A New Star in the Starry Sky

5. Thin

Chiori came closer to Cale without a word.

Cale started feeling nervous, unsure what she'll do.

Her eyes were locked onto him, looking Cale up and down. She pulled out her fan, using it to move around things for a better view.

Cale looked obviously uncomfortable with her antics.

"Why don't you let my friend have some room to breathe?" Keaya spoke up, noticing Cale becoming uncomfortable.

Chiori finally snapped out of her daydream, "I apologize for my rude behavior." She backed up a few steps. "Ahem.. would you like for me to tailor you a few clothes..?" Her face remained sharp.

"Ohh, so that's what he was doing." Paimon realized.

"I thought you said you were busy and full?" Keaya fired back.

Chiori seemed unfazed. "Your dear friend has sparked a new inspiration on me, it'll be a waste to lose such a precious gift." She looked back at Cale, "so, what do you say? Don't worry about the cost, I'll cover it."

"..." Cale didn't know how this all somehow unfolded, but he didn't really care. "Alright."

"Alright, come with me." She signaled  Cale to come with her.

"Are we allowed to come as well?" Paimon asked. "Paimon wants to see an idol at work!" Her eyes sparkled.

"Don't interfere with my work." Chiori responded.

"I guess that's a yes." Traveler concluded.

She brought Cale, and the others, to the back where she worked.

"Huh?"

The four, excluding Chiori, paused as they stepped foot into the room.

"What're you doing here?" Keaya asked Diluc.

Diluc looked up from the book in his hand, he was sitting down on a sofa in the middle of the room. He didn't even answer him and just continued with his book.

"He was here to get his clothes tailored before you interrupted." Chiori explained. "Don't mind him."

"Is he.. just going to stay here with us...?" Cale asked.

Chiori stopped and thought for a second. Her face darkened with a thought.

'Is she angry? She looks mad...' Cale thought, not wanting to face the wrath of a pissed person again.

Her face returned to normal the second later, with her eyes sparkling with inspiration. "Yes, he will stay."

The group was taken aback.

"Why?" Keaya asked.

"This time, I'll design a couple's outfit." Chiori spoke boldly.

Everyone else in the room froze on the spot.

"What?!" Paimon yelled out in shock.

"What're you talking about, Chiori?" Traveler shakily asked. "They're not together.."

Cale stood there in disbelief.

Chiori stayed unshakable, "they look good together, and a good-looking pair always attracts the wandering eyes. When modeling, it doesn't matter whether they are a couple or not."

"Ohhh, you meant modeling." Paimon calmed down, "for a second, Paimon's heart almost dropped! Paimon thought Cale and Diluc were together!"

"Come here, Cale. I'll be taking your measurements." Chiori instructed him. "Don't worry, I'll also make you your outfit you requested."

Cale walked up to her, stretching his arms outward.

"Oh? It seems like you've done this before." Chiori smiled.

Chiori took his measurements.

"..." Chiori looked at her clipboard. "You're really skinny, Cale. Are you eating enough?" She asked. A bit worried.

They all looked towards him.

He was really skinny, even by a glance, and pale as well.

Cale furrowed his brows a bit. "I'm fine." He said. He was kinda annoyed, everyone says that to him and he didn't know why, he was always fed well from Ron and Raon.

"Now that I think about it, you didn't really eat much when we offered you food." Paimon spoke. "If it was Paimon, Paimon would've eaten everything!"

"You should start eating more, Cale. It'll be hard if you're so thin." Keaya said.

'Hard for what?' Cale wondered.

Diluc walked closer to Cale, "you can come visit the tavern anytime, I'll provide food for you."

"Wowww, free food!" Paimon drooled. "Hey, invite us too if you're planning to go!"

Traveler stopped Paimon, "if you went with Cale, you'll leave nothing left for him."

"Hey!" Paimon pouted. "Paimon knows how to share!"

Traveler chuckled lively.

"You can chat outside my workplace." Chiori pushed them outside.

"The offer is still on the table." Diluc informed Cale.

Cale nodded. 'Free food I guess.'