Air’s New Outfit

With Marielle's clothing taken care of, it was now time to buy clothes for Air.

"I need something easy to move in!"

"Any particular colors you like?"

"Black! And green's good too!"

Air's requests were incredibly simple. Her choices seemed to follow the instincts of her race—preferring not to stand out, especially at night. Sandy seemed to be having a hard time narrowing down the options because Air's demands were so straightforward.

"If you have any accessories that could enhance her physical abilities, please bring those out as well."

"Understood. I'll keep it simple to highlight the quality of the materials."

Sandy didn't show any sign of displeasure at Wataru's additional request and quickly went back to work, selecting several more options from the shelves before guiding Air to the fitting room.

Marielle, whose outfit had already been chosen, seemed to be in a great mood, smiling softly.

(Does she like shopping because she's a woman after all?)

For Wataru, this was his first real shopping experience in another world. Far from feeling impatient while waiting for them to choose, he found himself quite interested and didn't feel bored at all.

"Do… do I really have to show this off?"

"Now, now, it looks fantastic on you! Let's show it to everyone!"

"Ugh… I'm not so sure…"

When Air finally stepped out of the fitting room, looking anxious and fidgety, Wataru was left speechless.

She was wearing a full-body suit made of sleek black leather that shone with a smooth, glossy finish. The material was stretchy, clinging to every curve of her body and highlighting her incredible figure.

Wataru couldn't find the words at first, but knowing he had to say something, he forced himself to speak.

"Uh, yeah… you look really beautiful… I think it suits you…"

"Wow, beastfolk really do have an unfair advantage when it comes to looks, don't they? I used to be pretty confident in my own figure too…"

"You're incredibly beautiful too, Marielle, but… yeah, I'd say Air's figure is something else."

It was genuine praise. Her long, golden hair shimmered like silk, her chest strained against the suit, almost as if it might burst out, and her waist was slender, reminding him that she belonged to the feline race.

Her wide hips and shapely backside, paired with her incredibly long legs, made her look stunning.

Air's figure had a beauty that seemed impossible for a normal human to achieve—a beauty that felt more like a work of art or a heavily edited image.

Seeing Air's anxious expression, Wataru met her eyes, which were trembling slightly.

"Is… is something wrong?"

"No, no, you look amazing! Seriously!"

"R-Really…? Hehe… I'm glad you like it, Master. That makes me happy too."

"You're so honest… it's really adorable."

"Really!? Am I cute?"

"Yes, you're adorable."

"Hehe, meow~... hehe…"

Air's face turned bright red as she blushed, looking both beautiful and cute at the same time. She tried to hide her face with her hands, but her ears kept twitching, and her tail was wagging back and forth, revealing her emotions.

Wataru's heart was pounding.

Blood rushed to his head, and Air looked even more captivating than before.

(I bought this on impulse, but I think I might actually be falling for her…)

Wataru, who was already quite taken with Air, found himself even more entranced by her.

They purchased several outfits for Air, considering the possibility that she might need to attend formal events. Pants were the main focus, prioritizing ease of movement, with short pants particularly standing out. They accentuated her long, sleek legs, showcasing their beauty. Her smooth, glossy skin practically glowed under the indoor lighting.

The problem was the tops. Her overly large chest, which could only be described as busty, made it difficult to find clothes that wouldn't make her look overweight unless the material was stretchy or tied at the waist. But having all her clothes show off her cleavage would create a balance problem.

Using monster materials and focusing on the quality of the fabric rather than decoration ended up costing quite a bit. Sandy advised that it would be better to have her clothes tailored in the future. It seemed Wataru would need to invest in this area moving forward.

Air chose a bracelet and a ribbon as accessories, both of which had effects that heightened her senses. When she tied her long hair, which reached her waist, into a ponytail with the ribbon, it gave her a more dignified look rather than just cute.

"If any weirdos show up, I'll punch them out!"

"I'm counting on you. Though I'd prefer nothing happens."

