This is one of those days on which I receive both good news and bad news, one after the other, after midnight.
The good news is that although I still haven't figured out what's going on with Ciri, at least I no longer need to worry about oversleeping as I won't need to get up at 6 a.m. in the morning for a while.
The bad news is that I couldn't sleep. Whenever I think about the huge task ahead of me when I meet one of the legendary Four Greats today, I just can't seem to fall asleep.
In the end, I spent half the night on CatChat and ended up reading about the Asaha High School pool party extensively, finding out 80% of what happened there. When I accidentally liked one of the selfies while swiping the screen, I learned the remaining 20% from Nana Shiraishi, who was also staying up late.
Human beings have many chances to share their joys and sorrows with each other. I can only say that I've worn myself out for Soul and Strix...
But I can't help it since I'm a kind and upright person who would do anything for my friends.
Time always passes quickly at night. When the first ray of dawn shines into my room through cracks in the loosely drawn curtains, I finally feel ready to fall asleep.
My phone slips out of my hand while I'm drifting off, and its solid screen smacks me hard in the face. After that, it starts vibrating as if some strange switch has been turned on.
I pick it up quickly and look at the screen. Fortunately, there are only two text messages.
Noah
[Noah](Text message) Don't forget that you're having afternoon tea with Kurone Toujou today.
[Noah](Text message) I'll come over in 26 minutes to pick you up for styling.
player
[player](Text Message) Styling?
Is she saying what I think she's saying? Noah's words wake me up instantly like a bucket of cold water has been poured over my head.
[Noah](Text message) I'll take you to pick a set of suitable clothes, then you'll need some decent makeup.
[player](Text Message) Wouldn't that be too over the top? After all, this is afternoon tea we're talking about here--the type that ends in two to three hours.
[Noah](Text message) You've already spent a fortune buying those cut flowers. You'll look really suspicious if you're not dressed appropriately.
[Noah](Text message) Strix owns a clothing business. We can go there to get you a whole set of clothes.
[player](Text Message) Your words are making me nervous. I feel like I'm attending a business gala now.
[Noah](Text message) Just so you know, I'll be at your place in 21 minutes. You should have enough time to wash up if you get out of bed now.
[player](Text Message) I'm not awake yet!
[Noah](Text message) 20 minutes.
My experience tells me that the wise thing to do is to get up now...
Noah's time management skills are simply insane. She'll definitely arrive on time. Among all the people I know, the only other person who is capable of doing this is that emotionless work machine Osamu Saitou.
The moment we meet, Noah drags me outside efficiently and stuffs me into the familiar-looking red car that disappeared quickly from my sight like a bolt of lightning yesterday.
The car drives to a low-key but luxurious clothing store. When I look up at the entrance, I can see the name of the store, Chaque Jour, spelled out in huge, sleek gold letters on a black background on its door, which is decorated with hollow carvings.
It turns out that this clothing store, which has appeared in major fashion magazines recently, is actually owned by Strix?! Suddenly, I find it extremely difficult to associate the information dealer with fashion.
Probably because my doubts are in plain sight on my face, Noah actively starts explaining.
[Noah](Text message) Do you feel that this place doesn't match the image of the boss and Strix?
[Noah](Text message) Actually, you can trust the taste of information dealers. The selection in this store and their designs are the result of the hard work of some Strix members who visited more than 20 countries over 15 months and compared tens of thousands of sets of data.
[Noah](Text message) The clothes sold in Chaque Jour will lead fashion trends for the next five years at least.
The data is very convincing, and I suddenly feel like I understand.
We are greeted by two young female shop assistants after we enter the store. Without asking too many questions, they take us to the dressing room in a corner on the second floor where three sets of outfits are neatly hung.
[Noah](Text message) They have been told the situation before we arrived. They prepared these clothes for you, so pick one of them.
I look at the three sets of clothing with completely different styles in front of me. It's time to make another decision that will decide my destiny...
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