Chapter 111 - Clothing Measurements
Flora and I couldn't leave the bed for a while due to each other's body heat and the comfort of the bed, but we managed to get up by summoning all our willpower.
After putting on the long-sleeved clothes Flora had brought out and eating warm cream stew and bread, Flora and I decided to head to Elgis-san's house for the wedding outfit measurements.
Since the temperature seemed lower than usual today, I decided to wear the poncho I used during my travels over my long sleeves.
Flora was also wearing a blue cape that looked to be of good quality.
"That cape suits you."
"Thank you. It's a favorite that Mother made for me a long time ago."
When Flora, with her refined features, wore the cape, she had a beauty that made one think she might be a young lady from somewhere.
Flora's golden hair, like gold thread, and the blue cape complemented each other perfectly.
"Aldo-san, that poncho suits you too."
"You think so? Mine has some frayed parts because I use it for traveling and such."
It did have hair from a cold-resistant monster woven into it, but the fabric was a bit stiff. Its appearance was also rather plain, and it looked inferior compared to Flora's cape.
"No, that kind of traveler-like coolness is wonderful."
However, Flora said such things in a slightly excited voice.
I didn't quite get it, but apparently, it hit the mark for Flora. I don't really understand, but I'm glad she seems happy.
"Well then, shall we head out?"
"Yes!"
Having both put on our shoes and finished preparations, we opened the front door and stepped outside.
When we did, the cold air rushed in and caressed our skin.
"Whoa, it really is a bit cold today."
"Yes, it was the right choice to wear something over our clothes."
It was a bit chilly, but since I was wearing long sleeves and a poncho, it wasn't a problem.
Without losing to the coldness of the air, Flora and I went outside and locked the door to the house.
Looking at the scenery, the trees were turning yellow.
As autumn deepens from now on, they will surely turn from yellow to red and show us magnificent autumn colors.
"Can we check the state of the fields for a moment?"
"Right. Let's check them."
Before heading to Elgis-san's house, we moved to the fields next to the house.
By the way, in the current fields, green beans are being harvested.
Radishes are planted as soon as they are gone, so a constant amount can be harvested at any time.
Sheil is being harvested.
The green onions are still small, but they can be harvested for now.
And the carrots are almost ready for harvest.
Compared to spring, the fields have become much larger, and the vegetables we're growing have increased.
Feeling somewhat sentimental, I checked the vegetables thoroughly.
"There aren't any vegetables that are withered or diseased."
"Yes, everyone is growing healthily. At this rate, it might be okay to try planting autumn vegetables soon."
"Oh, what kind of autumn vegetables are there?"
"Leaf lettuce, turnips, mini onions, and even arugula and watercress are possible! Leaf lettuce and arugula grow quickly, and if you pick them from the outer leaves, they'll grow back, so you can enjoy harvesting them for a long time!"
When I asked, Flora listed the vegetables that could be grown with a happy expression.
Flora is cute when she becomes talkative about vegetables.
"I see. Then let's plant some new vegetables soon."
"Yes! There should be some seedlings at my parents' house, so I'll have them share some with me later."
Oh, it looks like new companions will be added to the field as early as today.
I'm looking forward to and happy about being able to watch over the growth of new vegetables again.
After Flora and I had a brief discussion about where in the field to plant the seedlings, we began heading toward Elgis-san's house.
As the two of us walked slowly along the path leading to the village square, a gust of wind blew.
Along with it, the leaves that had fallen by the roadside rolled across the ground.
Once the Harvest Festival is over, it will probably be winter in the blink of an eye. It will undoubtedly get colder and colder from here on.
As I was thinking that, my right hand was suddenly enveloped in a soft warmth.
Surprised, I turned my gaze to the side to see Flora, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
"...Because it's a bit cold today."
"That's true."
It's tough when it gets cold, but being able to be by Flora's side like this, winter isn't so bad either.
I thought so while feeling the warmth in my right hand.
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"Measurements! Measurements!"
"He's a young hunter, different from those other boorish men!"
When we arrived at Elgis-san's house, quite lively voices could be heard from inside.
"It's very lively today."
"There are many village women here for the clothing production. When women gather by themselves, it's quite lively."
Certainly, I had the impression that even female adventurers were quiet in groups of about three, but as soon as they increased to five or six, they suddenly became noisy.
Men are noisy whether there's one or two of them, but I wonder what kind of psychology is at work there.
"It's Aldo. I've come to have my clothes measured."
"Welcome, we've been waiting for you."
