Glossy Butterfly
The dinner party with Mr. Gandarl was a huge success.
As a noble’s dinner, it was unusual, but for our family it’s become normal—buffet style. At first, Mr. Gandarl seemed confused, but once he realized he could take as much of what he liked as he wanted, he tried a bit of everything and then went back for seconds of his favorites.
“Wow, delicious! This fried chicken goes perfectly with cold ale, and the Namidasabi salad and the Takeshoot pair well with sake. This is irresistible! Gahaha!”
“I’m glad it suits your taste. There’s still plenty more.”
“Hah, Master Gandarl seems strong with drink. We also have more alcohol, so no need to hold back. Shall we drink till morning? Ahahaha.”
My father, already tipsy and in high spirits, was being watched with sharp eyes by my mother…
Yep, I’m just going to pretend I didn’t see that. They say it’s best not to touch a sleeping god, after all.
“Joan, this Takeshoot mixed rice? It’s amazing.”
“The soup’s delicious too. I always thought Takeshoot was something only monsters ate.”
Brother Gene was already on who-knows-how-many helpings of the mixed rice. Brother Noel seemed happy to discover how tasty bamboo shoots are, but… calling it monster food is a bit of a waste.
“Sis, sis, are there still rice balls?”
“Sis, I want more kraken!”
“Hu, there’s more. Ly too. Here you go.”
““Thanks! It’s so good.””
Hugo was happily eating rice balls made from the mixed rice, rolled into barrel shapes and wrapped in seaweed. Lyla couldn’t get enough of the butter-fried kraken and kept munching on it with a smile.
--- Next day.
“Ahh… I may have gone overboard last night. My apologies.”
Mr. Gandarl bowed his head in earnest.
“No, no, it’s fine. My husband also enjoyed himself.”
Mother reassured him kindly, but judging by the absence of Father at breakfast, her anger was still simmering.
As for Mr. Gandarl’s plans, he said he would be scouting several places that might have ore veins before making a decision.
We suggested he make our estate his base, but he felt that would be too much to ask and instead moved into the inn where he had originally planned to stay.
＊＊＊＊＊
Clang clang “Hello~”
“Welcome~ Oh, Joan, we’ve been waiting for you. Pearl too, welcome~”
Today I was at Nikki’s shop, Glossy Butterfly. After taking a seat, Nikki—whose real name is Nicholas—served us tea, dressed once again in something resembling a sari.
“So, what brings you here today?”
“Well~ actually, a certain lady came to me with some questions about underwear. And honestly, I’m a bit stuck.”
“Ahh, I see.”
Nikki, with a beauty that could be called androgynous, was in truth a man. For business, he tells others that both body and heart are female, but in reality he simply loves beautiful and cute things. Dressing this way was about bringing out his own charm, but when it came to romance, his preference was basically women.
“I understand designs and colors, but when it comes to functionality, I’m at a loss.”
“True enough.”
“So, I’d like to ask you, Joan, to design some lingerie.”
“Eh? Me? But—”
“Don’t worry. I’ve already gotten approval from your mother.”
“… Such foresight. Fine, I’ll do it.”
“Ahaha, thank you~ In exchange, if you ever need a favor, let me know. I’ll do what I can.”
“Really? Then I’ll think about that. …So, what kind of design are you looking for?”
“Well, normally with dresses, women wear corsets, right? But many hate the tightness. Still, without one, you can’t lift the chest. I want underwear that solves both problems.”
“Ahh, I see. You mean a bra.”
“A bra? What’s that?”
“Umm… a breast cover?”
“You mean the kind adventurers wear?”
“Ah, right, there’s that too. But I mean something different. Those are made of leather or monster hide. What I’m talking about is women’s underwear, made from cotton or silk.”
“As underwear? Could you sketch it out for me?”
“… Something like this?”
“… I see, so it supports only the chest without needing a corset.”
“Exactly. That way, no corset needed. If we make it so you can insert pads, even better.”
“Pads?”
“Uhh… fake breasts?”
“… What?”
“See, if you stuff cotton inside the bra, voilà—voluptuous body. Instant fake bust.”
“A-amazing! Slender women everywhere will want this!”
“Well, of course, once the clothes come off it’s obvious.”
“Joan… you’re a girl. Can’t you just leave it at ‘when the clothes come off’?!”
“Anyway, even without a lot of padding, a little bit makes underwear less abrasive and prevents pain.”
“… Lead with that next time.”
“Oh, and how about this?”
This time, I sketched a slip.
Not as suggestive as a babydoll, but it prevents dresses or everyday one-pieces from sticking with sweat.
“That’s true. If it doesn’t stick with sweat, that would be great. I suppose cotton for absorption?”
“Yes, though if you use silk instead, it could even replace a babydoll. Pair silk with lace and it looks elegant—and if the chest part is lace only, it ups the sexiness.”
“… Joan. I’ll say it again, you’re a girl! Why do you sound like a man? You are ten years old, right?”
“But just imagine. Your ideal girl wearing that.”
“… That would be nice.”
“See~? Ehehe… ah, Nikki, you’re drooling!”
“Wha—!? No way!”
Joan pointed it out, and Nikki hurriedly wiped his mouth.
“Just kidding—! Hahaha!”
“Joan, really!!”
“But it’s good, isn’t it? Husbands could even gift this to their wives.”
“That’s true. Yes… this is good. I’ll adopt this design.”
What do you think about this chapter?
