"The Idea of a Woman Stealing Someone Else's Partner is Ridiculous," I laughed. But After Being Reborn, I Became a Victim of Such a Woman. However, My New Fiancée was Absolutely Amazing. - Episode 26
I can’t believe it. Even though my mind is male…
A handsome guy’s smile works on men too…!?
Or is it because my body is female that I’m reacting this way?
Honestly, there were times when I acted younger than my actual age, just because my body was young.
Y-yeah, that must be it! This heart-throbbing feeling is just because my body is female!
“By the way, it seems that neither of us has been to a ‘café’ before. Will we recognize it at first sight?”
“Hmm, well… Yeah… Let’s just walk around and look for a place that seems like one!”
I feel like cafés should be easy to recognize by their exterior.
We walk side by side into the shopping district.
Surprisingly, despite his long legs, he adjusts his stride to match mine in my kimono…!?
S-so handsome…! He’s so considerate!
“Your kimono.”
“Huh?”
“The color and pattern don’t seem like something Maido-no would choose. Is it borrowed?”
Suddenly hearing his voice through ‘Thought Sharing’ startles me.
He’s being considerate since we don’t know who might be listening.
S-so handsome…!
How many times is this guy going to make me say that!?
And his guess is spot on.
Since I was going to meet the head of the family, I borrowed this kimono from Fumi-sama of the Kujou-no-Go.
“If you are to marry into the Ichijou-no-Go, you must have at least ten kimonos. Otherwise, the family might be looked down upon… Or so my sisters always said. You may need to think that way too.”
“T-that makes sense…”
“Also… Before I left, my second sister scolded me, saying, ‘A man should at least buy one, two, three, or even four kimonos for his future wife to show his worth.’ So, even if it’s unnecessary, please let me send you some.”
“Ah, uhh… O-okay. I understand.”
W-wow… That sounds like something a noble family would say!
How can I refuse when he puts it like that?
Rather than for my sake, it’s probably to prevent people from saying, ‘The eldest son of the Ichijou-no-Go can’t even buy his fiancée a kimono.’
Being part of a prestigious family sure seems tough…
Well, I’m about to marry into one, though.
“My mother and sisters, who live in the main house, often receive guests. They sometimes change kimonos depending on the visitor. I don’t know much about it, so I’d like you to learn from my sisters. To me, all kimonos look the same except for the color.”
“I see…”
They probably change outfits to match the status of their guests.
Even Fumi-sama of the Kujou-no-Go wore a very casual kimono when my father and I visited.
Since we were considered relatives from a branch family, she likely decided there was no need to dress up.
But when she met Misumi-sama, she wore a beautiful white kimono with a ball pattern.
Then there are social parties.
The social season is ending this year, but parties are basically showcases for new kimonos.
When I attend these events, I just wear my uniform.
It’s affordable and safe.
Well… it also made me stand out, though.
At a luxurious party filled with extravagant new kimonos, I was the only one in a school uniform.
Some noble ladies whispered things like, ‘How frugal,’ ‘We only wear uniforms for three years… maybe I should’ve done the same?’ or ‘Doesn’t her fiancé, Arisugawa Kaname, buy her kimonos?’
On the other hand, a certain rich jerk—who always dressed like a flashy gangster at these events—seemed disgusted by my uniform and never came near me.
Because of that, behind his back, noble ladies started calling him a ‘stingy man who doesn’t care about his fiancée.’
I bet he still doesn’t know.
“Shall we ask the fabric shop owner about the café while choosing cloth?”
“Oh, that’s a great idea!”
Kouga-san’s suggestion is a good one.
Neither of us knows where the café is in this huge shopping district.
Since it’s popular, the shopkeepers should know!
And we need to stop by a fabric shop anyway, so asking around makes sense.
With that in mind, we head toward a fabric shop that Kouga-san is familiar with.
I haven’t been to a fabric shop since I was a little kid, getting my kimono made for the Shichi-Go-San festival.
“Here we are.”
“Wow…”
It’s been so long that I barely remember, but I think I’ve been here before.
The shop’s name is Oumatsuya.
Kouga-san opens the door and steps inside confidently.
The moment he enters, the shop buzzes with excitement.
“I-Is that Ichijou-no-sama…!? Welcome! What may we assist you with today!?”
Kouga-san silently turns to look at me.
He really isn’t good at talking to people, huh?
But I’d rather not be put on the spot here…
If I say I want to order a kimono myself, the shopkeeper might react differently than if Kouga-san says it.
“And this young lady is?”
“My fiancée. I… I want to… get her a kimono… choose fabric…”
“Oh!? Oh!! How wonderful! So, you have finally chosen a fiancée! Of course, of course! Ruri! Ruri! We have a customer! It’s Ichijou Kouga-sama’s fiancée! Serve her with the utmost care! …Kouga-sama, if you are going out with your fiancée, you must have proper attire made! Wearing military uniforms all the time makes you stand out.”
“Hmm…”
The shopkeeper sure knows how to do business.
He’s using me as an excuse to make a sale.