Chapter 111: Intermission Date - Serica (2)
Chapter 111: Intermission Date - Serica (2)
"Why the hesitation, Serica? Go ahead and put it on. I think it would suit your body perfectly."
"......."
Serica openly scowled at both me and Jean Valjean.
"Oh my, how terrifying! Don't look at me like that, darling. Ah, could it be that you can't see this outfit...?"
"Indeed. I'm not a 'good person,' so I can't see a thing."
"Amue Pasita! Then it can't be helped. I suppose we'll have to pass on this one."
Jean Valjean hung the hanger back up with a look of genuine regret.
Was it just my imagination, or did I hear a faint 'swish' of fabric?
"What a shame. It truly was my greatest masterpiece."
It probably wasn't my imagination.
She was likely just playing along with the idea of a swimsuit made of air. It was all a ploy to get Serica to wear that 'swimsuit visible only to the eyes of the good.'
"Young Lord. I have my own tastes. I would prefer to wear something that suits my personal preference."
"...I think it would suit your taste, though?"
"The design is not a fit for me."
"......."
Serica’s voice turned cold and stiff.
In the end, I had to pick a different swimsuit—
"How about this one?"
"Aha! As expected, the Young Lord has impeccable taste. If I were to describe this piece..."
Jean Valjean pulled out the swimsuit I pointed to.
"It's what they call a 'Schoolmiz.' It's an item inspired by the outfits worn by the Sirens in the Infinite Labyrinth."
"I'm familiar with them. The beasts that start appearing from the 26th floor."
Sirens.
Beasts.
Defeat them to obtain a Schoolmiz.
My knowledge was expanding.
"While the Schoolmiz worn by Sirens is available on the market, this is something I personally crafted, using theirs as a reference. The ones they wear extend down to the thighs like shorts, but..."
Swish.
Jean Valjean ran the edge of her hand down along the hip line.
"That's simply not aesthetic enough. I boldly cut that part away. And thus, this design was born!"
"Perfect."
"Rad Ricmosa. I thank you for the praise."
She might look like this, but Jean Valjean truly had great achievements to her name.
The Siren's Schoolmiz.
It was the 'spats' type—the kind with shorts.
However!
Jean Valjean!
She had boldly lopped off the shorts and reborn the Schoolmiz into a high-cut leotard style!!
"Jean. You are the greatest designer of this era. Serica, how about trying this on?"
"......I will purchase it. However."
Serica shook her head as she pointed at the Schoolmiz.
"Wouldn't this suit someone else better than me?"
"Oh my, who else but the Sword Maiden could possibly pull this off?"
"Rather than me..."
Serica lifted her head slightly, a triumphant smile playing on her lips.
"I think it would be better to put this on Astarotte."
"......Urgh."
It felt like a sword had pierced my heart.
Astarotte in a Schoolmiz?
The temptation was unbearable.
"I have to admit, you're right, Serica."
"How disappointing. I thought it would look quite good on you..."
"It is a bit too tight and small for me to wear."
"...That's exactly why I said it would suit you."
Jean.
Is she a goddess?
"Very well. Then, for the next swimsuit—"
"I think I'd prefer that one."
Serica pointed to a swimsuit at the very back.
Compared to the others, it was barely an apology for a swimsuit. As soon as Jean and I laid eyes on it, our faces crumpled.
"Ha, haha. You chose... a rashguard?"
"A swimsuit should be the garment that best reduces water resistance. It should make you feel like a fish when you wear it. I'll take that one."
"Rejected."
I immediately blocked Serica's choice.
"Serica, it doesn't suit you. Don't you agree, Jean?"
"Esak! That swimsuit is entirely unworthy of the Sword Maiden. Honestly, I spent days agonizing over whether I should even keep this in stock!"
Jean picked up the rashguard, her eyes welling with tears.
"Can we even call this a swimsuit?! Can something be called a swimsuit if it only pursues functionality?! I hung it up for the sake of variety, but as a swimsuit, it's a total failure. It needs a complete overhaul... Ah!"
As if struck by an idea, Jean tossed the hanger with the rashguard behind her.
"I'll send it to you after I've 'reformed' it. Hohoho..."
Jean understood aesthetics.
Therefore, I trusted Jean, signaling my confidence with a firm nod.
"......Then all that's left are these kinds of swimsuits."
Serica scanned the remaining options with a pout.
"They're swimsuits because they're in the swimsuit section."
"If you put these in the underwear section, wouldn't people just think they're underwear?"
"My, my, my! What a scandalous thing to say. Swimsuits and underwear are worlds apart! The difference is..."
"Whether it gets wet from the inside or the outside."
The world seemed to stop for a moment at my words.
Serica froze, her very breath hitching as she stared at me. As for Jean...
"Young Lord. You truly have mastered the ultimate truth."
She offered me praise with an incredibly solemn expression.
"I don't think I need to say anything more about swimsuits. May I personally select one for you?"
"Of course."
"Then, how about this?"
Jean Valjean pulled out a black bikini.
