Chapter 559: Casual Dates

“Hmm…”

“Just hurry up and pick something already, will you?”

“I don’t know what to choose…”

“Does it even matter? I usually just grab whatever looks decent and move on…”

Inside one of the fancier clothing shops tucked deep within the academy’s bustling commercial district, Seo and Rose stood shoulder to shoulder, staring at rows upon rows of dresses, blouses, and skirts that gleamed under enchanted lights.

The shop itself had an airy, elegant feel—tall glass windows letting the spring sunlight filter in, shelves neatly lined with folded fabrics, and mannequins posed gracefully with the latest seasonal trends.

A soft fragrance of lavender hung in the air, soothing yet almost making the atmosphere too comfortable.

For most students, a visit here was a luxury reserved for rare occasions.

For Seo and Rose, however, it was simply the result of coincidentally having free time—and, perhaps, an unspoken excuse to spend it together.

Not that either of them would admit it.

Despite the small, constant sparks of annoyance they exchanged, they didn’t truly hate one another.

Especially not after the truth of their shared affection for Riley had come to light.

If anything, that strange revelation had softened the hostility between them into something resembling… reluctant camaraderie.

That said, the fact they had been browsing clothes for over two hours without either of them buying anything was starting to test both their patience.

“How about this, dear customer?” a cheerful female clerk finally interjected, perhaps sensing their indecision.

She lifted a blouse from the rack—a pure white piece with delicate lace around the cuffs, its silky fabric catching the light with every shift.

“Since it’s spring season, a light blouse such as this would suit you beautifully. With your face, if you paired this with a simple black skirt or tailored pants, I believe all eyes would turn to you the moment you walked in.”

Seo blinked, her expression cool as always, but her hand reached out almost automatically. She brushed her fingers against the fabric, testing its smoothness, then held it up in front of her.

“Oh…”

Her voice was quiet, almost too quiet, but Rose noticed it instantly.

Seo’s tone might have been flat, but the faint gleam in her eyes betrayed that she was actually interested.

Under normal circumstances, Seo never would have been here.

Normally, she simply allowed her personal maid, Lina, to handle all matters concerning her wardrobe.

Clothes were, in Seo’s mind, a matter of necessity rather than preference—something Lina understood well enough to select them for her without question.

But after realizing how much she relied on her maid, coupled with the fact that she only ever wore traditional eastern-style garments despite having a closet full of untouched western dresses, Seo decided—for a change of pace—to make a rare visit herself.

Running into Rose here was pure coincidence… or so it seemed.

To Seo, Rose always gave the impression of someone who ignored everything that didn’t interest her.

And Rose’s interests usually narrowed down to two categories: magic and Riley.

For that very reason, Seo found herself mildly surprised to see Rose casually browsing clothes in a boutique.

They weren’t exactly close.

They never fought, but they weren’t the type to sit side by side and chat, either.

Still, Seo couldn’t shake the thought that befriending Rose might ultimately mean one thing—getting closer to Riley himself.

Her eyes flicked sideways, landing on Rose.

Recalling a passage she had memorized from the book she once read—”How to Make Friends and Form Connections”—Seo repeated the steps in her mind: ’When in doubt, ask for a personal opinion.’

Women value other women’s judgments, especially regarding appearance.

This builds trust, rapport, and a bridge to shared interests.

’Specially if you want to get their man!’

With that in mind, she turned toward Rose, her face as stoic as always.

“Will I look good in this, Rose?”

Rose, who had been idly combing through a rack of skirts with her fingertips, blinked and glanced at Seo. Her lips curved into a faint smile. “Yes… you should try it out.”

Seo nodded sharply, taking the answer as absolute. “I see. Then I’ll take this one.”

Without hesitation, she folded the blouse in her arms and extended it toward the saleswoman.

But before the clerk could take it, Seo’s arm froze midair.

Rose’s hand hadn’t moved, but the faint shimmer of telekinetic magic wrapped around Seo’s wrist, halting her.

“I told you to try it out,” Rose said firmly.

Seo tilted her head slightly. “But you said I’ll look good in it.”

“That much is true,” Rose admitted, a sly smirk tugging at her lips. “But that’s a fact reserved only for a rare few of us. You still need to actually wear it before buying.”

