KENSHI
Ever since we started this journey, strange, weird, and unexpected things were happening here and there. First was Tanshiro, followed by the whole save-my-village scam, and then Uncle Avidius joining us to do our shopping.
"You don't have to come along with us, Uncle Avidius. As a busy man as yourself, there are more important things to do than wasting your time shopping for clothes, which I know you already have a lot of in your closet," I said, only to receive a smile from the old man.
"You're not wrong about my collection of clothing in my closet, but yes, I am sure. And you're not right that I'm a busy man. I wouldn't have thought of joining you now if I was indeed busy. That's why we hire people to do our job for us," he explained, and he did have a point.
"But still, I couldn't find the reason why you have to accompany us."
"Kenshi, I know you know this well—that there are things that don't need an explanation. You just have to let it happen and go along with it. But for the sake of that curious mind of yours, then I'll answer your question," Uncle Avidius gazed through the window of the carriage, watching the scene pass by. "Just think of this as a way of resetting myself. You witnessed how close your father and I were, didn't you? So, when I found out about his passing, I felt like I lost a brother. I mean, I did see him as my brother—not in blood, but the feeling was so painful that I wept for days inside my room. My assistant and butlers were getting worried because I stopped meeting them. I didn't even step out of my room. I was so devastated that I thought the world stopped spinning.
"Then all of you arrived in my hotel one day, and hearing your name seemed to turn on a switch inside me. I was reminded that he was never gone. As long as his legacy remains, he will forever be remembered. To make it short, this is my first time going out here since the death of your father. You, Kenshi, gave me a second chance to live my life."
Normally, I would feel heartwarmed and maybe a little bit of pity for what Uncle Avidius had gone through after my father's death. But instead, I was surprised by his statement.
I didn't know Uncle Avidius would feel such intense emotions about Father's death. If I saw them as close friends before, then I might have seen them wrong. They were more than just close friends.
They forged a bond stronger than the closest of friends could forge. They established a connection far deeper and more profound that only death could shake them. And when Father died, the foundation of their friendship almost fell into ruins but then... I came—holding the pillar that Father once carried.
When Uncle Avidius realized that the air was starting to smell awkwardly, he began talking with the two girls, asking them about their preferred style or design of their dress.
At first, the two were shy to say something about it, but with Uncle Avidius's outgoing attitude, the two felt at ease. They began speaking of their preferences until the carriage stopped.
When we stepped out, we were immediately greeted by the luxury of the shop before us. It screamed class and sophistication that those who were not nobles or wealthy would undoubtedly never dare to enter.
"Uhmm... are there no other places?" Shino asked worriedly.
"I agree. I am intimidated just by looking at it," Kana confessed.
"Are there really no other places, Uncle Avidius?" I asked the old man who had just come back after talking to someone.
"There are, but this place is the best of them all. The owner once designed and tailored a few garments for His Majesty and his family of the Thorn Kingdom, and they commended it! A high praise one could get in their life!"
"Well, that explains the lavishness of this place," Shino commented.
"But we don't have enough money to buy even the cheapest dress in here, Uncle Avidius," Kana honestly said.
The old man only beamed a smile.
"Another reason why I decided to join you is to let you take advantage of this old man. Don't worry about money because as long as you're with me, the only money that's coming out is from my pockets."
It was Shino who protested first. "Oh no, Uncle Avidius, we can't do that!"
"Yes, Uncle Avidius. That would be like asking a stranger to buy us a new house!"
"If it's a house that you want, I could also buy you one," Uncle Avidius teased before chuckling so hard. "But I'm serious though. Just think of this as my way of thanking you for coming. If you hadn't arrived, who knows how long I would have locked myself up in my room."
"If there's someone you should be thankful for, it's Kenshi, and not us."
"I beg to disagree," Uncle Avidius corrected. He placed his left hand on my right shoulder before continuing to speak, "When Kenshi was exiled, I prayed that he would find some true friends. It seems like God answered my prayer. So, I'm grateful for you two as well for being Kenshi's friends."
Hearing those words kind of embarrassed me, warming my cheeks. I instantly hid my face away from their gazes before they noticed it and teased me about it.
It took Shino and Kana a while to finally accept Uncle Avidius's offer, and upon receiving the go signal from the two ladies, Uncle Avidius led us into the shop.
Just as we expected, the inside was much more elegant and lavish. The entire interior was illuminated by pristine and expensive lighting. At the center, screwed into the ceiling, was a giant chandelier, sparkling every now and then as its diamond ornaments bent light.
The air was filled with a soothing and calming aroma that resembled a vast meadow blanketed with multitudes of fragrant flowers.
Even for a noble like me, this level of sophistication was something that our family couldn't afford.
"Enjoying the view?" a woman's voice asked, halting the three of us from appreciating the shop's interior design. One could tell this woman was an employee of this shop because of her clothing, which was a little bit similar to the others.
"This is Miss Sonaia, the fashion consultant of this shop. She's also the wife of the owner."
"Avidius mentioned that you three came from Thorn Kingdom? It's been a while since we visited that place. I heard it was attacked recently; how are things over there?"
"The city is recovering well. When we left, almost all of the damages were taken care of."
"That's nice to hear. Maybe I'll tell my husband to visit. Aside from that, Avidius also mentioned you're going to the theater to watch the new film?"
I bobbed my head up and down.
"And it was pretty obvious given that you came here in search of clothes to wear, am I right?" For the second time, we nodded. "Well, you came to the right place, and you brought the right person," she added while batting an eye at Uncle Avidius. Uncle reacted with a smile.
Miss Sonaia briefly explained to us how clothing should resonate with the wearer. That was why her job was important—because one could not just pick certain clothing without even thinking about it. In short, she believed that fashion was a religion, and that the clothing are the offerings, our body the temple, and our soul the deity. To please the deity, an appropriate offering must be presented.
Miss Sonaia started interrogating the two to know their preferences and personality, while Uncle Avidius and I directly went to the men's clothing section to look for clothes that would please my eye.
Unlike women, we men confined ourselves to limited options for our fashion styles—so limited that two or more people could wear the same style at the same time. But we thought not so much about it. In fact, we would even celebrate if we found others wearing the same as ours. A behavior only men could understand.
It didn't take long for Uncle and me to pick a suit and tie, so while the ladies were busy figuring out the best dress to wear, Uncle and I decided to grab some food to snack on. Uncle Avidius suspected that it would take hours, and as someone who had a sister, I could say the same.
It was around five in the afternoon when the shopping finally concluded. Shino bought a light blue gown, while Kana picked the shade of pink. I could see their exhaustion on the ride back to the hotel. I was even kind of worried if they still had enough energy to watch the film. But I could tell they'd enjoyed it.
And not just them—but someone else as well.