Chapter 279 Independence -8
Chapter 279 Independence -8
The moment Jiha beat someone up inside the store, the staff naturally panicked and the branch manager rushed out.
The blue-haired elf woman hesitated when she saw Jiha and Barjet, then recoiled further upon noticing Barjet's chest before she serenely bowed her head.
"My apologies. This store has committed a grave discourtesy against you, Lady Barjet."
"See, they recognize you by your tits. You're self-identifying with your tits. Tit-identification."
"......No, that's not it. They recognized me because you said my name earlier."
"Want me to ask? Hey, you identified her by her chest, right?"
When Jiha bluntly asked, the branch manager gave an embarrassed smile.
"A Unique whose name is renowned across Warsland, if she were to visit our main store, we have deliberated extensively on how to best serve her."
"So you're saying you fretted over how to handle it if the super-extra-large Barjet came to buy underwear."
"There was absolutely no mention of size!"
Barjet objected, but Jiha ignored her.
Judging by this branch manager's astuteness and words, she had definitely gathered information in advance, precisely in case Barjet might visit the store.
A Unique is a high-ranking class with only ten individuals in Warsland, and underwear is important to women.
"Blin and Evis are rivals, competing over who can attract more high-profile clientele."
A Legend was a being above the clouds, someone you wouldn't dare treat as a mere business demographic.
The most valuable customers for a shop like this were Uniques.
VIPs. Even the Unique women Jiha had collected typically purchased from Blin or Evis.
The branch manager smiled ambiguously and addressed Jiha.
"My apologies, Lord Jiha."
"I'm a man, and you recognize me?"
"It is my first time addressing you directly, but I am honored to meet you."
"Seems like you'll be reasonable to talk to."
Had she also looked into Jiha—recently risen as a major player—with the intention of courting him as a customer?
Her immediate recognition was simply because, by process of elimination, the only man who would treat Barjet this rudely was Jiha.
But this branch manager didn't let any of that show and handled the situation flawlessly.
She was a woman who understood the fundamentals of business.
"We came here today because this one has been walking around too dense to even wear proper underwear. So we were trying to pick some out when these idiots picked a fight."
"We are truly sorry. Please, quell your anger and grant us the opportunity to serve you with our utmost sincerity."
The branch manager bowed her head toward Jiha.
Her attitude showed she'd grasped the power dynamic here—that Jiha was above Barjet.
She had a merchant's sharp eye.
Jiha nodded and spoke.
"Normally, for someone of Barjet's status, wouldn't you send someone to her instead of having her come to the store in person, to introduce various products?"
"Yes, we offer that service exclusively to our special clients."
"Hey, you see? Now do you get how much of an idiot you've been living like?"
"A witch's foundation is honest poverty, you know......"
Barjet argued back, but she seemed surprised by the conversation.
She'd never imagined receiving such service.
Jiha nodded.
"It seems like this one went to Evis before and pulled some stupid stunt because she didn't want other people seeing. So I'm curious how things work here. Can I expect something better?"
"I will take immediate action."
The branch manager called her subordinates and had the downed women removed, then cleared out the other people inside the store.
The female customers who had been stealing glances after recognizing Jiha and Barjet retreated, grumbling.
Jiha was inwardly pleased.
So-called high-profile people detest anything that causes a commotion during their shopping.
This branch manager had understood immediately and provided them with the entire store.
A monetary loss? Attracting Barjet as a customer was a profitable venture anyway.
No, if she could win the favor of an even bigger shot than Barjet—the Chairman of the Investigation Committee, Jiha—any major loss could be recovered in the long run.
Jiha nodded.
"Good, we can take our time picking things out."
"If you require assistance, I shall attend to you personally. If that makes you uncomfortable......"
"We'll handle it ourselves. Close the shop and wait outside."
"Understood. If you need anything, we will prepare it immediately."
The branch manager gave a refined bow of her head.
Jiha asked in passing.
"Oh, what's your name?"
"I am called Soniya."
"Right. Your service today has been decent. I'll remember it."
"Thank you."
Soniya bowed her head deeply and then exited.
Left alone inside the store, the shutters came down over the glass windows.
The interior was sealed off.
Barjet fidgeted as she spoke.
