That evening.
Returning home, I sighed as I spread the items I had purchased today on the floor.
"I messed up. Got my salary and spent around 50,000 yen in just one day."
On the floor lay materials for making costumes for figures, accessories to adorn the clothes, and a set of summer-limited figures of heroines from the deserted streets.
I purchased three limited edition figures, and why didn't the price even reach 50,000 yen?
It's because they are pre-painted models.
Unpainted figures are relatively cheaper since they lack the color.
While working on painting a damaged figure from last time, I felt like I stepped into a new world.
Originally, I went to Akihabara to buy a limited figure of Nanase, but upon closer inspection, even among the painted ones, there were parts that felt lacking.
"I think I can add more detail there if it were me..."
With that thought in mind, while browsing the store, I came across these unpainted figures.
Rather than buying finished products, I found joy in creating each one with affection, and I ended up buying all three limited edition figures of heroines.
"Even though my living expenses will be tight this month, no regrets."
First, I took out my sketchbook and walked through the streets of Ginza in the morning, searching for a suitable kimono design for Miyuki.
"Looks like this is the best."
A while later, after selecting a subject, I began cutting the cheap fabric I had purchased for the work.
I couldn't afford to waste expensive fabric, so this was one of the devised methods.
"Let's practice with this first, and challenge the silk at the very end."
Days passed again.
"Wow... it's perfect!"
Miyuki, displayed on the desk exactly as I imagined, exuded a graceful figure.
"It's dangerous. I made it, but it's so well made!"
Come to think of it, the silk fabric I made for Miyuki is much more expensive than the piece of cloth I'm currently wearing.
Miyuki's kimono, which I meticulously crafted to avoid any mistakes, was the result of sweat and effort.
The only figure in the world.
Just knowing that fact brought a sense of accomplishment to my chest, but somehow, I felt a strange emptiness and a mix of emotions.
"I want to brag to someone else..."
&
One weekend.
After much contemplation, I carefully packed Miyuki's figure on the desk into my bag.
Curious about people's reactions to the kimono version of Miyuki, I decided to rent a small display space at the figure shop I often visited.
Sometimes, figure artisans would display personal items, and guests visiting the figure shop might bid in auctions.
Of course, I didn't want to sell the first piece I worked so hard on to just anyone.
I was just curious about the reactions and how high the bidding price would go.
After a while, I succeeded in renting a small display shelf near the entrance.
"Not a bad spot. It should be visible as soon as you enter the store."
After signing the contract the employee handed me, I paid the rental fee for the shelf. Soon, the figure I made was displayed on the shelf.
Looking at her brightly lit figure inside the display case, I felt like I found the perfect place for her.
And not long after, incredible things began to happen.
"What's this? Whose work is this?"
"What's this? Huh? Whoa... amazing!"
As customers browsing the figure shop spotted the newly arrived kimono version of Miyuki, they began to exclaim in admiration.
"Hasn't anyone registered for the auction yet? Is it really for sale?"
Although I had registered it for sale, I could reject it later by paying a certain commission. Well then, how high will it go? Let's take a look.
At that moment, those with a keen eye realized that the model of Miyuki was similar to the summer-limited swimsuit version.
"This looks like a custom version of an already finished figure, right? The pose is similar to the swimsuit version. But what's with this insane quality?"
People quickly gathered around the figure I made. Then, the first bidder appeared.
-25,000 yen-
Not a bad amount for the initial bid, but it didn't even cover the cost of materials.
Watching the reactions of people in a corner of the figure shop, I chuckled and swallowed the drink I was holding.
And not long after, the second bidder appeared.
-35,000 yen-
An additional 10,000 yen in just 10 minutes. However, now it barely covered the cost of the materials put into the figure. Compared to the time and effort I invested, that amount felt cheap.
But miracles happened. It's a miracle.
The next day, Sunday.
After finishing work, I couldn't sleep due to my excited heart and headed to Akihabara.
With an anxious heart, I arrived at the figure shop before it even opened. I quickly had a simple breakfast at a nearby fast-food joint and entered the store again.
"Now, let's see how much it went up."
