An Unexpected Dress Code
We were deep into training when Asherah suddenly lost her balance and went rolling across the ground.
...Ngh?!
She jumped back up, waving away the cloud of sand around her as she quickly reset her stance.
You all right, Asherah?
I-I'm fine! This is nothing!
I just got distracted for a second. Let's keep going, Captain.
I'm not messing up again this time...!
...Are you sure you're okay to continue?
Ahaha! I told you, I'm fine.
All I did was roll around in the dirt a few times.
You really do treat me like I'm fragile, Captain.
I mean, I know it's weird to say myself, but I'm actually—
My outfit...?
A long tear ran down the center of the back of her outfit.
The torn gap revealed her skin, covered in sand.
Aaagh... I must've snagged it on a rock when I fell.
What do I do? If I leave it like this, it'll completely fall apart...
Then maybe we should call it here for today?
No...!
I... still need to get stronger.
I can't slack off just because my outfit got a little torn.
Then let's go see Scarlet first.
Oh, right! Scarlet handles repairs!
If we ask her, she'll be able to patch it up in no time!
Well? Scarlet, this won't take long to mend, right? Right?
Hmmm...
Hmmmmmm...
I have reached a conclusion. I, future Grand Couturier and mighty Dragon, have reached a conclusion...
This can't be mended right away!
Huh?! Why not?
It may look like a simple seam tear, but it's a bit more complicated!
The joint seams are completely ruined. I'll have to patch in new fabric!
Proper repair will take some time, mhmm!
How long will it take?
Maybe by tomorrow morning...?
Uuugh... that's too long!
Then how about borrowing a spare training outfit?
Ah! Yeah, that'll work! I can just borrow one!
Well... that might be difficult today... Probably.
What do you mean...?
Hahaha! Emily caused quite the trouble this morning.
She sent all the spare training outfits over to the laundry!
They're all soaking wet, so you won't be borrowing one today.
Ugh... Why today of all days?!
Scarlet, can't you just stitch it up a little roughly—just for now?
What?! Absolutely not!
Roughly? Just for now? That is an insult to clothing itself!
Then Scarlet... Do you have any spare clothes in your workshop?
Hmm... If it's something in your size... Ah...!
Hahaha! Consider yourself lucky!
Here. This one should fit you perfectly!
I ran into a human earlier while buying fabric earlier...
He sent me a prototype outfit to review, and tt happens to be exactly your size!
Wait, this is...
Hmm? What's wrong with it?
In the Valley of Dragons, there was someone training wearing almost nothing!
He claimed clothing only gets in the way of reaching one's ideal, or something like that...
Loud fellow, that one. Always running around the valley punching boulders.
But no one thought it was strange! What's wrong with showing a little skin?
...R-right.
Besides, it's warm today! Wearing something thin won't make you catch a cold!
Mm... humans can't do that?
Honestly, human rules are such a hassle.
...No. Listening to Scarlet just now made me realize something.
Realize what exactly...?
I say I want to become like the Star Savior, yet I let something like clothes hold me back...
In the storybooks I read—I-I mean, history books...
The Star Savior and his companions fought for three days straight, wearing clothes covered in mud!
But a nice dress is way better than that, right?
I should be ashamed. I can't call myself a future Star Savior with this level of determination!
...
Come on, Captain! Let's continue training!
And so Asherah... completed both regular training and the extra drills, all while wearing a dress.
*Huff...* *Huff...* How was that, Captain? Perfect, right?
If I can handle this, I think I could wipe out enemies in real combat just fine.
Mm! So next up, let's jump straight into a real mission!
Actually, maybe I should wear this for training more often.
It makes my body feel strangely light.
Well, the outfit itself is pretty light.
And the wind slips through the fabric so easily it keeps me cool...
Maybe because there's barely any fabric at all...?!
Anyway, Captain.
Huh? Uh, yes?!
Huh...? What's with you?
You seem lost in thought...
N-no, it's not that...
Look. You still can't look me in the eyes and keep looking somewhere else.
What are you even look—
I desperately tried to look away... but she had already noticed.
Ngh...!
Captain, Ms. Asherah! There you are.
Hehe. I heard you had some trouble because of a damaged outfit.
But there's no need to worry anymore.
I found a box full of spare training uniforms deep in the storage.
They must've been left behind during the last cleanup...
Fortunately, that means I can help you now.
...But both of your faces are quite red. It resembles the symptoms of heatstroke, could it be...
Th-that's not why! I'm fine...!
...Captain. I'll go change.
Y-yeah...
After that day, a strange awkwardness lingered between Asherah and me for a while.