Chapter 1-23 : Dress-up Doll
While waiting for Rin, Leone, and Kururu to finish scolding Lynette, I was resting on the bench with Ruka. She was lying down with her head on my lap.
When there was nothing to do, I usually thought about food. It’s been a while since I played this game but I haven’t cooked anything yet, and thinking about cooking, I need some cooking tools such as a kitchen knife to cook.
I remember Ruka told me she had learned【Tool Mastery】skill. Not only does that skill allow you to handle various types of tools, but also allows you to make them. I wonder if Ruka can make a kitchen knife for me.
「Ruka, you awake?」(Alice)
「Hm…?」(Ruka)
「Sorry, I just want to ask. You learned【Tool Mastery】, right? Can you make a kitchen knife?」(Alice)
「Wait a second…」(Ruka)
Ruka opened her Skill window and checked it for me.
「Hmm… I don’t have the recipe to make a kitchen knife. I think it’s included in【Blacksmithing】skill.」(Ruka)
Seems like only people with【Blacksmithing】skill can make a kitchen knife. I wonder if it’s because a kitchen knife is considered a weapon… Or is it because it’s made of metal?
「I see. I want some cooking tools so I can start cooking, but I guess I’ll buy them from a blacksmith later.」(Alice)
「Cooking tools… I can make you a cutting board with my【Woodworking】skill if you want.」(Ruka)
「Oh! That would be great! I need that too.」(Alice)
「Alright. I’ll make one for you later.」(Ruka)
While I was talking with Ruka, I noticed Rin beckoning me. Seems like they finished lecturing Lynette.
「Ruka, they’re done. Let’s go.」(Alice)
「Un…」(Ruka)
Ruka got up, and then we approached them.
Lynette was still crying. She kneeled in front of me and apologized.
「Hiks… Alice-chan, I’m sorry-nya… Hiks, hiks…」(Lynette)
「Lynette-san…」(Alice)
Seeing her crying like that closely made me feel bad for her.
I think they went too far in scolding her…
「I promise I will tell those guys to delete your photos-nya… Hiks… so please forgive me-nya… Hiks…」(Lynette)
「Being stared at by those people in the town made me feel uncomfortable, but honestly, I’m not that upset. As long as you will deal with the people in that thread, I will forgive you. How about you, Ruka?」(Alice)
「I don’t really mind either.」(Ruka)
「Alice-chan… Thank you-nya… Hiks…」(Lynette)
「No, no. Alice-san, you’re too kind!」(Kururu)
I don’t really mad at Lynette, but Kururu didn’t seem to accept the fact that I let her go without being punished.
「Haahh… Alice, you’re too soft as always.」(Rin)
「Alice-chan, you have to be strict with people sometimes. Why don’t you try scolding her like we did~?」(Leone)
The other two shared the same thoughts. However, I don’t have the intention to punish her.
「Guys, look at her. I think she truly regrets what she did. I’m not going to punish someone who has completely reflected on what they’ve done. Besides, Ruka said she didn’t mind either.」(Alice)
「Aa-aah… Alright, if you say so. Forget about this cat girl. Why did you come here? You have business with her?」(Rin)
「Aa! I almost forgot. I came to make new armor.」(Alice)
The moment I said that, Rin, Leone, and Kururu grinned for some reason.
「Ahh, new armor~ I see~」(Rin)
「Ara~ I suddenly got a great idea~」(Leone)
「What a coincidence. Me too. Khu khu~」(Kururu)
「「Hehehehehe~」」(Rin, Leone, & Kururu)
「Hiiiiiyy!」(Lynette)
They then turned their faces to Lynette. Seeing their terrifying smiles, she couldn’t help but tremble.
「Say, Lynette.」(Rin)
「Y, yes, Ma’am!」(Lynette)
「You’d like to sincerely apologize to Alice and her friend, right~?」(Rin)
「O, of course-nya…」(Lynette)
「Then, why don’t you show it with action?」(Rin)
「That’s right~ For example, make new armor for these two for free~」(Leone)
「What an excellent idea~」(Kururu)
Uhh… Guys? What are you talking about?
「For… free-nya…?」(Lynette)
「Yup~」(Rin)
「But… Making armor cost a lot of money-nya…」(Lynette)
「What did you say?」(Rin)
「N, nothing-nya… Can’t be helped… Alice-chan, what kind of armor do you want-nya?」(Lynette)
I honestly feel kinda bad to ask her to make armor for me without paying her, but Lynette is a bit greedy. Sometimes she charges a huge amount of money, so I think I’ll gratefully use this opportunity.
