Chapter 80

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If we trace the history of underwear, it seems that in ancient times, people wore something like a loincloth to cover their waist and groin.

Despite cultural differences, this evolved into something similar to a fundoshi, and in medieval Europe, they wore thin trousers that were tied around the waist and thighs with strings, and over these, they wore tights-like pants.

Both men and women wore such underwear because there was a culture of not going to the toilet, and originally, drawers had holes in the crotch area to make it easier to use the toilet.

This is from the era when drawers first appeared in the previous life – around the early modern period – but even if the toilet situation is more advanced here, it doesn’t seem to make much difference.

However, the reason why pants-type underwear developed rather than fundoshi-type was more about the taboo of showing legs rather than anything to do with the crotch.

From there, various changes occurred, such as the development of long pants that reached from the waist to the ankles, and one-piece types that integrated with shirts.

Actually, briefs and trunks didn’t appear until the 20th century.

The reason I know all this is that when my best friend invited me to do some cosplay from that era, I, for some reason, got really into it and tried to make everything, including the underwear, match the period.

When I actually made and wore the drawers, it felt really strange... or so I think.

Let's get back to the topic.

In this world, the fashion is dominated by the robe à la française, which means the era is around the eve of the French Revolution in the previous life.

There’s no custom against showing legs, but even though the mainstream underwear is drawers, there’s nothing strange about it in terms of clothing...

"Why are you telling me all this..."

"Because my memories from the Showa and Heisei eras reject pumpkin pants."

"...I see."

Lady Hyouren, who was sitting on my bed, crossed her long legs leisurely.

As she pedaled with her feet, the sewing machine stitched the thread into the fabric, drawing magic power from her.

After the study session on underwear with Victor ended, I rushed to the sunroom.

The purpose was to have Tala use her magic to weave about one tatami mat’s worth of stretchy and soft fabric.

I also gave her some magic to create something like elastic, and after thinking for a moment, she made it exactly as I imagined.

And now, just now.

"So, you want to make the kind of underwear in your memory. More specifically, you want to circulate it?"

"Circulation... isn’t really necessary. I think it’s wrong to distort the natural evolution of fashion history just because of my discomfort."

"Is it too late for that? The curry powder you brought in, did it exist in the previous life’s certain era?"

"Ugh... Well, that... I was being presumptuous..."

"Fine. I understand your hesitation about accelerating something that would naturally occur eventually just because of your discomfort."

I was sharply rebuked, but she’s right. I’ve already brought in so many things that don’t exist here, so it’s a bit contradictory to say I don’t want to do something about underwear just because it feels strange.

In that world, there were reasons why drawers and one-piece underwear evolved into trunks and briefs.

So, there must be reasons for that here too.

Hmm, if everyone doesn’t find it visually strange, maybe I should focus on the comfort.

However, if you get used to pumpkin pants, they’re not that bad.

Maybe my insistence on stopping them because they look strange is just my own whim.

Even as my thoughts circled, my hands and fingers continued to work the sewing machine. Lady Hyouren narrowed her eyes and rubbed her chin while watching me.

"In the underworld I govern, there are souls that are reluctant to move on to their next life."

"Really...?"

"Yes. They were adventurers in life... but the cause of death is the issue."

I thought they must have been killed by a monster in a particularly gruesome way. As I felt sad, Lady Hyouren shook her head as if reading my mind.

"It seems that while fighting a lower-level enemy, the string of their underwear broke. Distracted by this, they were caught off guard and... 'Ah!' before they knew it..."

The gesture of slicing her hand across her throat sent a chill down my spine.

What a way to go.

Dying in battle might be expected, but to be distracted by a broken string... that’s just too much.

However, it seems this isn’t just one or two cases.

"It seems they suffered greatly from their deaths. They all say that if they might die like that again, they don’t want a new life."

"...Wow."

It must have become a trauma for them.

Wait, what?

"So, you’re saying that with the current pumpkin pants, there’s a risk of that happening...?"

"Well, life is unpredictable. In the underwear from your other world, even if the string breaks, it stays close to the body, so it’s unlikely to happen unless something extraordinary happens, right?"

Ah, so she’s suggesting I use this as a reason to convince them.

I can’t refuse that.

Just then, the first prototype of the boxer shorts was completed.

Noticing Lady Hyouren’s gaze, I gently offered the pants to her.

She picked up the fabric with her fingertips and examined it closely.

"What happens when you wear them?"

"What do you mean... they’re pants..."

"So, what happens when you wear them?"

Her cold eyes, which actually sparkled with curiosity, made it clear what she meant.

In other words, she wants me to put them on...

After that, I did a fashion show with a few prototypes of boxer shorts until Lady Hyouren was satisfied. Only I and the gods know what happened.

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