Summer Merry's Episode

This adventure... is it even survivable...?

Thinking about something?

Huh...? Merry? What brings you to the beach?

It's summer! I came to brainstorm what kind of items would sell well this season!

...You're such a merchant. Even in this heat, you're thinking about profit.

Hehe. Just staying true to my calling!

Ethan, do you have any ideas? I want something that'll stand out from the other shops, like a blockbuster item!

As if I would. Technology in this world is so backward.

Right now, I just want to do something about these clothes. They're too hot to fight in.

Your clothes?

Yeah. Wearing this stuff in the middle of a sweltering season?

It's stifling. Not just in battle, but even day-to-day life. Back home, summer means swimsuits and water fun… But there's none of that here.

Swimsuits?

Yeah. They fit snugly and let you move easily. How do people even swim in this world?

Well... either they go in naked or just wear their underwear...

Swimsuits are better for movement. They don't get heavy or soggy when wet.

Really? You can wear them in the water without any issues?

A tight-fitting outfit that works even when soaked... Heeeh... That smells like money to me.

And that's not all. Among swimsuits, bikinis are the peak. They're the heart of summer!

Bikinis?

They're designed to flatter the body, cute, stylish, and just looking at them cools you off.

Sigh... A beach this big... and not a single bikini-clad beauty in sight. It's a disaster.

I-Is it really that big a deal?

Hmm... Are bikinis that popular?

Absolutely. No doubt they'd be a hit here too.

Then maybe I'll try making one?

...Wait, you're making a bikini?

Is that... even possible? You'd need fabric, processing techniques... mm...

Remember that floaty leather pouch I made for Morgana? The one that floats on water!

Oh, the tube. That worked because it used air. This is different. Leather doesn't feel right on the skin.

What if I use that slippery solution? The one mixed with slime and lizardman secretions? If I coat the fabric with that...

I can make it happen! No, I have to make it happen!

I-I mean, if you're that serious...

They're monsters we need to hunt anyway. The base is rubber, so I'll look for a rubber tree grove too.

Thank you, Ethan!

I will make the perfect bikini… And I'll show you every single one of them!

R-Right...

I don't know if it'll actually work, but I hope you pull it off. If you finish it, I'll promote it like crazy!

Got it! Hehe. Time to show you what I can do.

I'll make one, and wear it with pride!

Now that's the spirit!

Ethan!

M-Merry!?

It's a bikini! At long last, a bikini has descended upon this world!

You actually made one!

In this hopeless world where I had nothing to live for… finally… sniff...

A-Are you really THAT happy…?

Of course I am!

I feel kinda exposed though... It's so… I feel like I have nothing on...

It doesn't look weird, does it…? I was worried maybe I didn't make it right…

Weird? It's perfect!

You managed to pull this off with just the little advice I gave you... Talking to you really paid off.

R-Really…?

That's a relief. I was just testing it out, but I worried it wouldn't suit me…

What? No way.

Someone as cute as you? Of course it suits you. If you show it off like that, it'll sell like crazy.

R-Really?!

Totally. A bikini plus animal ears? That's ultra-rare-tier cuteness! People will get it the moment they see you.

Hmm… Showing it off directly would be the best advertising... Okay, I'll do it your way, Ethan!

Everyone's going to love it. It looks exactly like the ones I remember from back home.

I'd say anyone could wear it. Your craftsmanship's amazing!

Y-You really think so…?

Hmm… Well… If you say so, Ethan, I guess it's true.

If it's well-made, I'll go ahead and try promoting it like this.

H-Hoo boy, it's hot today...

I-It's more embarrassing than I expected...

And without my tail, I feel weirdly exposed...

Huh? Your tail?

Wait, your tail's gone!?

E-Ethan?!

What happened?! Did it fall off?! Wait, don't tell me it was detachable this whole time?!

Of course not! I just hid it! To wear the bikini and swim properly, I had to do something, it kept getting in the way!

So then...?

I used a magic potion. There's this transformation potion that can hide or alter parts of your body.

There's something that convenient in this world...? That's actually impressive...

No matter how I look at it, it's amazing. I can see your hips, your waistline curves so clearly, your tail always covered it before, so I never...

E-Ethan, you perv!!

...Huh?

W-Wait! I didn't mean...

This kind of incredible item… in a place like this?

Is a witch living here or something?

I don't know the full story either. I just happened to stumble upon it when I was here selling goods.

But one thing's for sure, this potion is really important to the villagers here.

A while back, there was an epidemic in this village.

