閑暇な午後
A Leisurely Afternoon


Uzuki: Well then, will you try changing into your snug outfit, Kei-san?

Kei: Eh?

Uzuki: You know. Sakuya-san brought a yukata for you. Would you like to change into it?

Kei: Well, that would be......

I'll admit, if you compare it to the usual mini-skirt, or the completely relaxed pajama yukata, a yukata with the obi (TN: kimono sash) pulled tight seems like it would tighten my nerves, too.
However.

Kei: While I do want to try it on......

I may love period dramas, but I've never been blessed with an opportunity to dress in anything better than the yukata included with this room.
I make decisive eye contact, with the message, "please understand."

Uzuki: ......Ahh, I see.

Operation "Eye Contact," success. I am relieved, though only for a moment.

Uzuki: In that case, Kei-san, will you take your clothes off?

Sakuya: Whew~♪!

Kei: Ah, well, that is......

Uzuki: I'll put it on for you.

Kei: You mean, you will?

Uzuki: I'm used to traditional clothes, after all. Ah, right, you would do well to remember this, Kei-san.

Uzuki: If we practice a few times, you can probably learn to dress by yourself.

Kei: Umm, that, well, in that case......

Kei: Please help me put it on.

Closing the paper door as a replacement curtain, I shut the lock. For the time being, the changing environment is ready.

Sakuya: Way to go, Kei! Hurry and take it all off!

Kei: ......Sakuya-san, can I have you leave?

If there is a problem with said environment, it would be this person's existence inside it.

Sakuya: After chasing out your guardian, what exactly do you two plan to do?

Kei: We won't do anything. She's just going to help me put on the yukata.

Sakuya: By grabbing your arms and legs?

Since she's helping me, I can't really guarantee it won't wind up like that...

Kei: Uuu......

Uzuki: ......Kei-san, reacting to everything she says is just going to make her happier.

Kei: Yeah. I know that much, but...

Uzuki: Your body is quite beautiful enough, so there's no need to hesitate. Just undress. There's no reason to be embarrassed.

Kei: ............

Sakuya: That's right. No reason to fret, so don't be a cheapskate. Just take it all off.

Kei: Uuu, don't stare at me like that......

Kei: Ah, is it true that you don't wear underwear when you put on a kimono?

Uzuki: There's no rule in particular, but when you're wearing support, your breasts tend to climb over the sash, so it's better to take them off.

Kei: So it's bad for them to be higher?

Sakuya: I have to bind mine to push them down. These things really are a pain.

Kei: Uuu, so is that another of your "stiff shoulders" bragging stories?

Uzuki: Sakuya-san, did you bring a hadajuban? (TN: Traditional loincloth-like garment.)

Sakuya: Ahh, I forgot.

And so, after improvising by wrapping a towel around the waist...

Uzuki: Ahh, Kei-san, can you face this way for a moment?

Kei: L-like this?

Uzuki: Look, the collar's a bit uneven. Much like the phrase, "straighten your collar," keeping the collar level is one of the basics for wearing it cleanly. (TN: "Eri wo tadasu" - literally "straighten the collar," it's basically a verbal equivalent of "straight-laced".)

As she speaks, Uzuki-san inserts her hand and straightens the collar.

Uzuki: Also, spreading your arms to the side makes the length of the sleeves on both sides equal, so you can set the back correctly.

Kei: Ah, okay.

Uzuki: Once you've done that, you take your fingers to the neck, and---

Kei: It's done!

Sakuya: Oh... very cute, very cute.

Uzuki: Yeah, it looks good on you, Kei-san.

Kei: Ehehe... but the sash is a little difficult, huh. I probably can't put it on myself, yet.

Uzuki: It's only a matter of training.

Sakuya: ......So, you're changing back to the normal outfit already?

When I tried to sit without disturbing the hem, I wound up in the seiza position no matter what, so living the yukata lifestyle in a tatami-floored room is a bit tough for me.

Kei: Festivals and outings are one thing--- ah, two days. In two days, there's a festival, so I'll keep wearing it then.

Sakuya: Even if you say that... there isn't much point if you're just cooped up in your room during the festival, dontcha think?

Like she says, as long as the oni problem remains unresolved, I can't really walk around carelessly. I guess it can't be helped in a situation like that.

Kei: ......Uzuki-san, please take me to the festival.

I pull on her sleeve like a child as I make my request.

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