What Really Matters Isn't Money (5)

"Um... Everyone, this outfit's really hard to move in. I-it is cute, though."

Alice, for her part, wore a wry smile the whole time. She enjoyed trying on all kinds of clothes—she was a girl at the age when she wanted to dress up—but Takako and Kururu were a little too enthusiastic, and she was feeling overwhelmed.

"No! Sometimes you have to restrict your freedom of movement to charm someone! I'm a Martial Artist, so you can trust me on this! Alice-chan, you have such great natural looks, so you need to show off your best qualities even more!"

Coming from a Martial Artist, that did sound convincing. But when Takako said it, all that credibility vanished like smoke, Kagami thought, his expression deadpan.

"Exactly! This is a special occasion, after all... First impressions are the most important factor in gauging how well you'll get along with someone! I'm a princess, so you can trust me on this!"

Kururu agreed with Takako, holding the next outfit she planned to have Alice try on, her eyes sparkling. Kagami found her words far more convincing than Takako's. He decided he could leave things to them and started to head out of the casino's lounge to check on the staff preparing the various facilities for tomorrow.

"Oh, wait, Kagami-san! I-I want to come with you!"

Behind him, as he was leaving the lounge, Alice shouted something while Takako and Kururu tussled with her. Kagami pretended not to hear a thing and quietly closed the door.

"Sorry, Alice. Just stay there and behave yourself."

Kagami muttered this, then let out a relieved sigh. David had been standing in the corner of the lounge the whole time, silently watching over them like a shadow...