Chapter 217

Clael and Reina arrived at the main street.

Their goal was to get clothes like dresses before heading to the restaurant.

"Same goes for me, but... Clael, you need to change clothes too, right?"

"Ah... that's right."

He should have changed at the staff dormitory... but he didn't want to keep Reina waiting too long, so he came out as he was.

"Hmm... but buying clothes I rarely wear feels a bit wasteful..."

"I'll pick them out for you, okay? I'm really looking forward to it!"

Reina declared with a beaming smile.

It would've been tactless to refuse and dampen her mood. Clael accepted quietly.

"...Well, you're right. In that case, I'll leave it to you."

The problem was... Clael had more money than he could ever use.

His income came from donations to the shrine he managed, the stipend paid by the Grand Shrine after being recognized as a Saint, and his salary as a teacher at the academy.

The Royal Academy paid teachers very well, and since he was currently teaching both theology and music, his salary was doubled.

His savings only continued to grow, and it had become harder to spend it all.

(Maybe I should splurge a little to help stimulate the economy...)

"Well then, let's start by picking out something for Reina... It's been a while since we went shopping together—last time was at Oratorio's shop."

"Oratorio... I wonder how he's doing?"

They recalled the cross-dressing shop owner in the town of Eggbell.

They had only briefly greeted him during summer break, and hadn't exchanged letters since then.

"Well, no news is good news. Knowing him, I'm sure he's doing just fine."

The cross-dressing shop owner had a muscular build and looked extremely healthy.

In the past, his unique appearance had made townsfolk keep their distance, but lately, he had become a beloved figure and his shop was thriving.

"Once the long New Year holiday starts, let's go back home for a visit."

"That sounds lovely. I'm excited to see everyone again."

The two chatted warmly as they walked down the main street, eventually stopping in front of a clothing store.

It was a boutique favored by nobles, selling luxurious clothes far beyond the reach of commoners.

"Let's try here. It's my first time at this shop, but a fellow teacher praised it for its quality and selection."

"Yes, I think it looks great."

With Reina's agreement, the two stepped through the entrance together.

Immediately, a young male clerk in a tuxedo approached them.

"Welcome... Oh? Could you be Saint Burn and Saint Reina?"

"Yes, but... how do you know about us?"

"You're both quite the talk of the town. It's only natural."

As expected from a boutique catering to nobles.

They must keep thorough records on influential customers who could become regulars.

"Pardon me. May I call the manager? I'm sure he would love to greet you both."

"Of course, we don't mind..."

"Then please excuse me. I'll also bring some drinks, so please have a seat on that sofa while you wait."

They were offered a sofa, and even tea was going to be served.

They were being treated like VIPs. The welcome was so extravagant it felt a bit awkward.

"How should I put it... this place is amazing."

"It's because they know how amazing you are, Clael."

"If anything, I think they're mostly welcoming you, Reina..."

"Thank you for waiting."

Eventually, someone who appeared to be the manager came over to them.

"I'm the manager, Orangutas. Thank you very much for visiting our shop today."

"Huh...?"

The man who appeared before them was... an unusually burly middle-aged man.

He was extremely muscular and bore a strong resemblance to someone they knew well.

"O-Oratorio...?"

Seeing the man who looked just like the cross-dressing shop owner from Eggbell, Clael and Reina instinctively exchanged glances.

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