Chapter 24 – The Fitting Room

Ｒｅａｄ ​ｏｎ ＫａｔＲ​ｅ​ａｄｉｎｇＣａｆｅ

“It’s been a while, Miao.”

“It’s only been three days since you last came.”

Unlike me, who was overwhelmed by Miao’s intimidating appearance, Yuika greeted her casually and struck up a conversation.

Her voice was as husky as her striking looks, but as I watched them talk, she seemed much friendlier than I expected.

When she had just shown up, she looked like a thug from a movie, but as she chatted with Yuika, her calm smile made her seem less terrifying.

Plus, her name was Miao. Isn’t that the Chinese word for a cat’s meow? The store’s name was MEOW, and her race was catfolk…

Maybe she’s a cat enthusiast. I nodded at my plausible theory, but Miao suddenly approached me, crouched to my eye level, and said,

“So, you’re here today because of this little lady?”

“Eek…!”

That startled me! Her smiling face looked softer than before, but her predator-like gaze made her seem like she was enjoying the sight of her prey.

Feeling like my heart might leap out of my chest, I clung tightly to Yuika’s waist. Yuika laughed awkwardly and said,

“Yes. She only has a few sets of clothes. I wanted to get her some everyday outfits… You know how it is, Miao. The clothes from the shop window aren’t exactly stylish.”

“It’s true. Such a plain look would be a waste on someone with her appearance.”

“Right?”

“Ugh…”

Even though it wasn’t my original appearance, being complimented like this was still uncomfortable. I averted my gaze and gripped Yuika’s hand tightly. Miao, looking intrigued, asked,

“By the way, where did you find her? I don’t know everyone on the floating island, but someone as petite as her would’ve stood out. Like that Director guy.”

“Ahaha… There’s a bit of a story behind that. Plus, as you can see, she’s quite shy.”

“Yeah, I can tell. But she doesn’t need to be so scared. Despite how I look, I really like kids.”

Miao then turned to me and said,

“Hello, little lady? I’m Miao. My name comes from the sound cats make, ‘meow’. Though I’m not actually Chinese.”

She chuckled at her own joke and smiled warmly.

“If it’s not too much trouble, could you tell me your name?”

Her polite tone, so different from her intimidating appearance, made me instinctively look at her. When our eyes met, she softened her fierce gaze.

It was as if she was telling me I didn’t need to be on guard. I looked into her amber eyes and cautiously opened my mouth.

“I’m Mari… Um, Miss Miao…”

“‘Miss Miao’ is too formal. Can you just call me Miao? Or maybe Miao unnie.”

“Huh? Uh…”

That felt a bit too familiar for my liking. As I hesitated, Yuika wrapped an arm around my shoulder and said sternly,

“That’s not happening, Miao. Even I barely get to be called by my name. I’ve never been called ‘unnie’ before, so letting you be called that would be cutting in line…!”

“Oh, is that why you’re stopping me?”

“Huh…”

Miao looked a bit incredulous, and I also gave Yuika a puzzled look.

But Yuika remained firm.

“What other reason would there be?”

“I don’t mind what you call me… Oh, can I call you Mari?”

“Uh, sure…”

“Then I’ll be in your care today, Mari.”

“I-I’ll be in your care too…?”

I awkwardly echoed her words as she smiled.

But what exactly was she asking me to take care of? As I wondered this internally, Miao stood up and said,

“Alright, let’s start by taking your measurements.”

“Huh?”

Taking measurements? I hadn’t heard about this! I quickly looked at Yuika, who gave me an apologetic look.

“Ah, sorry. I forgot to mention it.”

“M-Measurements? Why do we need to do that…?!”

“Because we need to get the sizing right.”

The answer came from Miao. She had already pulled out a long wooden ruler and shrugged as she continued.

“Clothes from the shop window adjust to your size naturally, but handmade clothes don’t. Even in the real world, mass-produced clothes come in standard sizes like S or M, but custom-made clothes are tailored to your exact measurements, down to the length of your arm.”

At least the materials could be bought from the shop, so there was no need to tan animal hides or anything like that. Miao muttered a small complaint.

Of course, I understood what Miao was saying. There wasn’t a clothing factory here, and I didn’t expect to shop by browsing neatly displayed clothes.

But suddenly taking measurements… Did that mean I had to expose my body in front of someone else? I glanced around nervously and asked Miao,

“Um, when you take measurements, you do it with clothes on, right…?”

“Usually, but as you can see, this ruler isn’t very precise. To minimize errors, it’s easier if you take off everything except your underwear.”

