Part 2
—Bazaar of [Underwood]
The figures of Kudou Asuka and Kasukabe Yō appeared in the Bazaar grounds.
The Bazaar, which was really lively due to the visitors and guests for the Harvest Festival, did not only vend food. It had also displayed a wide variety of fabric, weavings and clothes that were dyed with a selection of uniquely local dyes, and offering a range for the customers to choose from.
However, due to the blessing of the warm climate in the South Side for the whole year, the dimensions of which the fabric constitutes the clothing were relatively small. In other words, they were relatively revealing.
Asuka stared pointedly at the South Side costume in her hand.
“……This, is a little embarrassing.”
“Is that so? I think it really suits you, Asuka.”
Yō, who accompanied Asuka for shopping, stretched her head over to have a look.
Held in her hand was a hakama that had its midriff portion boldly removed and its lower portion replaced by a tight fitting miniskirt. The skirt with red floral patterns seemed to be designed with the intention to completely reveal one’s legs.
Although Asuka had taken a liking to the floral designs, the thought of having her thighs fully exposed was enough to put a pained expression on her face.
“This sort of clothes, I think I will still ……”
“Oh okay. Then what sort of clothes would Asuka like? Western Dresses?”
“Regardless of the Eastern or Western styles, I’m just fine with anything that is kawaii. I’ve also often worn kimonos in the past.”
Oohh, a glow was lighted up within Yō’s eyes.
“I like the kimono too. There’s this closely hugging feel when you wear them.”
“Fufu, right. It’s better to have one set with us just in case. Let’s go visit [Thousand Eyes] to browse for one when we get a chance then.”
The duo smiled and nodded to each other.
And turned to look at the direction where there was a sudden stream of voices. They then spotted Lily and Izayoi, whose hands were full with items he had purchased.
Noticing Asuka’s wave, Izayoi waved at them in return.
“Hey, you girls are also here to buy stuff?”
“Mhm. We currently have some time on our hands.”
“We were taking the opportunity to prepare that plan…… to find a present for Kuso Usagi.”
Yō pointed to the Bazaar stalls that displayed many small goods.
Lily’s kitsunemimi perked up immediately as she smiled.
“Kuro Usagi Onee-san…… will be happy upon receiving the presents?”
“Well, that will have to depend on the individual’s effort. But back to the topic, how are you girls faring?”
“Fufu. This is a red painted comb that is made from the craving of a Water Tree branch.”
“This is a good comb that can moisturize a bed hair into being smooth and obedient. And we got three of them of different designs for the three of us.”
Heheh, the duo proudly lifted their heads and puffed their chests. A comb that is carved from the Water Tree branch probably worked by giving moisture to the hair when made into a product like this.
Izayoi, who has not decided on his present, was impressed by their unexpectedly quick and forthright choice.
“Huoh? An exquisite piece of the local crafts is quite a good choice indeed. Although there isn’t a wow factor to it, but it is quite a formal gift.”
“I guess I must thank you for your gracious attitude. So, have you decided on yours yet, Izayoi?”
“No, I’ve not chosen mine yet. I’m just here in the market for other things.”
The other two tilted their heads and Lily, who stood at the side, quickly supplied an explanation.
“Because Izayoi-san says that he wants to treat me to a Salty Pumpkin Pie….. Would you two like to come along?”
Lily extended the invitation to the two as her tails went pitter pattering in their waving motions.
Asuka and Yō were so surprised that they were stunned but they immediately gave a big smile while nodding in assent.
“Hm~……… Izayoi doing the cooking. Can you really do it?”
“Heheh, of course. I bet it will be better than you guys too, you know?”
“……My, I guess I cannot let that comment pass.”
The two were fired up by Izayoi’s challenge to them. It was a challenge that the girl’s camp could not ignore.
The trio who were eyeing each other had simultaneously,
“—topic?”
“Western style cuisine. The main dish is salty pie and there’s the remaining choices for the soup and the entrée[37].”
“Got it. Let’s go, Asuka!”
Asuka and Yō sped off towards the ingredient storage warehouse and Izayoi sent them off with his eyes before laughing loudly in satisfaction.
