The familiar voice from the storage area got me thinking of a certain noble lady with sky-blue hair who manages a trading company, but it was too soon to jump to conclusions. After all, there wasn’t just one noble family in charge of a trading company, and it could simply be someone with a similar voice...

“Are you here to buy a swimsuit in a size 110? I’ll need to measure you properly to confirm your exact size…”

“Miss Ligeia?”

“…Lady Lilith?”

...So I wasn’t mistaken after all.

I hadn’t realized that this shop was actually affiliated with the Auguste Trading Company. It made sense, though; I wouldn’t have known since the original game didn’t disclose that detail. The Auguste family’s downfall doesn’t occur until the second semester of the fourth year in the third part of the story, and by then, there’s no reason to visit this boutique again.

Considering the Auguste family is involved in various businesses, it wasn’t surprising that Ligeia would be connected to this shop.

“So, it was you looking for a swimsuit in size 110, Lady Lilith?”

“…Yes, Miss Ligeia.”

“H-Hm… I see. Well, it would have been nice if you’d given me a heads-up before coming. I could have prepared better.”

“I only just found out that Amourange Boutique is affiliated with the Auguste Trading Company, Miss Ligeia.”

“Well, it’s understandable you wouldn’t know. Our trading company operates over thirty shops on this island of knowledge alone.”

...But why is she even here?

The marine exploration course is practically a combat class, so I doubt she enrolled in it. She mentioned selecting swimsuits as gifts for a friend. Was she talking about me?

Feeling a bit too awkward to ask if she’d been preparing a gift for me, I was relieved when she offered an explanation.

“I’m helping out here because we get many customers looking for swimsuits around this time. With my knowledge of dyes from the Witch’s Forest, I can change the fabric colors to whatever I like, or apply a thin coating that prevents water absorption and fading.”

“Oh, I see…”

...So that’s why there were more swimsuit styles and colors than in the original game. It seems my assistance in the Witch’s Forest has come back to help me, indirectly allowing me to enjoy this extensive swimsuit shopping experience with Natalie and Agnes.

As our conversation dragged on, a store attendant cautiously approached Ligeia.

“Miss Auguste, what about the customer…?”

“Please ensure no one else comes up to the swimsuit floor for the next two hours.”

“What?”

“Just make an excuse, like restocking or reorganizing. It shouldn’t be too busy until after evening anyway.”

“…Understood!”

As the attendant hurried downstairs, I watched Ligeia draw closer, her presence suddenly seeming heavier.

“Ahem. It’s nice running into you outside the academy, Lady Lilith. You seem to be keeping yourself quite busy with new friends lately.”

“Yes…”

“I’ve missed seeing you around. After all, we’ve known each other since before our academy days, haven’t we? Though, of course, I don’t blame you for being close to someone like the princess.”

“…I mean, we’ve known each other, but….”

“...Pardon?”

“N-Nothing. We are indeed friends…”

Even after all this time, Ligeia was as overwhelming as ever. It was a different kind of overwhelming compared to Seraphina or Lara, though. Despite our rocky start, she’d helped me out several times at the academy, so it felt difficult to dismiss her.

“Did you make good use of the dried mandrake root you purchased last time?”

“Oh, not yet… I only bought it as a precaution, not because I needed it immediately.”

“Well, it’s best to avoid using it if you don’t have to. So, I take it you’re here for a swimsuit today, Lady Lilith?”

“Yes.”

“I set aside a few swimsuits in your size. A woman with your build can’t just wear anything. I can’t believe how coincidental it is that you’ve come here, of all places. After the Witch’s Forest, it’s as if we’re bound by some strange fate!”

“Haha… ha…”

...Strange fate, indeed. In the original game, Ligeia was supposed to die, but I saved her. I guess that vacant role in the storyline left her more attached to me.

‘At least she’s a fellow woman, so it’s not too dangerous.’

If it were someone like Karaham, I’d be on edge, but with Ligeia, I could handle a bit of unicorn-like harmlessness. As long as she wasn’t a guy, I could tolerate a little clinginess.

“Since we’re here, how about we try a few on and see what suits you best? As the Auguste family’s lady, I’ll make sure we find the perfect one for you!”

“Huh? Th-That’s a bit much…”

“Shall we start by measuring your body again? Accurate sizing is essential, so if you could just undress…”

“No, no! I-I know my measurements well enough. There’s no need to undress…”

...Okay, maybe this is a bit dangerous.

Despite her being a woman, I felt a disconcerting vibe as she approached with an intense gaze. Just then, the changing room curtains opened, saving me from the situation.

“Quickly now, Lady Lilith. Measuring your size is just….”

Swish!

“…Lilith, I’m done changing.”

“I-I’m finished as well, Lady Lilith!”

“…Oh?”

Appearing out of the changing rooms, Agnes and Natalie interrupted the awkwardness, causing Ligeia’s determined expression to fade as she turned to the two newcomers.

“You weren’t here alone, were you, Lady Lilith?”

“No… I came out today to buy swimsuits for the marine exploration class with them…”

“So, you invited them but didn’t think to invite me? We’re supposed to be close friends, aren’t we?”

“W-Well, since we’re in the same class, it made sense… You’re in the pharmacy department, so you couldn’t join…”

“Right. You can’t buy friendships with money, can you? I knew it, but still… I hoped for at least a bit of consideration from you, but I’m just a convenient acquaintance, I suppose…”

Ugh, seriously? Why did this shop have to be connected to the Auguste Trading Company? And why did she have to be here, of all days?

As I floundered, Agnes and Natalie, now fully dressed, slowly approached with wary expressions.

“What’s going on, Lilith? Did you invite her swimsuit shopping too?”

“No, not at all. She just happened to be here since this store is part of the Auguste Trading Company.”

“Oh, isn’t this Miss Ligeia Auguste from the Witch’s Forest? What brings you here?”

“Oh, it’s nothing… Just realizing how disposable my friendship with Lady Lilith is, that’s all…”

Seeing her dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief, I noticed that Agnes and Natalie were now staring at me a bit coldly.

“…Lilith?”

“Lady Lilith?”

“No, it’s nothing! Miss Ligeia must be mistaken. I’ve never thought of her friendship as disposable…!”

“Yes, I must have been mistaken. I thought we were close friends, but I see now that I was just convenient…”

“…Well, it’s true Lilith tends to be a bit rough with friends.”

“Indeed! Considering Lady Lilith’s behavior towards Miss Agnes today, I suppose her definition of ‘friendship’ differs from the norm!”

“No, that’s not what I meant! I’m sorry if I made things difficult for you two, but this really is a misunderstanding…”

“Yes… I misunderstood what our friendship meant, sniffle.”

“….”

“….”

Ugh, this really does make me look like the bad guy!