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TL: ALT
Chapter 22 – Completion of Custom-Made Clothing
Wataru and the others made their way through Southern Ship Town’s artisan street to Buck’s workshop.
They became accustomed to the dim, narrow path and even began to enjoy it.
Still, Wataru made a point of going during the day.
The memory of being attacked there before was still vivid.
Though Aire and Cloche had regained their sensitivity since then and Stella was now present, the narrow alleyways were less suitable for self-defense.
The area remained ideal for an ambush.
When they arrived at the workshop, the apprentice called out, and the master, Buck, slowly emerged.
His terrible hunchback remained unchanged. Couldn’t this be cured with a chronic treatment potion?
Drinking one would have cured it, but, perhaps because of his profession, he left it as it was. Maybe years of ingrained habit meant it wasn’t considered an illness and therefore couldn’t be cured.
The apprentice wasn’t rude enough to comment on someone else’s physical traits, but as someone who sold potions, he couldn’t help but wonder about their efficacy and limitations.
He had met Buck several times during the fitting process.
Even when he looked at Wataru, Buck responded as if it were perfectly natural.
“Oh, good to see you. Seems you’ve brought an extra attendant today.”
“Pleased to see you again. This is my new slave. She’ll be deeply involved in our future business dealings.”
“My name is Stella. Pleased to meet you, Maestro.”
“Oh, no need to be so formal.”
“Since William-san introduced you and called you Maestro, we can’t be too casual. Ah, here are some sweets. Please, everyone, help yourselves.”
“Hoho. Thank you.”
People in this world generally love Japanese sweets.
Buck cheerfully accepted the sweets and handed them to his apprentice.
Then, with practiced ease, he pulled on the tailored clothes that had been hanging there.
The Venetian-weave suit was nearly complete.
If today’s final adjustments went smoothly, he could wear it as is. But what would the outcome be?
He wanted attire that wouldn’t embarrass him among the nobility.
However, Wataru hadn’t anticipated that trying on tailored clothing for the first time would require this much time and effort.
Making multiple trips and spending so much time on it was quite a burden.
This was especially true for Wataru, who had grown increasingly busy lately. He sincerely hoped this would be his last visit.
“Now then, try it on.”
“Yes.”
Wataru slipped into the suit.
Made with generous fabric, the gorge line was cut quite low.
As he slipped his arms in, he felt it cling perfectly to his body’s contours.
At the same time, the suit felt completely weightless and did not hinder his movements at all.
This snug comfort, distinct from baggy sportswear, was an entirely new experience.
“Whoa, this! It fit well before, but this feels… different.”
“Hmm, seems fine.”
“Master, you look splendid!”
“R-really?”
“Nishishi! Standing like that, you look like the head of a merchant family.”
“I-it suits you perfectly!”
“Ara, ara. You look incredibly handsome.”
They all offered sincere praise, making Wataru feel unusually flustered.
He hadn’t put much effort into dressing up before.
He knew he had an average, ordinary appearance.
But perhaps tailored clothing really did change one’s visual impression.
He didn’t sense any flattery from them, though.
To him, it seemed like they were honestly expressing their opinions.
Buck watched Wataru’s movements closely and demanded that he move his arms and legs.
“You suddenly started training your body right in the middle of having your suit tailored, you know. Made things tough for us.”
“I-I’m sorry! I just felt I needed to build up my stamina a bit…”
“The strength of custom-made clothes is that they can adapt somewhat to changes in the customer’s physique, but there’s a limit. If your body changes drastically, you’ll need a new suit.”
“I understand.”
He couldn’t possibly admit that he started training for the nightly encounters with Mariel and the others.
Wataru mumbled, his face flushing.
Still, he had gained muscle, increased his strength, and built up his stamina.
Thanks to that, he could now enjoy a wider variety of positions.
He could also keep up reasonably well, even when moving around busily in this other world.
Trying to change the subject, Wataru pulled out the fabric from the other world that he had set aside before.
“This fabric is woven from spider tribe silk and alraune thread. Could you make something to fit my build? Actually, I took it to a workshop back home, but they gave up, saying their scissors couldn’t handle it.”
“No problem. I know your build well enough. Honestly, we get a lot of requests like this.”
“Really?!”
“Mhm. There aren’t many places that can handle it to begin with.”
“I didn’t know that. Well, I did suspect it might be the case.”
How many craftsmen could handle a fabric renowned for its exceptional hardness and said to be impervious to modern steel?
Considering that, it was only natural that the work would concentrate among a select few skilled artisans.
A maestro’s reputation undoubtedly owes much to this very point.
“Will you keep the suit shape the same?”
“Raise the gorge line slightly and use a notch lapel.”
“Hmm? I see. If you don’t mind, I’d like one of my younger apprentices to assist. Of course, I’ll personally handle the crucial parts.”
“Yes, that’s fine.”
“That’s good. We need to give the young ones experience, after all.”
Wataru’s preferences were fundamentally shaped by modern Japan.
In this world, styles favoring generous use of fabric and low lapel junctions—which emphasize sturdiness and affluence—were preferred.
Mito Komon’s inro must be displayed visibly; otherwise, criminals would inevitably multiply.
[T/N: This is a metaphor: He is likening authority, proof of power, or a deterrent (like the inro) to something that must be shown openly to maintain order.
In other words: "If you don't show your authority (or enforce the rules) visibly, people will just keep misbehaving." This style is suited to a feudal society, where failing to recognize status by appearance could lead to catastrophe.]Compared to the other world, modern Japan’s style features a slightly higher waistline and narrower lapels, resulting in a more stylish look.
Upon hearing Wataru’s request, the tailor seemed to grasp his intent precisely, yet he said nothing further.
Instead, he muttered, “I don’t usually handle this style, but it looks interesting.”
This way, he could obtain clothing with excellent blade and bullet resistance.
It should also reduce the psychological burden on Aire and Cloche in their escort duties.
Then, for the production of the two new suits, Wataru would struggle again with the need for fitting sessions—but that’s another story.
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