Chapter 57: The Reunion Was the Worst
“So, what kind of outfit did you put on Hoyeon?”
I had only seen Anya carefully selecting the clothes, but I hadn’t actually seen what she picked out. Well, she always had this aura of “don’t come near me,” though it wasn’t as intense as what Hoyeon had at the start of the semester.
But if I were to nitpick, there was a significant difference between the two.
Anya deliberately projected that aura because she didn’t want to be disturbed.
On the other hand, with Hoyeon, that oppressive energy just naturally seeped out whenever she was in a bad mood.
Even when she wasn’t aware of it, she exuded a vibe similar to—or even more intense than—Anya’s conscious efforts to keep people at a distance.
Thinking about it like that, I was really relieved that Hoyeon was part of “our side” and not aligned with any other faction.
“Ah, right. I forgot to show it to you, Dogeon… Here, this is it.”
“…Anya, are you seriously planning to make Hoyeon wear this? No matter how much it’s a party hosted by Stefania, it’s still supposed to be a consolation party, isn’t it?”
The dress had an open back, exposed cleavage, and side slits. No matter how you looked at it, it wasn’t the type of dress you’d wear to a “consolation” party.
Superficially, the event’s purpose was to console the first-year students for the hardships they endured, not to have someone show up and sweep people off their feet.
Considering that purpose, it felt a bit off to wear something like this.
Hearing that, Anya averted her eyes, seemingly aware that she had made a mistake, and started fumbling for an excuse.
“That’s… well, you see… It’s for measuring! Yes, I just wanted to measure Hoyeon once…!”
If I were to organize her rambling into a coherent explanation:
Her plan was to have Hoyeon try on the most daring option first. Then, later on, she could naturally suggest, “Since we tried something bold earlier, how about something a bit more modest this time?”
In other words, she had no actual intention of making her wear it to the party.
Was this some sort of shock therapy or gaslighting tactic?
It was clumsy and ridiculous, but oddly enough, it felt like it might actually work on Hoyeon.
I did wonder for a moment, “So, did she have them make an outfit they wouldn’t even buy?” But soon, I sensed Hoyeon was about to come out from inside, so I didn’t bother bringing it up.
I figured that must be something nobles do. After all, I couldn’t claim to know much about this world beyond the contents of the original story, so I stayed quiet.
“…There’s no way… I could possibly… show myself like this… in front of others…”
“No, no! You’re really beautiful! I’m sure your companions will feel the same!”
“…You’re not trying to deceive me, are you…? Alright, f-fine… I’ll prepare myself…”
Even just looking at the design, anyone could tell it was something a little too much.
Hoyeon, who had to actually wear it, seemed understandably shaken by the experience.
“I… I’m coming out…!”
I had been looking forward to it.
Since Hoyeon, who looked beautiful every day even while wearing only her school uniform and no makeup, was now properly paying attention to her appearance, there was no way I wouldn’t be excited.
…But this was beyond expectations.
“…Why are you looking at me like that…? Say something… ugh.”
It had felt like it was taking a long time for her to change, but now I understood why.
They had matched everything from her shoes to the dress.
Her flat shoes had been swapped for heels, and it seemed she had even changed her undergarments. If she had been wearing her usual ones, they would have shown through the dress, but they didn’t.
If she had only been “pretty” before, now she was stunning enough to seize the gaze of everyone around her.
To the point where it made me wonder, “Would Anya even come close to looking this good if she wore the same outfit?”
Her posture, unlike usual, was slightly hunched as if she were self-conscious of other people’s eyes, and that only made her seem more alluring.
When she noticed that my gaze had momentarily dropped to her cleavage, she tried to cover the lace portion with her hands, but that action only made her look even more seductive.
Her embarrassment was clear as she wrapped her tail tightly around her thigh, a sight so adorable that I found myself momentarily speechless.
“…Ah, sorry. You’re just so beautiful. Anya, don’t you think so too?”
Rather than calling her “pretty,” it felt more appropriate to call her “beautiful.” Rather than “charming,” it felt more accurate to say she was “captivating.” That was the kind of overwhelming presence Hoyeon had right now.
“Yes… I truly think so. Hoyeon, you are absolutely stunning.”
“R-really…?”
Even though she was still somewhat withdrawn, her posture regained a hint of confidence after hearing the compliments.
Compared to her usual demeanor, she was still a bit timid, but it was definitely an improvement.
“Would you mind taking a few steps? If anything feels uncomfortable, please let us know!”
While everyone else was dazedly admiring her, a staff member, who had regained her senses first, spoke to Hoyeon.
“Ah… I understand.”
It was hard to tell whether her awkwardness was due to walking in heels or from being overwhelmed by all the gazes on her. Probably both.
With that stiffness, Hoyeon slowly began walking through the store.
