This area seems to sell second-hand clothes,” Caro (Female) said as Kent (Male), Caro (Female), and Rachel (Female) ascended the stairs to the second floor. The first thing that caught their eyes was the clothing section.
“Convenient ready-made products aren’t so common, so clothes are basically custom-made, you know. Things that no longer fit or are no longer needed are circulated as second-hand clothes like this. The prices are affordable, so many people in the ordinary commoner class seem to get their clothes around here,” Rachel (Female) explained to Kent (Male) as she picked up the clothes neatly lined up, having become knowledgeable about clothing items.
“Are there no finished clothes for sale?”
“There are. But the risk of them not selling is high, so it’s overwhelmingly more common to make them after taking measurements.”
Since cloth and leather for clothing are expensive in this country, it seems they are made custom-made to minimize waste.
“This area is crowded,” Caro (Female) said, finding it difficult to move.
“Unlike foodstuffs, people also consider preferences and sizes, so everyone takes time to choose. When that happens, the turnover is slow, so it naturally tends to get crowded, don’t you think?” Kent (Male) mentioned regarding customer turnover.
“Uwah, these are all patchwork. They’re cheap, but do they sell?” Rachel (Female) said, looking at the shabby clothes that appeared to be for women that she picked up.
“They seem to be selling. There’s a demand, I guess,” Kent (Male) said, spotting a family with children picking up similar clothes and putting them in their basket.
“I could make a fortune if I just put something like this into the terminal, Older brother,” Kent (Male) said.
“Maybe, but if you did something like that, people involved in the clothing industry would lose their jobs and be in trouble.”
“Whoa, the very person who brought down the flour union is saying that. Disgusting.”
“Brought down? I’m working well with the Flour Union people now?”
Rachel (Female) looked at Kent (Male) with a look of contempt and said. Kent (Male) learned at that time that what he did thinking it was for the best could end up destroying an industry. So, he now actively avoids meddling in other fields.
“But the clothes you make and provide, Kent, are functional and easy to wear?”
“Of course. They’re solely focused on function, so the designs are terrible.”
Caro (Female) said, and Rachel (Female) chimed in.
“Well, what else can I do if I can only provide clothes handled by the Home Center? And you’re wearing them too, aren’t you?”
When Kent (Male) said that, Rachel (Female) fell silent. Although Rachel (Female) makes her own clothes, it’s difficult to use them for different purposes, so she still relies on the clothes Kent (Male) provides.
“I’m also grateful for the clothes and underwear you prepared, Kent.”
Caro (Female) also said thankfully to Kent (Male).
“The number of people has decreased around here,” Caro (Female) said after getting through the crowd. They had already left the second-hand clothing area and moved to the ready-made clothing area. Rachel (Female) gave a brief explanation there.
“Clothes that might suit Caro… well, they all look too big and impossible.”
Kent (Male) tried to find clothes that would suit Caro (Female), but there were no sizes that fit.
“Older brother, Caro’s size would be around here.”
“Rachel… those are children’s clothes…”
When Rachel (Female) pointed out where clothes that would fit Caro (Female) were sold, Caro (Female) said with a disappointed expression.
“Am I that small?”
“About that… well, you’re cute, so isn’t that okay?”
Kent (Male) could only offer a commonplace remark to Caro (Female), who appealed to him with teary eyes.
“I’ll make you new clothes again next time, so don’t be upset.”
“I suppose I have no choice then. I’ll let it go at that for today… It’s a little embarrassing to say words I’m not used to.”
Caro (Female) replied shyly when Rachel (Female) said that.
They moved past the area selling ready-made clothes and entered the area selling accessories. The prices were affordable, so many women were browsing the merchandise.
“I have no choice… just one, okay?”
“Yay! Let’s look around together, Caro!”
“Kent, you look like you’re having trouble entering, so please wait here. We’ll be right back.”
“You two, take your time,” Rachel (Female) said, and they watched them go. The two held hands and entered the crowd.
“Huh? What’s wrong, you two?”
After some time, Rachel (Female) and Caro (Female) returned. They had no merchandise in their hands, and Kent (Male) asked, wondering what had happened.
“Well, you see, there was this unpleasant Auntie, and she snatched something Caro had chosen. So when I said something, we got into an argument, and if Caro hadn’t stopped me, then…”
“It’s fine about me. I shouldn’t get angry over something like this.”
It seemed there had been trouble deep in the crowd. Because of that, they lost the mood and the will to buy anything and just left.
“In that case, if there’s another opportunity, I’ll buy you both something.”
“This time, not something cheap like this, but an expensive accessory, please.”
“Rachel, please don’t put too much of a burden on Kent.”
“It’s fine, Older brother has money.”
“Even so,” Caro (Female) admonished Rachel (Female) who was trying to get money from Kent (Male).
“Well then, shall we go to the next place?”
“Yes. I might get irritated if I see that face again, so let’s leave this place.”
Kent (Male) urged them, and Rachel (Female) agreed, deciding to move to the next location.
“Older brother, Caro, come, come, it’s amazing!”
“Uwah, this is amazing!”
“Is it? It seems they handle weapons and armor here.”
In contrast to Kent (Male) and Rachel (Female), who were delighted as if they had seen something rare, Caro (Female) looked puzzled and said, wondering why they were interested in a place where ordinary, familiar items were displayed in a drab setting.
“Older brother, this sword is real. It’s shiny. It’s different from a fake sword for cosplay, isn’t it?”
“I’ve actually seen real swords a few times, but seeing them lined up like this is impressive.”
Caro (Female) followed Rachel (Female) and Kent (Male) as they looked at the beautifully displayed swords.
“Why are you looking at swords with such curiosity?”
Caro (Female), who had been watching their actions with a puzzled expression, couldn’t help but ask.
“Where I was before, carrying swords, or rather, bladed weapons, was prohibited without a just reason. Ordinary people didn’t carry them. That’s why it feels even more unusual.”
“No swords… I see. Then how did you protect yourselves?”
“There was no need to protect ourselves. Even when I went out alone, I was never attacked by bandits, and the public order was very good.”
“Is that so?”
“It’s a life I can’t imagine now. I personally have never gone outside the town because I was too scared.”
When Kent (Male) explained, Caro (Female) looked surprised. It seemed Rachel (Female) had never left the town because the public order wasn’t very good.
“Then, Rachel, shall we go outside the town next time?”
“I’m a little scared to go outside… but considering that, I guess I’ll have to be able to go out.”
When Caro (Female) said that, Rachel (Female) made a gesture as if she were thinking for a moment.
“It’s alright. Stagecoaches have guards, and won’t you come with us too, Kent?”
“I’ll think about it,” Kent (Male) replied ambiguously to Caro (Female)’s invitation.
