The neon lights of the shopping district cast a vibrant glow over the bustling streets. Kaede walked confidently, her heels clicking against the polished pavement, a look of determination on her face. Ash followed behind her, arms crossed, already regretting the fact that he had allowed her to take the reins when it came to his attire for the Keiretsu party.
"You sure you know what you''re doing?" Ash muttered, his tone flat, though there was a trace of skepticism in his voice.
Kaede glanced back, grinning mischievously. "Of course. You''ll be wearing a suit, not a body bag. Relax, Shirogiri. I have impeccable taste." She moved through the crowd, weaving effortlessly through the masses, making a beeline for a luxury store.
Ash sighed, his gaze shifting to the tall, sleek buildings that loomed over the district. This wasn''t his scene—luxury boutiques, expensive shops, people with too much money flaunting their wealth with each step. He had enough of this world, especially since it was a place where people like him were just tools to be used and discarded.
The door to the boutique chimed as Kaede pushed it open, and Ash hesitated for a moment before stepping inside. The cool, air-conditioned air hit him, and he immediately felt out of place. Kaede was already at the counter, speaking with a salesperson who seemed to recognize her.
"Let me guess," Ash drawled, eyeing the rows of immaculate suits and silk shirts. "I''m going to look like a walking billboard for a brand I can''t even pronounce."
Kaede shot him a side glance, clearly amused. "You''d be lucky if that''s all you look like." She turned to the salesperson, who nodded in understanding, guiding her toward a private fitting area. "This way, sir," he said to Ash, motioning toward a set of changing rooms.
Ash groaned inwardly. He wasn''t looking forward to this. But before he could protest further, Kaede was already holding up a dark, sleek suit. The fabric shimmered slightly in the light, its deep shade of midnight blue contrasting with Ash''s usual wardrobe of blacks and grays.
"You''ll wear this." Kaede''s voice was final, and she didn''t wait for his input.
"I''m supposed to look good in that?" Ash raised an eyebrow, inspecting the suit like it was a foreign object.
"Trust me," she replied with a wink. "I know what I''m doing."
As Ash stepped into the fitting room and the door closed behind him, he stared at his reflection in the mirror. He had no interest in looking anything other than the way he always did—simple, functional, unremarkable. But as he slipped into the suit, he noticed the way the fabric molded to his frame. It was tailored to perfection, a fit that made his broad shoulders look even more imposing, and the cut accentuated his jawline in a way he hadn''t expected. It wasn''t the kind of suit he would''ve chosen, but it was undeniably effective.
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Ash ran a hand through his hair, trying to get a sense of how it all looked. "Alright, I''ll admit," he muttered under his breath, "this doesn''t look half bad."
Kaede stepped into the room a moment later, her eyes lighting up as she saw him. She tilted her head, examining him from all angles. "Huh. Maybe you''re not as hopeless as I thought."
Ash shot her a look of mild amusement, not fully convinced. "You''re enjoying this, aren''t you?"
"I don''t enjoy anything," Kaede replied with a shrug. But the smirk on her lips said otherwise.
"You can''t deny it," she added, circling him like a hawk. "This suit makes you look like a different person. Less… brooding warrior, more corporate shark."
Ash grimaced. "Just as I feared."
Kaede laughed, clearly pleased with herself. "Well, when in Rome."
"Can we just get this over with?" Ash''s patience was starting to wear thin.
Kaede snapped her fingers, signaling the salesperson to come forward. "This one''s perfect. Add the accessories, and we''re done."
Ash glanced at the collection of cufflinks, ties, and silk pocket squares that the salesperson began to arrange. Each piece seemed more extravagant than the last. His fingers itched to grab something simple, but Kaede was already selecting a silver tie and a pair of cufflinks with subtle but intricate engravings.
"Alright, then," Ash sighed, finally relenting as he stepped out of the fitting room. "Let''s get this over with."
Kaede led him to the checkout counter, eyes sparkling with satisfaction. She had no doubts about how he''d look at the Keiretsu party—perfectly tailored, a polished image of someone who could easily blend into their world. But deep down, she couldn''t shake the feeling that Ash wasn''t just playing the role.
He had the look of someone who belonged. And for the first time in a long while, she wasn''t sure whether that was a good thing.
As they walked out of the store, Kaede glanced up at Ash, noticing the way he carried himself differently now. "You know," she mused, "you actually clean up pretty well."
Ash raised an eyebrow. "You''re full of surprises, aren''t you?"
Kaede laughed. "Only when I''m right."
As they moved through the district, Ash felt the weight of the evening ahead settling on his shoulders. The suit was just the beginning. It was more than just about looking the part—it was about playing the game. And for all his training, this was a game he didn''t know if he was ready for.
"Let''s get one thing straight, though," Ash said as they walked toward the next destination.
"What''s that?"
"I''m not doing this because I want to impress anyone," he added, voice low but firm. "I''m doing it because I need to know who''s worth trusting and who''s not."
Kaede met his gaze, her eyes thoughtful for a moment before she gave him a nod. "I get it. But just remember one thing—this world, the one you''re about to walk into, is built on connections. If you don''t learn how to navigate it, you''ll become a pawn."
Ash nodded, but in the back of his mind, something stirred. Kaede was right about one thing: this was just the beginning.
And he had no intention of becoming anyone''s pawn.