Volume 4 Chapter 95: Shopping②

Why are women’s undergarments so expensive?

No, I’m sure there are cheaper options out there. But according to Fiona, it’s better to prioritize quality when it comes to undergarments. Well, since they come into direct contact with delicate areas, it’s probably best to opt for something high-quality. Still, it’s surprising that they can cost as much as regular clothes. Honestly, I was shocked.

As I inspected my significantly lighter wallet, I couldn’t help but reflect on this.

We had purchased clothes, shoes, accessories, and even sleepwear for Sierra, who had arrived in the Capital City of Elist with only the clothes on her back, along with Tesea. Including a dozen or so expensive pieces of lingerie, the expenditure was already considerable. Apparently, larger sizes make undergarments even pricier, so Tesea’s items ended up costing more than Sierra’s.

Wanting to avoid buying only the bare minimum necessities, we kept adding more and more items to the list. Before I knew it, the quantity and cost had grown significantly. It’s probably already more than the total number of clothes I own.

For now, we had arranged for everything to be delivered to White Road. Since we had purchased such a large amount, the shop offered free delivery. The shop assistants were all smiles, happy to oblige their esteemed customers.

Fiona had kindly offered, “Shall I chip in too?” But I didn’t feel it was right to accept. Besides, for some reason, she added, “It’s for my little sisters, after all,” which made me feel even more compelled to decline.

Thankfully, the reward I received from Elle for the Spirit Wind mission was substantial, and my salary had come in right after that. So, while this was more than I had anticipated spending, I wasn’t strapped for cash. As long as I remain employed at a job that provides meals and a bed, running out of money won’t leave me destitute.

…Wait a second. Am I in a pretty privileged position job-wise? No, no, that can’t be. What am I even thinking?

The work itself is terrible, and, more importantly, dealing with the Manager is grueling. If the perks weren’t good, there’s no way I could keep doing this job.

Speaking of the Manager, should I be saving some money for that so-called “date”? Nah, it’s probably fine. It’ll just end up being another mock battle or monster hunt. I doubt I’ll need any money for that.

While mulling over these thoughts, I sat on a chair by the wall, watching the three women currently selecting cosmetics.

After the commotion at the lingerie store, Elle and Sophie were forcibly dragged away by Mina, leaving just the four of us again.

As for the topic of “big versus small,” I eventually gave up and said I liked both. I could hear murmurs from the surrounding female customers—“He ran away,” “He totally dodged it,” “What a coward”—and I think I even caught a few contemptuous looks. But I didn’t care anymore. I just wanted the conversation to end. Pride means nothing to me.

For some reason, Elle gave me a sultry smile and said, “You’re such a pervert.” That one didn’t sit well with me. I’m just a normal, healthy guy. Besides, if I’m the pervert here, what does that make Elle?

I considered saying this out loud but decided against it.

After leaving the lingerie store, our next stop was a cosmetics shop. Like before, it was one of Fiona’s recommended places, and, like before, I had no clue what was what. Honestly, I wasn’t sure if my presence was even necessary at this point. Maybe Fiona could just handle this on her own.

Still, Tesea and Sierra seemed to be having fun, and even though I was basically just a decorative fixture at these stores, I didn’t mind it. It was enjoyable in its own way.

The shop was dazzling yet maintained a calm, elegant atmosphere. Shelves and display cases lined the interior, showcasing a variety of cosmetics, most of which I had no idea how to use. The place exuded a sense of luxury. And apparently, cosmetics are indeed expensive. According to Fiona, cheap products won’t do. They can cause skin issues, and even if they don’t, the effects show up ten or twenty years later.

Hearing this, I thought to myself, Wow, she really thinks ahead, when she suddenly smiled and said, “It’s for your sake, Senpai.” I hadn’t even said anything out loud. When did she learn to read minds?

Also… does this mean Fiona intends to stay by my side ten or twenty years from now? I feel the weight of responsibility charging at me like a freight train. I think I’m doomed.

“…Brother.”

“Hm?”

As I tried to escape reality by staring absentmindedly at a white bottle in the most luxurious display case, Sierra called out to me.

I turned my gaze to her—

“Wow, you’re adorable.”

The words slipped out of my mouth before I could stop them.

Apparently, at some point, Sierra had gotten her makeup done. Her cuteness had been taken to a whole new level.

