How to Live as a Martial Arts Writer in a Fantasy World

47 – 47. Newspaper Serial (3)

47.

The weekend that came.

Layla pressed on her pounding heart. Being with someone outside excited her.

There is rarely anyone who talks to her, always alone.

In the dining hall, in the library, in the classroom, she’s always alone. It was natural for her to only nod or gesture in solitude even when someone spoke to her.

Layla, who had put up invisible thin walls.

The art club members were surprisingly shocked that she’s going on a date with Allen.

-Really, the president with a man…

-Especially with Allen Edgar von Mueller?

-That’s amazing!

-Reporting this to the Newspaper club would be an exclusive… Ack! President! It hurts!

While all of this, there was also punishment for the art club member who was trying to monetize by reporting to the Newspaper club.

Regardless, it was truly a new experience for Layla.

“Clothes….”

Come to think of it, Layla didn’t have anything particular to wear outside.

The recent reward from the year’s interschool competition was almost entirely taken away by the school committee, leaving her with petty cash.

In Layla’s wallet, there’s barely enough money to buy anything in an environment with murderous inflation.

It was one of the reasons she kept growing her resentment towards the school committee.

“There’s no alternative.”

Although she did wash it neatly, she didn’t like wearing the same clothes she always wore.

But, she only had borrowed sleepwear.

She didn’t have the money to buy clothes. All the money she gained from winning the interschool competition was seized by the school committee.

The more she thought about it, the more upset she became.

But without any place to vent out her feelings, all Layla did was sigh and put on the academy’s uniform again.

“I’m not satisfied…”

Leila sighed inwardly as she looked down at her uniform.

It was her first outing with someone else, and it was too disappointing to have no clothes to wear.

Biting her lip, Leila closed the wardrobe door.

“…Let’s go.”

Leila sighed lightly and then left the dormitory.

The people who welcomed Leila, heading to where Allen was waiting, were Allen and his maid, Meia.

Upon spotting her, Meia slightly bowed her head.

“Good day, Miss Princeton.”

“…Hello.”

Allen, who was sitting on the bench, turned his gaze towards her.

His eyes, puzzled, focused on her; she was wearing the academy uniform.

“Why are you in uniform?”

“Because it’s comfortable.”

In truth, she had no other clothes to wear, but Leila danced around the subject.

Allen, as usual, was shrouded in his mantle. He looked at her, his gaze somewhat puzzled, as he stood up from the bench.

“First, we should stop by a clothing store.”

“Why?”

“We’re not just going out for fun.”

Even Allen, who said so, seemed a little stifled and lightly loosened his necktie.

Leila caught sight of the clothes Allen was wearing.

He usually wore his uniform loosely, but today, it was more formal, peculiarly unlike him.

The fatigue that was apparent on Allen’s face, under the garment with the emblem of the Mueller Duke family, was noticeable.

Allen turned to Meia.

“Meia, do you know a good place?”

“There are many clothing stores near Café Quinoa, as I understand it.”

“It would be nice if it were right next door.”

“I will guide you. Shall we go, sir? Miss Princeton.”

Meia led the way, followed by Allen and Leila.

“My goodness, look at your skin, it’s really beautiful. Did you come from the North? I haven’t seen such pale skin in a long time.”

“Um, excuse me…”

“Oh, I am sorry. Did you say you were sixteen? Your bust is quite large. I’ve heard Northern lineage tend to have nice figures. Usually, this kind of figure is slender, but when you reach your twenties, beauty will blossom.”

The shop owner at the clothing store garbled on, touching Layla’s body here and there.

His bold touch had Layla flustered enough.

“The bust is large, the waist is thin… I’m envious. Northern beauties are usually thin types, but Miss, you are quite the opposite. Men must love you for that. Did you know? Men can’t take their eyes off a woman with a large chest.”

“I don’t…”

Layla wore a puzzled expression.

She had come to buy clothes, and the shop owner insisted on making them for her, measuring her size, which came as a surprise.

Allan does not know about the conversation going inside, as he is outside the clothing store.

Only Meia heard the conversation from outside the dressing room.

“Normally, someone with this type of figure needs to wear clothes that fit snugly. Otherwise, they can look bloated.”

“But I feel embarrassed…”

“Being bloated is rather worse than wearing figure-hugging clothes. You can grab the attention of men. Miss, aren’t you interested in boys your age?”

At the tailor’s words, Layla wore an embarrassed expression.

Interest in men?

