Volume 5, Chapter 4 – Elves, Furisode, and Vampires

Sentsuru is a women’s kimono shop that has lasted for roughly 800 years; it is the most venerable of venerable establishments, boasting the longest history even in Miyako.

It is an ultra-high-end shop that proudly displays a sign reading “Purveyor to Suikyou-sama,” and as such, it naturally refuses first-time customers.

The threshold for entry is astronomically high.

Now then, having bought a massive amount of groceries, cooking utensils, and souvenirs, we arrived at Sentsuru.

It was a magnificent building of a kimono shop, adorned with a curtain featuring a crest based on a crane.

By the way, it is correct to call it a “kimono shop” rather than a “gofuku-ya.” ¹ A gofuku-ya (呉服屋) is a traditional Japanese shop that sells kimono fabrics, textiles, and traditional Japanese clothing.

This is because neither now nor in the past has a country called “Go” existed in this world.

Naturally, a term like gofuku (cloth from Go) would never have been born.

As for why we came to such a shop, it was to pick up some kimonos that had been tailored.

I had received a yukata from Ade as a gift via Suikyou, but she told me she would have a furisode ² A Furisode (振袖) is the most formal type of traditional kimono worn by unmarried women in Japan. tailored for me as well.

Feeling somewhat guilty about being the only one wearing a wonderful kimono, I brought Lu-chan along to the consultation.

I had a set made for Lu-chan as well, and apparently, they were finished today.

Incidentally, Chris-san and Shizuku-san had refused, saying they didn’t need any.

Tch, what a shame! I wanted to see the two of them all dressed up!

Once inside Sentsuru, I was guided straight to the VIP-only room.

After all, I was personally requested by Suikyou-sama, and Suikyou-sama was footing the bill.

I can’t help but feel like I’m treating the national treasury as my own private piggy bank, but since I did the work of preventing the Water Dragon King’s revival and strengthening the seal, I suppose this much is permissible.

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It’s not like I’m some paragon of virtue; I’m just a “pseudo-Saint” who’s kind of just going along with how things happen.

Well, while I made that excuse, I still felt guilty, which is why I created an accomplice in Lu-chan.

I had Tessai-san and Souji-san wait outside, and we had the finished kimonos fitted by the women alone. Chris-san was watching the fitting process with a very serious expression; I wonder why?

“Chris-san, why are you studying that so seriously? Oh, wait. Are you going to wear one after all?”

“No, it is not that. It seems these garments require a great deal of effort to put on, so I thought I could assist Fiene-sama.”

“Ah… um… thank you.”

I felt ashamed of my thoughtless remark.

In my case, if I take something out of Storage, it appears on me already worn, so I had forgotten—but indeed, for something as complex as a kimono, that might not always work perfectly.

Furthermore, Lu-chan cannot do such a thing, so the skill of putting on a kimono is necessary.

And here was Chris-san, thoughtfully volunteering for the behind-the-scenes work.

I’m truly embarrassed.

“Not at all. It is rare for Fiene-sama to dress up like this. Please let me help on such an occasion.”

“Thank you.”

“Ah, Chris-san! Please help me too!”

“Ah, Lumia. Of course. Besides, Shizuku-dono is here as well.”

“Eh? Ah, well, I suppose so.”

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Shizuku-san’s response was somewhat half-hearted, but thus, we slipped into our brand-new furisode.

Then, we immediately called in Tessai-san and Souji-san for the big reveal.

Lu-chan was dressed in a gorgeous crimson outfit decorated with Hikaku-mon ³ A traditional Japanese kimono pattern depicting cranes in flight, often associated with elegance and good fortune. , a crane motif with its wings spread wide.

Her beautiful green hair was styled up, with a gold floral kanzashi ⁴ A traditional Japanese hair ornament used with hairstyles such as those worn with kimono. adding a lovely finishing touch.

“Lu-chan, you’re so cute. It suits you perfectly.”

“Ehehe, really? Yay!”

“Indeed. She can’t beat my Fiene, but you’re quite cute yourself.”

“Is that so? Thank you ve—eh?”

“Hmm?”

I turned around at the sound of a voice belonging to someone who shouldn’t be here.

“Haa, I knew it. It’s the middle of the day; is it really okay for you to be awake? Ade.”

“Of course. My fiancé is dressing up; there’s no way I’d miss seeing it, right?”

“Eeeh.”

Well, I know Ade is that kind of person—or rather, that kind of Vampire.

“What! Fiene-chan was engaged to a woman!?”

“Eh! No way. I never heard anything about her having a fiancé!?”

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Tessai-san was probably just simply surprised.

But Souji-san? I wonder what that’s supposed to mean? Didn’t he say he was nearly thirty?

Could it be that Souji-san is a lolico… no, let’s just pretend I didn’t hear that.

“That’s right. She is my precious, precious fiancé. So, you men over there—if you lay a finger on her, I won’t forgive you.”

A tremendous amount of bloodlust radiated from Ade, piercing right through Souji-san.

“Hieee!”

Struck by that bloodlust, Souji-san fell flat on his backside.

“Now, Ade. Please leave it at that. Also, as I’ve said many times, I decline the proposal for engagement, okay?”

“For now , right?”

With that, Ade gave a playful wink.

“Ha… Honestly. Also, Ade, thank you for the yukata and the furisode. I’ll cherish them.”

“Fufu, really? You like them? Fufu, I’m so happy. Even so, you truly are wonderful. This furisode style suits you well.”

“Do you think so?”

Incidentally, my furisode was a floral pattern based on a pale pink.

Not just cherry blossoms, but various flowers were in full bloom; just looking at the fabric felt glamorous and cute.

I checked my reflection in a large full-length mirror, and though it’s my own opinion, I think I look incredibly cute.

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I mean, well, it’s about myself, so it’s embarrassing.

Oh right, since I’m at it, I’ll let Riche see too.

I took out my staff, gave it a light wave, and summoned Riche.

“Oh? So that child is your spirit? She’s very cute, just like Fiene.”

However, the summoned Riche looked around curiously, then stared intently at me in my unusual attire.

“Riche, I tried dressing up a bit. The pattern looks like your flowers, and it’s cute, so I wanted to show you even though there’s nothing specific to do. What do you think?”

Riche flew in circles around me, checking my entire body, and then gave a satisfied, smiling thumbs-up.

“Oh, this child understands well. As expected of my Fiene’s spirit.”

Seeing Riche’s thumbs-up, Ade looked completely satisfied.

After that, Lu-chan and I spent some time enjoying a “cosplay session,” twirling around, striking various poses, and even summoning Mashiro-chan. It was a great shame that cameras don’t exist in this world.

By the time we finished buying some additional accessories and were satisfied, it was already evening.

For some reason, Tessai-san and Souji-san looked completely haggard.

Huh? I wonder what happened to those two? Did something happen?

Author Note

Incidentally, since Tessai-san and Souji-san had fainted in the Dragon God Cave, this was their first time meeting Adelrose.