Chapter 35: Housewarming gift

Noemi, who received a fashion magazine from Rudy, looked puzzled as she opened the magazine and saw a photo of a woman wearing clothes she had never seen before.

At first, she was surprised by the photo, but Noemi, being a former noble and daughter of a duke, was more knowledgeable about fashion than others. Although she initially thought the clothes were strange, she became more and more absorbed, staring intently at the fashion magazine.

“Rudy, are these clothes from outer space?”

After looking at the magazine halfway, Noemi asked Rudy.

“Outer space clothes? There’s a possibility of unnecessary embellishments, so it’s not that. That magazine is from another planet’s fashion magazine. It looks similar to the clothes on this planet, so I showed it to you.”

As Rudy said, this fashion magazine was included in the entertainment data of Nike’s cargo.

“I see, it does seem somewhat similar.”

“So, did you find anything you like…pew, no, I meant clothes?”

Noemi shook her head in response to Rudy’s question.

“I can’t decide right away. It takes time for a woman to choose clothes. I’ll borrow this magazine.”

“The behavior of women choosing clothes has been the same on every planet. I’ll let you borrow the magazine, so take your time to choose.”

“Understood.”

“Well then, I’ll go make dinner. Call me if you’re done.”

Saying that, Rudy stood up from the sofa.

“What kind of dish are you making today?”

“Italian. It’s a housewarming celebration, so.”

“And this Italian dish is something you eat for celebrations?”

“No, not really. It’s just…something I felt like making.”

“I see. I had a feeling you were an easygoing person, but now I’m sure.”

“As long as I’m not bothering anyone else, I don’t care.”

Rudy shrugged his shoulders and headed to the kitchen.

After returning to her room, Noemi silently looked at the fashion magazine but found herself unconsciously sketching designs on paper.

I drew it myself, but it’s such a strange outfit… Noemi frowned as she looked at the black and white design she had created.

The drawing depicted a person wearing a cloak, a white button-down shirt with a tie as an inner layer, and a women’s black business suit on top. For the bottom, they wore a black skirt that matched the business suit, but since the knees were visible, the person was also depicted wearing pants.

It was a new fashion that blended elements of both modern and fantasy.

As Noemi stared at her design, there was a knock on the door.

“Come in.”

“Excuse me.”

As Noemi called out, the door opened, and Solaris entered.

“Dinner will be ready in another 10 minutes.”

“I see, understood.”

“Hmm?”

Solaris, who had lowered their head to leave, noticed the design sketches on the desk and became curious, approaching to take a closer look.

“Don’t look, it’s embarrassing.”

Noemi tried to hide it, but Solaris was faster and took the sketches before she could.

“Don’t worry. Wearing the pajamas you’re currently wearing outside would be more embarrassing in the eyes of society than these design sketches.”

“Pajamas… embarrassing…”

Noemi was shocked by Solaris’ blunt response.

Meanwhile, Solaris observed the design sketches intently.

“What about the colors?”

Noemi snapped out of her shock and started to think.

“Colors… I think a subtle green for the cloak, so it doesn’t stand out in the forest.”

“And the tie?”

“I haven’t decided.”

“Then let’s go with red.”

“Why?”

“I matched it to your hair.”

“I see…”

Indeed, it might be better to limit the color choices.

“Also, business suits are considered unfashionable, so let’s go sleeveless.”

“No, that would be embarrassing if my underarm hair was visible. At least short sleeves.”

Noemi’s objection wasn’t due to laziness. In this world, except for noble women, most people didn’t bother with hair removal due to limited supply of razors.

“…Shave with a razor, please. If you find it bothersome, we can arrange for permanent hair removal. Also, this skirt is unfashionable… Yes, let’s go with a long slit skirt.”

Solaris made modifications to the design sketches, changing the skirt to a slit skirt.

Upon seeing that, Noemi’s eyes widened.

“With that, my thighs will be visible.”

“That’s the intention. By the way, there won’t be any pants underneath the skirt, of course.”

“No way, that’s embarrassing. Besides, if I expose my legs in the forest, they’ll get cut by the grass.”

“If you wear reinforced stockings, it will be fine.”

“Stockings?”

Noemi, who didn’t know what stockings were, tilted her head in confusion.

“Think of them as stretchy socks that make your skin appear smooth.”

“Are such things available?”

“In that case, I’ve scanned this, so I’ll return it to you.”

“Ah…”

Noemi didn’t understand what scanning meant, but before she could stop Solaris, they had already left the room.

“…I’ll drink and forget about it tonight.”

Noemi made a resolution in her heart for her second escape from reality of the day.

When Noemi descended to the first floor, a rich aroma of tomatoes and cheese wafted through the air.

“Mmm, that smells delicious.”

“It’s roasted tomatoes and cheese.”

As she called out towards the kitchen, Rudy began placing the dishes on the table.

The sweet scent of tomatoes came from Margherita pizza. The pizza dough was spread with tomato sauce, topped with mozzarella cheese and basil leaves, and baked in the oven.

In addition to the tomato sauce, there was a piquant aroma coming from the pasta arrabbiata. Chili peppers and garlic were sautéed in olive oil, then tomato sauce was added to create a vibrant red sauce that coated the pasta.

The vegetable dish was Caprese salad. It consisted of thinly sliced tomatoes and mozzarella cheese, seasoned with salt and pepper, and drizzled with olive oil—a simple yet flavorful dish.

For the meat dish, there was Cotoletta alla Milanese, a Milanese-style breaded veal cutlet. The veal was tenderized, seasoned, coated with flour, beaten eggs, and bread crumbs, then fried in olive oil. It was garnished with cherry tomatoes and parsley.

The final dessert was tiramisu. Since there wasn’t enough time to make it from scratch, it was a store-bought one.

As the dishes were placed on the table, Solaris brought wine.

“Today’s wine is a bit expensive.”

“That sounds exciting.”

Rudy held the bottle firmly and with a pop, the wine cork flew off.

“Wow!”

Startled by the flying cork, Noemi exclaimed, and Rudy poured the wine into a glass and handed it to her.

“The wine is sparkling.”

Observing the effervescence in her glass, Rudy asked a question.

“Are you unfamiliar with sparkling wine?”

“I might just be ignorant, but I’ve never seen or heard of it.”

It should be noted that sparkling wine doesn’t exist in this world.

“It’s fizzy and refreshing, and it can make you quite tipsy.”

“Don’t drink too much. Anyway, before we start drinking…”

Interrupting Noemi, Rudy poured wine into another glass and handed it to Solaris.

“Here, this one’s for you.”

“Noemi, I can’t get drunk, and I don’t need to drink.”

“You can’t drink?”

“I don’t need it, but I am capable of consuming food and beverages.”

“Solaris, try to understand human emotions. You’re hopeless.”

Rudy interjected and scolded Solaris, and Noemi tried to calm the situation.

“Well, let’s not argue. Solaris, just for today, join us for the celebration of our new home.”

“…Understood.”

As Solaris held the wine glass, Noemi spoke up.

“That’s right…to our new abode.”

“Better late than never, to the meeting of the three of us.”

“I am not a human.”

Noemi spoke first, followed by Rudy, and then Solaris corrected her.

“You need to read the atmosphere, Noemi.”

“Hahaha. Lastly, Solaris, say something.”

“I don’t understand the necessity of a toast, but congratulations.”

As soon as Solaris finished speaking, the three raised their glasses.

“Cheers!”