Chapter 49: You Don’t Want to Stay in a Vacuum Forever, Right?

“Vmm…”

The moment she realized what she had just said, Yuuri’s mind went completely blank.

She… what did she just blurt out?

Even though it sounded normal enough, as soon as she came to her senses, a flood of embarrassment nearly drove her mad.

Clutching the dress in her hands, she desperately began pulling it over herself, as if doing so could somehow cover up the shame threatening to explode inside.

In front of her, the corner of Little Heretic God’s mouth curled up ever so slightly, and she clapped her hands a few times.

“That’s right! Since it’s Yuuri-chan’s first time being a girl, of course I’ll teach you properly—so Yuuri-chan can become a real girl.”

If it were before, Yuuri would have either retorted or just ignored her. But now, all she could do was frantically wrestle with the dress, making an even bigger mess, failing to put it on after all her efforts.

Iris’s gaze, too, went from amusement at first, to silence, and finally to the point where she couldn’t bear to watch any longer.

“Yuuri-chan, are you an idiot? That’s not how you put on a dress! Stop pulling, if you keep tugging you’ll tear it!”

“Ah? Ah?”

Yuuri, whose brain had crashed, finally stopped what she was doing and looked blankly down at the dress on her body. Hmm… Iris was right; if she kept going, she really might ruin this poor dress.

“Listen to me—first, gently take the dress off… then…”

Following her instructions, Yuuri finally managed to put on the light, airy dress properly.

Just as she’d imagined at first, the dress did feel nice to wear—much softer and more comfortable than the rough clothes she’d left on the floor. The hem brushed lightly against her thighs, bringing an entirely new sensation.

She couldn’t say she disliked it, nor that she liked it; rather, it felt novel. At least, the old her never would’ve experienced this.

Dressed at last, Yuuri clutched the hem of her skirt tightly and carefully pushed aside the changing room’s curtain, stepping out with utmost caution.

She hadn’t noticed it inside, but once outside, she felt a cool breeze below—probably because she was still in a vacuum down there, right?

Ugh… just realizing how boldly she’d come out made her cheeks flush all over again.

Even when facing Abyssal Monsters, she’d never been so flustered. Yet now, standing in this little dress, she had no idea what to do with herself.

“That dress really suits you, customer.”

“Uwah!”

The sudden voice startled Yuuri so much she nearly dashed back into the changing room.

“Are you alright, miss?”

“I—I’m fine.”

Deep breaths, deep breaths. Yuuri… you’re a girl now. Girls wear dresses all the time, so you have to act normal, too.

She silently chanted this over and over until she finally calmed down. Then, the shop attendant led her in front of a full-length mirror.

“Now, miss, you can see how it looks on you.”

Staring at her reflection, Yuuri froze on the spot.

Was that… really her?

The pale blue dress perfectly outlined her slim waist and youthful curves. The soft color made her already fair skin appear almost translucent. Beneath the skirt, her long, slender legs were bare, their lines smooth and dazzlingly white.

The girl in the mirror radiated an unpolished, shy, and captivating beauty.

And what shocked her most was that this beautiful girl… was actually herself?

But in no time, the gray-blue eyes in the mirror started to swirl.

Like she’d been burned, she quickly dropped her head, the blush that had just faded from her face rushing back until it felt like it might drip from her cheeks.

Ugh…

“Hey~ Yuuri-chan, what do you think?”

She had to admit, this body really did suit the dress. She just couldn’t get used to it all at once.

Maybe one day she’d naturally put on all kinds of dresses without a second thought. But before that, there’d be an awkward adjustment period—how long, who knew.

Yet when she imagined herself completely used to it, she couldn’t help feeling like something inside was quietly slipping away.

Lost in thought, Iris’s voice came again by her ear.

“Yuuri-chan, as much as it suits you, you don’t need to keep staring.”

“I—I wasn’t staring.”

“Alright then, come with me over here.”

Unthinkingly following behind Iris, Yuuri gripped the hem of her skirt, feeling anything but at ease.

That light skirt seemed like a mere breeze would lift it, exposing her vacuum state beneath. All she could do was hold tight to the fabric, lest she suddenly flash someone.

So it was that Yuuri followed Iris into the underwear section.

The endless rows of undergarments in every style made Yuuri’s head spin.

Weren’t they just worn inside? As long as they were comfortable, who cared—why were there so many lace trims, bows, and even see-through designs?

Just imagining herself wearing some of those bold, revealing pieces made Yuuri want to flee on the spot.

“Yuuri-chan, you don’t want to stay in a vacuum forever, do you?”

She had just taken a step to run when Iris’s words froze her in place.

Uuuu…

At that moment, the shop attendant seemed to notice her predicament and approached with a warm smile.

“Miss, do you need any help?”

“I… want…”

She mumbled, unable to say a word, and could only point weakly at the underwear on the shelf.

Such innocence—this must be her first time, the attendant thought, smiling knowingly.

“Alright then, may I ask your size, miss?”

There are sizes too?

She… she didn’t know!

Yuuri looked ready to cry as the attendant measured her with a soft tape. Then, at her strong insistence, she vetoed every one of Iris’s more daring suggestions.

In the end, clutching several plain light-colored undergarments and a few pairs of panties with little bows, Yuuri scurried into the changing room like she was escaping.

Watching Yuuri’s flustered state, Iris couldn’t help laughing.

Compared to her usual icy demeanor, it was surprising to see such a girlish side of Yuuri.

This must be what people call “gap moe.”

But if you wanted to see this side of her, it would have to be now—once she got used to everything, this bashful scene would probably disappear forever.

Oh, right. Imagining Yuuri now struggling with bra hooks, Iris hurried back into the changing room.

Sure enough, Yuuri was straining to fasten the hook behind her back, failing again and again.

“If you can’t hook it, just turn it around, hook it in front, and then spin it back, okay?”

Following Iris’s instructions, Yuuri finally managed to put on the underwear. The instant the soft cotton fabric fit snugly against her skin, she felt as if she’d lost something.

But honestly, for her, wearing underwear really was more comfortable than not wearing any. Once she got used to it, there’d be no going back…

Alright, with underwear on and the dress tried, it was about time to leave and get some food.

She was just about to push aside the curtain and head out when Iris, seeing right through her, curled her lips and whispered like a devil.

“Yuuri-chan, you don’t think it’s over already, do you?”

There’s more?

So, for some time afterward, Yuuri was treated like a dress-up doll, made to try on who knows how many different styles of little dresses. Not until her eyes had lost their sparkle and her body had gone numb did Iris finally nod in satisfaction.

“Mm… let’s take this set, and these few as well. Yuuri-chan, you can go pay now.”

Is it finally over?