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Ask him directly
[player]Is something bothering you?
I approach him and sit on the chair opposite him. The slight sound of the moving chair startles Ichinose Sora who is zoning out.
[Sora Ichinose]Um, PLAYER, when did you get here?
[player]Just now. It isn't very busy right now. I see that you're zoning out over here and haven't touched your food. Do you not like it?
[Sora Ichinose]No, it's very tasty, just... It's not the food...
[player]So... there's something on your mind? If you don't mind, you can tell me. Maybe I can help you.
[Sora Ichinose]... PLAYER, which do you prefer, mages, vampires, or zombies?
[player]Eh?!
The question that came out of the blue stuns me momentarily because I don't understand how it is related to Sora's troubles. I look suspiciously at the magazine on the table. Could this be the reason why he is acting strangely?
[Sora Ichinose]*Coughs*... Sorry, I should explain properly. What I mean is... which of these three characters would you rather give candy to if they came to your door during Halloween?
[player]During Halloween... Let me see...
[player]A romantic vampire will definitely catch my attention, but an elegant mage seems good too... Wait, I can't forget about the adorable little zombie...
[Sora Ichinose]Another tie...
Sora lowers his head again and starts to play with the Rubik's Cube again. It seems that my answer wasn't very helpful.
[player]So you're troubled because you don't know what costume to wear for Halloween?
[Sora Ichinose]Yea... My school is running a Halloween fashion show this year. All students of Aotsuyu Middle School can participate in it, and they can even invite their friends and family to join too. I heard the winner will get a special prize.
[Sora Ichinose]I asked my doctor about it, and he said it's perfectly fine for me to participate in the fashion show based on my recent physical condition.
Sora needs to consult a doctor just to participate in a fashion show. It seems that his body is weaker than I thought.
[player]Most importantly, you want the special prize. That's the real reason you want to participate in the event, right?
[Sora Ichinose]According to my calculations, the probability that the prize is a newly released sci-fi commemorative book set is as high as 72%. I can't deny that this is a tempting reward for me.
[player]You can even predict what prize will be given with your calculations...? Does that mean you asked me which costume is more popular for data?
[Sora Ichinose]You saw through me! Like you said, data indicates that these are the three most popular Halloween costumes.
[player]As I expected... But since an opportunity like this doesn't come around often, won't you consider cosplaying as a character you like instead?
[Sora Ichinose]Hmm...
Sora seems to think of something. His eyebrows, which had just begun to relax, bunch up again, and he twists the Rubik's Cube several times in the blink of an eye. I start to wonder if I said something inappropriate.
[Sora Ichinose]Although I've heard people say that you will be able to make the character more charming if you cosplay as a character you like, I think this is an overreliance on willpower which will prove to be fickle, whereas the data never lies... *Coughs*
[player]Okay... What is your decision then?
[Sora Ichinose]Each of these three options has a 33% chance to win. I can't decide.
[player]Since the theory is correct, the only thing left is to put it into practice. It's not really realistic to determine the most suitable costume for you by sitting in a cafe and relying on your imagination.
[player]Even three pieces of clothing of the same style can look different on you. Since you're buying clothes, you should go to a clothing store to try them on.
[Sora Ichinose]Buy my sister has gone to another city and won't return until at least next Monday.
[player]That's easy. I'll come with you.
No matter how mature he usually looks, Sora is still a thirteen-year-old child. The flashes of dependency he inadvertently reveals make me want to help him as much as possible.
[Sora Ichinose]Huh? What about your work at the café...? Are you sure it's okay?
[player]Tomorrow happens to be my day off, and I think going shopping with you will be a good way to relax.
[Sora Ichinose]I-It's settled then! Let's meet at this shop tomorrow. Reina recommended this shop, so I think I'll be able to find something suitable there.
[player]Sure, I'll see you there!
After watching Sora leave Éternité in high spirits, I look at the address in my hand...
[player]A costume store called... Ghouls and Ghasts?
What a strange name. Why do I have a bad feeling about this...
[player]No. 232, No. 233, No. 23... Sora! I found it! This is the shop!
The shop Reina recommended is located at the end of the commercial strip, and its dark decoration makes it inconspicuous among the colorful clothing stores there. There is also no signboard with the shop's name or logo at the door. All it has is an ordinary blackboard with the words "Open" written on it.
[Sora Ichinose]... It doesn't even have a sign. No wonder the GPS couldn't guide us here correctly.
Sora and I push open the shop's extremely ancient-looking front door.
[???]*Cackles* Lost lambs, welcome to the home of demons!
We're greeted by a strange sound that sounds like fingernails scratching a blackboard, accompanied by the sound of banging. Suddenly, a finger that is obviously cooler than the normal body temperature of a human slides across my wrist.
I turn my neck rigidly to find myself face to face with a blue fluorescent "ghost."