「Do you remember I told you I wanted fiber armor? I have the materials now.」(Alice)
「Ah, you did say that. Let me see-nya.」(Lynette)
I took out the silk cocoons Ruka and I collected and put them on the counter.
「Aa…」(Lynette)
However, Lynette’s reaction when she saw the materials was a bit strange.
「What’s wrong?」(Alice)
「Uhh… Alice-chan, I’m sorry. I can’t-nya…」(Lynette)
「Eh?」(Alice)
「Huuh!? So you say you don’t want to apologize to her!?」(Rin)
「Hiiiy! That’s not what I mean-nya! I can’t process this kind of material. Not yet-nya.」(Lynette)
「What do you mean?」(Alice)
「There are various kinds of fiber materials. linen, cotton, and of course, silk. With my current skill level, I can process linen and cotton, but it’s not enough to process silk-nya. It hasn’t been long since this game released, so I still need time to upgrade my skill-nya.」(Lynette)
「I see…」(Alice)
「However, I can make armor made from linen and cotton fabrics for now if you want. For free, of course. I will make your silk armor after I upgrade my skill-nya.」(Lynette)
「Hmm… What do you think, Ruka?」(Alice)
「Fine with me.」(Ruka)
「Perfect. Uhh… You guys okay with it-nya?」(Lynette)
「Well, if Alice and her friend are okay with that.」(Rin)
「I still think you need to be punished more, but… Fufu, Alice-chan really is a kind girl~」(Leone)
「Hahh… Can’t be helped. Butー」(Kururu)
「「Don’t you dare do it again!」」(Rin, Leone & Kururu)
「I, I won’t-nya…」(Lynette)
Seems like Lynette has learned her lesson. There’s no reason to blame her anymore.
「So, do I have to collect some linen and cotton fiber materials?」(Alice)
「No need-nya. Since we can access the southern area now, I got myself a lot of fiber materials. We can use them-nya.」(Lynette)
「Are you sure?」(Alice)
「Consider it as my sincere apologize-nya. So, what kind of fiber armor you want-nya?」(Lynette)
「Hmm…」(Alice)
「Please make a kimono for Alice.」(Ruka)
While I was thinking, Ruka suddenly decided it for me.
「Ruka!?」(Alice)
「Alice, I think a kimono will look great on you.」(Ruka)
「Oo! I think so too! Ruka-chan, was it? You have good sense!」(Rin)
「ー!!」(Ruka)
Knowing Ruka shared the same thought as her, Rin suddenly approached her, but she quickly hid behind me.
Seeing Ruka’s behavior, Rin giggled.
「Fufu. Did I scare you? I’m sorry. You know? You remind me of Alice when we were at elementary school. She was a shy girl who always hid behind me.」(Rin)
「Rin!」(Alice)
「Hoeee…」(Ruka)
Ugh, she didn’t have to expose my childhood…
Ruka glanced up at me curiously. This is embarrassing…
「By the way, we haven’t introduced ourselves. I’m Rin. Alice’s childhood friend.」(Rin)
「You’re so cute~ How did you meet Alice-chan~? Tell me, tell me~」(Leone)
「Leone, stop it! You’re not the idiot Shuu! Mind your manner!」(Kururu)
「Oi, I can hear you!」(Shuu)
「Forgive her. She is Leone, and you can call me Kururu.」(Kururu)
「I’m Lynette. The owner of this shop-nya.」(Lynette)
「I’m Ruka… Umm… Nice to meet you, guys.」(Ruka)
Ruka made a lot of new friends today. I’m happy for her.
「So, Alice, what kind of style and color do you want your kimono to be-nya?」(Lynette)
「I’m fine with any color.」(Alice)
「No, on. That won’t do. Alice, deciding the style and color of your outfit is important. Lynette, do you have some clothes Alice can try on for reference?」(Rin)
「Of course-nya!」(Lynette)
Lynette took out a lot of light armor from her Item Box and put them on the counter.
No, rather than light armor, they looked more like girl clothes. As expected from an armor merchant. She has various kinds of clothes.
But… Seeing so many girl clothes in front of me, I suddenly have a bad feeling for some reason…
「Umm… Guys, I think we can do it another day. I… That’s right! I just remember there’s something I need to do today!」(Alice)
Saying that, I turned around, trying to run away, but Rin quickly grabbed my arm before I could even take a step.
「Alice~ Where are you going~?」(Rin)
「Alice-chan, you should stay and leave everything to us~ I promise it’s gonna be fun~!」(Leone)
「Hiiiiiiiyy!」(Alice)
Just like that. I became their dress-up doll for the day.
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