"Hm, I'm surprised that you were the one that decided to accept my commission."
You watched as Chiori went back and forth in her shop, picking up different clothing.
"I need the mora."
"Well that's a little blunt. But, I like it when people are honest."
Chiori sets down a pile of clothes on the table in front of you and gives you a serious look.
"That's until they don't appreciate my work. That's when I kick them out of my shop and ban them from ever coming back. Now, try these on."
You couldn't help but shudder under her sharp gaze. You immediately looked down at the table and at the clothes that were neatly laid out.
You got up from your seat, and Chiori guided you to the changing room.
"Make sure you put these on carefully. I don't want to repair any rips."
You nodded, and Chiori closed the door.
Looking at the clothes, you couldn't help but sigh.
They were pretty flashy, but at this point, it didn't really matter.
-
*Click!*
"!!"
Your eyes immediately shut as soon as you exited the changing room.
Being blinded was definitely not on your list...
"Wow, that looks great on you!"
"Charlotte, maybe wait until he's ready?"
Charlotte smiled as she lowered her camera.
"Right!"
"Does anything feel wrong? Is it tight?"
You shook your head.
"No, it's actually comfortable."
Chiori let out a satisfied hum as she sat down in a nearby chair.
"Alright, I'll leave the rest to Charlotte then."
-
It had only been an hour since you had changed your clothes. Charlotte had been taking pictures while Chiori helped you with the posing.
"Maybe you should smile?"
Chiori shook her head.
"I think he should stay like this. Model's smiling in photos is not very common anyway."
Charlotte snapped another picture and laughed a little.
"Yeah, you're right!"
The girl put down her camera and stretched.
"Well, that's it!"
You sighed out in relief. You were already exhausted even though you barely did anything..
"Okay, now it's time to change into the next outfit."
"Huh..?"
Chiori opened a nearby closet, containing a whole bunch of different clothes.
"I never said that we were finished. Now, chop chop."
"..."
So much of your energy was going to go down the drain...
-
"Thank you for completing your daily commissions. Here is your reward..."
Katheryne handed you your pouch of mora. She noted that you looked exhausted, but she knew that commissions aren't necessarily easy.
You were also new, so it was going to take some time getting used to.
It was worth it, though, since Chiori gave you extra mora since you were only supposed to model a few outfits, but you ended up doing all of them.
The adventurer's guild rewards and Chiori's tip currently sat you at 45,000.
You were almost halfway there in the span of only two days.
"Thanks."
You stuffed the mora and your pocket and started walking down the street.
It was dark outside, and rarely anyone roamed the streets.
Hearing the bugs cricketing made you feel at peace. It was strangely comforting.
It's crazy to think that you have been trying on outfits the whole day. Maybe this is a commission Furina would've enjoyed.
"..."
Aether..
He stood at the end of the street as if he were waiting for you. You shuddered.
"Y/n, shouldn't you be resting?"
Aether had a look of disapproval on his face and even had his arms crossed.
You could tell he was upset, probably even more so since you didn't tell him you were in the adventures guild.
You would've told him sooner, but you kind of forgot and never found the right time to.
"I just finished a commission."
Aether sighed and put a hand on your shoulder.
"Let's go home..."
-
"A ring?"
You were currently sitting in Aether's room on a small couch.
Aether currently had his hair down and was drying it with a towel. He just got out of the shower.
"Yes. I need it."
The blonde heard the desperation in your voice and turned to you.
"Well you are halfway, aren't you? I was wondering why I wasn't receiving any hilichurl camp commissions. Who would've known that it was you doing all the work."
Your fingers glided over the bandages that were currently on your neck. The cut will most likely leave a bad scar once it's completely healed.
"I know that you're capable of defending yourself, but please ask for my help next time-"
"I can't."
You stood up from the couch and walked towards the window.
Furina and Paimon were already asleep in their rooms, but you went into Aether's room because you didn't want to risk either of them hearing anything.
"I can't ask for help. I have to do things on my own to get stronger."
