Living Normally In An Abnormal World - Chapter 7: Dress Preparation

Chapter 7: Dress Preparation

　Today is the day of the social party held by Tachibana-san’s mother. 

Well, I’ve never been to a social party or anything like that, so I don’t really know what to expect. 

I’m so lost.

 According to Tachibana-san,

“We will pick you up, so please wait. And don’t worry about the dress, we have it ready for you.”

　That’s what she said. Well, I’ll bring my cross-dressing set just in case.

　By the way, I told Mana and Yuuna about today, but they said,

“Since it’s Yuu-kun, you won’t listen even if I tell you, right? Go ahead.”

“Nii-cha won’t listen to me even if I object, so I give up! Forget about that, let’s take a bath!”

　They seemed to understand.

　Yuuna has been staying at her friend’s house since yesterday. She’ll be back tonight. Mana also left early in the morning for work, so I’m alone now. For now, I’m just checking that I haven’t forgotten anything. 

　Then,

　Ding-dong!

　The intercom rang.

　When I checked the entrance, I saw Tachibana-san, so I immediately went out.

“Thank you for picking me up.”

“No problem, I’m the one who invited you. Please come in.”

　Of course, a noble would have a black limousine. This is bad, my stomach hurts. Anyway, I get in, and it’s indeed a limousine. It’s like a VIP seat. There’s a thin large TV, a small refrigerator, a chandelier, and a maid. The sofa is so soft that I stood up once.

“Shall we go?”

　I feel like I’m about to pass out in this atmosphere.

“Is this your first time riding in a limousine?”

“Yeah, it’s my first time.”

“Is that so? I thought gentlemen would have ridden in one at least once.”

“Well, limousines are long, right? So I’m scared because they’re more prone to accidents.”  

“Haha, that’s true. We’ve had a few scratches on our limousines before. Isn’t that right, Ribbon?”

“Eek!? Don’t remind me of that!! My heart couldn’t take it back then!!”

“Sounds tough.”

“She’s my exclusive maid, after all.”

　I see, a maid. But instead of a maid outfit, she’s wearing a butler uniform.

“My name is Minami Ribbon. Nice to meet you.”

“I’m Kinoshita Yuuto. Nice to meet you too.”

“Yes!”

“By the way, Yuuto-sama, what’s with that bag? I said you wouldn’t need any luggage today.”

“Hmm? This is my cross-dressing set.”

““Eh?””

　Tachibana-san and Minami-san are stunned. Well, I can’t blame them for being surprised.

“I often go out, so I use this to disguise myself as a woman and not get found out. I only wear a wig and perfume, though.”

“Is that so? May I see you try it on?”

“Sure.”

　I put on the wig. I don’t need the perfume, though.

“What do you think? It’s quite convincing, isn’t it?”

“Amazing! You look just like a woman now!!”

“You really do look like a girl.”

“Fufu, told you so. For now, please call me Yuu-chan. If my name gives away that I’m a man, it defeats the purpose.”

“Alright, Yuu-chan.”

“Tachibana-san, you don’t have to call me that yet.”

“Fufu♪”

“Oh, we’ve arrived. Here we are, Ojousama, Yuu-chan.”

“Minami-san, you too?”

“Hehe.”

　Well, this isn’t so bad.

　As I got out of the limousine, I looked ahead and saw a building several times larger than the National Diet Building.

“……”

　I was at a loss for words. Eh, I don’t want to go in. I want to go home. This is too high-class for me.

“Tachibana-san, I want to go home.”

“No can do♪”

“I don’t know any proper manners.”

“Don’t worry, it’s fine.”

“I’m just an ordinary person.”

“You’re an important guest to me.”

“……I……I”

“A man of his word doesn’t go back on his promises, right?”

“I……I don’t have such a thing, do I……?” 

“Yes, you do.”

“Then let’s go.”

　Tachibana-san pulled my hand, and I stepped into the venue’s gate.

　Before entering the venue, I had to change into a party dress. Of course, I had no idea how to put on a dress, so I consulted Tachibana-san,

“A designer will help you, so don’t worry. Oh, and of course, it will be a gentleman, so rest assured.”

　Hearing that, I felt relieved. However, it feels awkward to come empty-handed when they’ve prepared so much.

“I’m sorry for all the trouble.”

