This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [97]
"Does that mean you agree, Miss Kujou?"
Luo Qing's eyes sparkled with excitement as he rubbed his hands together. "How about we go to Ogura Textiles right now to discuss the details?"
"..."
"There's no need. I'll handle it myself," Kujou Sara replied, trying to remain composed. "Luo Qing, you should focus on teaching the sword techniques."
Watching Luo Qing's enthusiasm, Kujou Sara couldn't understand why the Shogun tolerated him so much—even overlooking his trespassing into Tenshukaku.
"No, no, the essence of workout clothes can't be conveyed with just a few words. I have to go with you, Miss Kujou," Luo Qing insisted.
"And what about things here? Aren't you going to oversee your students, Mr. Luo Qing?"
"Ah, don't worry about it. It's all part of my grand plan."
Luo Qing waved dismissively and led Kujou Sara out of Tenshukaku, heading for Hanamizaka.
As they walked away, the young swordsmen left behind at the training grounds continued practicing the odd group dance with Teresa leading them. Confusion clouded their thoughts.
These were some of Inazuma's most talented swordsmen, yet here they were, dancing to this bizarre music.
Could it be that this guy had no intention of teaching them real sword techniques and was just messing with them?
...
Meanwhile, Luo Qing had only two goals in mind: to draw the revival armor from the gacha and to see Kamisato Ayaka in workout clothes!
Ignoring the cold expression on Kujou Sara's face, Luo Qing led her to the entrance of Ogura Textiles.
Due to the Sakoku Decree, Ogura's sources of fabric had dwindled, leading to a drop in customers.
When the owner, Miss Ogura, saw a stranger entering with the Kujou Clan's eldest daughter, she rushed out with a respectful bow.
"Miss Kujou, how can I assist you today?"
"Ask him. I'm just here to accompany him," Kujou Sara replied, nodding toward Luo Qing before stepping aside.
She had little interest in fashion, and her role here was only to cover the expenses.
"And what may I call you, sir?" Miss Ogura asked, directing her attention to Luo Qing.
"Luo Qing will do."
While answering, Luo Qing took a look around at the shop's various clothes and fabrics.
"I heard you can do custom orders here?"
"Yes! What kind of outfit do you have in mind, Mr. Luo Qing?"
"Hmm..."
Luo Qing thought for a moment. It was difficult to describe the essence of workout clothes with words alone. So he asked Miss Ogura, "Do you have a pen and some paper? I'll draw it for you."
"Certainly, one moment."
Miss Ogura quickly fetched some design paper and a pen from the counter, handing them to Luo Qing.
Taking a seat, Luo Qing began to sketch, relying on his memory to capture the image he had in mind. Thanks to his previous experience in intelligence work, drawing was a necessary skill, and soon enough, he completed his sketch.
Miss Ogura took the sketch, and her eyes widened.
On the paper, a girl with neat bangs was dressed in sky-blue, form-fitting shorts, revealing her pale thighs. Her tight white top clung to her figure, accentuating her curves, with a small navel peeking out from beneath the fabric.
Huh...
Miss Ogura's face flushed slightly.
She thought to herself that Mr. Luo Qing's taste in clothing was... unique.
"This is just the design for the girls. The fabric should be breathable and absorb sweat. Do you think you can make it?" Luo Qing asked calmly.
"Y-Yes, that's not a problem!" Miss Ogura stammered, then asked, "When do you need them ready by, Mr. Luo Qing?"
"No rush, I haven't even drawn the boys' design yet."
Luo Qing waved his hand and quickly sketched a more casual and less detailed version of workout clothes for the boys.
He wasn't interested in how they looked, so the design was relatively simple.
"By the way, Miss Kujou, how many students do we have in total?" Luo Qing inquired.
"Fourteen girls, twenty-six boys," Kujou Sara answered without hesitation.
"Alright, fourteen sets for the girls and twenty-six for the boys. Miss Ogura, how soon can you have them ready?"
"F-Forty outfits...?" Miss Ogura's voice faltered. She had never received such a large order before.
"Although it's not a huge quantity, forty outfits will still take time... It might take about two weeks?"
Luo Qing shook his head. "That's too long. Can you do it in a week?"
"Well..."
Miss Ogura glanced at the design of the revealing outfit for the girls, thinking of the rent she still hadn't paid this month. Steeling herself, she said, "I... I can manage! But if you want it expedited, Mr. Luo Qing, it will cost extra!"
"Money isn't an issue. We'll come back to pick them up in a week, then?"
"Yes... Yes!" Miss Ogura agreed, feeling a sense of determination.
Completing forty outfits in a week might just cause her sewing machine to overheat, but she had no choice. It was the only way to keep her shop running.
...
After discussing a few more details with Miss Ogura, Kujou Sara paid the deposit, and the two made their way back to the Tenryou Commission.
By the time they returned, it was nearly noon.
After spending an entire morning training, the forty young students had fully mastered the choreography of the group dance. They no longer needed Teresa to lead them—just playing the music was enough for them to follow along.
Since Luo Qing hadn't told them to stop, they assumed they had to keep dancing.
And so, for the entire morning, Teresa watched the group repeat the strange dance again and again.
As she observed these confused yet diligent young swordsmen, Teresa couldn't help but remember her own days of training under Luo Qing's guidance.
They were so innocent back then...
Seeing Luo Qing and Kujou Sara return, Teresa waved her hand to signal a break.
"How's the training going?" Luo Qing asked as he approached.
"Reporting to Mr. Luo Qing, they've all learned it! They can now complete the dance without my guidance!" Teresa replied enthusiastically, her expression eager to be praised.
"Very good."
Luo Qing nodded approvingly and turned his gaze to the students.
Most of them looked lost, clearly wondering what the purpose of all this was.
They had come to learn swordsmanship, not how to dance.
Then his gaze landed on Kamisato Ayaka.
Sweat glistened on her delicate face, her cheeks flushed a rosy pink, and her chest rose and fell as she caught her breath.
When Ayaka noticed Luo Qing's gaze, she didn't look away. Instead, she met his eyes and smiled.
For some reason, she found that she enjoyed dancing with everyone.
Maybe, when she got back, she could teach it to her brother and Thoma. They could dance together.
Yes, and maybe she could also invite her friends from the Yashiro Commission's End to join in.
---
T/N: ...good for you Ayaka.
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