“Wow! Everyone’s super cute! ☆”
Carol had finished our makeup and hair. Now fully dressed in our costumes, the three of us stood side-by-side in a row.
“Uugh... I-I’m so embarrassed...”
“W-Why did it have to be this...?”
“Hmm. This turned out better than I expected.”
The three of us wore nearly identical outfits. They were one-piece dresses adorned with an excessive amount of frills, paired with long boots. This was a style currently trending in the streets called Gothic & Lolita—often shortened to “Goth-Loli.” Elisa happened to own one such outfit, so we had taken it to Carol and placed a special order for three custom sets based on it.
Carol’s connections in the fashion industry were quite impressive; she had apparently commissioned someone considered a top professional even among pros—though I didn't know them personally.
The fabric was of exceptionally high quality. Even to my touch, the texture was wonderful against the skin. And since the sun was quite strong this time of year, parts of the fabric were made of mesh to ensure excellent breathability.
The design was based on a black-and-white color scheme and decorated with a mountain of frills, yet the amount wasn't just haphazard; it was adjusted to achieve the perfect volume... or so I was told. Furthermore, the strip of bare skin visible between the long boots and the skirt was apparently called “Absolute Territory,” and the specific range of this area was strictly calculated.
Regardless, under Carol’s supervision, three perfect shop-girls had been born.
“Elisa. Don't worry. You look different than usual, but you’re cute. No, you’re far too cute... this makeup is wonderful, too. It suits you well.”
“Re... Really?”
“Of course.”
Our makeup was heavier than usual.
Since we were selling under the name “Devil’s Corn,” we had gone with a slightly dark theme to match—though I wouldn't go so far as to call them devil costumes. Each of us wore heavy makeup, specifically emphasizing the eyes. It was a “pseudo-gal” style.
However, Carol knew that looking too heavy-handed would leave a poor impression, so she used her skills to keep us within the realm of “cute.”
Incidentally, a heart had been drawn on Elisa’s cheek, just as one had been on mine and Clarice’s. Clarice’s transformation was even flashier, with a heart on her right cheek and a star on her left.
Still... hmm. I was used to seeing my own makeup, so I didn't think much of it anymore, but seeing the normally quiet Elisa look like a genuine gal was truly impressive.
“Uugh... Why did it come to this... uuuugh...”
Next, I saw that Clarice was looking down—nervousness was written all over her—so I immediately offered her some encouragement.
“Clarice.”
“Wh... What is it?”
“Don't worry. It suits you well, too. In fact, Clarice, you look like the real deal in that style.”
“Who are you calling a real gal?!”
“No, I’m genuinely praising you. Your usual self is very good, but today you look your absolute best.”
“M-My absolute best...?”
“Yeah. Of course.”
“R-Really...?”
“Yeah.”
“I-It’s not like it matters! I mean it! I'm not happy just because you said that, okay?!”
Clarice huffed and turned her head away. Her twintails swayed as usual, but they had a different flair today.
The tips of her hair were beautifully curled. The loose curls created a somewhat mature impression. Since Elisa’s hair was short, she had loose curls throughout her entire head.
As for me, I was wearing a long chestnut-colored wig like before, but this time it was tied in a two-side-up style.
My previous cross-dressing had been basic—a so-called “plain” state. However, the current me had moved up a level. My cross-dressing had gained an even greater radiance.
Fuhaha! Is this not a perfect lineup?!
It couldn't be helped that my internal excitement was rising. That was just how much effort had been poured into this.
“Honestly... just how much cuter are you going to get?”
“Y-Yeah... um, you’re amazing, Ray-kun.”
“Ahem. In this state, please call me Lily. Lily White. That is my name.”
“Whoa... You seriously look like a real girl now...”
“Y-Yeah... I might lose my confidence as a woman... not that I had much to begin with... but this is a bit much... yeah...”
While the three of us were talking, time had slipped away.
“Well then, Carol. Thank you for your help.”
“Yep! ☆ But you can’t forget our p-r-o-m-i-s-e, okay?”
“Yeah... I will certainly fulfill it.”
“Yay! ☆ Good luck everyone!”
After bidding Carol farewell, the three of us headed back to the stall location... or rather, we marched off to the battlefield.
◇
“Club President.”
“Hmm?”
“We have returned.”
“Wha...”
“Is something wrong?”
“...Is that really you, Ray?”
