No, This Isn't Fashion
"I'm just glad everyone made it back safely. But Ivy..."
Formally speaking, since the Gae Saeng Guild had requested our cooperation, I had to stop by if I wanted my reward. So before heading back to my lodging, I went to see Daesik, who frowned at my outfit and trailed off. Even I thought I looked a bit rough. My stockings were laddered in places, and my clothes were slightly torn. No matter how much I Purified them, that wouldn't mend the damage. Clothes weren't living things, so Heal wouldn't work on them either.
Passing through the barrier into the city in that state, I'd felt the sting of other people's stares. If it had just been torn clothes, they might've assumed I'd been attacked and moved on. But since I was tied up too, I probably looked like some heretical priest captured after fierce resistance. I wasn't that shameless, so those sidelong glances just embarrassed me. Of course, since my character was pretty, the admiring looks made me feel a mix of shyness and secret pride. But this kind of attention? No thanks. Some people even came up asking why I was tied up and dragged around. When I explained I was a priest on duty returning from clearing a dungeon, they tilted their heads but seemed to get it anyway. That didn't make the lecherous stares vanish, though. It was just too outlandish an outfit to accept easily.
Daesik and Hanbyeol must've explained my situation to everyone, but still—everyone else was fine, and here I was, marked with signs of injury. "It was... aggro pulling."
"Who was the tank? There's no way Ivy couldn't manage her heal aggro."
Daesik's deep trust in me made me feel oddly secure. I'm such an amazing healer. It wasn't so much conceit as the quiet pride an office worker feels when praised for their skills. Of course, back home, more tasks and side work usually followed, tanking the mood. But this wasn't a company. I could bask in the praise freely.
"It was me, Boss."
Jonathan stepped forward, head bowed in shame. Before anyone could stop him, Daesik swung a fist at his face without mercy. Jonathan squeezed his eyes shut and took the full hit, tumbling to the floor.
"Daesik! Why..."
"He endangered the Saintess. He deserves it."
"It wasn't Jonathan's fault. It was an accident. When the Flame Basilisk slammed the ground, all the melee classes had to pull back. The tank had no way to deal damage in the meantime, so aggro shifted. My heal output is too high by their standards anyway."
I skipped the part where Hanbyeol had blindly DPSed and out-threated Jonathan. I didn't want to see Daesik and her fighting. Once I framed it as partly my fault, Daesik softened a bit.
"He should've thrown his shield to draw attention at least."
It was still all on Jonathan, but he took it straight. "Yes. I froze up. I'm sorry."
"No, why are you taking that at face value... Anyway, Jimmy said he'd write the report, so can we go rest?"
"Yes. Good work. Oh, before that, your clothes..."
Daesik's gaze dropped below my neck. Yeah, this stare was burdensome. Each one felt like a poke at my skin, and my body tingled as if enjoying the sensation. People have exhibitionist streaks, sure, but the disconnect between body and mind made it unsettling. Any moment, my body might take over and leave me moaning. So I clenched my fists and backed away from him a step.
"I'll go change."
"But sis doesn't have other clothes."
"Ah..."
Come to think of it, I was down to one outfit—underwear and priestess robes included. A single lady's wardrobe. Purify made laundry irrelevant, so I'd never bothered buying more. Priests were supposed to live simply anyway, and with Purify, one set seemed fine. But yeah, one was a bit lacking. I should get spares.
"I'll give you one now. I had an extra from before."
"Boss bought women's clothes? Got that hobby?"
One guildmate who'd been in the dungeon snarked. Daesik glared at him, then calmed seeing me. Pretending to be the boss must stress him out. But people misunderstood.
"Thanks to you, sis, the boss is human now... What a relief."
The whisper was loud enough for Daesik to hear. I gave the guildmate an awkward smile and shook my head at Daesik. "It's fine. I'll buy something."
"If you leave our guild building like that, we might get a bad rep. Like we toyed with the Saintess—or worse."
"Ah."
Even as an adventurer guild now, their old criminal image lingered. Any tiny scandal would blow up. Unhappy but nodding, I watched Daesik rummage in a closet and pull out a fine white garment. Stark contrast to what I had on. I could guess his angle—leverage my saintess image. Since he was helping us return home, I needed to play along. I didn't love white, and fashion wasn't my thing anyway, so I'd take whatever without fuss.
"Thanks then. I'll wear it well."
Approaching him, my tail took the clothes instead. But tied up, I couldn't change.
"Um... Can I step out to change?"
"Next room's empty. Go ahead. I'll get Jimmy's report meanwhile."
"Yes. I'll detail everything from dungeon entry. The notebook too."
No three-line summary from Jimmy. Dodging that, I asked Hanbyeol to loosen the ropes and headed next door, Iris following.
"J-just untie me, I can change alone."
They shook their heads once inside. "We know what you'd do, sis."
