Toko-senpai’s Cuteness Transformation Plan!

Over that weekend, I spent both Saturday and Sunday agonizing over the definition of a “cute girl” that Toko-senpai had requested. Even now, lying on my bed, it’s all I can think about.

…A “cute girl,” huh? I guess she’d be a beautiful girl, kind, usually reliable but has those rare moments where she’s a bit of a mess…

As I followed that train of thought, Toko-senpai’s face naturally drifted into my mind. Beautiful, refined, graceful… but with a kindness that comforted me when I was hurting, and yet, a girl who wept last week upon seeing her boyfriend’s betrayal…

Wait, no, that’s not it. Toko-senpai is the one asking me, “What makes a girl cute?” What good does it do if I just answer, “It’s you”?

…Uh, what else… good at cooking, domestic, someone who leans on me sometimes but also lets me lean on her. Someone who’s cold to other guys but a little bit naughty just for me…

Again, I was unconsciously imagining Toko-senpai. I saw her in an apron, cooking for me. She’d smile and say, “Today’s beef stew is my masterpiece.” After dinner, I’d rest my head on her lap while we watched TV together. And when it was time for bed, she’d curl up against my chest like a cat… In the darkness, she’d softly undress, unhooking her bra…

“You’re the only one I show this side of myself to…” she’d whisper…

Wait, what the hell am I thinking?! I can’t possibly tell Toko-senpai that! Besides, that’s all just my own twisted desires!

…Maybe it’s because I’m thinking about this while lying on my bed…

Deciding I needed a change of pace, I sat up and powered on the laptop on my desk.

Yu Isshiki, define “cute girl” in 50 words or less… I commanded myself. I opened a text editor and started listing criteria.

“Cute girl: Definitely beautiful and kind. Usually cool-headed, but actually has a weak side. Showing that weakness only to me…”

God dammit, it keeps coming back to Toko-senpai! Is my brain just completely occupied by her when it comes to women now?

Just then, my phone vibrated. It was a message from Ishida.

(Ishida): Yu, you free?

(Yu): I was thinking about something, but I’m fine.

(Ishida): Then come out. I’m bored.

(Yu): Got it. Where are you?

(Ishida): The usual family restaurant on Route 14. You can make it quick, right?

(Yu): Okay. Leaving the house now.

I closed my phone, hopped on my bike, and headed toward the restaurant. My house is a standalone home tucked back from the highway toward the sea; Ishida lives in an apartment complex closer to the main road. The restaurant is about a ten-minute bike ride for both of us.

I scanned the room as I walked in. Ishida, who had already spotted me, raised his hand from a window booth. As I sat down, he looked at me with a suspicious squint.

“What’s up, Yu? You’ve got a look on your face. Something happen?”

“Huh? No, just… thinking.”

“C’mon, now I’m curious. Spill it. Is it about Karen-chan?”

“No, nothing like that. It’s not even a serious topic, really.”

“Then tell me. If it’s not serious, I can help you think it through.”

True, I wasn’t getting anywhere on my own. Maybe a second opinion would help.

“Ishida, what do you think the requirements for a ‘cute girl’ are?”

“Requirements for a cute girl?” Ishida repeated, looking puzzled.

“Yeah. I’ve been thinking about it since yesterday.”

“Hmm…” Ishida crossed his arms and went into deep thought.

“Well, definitely a ‘beautiful girl’ (bishojo). It’s best if she has adjectives like ‘school’s best’ or ‘everyone’s idol’ attached to her.”

…Beautiful girl everyone admires… that’s Toko-senpai.

“And she’s gotta have a big chest. Slender with a big bust—that’s just a killer combo.”

…Slender with a big bust. Definitely Toko-senpai.

“Also, the tsundere or kuudere vibe is hot, too.”

…Toko-senpai definitely fits the kuudere type. Though she’s light on the ‘dere’ part…

“Blonde hair and twin-tails are a total win.”

…Toko-senpai has long black hair, but she’d probably look great as a blonde. Twin-tails might be cute, too…

“A girl in a band is pretty cool, too.”

…Toko-senpai gives off a violin or saxophone vibe. Wait, a saxophone in a band works…

“Childhood friends or step-sisters—the situation really builds the hype, you know?”

…? Well, I guess that’s true… but the idea of Toko-senpai suddenly becoming my ‘step-sister’ would be incredible!

“Animal ears are great. Especially cat ears or fox ears.”

…?? Animal ears? Well, I bet Toko-senpai would look adorable in cat ears…

“Magical girls are hard to pass up, too. Especially in those revealing outfits.”

…??? Magical girls? Now we’re just talking about cosplay…

“Hey, Ishida. What the hell are you talking about?”

Ishida looked like he had just been yanked back from a dream into reality.

“Huh? The requirements for a ‘cute girl,’ right? In anime or manga.”

…I was an idiot to ask you.

I lightly pressed my hand to my forehead. Though, to be fair, I had been overlaying Toko-senpai onto his delusions too.

“Listen, if a real girl with animal ears or magical girl powers actually existed, could you even date her?”

“I’d date her in a heartbeat. My love knows no discrimination! Magical girl, beast-girl… it’s all okay with me!” Ishida declared with total confidence.

Fine, whatever. I’ll solve this problem on my own without relying on others. As I got up, I said one last thing.

“I’m not gonna knock your preferences, but you should probably drop the ‘little sister’ obsession. If your real sister, Meika-chan, finds out, she’s gonna be totally creeped out.”

Those kinds of delusions should be reserved for only children like me or guys with only brothers.

“Oh, speaking of which, Meika was worried about you, Yu.”

The topic changed abruptly. Right, he did say Meika-chan found out about the affair.

“I see. Tell her ‘I’m okay, thank you.’”

“Will do. But she’s been asking all sorts of things about you. It’s annoying.”

“She’s at that age where people get interested in that stuff, I guess.”

But Ishida shook his head.

“No, that’s probably not it. Meika has a thing for you, Yu. I can tell by the way she talks.”

I looked up, surprised. I thought he was joking again, but his face was dead serious. He continued:

“The vibe has been there for a while. She always puts effort into her appearance when she knows you’re coming over. She even cleans her room, which she never does. This whole incident just made it clear. She likes you.”

Getting hit with that from my best friend out of nowhere left me not knowing how to react. As I stammered, Ishida spoke up first.

“Of course, you don’t have time for Meika right now. First, you have to get revenge on Kamokura and Karen-chan. And at the ‘final moment,’ you’re supposed to spend the night with Toko-senpai, right? That’s all that matters.”

I nodded in silence.

But honestly… what percentage of that plan have I actually completed? I have zero confidence that I’ve made any progress at all.