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Chapter 375: Chapter 371 ~ Enthusiast

”Hm… what should I do…?”

It was a rare moment. So rare, in fact, that Yuuji found it almost unfamiliar.

He was alone.

The school, which was usually filled with chatter and movement, had quieted into a softer, more subdued atmosphere. Most students had already gone home, while others were scattered across clubrooms and practice fields.

Yuna and Nina were still busy with their after-school duties, so Yuuji had decided to wait for them. His classmates—Shuu, Raku, Chitoge, Yotsuba, and the rest—had already left, and Ai was at swim practice.

The long hallways felt different like this. It was still… Almost echoing with the absence of noise.

And while there were still a few teachers and students around, it wasnʼt enough to justify calling out Alice, Aria, Est, or Ophis to keep him company.

ʼ…Guess itʼs just me for now.ʼ

He slipped his hands into his pockets, thinking.

ʼAh… Thatʼs right. Maybe I can find something on sewing in the library.ʼ

While the library mostly housed academic materials, there was a small section dedicated to hobbies. Cooking, crafts, and household skills. It wasnʼt extensive, but it was still a good selection for students to diversify their livelihood skills and, most of the time, serve as a good break and distraction from their studies.

With a destination in mind, he began walking.

Then… A faint sound reached his ears. A steady, mechanical whirring.

It didnʼt belong in the quiet hallway.

Curious, Yuuji slowed his steps, turning his head slightly to trace the source. The sound seemed to come from a classroom near the far end of the corridor, one without a visible label.

He changed course. As he approached, the sound grew clearer.

ʼA sewing machine…?ʼ

There was only one presence inside.

Without overthinking it, he stepped up to the door and knocked lightly.

”Excuse me.”

”Ah—!”

The reaction was immediate.

Yuuji slid the door open, only to be greeted by the startled figure of a tall high school boy with short, spiky hair. The sudden interruption made him flinch, and something slipped from his hands, dropping onto the floor with a soft thud.

”Hm?”

”Ah-!”

The boy scrambled out of his chair in a panic, nearly knocking the table—along with the sewing machine—off balance as he hurried to pick it up.

Even at a glance, Yuuji could tell what it was.

A dollʼs head. Delicately crafted, with a traditional Heian-style hairstyle.

ʼThatʼs… A hina doll…?ʼ

It was a traditional Japanese doll used for displays during Hinamatsuri, an annual Japanese event to pray for the happiness, health, and prosperity of young girls.

His home used to have them while he was young. Though after Yuna and Nina reached 10 years old, they stopped doing it. 

”Ah! Iʼm so sorry! Are you okay?! Did that hurt?!”

The boy blurted out anxiously, cradling the doll as if it were something fragile and alive.

Then, the boy seemed to realize what he was doing.

Slowly—almost stiffly—he turned toward Yuuji.

ʼW-Why is he here…?ʼ

Of course, he recognized him. Everyone did.

Tsubakihara Yuuji, the most talked-about student in school. Rumors, admiration, curiosity. His name and any information related to him traveled faster than any official announcement.

Gojo had seen him before from afar.

But up close…

ʼHe really does look like that…ʼ

Like someone straight out of a screen.

”Ah, Iʼm sorry if I startled you, I didnʼt mean to.”

Yuuji apologized. 

”A-Ah! N-No, itʼs fine!”

Flustered, the boy hurried back to his seat, carefully placing the dollʼs head on the table before fidgeting nervously.

Yuuji offered a polite smile.

”Itʼs nice to meet you. Iʼm Tsubakihara Yuuji. You can just call me Yuuji. Weʼre in the same year, after all.”

”I-Iʼm Gojo Wakana… I-Itʼs nice to meet you. And… you can just call me Wakana.”

Yuujiʼs gaze drifted briefly toward the sewing machine.

Gojo noticed.

His fingers tightened slightly.

ʼ…Is he going to make fun of me?ʼ

But instead—

”Wakana-san, you know how to use a sewing machine? Thatʼs impressive. How did you learn?”

”…Huh?”

Gojo blinked, caught completely off guard.

That… wasnʼt what he expected.

”O-Oh… um… my family runs a doll shop, so… Iʼve been learning since I was little…”

He explained hesitantly.

”I see. Thatʼs amazing.”

His attention shifted back to the doll.

”Thatʼs a hina doll, right? May I take a closer look?”

”Eh? O-Of course…”

Gojo carefully handed it to him.

Yuuji examined it with quiet appreciation.

”Wow… the craftsmanship is incredible. The details are so precise… and the eyes feel almost alive.”

Gojo froze. His chest tightened.

That was… The first time someone had ever praised it like that.

”T-Thank you…”

”Did you make this, Wakana-san?”

”N-No… my grandfather did. I can only make the clothes…”

”Clothes…”

Yuujiʼs eyes flickered again toward the sewing machine, something thoughtful settling behind his gaze.

”…So you can sew?”

”A-Ah… yes. Just a little…”

There was a brief pause.

Then…

”Would you be willing to teach me?”

”…Eh?”

Gojo stared at him, completely stunned.

”Y-You… want me to teach you?”

Yuuji nodded, calm and sincere.

”Is that okay?”

Gojo hesitated, still processing.

