Chapter 11: Laughter in the Fitting Room
After receiving permission to go outside from the examiner nearby, Rouge and I decided to stroll around the Royal Capital until the results were announced. We had been in such a hurry on the way here that we hadn’t had the chance to take our time and explore. After all, we had traveled all the way to the Royal Capital over the course of a month, so it would be a waste not to enjoy some sightseeing.
“Look, Hugh! There are so many people!”
“Be careful and watch where you’re walking!”
“I know, I know!”
Rouge seemed to find everything she saw fresh and exciting, turning her head this way and that as she walked. She was particularly drawn to the bakeries and food stalls lining the streets. It almost made her seem like the one who had grown up in the countryside.
“Is this your first time in the Royal Capital, Rouge?”
“No, not at all! I was born and raised here!”
“Even so, you seem really excited. Is this area new to you?”
“Well, that’s part of it, but I hardly ever get the chance to walk around the Royal Capital. So everything I see catches my eye! …Oh, I’m sorry. I must be being too loud, huh?”
“No, it’s fine. You don’t have to worry about it. I’m from the countryside too, so everything in the Royal Capital looks fresh to me as well. I understand how you feel.”
“Hehe, Hugh, you’re so kind!”
Rouge smiled bashfully and clung tightly to my arm. It wasn’t very noticeable, but I could feel her soft warmth pressing against my elbow.
“Um, why are you hugging me?”
“Because there are so many people, I thought I might get lost! If I hold on like this, we won’t get separated, right?”
“Well, that’s true, but…”
Rouge was so close that it made my heart race. If she kept this up, I might end up falling for her, so I wished she would be a little more careful.
“Rouge, guys don’t usually hug each other like this.”
“Really!? Is that so!?”
“Yeah. So let’s walk a bit apart. It’s kind of standing out.”
I could feel the stares of those around us piercing into me. From an outsider’s perspective, it must look strange for a cute girl dressed in boy’s clothes to be clinging to a guy’s arm.
Finally realizing it after my comment, Rouge’s cheeks flushed red as she pulled away from me. However, not wanting to completely let go, she still held onto the sleeve of my shirt just a little.
“I-I’m sorry, Hugh. Um, was that… no, was it…?”
She looked up at me with those big eyes, and I immediately shook my head. There was no way I disliked it; I was actually quite happy about it. If it weren’t for the eyes around us, I would have wanted to keep walking like that.
“I see. Hehe.”
Rouge looked up at me, smiling happily.
Ah, she’s just too cute!
I knew that getting involved with a beautiful girl who clearly had some significant reason for disguising herself as a boy would lead to trouble.
Yet, I couldn’t pull away from Rouge because I was completely captivated by her friendly, small-animal-like charm.
This was going to be a real headache.
At this rate, I would be dragged into whatever problems Rouge was facing. If that happened, it wouldn’t be surprising if my own massive bomb of a skill, Brainwashing, exploded at any moment. Considering my own safety, I should distance myself from Rouge immediately.
I understood that in my head, but it was impossible to separate my emotions so easily.
“Hugh, look over there! Isn’t that a clothing store?”
“Yeah, let’s check it out.”
“Okay!”
We both entered the shop that Rouge had spotted.
Inside, there were casual clothes and accessories on display, and it seemed more like a store for the wealthy commoners rather than for nobles.
The only employee was a plump middle-aged woman, who greeted us with a cheerful smile as we entered.
“Welcome! What kind of clothing are you looking for?”
“Could you pick out a few outfits for him that would suit him?”
“Him…? Ah, understood. I’ll prepare them right away.”
The employee looked a bit confused, but after glancing at Rouge’s outfit, she seemed to catch on and began gathering clothes from the racks.
“I’m being mistaken for a girl again…”
Rouge sighed, but it wasn’t really the employee’s fault. As a professional, the employee worked quickly, returning in about a minute with several outfits in her arms.
“Thank you for waiting. Please, use the fitting room over here.”
“Hugh, I’m going in now! Oh, don’t go anywhere, okay? I want to hear your thoughts on the outfits!”
“I got it. I’ll wait patiently, so don’t worry.”
“Okay, it’s a promise!”
Rouge took the clothes from the employee and disappeared into the fitting room.
Listening closely, I could hear the sound of fabric rustling from behind the curtain… but focusing on the sound of her changing felt way too creepy. I might as well look around the store until she comes out.
There were not only men’s clothes but also women’s clothing on display. A wooden mannequin was dressed in a white dress accented with light blue. To be honest, I would love to see Rouge in something like that. She would definitely look good in it.
“Hugh, are you there? I want you to see the first outfit!”
“Yeah, I’m here.”
As I replied, the curtain of the fitting room slowly opened. There stood Rouge, wearing a bright cream-colored tunic.
Ah, I see what she’s going for.
The cream tunic paired with Rouge’s silver hair gave her a pure and delicate impression. Strangely enough, her femininity seemed to fade away, making her look like a cute, androgynous boy.
It was too casual for a noble, but considering it as a disguise for walking around the city, it was an excellent choice.
“How does it look…?”
“It suits you incredibly well. You look cute.”
“Ugh, I want to be seen as a boy! I can’t be seen as cute!”
“Well, even if you say that, it’s not my fault that your face is cute to begin with.”
“Wha!? …Geez, Hugh!”
Rouge’s face turned bright red as she pouted and turned away, closing the curtain.
“I’m going to try the next one!”
After that, I spent some time watching Rouge’s solo fashion show, but every outfit the employee had chosen made her look like a Cute Boy.
While Rouge seemed dissatisfied with that, I was more than satisfied.