CH 29.2

What? What’s with the atmosphere? Why are Gazelle and Felix looking at me so pitifully? Is that it? “You said you weren’t going to leave the barracks… Haven’t you made any friends within the knight order yet? Aren’t you a bit pitiful?”

Or, “I understand you have your reasons, but that’s too much of a reclusive declaration. 

I-I’m sorry!

“All right, after we finish eating, the three of us are going to go look at clothes together. Is that okay with you, Felix?” But before I could make any excuses, Gazelle began talking to Felix in a tone of voice that seemed to have regained its composure.

W-Wait a minute, Gazelle! You’ve already decided to buy me clothes, but I haven’t agreed to it yet!

I glanced at Felix, who was sitting next to me and asked him for help. 

“Please wait a moment, Commander Gazelle. This outfit Takumi is wearing had been altered and given to him by my family, my mother, and was not a gift from me personally.”

“Oh?”

Oh, good job Felix!

“So if Commander Gazelle wants to give Takumi some clothes, I think I have the right to do the same. Is that alright with you?”

“I see. So, it’s like that. Well then, I guess we’ll be going to the clothing stores in the afternoon.”

What’s the point of that? Wait a minute, isn’t the flow of this conversation strange? Isn’t it strange?!?! Somebody, please tell me if there’s something wrong!

Just as I was about to open my mouth, a waiter brought the food to the table. With the food in front of us, Gazelle and Felix’s topic of conversation shifted to something else, so the opportunity to get back to the subject was completely lost.

By the way, all the food was unquestionably delicious. There was a white fish pie with mashed potatoes and green salad as garnish and also freshly baked bread with apples kneaded into it. 

It was great fun, especially considering it had been a long time since the three of us had gone out to eat together in such a formal setting. Since I couldn’t bear to ruin the mood, I accepted Gazelle and Felix’s offer and we then eventually strolled down a street lined with clothing stores at the end.

“—This is nice! I had heard rumors that a young man with dark hair and dark eyes had joined the order, but I had no idea he would come to our store! By all means, please try on as many of our clothes as you like!” The store clerk was an elderly woman serving the three of us with a big smile on her face.

“Sorry, do you have any clothes in red over here?”

“Yes, I do! With black hair and eyes, he would look great in just about any color of clothing. Now, please have this one.” 

“Thank you. Takumi, try this one on.”

“Oh, um, Gazelle. I really don’t need you to do this for me.”

Nevertheless, Gazelle didn’t give me any choice, but pointed toward the fitting room and said, “Just try it on.” I turned around to Felix to ask for help.

“Takumi, how about this purple jacket? If you like, you can try this one on too.” 

But even Felix, who I had asked for help, handed me a new set of clothes.

Yes, I knew this was coming! But red and purple, huh? …Somehow, the colors are similar to Gazelle’s burgundy hair and Felix’s purple crystal-like eyes. It’s probably just a coincidence that they each gave me these colors, but it could be a blessing! By wearing the color associated with two strong men, I too can be strong and—

It’s impossible!

Even so, as expected, the two of them are really good-looking guys. If I were on my own, I would never choose to wear this color. I’m a guy who always finds himself in a full-body black outfit. 

“Ah, I put it on, but is this… okay?”

“Oh, that’s good. Takumi, try on this shirt this time.”

“That’s nice. It looks good on you. Okay, Takumi, now put on these shoes.”

“Wait a minute, I thought it was just one outfit?” I ask them, bewildered, holding the newly handed clothes and shoes. 

“What are you talking about? Or were those clothes not to your taste?”

“If you tell us what you like, we’ll take it into consideration…”

Oh, even if you say it’s my preference… Since I’ve been a hikikomori for a long time, I’ve always been wearing jerseys and a slack bottom. So, having a bad taste is just a problem I’ve had since long before…

Ha, shoot! I almost got swept away again! All I’m saying is, I’m not going to let you buy me any more clothes! I have to tell them that it’s not about the taste in clothes or anything like that! 

“Gazelle, Felix. I appreciate what you two are trying to do, but I’m—”

Just as I was about to decline their offer, the doorbell of the store rang with a tinkling sound. The elven waiter’s cheerful “Welcome!” had drowned out my voice. Moreover, the new customer came into the store and said, “Oh my, Takumi? Isn’t this Gazelle and Felix?!” and approached us in a flamboyant voice. Because of this, I had totally missed the timing to continue my words altogether.

Um, can I just cry?

“Hmm~ you guys are all in an unlikely place, aren’t you? What’s wrong?” 

“Iris… What a strange coincidence to be in a place like this.”

The new guest was Iris, a senior member of the Black-winged knights. It seemed that today was also an off day for him, and he too, was wearing civilian clothes. My jaw dropped as I witnessed his effortless elegance in a frilly, lace-detailed shirt. If I was wearing the same outfit as him, I would surely be mistaken for a street performer. Iris seemed to be a regular customer of the store and approached me after greeting the clerk in a familiar manner.

“Iris, thank you for your hard work. Actually, Commander Gazelle and I were trying to shop some clothes for Takumi…” Felix explained the situation to him, to which Iris nodded.

Oh! Yes, it is fortunate that Iris shows up here, isn’t it? Now that he’s here, Gazelle and Felix might come to their senses. Come on, Iris, tell them! 

Something along the lines like, “You don’t have to buy him so many clothes, do you?” Or, “Isn’t buying for Takumi a great waste for you?” Please, whatever you want to say! Anything! But I’d appreciate it if you’d try to be as blunt as possible!

I gazed at Iris with expectant eyes.

“—that’s why, Iris. If you don’t mind, would you like to watch it with us?”

“What, that’s so interesting! I’ll do it! By the way, if I pay for the clothes, I can dress up Takumi, too, right?” After listening to Felix’s explanation, Iris’s cheeks rose up in excitement. 

Why would you do that? Where did that come from?

However, my heart’s cries were not enough to stop Iris from entering the battle. Finally, with three opponents, the battle situation became even more difficult, and the four of us ended up going around clothing stores until the sun went down.

I gained more than ten outfits in just one day, wow…