Chapter 73: Shirou's Tailored Suit
"According to school tradition, students with special talents or honors are grouped into exchange delegations and sent to corresponding schools abroad. Each team usually travels to several countries.
Given the large differences in climate across regions, aside from formalwear, you should also bring a couple of warm sweaters," Yukinoshita explained like an encyclopedia.
'She really is our Yuki-wiki... but they're all worrying way too much,' Shirou thought, impressed yet exasperated.
"Ohhh, so that's how it works. Yukino knows so much. I was just thinking about what would look coolest," Yui said in sudden realization. Then, turning to Shirou: "Right, Shirou, make sure to stay warm, okay? Don't catch a cold on the trip. Though, they say idiots don't catch colds~"
"Hey! That's going too far, Yui! How am I an idiot?!" Shirou protested.
"Hmph! Justice idiot! Thick-headed blockhead!" Yui stuck out her tongue and made a silly face.
"Shirou, listen closely. I have a general idea of what the weather is like abroad right now. If you're going to a northern region with frequent snowfall, you'll need a hat, earmuffs, and snow boots. A down coat is a must, too.
And since you might go somewhere warm as well, pack some clothes that are insulated, sweat-wicking, and easy to change into," Yukinoshita added, sharing her experience while looking at the boy.
"You don't all need to worry so much. It's not like I've never been abroad before. I can buy the clothes I need myself," Shirou tried to reassure them.
"But Shirou, I just get the feeling that if no one drags you into a store, you'll wear your clothes until they're falling apart," Asuna said with concern in her eyes.
"That's way exaggerated! I do buy new clothes every year!" Shirou defended himself.
"That's probably because you outgrew them, right?" Yukinoshita asked, giving him a look.
"Well... yeah," Shirou admitted, momentarily speechless.
"And what about formalwear? Once you're over there, you'll probably attend some formal banquets or dances, so you should at least bring one suit," she added.
"..." Shirou had no comeback.
"And if you don't consider fashion trends at all, girls will find you totally unappealing," Yui chimed in as well.
"I don't really get it either," Mash said, "but Shirou-senpai, if you don't go along with this, I don't think you'll be able to get out of it."
"Alright, alright, I'll leave it to you guys then," Shirou finally gave in. After all, he had just received the prize money from his recent archery tournament—he was wondering what to do with it anyway.
"There you go! I mean, it's not a bad thing to have 10 or 20 outfits in your wardrobe, right? You'll end up wearing them anyway," Yui said with a big grin.
"No, that's way too many. As long as I have enough to wear, I'm good," Shirou muttered.
"That's true," Mash agreed. She was used to Chaldea's spartan lifestyle—outside of battle uniforms, just having a few changes of clothes was more than enough.
In the end, Shirou could only let himself be dragged around and toyed with by the girls.
The first stop: getting a tailored suit.
Yukinoshita brought Shirou to a well-known tailor shop her father frequented.
"This isn't an old shop, but the head designer studied abroad and won awards frequently. So while it's a bit pricey, the quality is guaranteed," Yukinoshita explained.
She handled the discussions with the in-house designer, who brought out a notebook and carefully recorded the detailed requirements. Meanwhile, Shirou stood to the side, being measured.
"We're finished," the tailor—dressed in a white shirt and black vest, a true gentleman—said quietly.
"Wait a moment," came a voice—sensual, magnetic, and sultry.
A woman in a striking red Western-style dress, with a stunning figure, approached them.
She looked to be in her late twenties, exuding the aura of a mature woman. Her long black hair was tied up, and her perfume smelled richly floral but not overpowering.
She reached out her long fingers and began touching Shirou's body—starting from his shoulders and back, down to his waist and abs…
"You've got quite a nice build, young man. Do you do sports?" she asked.
"A bit of archery and kendo," Shirou replied, arms still raised.
"Hmm… I thought so. You've got a good look in your eyes too. The more I look at you, the more refined you seem. You're making me want you more and more," the woman said, her hand stroking just below his abs, her eyes turning hazy.
'Want me!?' the girls' eyes widened. What the hell was up with this woman!?
"Um... are we done?" Shirou asked, completely confused by the woman's cryptic words. He had no idea what she meant.
"Mmhmm, we're done. I'll handle designing this young man's suit. Master, I'll leave the rest to you," the woman smiled as she let go of him, speaking to a refined man in his fifties who had been sitting nearby with his eyes closed.
"It's rare for our genius designer to take interest. Naturally, I'll assign this to you. And this boy's got a great figure—making clothes for him will be a pleasure," the older man said, sipping his tea with a smile.
"Come back in three days. I'll design the suit that suits you best. Of course, since I'll be doing it personally, the price will go up 30%. Is that okay?" the woman said with a smile.
"That's fine. Thank you," Shirou nodded and accepted.
"Thank you for your patronage. You'll grow up to be a fine man... what a shame you're still just a high schooler," the woman said with a wistful sigh, resting one hand on her cheek.
"Shirou-kun, if you feel harassed in any way, you can call the police. Right now. Immediately," Yukinoshita said coldly.
"Yes, and if you're uncomfortable, we could always go to a different shop," Asuna offered with a gentle smile.
"Shirou..." Yui gave him a pointed look.
"Oh my, is one of these young ladies your girlfriend? Doesn't look like it to me," the woman said, glancing over the girls with amusement.
If anything, that only made the situation more enticing to her.
"Alright, I get it. Please just ring it up," Shirou said awkwardly.
Feeling incredibly uncomfortable under her gaze, he quickly pulled out his bank card and paid the deposit, receiving a receipt.
"Oh, here's my card," the woman said, holding a golden business card to her lips and leaving a pink lipstick mark on it.
"Once you get into college, feel free to call me at night anytime. If you grow a bit taller—say to 185 cm—and bulk up more, then even during the day is fine." She slipped the card into his breast pocket, tracing a heart on his chest with her finger.
'Stuff like that... yeah, I guess that's only something you'd do with someone you really like. There really are all kinds of people in this world. But she's already a successful adult with social standing—it's not my place to say anything,' Shirou decided to remain silent and prepared to leave.
"W-wow… so that's what adulthood is like..." Mash muttered, cupping her cheeks, blushing deeply.