Chapter 29

"Roy, you actually look good in that. Don't you think so, Elsa?"

"It does suit him, but maybe something a bit cooler would be better, don't you think?"

"Is that so?"

"Look, this one would definitely suit you, Roy. Will you try this one next?"

"...Sure."

"Then, let's go for a cute look for Ruby. I want to match the atmosphere with Roy... How about this one?"

"Great! It will definitely suit Ruby!"

I am now at the popular apparel shop 'Sartre.' The group consists of me, Ruby, and our respective mothers. In this store, Ruby and I are being dressed up like dolls by our mothers. How did it come to this? It all started with a little curiosity of mine three days ago.

That day, I was working in Elsa's study. After a while, I decided to take a break and sat on the sofa. I picked up the latest issue of the magical academic journal 'Charmed' from the table and started reading. Elsa, who had been leaning over her desk, came over with various experimental instruments and magical tools. Lately, Elsa, who has been acting strangely, has been experimenting with different extraction methods to perfect the brewing of delicious tea, which she serves me every time I take a break.

As expected of a top researcher, the flavor and aroma of the tea have dramatically improved with each brewing, and now it satisfies my palate.

"By the way, Elsa, you like cinnamon tea, right?"

I asked a question that had been on my mind.

"I don't dislike it, but why do you ask?"

Elsa tilted her head in confusion.

"Why? Because you named the club after it, right? I remember, pumpkin pie and cinnamon tea—"

"Cough, cough—"

Elsa, who had been drinking tea, started coughing. I handed her a handkerchief.

"Oh, that was when I was younger... And Lily is the one who likes cinnamon tea."

Elsa, recovering from the shock, tried to cover it up.

"I see. So pumpkin pie is your favorite, Elsa?"

"Well, I suppose so..."

Elsa looked away, blushing.

"Is that store still around?"

"Yes. It's called 'Charlotte' and it's on the second street from Alchem Street."

"...Is the pumpkin pie there that good?"

"...Yeah."

"...I see."

My throat made a gulping sound.

"...Do you want to go together?"

"Eh?"

And so, Elsa and I decided to go out on a weekend. Somehow, Lily and Ruby also came along, and it was decided that we would go shopping before having tea at 'Charlotte,' which led to the current situation. I thought it would be awkward to go out with just Elsa, so it was probably better to invite Ruby and the others. Perhaps Elsa called Lily for the same reason.

"Do you often do this?"

I asked Ruby, who was another doll being dressed up.

"Yeah, Mom has been dressing me in all sorts of clothes since I was little."

"That must be tough."

I sent a sympathetic look, but Ruby shook his head.

"Not at all. I'm Mom's masterpiece."

Ruby spoke as if he were one of her works. It's a twisted parent-child relationship, but I know that Lily's love for Ruby is very deep. She will do anything to protect him. I wouldn't say I envy it, but I was curious about what it feels like to be loved that much.

"If you want to say something, Roy, you can say it."

"Eh?"

Before I could ask what, Ruby walked over to where Lily was choosing clothes. Maybe Ruby knew something.

After trying on a few more outfits, I was finally released. Before leaving the store, I overheard Elsa talking to the manager. It seemed she was ordering the clothes I had tried on today. I pretended not to hear and left the store first.

After leaving 'Sartre,' we finally arrived at the long-awaited 'Charlotte.' Although the prelude was a bit long, the main event of the day was to eat the pumpkin pie here.

"Elsa and you should go out more often."

While waiting for our order, Lily looked at me and Elsa and said teasingly. Elsa and I looked at each other, feeling awkward, and quickly looked away.

"Occasionally, I don't mind."

Elsa said in a small voice.

"...Occasionally, I think I can spare the time."

When I said that, Lily smiled happily.

"That's great! Elsa seemed to have a good time today."

I turned to look at Elsa, but she was looking the other way, and I couldn't see her expression.

Our drinks and desserts were brought to the table. We spent a pleasant moment. As expected of a place recommended by Elsa, the atmosphere was great.

"Roy, you looked good in all the outfits."

Lily said.

"Thank you. But trying on so many clothes is tiring."

"That's inevitable. I just can't help but dress you in everything. Right, Elsa?"

"...Yeah."

Elsa said softly.

"I felt like I became a doll myself."

"Oh, a doll? If you say that, I might want to take you home and display you."

"Hey, Lily, don't drag Roy into your hobby."

Elsa scolded Lily.

"The dolls in the mansion are indeed Lily's hobby, aren't they?"

"Yes, they are. Didn't I tell you?"

"I thought Ruby was the one who liked dolls."

Lily explained that when Ruby was young, the only thing he showed interest in was puppet shows.

"Ruby? All the dolls at home are mine. Ruby likes stories, like novels and operas. Right, Ruby?"

When asked by Lily, Ruby nodded.

"I see. Then, were the puppets at the school festival also Lily's?"

"School festival?"

"Remember, the play at the end?"

"Oh! Yes! It was well done, wasn't it?"

Lily clasped her hands happily.

"Yes. I was surprised that you could control them so precisely. The two Gazebos were also like that, right?"

"Hehe. You noticed, didn't you? That day, I had business at the school regarding Ruby. I got the puppets there. Oh, I wish I could have shown you, Roy... It was even more impressive than at the school festival."

Lily blushed, reminiscing about that day.

"...What are you talking about?"

Elsa, who had been left out of the conversation, pouted.

"It's about puppet shows. Right, Roy?"

"Right."

"Hmm?"

Elsa, who didn't seem convinced, tilted her head.

"Was that based on my research on magical waves?"

"Hehe. You noticed, didn't you? Yes, thanks to your research, I can control the puppets without magical threads."

Lily looked very happy talking about her research. The conversation then shifted to my research. Discussing how to apply magical waves with excellent researchers like Elsa and Lily was a delightful time. Ruby also occasionally offered interesting opinions that blended reality and fiction, a unique perspective from a novelist.

Elsa, though she didn't say it directly, seemed to highly value my research. Despite feeling a bit embarrassed, I was also very pleased. I realized that I wanted more praise from Elsa than from Professor Wizeman or Lily. Perhaps I should be more proactive in discussing and consulting about research in the future.

The pumpkin pie was exquisite. I could understand why Elsa would include it in the club name. Before leaving, Ruby gave me a stack of papers. It was the novel he had promised to show me when it was completed.

The ride back in the carriage with just Elsa was quiet. Although we had grown closer compared to the past, we were still not at the point where we could chat comfortably. On the way home, I flipped through the stack of papers Ruby had given me.