The next day, I was awoken by more commotion from downstairs. I quickly got up and dressed, then headed downstairs to see what the excitement was. In the foyer, I found Matsuko reading a book, while the other four members of the council sat around the table playing cards. Each had a glowing circle around her neck, and they all seemed intensely focused on the game.
"I want one of yours, Naruyo!" "Okay." Naruyo fanned out her cards to let Hinari pick one. After picking one, she showed a pair of sevens and threw them into the middle of the table.
"They're playing Old Maid to see who does the dishes in the kitchen. I own the estate, so no one would dare ask me to do chores like this." Matsuko explained without looking up from her book.
"...I see." I sat down next to her and watched the game from afar for a while. One by one, cards were selected and matched, and finally Naruyo was the first to empty her hand. The magic collar disappeared from her neck and she got up from the table and came over to sit next to me.
"Victory." She smiled and gave me a v sign with her fingers. She was silent for a few seconds before continuing, "Tutu on weekend? No other clothes?" It took a second to parse her words, but I understood what she was getting at.
"...I've been so busy I haven't really had the chance to need clothes outside school and work uniforms. Maybe I should go shopping sometime soon."
"I'll help. Your style is clear. I'll make something nice." She smiled again and left to go to her room.
"Naruyo's skill as a tailor is unmatched, I'm sure it'll look good on you. Seems like they are just about done." She looked up to see Asami laying her last two cards with a sigh of relief, while the last member of the council let out a whine and dropped the last card in her hand to the table. With a bit of a robotic motion, she headed to the kitchen to do the dishes.
* * *
The rest of the week was a blur, with classes beginning to approach their tests of the year, and planning for various sporting events for the student council. It wasn't until the next weekend that I had time to stop and focus on other things for a bit. While I was reading in my room, a knock came on the door.
"Clothes done. Come try on." A quiet voice came into the room then disappeared down the hall. Not wanting to make her wait, I put down my book and followed her back down to the foyer. Sitting around on the couches were Matsuko and Hinari, while Naruyo was checking on some garment holders hanging from a clothes rack.
"Wait, what's everyone doing here?" I looked around suspiciously.
"Every fashion show needs an audience, right? I can't wait to see how you look~" Matsuko laughed as she watched me with anticipation.
Before I could protest further, Naruyo had already shoved a garment bag into my arms. "Ready. First outfit. Casual clothing." She pushed me towards a hastily erected "changing room" which was actually just some towels hung from coat racks. "Fine, fine, don't rush me." I took the bag and went into the "changing room"
A few minutes later I came back out, but I felt like crying. Naruyo's idea of casual clothing was nothing more than a gold bikini, long gloves, and thigh high ballet boots. "What is this, exactly? How did this become my style?" I didn't want to be mean, since she had made me a bunch of clothing without asking for anything, but I just couldn't approve of this.
"What do you mean, Ko-chan? In the few months I've known you, I've never seen you in anything other than this kind of style. Around the students, your unique gloves and boots have become something like your symbol." While Matsuko talked, Hinari and Naruyo nodded in complete agreement to the side. "Also, forgive me, but I've seen your sketchbook, and it was filled with this kind of design. If this isn't your style, I don't know what is."
She made sense on the surface, but I was crying inside. Those designs were for the council, not for me! Of course I wasn't confident enough to say that straight to their faces, so I turned back to the clothing rack to hide my blushing face and grabbed the next garment.
"More casual clothes. For cooler weather." Naruyo spoke up as I took it behind the screen. I came back out again after a few minutes. This time it was a dark red strapless leotard with gold embellishments. It had shoulder pads and long sleeves with gloves on top and a big bow at the back around the waist with tails that hang down to my knees. The boots had the same gold embellishments and came with stockings and garters that clipped to the bottom of the leotard. Finally, a second larger bow tied around my neck in front.
"Missing hair bow. I'll help" Naruyo ran over and grabbed a large bow out of the bag on the ground and stepped behind me, tying it into my hair at the back. "Good. Very adorable. I approve." She sat back down and nodded to herself, as if praising her own work.
