"..."
Black, just like my hair. Lighter than the void I always found myself in. Rose on the chest part, paired with some heels.
Lora designed the dress to fit me, I could tell just by eyeing it. For some reason I didn't feel red, I felt normal. That was unlike how it was when I had to put on a dress originally. Probably because I haven't put it on…
"Someone seems to like it…" Lora leaned into my view. "I added some slack near the bottom for your stump of a tail."
That's- I raised my eyebrows at her but I quickly diverted her words. "I'm not going to wear that!"
"Oh c'mon~ I can tell you're a little surprised by it!"
"Yes! Since you still had the audacity to think I'd wear that!" With my fingers waving at the thing we're talking about I exclaimed. "I'll just find something else to wear then!"
"Suits are tight! Especially for you! I'm triple jealous now!"
"Ugh!"
People stared at me as soon as the shop's doors closed. Everything's so annoying.
"Why can't they stop?! Ugh!" I groaned and covered my face. "I don't want to!"
Slowly I slid to the ground and kept my face covered. Why do they keep pushing this?
Ugh… After a few deep breaths and at least an hour of contemplating, the sight was not welcomed.
Despite my irritation, on top of my pride as a man already shattering I went into the shop. These three welcomed me back with smiles and a push.
"Yukina the banquet is in a few days. You need to try it out."
"..."
Fine…. I'll never get out of this, huh? With my heart tightened I let my head down. Damn it…
A few claps later, everyone left the room. In short, putting this damn thing on will take forever.
When I finally unhooked the dress, there… was a pair of undergarments underneath.
[ Wear these too, I made them specifically for you. If you don't… you'll be stared at by a lot of boys at the banquet. Seriously, I'm quadruple jealous!]
Is she serious!?
After reading the note I let out a groan. With my experience with these it'll take me forever to put them on… Mainly the bra. But, I'll be bothered if I don't wear it!
Ahem… It took a while, but I finally got them on me. Usual… I struggled with the bra. There was a hook in the back that took me a while to get through. But when I had it- unlike before it didn't hurt and supported everything nice.
It… It doesn't… It felt like a breath of fresh air. I could feel my heart skip in excitement. The usual weight felt lighter. This is what it properly feels like?
I shook my head and turned to the dress with a grimace. I've already gone this far.Might as well say screw it.
Without further ado, I threw away the last bit of my male pride. With each second that took me to put this dreaded thing on, my heart started to pinch.
How did we get here…? I thought to myself when I looked down and saw the outfit. It… isn't that bad. But seriously how did we get-
My thoughts were interrupted by the door knob churning like the tightness in my stomach. Privacy!
And… the nightmare began when Allisa walked in. One hand was clenched and she had sweat dripping down her face.
"...Mom! I knew it! Yukina looks amazing in a dress!"
"Huh?! She put it on?!"
Wa- Ack!
I couldn't get a chance— Allisa pulled me, it felt like my shoulder got dislocated from its socket-
Melinda covered her mouth at the sight of me. Her eyes were completely wide. …
Can she just let me go?!
My arm's in a searing pain, and Allisa wouldn't let go.
"Yukin- Wo- Woah! Calm down!"
"Don't you say anything!" Before Melinda could say anything I summoned a giant fireball. "I'm going to get out of this damn thing!"
Yet I couldn't— Allisa kept her hand clamped onto my arm. She released when I let the fireball disappear. Keeping it up was useless… I couldn't hurt Allisa.
Lora and Melinda stared at me for a second.
"What?" I held my arms close to my chest then I backed up.
"Give me a second to grab something." Lora held up a finger before leaving us.
Oh great… With a roll of my eyes I leaned onto the wall.
"Yukina, you look a lot better in that dress."
"I don't like it." I replied with a shrug. "Wearing dresses doesn't fit me."
A loud "hm" came from Melinda and Allisa as they both eyed me. The latter… squinted at my chest.
Great, not again.
Furthering this, I turned my head and avoided eye contact with these two. However, my ears were focused on what they were saying.
"She looks way too good in them to not fit her, right, sweetie?" Melinda stated in a tone that sounded slightly envious.
"Mhm!" Allisa made a noise in agreement. "I'm jealous… But… Yukina will make everyone happy."
"She will… Wish Miss Fei was here to paint her. Hopefully she attends this year's banquet."
… I'll just bear with it. I gritted my teeth and looked towards the door Lora was entering from.
"Turn around." Lora ordered.
"... Why?"
"The fabric's looser than I thought." She held up a sash. "I'm going to wrap this around your waist, it'll hold up the loose parts."
"Won't that emphasize my figure?" I retorted as I felt my cheeks become a little warmer. "Having it loose is fine… You don't need-"
Despite my pleas… Lora crouched behind me and pulled the fabric around my waist. She wrapped her arms around my stomach and I felt everything tighten.
"Mhm… Miss Melinda, Yukina'll be the talk of the banquet."
I don't want to damn it!
After a teeth grinding while this whole spiel ended! Freed from this cursed Fabric I quickly changed into my casual clothes and folded the dress. Yet those three looked disappointed when I came into the room.
All three had frowns and downcast eyes. Yet it didn't matter, we left Lora's shop in a hurry due to me ushering. It felt suffocating to my lungs and left me with a headache.
Thus did my venture with dresses ended temporarily. Melinda held the dress they wanted me to wear on the way home; unfortunately it was given to me to put away, alongside the dang heels.
With all my might though, I had it neatly hung up due to Lora's efforts. The shoes I slid under my bed— I needed them clean, alright?
The banquet's soon, which left my heart racing… So this next week I'll live it leisurely until then.