I had underestimated the power of makeup.

Even without it, Sierra was already an embodiment of cuteness. In fact, I thought Fiona, Tesea, and Sierra didn’t even need makeup.

But seeing it in action… it’s incredible.

It wasn’t heavy makeup, just a subtle touch to enhance her natural beauty. At least, I think so. I’m no expert.

But she’s adorable. She was always adorable, but now she’s even more so. Her usual stoic expression somehow looks softer, warmer.

What is this precious creature? Is she an angel?

“…Wanna kiss?”

Looking very pleased with herself, Sierra reached out both hands toward me and said that.

Ugh, that’s hard to resist.

If we were in a private space, I’d hug her and ruffle her hair immediately.

“…But make it a deep one.”

Okay, no deep kisses. Actually, let’s not do this at all.

“Now, now, Sierra-san. That’s not allowed.”

Standing right behind her with a smile was none other than Fiona.

I felt uneasy.

“You’re supposed to be his sister, aren’t you?”

“…Tch.”

Hey, hey.

You’re the cutest you’ve ever been right now, so don’t go clicking your tongue like that with such disdain.

As always, Sierra doesn’t seem to like Fiona. Just when I think they’re getting along, the air turns sour again.

“Is there a problem? Do you have something to complain about?”

Ever since Fiona found out that Sierra and I aren’t actually blood-related, she’s been shockingly harsh.

What’s going on here? Why is she so different with Tesea? It’s scary.

“…I wish you’d just die.”

“You’re really not cute, are you?”

Scary.

Save me, Tesea.

“Look, Noil! Pfft! Look at me! This is what happened!”

Whether my plea reached her or not, my other “sister” came running over with a huge grin on her face. Her face was covered in a wildly eccentric makeup job. It looked like one of the Manager’s horribly drawn pictures.

“Pfft, at first I thought I’d try doing it myself… Pfft! And then, pfft, I messed up!”

Wow, she’s adorable.

What is this ridiculously cute creature?

Apparently, Tesea had tried applying makeup on her own. That curiosity of hers is really something to admire.

However, as one might expect from someone without experience, she’d failed spectacularly. Judging by the way it turned out, I suspect she started to have fun halfway through and intentionally went over the top. There’s no way it could look that bad otherwise—it’s basically as bad as the Manager’s drawings.

Even so, the now incredibly creepy-looking Tesea was smiling so brightly and innocently that she was undeniably adorable.

What is this angelic being?

An angel descending into this tense and hostile atmosphere?

Putting on a cool smile, I stood up and gently placed a hand on Tesea’s head, radiating affection.

“Stay just as you are.”

“Um, I think I’d like to wipe this off though…”

No, I wasn’t talking about the makeup.

Tesea gave me a troubled look with her bizarrely painted face in response to my words.

◇

After Tesea wiped off her eccentric makeup, the three women resumed meticulously selecting cosmetics. Fiona and Sierra were still at odds, but as long as Tesea was there to mediate, it should be fine.

Once again left with nothing to do, I wandered back to the display case with the white bottles I’d been looking at earlier.

“This… could it be…”

Could this be… slime essence?

The one making waves lately? The one all women supposedly want?

I glanced at the label to confirm, and sure enough, I was right.

No way… this is slime?

The elegant little bottles were filled with a milky, beautiful liquid, exuding sophistication. There was no trace of that slimy, gross, jelly-like bodily fluid that could turn anyone’s stomach.

I see now. I used to think that women who used slime essence were out of their minds, but if it’s like this, I can understand why there’d be no resistance to applying it to your skin.

It seems that with enough refining, slime can be transformed to this extent…

“Hmm…”

This might actually be a good idea.

I’d been debating what to do as a thank-you gift for everyone, and maybe slime essence would be perfect.

It’s said that all women love it, and for me, this seems like an unusually clever idea.

As for Letto-kun, Kreis-san, and Master, when we drank at Lion’s Den, they told me that I didn’t need to thank them since I was just doing what anyone would. We’d shared heartfelt hugs while thoroughly drunk, so there’s no need to do anything more for them. Friendship is a wonderful thing.

The issue was figuring out how to thank the women, but now I’ve stumbled upon something fantastic.

Yes, this will do. Let’s go with this.

