Chapter 25: The Golden World

Dobbin was a well-known clothing brand in Obscure Moon, loved by young people for its versatile, trendsetting designs and reasonable prices.
Doroshi owned plenty of Dobbin clothes herself, though most were bought by her current guardian, her aunt.

Last night, during their call, her aunt mentioned she’d be back soon.
Doroshi didn’t know exactly what her aunt did, but it was some mysterious job requiring long business trips followed by equally long vacations—ten days to half a month.
The problem was Ren.
What would happen when her aunt returned?
Doroshi couldn’t just send Ren to live alone at the mansion—that’d be too lonely.
And how would she explain Ren’s identity?
A classmate staying over?
What a hassle.
She’d figure it out later—cross that bridge when it came.

Entering the Dobbin store at the commercial hub’s edge, a professionally dressed saleswoman greeted them.
“Welcome. Women’s clothing is this way.”

The master and maid followed her to the east section, where a dazzling array of women’s clothing awaited—casual wear, formal suits, dresses, and outdoor gear, covering most typical styles.
No cosplay outfits or swimsuits, though.

Instead of asking the saleswoman to pick something for Ren, Doroshi decided to take charge herself.
Who knew Ren better than her?
She’d put together at least five or six outfits with full enthusiasm.

“Hmm, Little Ren’s got an elegant vibe. Let’s start with a refined, ladylike style.”
Muttering to herself while eyeing her maid, Doroshi made her choice.

“As you like,” Ren said, agreeing instantly.
As long as Doroshi was happy, Ren would support any decision.

Browsing the racks, Doroshi pulled out various pieces, comparing them to Ren and picturing her in them.
Her eyes lit up when she found a black dress, holding it up to Ren.
“How’s this?”

The saleswoman seized the moment, showering praise.
“Excellent choice! The dress’s standout feature is the sheer tulle at the shoulders and sleeves, contrasting with the black body. It’s elegant and perfectly suits this young lady’s aura.”

“As long as you like it, Lady Doroshi…”
Ren glanced at the saleswoman without emotion, then took the dress, ready to agree.

“No, wait,” Doroshi interrupted.
“I’m asking what you think, Little Ren.”

“Me…?”
Ren unfolded the dress, staring at it blankly.
Was it pretty or not?
Though half of her was human, she was no longer one.
She understood what made a design appealing to humans, but whether it suited her or if she liked it—that kind of emotion eluded her.
Yet, knowing Doroshi picked it herself made her reluctant to let it go.

“I… think I like it,” she said, her eyes curving into crescents.

“Great!”
Doroshi glanced around, spotting the women’s changing rooms.
“Hand me those bags, Little Ren, and go try it on.”

Ren, holding several bags, looked troubled.
“But…”

The bags held their earlier purchases—small household items, Ren’s underwear, and shoes.
They were expensive and heavy.

Doroshi sighed, snatching the bags from Ren’s hands.
“Come on, we’re not that distant, are we? I can handle these. You should learn from me and be more straightforward, okay?”

“Ah… um.”
Ren, pushed gently by Doroshi, was ushered into the changing room.

The saleswoman, witnessing their odd dynamic and hearing Ren call Doroshi “Lady,” stepped back, eyeing Doroshi with a complex expression.

Unaware of the misunderstanding, Doroshi waited.
When Ren opened the changing room door, Doroshi’s face lit up.
“Wow, it’s perfect! Your looks and vibe are unbeatable, Little Ren!”
She gave a thumbs-up, unsparing with praise.

Blushing slightly, Ren fidgeted as she approached.
“It feels… unfamiliar. Clothes made from my own flesh fit better.”

“Oh, right, sizing!”
Doroshi tapped her head, realizing her oversight.
“Anyway, it looks great. Let’s get your measurements and buy it. Next outfit!”

Ren proved to be the ultimate clothes hanger.
The saying goes, “Clothes make the person,” but with Ren, it was the opposite—any outfit looked better because it was on her, enhancing her beauty and aura.

After repeated try-ons, Doroshi picked five distinct outfits for Ren.
She was thrilled, feasting her eyes on Ren’s various looks.
What a win!

As most girls do, Doroshi had endless patience for clothes shopping, but it backfired.
Leaving Dobbin with bags galore, she realized her mistake.
“Ugh, we only shopped at one store?! Dobbin, you played me!”

It was nearly noon.
Doroshi led Ren to a quiet, secluded Italian restaurant with a cozy, brown-cottage vibe and soothing music.
They sat across from each other on wicker chairs under dim yellow pendant lights.

The atmosphere was lovely, but Doroshi’s lips twitched when she saw the menu.
The prices were anything but lovely.
No wonder it was empty.
Without her aunt’s support, she’d have bolted at first glance.

Ren, always attuned to Doroshi’s expressions, noticed her distress.
“Lady Doroshi, please let me handle the bill.”

Dropping the menu, Doroshi gritted her teeth.
“No way. I said this morning—all expenses are on me today.”
“We’re not master and maid right now—we’re friends shopping together, remember?”
She reminded Ren of their day’s dynamic.

If they kept sweating the small stuff, how could they relax?

Doroshi ordered creamy mushroom bacon pasta, herb-cheese chicken cutlet, a small baked eggplant tart, and a soda water.
Ren chose chocolate profiteroles for dessert, with shrimp-vegetable soup and grilled tenderloin as her main course.

They ate to the soft background music, chatted briefly, and left.

Stepping out of the cottage-like restaurant, Doroshi patted her stomach unceremoniously.
“Ugh, so full!”

“Personally, I find this food barely acceptable for you, Lady Doroshi,” Ren said, mercilessly critiquing the meal.

“Haha,” Doroshi laughed awkwardly, thinking they should’ve been farther from the restaurant before saying that.
“But yeah, it wasn’t as good as your cooking, Little Ren.”

“Your approval of my cooking is the greatest honor,” Ren replied.

Stuffed and satisfied, they rested on a bench by the mall’s street for half an hour before diving back into shopping.

As the sunset painted the world golden, Doroshi’s enthusiasm waned.
Looking at their overflowing bags, she gave an awkward smile.
“Did we… go overboard?”

“Lady Doroshi, let me carry those,” Ren offered, worried about Doroshi’s slender frame handling the load.

“Nah, I got this sometimes, okay?”
Doroshi declined, and they boarded the return train, laden with bags like they were moving house.

The sunset flickered between buildings outside the train window, the carriage swaying gently.
Clack-clack.

Doroshi and Ren sat in a quiet corner of the train.
Leaning fully against Ren, Doroshi’s head dipped, rising and falling with the carriage’s rhythm.

Exhausted from a full day of fun, Doroshi felt safe with Ren beside her.
Lulled by the train’s hypnotic clatter, she fell asleep.

Ren held their bags in one hand, the other resting lightly on Doroshi’s head.
With a serene smile, she savored this moment of closeness, gazing at the sleeping Doroshi, feeling her light weight.
Her eyes curved gently.

Her pale hand brushed Doroshi’s black hair, tinged with the sunset’s glow.
Ren only wished these peaceful moments with Doroshi could last forever.

“I had so much fun today, Lady Doroshi.”
Resting her head against Doroshi’s, Ren closed her eyes.
Her delicate lashes trembled in the golden light, then stilled.

“Thank you.”