Appraiser 14

Test

Appearance Is The Basis Of Everything

It had been about two weeks since Yuuri leaned on the Scarlet Lynx. In other words, about two weeks passed since Yuuri got transferred to this different world.

During that time, Yuuri somehow managed to fit in with the Scarlet Lynx and the capital city of Draheln. Perhaps it was because he had a carefree and optimistic personality. At least Yuuri was enjoying the lifestyle of preparing three meals a day, cleaning, and doing laundry without any complaints. It was a lifestyle of being a househusband to the fullest, but he was rather pleased.

He frequently went to the market and became familiar with the people there. Not only the market but also the shops. There, while the prices were reasonable, there were plenty of high-quality goods available, and it was more enjoyable to look for ready-made products. It's not about which is better. Yuuri understood the advantages of both sides and gradually became acquainted with both.

Also, he had been taught the common sense of this world by Ali. Since Yuuri was prone to being clueless and making mistakes in various ways, Ali patiently instilled common sense and taught various things about what an appraisal-type holder should do. However, Yuuri was not an adventurer and had no intention of becoming one. He had not been taught much about self-defense techniques yet. He had been told that once he figured out what he was good at, he would be taught.

Also, Yuuri had registered with the Appraisers' Union.

He had no intention of becoming an adventurer, nor did he intend to complete any requests, so he obtained a registration card from the Appraisers' Union as a form of identification for the time being. One would quickly get a guild card from the Adventurer's Guild, but Yuuri gave up on that since the registration would get canceled if he didn't complete a request within the period. Or rather, Ali had stopped him.

After all, Yuuri was a seeker with the super rare skill [God's Eye]. Registering jobs and skills like the guild card required would cause much trouble if done carelessly. Also, since it was impossible to check statuses through appraisal, it would only be troublesome. In that respect, the Appraisers' Union would issue a registration card if appraisal was possible. That was more suitable for Yuuri.

Of course, Yuuri kept his status as an explorer secret. He got introduced as having the skill of appraisal. He registered as an Appraiser for his job. Unlike the Adventurer's Guild, he didn't need to fill in his status, so it was perfect for Yuuri.

So, Yuuri was enjoying life here. He's enjoying it too much. Or rather, he was existing without any discomfort.

"Yuuri, we're going to training, okay?"

"Yeah, be careful. Come back by dinner, okay?"

"I'll be back. I'm in charge of tonight's dinner, after all."

Yak and other apprentice boys ran off with their self-defense weapons in hand. They weren't going to fight monsters. They were going out to build their stamina. Yuuri was asked if he wanted to join them, but he declined because he wasn't interested and didn't think he was suited. Doing things you're not interested in as a human doesn't yield results.

So Yuuri was currently engaged in one of his hobbies, sewing. It felt lonely to have no tablecloth on the dining table. However, making tablecloths was time-consuming, so he made lunch mats instead. After buying fabric, he was sewing patterns with colorful embroidery thread.

By the way, the sewing kit Yuuri was using was the usual one that always stayed in his school bag.

Moreover, this sewing kit, including his school bag, had changed since he came to this world. All of Yuuri's belongings had become magical items. The school bag had transformed into a magic bag of holding, and what used to be a thin ordinary bag had transformed into an item with unlimited capacity, time stoppage, and sorting functions, which was quite variously strange and rare. Yuuri thought transmigrating to another world was scary.

Other tools in the bag had also changed in various unbelievable ways. However, it wasn't that dangerous. It just meant they were cheat items that wouldn't break, diminish, or disappear no matter how much they were used. For example, Yuuri's ballpoint pen wouldn't run out of ink. 

For notebooks, for some reason, the blank pages increased as they were used. Scissors and needles no longer broke. They could cut or pierce anything. It was unbelievable but convenient, so Yuuri decided to use them thankfully as they were. 

However, since there was no electricity in this world, things like smartphones and Walkmans turned into mere lumps of metal due to lack of charge. However, it would be a waste to throw them away, so they were sleeping in the magic bag of holding, which used to be his school bag.

So, even if Yuuri kept sewing endlessly as his hobby, the embroidery thread didn't diminish. It didn't decrease as long as he used the thread he had on hand. However, that was too dull in color, so he was, of course, using commercially available embroidery thread too.

"Conveniently, the thread doesn't diminish, isn't it~"

Yuuri continued to embroider while humming a tune, saying carefree things. By the way, magical items were items of considerable value. This hideout was earning money as adventurers because Ali and the others in charge of guidance were skilled, so magic tools and magical items were scattered around.

