しているという情報もある。荒野に出かけた途端に不運にも賞金首と遭遇する。そのような事態を避けるためにも、アキラは少し様子を見て荒野に出るのを控えていた。その間の暇潰しでもあった。
アキラ達が目指している場所は、都市の防壁と一体化しているハンターオフィスのビルの周辺にある商店街だ。ハンターオフィスの周辺は都市の下位区画では最も治安の良い場所である。そのため下位区画の中では比較的高級店が多い。
なお本当の高級店は防壁の内側で営業中だ。つまりアキラ達がそこに行くのは無理だ。飽くまでも防壁の外の基準で比較的高価な商品を扱っている店が多く治安も良いということだ。
シェリルは上機嫌でアキラの隣を歩いている。アキラがシェリルに尋ねる。
「靴を買うって言ってたけど、あのハンターオフィス周辺の店で良いのか? あの辺の店は、結構高い商品しかなかったはずだぞ?」
アキラもその辺りで買い物をすることはないため詳しくは知らない。アルファから教えられた情報だ。
『ネットワーク上で集めた店舗情報によるとそうなるわ。その辺りの店舗がネットワーク上に誇大広告しか載せていないってことさえ無ければね』
アルファも断言はできないようだ。
『アルファが断言できないってのは珍しいな』
「アキラから頂いた服に合う靴はその辺りにしかないと思いまして。高くて買えそうになければ諦めます」
アキラがシェリルの格好を確認する。シェリルは以前アキラが贈った服を着ている。確かにシェリルの靴はその服と比べると少々古ぼけた代物だ。シェリルがカツラギと交渉して手に入れたもので、どちらかと言えば荒野用の靴である。サイズが一致していないとはいえ、旧世界製の服を着ているシェリルの全体像から見ると違和感がある。アキラが旧世界の遺跡で見つけた遺物の中に靴はなかったため仕方ないとも言える。
旧世界の遺物の衣服類は、その質にもよるが比較的高級品として扱われることが多い。その衣服と同程度の靴を買うとなると、確かにアキラ達が向かっている場所に行く必要があるだろう。
なおスラム街の子供がそのような店に入ろうとすると、恐らく穏便に追い出されることになる。今のシェリルの格好でも、足下を見られた場合は難しいかもしれない。シェリルがアキラを誘ったのはその
アキラ達は目的の店を目指して下位区画を進む。目的の店はアルファがネットワーク上で適当に探した店で、そこまでの道案内もアルファがしている。
シェリルにはそのアキラの事情など全く分からない。迷いなく進んでいくアキラを見て、この辺りの道に詳しくなるほどに通い慣れているのだろうと判断していた。
アキラ達が目的の店に到着する。以前のアキラなら入るのに気後れしそうな趣のある少々
アキラの後にシェリルが続く。シェリルは内心の緊張や動揺を表に出さない術を身に付けているので、自然な表情で入店することができた。つまりシェリルは内心かなり緊張して店の中に入ったのだ。
店員の女性がアキラ達を迎える。この店の店長でカシェアという名前の女性だ。
カシェアがアキラを見て判断する。強化服を着用して銃器を身に着けたハンターの少年が一名。問題なし。
そうとしているのが分かる。また少女が履いている靴は着ている服と比べると非常に安価な物で汚れも多い。少女単体での判断は保留。少年の付き添いとしては問題なし。
カシェアはアキラとシェリルをお客様として認識した。和やかに
微笑
んで応対する。
「御来店ありがとう御座います。本日はどのような御用向きでしょうか?」
「えっと、彼女の靴とかを見に来ました」
アキラがそう答えると、カシェアは今一度シェリルの靴を見る。
カシェアは表情を変えずにシェリル達を案内した。
シェリルは勧められるままに椅子に座り、カシェアに勧められた様々な靴を吟味している。シェリルの表情は真剣だ。カシェアから勧められている靴はどれも良い品だ。それはシェリルにも理解できる。しかし相応に値段も高く、シェリルの手持ちでは購入できない。カシェアから勧められている靴の値段と質が徐々に下がっていることにシェリルも気付いていた。
である。シェリルは自身の見た目を向上させることが、有利に交渉を進める術になると理解している。交渉相手に足下を見られないためにも、アキラに贈ってもらった服に釣り合う靴が必要なのだ。貧弱な予算内でその条件を満たす靴を手に入れるために、シェリルは真剣に靴を選んでいた。
アキラは周辺の商品を見て回っていた。店内には着
アルファが少し不思議そうに尋ねる。
『アキラ。どうかしたの?』
『いや、俺がこのマネキンの服を見て特に何も感じないのは何でだろうと思ってな。マネキンだからか?』
『着てみましょうか?』
アルファが自分の服装をマネキンと同じものに変える。体格に合わせてサイズの調整はしてあるが、それ以外は全く同じ服装だ。そのアルファがマネキンの横に立つ。
アキラがアルファとマネキンを見比べるが、やはり特に大きな感想が湧くことはなかった。
『やっぱり特に感想は湧かないな。可もなく不可もなく。普通の服だ。ここは下位区画ではそれなりに高値の商品を置く店なんだよな?』
『少なくともアキラの下着のような安物ではないことは確かね』
『それなりに値の張る服を、専門家が考えた見栄えの良いはずの着
『さっきの服と比べて、アキラは今の私の服をどう思う?』
