Choosing Swimsuits (2)

“Ah, anyway… T-today we’re here to buy Miss Agnes’s swimsuit… And of course, one for another person too…”

“…Got it. I got it, so stop blabbering about my body in front of me. If you say one more word like that, I’m leaving.”

“…Understood, Miss Agnes.”

Honestly, what a hysterical reaction.

Originally, discussing which swimsuit would suit someone inevitably involves talking about their body, but Agnes was making all sorts of unreasonable demands.

No choice then. I’ll have to be as sparing and roundabout as possible when talking about Agnes’s height or figure.

“But, another person?”

“Ah, today’s outing isn’t just you and me-we’re going swimsuit shopping with one more person, making it three of us.”

“…I thought it was just the two of us.”

“I originally planned that too, but I ended up being asked by someone else.”

To be honest, Agnes was practically the only person at the academy I could call a friend, so naturally, I had planned to go out with just her today.

Seraphine was too far above my social standing to be considered a friend, things were still a bit awkward with Celista, and while Lizzie and Lara liked me, it was more of a one-sided affection than a friendship.

Agnes was the only one I felt comfortable casually discussing swimsuits with, but after a “chance” encounter with Seraphine recently, today’s swimsuit shopping trip ended up with an extra person tagging along.

“I don’t like being awkward with other Magic Department girls besides you.”

“It should be fine. For one, they’re not from the Magic Department, and it’s someone you know too.”

“…Someone I know?”

“Good day, Lady Lilith! And Lady Agnes!”

“…Natalie?”

Agnes turned her head at the sudden appearance of the orange-haired swordswoman, calling out her name.

Natalie, still flaunting her toned 11-line abs through her outfit, energetically swung her ponytail as she appeared before us-drenched in sweat, as if she had just finished some intense activity.

“Hello, Miss Natalie.”

“…The other person was Natalie?”

“My apologies for keeping you both waiting! I was just finishing up some… vigorous exercise with Thomas that left me drenched in sweat…”

“…You mean you sparred with Mr. Thomas until exhaustion?”

“That’s correct, Lady Lilith.”

If Thomas heard that, he’d probably freak out and immediately deny it.

“You’re telling her to buy a swimsuit? Her head’s only filled with swords and sparring.”

“Huh? A swimsuit? What do you mean? Princess Seraphine only told me to meet with Lady Lilith and Lady Agnes today…”

…So she told me she was entrusting Natalie to me, but it seems she didn’t properly explain the situation. Or maybe Seraphine tried, but Natalie only half-listened.

I’m sure Seraphine had her reasons. Usually, swimsuit shopping falls into two types: those who secretly pick one out and reveal it at the beach (like me), and those who use the shopping trip itself as an excuse for a date.

For people like me or Agnes, who already have established partners, there’s no need for a swimsuit-shopping date. But Seraphine has two formidable rivals.

Even if it turns into a harem-style group date with one guy surrounded by girls, she must secure her spot next to that idiot hero. So she probably entrusted Natalie to me to avoid any interference.

To prevent the situation where, while suggesting they go swimsuit shopping with the hero, someone says, “Why don’t we just go as girls?”

“Actually, I was asked by Princess Seraphine. While picking out my swimsuit, she suggested I help choose one for you too, Miss Natalie.”

“My swimsuit?”

“Yes. Aren’t you taking the Marine Biology Exploration class with Hero Kyetmajosyegigot Bolt this time? Choosing a swimsuit for the beach is a basic part of a woman’s preparation, so you’ll need an outside perspective.”

“Ah, I’m fine. I actually have a swimsuit I’ve worn since childhood, so there’s no need to buy a new one…”

“And how long ago was that childhood, Miss Natalie?”

“About seven years ago… When I was around fourteen!”

“That’s long enough that it’s time for a new one. You’ve probably grown taller and… other things since then. Surely you don’t think that swimsuit still fits?”

“……”

When I brought up height and… other growth, I felt Agnes’s gaze on me, but it was something that had to be addressed.

