Chapter 71
I opened my status window and equipment window, checking my specs with a satisfied expression. Ding ding
I had matched everything I wanted: accessories, weapons, outfits. I got it all!
“Hmm, hmm. Good.” Nod nod
Shrine farming complete! Zoom zoom
Today’s solo farming is done.
From tomorrow, I can take it easy. As long as my schedule aligns with Chris and the party members, I can just do a bus run now and then.
The three-day solo farming of the ‘Ancient Shrine of Berveia’ is over. I sold my weapons for a high price during that time, so I managed to earn a decent income from this dungeon too.
On the day of the first clear, I thought I’d show Chris my solo play, but not much changed.
I had prepared various excuses for any questions Chris might have about my solo play and my quick reflexes, but thankfully, I didn’t need to use them.
However, that day, Chris seemed to be in deep thought.
The only noticeable change was that Chris began to ask about my health more often than usual.
Today is the day ‘Lee Seulbi’ is going to the hospital. Though she was discharged, she still needs to get regular outpatient treatment.
It’s a pain, but as long as Seulbi isn’t sick, I can enjoy the Continent of Astria peacefully.
If I show even a hint of not wanting to go to the hospital, Chris looks like she’s going to cry.
“Sister Chris worries too much.” Sigh
After lightly complaining and finishing today’s quest, I disconnected.
*
After finishing outpatient treatment at the hospital, we were on our way back in Chris’s car, chatting lightly.
“I’m so glad to hear you’re feeling better!”
Chris flashed a refreshing smile. She seemed particularly cheerful today.
Vroom vroom.
Since it’s an electric wheelchair, I don’t really need to push it, but Chris loves to push my wheelchair.
According to the doctor, my nutritional deficiency issues are almost resolved.
I guess all those days of properly having three meals a day paid off, even if it was inconvenient having to log out of the game occasionally.
Before I knew it, Chris had come closer and, scratching her face, casually said,
“…I heard your mental scars are healing little by little.”
“Well, I don’t think there’s anything that can be considered a mental scar…”
“Th-that’s a relief then.”
The diagnosis: PTSD.
I heard about it today.
They say it’s a scary illness, but the suffering from it ended a long time ago. I’m fine now. The doctor and Chris are just making a fuss.
Chris helped fold my wheelchair into her car.
Whirr.
I felt the same way when I took a ride last time; Chris’s car has such a smooth ride that I barely feel any bumps. It must be a pretty expensive car.
Chris, sitting in the driver’s seat, glanced over at me.
“…How does Rain buy his clothes?”
“Clothes? Oh, I order them online.”
At her question, I looked down at my outfit.
I was wearing light sweatpants made up of top and bottom. Not exactly the best choice for going out.
Honestly, there’s no need to buy fancy clothes since I hardly go out. I barely went to the convenience store in front of my house. Once in a while, I went to the supermarket, but that was about it.
Chris hesitated slightly before cautiously speaking up.
“Rain, um… are you busy today? If you have time, could you spare it? If you’re okay with that.”
“Time? I’m free, but…”
Suddenly?
I tilted my head.
I finished the shrine farming and the weapon sales for the advance team. I had also cleared my daily quest in advance because of the outpatient treatment today, so I didn’t have anything urgent to do.
Although I wanted to run the shrine bus right away, Chris is my employer anyway. I just need to respond to her requests.
“Chris’s raid has team meetings after we finish farming the new elite dungeon. Well, it’s not a big deal. We just gather at a café, drink coffee, and chat.”
“Ah, I see.”
“Um, so I think it would be great if Rain could join us today.”
“Sure!”
“Really!? Are you okay with that!?”
“…What could be wrong with that?”
“Cough…! I really appreciate it…!”
Chris clenched her fist, tears of gratitude in her eyes.
Her reaction made me feel a little mischievous.
What does she think of me? A socially awkward patient?
Of course, I can be shy, but party members from Chris’s raid like Bae Merong, Cherni, and Deathly Death aren’t strangers at all.
They all came to visit me and even ran dungeons together, so it’s not like they’d be unfamiliar faces.
