Chapter 174
Chapter 174
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Shopping with Mother
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Picking out clothes for Mother was not difficult at all.
There were hardly any outfits that didn't suit her, and selecting something in her favorite black tones wrapped it up nicely.
Of course, since it was summer, just grabbing anything wouldn't do....
"Mother looks great in shirts too. Is it because of the line at the waist?"
"Is that so...?"
"Yes, if I wore this size, it would cling too much to my body. But this one has a nice line at the waist and shoulders without feeling too tight."
I had her try on the black version of the shirt I was wearing.
Naturally, Mother looked beautiful in the black shirt, and the outfit itself had a simply pretty vibe.
She usually stuck to dresses, so this look felt refreshingly different.
"Mother, could you turn around for a moment?"
"Why?"
"The shirt seems a bit sloppily tucked in the back. I want to fix it properly and take a look."
Sure enough, the shirt wasn't properly tucked into her pants.
So Mother slowly turned around as I asked.
"Hehe, it would be such a shame not to wear such a pretty outfit properly, right?"
"That's true."
"Just wait a second."
Lize could have done it, but I stepped in on purpose.
Standing behind Mother—who had turned her back, hips, waist, and all toward me—I slowly began adjusting the shirt.
Pulling out the loosely tucked parts and tucking them back in....
It was just that simple action.
Nothing strange about it, really.
In the process, I caught a glimpse of the pale skin between her shirt and pants, and I heard Mother's faint voice as I pulled and tucked....
But it was nothing.
"All done, Mother. Want to move around a bit?"
"Y-yeah. Should I?"
"I adjusted it so it shouldn't be uncomfortable when you move. But it's best if you check yourself."
"Thank you."
Her face was just a little....
A tiny bit flushed as she gave that reply and slowly moved her body.
Well, I hadn't tucked the hem too deeply, so there shouldn't be any wedgie issues.
Actually, what puzzled me more right now was why Mother's face was slightly red.
The shop wasn't that hot, and we'd been inside for a while....
Why?
It was a bit strange.
"You look amazing."
"Is that so...?"
"Yes, anyone we ask outside would surely compliment how pretty you look. Right, Lize?"
"Yes, indeed. It suits you perfectly."
But now wasn't the time to dwell on that mystery—it was time to compliment Mother.
After all, today's goal was to spend time with Mother and Lize.
We'd try on more outfits... and just have more fun—that was it.
"Mother, how about trying on some other clothes too?"
"Other clothes? This one is plenty...."
"You don't usually wear anything but dresses. Why not take this chance to try a variety?"
It was spot on.
Mother did mostly live in dresses.
Regardless of the weather, she spent most days in them—especially black ones.
This was a chance to dress her in new styles.
The black shirt was just the start.
"Today was supposed to be about clothes for you to wear, Camellia.... Let's do yours first...."
"Couldn't we...?"
I cut her off, wearing a pitiful, wistful expression.
I could buy clothes for myself anytime, but spending time out like this with Mother... I wouldn't get to do it often anymore.
It was selfish on my part.
Mother wouldn't mind lacking new clothes—she had plenty—but this was my whim.
I just wanted to see her in outfits others wouldn't.
"Sending me to the Academy means I won't get to spend time with you like this anymore... That's why...."
No way a casual plea would sway her, so I went for acting.
I was good at it, and Mother had a soft heart.
Nothing easier.
"I just wanted to...."
"Ah...."
"Couldn't we?"
I drew very close to Mother.
So close that one more step would brush against her body—as I looked up at her.
Eyes quivering slightly.
A gaze that mixed pity and apology, different from before.
Mother's soft heart, as expected.
"...Fine. But we're still looking at clothes for you too?"
"Yes, thank you."
"...It's no big deal. You don't need to thank me that much...."
"No. It must have been a hassle, but I should definitely say thank you."
As always, Mother was weak to me.
Just like when she caught me at the casino as a kid, or when I messed up with business—today was no different.
That's why I liked her even more.
Who could dislike someone who treated them so nicely?
Especially a stunningly beautiful and kind beauty like Mother.
Yeah, that loose smile creeping up since earlier was unavoidable.
*
In the end, the three of us bought way more clothes than expected.
So many that Lize alone couldn't carry them all.
Not just for Mother and me—we got several for Lize too.
Against the original plan, we had the shop deliver to our mansion, and we strolled the streets empty-handed.
I figured we'd finish shopping happily and head home slowly, but....
"Camellia, shall we browse the market after so long?"
"That sounds good. We've spent so much time on clothes... I'm getting a bit hungry."
"Hehe, we did take a lot of time. The sun's already setting."
"Yeah."
Walking these twilight streets slowly felt nice too.
Mother on one side, Lize on the other.
Even just strolling made me smile nonstop.
"How was today for you, Mother? It was fun for me."
"Of course it was fun. Spending time with you like today is always great, Camellia."
"Really?"
"Walking around with such a pretty, cute daughter? How could it not be?"
Mother smiling as she said that.
Yeah, appearance really mattered a lot.
It was just typical motherly talk—nothing special—but it felt different somehow.
"I loved walking around with you too, Mother. And of course with Lize."
"...Thank you."
Yeah.
Today was definitely fun.
I'd gotten Mother into all sorts of clothes, not just dresses.
Not just simple dresses or shirts—a real variety.
Like the sleeveless shirt Ivana wore once, or sweaters with a slight opening at the chest....
Seeing Mother in so many looks was great.
"You're doing well at the Academy, right, Camellia? Lize's letters say you're thriving more than expected."
"Yeah, I'm fine. Lots of friends."
"That's a relief. Oh, and no matter what—no boyfriend stuff without a letter telling me first?"
"...."
Mother's sudden words.
No, it was normal enough.
Girls my age getting interested in boys... that happened all the time, right?
Puberty, teens—prime time for crushes. And Mother was my mom.
Her saying this made total sense.
But separate from her intentions, my brain froze—I couldn't respond.
"The Family Head might object, but I have no plans to. Just tell me if it happens?"
"Haha...."
Even in this life as a girl, my tastes hadn't changed at all.
Like I told Lize before—men were a hard no.
Really, truly, absolutely not.
Women were prettier on average, nicer voices, everything—I still preferred them.
So all I could muster for Mother was an awkward laugh.
Parents hearing their kid likes girls, hates boys... yeah, no.
Common sense said her reaction wouldn't be good.
"Lize, if Camellia tries to keep it secret, you tell me?"
"Yes, understood."
"Haha...."
It didn't really matter, honestly.
My male relationships? Just Father William.
Everything else was women.
"Haha...."
...Still, I never expected this from Mother.
Maybe that's why it felt so off.
We'd just been chatting while walking the evening streets.
Hearing about something I never thought about, conversing....
My head was starting to hurt in all sorts of ways.