『良いんじゃないか? 少なくとも高そうな服には見えるし、そこらにある普通の服と違うことぐらいは俺にも分かる。その服を遺跡で遺物として見つけて売れば、結構高値になる気がする』
他者の服装の評価に売却時の評価額が混ざっている時点で、アキラも随分ハンター的な考えをしてしまっている。恐らくそれもアキラのファッションセンスを鈍くしている要因の一つだろう。
『私の格好を見てその程度の感想なら、アキラはもう慣れてしまったのかもね』
『慣れ? 確かにアルファの格好にはいろいろ慣れ始めているとは思うけど......』
『多分アキラの考えていることとは違うわ。私が着ている服は映像だけの存在ではあるけれど、どれも最高級品なのよ。布地の消費等を心配する必要がない分だけいろいろ豪勢にできるから、
『四六時中非常に良質な服を着ている私の姿を見て、その品質に見慣れてしまっているから、その弊害でアキラのファッションセンスがとても鈍くなっているのよ。多分ね』
『......結局俺のファッションセンスはちょっとおかしいってことだな。まあ、その理由が分かっただけでも良しとしよう』
少し
カシェアは実際に支払いをするのはアキラの方だと思っているようだ。アキラがシェリルの様子を見る。シェリルは非常に険しい表情でテーブルの上の靴を見ている。その表情には深い葛藤が刻まれている。相当悩んでいるようだ。
アキラが少し考えてから答える。
「100万オーラムを超えそうなら一声かけてください」
「......100万オーラム、で、御座いますか」
「はい。支払いはハンター証で。現金が要るなら下ろしてきますけど」
「ご心配なく。ハンター証経由での支払いにも対応しております。確認のためハンター証をお預かりしても
お前に本当にその額が支払えるのか。カシェアは暗にアキラにそう聞いてしまっている。短気なハンターなら怒り出す可能性がある言動だ。カシェアは後からそのことに気付き、顔に愛想の良い笑みを貼り付かせて何とか平静を装っていた。
アキラはそのことに全く気が付かずに、普通にカシェアへハンター証を手渡す。カシェアは自身の情報端末でアキラのハンター証を読み取り、情報端末を操作して結果を確認する。カシェアの表情が一瞬固まった。
カシェアは表情を元に戻してアキラにハンター証を返した。
カシェアは軽い会釈をしてアキラから離れていった。
アルファがアキラに尋ねる。
『あんなこと言って良かったの? 多分予算の限度額まで買わされるわよ?』
『なら必要経費みたいなものだ。それで遺物が高値で売れるなら文句はないよ。後はちょっとした興味と確認だな』
『確認?』
『100万オーラムでシェリルがどこまで変わるのか。そのシェリルを見て俺がどう思うのか。その結果を見て、俺には違いが全く分からなかったら、俺は今後ファッションに口も金も出さないことにする』
100万オーラム分の違いを見抜けないのなら、やっぱり自分にファッションセンスはないのだろう。アキラはそう考えた。
『うーん。ここの店員のファッションセンスも関わってくるし、不確定要素は多いわよ?』
『それが災いするなら、そんな変な店に入ってしまった俺の不運の所為だ』
『この店を選んだのは私なんだけど』
『その時は、俺の不運にアルファの能力でも太刀打ちできなかったってことだ。俺のファッションセンスは諦めるしかないな』
れたような表情で見る。アキラの生死に関わる話ではないが、それでもアルファの能力を僅かとはいえ否定する要素には違いない。
何らかの対処が必要だろうか。アルファは思案していた。
「この時間の接客はお姉ちゃんの担当でしょう? 寝かせてよ。眠いんだから」
「良いから早くしなさい! それと店では店長って呼べって言ってるでしょう!」
セレンは面倒そうにしながらも店に出る準備を始める。カシェアはそれを確認するとすぐに店に戻った。
っている。カシェアがシェリルに別の靴を勧めるたびに靴の値段は下がっている。次の靴を紹介されないということは、この靴がこの店で最も安価な靴である可能性が高い。
シェリルの手持ちで買えない額ではないが、着ている服に似合うものかと問われれば否だ。しかしそれでも今履いている靴よりはましなことも確かだ。
シェリルの手持ちは他の用途にも使わなければならない資金だ。この靴の代金にその大半を使用するべきかどうか。シェリルは悩み続けていた。
悩むシェリルの所にカシェアが戻ってくる。カシェアはシェリルに勧める別の靴を持ってきていた。
「そちらの品がお気に召さないのでしたら、こちらは
シェリルはもっと安い靴があったのかと思いながら、カシェアに勧められた靴を見る。シェリルの表情が僅かに困惑気味なものに変わる。
その靴は明らかに高級品だった。今までシェリルに勧められたどの靴よりも間違いなく高価な靴だ。シェリルの困惑は当然だ。カシェアは店の最も高額な靴をシェリルに勧めていた。
「このような品をお勧めいただけるのは有り難いのですが、このような品の価格ですと少々......」
高すぎる。そう続けようとしたシェリルの言葉を遮って、カシェアが非常に愛想良く
とは思いましたが、お連れ様から予算の目安をお伺いいたしました。御希望の予算を大幅に下回る価格の品しかお勧めできない当店の不手際以外は問題のない品かと」
シェリルの困惑が更に強くなった。
