Side Story: What Are They Going to Do?

The shop door was gently pushed open.

"Hello, boss." Xingsu walked into the store.

At the workbench, Chiori was focused on cutting silk, her gleaming fabric cutter moving deftly and efficiently across the material. She didn't even look up, only glancing at the figure in the doorway out of the corner of her eye.

"Custom orders are fully booked, and it will take at least a month to ship. The store is currently stocking ready-made garments with price tags already attached; you can choose whatever you like."

As soon as she finished speaking, she looked up and saw who it was. Her hand paused slightly, preemptively cutting off what Xingsu was about to say.

"Oh, it's you. Let's make two things clear beforehand."

First, my shop currently has enough staff and we don't need anyone to help.

Secondly, I will not make, alter, or sell any clothing in yellow or purple tones. Don't bother discussing it with me.

"Um... Boss, could you please put aside your preconceived notions about me? I'm here today to have clothes custom-made..." Xingsu scratched his head and said awkwardly.

Chiori raised an eyebrow, finally stopping her work, putting down her cutting knife, crossing her arms, and looking up at Xingsu: "Custom-made dress? Fontaine style or a generic style? First, clarify the color scheme and cut. Yellow and purple are out of the question; I absolutely refuse to work with designs in those two colors."

Xingsu breathed a slight sigh of relief and replied earnestly, "I want a deep black base with dark gold patterns, accented with a touch of crisp, true red, and the design should be clean and elegant."

The color scheme is sophisticated and cool, exuding a powerful aura. Chiori briefly visualized the general shape in her mind and nodded slightly. "Oh? It doesn't look like it was customized for yourself? Who is it for?"

Xingsu lowered her eyes slightly, a faint warmth brushing against the tip of her ear. "... My love."

Chiori gave a knowing "hmm," switching into professional mode, and asked straightforwardly, "I see. Do you have your partner's physical data?"

"Have."

Xingsu nodded, raised his hand and pulled out a neatly folded sheet of record paper from the thin book he carried with him. The shoulder width, waist and hip, and garment length measurements were all marked in detail and with precision, clearly indicating that he had carefully memorized and repeatedly checked them.

She lightly tapped the paper with her fingertip and commented casually, "Tall figure, black with gold patterns and bright red accents, this outfit suits her physique perfectly, she has a very strong presence. Good taste, she can command the entire room in this dress."

"I'll tailor the fit for you, with a fitted waist and flowing hem, creating a sharp and sophisticated look. The subtle gold detailing along the shoulders and hem adds a touch of understated luxury. Red accents and trim complement the overall design without overpowering the main color, perfectly highlighting its sharpness without appearing gaudy."

Chiori held the sheet of paper filled with measurements between her fingers and said casually, "It just so happens that a nobleman who commissioned me to make clothes committed suicide for some reason. There are similar items in his order; they can be altered and used. I'll bring forward the delivery time to twenty days."

"Thank you very much." Xingsu thanked her, her expression slightly unnatural. Her gaze drifted to the pile of silk beside her, and her voice lowered a few decibels, "By the way... do you... accept those kinds of orders here?"

"Hmm? Which one?" Chiori frowned slightly, still stroking the fabric in her hands, and looked at him with a puzzled expression.

Xingsu coughed, lowering her voice so that only the two of them could hear, her cheeks slightly flushed. "It's... the kind... for my lover... to use at night... the kind that's... kind of... sexy... um... like that."

The air fell silent instantly.

Chiori's face was ashen, and she looked at Xingsu with the eyes of someone looking at trash. She suddenly raised her arm, pointed at the shop door, and said in an icy tone, "... Get out!"

Xingsu wasn't giving up, and tentatively added, "Could you perhaps consider the yellow-purple dress?"

* Inazuma slang*

"Pepe~ Pepe~ Pepe Pepe Pepe~"

"What's wrong?"

Seeing Xingsu looking as happy as a child who had received a new toy, Arlecchino put down her teacup and looked up at him with interest.

"Look what I've prepared for you."

Xingsu brought out the gift box hidden behind her back; inside the box was the newly completed dress.

"I heard the owner of that tailor shop is a dark horse in Fontaine's fashion scene; he recently won the Fashion Week crown. You should give it a try."

Arlecchino took the gift box, turned around, and went into the inner room to change her clothes.

A moment later, she slowly walked out.

The dark robes accentuated his tall and aloof figure, with subtle dark gold patterns flowing along the shoulder line. A touch of bright red slowly draped down the hem, exuding both nobility and sharpness. Xingsu gazed at the person before her, momentarily lost in thought.

"How is it? Does it look good?" Arlecchino asked softly.

"Great, beautiful." Xingsu's tone was filled with genuine admiration.

Arlecchino gently pulled down a piece of fabric from the front of her dress, a playful smile appearing in her eyes. She leaned close to Xingsu's ear and whispered:

"What do you want to do with all that in there?"

I'm awesome!

Boss Chiori is capable!

She's really being asked to do it!

Looking at the beautiful scenery before her, Xingsu Chlothar couldn't help but feel a little resentful when she saw the author writing about iKeTV again.

He bent down and raised his hand, firmly holding her waist and knees. Arlecchino also cooperated by placing her weight on Xingsu's arm, and thus he lifted her up horizontally.

Arlecchino instinctively raised her hand to wrap around his neck, her slightly cool gaze falling on his face so close to hers, her voice softening slightly. "Most of the children have missions tonight, including Lyney."

Xingsu smiled and carried her into the room.

As the last rays of sunlight faded and the door closed gently, the room's gentle tranquility enveloped the two of them in their own little world.