"Everyone said I should wear a gorgeous outfit, so why on earth did you give me a suit?", Inside the fitting room, even though Nero was wearing a men's suit, it still couldn't hide her fine figure. She was extremely displeased.
She had only gone to the restroom and back, and when she came out, the gown she had chosen had somehow turned into an ill-fitting black suit.
"But… the guest specifically asked for a suit," The attendant was equally confused, even sweating profusely.
Strange, far too strange. Just a moment ago, the suit didn't fit, so she went to fetch another one.
After all, with that kind of height, if it wasn't custom-made, it was hard to find such a small size suit.
The customer refused to wear children's suits, so after trying one unsuitable piece, the attendant had no choice but to fetch another.
Yet as soon as she returned, she found the girl wearing a gorgeous rose-red dress the store didn't even carry, waiting in another fitting room.
Thinking the girl was simply impatient, the attendant instinctively pulled her into the nearest fitting room.
And then, things got even more absurd.
'What, a woman can just transform in the blink of an eye?'
'What am I supposed to do now!'
The attendant was suffering in silence.
———
In the other fitting room—
When Artoria finished changing clothes, no matter how she looked at herself, something felt off.
Facing the attendant's praise, she said, "Um, did you give me the wrong outfit? I asked for a suit, not…"
'…the gown.'
At this moment, Artoria was wearing a pale, elegant gown.
It used a classic court-style design, the skirt puffy with ruffles, decorated with geometric patterns.
A slim waist wrapped in a pure white bow, smooth and delicate to the touch.
Just looking at it, one could tell the fabric was of the finest quality.
But beautiful and gorgeous was one thing, this wasn't the suit she had asked for.
Faced with Artoria's questioning, the attendant first retracted the pride in her eyes, as if she had crafted a piece of art with her own hands.
Then she sincerely replied, "No, this is exactly the dress the guest requested. Your taste is incredible. This dress is a perfect match for you, it's just that…"
Her eyes paused on Artoria's chest, a flicker of doubt flashing through.
'Isn't it supposed to be… bigger?'
"I–is that so?", Artoria appeared rather unconfident.
It was her first time wearing such a dress.
She just felt completely uncomfortable.
Most importantly, why hadn't the plan been explained to her in advance?
And if she was wearing women's clothing, then who was wearing the men's suit?
After hesitating again and again, Artoria finally said, "Still, I'd like to change back. Even that suit from earlier will do."
"A suit?"
The attendant froze, thinking she was about to lose the sale, and quickly refused, "No, this is the one. You look absolutely perfect in this, there's no need for a suit."
"But…"
"Don't worry, it's truly perfect! You deserve to be the center of attention."
For the sake of this commission, the attendant gave it her all, taking Artoria's small hand and leading her out toward the direction Nero had gone, "If you don't believe me, see for yourself."
She didn't even need to step outside the store, the beautiful and lovely face already drew every gaze.
By the time they reached the outside, regardless of age or gender, everyone's eyes were captured by the girl's graceful figure, dignified aura, and dazzling golden hair.
Beauty pushed to the extreme.
"See?"
The attendant was convinced she hadn't been wrong.
But that wasn't what Artoria had meant. She was doing this for…
———
"Saber!"
Leaping down from Roman's car, with B-rank agility and powerful magecraft fully unleashed.
System · Shirou moved with parkour worthy of a world record, weaved through the heavy city traffic.
From time to time, he even vaulted over high-rise buildings.
Office workers glanced up, thinking they were seeing Spider-Man in real life.
Simply put, in ten minutes, he reached the mall, heading straight for the central atrium.
Then, out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of that dazzling golden hair, and immediately canceled hosting.
As for mistaking her identity?
What a joke, his status bars were all full.
That alone proved she was the Ahoge King.
Not to mention, without even checking Avalon's status, Shirou would recognize her anywhere.
"Saber?", Ahoge twitching, Artoria looked toward the voice, her expression showing both delight and doubt at the sight of Shirou.
