"Of course, I have your size; in fact, I only have your size here," Ogura Mio said with a smile.
"Only my size?" Shiki was surprised, "Did you prepare this specifically for me?"
"Of course, after all, this outfit, from its color scheme to its design concept, is basically all inspired by you."
"Oh, so you've been planning this for a long time!"
"Don't say that; after all, it's a work I put my heart and soul into designing, and don't you want to show your beautiful side to the person you love?"
Ogura Mio's alluring voice entered her ears, immediately making Shiki think of Ayaka.
'Hmm... myself in front of Ayaka...'
At the thought of that scene, Shiki's heart rate involuntarily sped up, and a slight blush appeared on her cheeks.
Meanwhile, Ogura Mio, standing nearby, widened her eyes; good heavens, she seemed to have discovered something incredible.
She had never seen girl look so pure, but as someone experienced, Ogura Mio knew exactly what that expression meant.
'In Inazuma City, who exactly plucked this high-mountain flower?'
Ogura Mio couldn't figure it out, but she felt she would be busy; she was very curious about who girl's beloved was.
However, she wouldn't spread rumors; she was curious, but she couldn't cause trouble for the other party just because of her curiosity.
"Hey!"
"Ah!"
Ogura Mio's sudden exclamation startled Shiki, who then quickly composed herself, returning to her usual calm expression before softly saying, "What are you doing, suddenly?"
"I saw you thinking so seriously, I couldn't help but call you. By the way, what were you just thinking about?"
"Nothing. How much is this outfit? I'll buy it."
Shiki feigned indifference; she just wanted to get the outfit and leave the place quickly.
Ogura Mio, however, held up three fingers.
"The materials alone use top-grade Liyue Neishang Flower silk, plus it's a private custom order. Three million Mora isn't too much, is it?"
"You call this a private custom order? But it doesn't matter. Since you say it's custom, then we'll follow the rules of a private custom order: you're not allowed to sell this outfit to anyone else," Shiki said.
"Of course, and do you think anyone else besides you could pull it off?"
Ogura Mio was quite free-spirited; she was not just a clothing merchant but also a designer, and her meticulously created work naturally had to be worn by the right person.
"Alright, then please wrap it up for me. I'll have someone send the money over later."
Shiki didn't have that much Mora on her; she would have to have someone retrieve it from the Northland Bank, or prepare a money order for Ogura Mio to cash herself.
However, it was clear she didn't have a money order on her.
Upon hearing this, Ogura Mio directly retrieved a package from the cabinet; the one worn by the model earlier was merely a semi-finished sample, while this was the completed product.
Compared to the sample, this outfit's color scheme had a more ink-wash painting feel, and bells were added to the obijime (Obijime, the cord worn over the obi), so they would jingle softly when walking.
It also came with a matching hair ornament, a white gardenia.
Its meaning was: eternal love.
The flower was, of course, artificial; real flowers wouldn't last long, but with Ogura Mio's craftsmanship, this flower was enough to pass for real.
Below the flower was a small clip, which could be used to tie up hair and secure it at the very back, or simply wear it loosely clipped to the side of the head.
However, Ogura Mio felt that for this type of floral hair ornament, it was better to tie the hair up.
Shiki took the package and couldn't help but ask, "How many sets of these did you make?"
"Just these two sets, one sample and one finished product. The sakoku decree hasn't been lifted, so silk isn't as easy to get as it was a few years ago."
"There are hardly any merchant ships that can enter Inazuma, and among Liyue's, only the armed fleet, The Alcor, can break through the lightning storms to get in."
"Hmm... this sakoku decree is indeed a problem..."
Although she said that, Shiki didn't intend to discuss lifting the sakoku decree with Ei.
For no other reason than that Inazuma currently needed to recuperate.
Once the sakoku decree was lifted, a large number of foreign powers would flood into Inazuma, and at that time, local Inazuman merchant guilds could easily be suppressed.
How could one's own people be suppressed on their own turf? Therefore, the lifting of the sakoku decree must occur after Inazuma has recovered.
"This sakoku decree won't be lifted anytime soon, but I can assure you it will be lifted, just not now."
"As for the specific reasons, I cannot say, and don't overthink it; just wait for the notification."
After speaking, Shiki left Ogura Shop with the package; telling Ogura Mio that the sakoku decree would be lifted was already doing her a great favor.
The other party could use this information to prepare funds in advance; one must know that the Raiden Shogun is immortal, and the period of sakoku is endless, so basically, everyone believed that the sakoku decree would continue indefinitely.
However, this news could not be widely publicized; there was still some time until the lifting of the decree as Shiki envisioned it. If all Inazuman merchants started hoarding goods and money, wouldn't Inazuma's economy cease to function?
Shiki walked towards the Meikyo Shisui-ryu dojo with the package, intending to have a good talk with Domon later and make him stop thinking about Tsubame Gaeshi.
"Nirishiki?"
Nanako was startled upon seeing her arrival, then quickly called Domon out from the dojo.
"Heya ya, Ryougi Sempai, you've finally arrived!" Domon laughed heartily as he walked out of the dojo. After regaining his Vision, that crazed look never appeared on him again.
"Don't call me Sempai, am I that old?" Shiki was a bit speechless; she was only nineteen, for goodness sake?
"Eh, how can that be? In the way of the sword, the accomplished come first; it has nothing to do with age. Since your skill is superior to mine, then you are worthy of being called Sempai!"
"Sigh... whatever you say." Shiki rubbed her temples; it was truly unbelievable.
"Hahaha, let's go inside and talk. Nanako, get that packet of tea from the bottom shelf of my cabinet and brew it!"
Domon waved his hand, directly bringing out his cherished tea leaves that he had collected for many years; these were bought from Liyue before the sakoku decree was even issued.
The two sat down, not kneeling, of course; after all, if there were chairs, why sit on the floor? That was how things were done in Inazuma before chairs existed; now that there were chairs, who still knelt?
It was only done symbolically in ceremonial settings; in everyday situations, sitting on a chair was more comfortable.
"Traveler told me your condition wasn't very good, but you seem quite well now."
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