”…C-Can I ask… what you want to make?”

Yuuji answered without hesitation.

”I want to try making my own cosplay costume.”

And at that exact moment—

Slide.

The classroom door opened once more.

A girl stood at the doorway.

Golden hair caught the fading afternoon light, giving it a soft, almost radiant glow. Her dark pink eyes were vivid and expressive, framed by long lashes that only made them stand out more. Her skin was fair, smooth, and contrasted beautifully with the subtle sheen of her glossy lips.

She was beautiful. Strikingly so.

And it wasnʼt just her natural features, her sense of style accentuated everything. Multiple silver piercings lined her ears, catching the light with every small movement. Her long, bubblegum-pink acrylic nails shimmered faintly, meticulously maintained. A simple choker rested against her neck, adding a touch of boldness to her otherwise balanced look.

It was unmistakable.

A gyaru—or at least someone deeply inspired by the fashion.

But unlike the louder, more flamboyant styles often associated with it, hers was refined. It didnʼt overwhelm, it was subtle, yet still striking. It sharpened her already captivating presence, giving her a confident, effortless charm.

Wakana Gojo was stunned.

First, by her beauty. Then second, by recognition.

Kitagawa Marin.

One of the most popular girls in their class. Frequently talked about, often admired, and consistently ranked among the most beautiful girls in the school.

Their interactions had been… minimal.

Twice.

Once, when she had accidentally tripped and fallen onto his desk.

Another time, when she entered the classroom after school, while he was ”helping” his classmates with their after school cleaning duties.

Brief encounters. Yet to him, they were unforgettable.

Because in those fleeting moments, she had done something no one else had.

She had spoken to him normally. Looked at him like he existed.

And now, she stood here.

Alongside someone else just as distant from his world.

Gojoʼs gaze shifted slightly.

Tsubakihara Yuuji. Another person he had only ever observed from afar.

The two of them… standing in the same room as him.

ʼTheyʼre really different…ʼ

”What…”

Her voice cut through the silence.

In the next instant… She moved.

Fast.

Before Gojo could even tell what was going on, she had already crossed the distance and grabbed Yuuji by the shoulders, her grip firm, her face inches from his.

Her eyes were wide. Bright. Intense.

”Say that one more time.”

Yuuji blinked, momentarily caught off guard.

This… This level of directness was new.

Even with all the attention he had received since his transformation, no one had approached him quite like this.

ʼAh… I think Shuu mentioned her before…ʼ

The beautiful blonde first-year. The one who had famously turned down a popular guy from the soccer club.

At the time, it had just been another passing rumor.

Now, standing this close—

ʼFor once… He actually wasnʼt exaggerating.ʼ

”So?!” 

She pressed, her grip tightening slightly.

”Ah—”

Yuuji snapped out of his thoughts.

”I said I wanted to try making a cosplay outfit myself—”

”Ah! So I heard it right!”

Just like that, the tension vanished.

Her expression lit up instantly, like sunlight breaking through clouds.

”I didnʼt expect you to be into cosplay too!”

She released him just as quickly, stepping back with an excited grin.

”Iʼm Kitagawa Marin! Just call me Marin! Itʼs so nice to meet someone whoʼs into the same thing!”

”Tsubakihara Yuuji. You can call me Yuuji. Nice to meet you too.”

He replied calmly, a small smile forming. Her eyes sparkled.

”Uhn! Of course I know you! Ahh, this is amazing! I didnʼt expect you to also be a cosplay enthusiast!”

Without warning, she rummaged through her bag and pulled something out.

A piece of dark fabric.

Black… or maybe deep purple.

At first glance, it looked like an unstructured bundle, but as she adjusted it and held it up properly, its intended shape became clearer.

A dress. Or at least… something meant to be one.

”Iʼve been trying to make my own cosplay too!” 

She said, holding it up proudly—then laughing sheepishly. 

”But as you can see… itʼs not exactly going well.”

The stitching was uneven. The structure inconsistent.

But Yuuji did recognize her effort. Her passion. It was painfully obvious. 

She hugged the half-finished piece to her chest, then looked up at Yuuji with a bright, hopeful smile.

”So—letʼs learn together!”

Yuuji considered it briefly.

Then nodded.

”Sure. I was actually just asking Wakana-san if he could teach me. He seems to know what heʼs doing.”

”…Eh?”

Only then did Marin seem to notice the third person in the room.

She turned.

”Oh! Hi!” 

She greeted cheerfully. 

”Youʼre… Gojo Wakana, right?”

”U-Uhn…”

Gojo nodded, still processing everything. His mind felt like it was lagging behind reality.

”I didnʼt know you could sew—thatʼs amazing!” 

Marin continued, leaning forward slightly, her excitement completely unfiltered. 

”Can you teach me too?!”

Gojo opened his mouth. Closed it. Then opened it again.

Words failed him.

Between the two of them—two of the most well-known students in school—standing in front of him, looking at him, speaking to him as if it were the most natural thing in the world…

His thoughts blurred.

And before he could fully comprehend what was happening—

”…Uhn.”

He nodded.

Almost unconsciously.

And just like that, without realizing it, the boy who had always been alone—Wakana Gojo— had taken his first step into something entirely new.

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