Reminder: the outfit Roman prepared for Shirou was the same style as Fujimaru Ritsuka's.
Roman had intentionally tried to push Shirou and Fujimaru Ritsuka together.
Then—
"I see," Artoria stomped toward Shirou, the hem of her gown swishing roughly.
Emerald eyes carrying faint resentment, "Why didn't you consult me before changing the plan?"
"Plan?", Shirou was completely confused.
Seeing the Ahoge King walk toward him, he thought she recognized him.
But clearly, that wasn't the case.
"Forget it," Thinking of food, Artoria reluctantly endured.
"This way, I can sign up for the eating contest, right?"
"Huh?", Shirou froze, then suddenly realized.
'Great minds think alike.'
'That's right, if the Ahoge King is dressed like this, it can only be for food.'
'But… why exactly did she have to dress like this?'
Shirou couldn't understand.
Seeing him silent, Artoria said seriously, "You told me that if we pretended to be a couple, we could join the eating contest."
Killing intent.
The sudden murderous aura made Artoria's hairs stand on end, and she instinctively wanted to draw her sword.
Then she remembered, wearing this outfit, her sword was still in the fitting room.
"Apologies."
The killing intent receded. Shirou tried his best to stay calm, but his tone still sent a chill down the spine.
"I'm just a little curious, who exactly told you that?"
"Wasn't it you, Fujimaru… Ritsuka?"
Artoria was stunned.
Then her brows furrowed.
'Something doesn't feel right.'
And then she realized, "Wait, how did you do this?"
Her gaze ran up and down Shirou several times, and her ahoge shot straight up in shock.
"…Do what, exactly?", Shirou was helpless.
'Looks like it is Fujimaru Ritsuka's trick again, maybe even with Merlin's hand in it.'
Fortunately it was just her, otherwise Shirou would've immediately staged Fuyuki's traditional "gas leak accident."
"Your height," Artoria's face turned deadly serious.
Before Shirou could explain or answer—
Nearby, a little kid tugged at his mother, "Mommy, I want to join the eating contest too…"
At those words, both Shirou's and Artoria's expressions changed at the same time.
They had almost forgotten.
"We'll explain later, let's go sign up first."
Shirou opened his phone.
There were still eight minutes before registration closed.
"All right," Artoria accepted the proposal.
Heaven and earth may be vast, but food was the greatest of all.
———
As Shirou and Artoria had just left, on the leather seats at the entrance, Fujimaru Ritsuka, who had been waiting, finally couldn't stand it anymore and went in.
Then she saw Nero, who had changed into a gorgeous rose-red dress.
Running over in confusion, she asked, "What happened, where's the suit?"
"The suit didn't suit me. I was born to wear a splendid dress."
Though she didn't know Fujimaru Ritsuka, and though Ritsuka had spoken rather rudely, considering she was a pretty girl, Nero generously forgave her, placing hands on hips with pride, "Besides, some hateful fellow actually impersonated me and stole my gown. I even already paid for it."
The girl was fuming, "This was the outfit I specifically chose to save the Choir Club."
"…", A dumbfounded Fujimaru Ritsuka grew even more dumbfounded.
'What is this even about?'
So, someone had stolen her suit, leaving her no choice but to wear a gorgeous dress?
But weren't there other suits available? And if not suits, at least other men's wear.
How was she supposed to compete like this?
Not knowing two women could also sign up, Fujimaru Ritsuka nearly exploded.
She was too tired to even complain, "We agreed you'd wear the suit, Your Majesty!"
"Hah?", Nero was displeased, "Why should I wear a suit? When did I agree to that? If anyone should wear it, it should be you, to please me."
"We should wear it?", Ritsuka had just wanted to argue back, but suddenly fell into thought.
'Actually… that might work too!'
With time running short, her eyes grew more and more determined.
'Sorry, Mash. Looks like you'll have to be sacrificed!'
═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═
patreon.com/AmbitiousTranslator
🥳Joining Patreon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.🥰 You can access upto 20 advance chapter through Patreon.