I’d pretty much finished my clothes shopping after picking up a few shirts and other items at the store Megiddo-san had recommended.
Most of my everyday clothes were made by Alice anyway, so I didn't need to buy much. I could tell Kaori-san had been overwhelmed by the prices from the moment she walked in. While she had kept a straight face, my Sympathy Magic picked up on her distress, which was why I’d offered to foot the bill.
I felt as though my sense of money had been glitching lately. An outfit costing several hundred thousand R was undeniably a luxury purchase; by any normal standard, it was incredibly expensive.
But between the formal suits and accessories for three people I’d bought for Mitsunaga-kun’s wedding and the custom outfit Alice had tailored for the shipboard party, I’d grown used to payments that easily exceeded Platinum Coins. My senses were completely numb, while Kaori-san’s reaction was perfectly rational.
Since I was done, I decided to see how everyone else was faring. I started with Akane, who had caught my eye.
"Are you getting that one, Akane?"
"I don't know. I'm torn... Do you think it looks good on me?"
"You’re great at pulling off different looks, so I’m sure it would suit you fine. But... I don't think it really fits your taste."
"Oh? Now that's interesting. So, what do you think my taste is then?"
Akane was usually seen in leopard-print outerwear. She claimed it was just for a laugh, but she had a stylish, gal-like vibe that made it work. I always got the impression she was clever with her choices in shirts and accessories.
I knew she was versatile enough to look stylish in just about anything, but the aesthetic of this particular shop felt a bit too reserved for her. When I told her that, Akane looked intrigued for a moment before a teasing smile crept onto her lips as she questioned me.
"It’s just a hunch, but I think you like clothes that leave an immediate impact. Not just something flashy, but something unique or eye-catching. Is that because you’re a company chairman? I’d imagine it’s easier to handle negotiations when people remember your face... though that’s just a guess."
"Wow, you’re good. Seriously, are you on your second or third life loop or something? I bet you’ve even got some kind of strategy guide for me in that head of yours."
She chuckled and gave me a playful nudge with her elbow. Judging by that reaction, my intuition had been spot on.
"First impressions are vital, after all. The reason you remembered me after we just passed each other once was because of my clothes and my dialect. Being memorable is a huge plus in business. When someone’s deciding who to offer a deal to, the person who stands out in their mind gets the call. Hehe, I’m quite the calculating merchant, right?"
"I suppose. Though I think you also just like the style personally."
"You really get it, don't you? Fashion is power, right? I've never been one for elegant, understated outfits. Don't get me wrong, this store has great stuff, and I’ll probably buy a few things to wear as loungewear... but when I go out, I want something that screams. I wonder if they have anything with a massive leopard printed on it? A 'leopardess outfit' would be hilarious. Maybe I should put in another custom order."
Akane seemed to be in even better spirits now. She picked up several shirts—insisting they were just for around the house—and asked for my opinion on each.
I gave her my honest feedback and enjoyed chatting with her while she finished her shopping.
—Clothing Preference Tendencies—
Kaito He preferred simple designs and loose, comfortable clothing. He specifically tended to favor outerwear with a hood.
Kaori She leaned toward "cool" and mature styles rather than "cute" ones. This was because she looked up to Chris, whom she admired, as she had looked after her.
Akane She prioritized impact. Whether it was something bizarre or intended as a joke, she loved interesting clothes that left a lasting impression. Because she was good at pulling them off, they actually looked stylish in a "lived-in" way, but she owned quite a few pieces with very strange designs.
Frau Price was her primary metric. She simply liked expensive clothes and was always plotting ways to sneak them past Akane as "necessary business expenses," though she was usually shot down.
Megiddo He appreciated high-level craftsmanship and bold, experimental designs. He liked clothes where he could feel the maker's skill and ambition, as well as pieces that captured current trends or pushed into new territory. Being fond of the Hydra Kingdom, he visited often to shop. Among the current group, he was the Fashionable Gorilla—the most trend-conscious and the one with the largest wardrobe.