Chris, grinning from ear to ear, casually dropped a bombshell.
“Then we need to stop by a clothing store to buy you some clothes. Rain, are you ready to join today?”
“Yes!?”
I was startled. Gasp
Even though my legs can’t move, my body felt like it jumped.
Various light and airy women’s clothes twirled my gaze.
“Woooah…”
I covered my eyes with my small hand.
This is a women’s clothing store.
A place I’d never seen, even in the distant memories of my past life.
For the first time in my life, I’ve stepped into this sacred ground of femininity.
The gaze of the saleswoman in the store widened momentarily as she looked at me in the wheelchair, a hint of sympathy evident in her expression.
Fortunately, just before my mood could get sour, she wiped that expression away and began to squeal. Truly a pro.
“Oh my, oh my! What a pretty customer!”
“Hello.”
“Waaaah!”
After a polite greeting to the salesperson, she squealed in delight again. Looks like she’s not good at keeping calm.
The saleswoman approached me and began measuring my size, suggesting various clothes.
“Oh wow… such a beautiful hair color… you could totally pull off colors that would be hard for regular customers. Bright shades would suit you best, but darker ones would look great too. We should get the smallest size… oh my, oh my! This one looks good! It’s a wrap dress style, and the smallest size should fit you perfectly. How about a white dress that matches your hair color?”
I shot a pleading glance at Chris.
Help me!
Chris, who had been giggling at a distance, picked out a dress and held it against my body before leading me toward the fitting room.
In front of the fitting room, Chris’s cheeks had turned slightly red, and she cleared her throat a few times.
“Ahem, Rain. Can you do it alone?”
I nodded.
I’ve been living in this body long enough now. It’s a bit challenging, but I can manage to dress myself.
Still, having Chris help would make it easier.
“If you help me a little, I can get changed quickly.”
“Ah…!”
Chris swallowed hard and started searching for something around her.
Eventually, she found a cloth that resembled a handkerchief and wrapped it around her eyes.
Then, boldly like a hero from some AOS game, she declared,
“Uh, where shall I go!? This should be fine, right!?”
“……?”
Why does Chris have to wear a blindfold when helping me change? That doesn’t make sense!
Rustle rustle. Puff, puff.
Chris carefully started to feel my body.
Her breaths were a bit ragged, and her face was flushed.
“Ah!”
Chris jumped every time her hands touched my bare skin.
Why am I the one calm while Chris is the one surprised?
“…Why did you cover your eyes? Isn’t that hard?”
“Um, I’m just insecure.”
“Insecure…?”
Chris shook her head vigorously, then resumed helping me change.
Her hands gently supported my legs as I moved my hands to take off my sweatpants.
In an instant, my upper body was left with just a bra, and my lower body only had my panties on.
While I wouldn’t say it out loud, my body isn’t bad, minus the slight frailty.
Since I’ve been eating well lately, I have just the right amount of weight.
Looking at my own body directly doesn’t feel strange now because of that faint memory of my past life.
But there’s a bit of dissatisfaction.
I pouted and looked down at my lackluster chest.
With this chest size, I don’t think a bra is necessary, but I’ve heard it’s a must for a woman’s body.
I looked up to find Chris still covering her eyes and oddly panting while waiting for my cue.
Even though she wasn’t overly revealing in her outfit, it couldn’t hide her beautiful figure.
The comparison between Chris’s ample chest and my flat one was stark.
“Ugh…”
I shook my head and held out the dress to Chris.
“This wrap dress…? I don’t know much about this, so please dress me. Next time, I can do it myself.”
“Uh, uhmm!”
Chris carefully draped the dress over my body.
I didn’t know a gown-like fabric could be a type of dress; the world of women’s clothing is profound.
She threaded the left strap through the opposite waist hole, wrapped it around my back, and tied it neatly into a bow at my waist.
“Whoa.” Clap clap clap.
I applauded Chris for successfully completing all these tasks while blindfolded.
Chris took off the cloth covering her eyes and collapsed onto the fitting room floor, gasping.
“Th-This is torture…”