Chapter 69: Chapter 69

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Translator: Vine

Chapter Title: Starting with Swimsuits

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"So...?"

"Huh? What about it?"

"How was Arte's reaction?" Amelia asked, glancing at Arte.

What about it? It took me a while to figure out what she was getting at. No wonder she kept fumbling with Dorothy's arm when we got in the car. She was trying to get Arte and me together somehow. She must have been afraid Arte would overhear us in the car, so she waited until we got into the department store to bring it up.

"You mean... that's why you tried to pair Arte and me up?"

"What else would it be?"

"Haa..."

No wonder I kept feeling eyes on us. It seemed Amelia, desperate to get Arte and me together, had started her scheming again.

"Nothing happened."

"Th-that can't be...?"

"It's true. You were watching us, weren't you?"

"Well, yes, but..."

"I thought you two were having a secret conversation."

Amelia's muttering was utterly exasperating. You were paying so much attention, there's no way you didn't hear. We really didn't say anything.

Amelia trying to link Arte and me wasn't new, but secretly, I wished she'd stop. ...Because it felt like Arte would end up disliking me rather than falling for me. Before, being that close wouldn't have bothered me at all. But now, with Arte in the seat next to me, I was restless.

"Oh well. In that case, we'll just have to move on to the next plan."

"Do I... really have to go? Can't I just not?"

"Do you think we spent all that time getting you ready for nothing? It'd be a waste of our time."

"Well, that's true, but..."

I couldn't argue with her. After all, even though I was forced into it, I *was* dressed up. If I just gave up after all that effort, they'd clearly be sad. No matter how much I disliked it, if I refused to use what someone had painstakingly prepared for hours, they'd obviously be disappointed. Especially Dorothy. She was so excited, spouting all sorts of fashion knowledge as she dressed me up. She seemed really into fashion. What would she do if I just disappeared, saying I didn't want to go...?

I felt like my somewhat awkward relationship with Dorothy had grown closer because of this, and if I suddenly said I didn't want to do it, she might be really disappointed.

"By the way, how did you rope Dorothy into this?"

"Huh?"

"You didn't tell Dorothy, too, did you? About Arte's true identity?"

It seemed strange, no matter how I thought about it. Dorothy shouldn't know anything about Arte's identity. Yet she was so excited, making a fuss about wanting to help. But Amelia isn't the type to just blurt out things like that.

"Oh, well... I just vaguely explained it, and she seemed to buy it really easily."

"Huh?"

"I told her that you and Arte aren't dating, but you seem to have feelings for each other and just aren't making progress."

"...That's just your wishful thinking, isn't it?"

"I was flustered at the time, so I just blurted it out. But strangely, she believed it instantly."

So that's why... I had a feeling. I thought she was ruthless and a little scary, but there was *that* backstory... She said something like that, then told me she'd just figured it out on her own.

...I don't get it. Why on earth?

"Anyway, Dorothy still doesn't know her true identity..."

"What are you two talking about so much?"

"Oh, Dorothy. It's nothing, really. Not important."

"If it's not important, then come over here!"

"Huh?"

"Quickly, quickly!"

Dorothy, who had been walking and chatting with Arte, suddenly ran towards us and started pulling my arm.

"Wh-what is it?"

"Oh, just hurry!"

I had no choice but to let Dorothy lead me. She dragged me all the way to a deserted corridor before finally letting go of my arm.

"Phew, the stares were intense..."

She must have meant Arte's gaze. Arte was indeed staring holes through me. Amelia had rushed over to smooth things over, but Arte had disappeared soon after.

"So, why did you call me over?"

"I came to give you some instructions."

"Instructions?"

"Because now you're coming with us to buy swimsuits."

"Haa..."

"Wh-what was that sigh for?"

No, what should I even say? I had definitely made up my mind to go. Especially considering all the effort Dorothy put into getting me ready. But, even so. Even after making up my mind, now that it's right in front of me, I really don't want to go...

"Hey, Dorothy. Can't I just not go?"

"Of course not! We came here to buy swimsuits!"

"Well, you see... I'm a guy, right? Isn't it a bit... awkward?"

"What? Is *that* what you were thinking about?"

Dorothy's gaze, as if I were pathetic, was infuriating. Of course I'd think about that! What else am I supposed to do? If three women were choosing swimsuits in a department store and one man was just standing there, even I'd start thinking strange things. Like, 'What kind of guy is he to be hanging out there?' 'What's his relationship with those women?' It was obvious people would think that.

"I'm the only guy, it'd be weird for me to be in the women's swimwear section."

"...It's fine. Amelia and I don't see you as a man anyway."