カシェアはシェリルの態度を、アキラから余りに高い品を贈ってもらうことに対する遠慮や申し訳なさの
「他の品もお持ちいたします。少々お待ちください」
カシェアはそう言い残して、今勧めた最も高い靴をテーブルの上に置き、今まで勧めていた最も安い靴をテーブルの上から持って、軽く会釈をして去っていく。シェリルの選択肢から最も安い靴を取り除き、2番目に高い靴と交換するためにだ。
事情を知らないシェリルは少し慌てながら去っていくカシェアを見ている。そして事情を知っているであろうアキラの方を見た。
アキラは男性用の肌着の前にいた。高級店の品だということもあり、アキラが普段も使っているものより高い。
『下着ぐらいは買っていくべきか?』
『止めないけれど、強化服の下に着るのはお勧めしないわ。ハンター向けの戦闘用の品ではないから、すぐにボロボロになると思うわ』
アキラは手に取っていた下着を棚に戻した。今のところ、アキラの需要を満たす品はこの店にはないようだ。
『それはそうと、さっきからシェリルがこっちを見てるわよ』
アキラがシェリルの様子を確認する。こっちに戻ってきてほしい気配を強く感じたので、シェリルの所へ戻ることにした。
シェリルは戻ってきたアキラから事情を聞き終えて状況を把握し終えた。シェリルにとって有り難い話ではある。シェリルの手持ちでは条件を満たす靴を買うことはかなり困難だからだ。しかし
「......本当に良いんですか?」
「ああ。さっきも言ったけど、それで遺物が少しでも高値で売れるなら俺にとっても良いことだ。気になるなら、俺が一時的に立て替えたとでも考えて、遺物が売れた時にシェリルの取り分から引いてくれ」
既にアキラからの恩は積もりに積もっている。アキラから返済を要求された方がシェリルは気が楽だった。
カシェアが別の靴、この店で2番目に高価な靴と3番目に高価な靴を持って戻ってくる。店に出る準備を終えたセレンも少々眠そうにしながらやって来た。
セレンはテーブルの上に並ぶ靴の価格を思い出す。そしてシェリルとアキラの格好を見て状況を把握した。セレンがカシェアを横目で見ながら思う。
全てのハンターが大金を持っているわけでも気前が良いわけでもない。しかし一部のハンターは時に非常識な領域で羽振りが良い場合がある。旧世界の遺跡で大量の遺物を見つけたハンターなどが、急に大金を得て金銭感覚が狂うこともある。自身の高額な装備に大金を
カシェアは靴を中心にした様々な商品をシェリルに勧めている。予算の心配はほぼなくなったとはいえ、シェリルも無駄な物を買う気はない。勧められる商品に対するシェリルの真剣な態度に変化はなかった。
セレンはシェリルの格好に注目していた。シェリルの服は足下以外全て旧世界の遺物だ。しかし服のサイズがシェリルの体格と一致していないことは装飾に携わる人間なら一目瞭然だ。そして気付いてしまうと、セレンはそれが気になってしまう人間だった。
セレンがシェリルに提案する。
シェリルが自分の服とセレンを交互に見る。アキラが素朴な疑問を口にする。
アキラの不明確な疑問に対して、他の人間が自身の解釈で返答を返す。
カシェアが自信のある笑顔で言う。
「セレンの仕立て直しの腕は、当店が自信を持って保証いたします。きっと満足いただけるかと」
セレンがカシェアを横目で見て、軽く
「お客様の衣服は旧世界の遺物ですよね。仕立て直しをすることで現在の衣服と見なされることも多く、旧世界の遺物としての価値は著しく下がります。その服を資産としてお考えでしたらお勧めいたしません。よりお客様に適した服に仕立て直すことで、よりお客様にお似合いの服になることは間違いないかと」
セレンが遺物の服を仕立て直す時の注意事項を付け加えた。カシェアがセレンを見る。
(ちょっと、自分で提案しておいて何で気を
は旧世界の遺物を求めるハンターであるアキラの機嫌を損ねるかもしれない。そう考えたシェリルがアキラの意思を確認する。
「アキラはどう思います?」
そうアキラに指摘されて、シェリルもいろいろ気が付いた。服の仕立て直しがすぐに終わるとは思わない。服を預けるために一度着替えに拠点に戻るとしても、この店に見合う服はシェリルにはもうないのだ。スラム街の住人の服でここに来るわけにはいかないだろう。
もっともアキラはそこまで考えて言ったわけではない。ちょっとした疑問を尋ねただけだった。
セレンが迷っている様子のシェリルに話す。
「服の話でしたら、仕立ては今から採寸を始めれば、夕方ぐらいには終わると思います。その間は当店の服の試着などをしては
シェリルは少し悩んだ後、アキラに尋ねる。
「その、アキラに仕立てが終わるまでお付き合いしていただいても
んで礼を言い、セレン達に仕立て直しを頼むことにした。
採寸を終えたシェリルは今まで着ていた服を下着以外全てセレンに渡した。その後はカシェアから勧められた服の試着を繰り返していた。
シェリルは勧められた服に着替えて、それをアキラに見せて感想を尋ねたりしている。アキラは椅子に座って仕立てが終わるのを待っている。何度もシェリルに服の感想を尋ねられたが、その度に鈍い返事を返している。
アキラは自分のファッションセンスに全く自信がない。シェリルはそのことをヒガラカ住宅街遺跡に一緒にいた時の出来事で既に知っている。そのためアキラの気のない返事を全く気にすることもなく、様々な服を着た自分の姿をアキラに見せるのを楽しんでいた。
