Nikki
—15:00
Belle, Pearl, and I left the Adventurers’ Guild.
That giant eel—no, Giant Snake—was going to take a while to butcher. Long enough that it wouldn’t be ready in time for dinner. So we figured we’d save it for tomorrow’s lunch, and spend the rest of today sightseeing around town.
We stopped by the Jo Company to introduce Belle to Kate and her husband, then dropped in at the orphanage to play tag and hide-and-seek with the kids for about a bell. On the way back, ready to call it a day, we passed a shop I didn’t recognize.
If I remember right, this place used to be a clothing store run by an elderly couple, until their son and his wife in the royal capital called them to live with them out of concern for their age. The place should’ve been sitting empty…
“What kind of shop do you think it is?”
“Want to check it out?”
“Yeah, I’m curious.” Clang-a-ling.
“Welcome, darlings~! Oh my, what a treat—three lovely young ladies coming to see little old me~”
The doorbell chimed as the shopkeeper swept back pink-blond, one-length hair and swayed their hips, speaking in a surprisingly low voice for someone dressed as a woman. Their outfit looked like an Indian sari paired with leggings. They had an androgynous air, which probably explained why even an outfit this flashy didn’t seem strange on them in this world. But there was an Adam’s apple—no doubt about it, an okama type. Definitely not a big sister, but a big-sisterly guy.
So they’ve got okama in this world too…
“Hello~ So, this is… a clothing store?”
“That’s right~ I’ve got everything from everyday wear to adventurer gear to noble attire. I sell ready-made, but I take custom orders too. I’ve also got cosmetics, shoes, you name it~”
“Wow. So if you come here, you can get anything, huh? When did you open? I don’t remember seeing this last week.”
“Ten days ago, sweetie~ Before that I was in the royal capital. I actually studied under the owner of a famous haute couture shop, you know. But the owner told me it was time to strike out on my own—right here, of all places. I asked and asked why here, but they wouldn’t explain! Isn’t that terrible? Just told me to ‘figure it out yourself.’”
“Ah, I see. Must’ve been a long trip to come this far out?”
“Oh, not really, darling~ I used to be an adventurer for a while, so I just took on jobs along the way to blow off steam and made my way here.”
“Wait—you were an adventurer? But you’re so beautiful!”
“Eh? Oh, you flatterer, you~ But yes, I was really an adventurer. An A-ranker, even.”
“So why a clothing store now?”
“Well, back then I wasn’t… like this. I used to hang out with girls, sure, but I liked the whole sporty, training lifestyle. Only, with all the muscle, I could never find ready-made clothes that fit right. So I went to my mentor’s shop and ordered something custom. I was making good money at the time, too. And wouldn’t you know—it fit me perfectly. The size, the design—everything exactly the way I wanted, even though I’d only given a rough idea. It was like scales falling from my eyes.
After that, even when I took jobs or worked out, I just couldn’t throw myself into it the same way. And I kept noticing people’s clothes when walking around town—thinking, ‘That’d be so much nicer if you did this’ or ‘That color really doesn’t suit them.’ So I went to talk to the owner. They asked if I’d like to work with them. I didn’t know a thing, so I started with grunt work and cleaning the shop. Looking back, I want to pat myself on the back for not running away back then~
Oh, sorry, I just keep talking.”
“No, no. Sounds like you were lucky to meet your mentor.”
“Oh, absolutely~ That’s why I want to make this place a success and really surprise them.”
“Good luck. We’ll be rooting for you.”
“… But you’re not actually going to buy anything, are you?”
“Ah—sorry. My family makes my clothes.”
“What!? No way—including what you’re wearing right now?”
“Yes, all of it except the shoes.”
“What? Even the belt and bag? But those are leather goods! That’s different from clothes.”
“Ahaha… somehow they ended up branching into leatherwork too.”
Honestly, Mito and Megan’s enthusiasm never ceases to amaze me.
At this rate, they’ll probably make shoes next.
“Whoa!! Hey, maybe I could hire them to work here?”
“Ah—that’d be tough. My mother probably wouldn’t allow it.”
“Ohh, is your mom the super-strict type? Want me to go give her a piece of my mind?”
“Uh, no, that’s… probably not a good idea…”
Belle, who’d heard all the stories, shook her head vigorously in agreement.
“Is she that much of an ogre? Are you being bullied too?”
“No, no—she’s a loving mother and I adore her.”
“That’s exactly what people say when they’re being mistreated—afraid they’ll get punished if it’s found out. But don’t you worry! I’ll take care of it. If need be, I can talk to the Lady of the Territory for you.”
“You know the Lady?”
“Well, not me exactly—my mentor does. She’s a regular customer. Before I opened here, I went to introduce myself. She’s absolutely beautiful and such a lovely person~ I’m sure if someone was in trouble, she’d help.”
“Ah—yes, she’s definitely the kind to help someone in need. But in this case, maybe it’s better to…”
“It’s fine. Now—let’s go.”
“What!? Right now? But—”
“It’s fine. Oh—sorry, I didn’t even introduce myself. I’m Nikki.”
“Oh, I’m Joan. This is my best friend, Belle.”
“Pleasure, Joan, Belle. Now then—off we go.”
That male strength really showed as Nikki pushed us toward the door…
“Joan, seriously, you should just tell her.”
Belle whispered.
“Ah—Nikki, wait just a second!”
“What is it?”
“I think I’d better tell you a bit more about me first…”
“Hmm? Alright then, take a seat over here.”
At Nikki’s invitation, I sat down at the table set in the middle of the shop.
What do you think about this chapter?