When I knocked on the door, Fiona-san immediately came out to greet us.
That in itself wasn't particularly strange, but Fiona-san's smile was somehow suspicious. It wasn't her usual watching-over-us smile, but felt like a mischievous grin as if she were teasing someone.
As I was thinking that, I suddenly noticed that the inside of the house had become quiet.
"Huh? I thought it was quite lively until just now?"
"O-Oh, really? It's just your imagination?"
Even though I said that, Fiona-san just smiled brightly without seeming particularly concerned.
Well, it doesn't matter whether it's lively or quiet, so for now, Flora and I changed from our outdoor shoes to indoor shoes.
In the entranceway, several pairs of outdoor shoes that seemed to belong to women other than us were placed.
"I'm sorry, right now there are many women here for the clothing production, so it's a bit cramped with luggage and tools, but please forgive us."
"No, no, you're making them for us on such a tight schedule, so I don't think that at all. Rather, I'm grateful for the cooperation."
"I'm glad. If I tell everyone Aldo-san said that, they'll surely be happy, so please give them a word."
"Understood."
I'm not sure if my words would make them happy, but it's important to convey words of gratitude.
As I was being prompted by Fiona-san to walk down the hallway, I noticed the air was warm.
"Mother, have you already lit the fireplace?"
"Yes, because it's cold today. If you're sewing clothes all the time, your feet get cold."
When it comes to sewing clothes, it's a task where you're sitting all the time, so unlike people who are moving around, you'd probably get cold easily.
Since it had suddenly become chilly, I thought it was much better than letting the body get cold and catching a cold.
When I took off my poncho and entered the living room, there were six women sitting there doing needlework.
On the tables and floor were half-sewn fabrics, things that looked like fitted clothes, and sewing tools, making it look like a small workshop.
"Welcome, Aldo-san."
As I was surprised by the state of the room, they called out to me.
I felt a bit awkward, as if I had wandered into a space meant only for women.
"Please take my measurements today."
"Yes, we'll measure you perfectly! Every nook and cranny!"
When I bowed my head, the women approached with measuring tapes... but their breathing seemed strangely heavy.
"U-Um, is everyone doing it?"
"""Of course!"""
I didn't think it was necessary to mobilize everyone just to take measurements, but the women stated so clearly.
While I was surprised by their mysterious pushiness, one woman lifted the hem of my shirt.
"My, what amazing abs!"
"Whoa, they're ripped! This is more than I imagined!"
"It's completely different from my husband's sagging belly."
"...It's nice."
"W-Wait a minute!"
As soon as they saw my abs, the women started touching them one after another.
It's not like they'll wear out from being touched, but being touched by a crowd of women is startling and ticklish.
It would be easy to push away slender women with my strength, but there's no way I could do that to the women who are making our clothes.
I could only raise my voice to stop them, but it was drowned out by the women's high-pitched voices and vanished in vain.
"Ah, um! P-Please don't touch my Aldo-san's body as you please!"
While I was troubled about what to do, Flora raised her voice loudly.<
With that, the movements of the women touching my body stopped all at once, and they turned to look at Flora.
As I watched to see what would happen, the women looked at Flora and grinned as if they had found a new prey. Then they crowded around Flora one after another.
"'My Aldo-san,' she says. Flora-chan, so cute!"
"You didn't like other women touching your husband's body!"
"U-Ugh, because Aldo-san is, m-my husband..."
"Kyaa! Turning all red, how fresh! I had a time like that too!"
Being told that by the women, Flora's face turned bright red.
She tried to say something, but there was no way she could win against opponents who had accumulated so much life experience.
"She was a shy and quiet child, but I'm glad she's become able to say what she wants to say properly."
As I watched with a wry smile, Fiona-san said that with a soft smile.
Certainly, Flora was like that in the beginning.
But after meeting me and spending time with Toak, Aishi, and Kurune, she became able to state her own opinions without being intimidated.
"This is also thanks to Aldo-san."
"Even if you flatter me like that, the fact that you were casually touching my body won't disappear, you know?"
While I was being swarmed and touched by the women, I had confirmed that Fiona-san was also casually mixed in among them.
"Oh, I've been found out? But I'm your mother-in-law, so it's fine."
Even though I gave her a flat stare, Fiona-san dodged it playfully.
The novel for Volume 6 of the 'I Want to Live a Slow Life in the Countryside After Being Reincarnated ~What a Wonderful Kagura!~' series is now on sale! Since it's a slow-life story, I'd be happy if you could pick that one up as well. Thank you very much.