「セレン、何か問題でもあったの? まだ手も付けてないじゃない」
セレンは慌てずに落ち着いて答える。
「準備は済んだ。今から始めるところ。その前に聞いておくことがあるから呼んだ」
「何よ? お客を待たせてるんだから早く済ませてよね」
「この仕立ての代金、私はどれだけ請求して良い?」
奇妙な質問をするセレンに、カシェアは少し不思議そうな表情で答える。
「どれだけって、当然掛かった分だけ請求しなさいよ。当たり前でしょ?」
「聞き方が悪かった。お姉ちゃんが相手にいろいろ売りつけた後、私が請求する分残ってる? 逆か。相手の予算から私の仕立て代を引いた後、お姉ちゃんが売りつける分は残ってる?」
「100万オーラムを超えそうなら一声かけてくれって言われているわ。セレンの仕立て代が高くても30万オーラムぐらいでしょ? 残りの予算分をいろいろ売りつけるつもりだったのだけど、セレン、あんた一体幾ら請求するつもり?」
「相手の予算に限度がないなら、最高で150万オーラム」
セレンから想定額の5倍の金額を告げられて、一瞬カシェアの思考が止まる。我に返ったカシェアが慌てて言う。
「......はっ!? 150万オーラム!? ちょっと冗談でしょ!?」
「冗談で済まないから呼び出した。今ならまだ止められる。事情を説明して、仕立て直しをする服を選んでもらうとか、予算を増額してもらうとかやって来て。接客はお姉ちゃん、おっと、店長の役目のはず」
「いやいや、待ってよ。大体何でそんなに掛かるのよ。あんただって多少の見積りはしてから、仕立て直しの提案をしたんでしょ?」
「そこは私の不手際。見積りが甘かったとしか言えない。予想以上に質の良い遺物だった。その遺物の品質に見合った仕立ての技術や材料は相応に高価になる。私も自分の技術を安売りする気はない。特に彼女の下着はかなり良い代物だった」
「予想だけど、最低でも1万オーラムはする」
「大したことないじゃない。私達の下着の方が高いわ」
「最低でも、と言った。下手をすると100万オーラムは超える」
「......冗談、でしょう?」
セレンが不満げに答える。
「衣服に関して冗談は言わない。下着の価格を正確に把握するためには、素材の質や伸縮率、手触りや旧世界のブランドの確認などいろいろ調べないといけない。だから詳しいことは分からない。ただ、上流階級の人間まで巻き込んで争奪戦をしている旧世界製の下着なら、100万オーラム超えの価格は珍しくない。場合によってはコロン払いの品すらある」
セレンは大真面目に答えた。コロン払いの衣服など、カシェア達の商いとは別世界の話だ。セレンも例としてあげただけで、シェリルの下着がそこまでするとは思っていない。しかしそれを例としてあげる程度には、セレンの目では高価な下着に見えたということだ。それはカシェアにも理解できた。
「......それ、詳しく調べられない?」
の下着の価格を知りたいので、仕立て直しには全く関係ないけれど、その下着をいろいろじっくり調べさせてください。頼めると思う? 頼むなら店長がやって。私には無理」
「あんな安値の靴を履いていた人間が、何でそこまで高い服を着ているのよ」
「問題は、そのハンターが遺物の価値を知っていて贈ったのか、知らずに贈ったのか。知っていて贈ったのであれば、下手な仕立て仕事をして、そんな服を台無しにしたら大変なことになる。事前に価値が下がることについて了承を得ているとはいえ限度はある。旧世界の遺物としての価値がなくなるだけで、単純に高価な衣服であることに違いはない。元より手を抜くつもりはないけれど、仕立て直しに使用する素材等は相応の吟味が必要。当然、仕立て直しの代金は高くなる」
「知っていて贈ったのか、知らずに贈ったのか。セレンは知っていて贈ったと考えているのね? 理由は?」
「知っているなら、靴の代金の予算が100万オーラムであることも納得できる。知っている方の
「......ちょっと待って? その辺の確認とか、予算増額の交渉とかは私がするの?」
セレンの口調は変わらないが、面倒事を押しつけている感覚はあるのだろう。その表情にはどことなく申し訳なさそうな雰囲気があった。
カシェアは頭を抱えながらシェリル達の所へ戻っていった。
Since the report said that one of the bounty monsters was spotted in the wasteland somewhere near the city, Akira decided to watch the situation for a while before going out to the wasteland again. He was worried that his bad luck might get him to meet that monster the moment he went out to the wasteland. Accompanying Sheryl doing shopping was also for wasting time while waiting for the situation to get better.