“…Why?” Seo asked, her face blank but her tone tinged with faint suspicion.

“Because it’ll be fun.”

Her voice was light, teasing—yet the truth was far simpler.

Rose just wanted to see with her own eyes what Seo would look like in something other than her usual stiff, traditional attire.

Of course, Seo didn’t pick up on that at all.

For Rose, picking up clothes was no different than picking up new spells—casual, effortless, and without the need for second thoughts.

She never cared much about her appearance because she knew one simple truth: everything looked good on her.

Clothes were nothing more than necessities, the same way food and shelter were.

Besides, colors barely existed in her world.

Unless Riley was present, or unless her eyes happened to land on him, everything else around her was muted, faded, almost dull.

Fashion, therefore, had no meaning beyond function.

And yet… she had noticed something.

Ever since Alice and Snow began casually changing their wardrobes from time to time, Riley would sometimes react in small, subtle ways—a brief pause, a fleeting smile, a glimmer of amusement.

That was enough to make Rose reassess.

If new clothes could catch Riley’s attention, then even if it was nothing more than a passing spark, she wasn’t about to fall behind.

Still, Seo was a different case entirely.

’I can finally make use of this black rat…’

She never truly hated Seo. At worst, there had been a faint irritation toward her—the kind you’d feel for a shadow that lingered too close to what you wanted.

But hatred?

No. If anything, she saw Seo as… a problem to be solved.

And more importantly, as a rare chance to assess someone she couldn’t simply brush aside.

Because no matter what any of them—herself, Alice, Snow—might say aloud, Seo held a position none of them could replicate.

Seo had been the first.

The first person to ever openly show genuine interest in Riley, long before the rest of them even realized it.

Even if Riley never made any actual romantic moves on Seo, the evidence was there, plain as day—their skinship, their natural rhythm, the ease in which they slipped into conversation.

It was a dynamic that none of the others could mimic.

All it would take was one small push, a tilt of the balance, and they could easily cross the line from mere partners and best friends into something more.

And that was what made Seo dangerous.

Because whether the others admitted it or not, they all envied Seo’s casualness with Riley.

They envied the way he laughed freely with her, the way he allowed her to hang off his arm or tug his sleeve without so much as a flinch, the way his guard naturally dropped when she was nearby.

Of course, they already have that loving casualness with him…

But…

They wanted that dynamic and casualty which Seo has.

All of them did. But Seo already had it.

That was why Rose now watched her so intently.

If this girl was going to stand as a future co-wife in their strange, inevitable arrangement around Riley… then Rose, at the very least, would need to know exactly where Seo stood.

And the simplest way to measure her now? Something as trivial as clothes.

Because even in something so mundane, Riley’s eyes would notice.

“Alright then…?”

Seo tilted her head slightly, not really understanding what was supposed to be fun about trying on clothes.

Normally, she just wore whatever was prepared for her or what she decided suited her—whether or not it looked good wasn’t the point. It was simple practicality.

But Riley’s voice echoed in the back of her mind.

’Seo, sometimes it’s not about whether something makes sense—it’s about how people feel. Learn to read the air a little, alright?’

She frowned lightly. Reading the air still sounded vague and useless to her, but if it was advice from Riley, she’d at least try.

If Rose insisted this was part of “fun,” then… she’d play along.

“…Alright.”

The sales clerk beamed instantly, jumping at the chance to guide them.

“This way, young ladies. Please, allow me to assist you.” Her movements were quick and practiced, the sort born of habit in dealing with nobles and picky students alike. Seo, however, paid it little mind as she followed.

A few minutes later, the curtain to the dressing room rustled open.

“How is it?” Seo asked in her usual flat tone, stepping out without the slightest hint of self-consciousness. Her face was apathetic, unreadable—exactly the same as always.

Rose’s eyes widened.

“…”

“…”

Even the sales clerk froze, words caught in her throat.

“…Uhm, Rose?” Seo blinked, tilting her head. “Why aren’t you saying anything?”

“O-Oh…” Rose stammered, realizing her mouth had gone dry.

“Really?” Seo asked plainly, as though it made no difference to her.