"Another masterpiece, Naruyo. This kind of outfit looks perfect on Ko-chan~ I kind of want one for myself, too." She had me spin around so she could see the other sides. "The corseted waist makes you look even skinnier than normal, just how I like it too." She thought for a second while nodding again. "Let's see the last one." I sighed a bit and took the last bag.
"Last outfit. For formal occasions." I took the heavier garment bag behind the curtain, with hopes that maybe this one would not show off my chest and thighs. My hopes were soon dashed though, as I held up the dress. Overall, it wasn't quite as bad as I imagined, but it was still strapless, low cut, and the thigh length skirt was completely open in front, revealing my thighs and the panty part of the dress. It laced up the back like a corset, so it was pretty tight with no chance of it slipping down once it was tightened. It came with stockings and garters, and a pair of ankle boots, still with a ballet heel. Long gloves and a bowtie completed the outfit.
"Isn't this a bit too show-offy?" I ruffled the skirt and swished it around a little as I came out, and gave a quick twirl. Matsuko stared for a few seconds then shook her head.
"No, it suits you well. It's a little girl-ish with how flouncy the skirt is and the pattern of the material, but the shape of the bodice and garters gives it a mature flair that you would never see from a real teenager's dress. You would definitely catch many eyes at any party you wore this to. I look forward to seeing the looks on their faces in the future." She looked like she was already planning to show me off to her acquaintances... "Overall, I'm quite impressed with your work, Naruyo. You've really captured Ko-chan's unique charm with these three outfits. How do you feel, Hinari?"
"I'm falling in love again. Our president is the best, cutest president the school has ever seen. As a side note, you're the only person I've ever seen who can so dexterously wear ballet boots with every outfit." Hinari heaped the praise on thick, and I couldn't help but blush a bit while complaining internally that it wasn't my goal to wear ballet boots everywhere, it just sort of happened that way.
"Very good. All outfits exceed expectations. Will plan future outfits." Naruyo also gave it high marks in her own way.
"What do you think, Ko-chan? You're the one that's going to be wearing them after all." Matsuko seemed to notice my discontent.
"Well.. I think.." I hesitated. I didn't really want to make Naruyo feel bad since she obviously put a lot of time and effort into them. In addition, everyone seemed to like how they looked and how I looked wearing them. I would feel like a spoilsport if I soured such a good mood by saying I didn't like the outfits she made for me. "They are all really beautiful, thank you Naruyo. Please help me again in the future." I bowed to Naruyo and gave a generic sort of praise. I would find a time later to go shopping on my own and find some stuff that was much more modest.
"Oh? Do you like them so much? Why don't we let Naruyo be your exclusive tailor then? She will make your clothes, and you agree to only wear clothes she's made for you. A mutually beneficial arrangement, if you ask me." Matsuko's eyes lit up when she heard my praise for her friend's work.
"Oh um.. I'd hate to trouble you all. I think I'll be fine on m--" I stammered a rejection but got cut off
"No trouble. My honor. Please trust my work." Naruyo stood and bowed towards me, and I felt like I'd be letting her down if I continued to refuse.
"If it's not too much trouble then.. I'll be in your care from now on." As soon as I agreed, the crystal chandelier glowed and came to life. A large magical circle arranged itself around me, spinning as it slowly shrank around my neck before finally turning into a glowing collar of runes around my neck. They felt warm on my neck but not uncomfortable, and the feeling faded away after a few seconds. I could see the marks fading away when I looked in the mirror, but I was worried about what just happened. "Wait, what was that? I thought that was made for challenges?"
Matsuko chuckled, "Silly girl, I told you earlier that promises made in the foyer were special. Seems like you've got a customer for life, Naruyo." She rubbed my head and whispered in my ear "Don't feel too sad, normally she charges so much that normal people would never be able to wear one of her outfits, and now you are going to have a whole wardrobe to yourself!"
But... that was never the problem, Matsuko! I cried inside, but now I really couldn't go back. It seemed this really was going to be my style from now on. For the record, later that night I tried to put on a normal dress shirt, but my body froze up, and I couldn't force myself to put it on. Matsuko really undersold the power of the crystal hanging in the foyer! I want my money back!