Sheryl and Akira were heading to the market around the big Hunter Office branch that was attached to the wall. The area around this Hunter Office was a relatively safe area compared to the other places in the lower district. Because of that, most of the expensive shops and stands gathered around this area.
But to be more precise, the truly luxurious and expensive shops were located inside the inner wall and it was impossible for Akira and Sheryl to go there. So in short, the shops in this area were only expensive compared to the standard in the lower district and they gathered here since this area was relatively safer compared to the rest of the lower district.
Sheryl was walking happily next to Akira when Akira suddenly asked her.
"Although you said that you're going to buy shoes, are you sure you want to buy shoes there? Only expensive shoes are available over there, you know?"
In reality, Akira never shopped in that place and he knew almost nothing about the shops in that area. It was all information provided by Alpha.
"That's what I found in the network. Well, I'm not sure if that information is fake or not though."
It seemed that Alpha could not affirm nor refute the information that she told to Akira.
"Alpha, It's rare for you not being able to say anything about it."
"I couldn't find any shoes that matched the clothes that you gave me. I guess that place should have fitting shoes for me. If it's too expensive, I'll just give up."
Akira looked over Sheryl. She was wearing one of the clothes that he gave to her. It was true that compared to her dress, her current shoes looked old and shabby. Since it was shoes that she bought from Katsuragi, they were more tailored towards exploring the wasteland. Not to mention, since the size of the dress was bigger than her actual size, her overall appearance looked a bit weird. But it was rather understandable since Akira could not find old-world shoes that might fit that dress.
Although it also depended on the condition of the clothes, most of the old-world clothes were considered expensive goods. So in order to get shoes that might fit that dress, she might not have any other choice but to go to the market around that area.
When a small child from the slum city went to one of those expensive shops, he or she would normally get kicked out. Even for Sheryl who came in that dress, the chance of her getting kicked out was still pretty high if they knew where she came from. That was also one of the reasons why she was going there with Akira. If she was accompanied by a successful Hunter, the chance of her getting kicked out would be considerably lowered.
Akira and Sheryl continued walking through the lower district toward their destination. The shop that they were heading to was a shop that Alpha randomly picked from the network, Alpha was actually guiding Akira there.
Of course, Sheryl didn't know anything about it. Seeing how Akira did not hesitate as they proceeded through that area without getting lost, she thought that he must have frequented that area to the point that he remembered the layout.
They eventually reached their destination. It was a luxurious looking boutique. If he was the past Akira, he would have hesitated to go in. But since he was once invited by Shiori to a luxurious restaurant, Akira was able to enter that shop without showing hesitation.
Sheryl quickly followed behind him. To be honest, she was feeling very nervous, but since she had learned how to hide it, she entered the shop with a calm expression.
A female clerk quickly welcomed them as they entered, she was Kashua, the owner of the shop.
Kashua glanced at Akira. [He is a young boy Hunter with an augmented suit and properly maintained rifles, there should be no problem.]
[There is something strange about her appearance. The dress that she is wearing seems like an old-world dress, in short, an expensive dress. And she sure has put extra effort to make such a big dress look less weird on her. But compared to that dress, she is using shabby and dirty looking shoes. But anyway, she must be here as the Hunter boy's companion. So, there should be no problem.]
Kashua identified Akira and Sheryl as worthy customers. Thus she put on her business smile as she welcomed them.
Sheryl smiled in relief.
"I understand. I'll take you up on your offer then."
"Thank you for coming to our shop, what can we do for you today?"
"Uhh, we're here looking for girl shoes."
After Akira said that, Kashua turned to Sheryl and looked at her shoes one more time.
Kashua's expression did not change as she guided Akira and Sheryl through her shop.
Sheryl followed Kashua's guide. Not too long after that, she was sitting on a chair having a hard time deciding among all the shoes lined up in front of her. All those shoes were recommended for her by Kashua. Sheryl was making a super serious face, all of those shoes that Kashua recommended were wonderful shoes. Even Sheryl was able to know that much, but because of that, the price of those shoes was also pretty high and she could not pay for those shoes with the money that she brought with her that day. She also noticed that Kashua slowly lowered the quality and the price of the shoes that she was recommending to Sheryl every time she brought a new pair of shoes.
One of the reasons why Sheryl was looking for new shoes was for selling the relics that Akira entrusted to her. She would be able to make a better impression by wearing matching shoes when selling those relics. She knew very well that putting a good overall appearance would be beneficial during a negotiation. In order for others to not look down on her, she was searching for shoes that would fit her dress. She was thinking hard on how to do that with the limited amount of budget that she had.
While Sheryl was busy doing that, Akira was walking around the shop, browsing the apparels there. Inside that shop, mannequins were used to show how the dresses would look when they were put on. Akira frowned a bit when he looked at those mannequins.
Alpha noticed that and thought his reaction was a bit weird.
"Akira, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, I'm just wondering why I don't feel anything when I look at these mannequins? Is it because they are just mannequins?"
"Do you want me to try it on?"
Alpha changed her dress to the same ones that the mannequin in front of Akira was wearing. Although the size was adjusted to fit on her body, it had the exact same design as the one on the mannequin. She then stood beside that mannequin.
Akira looked at the mannequin and at Alpha in turns. But just like before, he did not feel any big change in his impression.
