VL) Chapter 2 Part 5 (Patreon)

“Very much so! Now, come on, you need to get ready. Elara has already been dressed since six this morning.” Nina let out a sigh. “I told her the stores would not open until later, but she wouldn’t listen. Anyway, it’s almost nine now, so you need to get up. I am sure you will have fun today.”

I looked at Nina’s bright smile and slowly sat up. It was a shame. The softness of the bed was still calling me. Saying: Alicia, ignore the old hag and let us envelop you. We will keep you warm and safe! But I also wished to check out this thing called a mall.

 Heard about them from the books I read. They were a place where many stores were located. Something like the street market in the slums, just without the smell, the cockroaches… or the prostitutes. For first times it might be hard to take in such a sight since it was not all that good. But the deep-fried cockroaches were not bad when you were in a pinch. Although there were some stalls that were selling mystery stew, and I really do not want to even mention what they were made out of.

As for the prostitutes, they would only stand at the side and sell themselves. Male and female. Luckily, they did not do ‘that’ in the middle of the street. But I was truly curious about the real mall. The place with all the yummy food courts. The place that was the holy ground for all the yummy, fattening things you could ask for. “Alicia, you are drooling.”

“Huh?” Slurp! “Ahem… sorry, I was thinking about the yummy foods.” I could feel my cheeks heating up. You can’t blame me! I never had the chance to even gaze upon such food before, if you don’t count last night’s dinner, which was really amazing.

“Hehe. Come and have breakfast. I am sure it will be very good. Milly made something that will give you the energy you need to run around today.” Nina’s words were like a blessing from that God guy people used to worship in the old days.

As soon as I made my way to what was called the dining room, Elara appeared out of the shadows and hugged me tightly. “You’re awake!”

“Geh…” I was not one to really like close skinship. But for some reason, this girl’s strength was over the top. Even as I try to pry her off, it’s like she is made of metal!

“Elara!” Nina came to save the day. She grabbed Elara by the collar of her shirt and pulled her back. “You can’t be clingy. What did I tell you yesterday? I know you are excited because you get to go out with Alicia but you can’t cling to her. She doesn’t like it.”

“Sorry…” Elara hung her head, and I let out a sigh of relief. It was not that I hated Elara. It was just she was a bit too in my personal space. Living in the slums is not a place to let others get too close, and I have a habit of pushing everyone away. I have acquaintances whom I talk to when I need to get things done, but that is always done as a business transaction. We were not friends. Hell. My roof top couldn’t even be accessed by normal means. You had to climb on top of another building and then jump from the roof to the ledge of my building before climbing up the last few floors.

Breakfast was amazing! Milly is a goddess. Her food is divine. If I had a statue of her, I would pray to it. “You look very satisfied.” I turned to see Elara standing a few feet away with her hands behind her back. She was smiling away. But while she was being cautious around me, the excitement in her eyes could not be hidden.

“Mmm… It was very good. To think I could have such good food in this lifetime.” I replied with a smile as I stood up. “I will be in your care today. I have never been to a mall before, so if I do something weird, let me know.”

“I will be sure to warn you.” Elara’s eyes lit up. It seemed she was happy that I would be relying on her. I would be, too. The last thing I wanted was to make a fool out of myself in a new place. Especially when it would not just me who would be embarrassed but also Elara. I am not afraid of being kicked out. But… I might get lectured.

Nina looks like the type to lecture people. Just the thought of having to sit on my knees while Nina stood over me, pointing her finger at me while giving me an ear full, made me cringe. Yeah not my idea of a good time. I bet Elara gets them all the time. I saw how she shrank back earlier. Nina is definitely a master of the lecture. I have never been lectured myself, but still, I don’t want to experience it.

I was once more given some of Elara’s clothes. And to be honest, I wish I could die. Who wears skirts!? How safe is a skirt? Only the girls who worked the street in the slums would wear skirts! It was like signaling to all men: Hey! Look at me! I am selling myself! I know this is not how it works on the upper floors but it was just how things were in the slums. Also… Skirts allowed other things like cockroaches and rats to climb up your legs. They were evil creations! And they were breezy! Why must you let the wind between your legs?

“Can I wear something else?” I asked… I mean, yeah, it was easy to get my tail through the custom hole that was sewn into the skirt, but…

“Just put up with it for now. It’s the only thing we have that will fit your body at this time. When you go shopping, you will be able to buy what you like. Your first set of clothes can even be worn right then and there.” I sighed at Nina’s answer. Why must I wear a light blue dress? It went down to just above my knees, so it was easy to move in, but still… there were no sleeves, so my arms were naked. Isn’t this a bit too indecent?