Perhaps because I’d spent the day shopping with women, my thought process had started to lean toward their perspective. I was about to call over a shop assistant when—

“Oh…”

I stopped myself.

Slime essence is undoubtedly an amazing product. Probably.

It’s amazing, but it might not be something Noel would want to see.

Though she seems to have overcome her father’s death, she might still have an aversion to anything related to slimes.

If I were to give her this, it could upset her and cause unnecessary pain.

That’s… not good.

“Maybe I should check…”

I turned to the three women who were selecting cosmetics and told them I’d step out for a moment. They all tried to follow me, but I reassured them that I’d be back soon, and left the store on my own.

“Noel, can I ask you something…?”

“What is it?”

I approached Noel, who had been pacing back and forth on the street. She tilted her head with her usual smile, but something felt off.

Why has she been keeping a fixed distance from me and following me this whole time? Is this some sort of game? Like a stalking pretend-play?

Glancing casually down the street, I spotted the Manager near an ice cream stand, her eyes sparkling with fascination. It seemed like she was intrigued by the stretchy ice cream. She was probably saying something like, “Ohooo!”

Well, having her nearby worked out conveniently for me.

I turned back to Noel, who, for some reason, had started fixing the wrinkles in my clothes, and asked her a question.

“What do you think about slime essence…?”

Perhaps just bringing up the topic would upset her, I thought belatedly after the words left my mouth.

However—

“Hm, are you planning to give it to someone?”

Noel, still straightening my clothes as if nothing was amiss, asked with a casual tone.

Relieved that she didn’t seem bothered, I felt a little more at ease.

“Yeah, actually…”

“—Who?”

Did the temperature just drop?

The street was just as crowded as before, yet the moment Noel asked that question, it felt like the air around us grew eerily silent.

Her face was lowered, hiding her expression. But the way she tightly gripped my clothes, her knuckles white, was unnerving.

“Well? Who?”

For some reason, a chill ran down my spine at her words.

“Milis? Is it for Milis? She doesn’t need something like that, you know? Milis is already beautiful without it. So, you don’t have to give it to her. Right? Let’s not.”

“N-No…”

What is happening right now?

Did I do something wrong?

Was slime essence a bad idea after all?

Swallowing hard, I forced myself to continue speaking.

“N-Noel, it’s for… you…”

“Really!? I’m so happy!!”

Suddenly, Noel looked up, her face lighting up with an overjoyed smile.

I was confused.

“Y-Yeah… and also…”

“…And also?”

Why did her expression vanish so completely, so quickly?

It’s terrifying. What is this?

“…For everyone… as well… yes.”

“…Why?”

“Well, um, as a thank-you gift… that’s all…”

“…Oh, I see!”

After staring at me intently, Noel smiled brightly again.

I felt all the strength leave my body.

I couldn’t help but feel like I’d just dodged a bullet.

No, it’s not like Noel is a dangerous person. I’m just imagining things. But for a moment, I genuinely felt like my life was in danger.

“I think that’s a nice idea. A thank-you gift isn’t necessary, but I’m sure everyone will be happy. And it’s something you want to do, right?”

Noel resumed fixing my clothes, even though she was the one who’d wrinkled them earlier by gripping them so tightly. I wasn’t foolish enough to point that out, though.

“Ah, yeah…”

“But, why did you feel the need to check with me? Oh, wait… were you being considerate of me?”

“Ah, yeah…”

When I nodded, Noel lifted her head and gave me a soft, melting smile.

“You were thinking about me.”

“Ah, yeah…”

“Thank you. That makes me really happy. I mean, really happy…”

“Ah, yeah…”

“It’s okay, you know? You saved me, didn’t you? That’s why I’m fine now.”

After finishing straightening my clothes, Noel gave a final pat, brushing off imaginary dust.

“There, all set.”

“Ah, yeah…”

For some reason, I couldn’t bring myself to meet Noel’s eyes, so I glanced over at the Manager, who was happily eating the stretchy ice cream while tilting her head.

It seemed the taste wasn’t as good as she’d hoped.

She really is carefree.

Alright, I feel like I’ve calmed down a bit.

“—You’re not looking at me; you’re looking at Milis, aren’t you?”

“Yes, I’m so sorry.”

But Noel’s icy tone, so different from her smiling face, made me bow my head in apology immediately.