Clothing Jitters

I wasn’t sure what to wear. Usually when I went out to the city I would just put on my school uniform. It’s mostly black and actually provides a decent amount of coverage considering the long sleeves and skirt. Pair it with tights and I’m basically fully protected. Also, it’s cute. So there’s that. That’s a plus.

In my head, I think I prefer darker colors. Since having chalk-white hair, white skin, and blue eyes means that wearing anything light turns me into a beacon. Unfortunately, dark colors plus full-body coverage runs the risk of making me look extremely goth. And I’m not sure I’m into that. I mean maybe? But I don’t know...

Then again, dark colors do absorb more UV rays so they’re less likely to reach my skin. It does get hot though. Of course, I can wear light colors and short sleeves. And it’s not like I have to wear tights or long pants all the time. It’s not like being out in the sun for a bit will completely destroy me. But. Well. It does make things easier. Less sunscreen-based anxiety, y’know?

The uniform is so much simpler. There’s a real, measurable benefit to not having to think about fashion. A uniform is an easy way to say, “Hey, I belong to a school. A place with people, many of whom are my own age. I probably interact with them regularly given that I see them on a daily basis. I am normal. Ha ha ha. Yes.” It’s clear indication that you are a member of an in-group. Sure, I wasn’t always treated like one. But I’d like to think it helped as far as strangers were concerned.

That said, this was no ordinary outing. This was karaoke. With friends. I’m sure they’ll be wearing casual clothes. How do I approach this? Okay. Okay. What is my casual outfit? Although not too casual, this is a club outing after all. School-adjacent business. But then again, do I really think they’re going to appear decked out in full formal wear? Don’t be ridiculous Rin.

Evi would probably look great in it though, in a dress or a suit, really. Either way. Of course, um, I mean, I think Fujiwara-san and Kusumoto-san would also probably look nice in formal attire. I, um, I don’t mean to single anyone out.

Uh. Is this a weird thing to think about, or?

Hmm.

Focus Rin. Focus. Okay.

Aside from dark colors, I know I like blue.

Blue.

Oh dear lord, I’m acting like I’ve never been outside before. Come on. This is easy you’re just overthinking it.

Light blue t-shirt, black zip up hoodie, dark skirt and tights. Shoes. Got it.

Black bucket hat in the backpack for backup sun protection. Easy. Breezy.

Okay, outfit is in order. Good.

Now I just have to go to sleep.

Sleep, sleep, sleep.

…Too excited for it. Nervous? Both? Both.

Ugh.

Still, eventually I did sleep. And suddenly it was morning. It’s funny sometimes how quickly 8 hours can disappear. I made breakfast for my mother and I, no matcha this time since I’d rather not over caffeinate (I was trusting Fujiwara-san about this place having nice tea). It was a fairly large breakfast actually, since we had the time. Well, not that much time. My mom wanted to drive me to the train station, and she was quite keen to do so.

She was eager to meet the new friends I’d made.

I was… less eager for that to happen.

I can’t exactly put my finger on why. Maybe it’s the way she seemed so chipper about it. Flush with the feeling that she was right all along. That all of my problems were gone. As easily dispatched as she’d always said they would be.

…I’m terrible. What is wrong with me?

I didn’t say any of this out loud. Just, y’know, sat quietly in the car.

Ruminating.

Thankfully, my mother’s desire to reach the station first meant no one else was there to see us yet, and I was able to convince her to let me wait on my own. After all, it would probably be a while before everyone else got here. Yes, the specific location of the karaoke place was new, but the train station and the city were not. She could meet the club some other time.

I gave my thanks for the ride, as one is ought to do, and then bid her goodbye.

I received a text message not long after.

Mother: Be careful. Stay safe! Have fun.

Me: Thank you! I will. Have a nice day.

I put my phone away.

Another text.

Mother: There are no boys in your club right?

Me: No Mother, I told you already. We’re all girls.

Mother: Are you meeting any boys at this karaoke event?

Me: No, it’s just us.

Mother: Good. Have fun!

A second of pause.

Mother: Please be safe.

Me: I will be safe. Thanks again!

Me: Talk to you later.

Mother: See you soon.

I checked the time.

Seems normal. Cool.

I placed my phone into my backpack, then hugged it tight to my chest before sitting on a bench to wait out the clock.

A familiar voice greeted me.

“Hey Rin, guess we’re the first two here.” Evi sat down next to me. “I think this might actually be the same bench we sat on the night we met.” She patted it fondly.

“Ha ha, yeah. Maybe. I mean, us and hundreds of other people right?”

“Over the years, sure.”

“Yeah, over the years. This stop doesn’t get much traffic, but still… It has been around for a while.”

She stretched her arms up to the sky, opening them wider near the top to give her horns some distance. Bringing them back down, she leaned forward to rest her shoulders on her knees.

…Y’know?

I really do think she’d look great in formal wear. She already looks great in casual clothes. Actually, she looks great in her uniform too. Actually, she probably looks great in anything. Her white t-shirt bore a stylized red and black crown. The chosen top was paired with slightly weathered black jeans.

Um. This—

This is normal, right? Women compliment other women all the time.

I’m not used to receiving compliments on my appearance, but I do consume media, so I know that compliments can happen. In the past, my mom has said that my eyes are pretty. Aside from that though, there’s nothing I can remember from before this week. Hmm. Well. The Paranormal Research Club, and Evi in particular, have all said I’m cute a bunch of times by this point. So… Yeah.

Yeah.

This is a thing that women do.

Wait, women? We’re like, fourteen. Actually, I’m fourteen. I don’t know how old Evi is. Would it be strange to ask right now?

Never mind.

“So Rin… You want to hit up the vending machines?” Evi smiled, lifting her hand-sewn wallet up from out of its pocket. “I’ll buy for you if you buy for me.”

I smiled back.

“Sure thing.”