Chapter 12: Shopping (Part 1)

We decided to go shopping at a shopping mall located in the suburbs.

Since everything can be found in one place, our family often relies on this mall for our shopping.

It takes about 30 minutes by car in the light wagon my mother drives.

『Wow... so this is what a car is like!』

Alicia, who was riding in a car for the first time, was excited the entire time.

『Wow... it's so fast! And it's so smooth and quiet! It's wonderful! Oh, what's that over there!?』

Alicia, fascinated by everything we passed, seemed like an elementary school child, and it was heartwarming.

Usually, Yuna sits in the passenger seat, and I sit in the back. But today, Alicia, unable to hide her excitement, naturally sat in the back, while Yuna, being the thoughtful younger sister, quietly took the passenger seat.

...And then, without thinking, I tried to sit in the back as usual. But Yuna gave me a cold stare and pointed to the passenger seat. I guess that makes me a bad older brother.

『We'll call you 'Alicia' while we're at the store.』

My mother, driving in the front seat, made that announcement.

It makes sense since my appearance, which already attracts attention, would stand out even more if I were called 'Big Brother' or 'Alicia.'

『…S-so this is a shopping mall? Is this whole area a market? Even the Kingdom's central market isn't this big. It's amazing…!』

The shopping mall, which was so familiar to us, seemed quite shocking to Alicia.

After parking the car in the outdoor parking lot, we walked toward the store.

Regardless of the shopping purpose, I actually like the shopping mall.

There are so many exciting places like the toy section and bookstore, and it's been a while since I had a meal at a Japanese restaurant.

Excited by nature, my steps quickened, but suddenly, Yuna scolded me.

"Hey, Alicia. Don't walk so fast... Your panties are showing."

Flustered, I quickly stopped and held down the back of my mini skirt.

The mini skirt I was wearing was only long enough to barely cover my underwear. I guess if I kept walking like that, my panties would be exposed.

"Walk as if you're holding something between your thighs. That way, you'll naturally learn a feminine way of walking."

I tried walking like my mother suggested.

...It was actually quite difficult.

"...Ugh, why did I even decide to wear a mini skirt?"

I let out a sigh and muttered to myself.

"Well, it's cute, of course," Yuna said. My mother added to that.

"Of course, that's part of it, but it's also important to be aware that you're being looked at. When you're as cute as Alicia, you naturally attract people's attention. So, if you're not conscious of it, you'll end up exposing an embarrassing side of yourself."

I could see my mother's point.

Since I ended up in this body, I've been constantly watched wherever I go. It was a far cry from the time when no one paid attention to me as a guy.

"When you wear a mini skirt, you can't be careless, right? So, that tension helps you naturally develop more feminine movements."

Honestly, I didn’t want to pick up any feminine habits... but as I walked, I silently resolved to buy some pants.

"…Are you sure there's no panty shot?"

I asked Yuna, concerned.

I wouldn't want some random guy to see Alicia's panties. Also, I didn't want Alicia to be thought of as the kind of girl who would expose her underwear carelessly.

"Don't worry. As long as you're careful, it shouldn't be a problem... Good luck, Alicia."

The stares I felt now were different from when I was 『Ikuto』. I wanted to believe it was because of this appearance and not because of any accidental exposure.

"Well then, let's start by buying underwear."

"Eh…"

The first place we were taken to was the underwear section. It wasn't a specialty store but rather the clothing section of a supermarket inside the shopping mall.

Before us were neatly lined up pale-colored schoolgirl underwear.

As a high school boy, I honestly couldn't handle the sight and couldn’t bring myself to look at them directly.

"…Why are you so embarrassed?"

Yuna teased me with a playful tone.

"How can you say that..."

Reluctantly, I started looking at the displayed underwear. They were simple but with cute designs, and I felt guilty, as if I were peeking into a girl's secret.

『Is all of this underwear... I'm constantly surprised by this country...』

Alicia couldn’t hide her surprise at the colorful assortment of underwear.

"Well then, let's have the store clerk measure your size first."

With that, Yuna called over a young lady clerk.

"Wait..."

I followed her to the fitting room, where I was left alone with the clerk, feeling quite confused.

"Miss... is it okay if I speak in Japanese?"

"Japanese is fine!"

She fumbled a little with her words.

"Is this your first time buying a bra?"

"Y-yes!"

Seeing my nervousness, the clerk smiled softly.

"It’s okay, you don’t have to be so nervous. Just leave it to me."

The reason I was nervous had nothing to do with her kindness. Being in a small space with a beautiful lady so close made me anxious. Maybe it was the perfume... it smelled so nice.

"Well then, go ahead and take it off?"

"Y-yes!"

Calm down, there’s nothing weird about this.

I took off my pink jacket and hung it on a hook. Then, I reached for the blouse button... but women’s clothes were different, and I struggled to undo it.

"You can leave it on over the blouse."

Hearing that, I froze in place, trying to stay calm.

"Now, let’s measure you."

The clerk wrapped a measuring tape around my back, leaning in close. I stiffened and waited. In addition to her perfume, I could smell her shampoo, and I felt lightheaded.

I was measured several times, but the numbers didn't register in my mind. Yuna, who had peeked through the curtain, probably heard them, so I hoped everything was okay.

『...Geez, Ikuto. You're stretching your nose too much.』

The size I was given started with two letters from the alphabet.

It was a modest size.

...Well, I guess there’s room for growth.

By the way, when I asked Yuna her size, she said it was the fourth letter... Looks like my little sister has grown up.

Then, we started picking actual items, but basically, I left it all to Yuna and my mother. I just tried on whatever they selected in the fitting room... but I hit a snag right from the start.

I had no idea how to put on a bra.

As I hesitated, Yuna entered the fitting room and showed me how to do it. She was serious, without teasing, but I was so flustered that my dignity as an older brother was quickly diminishing.

When I finished changing and looked at myself in the mirror, I saw Alicia’s modest, white lace-decorated bra, which made her look a bit more grown-up. It was a little surprising.

If I put on the matching panties from the set I had placed at my feet, that impression would become even stronger.

『...So this is what underwear is like in this world. It's beautiful...』

"Looks just right! I’ll bring a few more in this size."

After trying on the ones my mother and Yuna brought, I ended up with three sets of bras and panties in my shopping basket.

Then, for everyday use, I got a few half-tops, sports bras, and about three sets of three-pack panties, plus camisoles and socks.

It was quite a lot, considering we were starting from scratch. Seeing the total on the register made me feel a little guilty.

Next was clothing. Yuna had a few hand-me-downs, so I thought I only needed a few pairs of pants and T-shirts, but Yuna and my mother had completely different ideas.

As a result, we spent hours hopping from one specialty store to another, and I ended up being treated like a dress-up doll.

Alicia seemed thrilled, but I just wanted it to be over. I think we bought a few things, but I had completely checked out mentally and didn’t even pay attention.

Considering the price tags, I was honestly terrified.

I was happy I managed to get some everyday T-shirts and pants, though... even though Yuna and my mother had been very reluctant.

Finally, at the shoe store, we bought sneakers, loafers, and sandals called mules. With that, our shopping trip finally came to an end.

...I’m exhausted.