Smiling, I entered the store, and as soon as I checked the amount on the display shelf for Miyuki, I froze.
-189,000 yen-
"Huh? Am I dreaming right now?
189,000 yen? That's more than what I earned in a month of work!
The price skyrocketed in just one day. My heart, which was calm just moments ago, started pounding wildly.
'What is this? Should I sell it? But it's my first creation, made with so much dedication. Can I really let it go for just money? But the price is 189,000 yen...'
I thought it would be decent if it reached around 70,000 to 80,000 yen, but unexpectedly, it became an ultra-rare item.
No, wait. It's the only one in the world, so it truly is an ultra-rare item.
And at that moment, a wicked thought crossed my mind.
"Excuse me, I'm the one who made the kimono version Miyuki figure. I need to make a small adjustment to the figure. Could you please open the display case?"
"Oh, sure. Right away, sir."
The clerk took out the Miyuki figure from the display shelf and handed it to me with a satisfied smile.
"Really, it was chaos yesterday because of the figures you exhibited. At the end, customers were even fighting with each other."
"Is that so?"
"It was insanely popular. How did you come up with the idea of making such a figure?"
"Haha... It was just a coincidence."
Because the figure got smashed...
I mumbled vaguely while removing the kimono from Miyuki, exposing her bare shoulder. As I did that, the clerk, who was watching closely, involuntarily let out a scream.
"Sir!? This...!! This is!!"
While repairing Miyuki's broken arms and legs initially, I had prepared one gimmick, and that was the flowing kimono version.
As the alluring sight of her bra was revealed through the flowing kimono, the clerk couldn't contain his excitement, breathing heavily.
What's the big deal?
With a sly smile, I returned Miyuki to the display shelf.
"Oh, and please prohibit camera photography of this."
"Yes, sir. I will follow your instructions."
A little later, customers who visited the store were astonished by the new appearance of Miyuki, different from yesterday.
"What's this!? You changed the swimsuit to underwear!!"
"Cough... Genius. He deliberately made the kimono hang to create a spectacle."
But maybe due to the exorbitant bidding price, no one dared to propose a new bidding amount.
Then, a customer holding a camera pointed it towards the figure. Seeing this, the clerk hastily intervened.
"Sir!! Photography is not allowed!!"
"Ah..."
Upon the clerk's shout, the customer put down the camera with a disappointed expression.
People were either scrutinizing Miyuki's appearance with their eyes or sneaking around the display, examining every detail.
At that moment, a man who had been openly inspecting Miyuki's buttocks shouted 'Eureka.'
"Here. Right here!! The expression of the folded flesh is perfectly depicted!! If I had enough money, I'd buy it right away!!"
"But why isn't this selling? 189,000 yen is an incredible amount, even for a rookie. Could it be the seller didn't really want to sell it?"
'As if I'm not already agonizing over it!'
Then, a somewhat sweaty middle-aged man entered the store and asked the clerk.
"Has there been any contact from the seller of the Miyuki figure in the kimono?"
In a somewhat awkward manner, the man, who seemed uncomfortable, looked at the new Miyuki figure and licked his lips.
"No, not yet..."
"I'll visit again this afternoon. If the seller happens to show up, please inform me immediately. No matter the price, I want to buy it."
The middle-aged man tapped the glass display case with a displeased smile and disappeared.
'Ah... This is not good. I'd rather take it away than give it to a guy like that.'
I made up my mind and approached the clerk discreetly.
"Hey, I think I need to take the Miyuki figure with me."
"What? Sir, what are you talking about? What's the current price!?"
"I never intended to sell it from the beginning... I just wanted to check how high the price would go..."
"What are you saying!? Sir, inducing bids with such intentions is problematic. However, since the original owner doesn't want to sell, we have no choice but to cancel this auction. If you pay 10% of the bidding amount, we will cancel it for you."
"What? 10%?"
"Unfortunately, if the product that was supposed to be sold is taken back, it will damage our store's image. So, we reluctantly charge a 10% commission."
Wait a minute. 10% of 189,000 yen is 18,900 yen!?
Oh no... I don't have that much money right now!!"
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