After running that lap with Ramonu-san, Kagura returned to her room to change clothes. Ramonu-san still had training plans for the morning, so Kagura decided not to disturb her.
After breakfast, Kagura tidied up her luggage a bit, since tomorrow she'd be leaving with Speed-sama for the shrine visit. Once back, she probably wouldn't be returning directly to the Mejiro Estate, so it was best not to leave things until the last minute.
"Speaking of which… Dober asked me to model for her yesterday..."
Sorting through her luggage, Kagura suddenly remembered Dober's very earnest request from yesterday when she saw the maid outfit she'd brought along. Picking up the uniform, she smiled.
"Mhm…this should do."
She glanced at herself in the full-length mirror, pleased with the image. Suddenly she felt like she was cosplaying for friends again—something her old roommate often did.
After changing, Kagura went to Mejiro Dober's room. She could hear music inside, so knowing Dober was definitely there, she gently knocked on the door.
"Dober~ I'm here~"
"Ah—! Ka-Kagura-oneesan! Come in!"
Dober's flustered voice came from inside the room.
Opening the door, Kagura saw Dober halfway inside her closet, rummaging for something. Only her rear end stuck out, giving Kagura the sudden impulse to go over and give it a playful smack.
"Kagura-oneesan, you can sit over there first! I'll be done soon!"
"Hehe, Dober—be careful making that kind of pose while wearing a skirt, or you'll end up showing something you shouldn't."
Gently reminding her of manners, Kagura offered the advice out of genuine kindness.
"Ehh!?"
THUD!!
Startled, Dober jumped sharply, banging her head loudly against the top of the closet.
Kagura immediately rushed over to check on her. Dober backed out of the closet, clutching her head while awkwardly waving Kagura away with her other hand, hastily pressing down the hem of her skirt.
"Are you okay, Dober?"
"I…I'm fine…not that bad."
Kagura gently rubbed the bumped area—it didn't seem to be serious.
"By the way, what were you looking for so intently?"
"Well... there's something I really hope Kagura-oneesan will wear!"
Looking at the bundle of white fabric Dober retrieved from her closet, Kagura blinked in confusion from her spot on the bed.
It wasn't something particularly unusual—just a pair of white thigh-high stockings. In Japan, this wasn't exactly rare; Kagura herself had worn similar things before. They were thin, though definitely not everyday attire. Outside of cosplay, who would casually wear stockings like this outside?
At least Kagura couldn't think of a regular reason for doing so.
"Uh, Dober... just curious, but why exactly do you want me to wear these?"
"Because I want to learn how to draw girls' legs properly… I've seen plenty of art online, but I always feel that to draw something realistically, I have to see it firsthand. Since I can't use myself as reference, and my sisters always refuse my requests… please, Kagura-oneesan! Just for a bit! Only a moment!"
"I see…"
Thinking it over briefly—since it was for improving Dober's drawing skills, and it was just the two of them here—Kagura didn't think too much about it and nodded her agreement.
Just as Kagura started to rise from the bed to take the stockings, a blushing Dober quickly shook her head, urging her back down.
"Um… Kagura-oneesan, you don't need to get up. I'll help you put them on!"
"Ah, you don't have to trouble yourself, Dober. I can do it myself…"
"No, no, no! I'm the one asking you to wear them—how could I possibly trouble you further? It'll only take a second!"
Though Kagura couldn't fathom the logic in Dober's strange little head, she figured letting the girl do it wouldn't hurt, so she finally nodded again.
Dober knelt down in front of Kagura, who was sitting on the edge of the bed. When she looked at Kagura's pale, delicate feet, she froze briefly before softly speaking:
"Kagura-oneesan, could you raise your foot just a bit?"
Kagura nodded, slightly lifting her leg. Dober gently held Kagura's small foot, momentarily overcome by the soft, smooth texture beneath her fingers. She had a fleeting urge to squeeze but quickly suppressed it, knowing it would be rude to Kagura.
Carefully slipping the stocking onto Kagura's foot and slowly pulling it upward, Dober stared intently. This was the first time she'd seen real legs outside other artists' drawings. She could tell immediately—apart from her chest size, Kagura's figure was practically perfect for their age. The sheer stockings hugged Kagura's skin, lightly revealing its delicate color, leaving Dober momentarily dazed.
"Kagura-oneesan's figure…is really amazing. Do you consciously maintain it?"
"Nope~ Just avoid overeating, sleep on time, and exercise normally, and you'll naturally keep a good figure."
"I'm so jealous…"
Finished with the stockings and hearing Kagura's answer, Dober looked down gloomily at her own short, petite body. Comparing herself to her older sisters, each adorable in their own right, she couldn't help but sigh enviously.
Seeing Dober's discouraged look, Kagura smiled warmly, reaching out to softly ruffle the girl's hair.
"What's there to be jealous of? Who knows—once you mature, your figure might become wonderful too~"
"But Kagura-oneesan's figure is already so perfect… After maturation, you'll absolutely become a beauty, won't you…? Someone like me…isn't cute at all… totally hopeless…"
"Hehe, no one can say for sure what'll happen after honkaku. Have a bit more confidence~"
Standing up with the stockings now on, Kagura watched as Dober quickly grabbed her digital tablet, stylus, and camera phone from the desk.
Kagura stepped away a bit, straightened herself, and stood at attention.
"To draw me, is there a particular pose you want me to take?"
"Um… Kagura-oneesan, could you sit on the chair over there, lift your legs slightly...? Ah, no need to put shoes on—just raise your feet a bit. Maybe cross your legs or something…"
"Um, Dober… The drawing you're making—it's proper, right?"
Though Kagura always wore safety shorts beneath her maid outfit during chores, and nothing improper would be revealed by simply lifting her legs, something about this pose still felt oddly suspicious. Was Dober planning something indecent?
If Dober truly was sketching something inappropriate, then as her senior, Kagura felt obligated to correct the girl immediately.
"I'm absolutely not drawing anything weird… If you don't trust me, Kagura-oneesan, just come a bit closer—I'll draw your feet directly from here…"
Seeing Kagura's suspicious gaze, Dober helplessly explained with a bitter smile. She was fully aware that her request was very improper and had worried greatly whether Kagura would refuse. But Kagura had been extremely tolerant towards her; after all, no other girl had ever agreed to her requests—not even Bright or her sisters.
Holding the pose made Kagura herself feel slightly embarrassed, but thankfully Dober didn't take too long. After only about seven or eight minutes, Dober set down her tablet with an expression of visible relief, picked up her large sketchbook and pencil, and relaxed noticeably.
"Thank you, Kagura-oneesan! Next… could you go stand by the window, sit in the chair there, place that book open on your lap, and then look out the window? Um, this pose might take a bit longer…is that okay?"
"Of course~"