Chapter 140: Black, Long, and Straight
Out and about, Otonashi Chiya walked side by side with Shingetsu. Being in China felt like being home to him; he could find his way around quickly. Although this world's version of China was set in a different era than his previous life, it wasn't drastically different, especially in a bustling metropolis like the Magic City.
President Jiang had initially thought about providing Chiya with personal bodyguards, but he quickly abandoned that clichéd, traditional idea. Given the strength of Chiya and his companions, if something actually happened, it was hard to say who would be protecting whom—bodyguards would only hold them back.
"Mom, that big sister is so pretty! She looks like a foreigner. Is she that big brother's girlfriend?"
"Don't be so rude. If they hear you talking nonsense, they might get angry."
"The clothes that girl is wearing look just like Soviet military uniforms. Is she a Soviet soldier?"
"By the way, that boy's eyes are a bit scary. Do young people nowadays like these... what do they call them? Color contacts?"
"..."
No matter the country or location, Chiya's striking looks and Shingetsu's beauty drew all sorts of attention. However, they had both long since grown accustomed to it.
"There are clothing stores here and over there. Take a look and see which one you want to go in, or we can just browse through them one by one," Chiya said to Shingetsu.
"Let's check this one first." Shingetsu picked a store on the right.
"Alright." Chiya led her inside. Since Shingetsu only spoke Russian, he had to accompany her; otherwise, she wouldn't be able to communicate with the staff at all.
"Welcome! Is there anything I can help you two with?" A shop assistant stepped forward to greet them as they entered.
"She's a foreign friend of mine. Since she doesn't speak Mandarin, I'm here to help her shop for clothes," Chiya explained.
Next, he communicated with the clerk while incorporating Shingetsu's preferences to pick out items. Since Shingetsu still felt that things like skirts were unsuitable for her, she leaned toward more neutral-looking shirts and trousers.
"They're all this style..." The female clerk couldn't help but suggest, "This Soviet lady is so beautiful; I really feel it would be worth it to try on various dresses, you know?"
"I'll mention it to her," Chiya said. He then translated the clerk's suggestion into Russian for Shingetsu.
"..." Shingetsu initially wanted to refuse outright, but she hesitated for a moment. "What do you think?"
Chiya didn't quite catch her meaning at first. "What do I think about what?"
"I want to know your recommendation," Shingetsu said, becoming more direct.
"My recommendation... well, I also think you could give it a try. It's not like you have anything to lose," Chiya replied. "Though I've never seen you in a dress, I can imagine it—I'm sure you'd look stunning."
Upon hearing this, Shingetsu's attitude shifted instantly. "Then I'll try it."
That phrase—"I'm sure you'd look stunning"—was the part she cared about most.
Seeing that Shingetsu had agreed, Chiya turned to the clerk. "She's willing to give it a try. Could you please recommend some dresses that would suit her?"
"It would be my pleasure," the clerk replied. She seemed full of enthusiasm; she was the type of person who did this job out of a genuine love for making every customer look their best.
Under the clerk's guidance and Shingetsu's own input, they narrowed the selection down to five outfits.
"These five, then," Chiya said to Shingetsu. "If you like them all, I don't think we need to filter any further—we can just buy the lot. But before that, head to the fitting room and see how they look."
"Mhm." Shingetsu took the dress she liked most and headed toward the dressing room. Of course, "liked most" was only relative to the other dresses. She still felt that such garments clashed with her temperament, but she wanted to know if Chiya's words were actually true.
The clerk was also eagerly anticipating how this beautiful Soviet customer would look. However, just then, Chiya called out to Shingetsu again. "Oh, wait. We haven't bought your undergarments yet. Hold on a second."
He then turned back to the clerk. "I almost forgot. Could you please help my friend pick out some... intimate apparel? Because right now, she's... well, let's just say she isn't wearing any."
As he spoke, he made a small gesture near his own chest to indicate the situation. He didn't intend to follow them for that part, as it would be a bit awkward.
The clerk looked confused at first, but after seeing the gesture, she immediately understood. She gave a small smile. "Understood. I'll take care of it."
That smile was actually masking her internal shock. She couldn't help but marvel at how "adventurous" young people were these days. Such a beautiful foreign girlfriend, and she was going around without anything underneath? She wondered if the lady preferred it that way herself or if the boyfriend had requested it.
A short while later, Shingetsu picked out a few sets. Compared to her usual binding cloth, these things felt strange and slightly uncomfortable, likely just due to a lack of habit.
Not only that, the dress itself made Shingetsu feel completely out of her element. Standing in the fitting room, she began to feel a twinge of regret and nervousness. She still felt dresses didn't suit her at all, and she expected Chiya's "stunning" imagination to come crashing down.
But since she was already dressed, Shingetsu didn't want to back down.
She stepped out of the fitting room, enduring the discomfort. Her eyes betrayed a hint of fluster, but her face remained icy and devoid of emotion, her aura still cold and powerful.
Chiya, however, caught the unease in her eyes instantly. He took a moment to appreciate the effect of the dress before complimenting her. "Exactly as I thought. Aren't you beautiful?"
Shingetsu was wearing a pure black pleated skirt. Combined with her slender, graceful figure and her flowing, raven hair, she embodied the perfect "Black, Long, and Straight" (Kurokamitchi) aesthetic. Moreover, without the restriction of the binding cloth, her chest was no longer flat; her figure had gone from having one major "regret" to being nearly perfect.
Chiya wasn't just trying to comfort her; he was speaking from the heart.
Shingetsu's icy expression faltered for a moment. She hadn't expected such a high evaluation. But then, she murmured, "I know dresses don't fit my style. You don't have to go out of your way to comfort me with words like that."
Even though she assumed he was only being kind, she couldn't suppress the surge of joy in her heart.