She hadn’t thought about it. She only stepped out because Allan had to go make a contract today.

A voice penetrated her mind.

-You are doing your mission better than I thought, Layla Zahir. Keep hovering around him.

Layla widened her eyes.

For a moment, a young surprise directed at the landlord in her violet eyes.

The tailor who caught her gaze tilted his head.

“Why, Miss?”

“…No, nothing.”

“Hmmm, the figure is so good I think a good dress will come out. There, Miss Maid. Could you tell Allan that he may come in?”

Even at the surprising behavior of the tailor, who swept aside the dressing room curtain and spoke, Meia bowed her head.

The tailor left the dressing room, and Layla awkwardly got dressed in her uniform.

The sound of the store door opening was heard, along with Allan’s voice talking with the proprietor of the clothing store.

“Will 1 gold suffice?”

“1 gold is more than enough, young man. Is she by chance your girlfriend?”

“A lover? Just a friend.”

“Huhu, it seems that your eyes are high up, the youngest gentleman of the Mueller Duke’s House. I think the young lady is also a great beauty, you know?”

“Stop talking nonsense.”

Allen grumbled.

“Wrap up all the clothes I chose.”

“Considering it’s a gift for your friend, the amount of clothes is quite large, young master?”

“What’s with that look? Whatever gift I give, it’s from my heart.”

The boutique owner smiled at Allen’s brusque reply.

Allen wasn’t particularly interested in what thoughts the store owner had, but he noticed a hint of strong amusement intermixed in her expression.

It’s plain to see what she is thinking.

‘Damn, these middle-aged women are always…’

Allen internally shook his head and, while the boutique owner was gone to show Leila the clothes, he sat down on a chair with his arms crossed.

Meia talked.

“It’s a considerable expense if it’s 1 gold.”

“How much do you think I earn? 1 gold is chicken feed.”

“Chicken feet..? That’s an odd phrase.”

“It’s the same expression as ‘dragon claw dust.’ It’s apparently a proverb from Kunlun.”

“Oh, I see. I’ve learned a new thing.”

At Meia’s attitude, Allen shrugged his shoulders.

“Ta-da~! Young master, would you look this way?”

“Oh, ah…!”

From inside where the changing room curtain was drawn came Leila, whose face was as red as a tomato, presumably embarrassed about wearing a dress clung to her body, trying to shield her body while hesitantly stepping forward.

Given the fact even the cape draped on her shoulders was taken away, it seemed as if her face might explode any minute.

Allen also couldn’t help but have his gaze stolen for a moment.

“Don’t, don’t look at me!”

“Stand up straight, young lady. I don’t understand why you are covering up when you have such a beautiful figure. Now!”

The store owner, who forcibly pushed Leila’s waist to make her stand straight, chuckled.

Allen forcibly turned his gaze that was trying to flow down her neckline to her chest, likened to droplets of water.

‘Why on earth do all of them have such good body development?!’

It’s the same with Rin, and Leila, especially the violent Teia.

There are three women with fine figures in the vicinity.

As Alan contemplated, he thought, ‘Isn’t this dangerous?’ and a faint cold sweat trickled down his forehead.

“Now, straighten your back. Put your shoulders back. Be confident! You won’t look good in your clothes if you’re all hunched over, miss~.”

“Ahhh….”

Leila wore a sour expression.

***

“…Quite a bit of time was wasted. I did inform Mr. Herringgel beforehand, but still, I should apologize.”

“I informed him and he said it was fine, my lord.”

“Of course, he’d say that. It wouldn’t be easy for him to object, especially because of our family.”

Alan grumbled, wondering how trustworthy those newspaper guys who trust the backing of the Imperial Literary Cartel, not to mention the Duke Mueller family.

Alan said,

“Let’s go. Mr. Herringgel must be waiting.”

“Herringgel?”

At Leila’s questioning, Alan nodded.

“He’s the newspaper publisher who will serialize your comics.”

“Serialized….”

“I initially planned to make the contract that day, but I thought it would be strange to decide without you.”

It’s logical that the writer Alan and the illustrator Leila should be together for the contract. That’s why they delayed the contract.

“Let’s go. Quick.”

Leila walked ahead, looking a bit excited.

Her slightly flushed face clearly showed her unusually buoyant mood.

Alan chuckled as he watched Leila’s colour rise.

“Yes, let’s go.”

“I’ll lead the way.”

***

“…I’ll contract right away! Write the contract immediately!”

That was the outcry of Herringgel after verifying Leila’s appearance and skill.