The Maid’s Swimsuit (2)

A white frill on a black fabric base with a choker reminiscent of a maid’s uniform.

While I thought it was quite a nice design, a slight suspicion arose about this outfit that I’d never seen in the original work.

‘Was there really a swimsuit like this in the original…?’

As far as I remember, I don’t think there was.

Having played through 『Luminor Academy』 at least 25 times and tried on every type of swimsuit available, my memory probably isn’t wrong.

The fabric itself had a slightly different texture from just waterproofed underwear, and frankly, I doubt any underwear with this kind of design even exists.

‘Still, out of everything I’ve worn so far, I like this one the most…’

To be honest, none of the other swimsuits had really grabbed my attention like this.

Some were decent enough, but that was about it-nothing that made me think, “This really suits me,” like the ones Natalina or Agnes would wear.

…Though I suppose there were quite a few outfits that seemed designed for purposes other than swimming.

‘It feels nice to wear too… And it goes well with the headdress…’

-Rustle.

“Is this the last one, Lizzie-yang?”

“Yes, Lilith-yang! This swimsuit really suits you too~! Don’t you think this one is the most ‘maid-like’ swimsuit yet, Lilith-yang?”

“…Yes, I think so too.”

“Then, Lilith-yang. Out of all the swimsuits you’ve tried on so far, which one did you like the most?”

Her gaze, fixed intently on the swimsuit I was wearing, made it easy to guess the order in which she’d had me try them on.

She must have known from the start that I’d like this one best. After all, Lizzie was well aware of the two and a half years I’d spent as Ethan’s exclusive maid.

Knowing how seriously I took my duties-enough to modify my uniform with frills-she had deliberately saved the most maid-like swimsuit for last. To make my choosing it feel natural.

“The one I’m wearing now… is my favorite.”

“I knew it~! I just knew you’d say that, Lilith-yang~!”

“……”

“Actually, this was the swimsuit I wanted to give you as a gift from the start? Personally, I think it suits your image the best.”

“…Yes. I had a feeling you’d say that.”

“I deliberately dyed black underwear to match your size, added frills, and treated it with waterproofing potion~!”

“…So you made this swimsuit yourself?”

“Hehe~. That’s right? Since I put so much effort into making it just for you, feel free to be as grateful as you want~?”

…No wonder the design felt unfamiliar.

As much as Lizzie had a soft spot for me, I never expected her to go as far as making a swimsuit for me. Even if I had saved her life in a crisis.

‘If Lizzie’s being this sincere with me, maybe I should make an effort to meet her more often from now on.’

Human nature makes it hard to push away someone who treats you well, even if they’re a bit overwhelming.

And honestly, while Lizzie’s feelings for me were a bit much, she’d never really done anything to harm me.

She’d never schemed to drive a wedge between me and Ethan out of jealousy, listened to me during the witch trials in the Witch’s Forest, and even helped me get mandrake roots…

“So, as a token of my appreciation, I’ll give you the swimsuit you’re wearing now as a gift! Hehe.”

“…Thank you, Lizzie-yang.”

Even now, she was showering me with such obvious goodwill.

What goes around comes around, so while this might not be enough to fully repay her, I decided to bump Lizzie up half a step in my mental priority list.

“Thank you, Lizzie-yang. I’ll wear it well.”

“I’m glad you’re happy, Lilith-yang.”

Not quite friends, but not just casual acquaintances either-somewhere in between.

I even softened the overly polite speech I’d been using with her until now.

“Then, should I package this swimsuit for you? Or would you rather wear it out?”

“W-Who in their right mind would walk out wearing a swimsuit?!”

“Heehee~! Then I’ll repackage it for you-could you take it off and hand it to me?”

With those words, the sky-haired noblewoman reached out toward me as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Sensing something dangerous in that gesture, I quickly dodged past her and fled into the changing room.

“W-Wait a minute…! I-I’ll change in the changing room, so don’t come any closer…!”

“Aww, why so shy, Lilith-yang~? We’re both girls-it’s not like seeing each other naked is a big deal~?”

“T-That doesn’t mean I should just show you anytime!”

“Besides, you’ve already seen me naked before-aren’t you overreacting~?”

“T-That was because of the witch trials! It couldn’t be helped! J-Just stay back…!!”

No, actually, correction.

…Lizzie is definitely some kind of dangerous woman, no matter how I look at it. I should hold off on getting too close to her for now.

⁎ ⁎ ⁎

“Here you go, Lilith-yang.”

Lizzie handed me a small box that fit in the palm of my hand, beaming brightly.

After what had just happened, that strange smile made me a little uneasy, so even a goodwill gift couldn’t escape my suspicion.

“…You didn’t do anything weird, right?”

“Weird? Like what?”

“Like, swapping the swimsuit for something strange…”

“Of course not~. I already told you I made this swimsuit just for you, didn’t I? Just seeing you wear something I made is more than enough for me~?”

“…Alright.”

Well, it’s a bit odd to nitpick over something I’m getting for free. Though Lizzie did kind of bring this suspicion on herself.

Thinking that, I was about to take the swimsuit and leave the store when one of the outfits she’d had me try on earlier suddenly came to mind.

…I’d never wear it for Marine Biology class, but it might not be bad for… other purposes.

“…Um, Lizzie-yang.”

“Yes, Lilith-yang?”

“…There was one swimsuit I tried on earlier that I kind of liked. Could I buy that one separately? I’ll pay properly for it.”

Lizzie’s face brightened again as she nodded.

She seemed pleased that I wanted to buy something she’d personally worked on.

“Oh, of course! Which one was it? The bikini type? Or the one-piece? Or maybe…?”

“T-The very first one you had me try on… T-The one with, um, minimal coverage, the one you said was a joke… T-That one…”

“Ah……”

My face burned as I forced the words out.

Lizzie’s eyes gleamed with something mischievous, but this was something I needed.

Not that I’d ever wear that skimpy swimsuit outside-I just figured it might come in handy for… private moments with Ethan.

‘Besides, you can’t just find something with that ridiculous design anywhere.’

So I mustered my courage to ask.

If I was going to use it for “non-swimming purposes,” I might as well get something perfectly suited for the task.

“You mean that barely-there micro bikini swimsuit?”

“Y-Your voice is too loud, Lizzie-yang! Someone might hear!”

“Huh? What’s this about? Why can’t I hear?”

“It’s nothing, Agnes-yang. Lilith-yang just said she wanted to buy the micro bikini swimsuit she tried on earlier-“

“……What?”

“Eeek! D-Don’t say it! Why would you tell Agnes-yang?!”

…A small commotion broke out over my swimsuit purchase, but in the end, I did buy it.

It felt a little unfair that they’d seen me in it, but Ethan hadn’t.