SxD: Attempt #2: The Outfit Change

Weiss Schnee didn’t usually fuss with her appearance. She had a routine. Hair up in its signature ponytail, uniform crisp, expression compos

Weiss Schnee didn’t usually fuss with her appearance.

She had a routine. Hair up in its signature ponytail, uniform crisp, expression composed. That was enough. It always had been enough.

But ever since she acknowledged her growing feelings for a certain boy.

She started changing. A glance held too long. A laugh that came a little too easily. The way her heart skipped when a certain spiky-haired idiot smiled.

She didn’t want to call it anything.

But she also didn’t want to ignore it.

Ruby, of all people, had once casually said while helping sort outfits, “You know, Issei definitely notices when a girl changes clothes. He told me my new jacket made me look ‘badass.’”

And then Yang had chimed in, half-lounging upside down on the bed. “Yeah, he's got a type. Pretty sure it's when the girl wears revealing clothes . Maybe tight outfits, too.”

Weiss had scoffed at the time. As if I care what that dolt notices.

But it stuck. Like a thorn in her side. An annoying, fluttery little thorn that wormed its way into her thoughts whenever she opened her wardrobe.

So for the next team outing with friends—a simple trip into Vale for shopping and smoothies—she “just happened” to try something a little different.

A fitted white top that shimmered subtly when it caught the light, the material clinging elegantly to her form without crossing into scandalous. A pale blue crystal on a silver chain that rested delicately above her collarbone. Light makeup. A faint shimmer on her eyelids. Glossed lips. Not too bold. Not too obvious.

Just… noticeable.

‘Confident. Cool. Showing her legs,’ She thought dryly. ‘Let’s see what that gets me.’

She was the first to arrive at the common area where everyone was supposed to meet, and she stood tall by the window, pretending to scroll through her Scroll while watching the sun reflect off the glass. Casual. Elegant.

Jaune was the first to walk in. He stopped dead in his tracks.

“Whoa.”

Weiss arched a brow at him. “Don’t say it.”

He closed his mouth, then sheepishly scratched his head. “Right. Sorry. Just… wow.”

She nodded, satisfied. “Thank you.”

And then…

He arrived.

Issei Hyoudou. Five minutes late, slightly out of breath, as usual. Rubbing the back of his neck, shirt slightly rumpled, hair perfectly tousled in that chaotic way of his.

Weiss glanced up at him from beneath her lashes and found his gaze locked on her.

His eyes widened a little.

He blinked.

Then he smiled, warm and genuine. “Whoa, Weiss. You look really nice today.”

Her heart fluttered. Literally fluttered. She tried to maintain her cool, let a small, appreciative smile curve her lips—

Then he said: “Is it some fancy Schnee event or something?”

What.

She blinked, lips parting in surprise. “No, I… I just felt like trying something new.”

She cursed the slight waver in her voice, the heat rising in her cheeks. It wasn’t that obvious, was it?

Issei nodded thoughtfully, as if genuinely pondering her outfit like it was some kind of battlefield strategy. “Nice. Trying to impress someone?”

Weiss froze. ‘Yes! You! You absolute dense, oblivious, infuriating—!’

But of course, she didn’t say that. She never said that. Instead, she forced a small smirk onto her face, cocked a hip just slightly, and said in a smooth voice:

“I suppose you could say that.”

It hung in the air for a beat. Charged. Meaningful.

And then he leaned in slightly, voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “If it’s Neptune, you could do better.”

The world stopped.

Her brain went white with static.

She nearly screamed.

There were a thousand replies dancing on the tip of her tongue. Some eloquent. Some scathing. Some that involved smacking him with her purse. But instead, she smiled sweetly, dangerously, and said:

“Oh, I already am.”

Issei blinked at that, then grinned as if she'd just agreed with him. “Yeah, that’s the spirit! Honestly, you and Neptune don’t even vibe. He’s too… much of a douche for you.”

Weiss made a sound halfway between a laugh and a strangled sigh.

Behind them, Yang had entered just in time to catch the exchange. She watched with wide, gleeful eyes and an expression that said oh my Dust, I’m telling Blake everything.

Weiss turned away quickly, striding toward the door. “Let’s just go,” she said over her shoulder, coolly. “Before I do something I’ll regret.”

Issei scrambled to follow. “Like blow up another fountain?”

“That was one time!”

Still, as they walked into Vale together, her heart betrayed her.

Fluttering again. Stupidly. Irrationally.

Because he did notice. Just not the way she wanted. Yet.