After everyone had filled their bellies with greasy fast food, Kaname finally decided to make his move. Tselika and Cindy were in the trailer taking #flash.err back to his base on Mangrove Island, while Kaname and Midori drove their vehicles toward the center of the peninsula financial district.
Kaname: How’s Meiki?
Midori: Contrary as always. For once, I said it’s okay to take a rest, and now I can’t get rid of her.
The demon girl clung tightly to Midori’s back as the two sat atop her motorcycle. Their bond was incomprehensible to anyone else.
The financial district had many sides to it, but the street the pair rolled into seemed more geared toward grown-up tastes. Jewelry shops and brand-name stores lined the road, with the median taken up by a large sculpture of a wooden boat two hundred meters long, with large wings on either side like whale fins. Below the waterline were countless lenses, large and small, presumably used for takeoff and landing.
The boat appeared to be floating off the ground. As Kaname passed it, he fired off a chat message to Midori.
Kaname: The airship, Sky Impact. That’ll be where things go down.
Midori: Huh? I’ve seen it a few times, but I didn’t know you could go inside.
Kaname: The weight is spread across thousands of ultrathin wires. There’s an event space on the inside for live music, concerts, exhibitions, plays, press conferences, auctions, even weddings.
Midori: What’s the difference between live music and a concert?
The pair continued down the shop-lined street onto a long, narrow stretch of road. Midori kept shooting glances at Kaname before finally typing out a question.
Midori: How do you know where Pavilion’s next auction will be anyway?
Kaname: No special reason. The information just happened to fall into the hands of a certain person before making its way to me. I’d wager not even Takamasa expected me to take this particular shortcut.
Midori: And what’s that supposed to mean?
Kaname: This street is lined with shops selling luxury jewelry and brand-name items… Which brings it under the purview of Frey(a) and his pawnshop empire. That’s how I got my hands on the event schedule.
…If Kaname was being perfectly honest, he couldn’t remember a single time anything good came from asking the Treasure Hermit Crabs for help. The last thing he wanted to do was put his life in Frey(a)’s hands, but he’d had no other choice.
After they exited onto a second street, Kaname sent an icon to Midori’s map.
Kaname: Midori, let’s stop at this store while we’re here.
Midori: What, did you forget something? We have enough ammo, don’t we?
Kaname: The dress code.
Ignoring Midori as she balked at the rate on the parking meters, Kaname swiped his phone and paid for the two of them.
“Hey! Who asked you to do that?!!”
“We’re together on this one. It makes sense to share the costs,” replied Kaname. “Besides, if you think that’s expensive, just wait until we get inside.”
Kaname opened a glass door in the stone building and entered into a cozy little shop on the first floor. Midori hastily followed him, only to be hit by the high-class aura of the place like a physical punch to the forehead. She felt so out of place she nearly fell over.
It was a luxury clothing store and perhaps a little too much for schoolgirl Midori to take in at once. It offered complete tailoring and dressmaking services. Antiques, jewelry, even old violins lined the shelves, making it look like they’d stepped back in time. The gentle music playing in the background came not from an internet radio but an old-style gramophone.
A little old lady in a waistcoat and slacks with a tape measure over her neck stepped silently across the polished, amber-colored floor and gave the pair a charming smile.
“Well, Mr. Suou. What brings you here today?”
“Hey there, Other Dimensional Printer. If you don’t mind, I’m afraid I need something of a rush job.”
The woman looked a little disappointed as she adjusted her spectacles.
“I just fitted you for a new tailcoat a few days ago,” she said. “Was there something the matter with it?”
“Oh, no. It’s not for me this time, it’s for her. I’d like the same quality as before, but we don’t have much time. Is there anything you can do?”
“You wish for me to modify an off-the-shelf item so it will stand up to scrutiny at even the most high-class event, correct?”
“I’m glad you understand.”
Midori was quick to butt in.
“Wait, what’s going on???”
“We’re sneaking into an auction filled with high-profile guests. They won’t let us in dressed like this. We need formal attire.”
“…It sounds like you already have some.”
“Well, remember what I said about those drones we used as decoys? I got those through price-fixing at one of Pavilion’s auctions.”
Kaname gestured with his thumb toward the mannequins in the shop window.
“We’re short on time today, so it won’t be custom-made. Pick whichever one you like and change into it. We’ll tailor the fit and pretty it up a little, then head straight to the auction house when you’re ready.”
“Uh…okay…but I’m not sure I can afford…”
“…”
“Y-you can’t just buy it for me!! I’ll pay you back afterward, I swear!! Um, um… I’ll write a note in my smartphone, so I don’t forget…”
The old lady with the tape measure around her neck smiled as she answered the girl’s questions, and Kaname didn’t fail to notice the knowing look she cast him as she reported the dress’s price minus a zero or three.
“Thanks.”
“Don’t mention it. We’re tailors. Making you look good is our job.”
The dress Midori picked out was long and dark. It seemed suffocating at first glance, but Kaname saw that upon closer inspection many parts of it were sheer lace. Kaname wondered if Midori had noticed.
“Try it on for size,” he suggested. “Let us know if anything’s too loose or too tight, and Other Dimensional Printer here will fix it up for you.”
“Oh? And where do you think it’s going to be loose, exactly?”
“The waist, of course. Most people would be happy to find a little extra slack around the hips. Why, what did you think I was going to say?”
“Oh, shut up! I think I know my own body. Bust, waist, and hips, at least…”
“You know, dear,” said the old lady, “when asked by their doctors if they pay enough attention to diet and exercise, surprisingly few patients give an honest answer.”
“Besides,” added Kaname. “A proper tailor needs more information than that. They need your shoulders, belly button height, arm and leg lengths, neck circumference. It’s best to leave it to the professionals.”
Midori huffed and marched off toward the fitting room in the back. The girl really did have an eye for clothes, and she’d been quick to choose her dress. After watching her tug the curtains shut as loudly as she could manage, Kaname took out his phone. Since Other Dimensional Printer had helpfully downplayed the dress’s price, Kaname transferred the actual amount while Midori wasn’t looking.
“…That black dress makes it look like she’s in mourning,” he said. “Perhaps we should brighten it up a bit.”
“I agree, Mr. Suou. How about a little mint-green trim?”
“Yeah, sounds good.”
“I’ll make it the same shade as your car, then. Hee-hee. All your things will match.”
“…”
Kaname fell silent. The old woman simply chuckled as she went back behind the counter and produced a needlework kit. Kaname had fallen for her trap, hook, line, and sinker. Shootouts and car chases were one thing, but it seemed he couldn’t let his guard down here, either.