“Yes…” Rose muttered, her voice trailing off. She swallowed once, forcing her composure back into place, but it was useless.

The truth was, it didn’t just look good.

It looked too good.

Seo had always been beautiful—anyone with eyes could tell that.

But she never once bothered to polish it, never tried to put it on display.

Her beauty had always been something quiet, subdued, almost hidden behind her monotone voice and expressionless eyes.

And now…

Now, with nothing but a simple white blouse with wavy lace designs, a fitted black skirt, and the faint shimmer of fabric that highlighted her frame, that hidden beauty broke through like light through a curtain.

Her long, jet-black hair had been brushed neatly, parted just enough for her bangs to frame her face, the strands falling in soft waves down her shoulders.

The clerk had pinned one side slightly, making her nape visible, a subtle line of pale skin that somehow drew the gaze without trying.

Her crimson eyes—usually so cold—stood out more starkly than ever, glimmering beneath her bangs like molten jewels.

It was effortless. Natural. As though she hadn’t dressed up at all, yet somehow commanded attention just by existing.

Rose’s lips parted slightly as an unwelcome thought crossed her mind.

…Is this how Riley feels every time he sees the others change clothes? Just one glance and…

Her chest tightened faintly.

For someone who prided herself on composure, on being above such trivialities, the feeling left her unsettled.

Seo had walked out casually, not even trying, and yet the atmosphere around her shifted.

Passersby who happened to glance their way slowed down, caught off guard by the sight.

Even the clerk beside her, who’d likely seen countless students try on clothes, was too stunned to immediately speak.

“Then I’ll buy this.”

“Wonderful choice, dear customer!” the clerk chimed brightly, clapping her hands as though sealing a deal.

Seo gave a small nod and quietly moved to close the dressing room door, already reaching for her own folded clothes inside.

She had every intention of changing back, paying, and ending the matter here.

But then—

A hand pressed against the door before it could shut.

Seo blinked, glancing sideways. “What are you doing?”

“Stopping you,” Rose replied simply.

“…From what?”

“Changing.”

Seo furrowed her brows faintly. “But that’s what people do after trying something on. You’re supposed to change back.”

Rose exhaled softly through her nose, as if explaining something painfully obvious to a child. “No. You’re not supposed to do that. We’re not done yet, Seo.”

“Hn?”

Without another word, Rose shifted her gaze to the clerk. “Miss, please keep her previous clothes safe for now.”

“As you wish, dear customer.”

The saleswoman bowed instantly, already sweeping up Seo’s neatly folded garments as though they were priceless treasures.

Her eyes gleamed faintly, gold and silver practically reflecting in her pupils—this was a customer she’d happily trail like a loyal hound until the end of the day.

“Come.” Rose’s voice was light but firm as she hooked her arm around Seo’s and tugged her along.

Seo allowed herself to be pulled but spoke up with her usual monotone confusion. “Rose… I still haven’t changed yet.”

“So what?”

“There are many people around…” Seo muttered, her crimson gaze drifting toward the passing stares gathering little by little.

“Who cares?” Rose said flatly, not even slowing her pace. “They’re staring because you look beautiful. Let them have their fleeting moment of appreciation… or jealousy. It changes nothing.”

Seo frowned slightly. “I don’t want that. And besides—I still have training to do. I need to get back to my uniform.”

“You call that traditional outfit of yours a uniform? Honestly… you really are quite privileged.”

Seo blinked at her. “…But aren’t you also?”

“Shhh.” Rose pressed a finger against her lips with exaggerated playfulness, masking the faint tug of a smile. “Quiet, for now. You still need to try on something more.”

“Why?”

“Because—” Rose nearly slipped, the word fun almost leaving her lips before she caught herself.

Her mouth twitched, and she quickly smoothed it over with something sharper.

“Because references are good weapons in a battle of love, you know?”

“????”

“I’m sure it’s confusing,” Rose said smoothly, though her golden eyes glimmered mischievously. “But just think of this little shopping spree as… preparation. After all, you also want a certain someone to notice you, don’t you?”

“…Yes.”

“Good. Then let’s go try more clothes. Don’t worry—I’ll pay for all of it.”

“Alright…”

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