Chapter 11
Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW
Chapter 11: Gothic Lolita Is Cutely Decorated With Frills IX
The beautiful rolls of fabric shimmered on the other side of the glass. As I glanced at the sign that read “Shimozawa Kimono Shop,” I couldn’t help but sigh. Even though I had lived in Yuhigaoka for fifteen years, I never imagined that I would someday enter a shop in this area.
Yuhigaoka is quite large and expansive, but it can broadly be divided into two areas: one with many former tenant farmer homes, including my own, and the other with many ancestral landowner homes. The area where my house is located has been converted from rice fields and farmland into residential areas, so there are large houses nearby and also new residents who have bought up land.
In contrast, the area where Rei-sama’s house is located is sustained by renting out land and properties like houses and apartments, so many people have lived in old, large mansions for a long time.
So, even though it’s the same Yuhigaoka, there is a district with high-end shops catering to wealthy clients, which is in stark contrast to the rundown arcade shopping street. The items sold here are priced at levels unimaginable compared to the latter. Of course, it was a place completely unrelated to me.
“What’s wrong?”
“Oh, I feel a bit light-headed looking at these high-end stores.”
I followed Rei-sama into the store without much thought, my steps hesitant. Inside, there were beautiful kimonos displayed, and the store was dimly lit, perhaps to prevent the fabric from fading. Every kimono seemed expensive, and I shrank my already small form as I moved further in, afraid they might demand I buy something if I touched it.
“Hey, can you find something that would suit this child?”
“Yes, certainly. A girl, is it?”
With the sound of fabric rustling, a young woman in a kimono appeared. She had long black hair, just like Rei-sama, and walked slowly before kneeling on the tatami mat and sitting down.
“It’s a boy.”
“But, you’re dressing him in women’s clothing. Also, please do his makeup to make him look like a girl.”
Rei-sama’s explanation followed immediately after my correction. The shop assistant, initially surprised, quickly accepted Rei-sama’s request, and I was taken further into the store.
“Rei-sama, are you playing around again?”
“Again? Does that mean you’ve brought someone here before?”
The shop assistant chuckled softly. Given the nature of the shop, it was likely that the staff came from a well-off family or perhaps was the shopkeeper’s daughter. It wouldn’t be unusual for her to be acquainted with Rei-sama.
“Previously, I asked them to make a kimono for a stray cat I picked up because it was sad to see it naked.”
“Is that so?”
Her refined smile as she covered her mouth was just as mysterious as when I first met Rei-sama, and it made her seem like someone from a different world. Thinking about how I might never have encountered such a person in a normal life, I began to see the cross-dressing in a more positive light.
“Please wait here.”
I was shown into a room with a tokonoma alcove. It wasn’t very spacious, but there was a faint scent of incense that made the atmosphere pleasant.
“I understand Rei-sama well, so leave it to me.”
“Y-yes. It must be tough for you.”
“Not as much as for our customers.”
After this response, the shop assistant left the room to select a kimono. From the brief conversation, it was clear that even this person was struggling with Rei-sama. Though I thought we lived in different worlds, it seemed we were somewhat alike in that regard—being tossed around by Rei-sama.
The shop assistant seemed to know Rei-sama’s preferences well and returned with a kimono in a vivid red color relatively quickly. She also carried makeup tools, holding them carefully. With both hands occupied, the shop assistant skillfully used her feet to close the sliding door.
“Oh, just forget about what you saw just now.”
She stuck her tongue out slightly with a smile. I understood her feelings well, as I had been scolded by my grandfather for doing similar things at home. I nodded silently, and the shop assistant approached me with a relieved look.
“But, after the cat and dog, now a boy? Rei-sama picks up anything.”
“It’s not that I was picked up.”
It was a full-on kidnapping, worse than being picked up.
The shop assistant brought out a kimono in a bright red color. Since it was still folded, I couldn’t see the entire design, but the flower embroidery was beautifully done. Even to an amateur’s eye, it was clear it was expensive.
“Is it okay to wear this?”
“This is meant to be worn.”
Well, yes, but I wondered if it was alright to soil such an expensive item, especially since I was just being dressed up without much reason.
Just as the shop assistant reached for my clothes, I suddenly pulled away.
“Um, about those underwear-like things—”
“We have white undergarments, if that’s what you need.”
Yeah, I think I had heard something about wearing a white undergarment.
“That one. Could you please leave the room until I’m dressed?”
“Well, it’s a bit difficult for a child to dress alone.”
“I’m a high school student!”
I didn’t miss the “Eh?” that escaped from the shop assistant. It wasn’t unusual to be mistaken for being younger, so it wasn’t something to get too upset about. Still, it was frustrating. Rei-sama was about the same height, after all.
“I’m sorry. Here, please take this.”
The shop assistant handed me a thin white kimono that resembled a yukata and quickly left the room, as if fleeing. Though I had raised my voice a bit, it might not have been worth getting so upset. Perhaps complaints in such a store are a big deal.
Since the white kimono resembled a judo uniform, I put it on without any hesitation and called out to the store clerk waiting outside the room.