Shadows of the Mind

Chapter 8: A Step Closer

Kageko stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her black jacket over the floral crop top she'd chosen for the day. The crisscross straps across her stomach added a subtle edge to the otherwise simple design, and the cargo pants she paired it with gave her a comfortable yet practical look. Her sneakers completed the outfit, giving off the perfect blend of stylish and tough. She liked the way it made her feel—strong, grounded, but not flashy.

As she turned to grab her purse, there was a knock at the door.

"Yamikaze, you ready yet? Let's go!" Mina's excited voice called through the door.

Kageko opened it to find Mina and Jiro waiting. Mina, as always, was a ball of energy, practically bouncing on her feet. Jiro stood beside her, more relaxed but with a knowing smile on her face. Behind them, the rest of the girls from Class 3-A were gathered in the hallway, chatting as they waited to head out together.

When Mina and Jiro saw Kageko's outfit, Mina was quick to chime in.

"Whoa! Look at you, Shadow Queen! Totally rocking the outfit."

Jiro nodded in agreement. "Yeah, definitely suits you. You pull off that tough-but-hot look like it's nothing."

Kageko raised an eyebrow, a small, amused smile tugging at her lips. "You two are impossible."

"Can you blame us?" Mina winked. "You're making us all step up our game today. The whole city is going to be looking at you."

Asui, standing a bit behind the others, gave a quiet, "Ribbit. You look cool, Yamikaze."

Yaomomo simply smiled approvingly, not adding much more, while Uraraka nodded in agreement but stayed silent.

Kageko chuckled softly. The compliments from Mina and Jiro felt natural, while the rest of the girls offered more subtle support, and that suited her just fine.

"All right, enough stalling, let's get moving!" Mina said, linking arms with Kageko and Jiro as they led the way.

The rest of the girls fell into step, chatting excitedly about their plans for the day. Kageko, though more reserved, found herself falling in sync with them as they walked. She wasn't used to being in the middle of group activities, but it wasn't as uncomfortable as she'd expected.

The shopping district buzzed with weekend activity, and the girls from Class 3-A wasted no time diving into the stores. Mina and Uraraka led the charge, flitting from one trendy boutique to the next, while Jiro and Kageko stuck closer together, their pace more measured. Yaomomo browsed thoughtfully, occasionally stopping to examine something, while Asui and Hagakure chatted quietly as they followed behind.

As they entered a sleek streetwear shop, Kageko's eyes were immediately drawn to the racks of black and purple clothing. She spotted a black jacket with multiple zippers and a hood, and couldn't resist picking it up. It was perfect—stylish yet functional.

"That's so you," Jiro remarked, nodding toward the jacket.

"Definitely," Mina agreed, materializing beside them. "It's like you were born to wear black."

Kageko smirked, tossing the jacket over her arm. "I just know what I like."

"Looks great," Uraraka added from a nearby rack with a quick smile.

The others nodded approvingly, and the conversation turned to each girl's style.

"I tend to go for things that are comfortable but stylish," Asui said, holding up a simple yet cute hoodie. "Something I can move around in, ribbit."

"I'm more into elegant pieces, but they still have to be functional," Yaomomo added, picking up a well-tailored coat. "Practicality is important to me."

Hagakure's disembodied voice piped up. "I just like anything that sparkles! Too bad no one can see me in it."

The group laughed softly, the lighthearted banter making Kageko feel more at ease. Even though she wasn't one to talk much, the shared moments made her feel closer to them.

Just as they were about to head to the checkout, a commotion near the entrance of the store caught Kageko's attention. A man's voice rose above the usual hum of the crowd, harsh and grating.

"Hey! Watch where you're going!" he barked, towering over a smaller girl who had accidentally bumped into him. The girl stammered an apology, clearly intimidated, but the man wasn't backing down.

Without a second thought, Kageko stepped forward, her calm but commanding presence immediately drawing the man's attention. Mina, Jiro, and the others paused, watching as Kageko approached the scene.

"Is there a problem?" Kageko asked, her voice steady and sharp.

The guy turned, his expression annoyed. "Yeah, there's a problem. She ran into me and didn't even watch where she was going."

Kageko's gaze didn't waver. "She apologized. You're the one still making it a problem."

For a moment, the man looked ready to argue, but something in Kageko's unwavering stance made him hesitate. She didn't need to raise her voice or show any aggression—her presence alone was enough to make him back down.

With a muttered curse, the man turned and walked away, the tension dissolving as quickly as it had appeared.

The girl quickly thanked Kageko, her voice small but grateful. Kageko gave her a nod, not making a big deal out of it. When she rejoined the group, the girls exchanged glances, clearly impressed by how easily Kageko had handled the situation.

"That was seriously cool," Jiro remarked with a smirk.

"Yeah, you didn't even need to get loud," Mina added. "Just your presence was enough."

Kageko shrugged, brushing off the praise. "All talk."

They continued their shopping trip without further interruptions, the earlier incident only solidifying Kageko's place among them. The rest of the afternoon was filled with lighthearted conversation, playful teasing, and a growing sense of belonging.

After hitting a few more stores and adding to their growing collection of shopping bags, the girls paused in front of a small accessories shop.

"Oh, we have to go in here!" Uraraka said excitedly. "They've got the cutest accessories!"

Kageko followed the group inside, not really sure if she'd find anything, but willing to browse. As they looked through the displays, she found herself drawn to a sleek, minimalist bracelet—black with silver accents. It wasn't flashy, but it caught her eye.

"I can totally see you wearing that," Jiro said, peeking over her shoulder.

Kageko turned the bracelet over in her hands, considering it. "Yeah, it's simple. I like it."

"Perfect for you," Uraraka added with a grin.

Kageko smiled softly as she slipped it onto her wrist. It was a small thing, but it felt good to find something that fit her style. Maybe this shopping trip wasn't so bad after all.

The girls, still chatting excitedly, made their way into a cozy café, their spirits high from a day well spent. As they approached the counter to place their orders, Kageko found herself walking beside Asui, who gave her a thoughtful glance.

"You've got a good eye for things, Yamikaze," Tsu said in her usual calm tone. "I wouldn't have guessed you'd be into shopping, ribbit, but you seem like you know exactly what you want."

Kageko gave a small, quiet smile. "I'm... not usually into it," she admitted softly. "But today's been different."

Tsu's lips curved into a subtle smile. "Yeah, I can see that. It's nice having you around. Feels like you're fitting in."

Kageko nodded, letting the words settle comfortably. Fitting in—it wasn't something she had been chasing, but maybe, just maybe, it was happening anyway.

As the barista welcomed them to the counter, the soft jingle of the café door sounded behind them. Kageko glanced over her shoulder, catching sight of familiar figures stepping inside, their familiar voices cutting through the low hum of the café.

She turned back, a flicker of amusement dancing in her eyes. Looks like the day had more in store.