A Shopping Spree with Helena
They say a bad feeling is never wrong. So, to put it precisely, I had already been dragged into a clothing store with Helena. It seemed clothing stores were hell in this world too.
Staring at the racks of clothes with a look of pure distaste, I watched as Helena alone lit up with excitement, her eyes sparkling as she scanned the store.
"……There are so many clothes!"
"It is a clothing store."
Obviously. At my indifferent tone, Helena shot me a sharp glare before quickly turning away and weaving between the racks. Her bright expression made me give in, and I followed behind her at a leisurely pace.
What followed was an ordinary shopping trip.
"How about this?"
"Hmm…… It looks fine?"
"What about this one?"
"……It's pretty."
"Then this?"
"It suits you."
How many hours had it been? For what felt like an eternity, I gave my opinions on Helena's outfits. I didn't think I'd ever expended this much mental energy even during training…… Yet I couldn't bring myself to suggest stopping, because Helena's expression was so radiant and cheerful.
She looked so genuinely happy that it made me wonder if she'd been holding it all in. I simply couldn't tell her to stop.
"……Felice. Your answers lack sincerity."
Even so, hearing that complaint made me feel a little wronged, didn't it? At Helena's words, I looked at her with an incredulous expression. But she genuinely seemed hurt. With her lips pursed in a pout and a sulky look on her face as she showed off the clothes, I let out a small sigh and spoke reluctantly.
"What can I do when they all suit you? Even if you ask which one is better, there's nothing that doesn't look good on you."
It wasn't flattery meant to please her—it was simply the truth. With Helena's beauty and figure, any outfit that wasn't outright bizarre would look good on her.
"……Liar."
Despite her pouting words, Helena's face flushed bright red as she whipped her head away. Her mood had clearly improved, so I breathed a quiet sigh of relief.
"I'll take this one, this one, and this one too. Please wrap them up."
"Yes! Right away!"
Now in better spirits, Helena handed several outfits she liked to the clerk and finished her shopping. Smiling at the sight, I glanced out the window. The shopping trip that had started after breakfast only ended when the sun was high in the sky. I supposed I should be grateful it wrapped up this quickly. Judging by Helena's expression and energy, she would have kept going for another two or three hours otherwise.
'At that rate, she would've tried on every single outfit in the store.'
As I blankly watched Helena's back while she paid with practiced ease, I felt an inexplicable gaze on me and turned my head. There stood a middle-aged man nodding along as he spoke with a staff member.
'……Was that just my imagination?'
Even if it wasn't, there was no reason to go over and ask, so I turned my attention back to Helena. Carrying bags stuffed full of clothes, she broke into a silly grin and walked toward me.
"……Give them here. I'll carry them."
Helena was a combatant too, so carrying this many clothes wouldn't tire her out, but it might still be inconvenient while walking. I naturally reached out and took the bags from her.
"You don't have to."
"It's fine. Better than watching you struggle."
Helena handed over the bags with a mix of apologetic and pleased expressions, then let out a carefree laugh. I shook my head and accepted them.
"So, where are we going now?"
Thanks to Helena's lengthy shopping, it was already afternoon, and there would be more to see than before. When I asked with that in mind, she pondered for a moment before nodding as if she'd thought of something and headed out of the store.
"Let's go there!"
"Where's 'there'?"
"You'll know if you follow me…!"
At Helena's secretive smile, I let out a small chuckle and followed after her. Spending the day without overthinking things didn't sound so bad.
@
The middle-aged man, Papyrus von Jairus, watched the pair of man and woman leaving the clothing store with a steady gaze.
"As for this outfit…… Excuse me, Your Grace?"
"Ah, my apologies. What were you saying?"
"This outfit is currently the most popular among children of that age."
Papyrus studied the rather luxurious-looking garment the shop owner held up before nodding quietly.
"I don't know much about clothes or trends, so your recommendation is probably correct. I'll take it."
"Yes! Understood…!"
Even though the outfit was quite expensive, Papyrus chose it without hesitation and left the payment to his butler, his thoughts returning to what he had seen earlier.
"……Does that boy from earlier bother you?"
"Hmm? A little, I suppose."
The butler who had served the Jairus ducal house since Papyrus's birth was truly capable. He could read Papyrus's thoughts without being told and even anticipate his wishes to handle matters ahead of time.
At the butler's question, Papyrus nodded, pulled from his thoughts.
"Shall I investigate?"
"Hmm…… That won't be necessary."
There were many reasons the ducal house had flourished for generations. One of them was that everyone working for the house excelled in their respective fields. If Papyrus ordered an investigation into the boy who had just left the store—Felice—they would uncover everything about him in no time. His personality, habits, even the food he'd eaten recently—everything.
Yet Papyrus gave no such order.
"I have a feeling," the Duke said, "that we'll meet soon enough."
Papyrus smiled kindly, thinking of Felice. More precisely, of the strange boy who bore two colors within one body.
"……Achoo!"
"Did you catch a cold?"
For some reason, a chill ran down my spine, and my nose started to itch before I sneezed. Helena turned around with a worried look as I covered my mouth with a handkerchief.
I forced an awkward smile and shook my head.
"No? I'm fine."
"……If you're not feeling well, don't push yourself. Just tell me."
Even after my reassurance, Helena still looked concerned. I placed a hand on her shoulder and urged her forward.
"I'm really okay."
Sometimes, stepping out into bright sunlight after being indoors made me sneeze. This was probably one of those times. The chill that had run down my spine had already faded, so I smiled brightly to calm her.
Helena tilted her head but eventually gave in and started walking again. It had been common with my previous body, but I hadn't expected it to happen with Felice's too. Sneezing when looking at bright light…… What was it called again? The photic sneeze reflex? Something like that.
Still rubbing my slightly sore nose, I began strolling through the streets with Helena. I'd never regretted the time spent training, but walking around the city with her like this made me feel a twinge of regret for not doing it sooner.
Our city outing with Helena continued until the sun began to set. Laden with bags, we wandered nonstop until we had no choice but to return to the Academy. Time had passed faster than I'd thought.
With a wistful expression, Helena let me pat her head lightly before we said our goodbyes in front of the girls' dormitory.
"Go on in."
"……I don't want it to end."
At her sulky mutter, I smiled and handed her the bags of clothes.
"Let's come out again next time."
"……Really?"
"Yeah. Really."
Helena's face was full of disbelief. I gave her a bitter smile, nodded to reassure her, and waved. I was a little reluctant to part too.
Hiding that feeling, I said goodbye and dragged my heavy feet toward the dormitory.
……It had been surprisingly fun. The break, after so long, had been enjoyable. Whether it was because it had been a while since my last rest or because I was with Helena, even I didn't know. But one thing was clear.
Without realizing it, I was already thinking about going out together again.