You turned to Aether.
"It would be utterly unacceptable if I were to run to someone for help, wouldn't it?"
Aether furrowed his eyebrows.
"Y/n, did you.. Remember something..?"
"..."
You nodded.
"Yes, well... At least I think so."
This caught Aether's attention as he stopped drying his hair and put the towel down.
"What do you mean?"
"It felt like a dream, so I don't really know if it's a memory or something my mind just made up."
You furrowed your eyebrows and clenched your fists.
"It's so frustrating.. I can barely remember what I did a few days ago.."
Aether grew worried when he saw that you were genuinely upset. It was the first time he's seen you like this...
He wouldn't know what he would do if he found himself forgetting his own sister, let alone everything he's done so far.
He would probably go insane..
"Everything is a blank slate! I don't even remember who I am.."
-
"Thank you for completing your daily commissions. Here is your reward."
You thanked Katheryne and walked to a nearby restaurant to count your money.
It had been a few days since you started working at the adventurer's guild and have had that conversation with Aether.
Despite the commissions being tiring, you found yourself getting the hang of things.
There were even a few commissions that you genuinely enjoyed.
Your eyes lit up when you counted 99,999, but you immediately frowned when you realized that you needed one more mora.
Just. One. More.
You sighed as you stared down at the empty pouch.
"How has your work at the adventurer's guild been?"
Clorinde walked over to the table you were sitting at and took a seat in a chair, opposite of you.
"One more mora, and I'll be finished."
A small smile appeared on Clorinde's face as she patted your head.
You didn't understand her motive while doing this, but you just let her do it since you assumed she had a reason to.
The taller woman held out her hand and opened it, revealing one mora.
"Please, take it as a small gift. For you, and Furina."
-
"Thank you for your purchase!"
The shop owner smiled as she handed you the bag, which contained the object you've been working for.
The ring.
You and Clorinde thanked the shop owner and left the shop. All you had to do was give it to her.
Clorinde noticed the way that you carefully had the bag, which contained the small ring box inside.
Carefully and gently.
"Are you proposing?"
"I am."
Clorinde slowed down her pace.
"To propose, you can't just hand her the ring. You have to get on one knee and confess your love for her. You also have to put the ring on her finger to make everything official."
You nodded but regretted doing such an action when you felt a sharp pain shoot through your head.
It was another headache...
-
"Y/n, you're not ready yet?"
"...Huh?"
You looked at Furina confused while she only gave you a worried look.
"What do you mean? Aren't we going somewhere?"
Paimon crossed her arms, looking annoyed.
"You said you'll bring Furina out tomorrow! Tomorrow is today! How could you forget!?"
You put down the mop you were currently holding and tried to recall the events.
Just what was going on..
"I'll... be right back."
You rushed into your room and closed the door behind you.
You didn't remember a single thing that happened yesterday. What was it that you were so stuck on doing today!?
What was it?
What was it??
What was it???
Your eyes wandered around the room until it landed on a small bag on your dresser. You then remembered snippets of what you were supposed to do.
Propose....outing...confess..?
Taking out some clothes out of your closet, you quickly started getting dressed.
Chiori let you keep all the clothes you tried on as a small gift, but it wasn't like you remembered where they came from anyway.
You were really starting to get worried now. Just what was wrong with you??
-
"It's a nice day, and it's also warm outside. We'll be able to do so many activities in this weather!"
Furina skipped along the sidewalk while you followed.
She was really excited.
Seeing her happy state, you couldn't help but smile.
"Yes, I hope the weather stays like this for a while."
You were deep in thought, but you still listened to Furina's rants and stories and responded, even though your mind was full.
You snapped out of your thinking session when a hand suddenly appeared in your plain sight.
It was Furina's hand.
You gently held it, and your fingers intertwined.
You weren't feeling well.
Even though your body was shooting signals into your head, you pushed forward.
Not only that, but Furina also made you feel better. She was like medicine.
Furina looked at you and let out a small laugh. You smiled.
You love her. ♡♡