18.5 The Taming of the Shrew
In one corner of the clothing store, shrouded in shadows.
Shwaa—!
The curtain parted with a flourish, revealing a woman whose figure was so perfectly glamorous that the word seemed invented just for her.
"How does this suit thee, Yeonja? Doth it become me?"
"Yeah, it looks pretty."
Her skin was a light tan kissed by the sun, yet flawlessly smooth without a single blemish. From her seemingly ample upper body stretched legs of exquisite length and grace. Of course, they weren't literally as long as her torso... but they gave that illusion. In any case, her legs were slender, elongated, and stunningly beautiful.
Naturally, this was Dinaria. Or Dina, as I knew her best—a far cry from her usual petite girl form, now blooming into full maturity.
The top she wore now was a tube top, paired with hot pants so short they barely qualified as pants, and knee-high socks. The outfit was quite revealing, but on Dina, it radiated not vulgarity, but sophisticated sexiness.
I nodded in approval, and Dina's lips curled into a satisfied smirk.
"Good. Then we'll buy this one too... Wait here."
With that, the curtain shwaa— closed again, hiding her away.
It had already been fifty minutes. She'd tried on over a dozen outfits by now. As a man, it was starting to feel tedious, but I couldn't show it—not when Dina was so thrilled to put on this private fashion show for me.
"Hm hm hum~"
A cheerful hum drifted from behind the curtain. She was in high spirits, my little Dina.
I wonder what had her so delighted. Only one guess came to mind.
"Yeonja, dost thou remember what we heard earlier?"
"Dina, that's the fifth time you've brought it up."
"Hee hee. 'Tis a phrase that gladdens my heart no matter how oft I recall it."
It was...
"They saw this body and thee together and asked if we were newlyweds, did they not? Hee hee, newlyweds! With the years between thee and me, what a notion. Yet it pleased me greatly. Doth it not mean this body suits thee well as a woman? 'Twas most delightful."
As Dina's words stretched on, I recalled the cause: the offhand compliment from the shop owner the moment we'd walked in.
"Oh my, what a handsome couple! Newlyweds, are you? Your wife is a real beauty!"
Ever since, Dina's lips had been twitching with joy, her eyes forming constant crescent moons, her movements brimming with energy. She'd been trying on every piece in the store like she meant to buy the whole place.
Of course, the shop's styles suiting her taste helped too.
"Now, all done!"
The curtain swept open once more.
"Whoa... This one's amazing too. It suits you perfectly."
"Hee hee, doth it? My thanks."
"Yeah, it's pretty. A bit different from the last, but the innocent vibe is nice."
"Hee hee, innocent? Good, then we'll take this one too."
Another hour passed. The fashion show concluded, and Dina's final pick was a dress patterned in soft yellow—like the one she'd worn leaving the lord's manor.
"A dress? Why that one?"
"Cheong-ah told me thee fanciest this style."
"Cheong-ah said that? Hm..."
No wonder she'd gone for softer looks today, unlike her usual flair. Cheong-ah's advice, huh.
Dina tilted her head at my thoughtful hum.
"What's amiss?"
"Dina, I don't know what Cheong-ah told you... but as long as it's not some freakish getup, I like pretty much anything."
"Eh? Truly? Even without a dress like this?"
"Yeah, of course... Though your hair down is really pretty. You don't have to wear a dress."
Honestly, I cared more about hairstyles than outfits. Long straight hair, wavy locks, ponytails, twin tails—all good. Even her usual donut braid was cute. Come to think of it, anything but a super short, boyish cut worked for me. Clothes? If it looked hot, it was good.
"I see..."
"Still, since you've got it on, let's go with that."
Absolutely not because I was tired of waiting. I emphasize again: the hour and fifty minutes of fashion show-watching hadn't bored me one bit.
"Hm, very well."
"Ready to head out?"
"Aye, let us go."
Afterward, I carried most of the outfits she'd tried and paid the owner. I'd praised every single one as pretty, so she wanted them all.
"How much for everything?"
"Six gold coins. That's a special discount for such a big purchase."
"H-Here..."
"Thank you kindly! Come again, you lovely newlyweds."
My savings for magic tools got halved in the process, but whatever.
"Hee hee, newlyweds again. Yeonja."
"...Yeah."
If it made Dina happy, it was worth it, right? I comforted myself that way while swallowing tears over my empty wallet.
Money comes and goes like sand slipping through your fingers...
Unaware or uncaring of my gloom, Dina packed the new clothes into the magic bag I'd brought just in case. She patted her chest proudly.
"Thou bought the clothes, so I shall buy the meal."
"Meal? Oh, right. Lunchtime already."
I hadn't eaten breakfast, so at her words, my stomach growled fiercely, demanding food I'd somehow ignored till now.
"Any good spots around?"
First time in this neighborhood—I had no clue.
She sidled up, linking her arm with mine.
"Worry not, Yeonja. Trust in me alone."
"What, you already scouted a place?"
"Hm hm... Who dost thou think I am? Wait but a moment."
She closed her eyes gently, lifted her chin, and sniffed the air.
She looked just like a puppy tracking a scent. In her child form, it'd be Pomeranian-cute. Now, matured, it was... different, but endearing.
"Perfect. This way, Yeonja!"
"Huh...? Dina, where to?"
"Good smells from over there."
Her eyes snapped open, pointing decisively. She dragged me along.
We arrived at a plain-looking eatery, bustling with customers. Clearly a popular spot.
"In we go, Yeonja!"
Following her pull, I opened the door. Savory aromas hit us: sizzling meat fats, tangy-sweet stewed veggies, busy orders, scurrying staff.
Dina sure knew how to sniff out good eats. No surprise from a glutton like her—finding delis by scent alone, even in new turf.
A waitress approached as we entered.
"Table for?"
"Two."
"Right this way."
Seated, we scanned the menu she offered.
"What'll it be? First-timers? I recommend this set."
"Hm, what dost thou crave, Yeonja?"
"Dunno. Too many choices."
"Is that so? Then may I order for thee?"
"Uh... Sure."
What was she planning? She glanced at the menu, then told the waitress without hesitation.
"Hm, bring everything on here."
"...Pardon?"
The woman blinked, as if doubting her ears. Dina repeated calmly.
"Everything on here."
"A-Ah, yes!"
She hurried to the kitchen, wide-eyed. Dina watched her go, then met my gaze.
"This solves it, aye? No need to fret over choices. And fear not—the leftovers are mine."
I nodded dumbly at her poise.
...Classic Dina.
§
"...Yeonja, last stop here."
We'd shopped, stuffed ourselves silly, wandered sightseeing as the sun dipped low.
Dina tugged my hem, cheeks flushed, her grip trembling with excitement yet nerves. She led me to...
"Dina, this is..."
A rather upscale hotel.