In “Luminor Academy,” swimsuit designs vary drastically depending on whether the protagonist intervenes. For other characters, it might not matter, but these two would absolutely end up in swimsuits that make onlookers cringe if left to their own devices.

Either a swimsuit so tight around the chest and hips it looks ready to burst, or a black one-piece with a nametag that seems designed for a very specific audience. To avoid that spectacle, the protagonist had to step in for Natalie and Agnes’s swimsuits.

“Anyway, today, neither of you is going back until you’ve bought at least one swimsuit. I’ll pick ones that perfectly suit you both.”

“…Whatever.”

“Ah, understood! I’ll leave it to you, Lady Lilith!”

And so began the journey to find swimsuits for two people who seemed utterly uninterested in appealing to the male gaze.

⁎ ⁎ ⁎

In the shopping district of “Luminor Academy,” there are two main places to buy swimsuits for female characters.

One is a clothing store near the academy, but the selection is limited and mostly focused on affordability.

The other is a more upscale boutique farther from the academy, where the prices are higher but so is the quality.

Of course, there are other clothing stores, but only these two sell swimsuits properly enchanted with “waterproof magic.”

“Lady Lilith? I think I saw swimsuits in that store! Let’s just buy them there and head back to the academy!”

“No, we’re not buying there. Today, we’re getting your swimsuits from ‘Amour Ange Boutique’ in the center of the shopping district.”

“W-what?! That’s a very expensive store, isn’t it?! I-I’m sorry, but I can’t afford clothes from such a place…”

“…It’s just a swimsuit you’ll wear for a week. Do we really need something that expensive? If it’s not too weird, we can just buy whatever from that earlier store…”

“If money’s the issue, I’ll buy it for you. Is investing in yourself really that wasteful?”

“…That’s not what I meant.”

“M-my apologies!”

…How am I supposed to go swimsuit shopping with these two?

For Natalie, being from a commoner family, I could understand her worrying about money. But I didn’t expect Agnes to be like this too.

Seeing her from a friend’s perspective rather than the protagonist’s, I realized just how little she cared about fashion.

“…For now, Miss Natalie, I was planning to buy yours with the gold coins Princess Seraphine gave me. She asked me to take care of you and handed me the money.”

“R-really…? B-but I can’t possibly accept such generosity from Her Highness…”

“If you have complaints, take them up with the princess later, not me.”

“……”

Of course, as a commoner, Natalie couldn’t possibly voice complaints to the princess, so this was essentially a polite way of saying, “Shut up and follow me.”

With the two of them looking completely unenthusiastic, we arrived at “Amour Ange Boutique.”

Entering the store I had once visited with Ethan, a female employee in formal attire greeted us.

“Welcome. Is there anything specific you’re looking for?”

“Ah, um, well, you see…”

“……”

As soon as we stepped inside, the first thing that caught our eyes were several swimsuits displayed on full-body hangers.

Natalie, flustered by the upscale store, stumbled over her words, while Agnes, uncomfortable with attention, averted her gaze. That left me as the only one capable of dismissing the employee.

“We’re here to look at swimsuits for summer classes, but we’d prefer to browse alone. Could you just point us to where they are?”

“Ah, of course. We’re currently offering discounts on swimsuits and other summer wear, so feel free to look around over there.”

After smoothly limiting the employee’s role to just guiding us, I led Agnes and Natalie to the swimsuit section.

…Now the real battle began. I had to get these two, who hated shopping, to try on as many swimsuits as possible and pick the ones that suited them best.

“First, Miss Natalie, try this one, this one… and this one, please.”

“…Huh?”

“And Miss Agnes, this one and this… Ah, this would suit you too.”

“…What?”

“Just change into them one by one as I handed them to you. Meanwhile, I’ll look for other swimsuits that might suit you both.”

“……”

“……”

Agnes, my closest friend at the academy, and Natalie, my favorite character from my past life.

No matter what, I couldn’t let their swimsuits be chosen carelessly.