But ordinary people couldn't possess such things. Even the magic bag of holding for shopping was an item that would be too enviable for ordinary people. But Yuuri was not aware of that aspect, so he simply appreciated his familiar tools didn't break.

"Yuuri, do you need anything while I'm out?"

"Kuresh? Where are you going?"

"I'm delivering some collected items for a client."

"I see. Any special requests?"

"Got it~"

As he bid farewell to the smiling Kuresh, Yuuri tilted his head. His call of "wait" was reflexive. Kuresh is looking back curiously. Yuuri asked a question.

"Kuresh, do you have a moment?"

"Huh? Oh, I don't have any commitments with clients or anything."

"Well, the button is about to come off, so can I borrow your jacket?"

"Huh? Oh, this should be fine for now. It's still holding up."

"No, it's not."

"Huh?"

Yuuri, who usually had a carefree smile, said firmly with a serious expression. Although his eyes were somewhat obscured by his bangs, Kuresh knew from behind his glasses Yuuri's expression was more serious. So, without protest, Kuresh came over and handed Yuuri his jacket.

The jacket was an ordinary button-up type, but the bottom button was about to come off. There was a little thread sticking out. Yuuri couldn't overlook it. With practiced hands, he cut the thread, removed the button, and carefully sewed it back on.

"Yuuri, you're good with your hands."

"Anyone can sew on a button. It's done. If you're meeting a client, you should pay attention to your appearance, you know?"

".Appearance, huh?"

As Kuresh put on the jacket Yuuri handed him, he made a face as if he had just bitten into a bitter bug. When Yuuri tilted his head curiously, Kuresh just shrugged. Being of the same age, Kuresh felt comfortable around Yuuri. Generally, everyone in the Scarlet Lynx group was overly fond of Yuuri. It probably wasn't because of his ability parameter of 'Infinite Luck'. It was more likely due to the effect of being pampered.

"Kuresh?"

"I don't have money to worry about appearances."

Kuresh muttered, and Yuuri cocked his head. Yuuri had only talked about grooming, not about dressing up. In Yuuri's mind, grooming was different from being stylish. Grooming meant being clean and tidy, not wearing branded items.

But it seemed Kuresh misunderstood that part. So, Yuuri thought he should clarify.

"I didn't say you have to dress up, did I? I just thought, if you're meeting a client, it's better to be as clean and neat as possible."

"...Hmm?"

"For example, if you have a clean, unwrinkled shirt versus one that's wrinkled from wearing it for days, which one looks nicer?"

"...Ah, I see, like that?"

"Yeah, like that. So, having this button securely attached is better than it is about to fall off, right?"

"Got it. Okay, I see. That's your way of thinking."

Perhaps not very familiar with it, Kuresh nodded thoughtfully. Yuuri also took the opportunity to tidy up loose threads on the sleeves and hem. Since Yuuri was skilled at sewing, the task was quickly done. He was aware that his hands moved faster than when he was in Japan, but he thought it was good that the work was done quickly. Truly remarkable.

After that, Kuresh headed to meet the client. While Yuuri continued to embroider as usual.

There's a follow-up to this story.

At Yuuri's suggestion, Kuresh started paying attention to his appearance. He was an adventurer aiming to be a treasure hunter. He wasn't the type to be overly concerned about appearance. However, they thought there was some truth in Yuuri's words, so he made an effort to stay clean and tidy, without spending much money.

As a result, he began receiving favorable evaluations from all the people he interacted with, whether clients or guild staff.

He was still human. He had feelings. Of course, some people focus on inner qualities rather than outward appearance. But it's only natural for people to feel positively towards those who are clean and tidy, even if Kuresh has modest attire. This made communication easier. As a result, his work became smoother.

It didn't matter if his rank was low, if he was young, or if he had little money. Taking care of oneself is something even children can do. He hadn't thought such a simple thing would make his work smoother, so he expressed his gratitude to Yuuri. Of course, Kuresh, who was the first to be taught, was the most enthusiastic.

But Yuuri's response was simply casual.

"Huh? Well, if you and the other person taking care of yourself, wouldn't you feel better?"

When you take care of yourself, you feel better. And when others see you looking neat, they respond positively. It's as simple as that. And it doesn't cost much money. 

To Yuuri, it was just common sense. Yuuri hadn't yet realized that the standards of an average household in modern Japan might seem a bit odd in this world. He was still the same as ever.

However, the adventurers began to adopt the mindset of taking care of themselves. That also slightly improved their image. Yuuri didn't care that he was influencing this change, and nobody mentioned it to him.

Appearance is a fundamental aspect of social life. That's the story.