Belldia's Workshop and Budding Feelings
Rackrowa Clothing Workshop. They finally stopped in front of a weathered sign hanging along a narrow alley in the southern part of town. Estel’s eyes sparkled as she gazed up at the sign.
“Whoa… it really has that artisan vibe!”
“Told her to change the sign, but it’s still the same.” I pushed open the door familiarly and stepped inside. As soon as the door swung open, the scent of fabric mingled with warm indoor air brushed my nose. The interior was packed with bolts of colorful fabrics in every size, and one wall was lined with splendid sample garments. In the center of the space stood a large worktable, and behind it, a woman was sewing with quick, deft movements, needle in hand.
Without even looking up, she said indifferently, “Sit if you’re here to order. Get out if you’re a peddler.”
I smiled and opened my mouth. “Belldia, it’s me.”
At the sound of my voice, her hands froze mid-stitch. She snapped her head up, her eyes widening before a bright smile spread across her face. “Seru!”
She set down her sewing and shot up from her chair in one fluid motion. “My secret boyfriend’s here!”
Belldia threw her arms wide and pulled me into a tight hug. Her cheerful, bright laughter filled the workshop.
“Seru, how have you been?”
“Yeah. You’re still busy as ever.”
“Well, the customers won’t leave me alone. My hands are never free.”
Belldia laughed as she brushed back the stray locks of hair from her forehead. She was still as vibrant and alluring as ever. Her abundant, luscious red hair was neatly tied in a ponytail, and it swayed gently with every smile or movement, her ample bosom bouncing softly. Her shirt sleeves were rolled up neatly to avoid getting in the way of her sewing, and her form-fitting work clothes naturally accentuated her curvaceous, healthy figure. Her fashion sense is on another level. She’s gorgeous. There were still several small needle pricks on her fingers—marks from accidental stabs, but they followed her like badges of honor.
Belldia propped one hand on her hip and grinned at me. “So, what’s it today? Another tricky request?”
“Anyone overhearing would think I only come here for commissions.”
“You never say let’s go have fun, just bug me with requests.”
“Spot on.”
Belldia untied her hair tie, letting her thick tresses cascade down in front of me. As she smoothed her hair, she said, “I caught the kids’ performance passing by a month ago. They were amazing—they’re gonna be huge stars now, right? And you’ll be rolling in money? Huh? Huh?”
She poked my side playfully. I scratched the bridge of my nose awkwardly. “We broke up.”
“What?”
“They left me.”
“Why…?”
“Guess I lacked the talent.”
At those words, Belldia’s brow furrowed slightly. And damn it, my throat tightened, a surge of emotions welling up bitterly. A tangle of complicated feelings scraped through my heart. We fell silent for a moment before a curse slipped from her lips. “…Those bitches.”
Estel, standing beside me, tilted her head with a puzzled look, clearly lost. She craned her neck to stare at my face, so I quickly changed the subject. “Anyway, this is my new star.”
I pointed to Estel and introduced her. “Her name’s Estel. A promising talent with real skill.”
Belldia narrowed her eyes, scanning Estel meticulously from head to toe. “Hmm, she’s a cute one. Your type?”
“As if. Anyway, Estel, this is Belldia. The city’s best tailor.”
“H-Hello!”
“I’m not feeling hello-ish.”
Belldia stroked her chin, eyeing Estel up and down carefully. “You any good at singing?”
“I-I sing with confidence!”
“With confidence? So you suck?”
“No! I’m good if you tell me to sing!”
“Same difference.”
“There’s a Akwi Festival in six months, hosted by the Resonance Guardian Society. I’m entering her.”
“So you want an outfit?”
“I’ll pay you back once I have the money, so make something sleek.”
“Hah, you know I’m swamped?”
Belldia grumbled but quickly pulled a small work knife from her pocket. “Turn around.”
“Huh?”
“Give me a full spin.”
“L-Like this…?”
Estel turned awkwardly with a baffled expression, but Belldia grabbed her arm and spun her swiftly. “Eek—”
In an instant, a shh-shh-shh rustle like wind brushing past filled the air. In the blink of an eye, Estel’s outer clothes fluttered to the floor like magic. She kept spinning obliviously, and in that brief moment, Belldia’s knife flashed like lightning. Layer by layer, her garments fell away, leaving Estel in her underthings before she knew it.