"You know, that somehow hurts even more?"

"I have no desire to interfere with someone who's already taken, you know?"

Taken? What on earth did Dorothy think my relationship with Arte was? What kind of nonsense did Amelia fill her head with? I wanted to ask, but I didn't want to. Because I felt like I'd hear something even stranger than I could imagine.

"...No, never mind that. When Arte tries on a swimsuit, you *must* compliment her. Understand?"

"Uh, okay..."

"You *must*. And your gaze should only be on Arte, not on us. Got it?"

Watching Dorothy hastily run back to her original spot as soon as she finished speaking, I thought. Amelia had messed things up again. The number of people wanting to meddle in my relationship with Arte had increased.

***

"Wow, that's pretty. What do you think?"

"It's nice. But isn't it a bit too revealing...?"

"Oh, come on, it's a swimsuit. What's the big deal? It's not like you have any excess fat. Here."

"Wh-why are you suddenly touching my stomach?!"

"Oh, I just wondered if your stomach stuck out or something..."

"That's rude, you know?!"

I could hear Amelia and Dorothy chattering. I didn't have the courage to open my eyes, so I kept them tightly shut, which only made their chatter seem louder.

Perhaps because I just sat there listening to them chatter, Amelia asked me in a questioning voice, "Arte, aren't *you* picking one?"

"Y-yes...? Oh, I don't really know about these things..."

"Really? Then how about we pick one for you?"

I quickly nodded at Amelia's offered lifeline. "Please do."

"Alright, leave it to us!"

Fortunately, Amelia and Dorothy didn't seem to notice that I had my eyes closed. Just like at the entrance ceremony, sometimes having squinty eyes can be a good thing. Because it's hard to tell if my eyes are open or not.

I once asked the author why they put me in a body like this. The answer was simple. "...Because it's cool." Of course, that's what the author would say.

"Alright, Arte! How about this one? Is it okay?"

"Oh, yes. Thank you. I like it."

"Try it on quickly! Hurry!"

At Amelia's urging, I rushed into the changing room.

Whew, that was close. Maybe it's because I'd never been in a women's swimwear store before, but there was nowhere to look, so I was embarrassed and kept my eyes closed. Thankfully, it seems Amelia decided to pick out the swimsuits for me.

"Author, I'm going to resent you..."

[No, why me...? Aren't swimsuit fashion shows common?]

"Shut up."

I know there are webnovels heavily influenced by light novels that feature such descriptions. And I knew the author wanted to use such material. So, didn't I tell them, "Let's go pick out swimsuits"? It was good that I steered them towards that, since the author wanted to use the material. It was good, but... What I overlooked was that *I* would also have to buy a swimsuit.

"No choice then. I'll just put it on quickly... Huh?"

[...Whoa. A bikini.]

"..."

What is this? I tried to put it on and get out as quickly as possible, but the scrap of fabric in my hand was tiny. Yes, what people call a bikini. When I took it, there seemed to be a lot of fabric, so I naturally assumed it would be a rash guard or a high-leg swimsuit, but I was tricked...! It wasn't *just* a bikini. As if to reveal what that extra fabric I'd felt was, a pareo meant to be tied around the waist was asserting its presence. There was a top too. It was prepared to be worn over the bikini. It would have been great, if it didn't expose my navel and only covered my underbust. The cover-up top was white, and the pareo was made of a sheer material, so it didn't cover anything at all.

So, what's the point of the top and pareo then?

"Arte, are you done yet?"

"I-I'll put it on right away. Just a moment."

Ah, damn it. Do I have to wear this? Really? Amelia must have been trying to be considerate in her own way. Because during swimming class, everyone else was wearing bikinis, and I was the only one in a competitive swimsuit. ...But if she was going to be considerate, she could have been a *little* more so. It was a garment that seemed utterly pointless to wear, no matter how I looked at it.

"Arte?"

"J-just a moment. Just a moment."

***

"How are you feeling?"

"I want to get out of here."

I answered Amelia honestly. I want to get out of here. Why was I in a place like this? Being surrounded by women's swimwear was incredibly embarrassing.

"Alright, I'll let you out."

"Really?!"

"Yeah. If you just tell us your thoughts after seeing Arte."

"Huh?"

"She'll be out soon. Just wait."

Only then did I realize. I could hear Dorothy and Amelia's voices, but not Arte's. I'd been so embarrassed by the swimsuits that I tried my best not to notice them, and in doing so, I hadn't noticed other things either.

Rustle, rustle.

My previously shut-off senses instantly expanded. ...Wait, did she say Arte was in there? My unnecessarily sharp hearing and intuition vividly brought me the sounds of Arte changing clothes.