"Yeah, but you have a habit of wandering into danger, so be careful."

"Wait, do I really do that?"

For a bag, they purchased a backpack like those used by adventurers. It was spacious, with plenty of compartments for organizing. It was durable, lightweight, and resistant to rain—better in quality than most products Wataru could buy in Japan.

(I guess Japan isn't better in every way. Assuming it is could lead to mistakes.)

Wataru also bought a few things for himself. The item that pleased him the most was a garment called the "Cooling Robe," similar to a summer sweater. It kept the wearer cool, making it perfect for Japan's hot and humid summers. It was considered a common piece of technology here and was available for just five silver coins. Despite its simplicity, it was stylish and didn't make him feel too cold.

Even though the price translated to nearly fifty thousand yen in Japanese currency, given that most goods here were hand-crafted by artisans and thus more expensive, it felt like a bargain.

○

After a lively and enjoyable shopping experience, Wataru was about to leave the store when William came to see them off.

"Thank you very much for today, William. I spent quite a bit of the money we earned from selling sugar."

"Thank you for your purchase. Please come again anytime."

"Indeed. There are still many things I want to buy, so I'll be back."

Wataru, naturally smiling from the excitement of shopping, noticed something a bit off about William.

"This might be unnecessary, but there's something I need to tell you."

"What is it?"

"I must ask for some privacy."

"Understood."

William's expression was so serious that Wataru felt compelled to listen carefully. He sent Marielle and Air away, ensuring even William's wife and employees wouldn't overhear.

Once the coast was clear, William leaned in close and spoke in a hushed voice, taking great care not to be overheard, even through the walls.

"If the sugar trade spreads in the central regions, it's likely that the nobles will take an interest and start investigating the source. While our shop won't reveal such valuable information, it's impossible to completely prevent leaks. Eventually, word will get out."

"Does that mean I'm in danger?"

"There's a possibility. Greedy nobles or merchants already dealing in sugar might try to harm you."

"What should I do?"

"Well… First, make sure your bodyguards are armed. Avoid suspicious places, choose public locations for meetings, and never accept invitations to private locations without care."

"Got it."

"And it might be wise to find a powerful backer. Not someone like me, but someone with real influence."

"I don't know anyone like that."

"You possess valuable goods beyond just sugar. Even if you don't know anyone now, you might meet someone trustworthy in the future. When that time comes, seek their advice."

"Understood. Thank you for the warning."

"No need to thank me. Protecting a valuable supplier is in my interest too. Well then, thank you for visiting today, Wataru-sama. Please come again! We're always WELCOMEEEEE!!"

William finished with an exaggerated wink, his voice booming to fill the shop. Wataru smiled wryly at his usual quirky farewell, but he was grateful for the sincere advice as he left the store.

Seeing that the consultation was over, Marielle and Air rejoined Wataru. He made an effort to keep his expression calm, hiding any concerns.

"Hey, can you help me carry this? I can't manage all these bags on my own."

"Of course. Thank you so much for buying me all these things."

"Thank you, Master! I love you!"

"Yeah. It really feels great to splurge like this. I've never shopped without worrying about my remaining balance before."

Wataru hadn't come from a wealthy family, nor had he achieved great success in life. He never realized how fun it could be to shop without constantly calculating the total cost in his head.

They stuffed the bags into Air's backpack, making it bulge with the sheer amount of items. Air effortlessly slung it over her shoulder and began walking with a spring in her step. The wooden sword they'd gotten as a bonus was strapped to her waist.

"You seem to be in a good mood too, Air."

"Yeah, having something at my waist just makes me feel secure."

"I'll make sure to get your real weapons back, so hang in there for a bit longer."

"I trust you."

"Alright, we've done our shopping, so let's head back for today. Tomorrow, we'll go see Maso-san."

"Understood."

"Can't wait!"

With their new purchases in tow, the three set off for home. There was still plenty of money left, and it looked like they'd be living comfortably for a while.