“No, I’m the one who invited you.”

“Still, thank you.”

“Yes!”

“I’ll go change then.”

“Okay, I’ll take my leave too.”

　So I headed to the men’s changing room floor. And waiting for me there was

“Hello~ You must be Kinoshita Yuuto-kun. Maria-sama has told me all about you. I’m Sakata Luna, nice to meet you~”

　I got juked!

“Is that so? Well, nice to meet you too.”

“Wow? It’s rare for someone not to dislike me right off the bat. Your likeability just went up up♡”

“Hobbies are a matter of personal freedom, after all.”

“Thank you. Now, let’s change your clothes. Please choose which one you like~”

“Got it.” 

　I said that, but… well, I don’t really want to wear any of them.

　All the dresses were shimmering and had beautiful embroidery, so I wondered if it was really okay for me to wear them. There were dozens of them, all beautifully lined up.

　But that’s not all.

　There were also necklaces and other accessories, as well as rings in large quantities. Just by looking at them, you could tell they were crafted with great skill. There were diamonds, platinum, and other precious stones, all beautifully polished and neatly arranged.

　I picked up a pearl necklace to examine it. The pearls were so dazzling that I couldn’t take my eyes off them.

　……They’re beautiful.

　But I shouldn’t get too distracted. I had to change my clothes. However, my fashion sense was practically non-existent.

　I was here as Tachibana-san’s partner, and I didn’t want to embarrass her.

　So, I asked,

“Sakata-san, could you help me choose one that suits me?”

“……Oh, so none of them worked out?”

“No, I just don’t know which one to pick.”

“Hmm, I’ll have to ask you to try on a lot of them, is that okay?”

“Yes, please.”

　From then on, I became Sakata-san’s dress-up doll. She kept bringing more and more dresses, each one more fitting than the last.

　But Sakata-san,

“You sure are lively. Having fun?”

“Eh!? ……N-no, that’s not it! I’m not getting excited because it’s been a while since I’ve had such a cool-looking kid to dress up!”

You already said it out loud, you know.

“……Well, I don’t mind, but I was also thinking that we shouldn’t take too much time.”

“So……that’s true! But they all suit you, so I’m having a hard time deciding.”

　……What should I do, I can’t decide.

　As I was thinking that, I noticed a large curtain closed off at the back of the room. It seemed odd to have a curtain in a dressing room, so I asked out of curiosity,

“What’s behind that curtain?”

“Eh? Oh, that. Do you want to see it?”

　When asked like that, I became curious, so I answered, “I want to see it.”

　And when Sakata-san opened the curtain, there was a white dress, or what you might call a wedding dress.

“Why is it hidden?”

“Do you think there are men who want to get married?”

　……I see.

“That one is, in a way, my greatest masterpiece. Someday, I want someone to wear it…… but men get upset just from seeing a wedding dress.”

　Sakata-san said with a sad expression, her mood dampened. Just remembering it made her make that face, so she must have been told something terrible. I felt like I had asked something I shouldn’t have.

　…….

“Does that dress fit me?”

“……Eh?”

“I want to wear that one.”

“Eh, really?”

“Yes.”

“Okay, thank you. I think it should fit.”

“Make me look absolutely stunning in it.”

“Yes! Leave it to me!”

　It would probably stand out a lot, but it’s just this once. Still, it’s quite novel to wear a wedding dress as my first-ever dress!

　And so, I put on the wedding dress. I even put on a bit of makeup.

“Sakata-san, today isn’t my wedding day, you know? Do I really need a veil?”

“I’m making you look absolutely stunning♪”

“Then please.”

“Also, hold this bouquet!! ……Ah, can I take a picture?”

“Sure! Let’s take one of just me and one of us together!”

　I was getting into it.

　After all the preparations were finished and we took pictures, it was finally time to meet up with Tachibana-san.

“Thank you so much for today.”

“No, if there’s another opportunity, please let me know.”

“Yes, I definitely will.”

“Shall we go, then?”

“I still have work to do, so see you later~”

　Sakata-san blew a kiss. I thought it was a bit old-fashioned, but I blew a kiss back. It was embarrassing, but I thought it was kind of nice.

　And so, Sakata-san and I laughed together.

　I bowed slightly and opened the door to the party venue.

T/N: So, we have a trap mc, oki.