's still a week away, after all."
"…No need," Reina said simply. "I'll use yours."
Her mother smiled, a little proud, a little emotional. She rose, sliding open the closet doors, revealing several neatly stored kimonos. The faint smell of cedar drifted out.
"Let's see… ah. This one," she said, pulling out a folded white-and-black kimono. "It should suit you well."
Reina ran her hand along the fabric. White threads shimmered faintly, blending with deep, rich black. Her black eyes studied it carefully, the way the colors shifted like shadow and snow. "…This one."
Her mother's smile widened. "I thought you'd pick that. Try it on."
It took several minutes, with her mother's gentle hands guiding the layers, adjusting the obi, tugging here and there. Reina stood still, patient but slightly restless, her pale hair contrasting starkly against the dark folds of the kimono.
When it was done, she turned toward the mirror.
A girl stared back—long, snowy-white hair flowing to her waist, jet-black eyes gleaming under the soft light. The kimono wrapped around her slender frame perfectly, giving her an air both divine and untouchable. Her halo, faintly glowing above her head, lent her an ethereal aura, as though she were a shrine maiden from another world.
"…Overdoing it," Reina muttered under her breath.
"Overdoing it?" her mother huffed. "You look perfect."
Reina sighed softly. "It's just helping with equipment… not some big deal."
Her mother almost let the words slip—bringing home a boyfriend—but she caught herself at the last second, covering her mouth with a cough. "…Well, even so, appearances matter. Remember that."
Reina gave her one last look in the mirror. The outfit truly was flawless, the monochrome palette blending seamlessly with her natural colors. Even ANIER's faint digital voice chimed in:
ANIER: "Evaluation: attire is aesthetically optimal. Divine impression achieved."
"…Shut up," Reina whispered, cheeks faintly warming.
She slipped out of the kimono, folding it carefully, and handed it back to her mother. "…Thanks."
Her mother smiled knowingly. "Anytime."
Back in her room, Reina collapsed onto her bed, staring at the ceiling. Her thoughts swirled—not about the shrine, not about the equipment, not even about Shion. But about the strange feeling she couldn't quite name.
She reached for her device, and with a quiet flick of her fingers, snapped a few pictures of herself in the kimono earlier. After a moment of hesitation, she sent them to Himari.
It only took seconds for a reply to arrive.
Himari:Reina… you look stunning. Like… unbelievably stunning.
Reina blinked at the text. "…Stunning?"
She typed back simply: It's just a kimono.
The reply was instant.
Himari:No. It's not just a kimono. You look… divine. Like someone out of a storybook.
Reina stared at the words, her black eyes unreadable. "Divine… huh."
But across town, Himari sat in her own room, clutching her phone to her chest, her cheeks blazing red. She replayed the images again and again, her heart hammering. Reina's calm, cold gaze framed by the deep colors of the kimono and the soft glow of her halo—it was enough to make her breath catch.
"…Kyaa…" she whispered, burying her face in her pillow, unable to stop smiling.
Something was definitely going to happen that night.
Something Himari wasn't sure she was ready for… but couldn't stop imagining.