"Yep, it doesn't change much. It's not that bad but not that good either, just a normal dress. This shop is supposed to be an expensive shop in the lower district, right?"
"Well, the clothes here are at least not as cheap as your underclothing."
"Even if it's an expensive dress judged by fashion experts for having a good design, it still looks normal to me, I don't feel anything at all. As I thought, I might have no fashion sense."
"Compared to the last one, what do you think about this dress?"
"Not bad. It does look expensive, I at least understand that it's on a different level compared to the other common clothes around here. If I find this kind of dress in the old-world ruin, I'm sure it'll fetch me quite a lot of money."
For Akira to think about how much money it would bring in case he sold that dress when he was actually asked about his opinion on the dress, it seemed that his way of thinking had really adjusted for his Hunter job. That might be one of the reasons why he had a bad sense of fashion.
"If that's all you have to say after seeing my dress, I guess you have gotten used to it, huh."
"Gotten used to it? Well, I do feel like I'm starting to get used to your clothes though..."
"I think that you're misunderstanding something here, it's true that my dress is nothing but an image, but it's still a high-class dress. When you're not worried about the expense for the fabric, you can get a very luxurious dress, as a matter of fact, the design and the outlook of my usual clothes are way better than the current fashion."
"Basically, since you always see me in high-class clothing all the time, you've gotten used to it to the point that it dulls your fashion sense. Maybe."
"...So in conclusion, my fashion sense is broken, right? Well, I guess it's fine since now I know the reason why."
Akira pouted a bit, while Alpha was smiling teasingly at him.
It seemed that Kashua thought Akira would be paying for Sheryl. Akira then glanced at Sheryl, she was staring seriously at the shoes in front of her. It seemed that she was really at loss on what to do.
Akira thought for a bit and said.
"Inform me if it costs more than 1,000,000 Aurum."
"...1,000,000 Aurum? Is that correct?"
"Yes, I'll be paying with my Hunter ID. Ah, if I have to pay with cash, I'll have to go for a bit to withdraw the money though."
"Please don't worry, we also accept payment through Hunter ID. Just for confirmation, may I borrow your Hunter ID?"
After all, it was as if she was asking if Akira could really pay that much money. If she had asked that question to a short-tempered Hunter, it would not be strange if that Hunter got angered. Kashua suddenly realized that fact as she tried her best to keep calm and show a friendly smile to Akira.
But Akira did not feel offended by it and casually handed over his ID to Kashua. Kashua then used her information terminal to read Akira's Hunter ID. When the result came out on her information terminal, she was so surprised that she froze.
She then somehow returned back to her usual smile and returned Akira's Hunter ID.
She then lightly bowed at Akira and left.
Alpha then asked Akira.
"Are you sure you're okay with that? She'll make you pay close to the upper limit of your budget, you know?"
"In that case, then this is a needed expense. If it will really help her sell the relics, then I have no complaints at all. And also, this is for confirming something."
"Confirming something?"
"I want to know how much she can change with 1,000,000 Aurum and how I'll react to that. If I don't feel anything at all even after spending that much money, I have no plans to make any comment about fashion nor spend too much money on fashion in the future."
Akira thought that if even 1,000,000 Aurum fashion did not give him any noticeable impression, then it only meant he really did not have any fashion sense at all.
"Hmmm. It'll also be affected by the fashion sense of the clerk in this shop though, don't you think that there are too many unpredictable factors?"
"If that happens, then it's my bad luck in choosing a weird shop."
"But I'm the one who picked this shop, you know."
"Well, that only means that my luck is so bad that we can't do anything about it even with your ability. Which also means that I really should give up on my fashion sense."
Alpha looked exasperatedly at Akira who suddenly decided to test his luck there. Although it was not something that might endanger his life, it might lower his evaluation of her ability.
Alpha was pondering if she should do something about it.
"But it's your turn to watch the shop at this hour, you know? Just let me sleep, I'm really sleepy."
"Just do what I say, quickly. And also, I've told you many times to call me miss manager, remember?!"
Although she seemed annoyed, Celen did what she was told to. When Kashua saw that, she quickly went back to the shop.
Sheryl was staring intensely on the shoes that Kashua recommended to her. Every time Kashua brought different shoes to her, the quality and the price of those shoes were getting lower and lower compared to the previous one. Since Kashua did not recommend any other shoes, Sheryl thought that there might be no cheaper shoes in that shop.
Although Sheryl had enough money to pay for the shoes, those shoes were not good enough fit for her dress. But still, they were at least better than her current shoes.
She still had to use the rest of her money for something else. So she was at a loss whether she should spend half of her current money for the shoes.
Right when she was still pondering on what to do, Kashua came to her. She brought another pair of shoes to recommend to Sheryl.
"If those don't suit your taste, then how about this?"
Sheryl thought that Kashua brought cheaper shoes as she turned to her. But her expression quickly changed to bewilderment.
The shoes that Kashua recommended looked obviously high-class. There was no mistaking that it cost way more than all the other shoes that she had recommended up until now. It was understandable since she brought the most expensive shoes in her shop.
"Uhmm, I'm really thankful for recommending these shoes to me. But it might be a tad too..."
Right when Sheryl was about to say 'too expensive', Kashua suddenly interrupted while still smiling at her.
