A few minutes later, Allen stood on a countertop in front of a massive floor-to-ceiling mirror that reflected his full figure.
Martha's craftsmanship was truly impressive. The outfit fit perfectly, emphasizing Allen's waist-to-hip ratio while making his 1.4-meter height stand out rather elegantly.
The design, while formal, carried all the aesthetic cues of a proper wizard's outfit. In the eyes of other wizards, there was nothing odd about it. For Muggles, while the style might be a bit unusual, it certainly wouldn't be considered outrageous.
Very good. Very, very good. Practically perfect.
If only there hadn't been a pair of white, slender hands brushing against his body while he was changing. That, Allen thought, was unnecessary.
Sigh, being too handsome can be a burden. One constantly gets harassed by beautiful women. Not that Allen minded attention—just not from the wrong type. And Allen, of course, would never let a woman he didn't find attractive get close enough to harass him in the first place.
A few moments later, Martha emerged from the fitting room, her face slightly flushed. Upon seeing Allen in the new outfit, her eyes lit up with excitement—almost like cartoon stars sparkling in them.
So cute! So cute! I really want to take him home and raise him!
"The clothes are excellent," Allen said as he turned in front of the mirror again, checking the details carefully. Every seam, every corner—it was all exquisitely tailored.
When he turned back around, he caught Martha staring at him, starry-eyed. Thinking about what had just happened in the fitting room, he quickly wrapped himself in the trench coat that came with the suit. Somehow, he felt like his pure, innocent self had been tainted.
This world is just too complicated.
Only this coat—warm in winter, cool in summer, breathable, odor-resistant, moisture-repellent, and even slightly magic-resistant—could give him a shred of comfort.
He worried that if he let his guard down, this woman would provoke him so much he might explode in frustration—and end up tying himself up just to keep from acting rashly.
"As long as you like it," Martha said dreamily, then blurted, "I really want to keep you as a model in my shop."
A model? Really?
Are you sure you want an eleven-year-old as your store model? Allen was tempted to call her out, but refrained. Instead, he rolled his eyes internally and replied with a smirk, "In that case, why don't you give me another discount? Then maybe I'll consider it."
"No!" Martha refused immediately—so fast it seemed like pure instinct. Her mouth said the words before her brain could even process the situation.
"Tsk." Allen shook his head in mock disappointment. Clearly, Martha's love for money outweighed any lust in her heart. Then again, Allen hadn't given her a solid promise—just a maybe.
"I'm sorry, but if you let me give you a hug, I might consider it," Martha teased, stepping forward with her arms open.
This time, the ball was in Allen's court. Just like he had done earlier—offering a vague "think about it"—now Martha was returning the favor. An equally insincere proposal.
But... it was just a hug. What was there to be afraid of? It's not like he would lose anything by it.
So Allen dove into Martha's embrace. The height was just right. Soft, warm, and fragrant.
Allen even rubbed his face lightly against her, like testing a facial cleanser. Five stars.
Martha's face instantly turned bright red, and after Allen rubbed against her, it deepened until she resembled a tomato.
Meanwhile, Allen calmly stepped back as if nothing had happened.
"Alright, I hugged you. Now will you consider giving me a discount?" he said, blinking innocently.
"You… you… you little rascal!" Martha exclaimed, reaching out to grab Allen's cheeks and rubbing them repeatedly. "That doesn't count! I wasn't even ready!"
"That's not my fault. If you want another one, I'm happy to oblige." Allen opened his arms again and grinned.
"First… I'll owe you one!" Martha finally relented, then gently rubbed his cheek again, this time with more affection than frustration. "Remember to visit your sister's shop again in the future, okay?"
"Of course," Allen replied, smoothing out his clothes. "With outfits this nice, why wouldn't I come back? And obviously, because of you, my dear sister."
A warm smile spread across Martha's face.
"It would be even better if I could get a discount next time, too," Allen added playfully.
"Alright, alright. Next time you customize something here, I'll give you a discount—how about 20% off? That's me being nice to you, little brother," Martha said with a giggle, rubbing his face again.
"Sister Martha, please—maintain your elegance," Allen sighed. "You were so graceful before…"
"Elegance is for strangers," Martha huffed, finally letting go of Allen's face. "It's exhausting to be formal all the time."
She didn't want to stop touching him. That skin was just too smooth and soft. The effect of the [To Magic] potion on shrinking pores was truly magical.
"Alright then, I'll be leaving now, Sister Martha," Allen said, waving in his new outfit. "We'll probably meet again next summer break."
"Huh? You're not coming during Christmas or Easter vacation? You're not even planning to visit your dear sister?" Martha's eyes widened in disbelief and mild heartbreak.
"There's nothing I can do. I'm an orphan. Normally, I have nowhere to go during the holidays," Allen said with a faint smile.
"Orphan?" Martha froze. Her expression turned from playful to shocked, then softened into one of deep sympathy. "You… You're an orphan? But with all your abilities… you must've suffered so much, haven't you?"
Allen's smile didn't fade. "It's not really that bad."
To Martha, this child—who had lost his parents early in life—still managed to smile and joke. That strength in the face of adversity made her feel even more protective.
Oh no... I really do want to take him home and raise him now! she thought, holding back the urge to hug him again.
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