The moment she caught sight of herself in the full-length mirror, Estel shrieked. “Kyaa! Wh-What are you doing?! Seru! This lady’s weird! She shredded all my clothes!”
She frantically covered her chest and huddled up. Belldia didn’t bat an eye, pulling a measuring tape from her waist and starting to take measurements. “Hold still. Moving makes it hard to measure.”
“Why’d you rip my clothes?! I liked those!”
“You call that clothes? Here, pick one to wear.”
“R-Really?”
“Plenty over there—choose what you like.”
“Oho…!”
Estel’s eyes lit up at the free clothes, clamping her mouth shut. But then she noticed me staring and her face flushed crimson. “D-Don’t look! It’s embarrassing!”
Belldia paused her measuring to shoot me a glare. “What are you doing over there? Gonna keep staring?”
I cleared my throat awkwardly. “Just checking Estel’s figure, seeing if she’s got a good frame for clothes. No funny business.”
“Whatever—move. You’re making her more embarrassed.”
I turned around immediately and stared out the window. From behind came Estel’s little yelps mixed with Belldia’s matter-of-fact voice. “Arms up. Straighten your back. Don’t suck in!”
“Kyaa!”
Outside was a peaceful street scene, but my gaze wandered blankly into space. My mind replayed Estel’s underwear-clad form. Perfectly sized breasts. A slim waist. A slight pouch on her lower belly smoothly leading to Venus’s mound. Feminine hips and long, straight legs. Pretty face, killer body. She’s got everything to be a superstar. Plenty of potential.
‘The outfit’s basically done… all that’s left is brutal training.’
I let out a quiet breath. I hoped Estel would keep up, and that she’d shine brilliantly on that stage.
The sun had fully set. Outside the workshop, dusk had fallen, and the alley’s magic streetlamps flickered to life. The soft glow from Belldia’s workroom lit the shop warmly. Estel stood alone inside, draped in a white gown. She’d tried on some of the clothes hanging around at first, but soon they faded from her attention. Her gaze naturally drifted through the plate-glass window to the small room beyond.
Inside, Seru and Belldia sat facing each other. Silhouetted against the warm light, they leaned over a small table, tilting wine glasses and chatting amiably. Belldia occasionally burst into loud laughter, playfully smacking Seru’s shoulder, and he’d laugh brightly right back. They looked incredibly intimate and affectionate.
“They look like a couple…”
Estel paused in front of a rack. She’d watched without much thought at first, but as time passed, a strange feeling began to stir. Belldia’s words from when she first saw Seru echoed in her ears. ‘My secret boyfriend’s here!’ It had seemed like a joke, but now it nagged at her.
Estel pouted and muttered, “Are they really dating…?”
There was a hint of jealousy in her voice. Realizing it, her cheeks burned, and she shook her head. ‘No, who cares if they are.’
She looked back at Seru’s bright smile through the glass. His expressions, his voice, every gesture stuck in her mind. ‘Seru…’
Han Seru. It had only been two weeks since they met. At the party, she’d pegged him as prickly and rude. He seemed disinterested in singing, like someone always ready to bolt. She’d approached because he looked kinda lonely… But spending those few days with him changed her view.
Seru was far more thoughtful, diligent, and reliable than she’d thought. When he taught music or listened to her sing, his eyes were serious and deep. Instead of getting frustrated with her shortcomings, he taught patiently and spoke of her potential. She especially remembered the day he scoured the whole city for new songs. His shoes were caked in dirt, his clothes soaked with sweat. His face was tired, but his eyes sparkled.
No one had ever gone that far for her before. It made her feel a bit guilty, but all the more grateful. She wanted to know more. Who is this guy? Why does he help me like this? And why has someone like him been alone all this time? He wouldn’t tell her even when asked. “Wanna seem mysterious?” Estel giggled.
There was still so much she didn’t know about Han Seru, but the thought of time ahead to learn filled her with excitement and joy. “Being with him… makes me happy too.”
The Akwi Festival in six months. With Seru, she felt she could push through. Imagining herself placing in the contest made her heart pound. “I’ll work hard too… and show great results.”
Estel resolved firmly, picking her favorite casual outfit from the rack and hugging it to her chest. “Would Seru like this one…?”
Her slip of the tongue made her blush; she ducked her head, then burst into a soft laugh. A clumsy, fluttering emotion slowly seeped into a corner of her heart. And so, Estel’s day quietly and warmly drew to a close.