“Yes. By the way, in this state, please call me Lily. Lily White.”
I then shifted my tone of voice, testing the adjustment.
“Ahem... I can adjust my voice like this, so please don't worry.”
“O-Oh... Understood.”
The area was already filled with a wonderful aroma, and a large quantity of corn grilled with sauce was lined up. Since we were scheduled to be out here for almost the full two weeks, we had taken measures against odors and planned to use magic for cleaning after each day to prepare for the next.
I was going to give it my all as a shop-girl!
“What...?!”
“I-Impossible...?!”
“Is that even possible?! Something like that...?!”
“That tall, ultra-cute girl is... Ray...?”
“Gulp... This is bad. I’m opening a new door...”
“Stop! Come back! There is only hell beyond that point!”
The club members were in an uproar, and the Club President’s family members were staring at the three of us with wide eyes.
I felt quite good.
I was certain that we would undoubtedly achieve top-tier sales.
“Ray...”
“Evi, what’s wrong?”
“You... you’re incredible... even my muscles are a bit startled...”
“Heh, I thought so.”
“Yeah. But all three of you are cute, so this is perfect!”
“Yeah!”
While I carried myself with dignity, Elisa and Clarice were still looking down out of embarrassment... but it was almost time for the opening.
A considerable number of spectators were already gathering. Drawn by the scent and surprised by our outfits, they were beginning to swarm.
The customer-attraction effect was outstanding.
All that was left was our mindset.
“Elisa, Clarice.”
“Y... Yeah.”
“What is it...”
“It’s okay. You are the absolute cutest. Alright, repeat after me.”
““U-Um, okay!””
“We are the absolute cutest!”
““We are the absolute cutest!””
“One more time!”
““We are the absolute cutest!””
“Last one, all together! Ready, set!”
“““We are the absolute cutest!!”””
Among the two cute voices, one deep, thick voice joined in... but I smoothly shifted my tone again.
“Well then, here we go! Elisa, Clarice!”
““Yeah!””
And so, our first battle began.
◇
“Welcome! ☆”
“We have very delicious corn right here! ☆”
“It’s delicious! ☆”
At nine in the morning, when entry to the Colosseum began, the stall finally opened.
Immediately, a wave of people rushed in. Managing the overwhelming numbers, the three of us served customers with smiles.
All three of our voices were a tone higher than usual.
A massive line had formed, stretching so far that we couldn't see the end. They were managing the situation by doubling up the lines. Others handled the line management for us.
Because we had another major mission.
“U-Um, an A Set, please!”
“One A Set, coming up! Lily, you’re on!!”
“Coming! ☆ Lily-chan is on her way! ☆”
As instructed by the Club President, I immediately took the Devil’s Corn and headed toward the man who had purchased it. And then...
“Here, say ‘ahh’! ☆”
“A-Ahh.”
“Is it delicious?”
“Y-Yes! It was very delicious.”
“I’m so glad! Well then, we look forward to seeing you again! ☆”
“Y-Yeth!”
After giving the customer just one bite, I immediately returned to my post.
Yes. This stall didn't just sell Devil’s Corn. There were drinks, of course, but special menu items existed as well.
They were called the A Set, B Set, and C Set. The price was a staggering five times that of regular corn. I thought it might almost be illegal, but apparently, permission had been granted.
The A Set involved me doing the “ahh,” the B Set was Elisa, and the C Set was Clarice.
The menu board described them as follows:
‘A Set: A tall, beautiful girl will heal you with her sweetness.’ ‘B Set: A bit hesitant, but she offers you angelic healing.’ ‘C Set: The ultimate tsundere just for you... (Adjustable levels of tsun and dere).’
We had to play these characters exactly as described. It was Carol’s idea, and it worked unexpectedly well; the flow of customers showed no signs of stopping.
“Um... well, ‘ahh.’ I-Is it delicious?”
“I-It’s not like I want to do this! Don’t get the wrong idea! Hmph! But... w-well... it’s only special for you, okay?”
So far, orders for me were the most frequent, but requests for Elisa and Clarice were coming in steadily as well.
Mm... this was a good thing.
The customer traffic was beyond expectations, and with many people ordering these special sets that felt almost illegal, we had no time to rest.
But for now, everything was going smoothly.
—Alright, I should work even harder!
“Welcome! ☆ Would you like some very delicious corn? ☆”