Stitches Between Us

Chapter 2: The First Measurement

The next morning, Ren arrived at school earlier than usual.

He had barely slept.

Not because of homework.

Not because of an upcoming test.

Because of a costume.

Mika Hanazawa's costume.

Ren sat at his desk with a notebook open in front of him. Several pages were filled with rough drawings, measurements, fabric calculations, and notes.

He had spent most of the night studying the costume design Mika had shown him.

There was one problem.

He had no idea what her measurements were.

Ren stared at the page.

"Chest... waist... shoulder width... arm length..."

His face slowly turned red.

There was absolutely no way he was going to ask her for those measurements.

Not directly.

"Why are you staring at that notebook like it's going to attack you?"

Ren nearly jumped out of his chair.

Mika was standing beside his desk.

"You're early," he said.

"So are you."

She dropped her bag onto the chair and leaned over his desk.

"What are you working on?"

Ren quickly closed the notebook.

"Nothing."

Mika narrowed her eyes.

"You've said that word a lot."

"It's private."

"Is it my costume?"

Ren remained silent.

Mika's eyes widened.

"It is!"

"Keep your voice down."

She pulled a chair beside him.

"Show me!"

Ren reluctantly opened the notebook.

Mika stared at the sketches.

For the first time since Ren had met her, she didn't say anything.

The drawings weren't professional.

But they were incredibly detailed.

He had redesigned parts of the costume so it would be easier to wear. He had even calculated how much fabric would be required.

Mika slowly smiled.

"You did all this last night?"

"Most of it."

"Why?"

Ren shrugged.

"I wanted to make sure it would work."

She looked at him.

"You're taking this seriously."

"Of course."

"Why?"

Ren paused.

That was a difficult question.

He looked down at his hands.

"I don't know."

Mika smiled.

"That's cute."

Ren's face immediately became warm.

"What's cute?"

"You."

"I'm not cute."

"You definitely are."

"I'm leaving."

Mika laughed.

"Okay, okay!"

She grabbed his sleeve before he could stand.

"Wait."

Ren looked at her hand.

Then at her face.

Mika suddenly seemed to realize what she was doing and released him.

"Sorry."

"It's fine."

For a moment, neither spoke.

Then Mika pulled out her phone.

"Anyway, we need to get your measurements too."

"My measurements?"

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"Because you're making the costume."

Ren stared at her.

"Why would you need my measurements?"

Mika smiled mischievously.

"You don't think I'm going to let you make my costume without helping, do you?"

Ren sighed.

"I suppose not."

"Good."

She stood up.

"After school?"

"After school."

"Perfect!"

She smiled and walked away.

Ren watched her leave.

Something about her made the quiet world he had built around himself feel slightly less quiet.

---

After school, they met outside the school gates.

Mika was already waiting.

She wore her usual school uniform, but she had tied her hair differently.

Ren noticed.

Then immediately looked away.

"You came."

"I said I would."

"You're very serious about promises."

"Usually."

Mika smiled.

"Then let's go."

"Where?"

"My house."

Ren stopped walking.

"Your house?"

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"Because I have the fabric samples there."

Ren's brain suddenly stopped working.

He had never been to a girl's house before.

Mika noticed his expression.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"You look terrified."

"I'm not."

"You definitely are."

"I'm just surprised."

Mika laughed.

"Relax. We're working."

"Right."

"Just working."

"Yes."

She grinned.

"You're adorable when you're nervous."

"I'm not nervous."

"Sure."

They continued walking.

Neither noticed the small smile on Ren's face.

---

Mika's room was almost exactly what Ren expected.

Almost.

There were posters on the walls.

Cosplay magazines were stacked everywhere.

A mannequin stood in the corner wearing half-finished clothing.

Wigs hung from hooks.

Makeup was scattered across a desk.

Ren slowly turned in a circle.

"This is..."

"Messy?"

"Impressive."

Mika blinked.

"Really?"

Ren nodded.

"Everything has a purpose."

She smiled.

"You're the first person to say that."

Ren walked toward the mannequin.

He examined the costume carefully.

"You made this?"

"Part of it."

"It's good."

"You're surprised?"

"No."

"You hesitated."

"I was choosing my words."

Mika laughed.

Ren touched the fabric.

"This material won't work."

Her smile disappeared.

"Why?"

"It's too heavy."

He picked up the edge.

"If you're wearing this for several hours, it'll become uncomfortable."

Mika stared at him.

"You really know what you're doing."

Ren looked embarrassed.

"I've been sewing for years."

"Then..."

She smiled.

"Teach me."

Ren looked at her.

"You want to learn?"

"Of course."

"You don't have to."

"I know."

She sat beside him.

"But I want to."

Ren didn't know what to say.

So he simply picked up the measuring tape.

"Fine."

Mika stood.

Ren hesitated.

"First, we need your measurements."

"Okay."

He looked at the measuring tape.

Then at her.

"Don't move."

Mika smiled.

"Yes, sir."

Ren carefully measured her shoulders and arms.

Every time the tape came close, he became increasingly aware of how close they were standing.

Mika noticed.

She didn't say anything.

She simply smiled.

When they finished, Ren wrote everything down.

"Done."

"That wasn't so bad."

"For you."

"What does that mean?"

"Nothing."

Mika laughed.

Ren looked at his notebook.

The first step was complete.

But neither of them realized that something else had begun that afternoon.

Not the costume.

Not yet.

Something much harder to measure.

Something neither of them had a pattern for.

A feeling.

And unlike fabric...

There was no measuring tape for the heart.