Her movements caused her legs to peek through the slit in the dress from time to time, making it impossible to look away.
Anya seemed to feel the same, as she was fidgeting with her wallet.
That was the kind of movement people usually make when they’re about to buy something.
It looked like she was set on buying that dress for Hoyeon no matter what.
Imagining the day when she’d wear that dress at an upcoming party, I burned Hoyeon’s image into my memory.
It seemed like my walk home today would be heavier than usual.
***
“The young lady is moving around a lot. Lieutenant, what do you think? Do you believe we’ll need to step in this time?”
The young man asked the old man as he watched a dot move across a map.
On their heads were animal ears—proof that they were not human.
The young man had the ears of a wolf, while the old man, referred to as the “Lieutenant,” had the ears of a bear.
“…This time, it would be better to follow Her Highness, Black Wolf. Unlike before, she’s gone too far.”
“Even you think so, Lieutenant? Last time, it was just a pet shop, but this time…”
The young man, who could look like a scoundrel or a loyal subordinate depending on how you viewed him, grabbed the sword leaning against the chair next to him.
“…Seems like she’s gone to some strange place this time. Not like her to do that.”
“Shall I tell the soldiers to prepare?”
“No need. Just me and you, Lieutenant, will be enough. I don’t want to drag everyone along and end up getting into a scuffle with the guards. If you’re really that worried, we could bring along two people at most.”
“…No, if you’re stepping in personally, Black Wolf, that’s more than enough. After all, you’re someone who could handle all of us at once if it came down to it. Besides… Her Highness doesn’t seem to be very fond of us, does she?”
The young man chuckled at the old man’s words.
What they had done for Hoyeon might have been necessary for her, but it was never in the way she wanted.
The only reason they hadn’t killed anyone was because she had firmly ordered them not to.
If she hadn’t spoken up, they would have gladly turned the place into a bloodbath just to clear the path for her.
“Alright, let’s get moving, old man. Now then… what did they call it again? A department store, right? A weird building that crams all sorts of shops into one place. She’s there, isn’t she?”
“Yes.”
The old man glanced at the map and answered Black Wolf’s question.
The map had been drawn using information they had gathered themselves as they scoured the area near the academy. Thanks to that, they knew this city’s layout better than most of its residents.
They had shed a little blood to obtain that information, but as far as they were concerned, it didn’t matter as long as Hoyeon never found out.
After all, the ones who bled were drifters, beggars, and criminals—people who didn’t contribute much to society to begin with. They genuinely believed they had done something good.
After confirming the shortest route to the department store, the young man and the old man left their lodgings.
***
It had been four hours since we got stuck in this department store. There were no windows, but fortunately, there was a clock, so I had a rough idea of how much time had passed.
I had no clue how many outfits I had tried on or how many we had bought.
It felt like there were more clothes in Anya’s shopping bags than there were on the racks.
I used to think the whole “women take forever to shop for clothes” thing was a joke, but now I was learning, through painful experience, that it was absolutely true.
Even Dogeon, who had been helping the whole time, was now carrying bags in both hands, stuffed to the brim.
“…Anastasia, isn’t this enough already?”
“What are you talking about, Hoyeon?! There are still so many outfits left for you to try on!”
Anya, weren’t you supposed to be an introverted shut-in? Is it really okay to treat your friends like this?
Not that I was some kind of saint when it came to handling friends, but still, this was too much.
Ignoring my growing internal resentment, Anya moved with renewed energy.
We had already scoured the entire second floor, so where was she going now?
Ah, the next floor.
Somebody save me, please.
“…Sorry, Hoyeon. I’m starting to feel like I shouldn’t have brought you here.”
Dogeon’s voice was filled with regret.
It wasn’t that he lacked stamina or strength, but even he seemed to be nearing his limit.
“…It’s fine. Your intentions were good, after all.”
With Anya’s energetic strides leading the way and Dogeon dragging his feet behind her, I had no choice but to follow them to another floor.
Anya clearly didn’t plan to let us go until she was satisfied.
Seeing Dogeon being crushed under the weight of his own good intentions made me feel a little smug. Serves you right.
It wasn’t the worst feeling.
Until I ran into a familiar face.
“…Big bro? Is that you, Black Wolf?”
“…Big bro?”
“…Big bro?” Anya echoed, eyes darting toward me.
“Yeah, I told you not to call me that outside… Anyway, it’s been a while, Your Highness.”
His voice was as cocky as ever, but right now, I really didn’t want to see him.
I was in the middle of playing dress-up with Anya, and I didn’t want anyone I knew to see me like this.
Compared to the first dress, it was a little better, but it was still more revealing than my school uniform, and I felt embarrassed wearing it.
“…More importantly, who are these people next to you?”
With a smooth, natural movement, his hand reached for his sword.
I panicked and quickly introduced Dogeon and Anya.
“They’re my friends!”