"I'm sorry that I might have overstepped my bounds, but I have asked your companion as to how much he's planning to spend today. We're really sorry for only recommending cheap shoes up until now."
Sheryl looked even more confused.
From Sheryl's reaction, Kashua thought that she was feeling apologetic for making Akira pay for an expensive pair of shoes. That was why Kashua then told Sheryl that it was not a big amount of money for Akira, after all, as a businesswoman, Kashua also had to respect Akira's wish to buy Sheryl that level of quality shoes.
"Please wait for a bit here, I'll bring other shoes too."
After she said that, Kashua placed the most expensive shoes in her shop on top of the table and took all the other cheap shoes off the table. She then bowed lightly to Sheryl before stepping away to replace those cheap shoes with the second most expensive shoes in her shop.
Sheryl, who did not know what was going on, was staring at Kashua's back as she left that place. She then turned to Akira who she thought should know what exactly was going on.
Akira was browsing the apparel and eventually found himself standing in front of the male underclothing section. Expensive looking underclothings were lined up in front of him, of course, those underclothings were way more expensive than the ones that he usually used.
"Should I buy some underclothing too?"
"I won't stop you, but I won't recommend wearing them under an augmented suit. Since it's not for Hunters, I'm sure it'll get torn in no time."
Akira then placed the underclothing in his hand back to the rack. It seemed that there were no goods that might suit his needs.
"Putting that aside, Sheryl is staring at you, you know."
He glanced at Sheryl to check on her. It seemed that she wanted him to return to her, thus he decided to walk back to Sheryl.
After Akira returned, Sheryl asked him what was going on and understood the situation. It was a good thing for Sheryl since it was hard to find the shoes that fit her needs with her current budget. But it was not like she could honestly feel happy about it either.
"...Is it really okay?"
"Yeah, like I said before, if it helps you sell the relics, then it's alright. There's no need to worry about it, just think of it as a small debt, you can just subtract it from the sales after you sell the relics."
She already had a bunch of favours from Akira that she needed to repay. Thus it was easier for her if Akira himself made that request.
Kashua returned with the second and third most expensive shoes in her shop. Celen who had finished changing her clothes eventually dragged herself out, still looking extremely drowsy.
Celen tried to remember the prices of the shoes that were lined on top of the table. She then looked at Sheryl and Akira before glancing at Kashua while thinking.
Not all Hunters had a lot of money or were willing to spend a lot of money. But from time to time, there were peculiar Hunters who visited that shop. Some of them had their money perception distorted after getting lucky in the old-world ruin and returning back with a lot of relics. Some of them spent so much money on their equipment that they did not mind spending money at all. These Hunters showed less resistance when they had to pay expensive goods and they were merchants' favourite customers.
Kashua was also recommending all kinds of other things to Sheryl. Although Sheryl did not have to worry about the budget any longer, she still did not want to buy anything that she did not actually need. And also one more thing, it did not prevent her from being at a loss on which one to pick.
Celen scanned Sheryl's outlook. Leaving her shoes aside, Sheryl was using old-world relics. But the size of her dress did not fit her and it was obvious for anyone who worked in the fashion business. And now that she noticed it, Celen could not shake her mind off from it.
She then made a suggestion to Sheryl.
Sheryl glanced at Celen and then looked at her own dress. Akira suddenly asked a question.
But then another person answered Akira's strange question with her own interpretation.
Kashua smiled confidently as she said.
"I can reassure you that Celen is very skilled in adjusting clothes. I'm sure you'll find her work satisfying."
Celen glanced at Kashua and sighed before she added.
"That dress is an old-world dress, right? After I readjust an old-world dress, it would be considered as a normal dress and its price would fall. If it's one of your assets, I would not recommend readjusting it. But if I may readjust its size, it would look better on you."
After Celen warned Sheryl and Akira of the downside of readjusting an old-world dress, Kashua looked at Celen.
[Whoah there, you're the one who offered it so why would you say something that discourages them now?]
Although Akira had given that dress to her, as a Hunter who hunted for relics, it might still offend him. So Sheryl asked for Akira's opinion.
"Akira, what do you think?"
Now that Akira mentioned it, Sheryl realized that point. The readjustment would take some time to finish, and even if she returned back to her base to change first, she did not have any other dress that she could wear to go to that shop. After all, it was unthinkable for her to go there with a slum city outfit.
In reality, Akira did not think that far when he said that. He was just simply asking the question that came up in his mind.
Celen then said to Sheryl.
"If it's about that. I should be able to finish readjusting around the evening if I start now, while I'm doing that, you can browse and try the other clothes in this shop."
Sheryl could not decide, so she asked Akira again.
"Uhmmm, is it okay if I ask you to wait with me until it's finished?"
Sheryl smiled as she thanked Akira and asked Celen to readjust her dress.
After she let Celen take her measurement, she handed over all her clothes except for her undergarments to Celen. She then tried all the clothes that Kashua recommended.
Sheryl would ask for Akira's opinion every time she put on a new set of clothes. Akira was only sitting on a chair while waiting for Sheryl's dress to finish. Although Sheryl asked about his opinion again and again, he only gave a dull reaction every single time.