"......Isn't this just tyranny?"
"Just how hopeless are you? You keep breaking the world record for hopelessness, you know."
As Jiha looked at her with disbelief, Barjet flinched but still replied.
"......They're trying to run a business. I could just hurry up and pick something and leave."
"Fine, fine. I'll explain it to you."
Jiha pressed a hand to his forehead and laid it out point by point.
"First, you might be a Jjintta, but you're still a high-status person. And I'm someone above even you. You understand that much, right?"
"......."
Nod.
As Barjet gave a vague nod, Jiha added more.
"For these kinds of shops, especially those using a high-end strategy, VIP clients are way more important than regular customers. The prestige of the store depends on who they land. You probably lived like a Jjintta, buying three pairs of underwear for a thousand won off the street corner somewhere. But for this shop, if they can reel you in, sacrificing a day's—no, several days'—revenue is worth it. Hell, they'd probably sacrifice two weeks' worth."
"Huh? Wouldn't that be a huge loss?"
"Because there are only ten Uniques. Existing Uniques like Enril, Yura, and Leticia all already have their designated stores for essentials. And high-status people, once they've picked a place, rarely change it."
The stores provided exclusive, tailored services for such high-status individuals.
Besides, the wealthy generally prioritize the quality of service over the price of goods.
In other words, from the store's perspective, if they keep catering to you, you're a precious customer who spends dozens of times more than a regular one.
"Got it? Right now, those people know I've become a rising magnate. They were probably racking their brains over how to offer me a customized underwear service. And then I show up in person, so of course they'd rush out and bow and scrape."
"Hmm......."
"And do you think people wear just underwear and call it a day? Clothing and fashion shops are all interconnected. Underwear, garments, hair, accessories, even shoes. These shops are banding together, researching and sharing your and my tastes, absolutely sweating bullets over how to attract us as customers. The store gave up business for the day? That branch manager is probably so happy she feels like dancing."
"......Uh. How do you know all that so well?"
Barjet's eyes went round as she asked.
Jiha didn't answer, simply rebuking her.
"Would merchants do something that leaves them at a loss? It's common sense. Common sense. There, you understand now? Now pick something. Don't worry about the money."
"......Ah, fine."
Still looking dazed, Barjet began to browse the shop.
Jiha left her to it and briefly sank into his own thoughts.
'This branch manager, the woman called Soniya, has a pretty sharp head on her shoulders. She'll probably say she won't charge for that commotion earlier. From my perspective, it's pocket change, of course. Instead, she'll ask us to visit her store again next time. I can just tell her that next time, she can send someone to introduce products and I'll buy from them then.'
The inner workings of this—how the game played out—were crystal clear to Jiha.
He'd learned it serving high-status people back on Earth.
Entering women's lingerie shops wasn't something he'd only done once or twice either.
"......."
Old thoughts.
Old memories.
As Jiha was reminiscing, Barjet returned.
"I picked some out."
"Three pairs? What, do you wear the same underwear for two days a week?"
"I can wear one and wash the other, so......"
"Stop being so pathetic and get at least ten or more. Most women love being able to shop to their heart's content, so why are you so nervous? I'm not making you pay, so for god's sake, puff your chest out."
"You mean chest......"
Uncharacteristically, Barjet seemed oddly cautious.
"......But is something the matter?"
"What?"
"No, it's just...... You looked a little lonely. If I was mistaken, then never mind."
Barjet hesitated, then went back to inspecting the displayed underwear.
Jiha furrowed his brow.
For a Jjintta, she had an oddly perceptive side.
"Um, hey, this is way too expensive."
"Buy it."
"No. What kind of underwear costs three hundred thousand......."
"Buy it."
Barjet became increasingly timid as she looked at the price tags.
Still, perhaps afraid that Jiha would scold her again if she deliberately only chose cheap items, she was occasionally picking genuinely expensive ones.
After Barjet had gathered ten pairs and turned around, Jiha asked.
"Did you really pick well? Did you carefully consider the colors and shapes?"
"......J-just a moment."
When Jiha asked seriously, Barjet faltered, put the underwear down, and began choosing again.
She was gradually realizing.
The joy of shopping.
