Episode 63: A Fashion Show Specialized for a Certain Demand

The town of Isan was overflowing with vitality.

Stalls lined the streets, and the fragrant smell of baked sweets and the aroma of spiced meat dishes wafted through the air.

Looking toward the plaza, you could hear the lively songs of minstrels, and around them you could see boys and girls performing little dances.

Through such a town, Eleanore and I were walking.

“Now that we’ve come outside like this, it’s quite a lively town, isn’t it? It doesn’t have the formality of Egenhardt, so I feel like it’s overflowing with the sense of common people’s lives.”

Eleanore said this while observing the people passing by.

Indeed, our Egenhardt has a somewhat formal appearance.

Well, in terms of my previous life… it would be around the Akasaka area, I suppose.

Of course the civilization levels are different so it’s a vague comparison, but being governed by a count noble, it’s a fairly high-standard town.

Compared to that, Ethan seems like a town where even common people can live comfortably.

“The culture and such are different from there too, after all. Should we stop by if there’s anything you want?”

Along the way, open-air shops were also set up.

Perhaps because it’s a town that harmonizes with nature like mountains and seas, the variety was rich too.

“That would be nice too, but… before that, first we need to get new clothes for Arcs-kun!”

Eleanore pulled my arm tightly toward herself while smiling. This is a stance that says she won’t let me escape…

Yes, where we’re heading now is the clothing district on a slightly elevated area.

The purpose, as she says, is to buy clothes for me.

She said I couldn’t relax in such rigidly formal attire as a tuxedo… so I suppose I must find something suitable.

Besides, now that I’ve actually come outside, I do feel like I’m standing out.

Everyone around is wearing normal clothes after all. I sometimes get looks that seem to say “What’s with that guy!?”

…Well, that’s probably also due to Eleanore’s presence next to me.

Her presence is, after all, overwhelming. Her beauty, her refined gestures – no matter which you take, they’re clearly extraordinary in this town and can’t help but draw the eye.

The people walking through town first turn their gaze to Eleanore, then look at me staying close to her, and make even more puzzled faces.

Their faces seem to say “What is this combination?” It’s awkward beyond measure.

“Fufu, I wonder what kind of clothes would suit Arcs-kun?”

“…I’d like to refrain from anything too outlandish.”

“Oh my, wouldn’t it be interesting to try an adventure for once?”

Even before arriving at the clothing store, this topic was already heating up inside her.

Just in the topics that came up, there was a wide range of candidates from casual traditional clothing to somewhat adventurous designs, and Eleanore seemed to be enjoying imagining her ideal image each time.

Well, she is a girl of marriageable age after all.

She probably doesn’t dislike fashion discussions.

Or rather, I’m moved that she’s become able to get excited about normal girl talk.

I don’t know who I’m winning against, but anyway, the arms-folded older brother in my heart is shedding tears of emotion.

For this sake, even if I become a dress-up doll, I shall gladly accept it.

…While doing such things, we eventually arrived at our destination store.

From what I’ve heard, it’s apparently the most well-regarded in this town.

The exterior is a charming old building, but the windows are decorated with colorfully dressed mannequins, giving an atmosphere where tradition and trends harmonize.

“Welcome!”

When we entered, a female shop clerk greeted us cheerfully.

“I’d like to have clothes tailored for this person.”

When Eleanore said this while pulling my arm, the shop clerk made an ambiguous face.

…I wonder if she thinks we’re a super lovey-dovey couple.

Please spare me.

“Certainly! Do you have any requests for the design?”

“Let’s see… we haven’t decided yet, so would it be alright to try on various things?”

Eleanore looked around the store from the corner of her eye.

Ready-made clothes that had already been tailored lined the shelves, each seeming to boast high-quality tailoring.

There was a wide variety from simple, calm designs to those with gorgeous decorations.

“Of course! There’s a fitting room over there, so please feel free to use it!”

When Eleanore quickly looked around the shelves in the store, she began selecting clothes one after another without hesitation.

Her eyes were completely serious, giving off an almost craftsman-like intensity as if discerning even the slightest superiority or inferiority.

“First, please try this, Arcs-kun.”

What she held out was a calm, deep blue tunic with a vest embroidered in silver.

The set came with dark gray trousers, giving an overall elegant but not too stiff atmosphere.

The material was soft and felt good to the touch.

When I put my arms through the sleeves and stood in front of the mirror, it certainly wasn’t bad.

“How is it?”

I thought it suited me fairly well, but Eleanore’s reaction was lukewarm as she tilted her head.

“It certainly brings out Arcs-kun’s calm personality and elegance, and adds brilliance to your gentle gestures, but… it might be a little too calm. I want Arcs-kun to have a bit more individuality.”

…Despite saying that, I feel like she praised it quite a bit though.

However, no sooner had she said that than she immediately picked up and brought over different clothes.

“Then, please try this!”

This time, it was a combination of a pale beige shirt with a brown leather jacket and dark green trousers.

The jacket had fine embroidery, giving it somewhat of an adventurer-style appearance.

When I changed again and opened the curtain to show her, Eleanore’s eyes sparkled.

“It expresses Arcs-kun’s bravery, and the elegance isn’t lost either. The embroidery on the cuffs is perfect for Arcs-kun’s sharpness and refined movements, but… it still doesn’t quite fit.”

I was pushed into trying on yet more different clothes.

Next selected was a striking piece – a jacket with a crimson cape, a black embroidered shirt, and an eye-catching belt with golden decorations.

“Isn’t this a bit flashy? I don’t intend to wear such conspicuous clothes…”

“Saying it’s better not to stand out is such a waste! Since we’re going through the trouble of getting new clothes, wouldn’t it be nice to take an adventure?”

I tried it on and showed it as urged.

“Now, this time try this!”

“This is really…”

“You won’t know unless you try it on!”

What Eleanore said this and handed over was, how should I put it, clothes with shiny decorations that royalty or such would wear.

It certainly gave off a somewhat heroic dignity… but with an atmosphere like the main character of a small parade, it clearly wasn’t suitable for everyday wear.

Or rather, where did she even find this.

The tailor’s variety is amazing.

“…It would be good for use at festivals.”

“Hmm, it is certainly a bit too grand. Then, next is this one.”

After that, as I tried on clothes one after another, I got a bit tired.

But Eleanore’s eyes didn’t lose their sparkle, and she happily handed over the clothes she selected each time.

She properly gave her impressions each time I tried something on too… where on earth does such passion spring from…

“Arcs-kun, this time it’s this! It will definitely suit you!”

…P-please, do as you like.

While I was getting exhausted, Eleanore went off to rummage through clothes again, looking happy.