The top had vertical lines over the breasts with thin, crisscrossing strings in the center, while the bottom featured a double-string design over the hips.
"Something too simple is boring, and something too flashy wouldn't suit the Sword Maiden. I highly recommend this."
"......It's magnificent."
I found it.
Serica [Swimsuit].
The Masterpiece required for Serica to reach 3-Star status was right here.
"Serica."
"......."
"It's an order. Put it on."
"Young Lord...?"
"I absolutely must see you wearing that."
Creating an overbearing atmosphere, I handed the black bikini to Serica.
"Is it truly that necessary for you to see me in a swimsuit?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because it is my desire."
It was the embodiment of sex appeal itself; how could I possibly resist?
"......."
Serica accepted the black bikini.
However, she just stared at it, remaining silent as she sank deep into thought.
"Fine. In exchange—though it's a bit much to call it that—I have a condition."
"A condition?"
"Yes."
Serica leaned in and whispered her condition into my ear.
"Hah."
The condition was so absurd, so ridiculous.
"You think I can't do that?"
It was such an easy condition that I couldn't help but find her words laughable.
"Jean. Give us a changing room. One with two separate entrances but a single shared exit."
"...I happen to have one just like that ready. But Young Lord, are you...?"
"Serica said that if I wear a swimsuit, she'll wear one too."
* * *
A short while later.
After changing into my swimsuit, I examined my reflection in the full-length mirror.
It's definitely much better than when I first possessed this body.
Perhaps because of the daily 'training' through sex, my body had become smooth and toned enough to show off to others.
Was I muscular?
Not exactly.
But it was more than enough to not feel ashamed anywhere. Besides, my face and what was between my legs provided more than enough confidence.
"Are you finished changing?"
"Yes, Young Lord. I am... ready."
A voice drifted over from behind the curtain next to me.
"I'm coming in."
"Right. Come in."
Swish.
The curtain was pulled back, and Serica stepped into the changing booth where I stood.
"Ah..."
Serica let out a gasp the moment she entered.
Yes.
That was the reaction.
After possessing Ruji Fermaton, I found I couldn't give up this life, especially when women looked at me with such dazed expressions.
"...Beautiful."
And I, too, could not withhold my praise upon seeing Serica in the bikini.
"You look truly stunning. I want to head down to the 21st floor right now and go for a swim with you."
"...Thank you for saying it suits me."
"I'm not just being polite. I mean it."
"...Yes. I am currently confirming that in real-time."
Serica hesitated and took a step back from me.
A gap of about one pace opened between us. She tried to scan me from top to bottom but ended up fixing her gaze on my solar plexus.
"Is something bothering you?"
"...I didn't think you would actually wear it."
"I have nothing to hide."
I spread my arms wide.
"The swimsuit visible only to the eyes of the wicked. How is it? Does it look good?"
"...Yes."
I was wearing a swimsuit.
In any case, I was wearing a swimsuit.
That was why I could confidently show off the 'swimsuit' I was wearing in front of Serica.
"The fact that you can see my swimsuit means you aren't exactly a 'good person' either, Serica."
"You already knew that."
"Yes, I did. And that's why I like you. If any villain dares to stand in my way, I know you'll cut them down without hesitation."
I reached out toward Serica.
"Stay by my side in the future as well. And if possible, show me that swimsuit more often. Isn't it great? Wearing a swimsuit like that... without any underwear."
"I also..."
Serica gulped and lowered her gaze.
"I would like to see you in your swimsuit more often, Young Lord."
As if she had made up her mind, Serica finally lowered her gaze all the way.
"May I... take a closer look at your swimsuit?"
"Of course."
Serica crouched down in front of me.
She then began to peer at the 'swimsuit' I was wearing, looking it over from various angles.
"It truly is a magnificent design. It feels very... masculine."
"You're stating the obvious."
I spread my legs and flexed.
"When we go down to the Labyrinth later, why don't the two of us go for a private swim?"
"Laura won't just sit idly by, you know."
"Since we're going for a swim, you'll naturally have to wear a swimsuit, right?"
I stroked Serica's hair.
"So, wear a swimsuit when we go to the Labyrinth. Whether you wear it under your robe or not, you're wearing it. Understood?"
"I don't think I have to limit wearing it to just the Labyrinth, Young Lord."
Serica looked up from right beneath my swimsuit.
"What do you think about... building a small swimming pool in the Lord's Castle?"
"That would be perfect. As for the money, I can secure that easily enough."
"Yes. And..."
Serica cleared her throat before continuing.
"...I think it wouldn't be bad to enjoy some drinks and entertainment by the pool, as long as we don't actually go into the water..."
"I'll definitely have to build it then. But Serica, how long are you going to keep staring at my swimsuit?"
"Young Lord."
Serica pointed at my swimsuit with a serious face.
"...May I... look a little more?"
Come to think of it.
She had always closed her eyes or looked through squinted lids, or she had only confirmed things through touch.
She probably had never seen it directly and so vividly before.
"Of course."
And so, for a while.
We spent a long time admiring each other's swimsuits.