“W-What…?!”

I was shocked by her casual remark as she fiddled with the wooden ruler.

Even taking measurements with clothes on was nerve-wracking, but having to strip down to my underwear?

Sure, Yuika had already seen me in my underwear unintentionally, but that didn’t mean I wanted to show someone else…!

“I-I can’t do it… Showing my body like that… It’s just…”

“Hmm, that’s a problem… Oh, I know!”

I pleaded in the most pitiful voice I could muster, and Miao, as if struck by an idea, pointed the ruler at Yuika and said,

“How about Yuika takes your measurements instead?”

“Huh?”

“I get that you’re shy around me since we just met. But Yuika’s fine, right? You’re already clinging to her, so you must feel comfortable with her.”

“W-Well…”

Of course, from an outsider’s perspective, Miao wasn’t wrong. Right now, I was literally clinging to Yuika for support.

But that was only because Yuika was the only person I could rely on at the moment… Wait, isn’t that the same as relying on her?

As I was momentarily confused, Yuika asked,

“Is it okay if I do it?”

“It’s not a difficult task. I’ll teach you how to measure, and you just need to follow my instructions.”

“Then it’s fine…”

At Miao’s words, Yuika turned to me.

“What do you think, Mari? Is it okay if I do it?”

“W-Well…”

If it was Yuika, was it okay? Honestly, it was fine.

After all, Yuika had already seen me in my underwear this morning. Showing her again wouldn’t make much of a difference.

But that was only in comparison to showing Miao. It didn’t mean I was comfortable showing my body to anyone else.

Overwhelmed by embarrassment, I couldn’t make a decision. As I hesitated, Yuika leaned in and whispered,

“If it’s too much, you don’t have to force yourself.”

“R-Really…?”

“Yeah. This was supposed to be a gift for you, but if it ends up stressing you out, it defeats the purpose. Plus, it’s my fault for not explaining properly… So if you’re not comfortable, I won’t push you.”

In other words, it’s okay to do what Mari wants.

“T-Then—”

I want to stop.

Yuika’s words naturally brought a weak response to my lips.

But at the same time, I felt like I was being too spoiled with her kindness.

Objectively speaking, it was just taking measurements for clothes. It wasn’t something to freak out over.

Moreover, since I was uncomfortable showing Miao, Yuika had stepped in to help.

Refusing even in this situation would be taking her kindness for granted.

“Mari?”

“I-I’ll do it…”

“Really? You’re not forcing yourself, are you?”

At Yuika’s words, I took a deep breath and shook my head.

“I-If it’s Yuika, it’s okay…”

I stammered out the words, and for some reason, Yuika turned her head away, avoiding my gaze. I tilted my head in confusion, and Miao muttered,

“She’s making such a flustered face…”

“A flustered face…?”

“Ahem… Alright. If Mari’s okay with it, then it’s fine. Miao, where should we take the measurements?”

Yuika, now back to normal, cleared her throat and asked. Miao pointed to the back of the store.

“There’s a makeshift partition back there. You can take the measurements there. Oh, and here’s how to measure—”

After listening to Miao’s instructions, Yuika nodded and placed a hand on my shoulder.

“Got it. So, after taking the measurements, I just need to tell you the numbers, right?”

“Yep. I’ll sketch some designs while you’re at it. Take your time.”

“It shouldn’t take too long.”

Yuika spoke with a laugh and then led me to the fitting room.

Pushing aside the crude partition, we entered a space just large enough for two people. It was perfect for a fitting room.

As Yuika closed the curtain behind us, the room dimmed slightly. If not for the light coming through the gaps in the ceiling, it would’ve felt like a sealed chamber.

I felt strangely nervous. As I hugged my arm, Yuika, who had been examining the wooden ruler, spoke.

“Shall we start?”

“Ah, okay…”

I answered cautiously and slowly removed the hood I had been wearing.

My hair, which had been flattened, puffed up and became messy. Yuika naturally reached out to fix it.

Rustle, rustle—The sound of her fingers brushing through my hair was almost audible.

It showed just how tense I was. Once she finished, I began to slowly remove the robe I had been wearing.

Author Note

A/N (Author’s note):
It wasn’t intended but it seems like I did a cliffhanger finish.

If it was like a novel I wrote before, the next scene would just be ??, haha…

Of course, no lewds here!

Translator Note

T/N (Translator’s note):
Oh yeah, if you didn’t know, this author mostly writes r19 stuff and this novel is one of their two non r19 contents.

No, I will not do any other ones.