138: So, this guy’s actually into me, huh?
“Sis. Here.”
My second younger sister, Camille, presses a flouncy dress against my body.
Same blank expression as always, but her movements are sharper than usual.
A pale sky-blue, frilly dress.
About as ill-fitting for me as it gets.
“You’d look good in something like this~”
Marilyn, my third sister, holds up a silk one-piece dress.
Thinner than Camille’s, tighter, showing every curve.
“Wait, no way.”
They’re both overdoing it, hard to interrupt, but honestly, this dress is way too much.
I’m just having dinner with a coworker—why the hell do I need to go full glam?
All of this? That’s on him. Last night, that guy left with “Gotta get back quick—gotta prep for tomorrow,” like it was an emergency.
And the meeting spot? The central fountain.
A fancy restaurant-lined area, the most popular date spot in Goldendown.
I must’ve been careless.
I never thought for a second that that alchemist had any interest in me.
But being hit with an invitation this blatant? No mistaking it.
He took my “treat you” and turned it around on me.
“Unexpectedly cunning….”
I’ve got Raidock-sama, so I could’ve just said no—but I’d already accepted the date, however awkwardly. I had to at least make an effort with my appearance, or I’d be making the other person look bad.
That’s what Marilyn lectured me about.
I realized it was a date too late.
But now I know for sure—Goldendown’s got good治安. It’s unbelievable, given how many immigrants and refugees flood in every day.
With Kyle becoming the Marquis of Elquisil, the kingdom officially recognized his right to maintain a military force. His personal guards became soldiers, and a knightly order was formed.
Now that regular patrols joined the street guards who used to be only adventurers, crime simply doesn’t happen anymore.
……
Even if some alchemist tried to drag me into a back alley nobody likes, I’d scream—and soldiers or adventurers would be there in an instant.
What am I even worried about?
“Hah.”
Playing mannequin for Camille and Marilyn, letting out a long, heavy sigh.
That clumsy alchemist wouldn’t dare do something like that, anyway.
Whether he realizes it or not, the women around him—some more, some less—tend to like him.
Not just that. He’s being eyed by female adventurers, daughters of wealthy merchants, even village girls—though technically, they’re town girls who used to be village girls.
This place is probably just about on par with the common folk who idolize Raidock.
A guy who doesn’t have a single woman chasing him wouldn’t be interested in some rootless mage with no family, no rank, no money.
But the fact remains—he was asked out on a date, plain and simple.
“Huh…”
While I’m stalling, I’m being shoved into one outfit after another. I’m starting to get tired of it.
I ignore the two of us picking out clothes that don’t belong, let the clerk pick for me instead.
They recommend something like what a merchant’s daughter might wear—just enough gold in it to feel proper, but not so fancy it screams noble.
No idea where an alchemist would drag someone like this, but if this dress is good enough for a fancy restaurant, it’ll do.
Once I’d picked out the outfit, the clerk handed me a free gift—a wide-brimmed straw hat, dyed pure white.
I took it without a second thought, thanks to my usual wide-brimmed pointed magic hat making the new one feel familiar. But I didn’t notice, not even a little, that the new hat was cranking up the “ladylike” vibes to ridiculous levels.
◆
The meeting time was way past.
I hadn’t realized how long I’d been picking out clothes.
“Men are supposed to wait.”
Camille announced this with her chest puffed out—no idea what she’s thinking, but she’s never dated a man before, right?
Apparently, she knew the time had passed… but still went ahead anyway.
I gave her a quick flick on the forehead, then headed toward the central fountain.
If she’d already left, fine by me.
I’d actually prefer she wasn’t around—but I still scanned the area around the fountain anyway.
The most noticeable thing is the couples, but there are plenty of ordinary friends just meeting up too.
That familiar, nose-down stare hits me—only, there seem to be more of them than usual?
“Eva?”
I nearly jump at the sudden call from the side.
“Huh!?”
I turn around. It’s Craft, my date for today. I didn’t see that coming.
I was sure he’d show up in his usual robe—some alchemist, always the same. But no. He’s wearing a smart, casual suit with formal touches.
Exactly like me.
Not too common. Not too fancy.
“Good. You’re Eva, right? I was just thinking, what if I’d gotten the wrong person?”
Craft steps closer, relief in his voice.
“What do you mean?”
Thought you'd show up in your usual robe. Caught me off guard. Uh... actually, looks good on you.
!?
My mind screamed, "I'm done for!"
Now it's like I'm the one who put in effort, trying to look good!
I was half-panicked, so I didn't even register his mutter: "Man, Ryuuko was right. Scary close there."
"Supper's reserved. Got some time before then."
Adventurers'd already be eating by now, but maybe this place lets you in a little later.
Typical guy. I can already guess what comes next. "Eva, wanna do anything?" Something like that.
Men like that are the worst—never think for themselves, dump all the responsibility on you.
"Eva, over here."
Just as I thought—Craft, indecisive as ever, shoving the whole damn burden my way...
Wait.
Don’t shove me like that.
Worse, he starts moving without even waiting for my reply.
Hey—!
At least listen to what I’m saying!
I can’t get through the crowd in this unfamiliar noblewoman’s dress.
Then the alchemist says “Sorry, sorry” and grabs my hand, yanking me forward.
Wait—?!
This is bad.
I don’t even know what’s bad, but it’s bad!
My face is hot!
What do you want me to do? I’ve barely ever touched a man before!
I could just shake him off easily.
But then I’d probably fall. That’d be embarrassing as an adventurer.
“Ugh….”
I let out a muffled groan, too flustered to speak, and just let the man pull me along.
It’s fine. Raidock-sama lives in my heart, after all!
I clutched my heart, pounding with some unknown rhythm, and found myself at a jeweler’s shop.
Who’s the war criminal?! ＼(^o^)／