Chapter 57

Everyone loves Leone-nee-san! She's here! ←

※Since Shita's name might be confused with Shira who appeared earlier, I will change it to Reifa.

"..."

With a somewhat lackluster voice, Yūri responded in a way that wasn't really a response. In front of him stood a girl with a sharp gaze and a neat, short bob hairstyle. Standing between Yūri and this girl was Leopold, the beautiful onee-san. Yūri had been kidnapped by Leopold, just like before, and brought here.

This place was an accessory shop that Leopold frequented. The works of Leopold's friend (or perhaps comrade) Bright were also sold here. Yūri, who had been suddenly brought to this shop, found himself facing Reifa, the shop owner's daughter who worked as a salesgirl.

Reifa was not unattractive. Her dark brown hair was neatly styled in a short bob, and her light blue eyes were sharp, making her quite beautiful. She was tall and slender, standing taller than Yūri. While she might be considered tall for a woman, her overall balance was not bad, and she looked dignified in her one-piece uniform.

However, to reiterate, she looked dignified. She was a sharp beauty. In fact, she might be more accurately described as boyish. She had an aura that couldn't be shaken off, making her seem like a cool girl who was somewhere between a boy and a girl.

And that was her problem.

"Um, I think you're already very beautiful, Reifa-san...?"

"Thank you for trying to comfort me, but I'm the shop's salesgirl."

"..."

When Yūri asked the gloomy Reifa, he didn't get a clear answer, so he turned his gaze to Leopold, who had brought him here. The perceptive onee-san smiled while lowering her eyebrows in a troubled manner and showed Yūri one of the accessories on display.

It was a cute brooch with a pale pink stone as its centerpiece, embedded in a flower-shaped base. Most of the accessories in the store were sweet and cute, more lovely than beautiful. They just didn't suit Reifa at all.

"Apparently, it's a problem in business if the shop's salesgirl doesn't look good wearing the store's products."

"Is that Reifa-san's problem?"

"Yes, and Yūri-chan, do you have any suggestions?"

Leopold explained briefly and looked at Yūri with a smile, as if she knew what he would say. Ignoring the sweet accessories Leopold held, Yūri reached for a different shelf where simpler, almost undecorated accessories were displayed.

Yūri picked up a small, silver crescent moon earring. He held it up to Reifa's ear, and the simple accessory complemented her dignified and boyish appearance perfectly. It seemed to fit her desire to be stylish while maintaining a boyish look.

"I think something like this would suit Reifa-san."

"Yūri-kun, that's for men."

"Huh? But it's not like only men can use it, right?"

"Well, that's true... But don't women usually like cute accessories?"

As Reifa looked at the crescent moon earring in her hand, she lowered her eyes. Her words hinted at a sense of inferiority about not being able to wear cute, feminine accessories. Yūri, not fully understanding her feelings, tilted his head and spoke.

"Not all women like pink, flowers, and cute things, you know?"

"Really?"

"Women are often associated with cute and pink, but that's not the only image. Some women prefer simple, unobtrusive designs. Teenage girls might like cute things more."

"Is that true...?"

"Yes. Maybe you think that way because you're a girl, Reifa-san. But adult women might also prefer more subdued designs."

Yūri thought about how women's goods often featured pink and flowers. According to the women in his family, "A woman who isn't a student can't carry only pink wallets and pouches." Subtle, understated designs were often more appreciated by women.

Of course, it's true that many women like pink and flowers and cute things. But the key is the line between liking something and being able to wear it. A young girl in her teens might be able to, but an adult woman might not. While some might still look good, others might not. In that sense, the accessories Reifa mentioned as being for men might also appeal to a certain number of women.

"But the men are the ones who buy these accessories..."

"Maybe it's because they're displayed with men's accessories?"

"..."

Yūri was right. The crescent moon earring he chose was displayed alongside men's accessories like belt buckles and cufflinks. Women wouldn't go to that section to look for accessories, and even if they did, they wouldn't pick them up because they were clearly for men.

This is where Reifa's presence could make a difference.

Changing the store layout might be necessary, but first, if Reifa wore these accessories, it would show customers that women can also wear them. The visual effect would be significant, and Reifa could promote the store's accessories.

Reifa hesitantly put on the earring Yūri handed her. The simple crescent moon earring shone beautifully on her ear. Looking in the mirror, she saw no problems; it suited her so well it was almost scary. It seemed as if the maker had designed it specifically for her.

"Oh, Reifa-chan, it suits you so well. Right, Yūri-chan?"

"Yes, it looks like it was made for Reifa-san."

"R-really...? But I'm wearing the store's product now..."

Blushing, Reifa looked down, but then she looked up at the mirror, feeling a sense of accomplishment. Her monologue reflected the feelings she had been bottling up.

Reifa was a serious girl. As a salesgirl, she worked hard to convey the quality of the products to customers and help with the family business. She even talked to the craftsmen to understand the intentions behind their creations. But because of this, she hated that she couldn't wear the products herself to promote them. She saw how a girl at a friend's clothing store wore the products and did business well, and it made her feel inadequate and like she wasn't doing enough for the store.

"I don't think accessories are for men or women."

"Yūri-kun?"

"What matters is whether they suit you or not."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. And we have a perfect example right here."

"Okay."

"Ah..."

Yūri said this with a suppressed smile, and Leopold laughed, waving her hand playfully. Leopold was the perfect example. She was male, with a male physique, voice, and face, yet she dressed and wore accessories like a woman, defying gender norms. And because she looked so good, no one could complain.

Thanking Reifa and saying goodbye, Yūri asked Leopold, who was walking beside him with a smile, a question that had been on his mind.

"Why did you bring me here?"

"Oh, you don't know?"

"No, because Leone-san would have already thought of the suggestion I made."

Why then? Yūri looked up at Leopold, his large, animal-like eyes fixed on her. Leopold smiled and patted Yūri's head.

"I've told her many times, but she didn't believe me."

"Why not?"

"Because I'm family to her."

Yūri understood. Reifa saw Leopold as a long-time family member, so his words sounded like comfort rather than advice. Yūri remembered that Reifa had also taken his initial compliment as comfort.

Leopold wanted to help Reifa and show her that she was charming just as she was. He knew Yūri would come to the same conclusion, and he brought him because, despite being a boy and a onee-san, they shared a similar appreciation for cute and beautiful things.

"Well, I'm sorry for dragging you here. How about we get some tea somewhere?"

"Lucia's place would be good."

"Ah, delicious. But can we get in?"

"If not, we can take it to go."

"If we take it to go, it will be taken from us."

"No one will take it from us."

Yūri smiled. Indeed, no one in the hideout of the "Scarlet Lynx" would steal sweets from him. Someone would probably even go to buy more.

"You are really loved, you know."

"Huh?"

"No, it's my problem."

Leopold muttered, imagining the scene easily. But she, too, was incredibly indulgent with Yūri, perhaps even the most indulgent.

Afterward, the simple accessories Reifa wore were purchased by female customers, and she smiled, satisfied with her role as the shop's mascot.

Of course, personal preferences for accessories vary. But I personally think that older women might not go for pink and cute things. I look forward to your opinions and feedback.