New Dynamics

She slightly bowed her head, her silver hair dangling over her like a curtain.

Seeing her standing there, June now took the time to inspect her outfit.

Jess was wearing a fitting black sleeved shirt with a high collar that had an out-cut design to it, slightly revealing her pale skin and cleavage through the top half of the see-through fabric.

Her shirt was tucked into a fashionable pair of jade-black pants supported by a belt with a gleaming silver surface. Her pants were also rolled up towards her ankles, revealing her feet, which were supported by some chunky low-heeled sandals.

Besides that, Jess had an earring resembling a cross of sorts dangling from one side of her ear.

All in all, she wore a respectable attire that seemed simple yet expensive. Perhaps she fell under the same line of work as Winston, who still wore his dashing black suit under such informal circumstances.

"... My name is Jessie, nice to meet you."

She held out her hand, extending it towards June.

'Jessie… I guess Jess is just what Winston calls her.'

Without hesitation, June reached his own hand out and shook hers.

'Soft…' He couldn't help but think to himself. 

It was as if he was touching the skin of a gentle cloud. To be honest, despite her odd personality, Jessie was quite beautiful as well.

"So, June, I was thinking… perhaps we could go into the city. There's this cafe spot I'd like to take you to."

Winston suddenly asked, drying his hands with a small towel as he approached them.

"They also serve breakfast, it's usually where I get mine in the mornings."

Winston took off his coat and placed it on his shoulder, now standing next to Jessie.

Both of them waited for a reply from June who stood thinking, wondering if it was okay with him.

He didn't exactly mind going into the city… but… there was quite a lot he had going on.

He took a look at himself.

Not only was he still wearing the same clothes he went through the Awakening Trial with, but he also reeked of an unpleasant fragrance.

Specifically, the inside of a Great Serpent's horrid belly.

The stench was something he ignored alongside the pain that the bottom of his feet ached under, but now that he actually became conscious of it… well, it was quite unsavory.

If he lifted his feet right now, the underside would likely be marred with dirt and dried up blood from his torn skin.

"You truly are aloof when it comes to the simple things, Winny…"

Jessie suddenly spoke, shaking her head in disappointment.

It looked like she had already picked up on why June was so reluctant… 

"How about you boys wait here, and I'll go pick up some clothes for June to wear? I do own my own clothing brand, after all."

Jessie didn't wait for confirmation. Instead, she smiled at June before walking off. As she left, she made sure to close the door behind her.

"... Sorry June. I… completely forgot, I guess."

Winston awkwardly rubbed the back of his head, his gaze glued to the ground.

June didn't mind that Winston hadn't noticed his roughed up state. He didn't expect him to.

Him providing June with a place to stay was more than enough… the rest, well, June just expected to worry about himself.

In the past, he was typically required to worry about the majority of everything else.

The roof over him that had been provided was always the bare minimum — the least someone could do for him to allow him a moment of respite.

The other things were not their problem, though. Only his.

Nevertheless, it looked like his current circumstances were going to be drastically different than they usually were when staying with someone.

"No worries."

June responded, waving it off like it was nothing. To him, it really was nothing.

He was grateful to Winston for what he had already provided. That, and the kind words that he had said not too long ago. Although June didn't want to admit it, they meant more to him than anything Winston could possibly offer.

"Alright, well, Jess won't be long. How about you hop in the shower and wait for her to arrive with the clothes."

A shower did sound pleasant right now.

***

It was odd… no, June felt odd seeing himself dressed in such clothes. Using the mirror, he very fervently checked himself out — not in an egoistic or playboyish type of way, of course. 

He was just a bit taken aback, is all.

He wore a beige-colored sweater that was knitted to perfection and loosely fitted over his figure, accompanied by a pair of baggy black trousers. 

As for his shoes… they matched his sweater and were quite comfortable.

She had even brought him a pair of round-framed glasses, but he was quite adamant about not wanting to wear them. 

She refuted his desire by saying something about "fitting in," however June still refused nonetheless.

He already felt ridiculous enough. 

Perhaps his sense of fashion was dull, but he never really understood it in the first place.

For him, it was good enough as long as he wore something comfortable and socially admissible.

Either way, he had to be grateful.

Jessie owned the brand from which the clothing came, so it wasn't a hassle to go get it, nor did it cost a dime.

However, if one did look to buy such clothes… they'd indeed be costly.

As June inspected his clothes further, he also noticed just how much his face had changed. 

Rather, his features. 

After awakening, he not only gained an Element, but his skin had grown softer... as if it was brimming with newfound energy.

As a result, he seemed more radiant — glowing, even, in a way.

"One thing after another…" His life sure was changing quite a bit.

Sighing, he finished up and headed out.

Soon, walking into the living room, he was met with both Winston and Jessie, who scanned him from top to bottom.

Jessie was the first to say something:

"Look at you, quite a dashing young man now. Of course, it's all thanks to the clothes I picked, but you yourself play a small part in it too."

She grinned, holding her chin up high.

Seeing that, Winston and June simply just shook their heads.

With that, they headed out. 

The cafe was likely in one of the three Districts, so June would surely be surrounded by several high-class citizens.

But this time, he was dressed for the occasion, so he wouldn't be ostracized.