Akira had no confidence in his own fashion sense, Sheryl knew that very well since that one time when she went to Higaraka residence ruin with him. Because of that, she did not really get bothered by Akira's dull reaction as she kept enjoying herself showing her dresses to him and asking for his opinion. Of course, she planned to buy any clothes that incited a reaction from Akira.
"Celen, is there any problem? You haven't even started working on that dress?"
Celen calmly replied.
"I've finished the preparation and I'm about to start. But there's one thing that I want to ask first."
"What is it? They're waiting for it, so make sure to finish it fast."
"How much should I ask for readjusting this dress?"
Kashua looked confused since Celen asked a strange question.
"How much do you ask? Of course, as much as you need for adjusting that dress, isn't that obvious?"
"My bad, that was a poor way to say it. After adding the prices of everything that he is going to buy, does he have any extra money to pay for this adjustment? Wait, maybe it's the other way around. After subtracting the cost of this adjustment, does he have extra money in his budget to pay for the other stuff?"
"He did say to tell him if it's over 1,000,000 Aurum, at most, you only charge about 300,000 Aurum for readjusting dresses, right? I'm planning to make him spend the rest of his budget though. Celen, how much are you planning to charge him?"
"If there's no limit on his budget, I'm planning to ask for 1,500,000 Aurum."
Kashua was surprised since Celen asked for 5 times more than what she was expecting. But she quickly snapped back to reality and fl.u.s.teredly asked Celen.
"...Hah?! 1,500,000 Aurum!? You must be kidding, right?!"
"I'm not kidding, that's why I called you here. I can still stop here. You should tell them and ask them whether they want to choose to only adjust the dress or are they willing to go beyond their budget to make the readjustment and pay for their shopping as well. It's your job to talk with the customers after all."
"No no no, wait for a sec, why do you need that much money in the first place? You already made a rough prediction when you offered to readjust that dress, right?"
"That is where I made a mistake. I can only say that I made a bad prediction back there. This dress is made of a way better fabric than I expected. So I need better fabric and a more complicated technique to readjust its size. I have no plans to sell my skill cheaply, you know. Especially after seeing her undergarment, that thing is a high-quality undergarment."
"It's just my guess but it should at least cost about 10,000 Aurum."
"That isn't too expensive though. My undergarment is still way more expensive than that."
"I said 'at least'. Depending on your luck, it might cost you more than 1,000,000 Aurum."
"...You're joking, right?"
Celen annoyedly replied.
"I never joke when it comes to fashion. In order to make a precise prediction, I need to check the quality of its fabric, its elasticity and smoothness, and if it has an old-world logo on it. That's why I can't say for sure. But if it's one of those superior-quality undergarments that would even cause a fight among those people who are sitting on the top, it would be nothing strange if it costs more than 1,000,000 Aurum or maybe even a few Chrome."
Celen made a serious face when she said that. Clothes that were sold in Chrome were on a completely different level compared to the clothes in that shop. Of course, Kashua thought that Celen only mentioned that as an example and it was not like Sheryl's undergarment actually cost that much. But since Celen even brought up that example, she could not help but think that Sheryl's undergarment must be quite expensive. Even Kashua could understand that much.
"...Can you... Like, check it more closely?"
"Do you really think I can just ask our customer for permission to check her undergarment closely just because we want to know how much it costs although it has nothing to do with readjusting this dress at all? And in the first place, it's your job as the manager to ask that if you really want to know."
"How exactly does someone with that cheap shoes get her hands on something so expensive?"
"The real problem is whether that Hunter knew the worth of that undergarment when he gave it to her or not. In case if he knew, then I can't afford to mess up readjusting this dress. Although we did warn them that it'll reduce the worth of this dress, I'm sure there's a limit on how much reduction is acceptable. There's no mistaking it that it's worth will get reduced from an old-world dress into just a high-quality dress. Of course, I'll give nothing but my best effort. But I'll need a special technique to work with this fabric, and that'll cost more than usual."
"So it's whether he knew the real worth of his gift when he gave them, huh? It seems that you think that he does though, is there any reason for that?"
"If he knew, then that'll explain why he's expecting to pay about 1,000,000 Aurum for the shoes. Everything makes sense if that's the case. But it's up to you if you want to consider the other possibility."
"...Wait for a sec. I'm the one who will have to confirm that and ask if he's willing to pay more, right?"
Although Celen's voice was neutral, she was actually pushing the problem to Kashua. Somewhere in her expression, she did look like she felt sorry about that.
Kashua placed both of her hands on her head as she walked back to Sheryl and Akira.
Rebuild World (WN)
リビルドワールド
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/rebuild-world/
Action Adventure Drama Harem Mecha Mystery Sci-fi Seinen
Abandoned Children Adapted to Manga Adventurers Alternate World Anti-social Protagonist Apocalypse Artificial Intelligence Beautiful Female Lead Cautious Protagonist Child Protagonist Dense Protagonist Determined Protagonist Distrustful Protagonist Futuristic Setting Gangs Gunfighters Harsh Training Lack of Common Sense Male Protagonist Manipulative Characters Monsters Near-Death Experience Older Love Interests Poor Protagonist Poor to Rich Ruthless Protagonist Shota Sudden Strength Gain Survival Twisted Personality Unlucky Protagonist Weak to Strong
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n9736dt/
非公開