Whether woman or man, picking out pretty clothes or stylish shoes is naturally a pleasure.
Moreover, when you don't have to worry about the money or the quantity, it becomes even more exhilarating.
'A witch's discipline is honest poverty.......'
A witch's life was to wander without settling down, without coveting wealth.
That was why Barjet, even as a Unique, had been roaming around carrying nothing but a single bundle.
Jiha had harassed her by calling her a Jjintta, but in truth, Barjet's frugality was exemplary for a witch.
'No, she's not just frugal, she's downright shabby.'
But Barjet was also a woman, and her heart would secretly race at the sight of pretty clothes.
Through Jiha's constant cajoling and coaxing, the desires Barjet usually suppressed had finally reared their head.
She wanted to adorn herself.
Holding up underwear from the display in both hands to compare them, pressing them against her own chest, completely absorbed.
She had definitely changed.
'Yura would have done as I told her, but she'd have had a hard time understanding Barjet's mentality. Sure enough, me coming out here today was the right call.......'
It was a relief to see the Jjintta shaping up to be a bit more like a proper person.
While we're at it, should we go buy some clothes too?
Jiha was considering this when... Barjet, after a long bout of agonizing, turned back around.
It seemed she was in deep turmoil over whether to pick the black or the purple one she held in either hand.
"Um...... Is it okay if I buy eleven?"
"You can buy twenty. And that one, the black."
"Huh?"
"The black will suit you better."
Flustered, Barjet held the black one against her chest before putting it down.
In the end, Barjet took over an hour to finish her purchase.
The lingerie she'd painstakingly selected: dark and deep colors, with subtly ornate patterns.
When Jiha looked over the collection, Barjet hastily stuffed them into shopping bags.
"......D-don't look."
"Fourteen pairs? Planning to wear two a day?"
"They could get wet in the rain or something. ......Is that not okay?"
"I said pick as many as you want. But those there—the white, the beige, and the yellow you put down earlier—put them in too."
Jiha pointed to the ones Barjet had briefly looked at before setting aside.
At Barjet's clearly reluctant expression, Jiha let out a genuine sigh.
"Do you live in nothing but underwear?"
"Excuse me?"
"Oh for crying out loud, you shopping Jjintta. You've gotta think about matching them with your clothes. When you go on a date with a guy, doesn't it even cross your mind to match your underwear with your outfit? Does the word 'style' even exist in your vocabulary?"
"......I-I got it already."
Even as she pouted, Barjet eventually added the brighter colors as Jiha had instructed.
Seeing Barjet's face, as if she'd just accomplished some great feat, Jiha jerked his chin.
"Hey, now that you've picked them, you've gotta try them on."
"Huh?"
"Go into the fitting room and try them on. What if they don't fit?"
Jiha gave Barjet's body a fresh once-over, up and down.
"You're ridiculously skinny, but your chest sticks out and your hips are plump—you don't have a standard figure. There's no guarantee off-the-rack sizes will fit, so try them on and check if they're okay."
"......You're allowed to change in the store?"
"......."
Seriously, how has this girl survived until now?
Barjet, who now seemed to realize how pathetic she looked, went into the fitting room without another word.
But then she stopped and turned back to Jiha.
"You're not going to peek, are you?"
"Your life might be a sweet-and-sour rom-com, but mine isn't."
"......."
Looking slightly puzzled, Barjet went inside the fitting room.
The click of the lock.
Jiha heaved a deep sigh.
"Dealing with a Jjintta's nonsense is tiring as hell, seriously."
Though watching her get excited picking out underwear had been somewhat worthwhile.
Ultimately, they were back to square one.
Jiha had waited long enough. He grabbed a chair and moved it.
Right to the fitting room where Barjet would still be changing.
The locked door?
Crunch!
Jiha simply channeled Mana and ripped the doorknob right off.
This was why Jiha had sighed.
She locked the door? He could just smash it in and be done with it.
It was proof that Barjet was still profoundly ignorant about Jiha.
"Wha, wha-wha, wha......."
Barjet, who had been in the middle of fastening the hooks of her bra, shrieked in horror as she realized Jiha had broken the door down and entered.
Jiha spoke curtly.
"Keep going."
Peeking? What was she, a child?
He was just looking.