“We did it, Lily! The number of dishes have increased now!”
“Hehe, we did it-?”
*Pi* Lily’s kitsunemimi perked up in joy.
Subsequently, Izayoi, who had procured the necessary ingredients, seemed really motivated when he parted ways with Lily after saying “Let’s meet up here after an hour from now”.
With the spare time in the schedule, Lily started to wander around the Bazaar while searching for a present to give to Kuro Usagi, just like Asuka and the others.
For the preparations in the Harvest Festival, the Senior Group were also given a small amount of salary that was roughly around the amount for their pocket money. But that was only to be calculated and paid to them after the completion of the jobs. Bouncing along while wagging her two tails which went pitter patter, Lily started to search for a present in the small gift shops.
(Initially, I wanted to give Kuro Usagi Onee-san a hairpin….but after some thought, it would be best to give her something else right? )
Mhm~, Lily was troubled. What she had initially considered was a hair pin that would accentuate on the wearer’s beauty just like the one worn by Kirino. Then again, although Kuro Usagi liked wearing exquisite costumes, she wasn’t the kind who would care for accessories. And that was Lily’s take on the matter.
(Although there’s this white and yellow gorgeous hair accessory and such a beautiful hair ornament would sit well with KuroUsagi Onee-san’s preferences, but if Asuka-san and Yō-san are gifting to her a comb…… Mhm Mhm~~ It does seem to match too. )
“WUAAAAAAHHHHHHH! There’s a runaway cow running WAIIIIILLLLLDDDD!!!!”
EH? Hearing that shout, she then turned to look towards the crowd. Subsequently, from the opposite side of the street that converged into the market, a sound of pounding hooves*Don Don Don DonDonDon!!!* and a swirl of dust accompanied the runaway cow as it charged violently into the Bazaar.
“Aie….. AIIEE–!??”
Unable to avoid the sudden onset of the incident, she was sent flying from the collision on her back. The great momentum of the collision caused Lily to somersault in the air for a few complete rounds before being bounced about. Knocked into the crowd and continuing to bounce about, Lily’s eyes were already traveling in spirals.
Kya~, with a scream in surprise, and even though the world around her continued to spin and cause her to see stars, she managed to force herself upright.
Then, after some difficulty, she noticed the changes in her surroundings.
(AH…..A Re? It was still midday a moment ago, how did it become so dark…..? )
She looked around herself in all directions.
It would seem that she had rolled into a crevice in a certain cliff of the Underground City. The cliff walls rose all around her and that prevented sunlight from filtering in. Thus making it seem dark. Looking overhead, one could see that the tree roots had grown over the crevice of the cliff like a stitching of a wound and seemed to be the support for this place in addition to the reason for making it seem dark.
However, there was a light from a man-made source that could be barely made out in the depths of the cliff.
“There’s a shop…… in this sort of place?”
The passage that connected to the depths was wide enough to barely fit a grown man, but it was without doubt that there truly was a torch or something similar ahead as it was flickering unsteadily.
Lily was torn between the urge to leave this dark location and the interest which had started to burn out of curiosity about the shop in this incredibly absurd place.
(For all I know, maybe I might just find the perfect gift in this place too……)
—Because in this world of Little Garden, it was a place that many Demigods and deities resided. Perhaps there is a chance to dig up some treasure unknown to man in this sort of unlikely place too. Lily’s curiosity suppressed her timid inner voice as she continued to press forward.
After moving some distance towards the light source, the passage from the cliff crevice had widened up to enter a trimmed little alley and a look behind told Lily that she had already travelled quite a distance from the original spot .
Could I have lost my way in a terrifying place? Her body started to tremble when she entertained that thought. Even so, she pressed on to walk up to the luxuriously styled elegant doors. And these must be the entrance to the store.
Pieces of glass were hung on the sides of the luxurious doors and they spun while catching the light. The jet black base color of the doors were matched with a gold leaf pattern running along its length. Although it was a cause for hesitation to see such a classy store, which anyone could have recognized with a glance, in this place, it would be a waste to have come this far only to turn back the way she came.
Lily slowly turned the handle of the door to secretly investigate the interior of the shop.
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