"It's my little sister's body. We both just want the Saintess safe."
"...Fine."
My karma was heavy. Shouldn't have stabbed my throat with that spear—now my nose was pierced. No regrets, but still unfair. They wouldn't untie me no matter what. With their help, I slipped free and shed the priestess robes. Tears everywhere—no specific spot, just all over. Did I hit that hard? Or was the floor rough? Even car crash victims don't rip like this. Maybe the fabric prioritized comfort over durability. Muttering, I set that aside.
"Too bad to toss. Any place to mend it?"
"Stitching would just look messy."
"Exactly. Clothes are consumables anyway."
"But Hanbyeol gave it to me..."
Folding the black robes over a chair, I slipped into the white ones my tail held. Roomier than my usual revealing stuff, with a shoulder cape to hide my bound arms—considerate. Best part: no thigh exposure. Men get it. I'd been hunching and squeezing my legs, so he'd noticed.
"Hm? Hanbyeol, you embarrassed 'cause I'm undressing?"
Admiring the fit, I teased her blush. She shook her head and suddenly hugged me.
"Sis, you're such a pro. Where'd you learn that?"
"Huh? What...? I didn't say much."
"Never mind then."
She snatched the robes and plopped them over my head. One-piece design, so fine—but felt like deflection. Puberty for her age, probably. If she thought something naughty, best gloss over as the adult. I let her dress me quietly. Fabrics varied by area; waist and chest clung nicely. Body's curves intact. Good, no flat chest. The front panel from the cape draped over my breasts, covering nipples and areolae, but the underbust cut felt empty.
"Kinda bare here... Is this normal?"
"Guess so. Not fully exposed, and white tights underneath. No separate undies—convenient, right?"
"Yeah?"
No mirror, pity. Side slits stopped mid-thigh—no movement issues or exposure worries. Daesik picked well. Smiling satisfied, Iris gently grabbed my arm and turned me.
"Suits you. Now then."
"...Don't tie too tight."
"When have I ever?"
Hanbyeol watched wide-eyed as Iris rebound me post-change. No need to learn that. Back to Daesik and Jimmy, thanks in order.
"Looks good on you. Glad."
"Ahaha... Thanks. I'll wear it well. Dungeon's done, right? Tell me any findings later. Exhausted—need rest."
"Of course. Temple?"
"Yeah."
"Got it. I'll send word."
Jimmy's report unfinished, we hurried to the temple. Guildmates waved smiles; image management meant grinning back till my face hurt, nodding. New clothes—no more shrinking outside. Cape hid bonds—no shame. One perk of arms-back: shoulders squared naturally. No slouch, posture straight. Old habit from dreary commutes—funny in hindsight.
But temple-bound, we hit confusing sights. Female priests and nuns arms bound like mine, proudly unhidden.
"...What's going on? Why?"
"Who knows. Mimicking the Saintess?"
Iris curiously grabbed one, asked. She smiled warmly at me. "To honor the Saintess who endures bondage voluntarily, atoning for others' sins, we're joining in."
Speechless at being this absurd trend's source. Gae Saeng Guild rumors spread fast? "...Uncomfortable?"
"If the Saintess bears hardship, how can we complain? Brothers help willingly anyway."
Looking around, not all were bound, but those who were had attendants. Varied: boys, sister-like women, blonde tanned buff slaves. Dizzying madness—I thanked her and sent her off.
"Whoa, sis is a fashion leader now."
"...Don't tease."
What fantasy world was this? Wrong genre? Maybe not eroge—Daesik in politics sim, Hanbyeol in munchkin tale. Me...? Sighing at mismatched genres, I headed to the communal bath. Better than them in smut. Daesik would've meant guy stuff; Hanbyeol, crime. Me ending it was mercy.
"Mentally drained. Want to soak in warm water."
"Might be people now. Okay?"
"Sure. All girls. You too, Hanbyeol?"
"Duh!"
Body-familiar, naked women no biggie. Bathhouse fantasies fade quick. Not all beauties or young. Soul's a worn salaryman in a girl's body—not raging hormones. Though body won sometimes.
"Whoa, sauna vibes."
Undressing into steamy bath—hotter than last, tubs full, steam thick. Avoiding skinny Hanbyeol, I scanned seats. Glimpses awkward: blindfolded boy with priestess, two women sneaking adult fun. Bound priestesses' slaves—power symbol? Male slaves all blindfolded. Etiquette?
"Three spots there."
Pointing wall-backed, they followed. Claiming adjacent tubs, Hanbyeol insisted sharing. We indulgent adults nodded. Leaning back, she sat on my thigh, leaning in. Squirming comfy, her casual breast fondle—same-sex innocence. Tension easing from ordeals, a lazy sigh escaped.
"Haa..."
"You just said 'feels good,' right?"
"N-no."
Sometimes felt like Hanbyeol rode my head.