E-Epidemic?! Is it safe now?

Yes. It's ancient history at this point.

But they say the illness caused the skin to rot away… horribly disfiguring those infected. There was no cure. The entire village suffered.

So the potion…

A mage supposedly created it to help those who wanted to hide the disfigurement.

The recipe's still a closely guarded secret. Originally, it wasn't even allowed to be sold outside the village.

But now, I buy it exclusively and resell it at premium prices! Hehe!

You're such a merchant…

Hey, it's not exactly a mainstream item, okay?

Only a few are made, and I only sell them when I really need some quick cash! To trusted clients only, of course!

But if you've already hidden your tail, why come all the way out here?

The potion doesn't last long.

If I want to stay and play for a while, I'll need more doses. And besides… someone else might need it too.

To sell to others?

I'd like to, but I don't have enough for that. I'll only offer it to people who really need it, like me.

Hmm... It definitely would be handy to have more…

...!

Ethan… you're not planning to stare again, are you?

I told you, it's not like that! Don't just assume I'm some kind of perv!

B-But it was really embarrassing last time…

Anyway, Merry, you said the potion doesn't last long, right?

Hmm? Oh, yeah. The effect only lasts a few dozen minutes at most…

Then wouldn't it be better to increase its duration rather than just stocking up? That way, you wouldn't have to use as much, and you'd save money too.

That would be ideal, but the mage who invented it is long gone.

And potion magic is super tricky, no one else has figured out how it works.

I see…

Too bad. I guess it makes sense it's not well-known, given how rare and limited it is.

It's not easy to study something when you can't mass produce it…

If metal gets stronger by heating and forging it… what do you do with potions?

Hmm… Morgana might…

Wait. If you're thinking of charging it with powerful magical energy, yeah, she's a great candidate.

...Nope. Scratch that.

She'd definitely call it a hassle and bail.

The Grail?

It's a divine relic with serious power. Might be worth a shot.

Maybe… just maybe…

Ethan...?

If this potion runs on magic, the Grail might be able to enhance it. Let's try.

Ethan! It's…!

Looks like it's working.

Ethan!

Hey, Merry. Everything go well?

Yep! The bikinis are going into full production! I've also moved over all the materials you collected!

The transformation potion's getting good feedback too. Now more people can enjoy some fun in the water!

Great to hear. Then I guess it's time...

...to tell the queens of the United Kingdoms!

Wh-What?! You're gonna show royalty... these swimsuits?!

Of course. Royalty are basically celebrities in this world. If they start enjoying it, the trend will spread to everyone else.

And we've got the perfect lineup, amazing queens and princesses galore. There's no better way to promote the charm of bikinis!

Uwaaah... What if we get scolded...?

If anyone acts uptight, I'll explain it myself. Light clothes are better not just for swimming, but even in combat!

Alright... I'm counting on you, Ethan...

Leave it to me!

By the way, when are you opening the beach shop? This heat won't last forever, it's the perfect season right now.

That's something I've been thinking about too. Most general stores are in cities, but I think the main shop should be by the sea...

Makes sense.

Maybe I'll just open it here?

You'll need the right beach. Not just any coastline will do, you need one beautiful enough to draw a crowd.

I'll start by distributing them in the city. Once there's some demand, expanding should be easier.

I'll help. We've made a lot of new friends lately.

If we let a few of them model the swimsuits, word will spread fast. They're all pretty popular, after all.

That's a great idea!

I'll also have to find some sales reps. Having models would really help like you said.

Wait, aren't you the model?

M-Me? I'm way too embarrassed... I can't just walk around like that in public...

Besides, there are others with much better... curves than me. Swimsuits should be worn by people who turn heads, even other girls should be impressed!

Hmm... well, if you feel that strongly about it...

Then... I'll leave it to you, Ethan.

Sure.

Y-You didn't have to go that far...

Come on, Merry. You're the reason swimsuits even made it to this world.

It's time people knew you're more than just a cute little Catfolk!

...Alright. I'll do my best!

I'll turn this place into a beach filled with beautiful girls in bikinis!

W-Wow... that's some serious commitment. It's kind of scary now.

But I guess I'm fired up too! Feels like we're gonna make a lot of money!

That's the spirit, Merry!

You always surprise me, Ethan.

Maybe it's because you're from a world where things like this already exist...

That's not all. There's so much more, stuff way more useful and amazing than this. I wish I could bring it all here.

But I'm not the amazing one, you are. You're the one who makes it happen in this world.

You really are something else.

Hehe... Thanks, Ethan!