Payback

“Seriously? You want me to shop for clothes… here?”, Hinako said with a raised eyebrow.

“Why not? They have everything here…”, Kuro replied.

They were currently in front of the entrance of a store with a huge sign, that said “Mega Don Buijote.”

“Just pick some clothes, so that you have something to wear other than your old school uniform. If you need something else for your daily live, get that too. You’ll find me on the top floor when you have everything. I can pay for it, if you need me to.”, Kuro said casually.

“Why?”, Hinako asked.

“Why what?”

“Why are you doing this?”

“Why am I doing what?”

“You’re letting me stay at your place for free, you bought me food, and now you’re even offering to pay for my clothes? Why?”

“To help you out?”

Kuro shrugged but then a devious smile appeared on his face.

“And who said anything about it being for free?”, He added with that smile.

“B-but I’m kinda broke right now…”, Hinako said confused.

“I’m not talking about money.”

They both starred at each other for a moment. She very confused and he with a devious smile. Then the realization hit Hinako and she went beet red.

Payback for earlier, Kuro thought amused.

“W-what… do you… want?”, Hinako asked hesitantly.

„Oh, whatever could that be? What could you, a young woman, offer me, an old and gross Otaku?”, Kuro countered with a bitterly sweet tone.

Hinako fidgeted from one foot to the other and looked at Kuro, trying to discern if he was serious or not. The flushness did not leave her face, which amused him greatly. He smirked.

Oh, he is teasing me. Well, two can play the game, thought Hinako.

“Oh, I heard what you gross Otakus want and judging by some of your… books… it must be true. So, how about I let you have my Socks? They are really sweaty from today as well!”, Hinako offered and looked him straight in the eyes.

She noticed that his gaze slowly went downwards, which made her worried.

“Throw in those boxers you’re wearing and keep them on for a few more days. We Otakus prefer it ripe and musty.” Kuro retorted in a very serious tone.

Hinako’s eyes opened wide in shock and she stepped back.

“What? Eww… That’s a bit… umm… are you… serious?”, She stuttered aghast.

Kuro’s sudden and uncharacteristic outburst of laughter surprised and confused Hinako greatly.

“Relax, Girl. That was a joke. I told you already that I’m not interested in you, and you forgot that an Otaku’s preference lies in the two dimensionally.”, He said with a triumphant expression.

Hinako slowly shook her head, still a bit flustered.

“I have enough money left to buy me some clothes at least. Especially in this store…”, Hinako hissed angrily after recovering.

“Good, then if you don’t need me, I’ll be in the Squashbooks over there instead. Give me a call or send me message, when you’re done.”, Kuro said and pointed to a bookstore.

Hinako nodded. As she passed him on her way into the store, she turned to him and smiled.

“Soo, you DID look after all!”, Hinako mentioned cheekily.

“Shut up… Only with my periphery vision!”, He snapped back and rushed over to the bookstore.

Now Hinako smiled triumphantly and went into the Don Buijote store, where she was welcomed by the very familiar jingle. She then went to the clothes section and looked around. Hinako grabbed some sporty underwear and cheap sweatpants, then she searched for some T-shirts. She found a section where they sold some with anime prints on them. Hinako stopped in front of a T-shirt with a yellow-haired ninja on it.

Oh, I watched that one when I was little!

She smiled, grabbed it and moved on.