Before heading home for the evening, our group took a detour to the accessory store.
The door jingled in welcome as we stepped inside.
A pair was chatting by the cash register, caught in an animated discussion, mentioning something about their future.
The well-mannered Hitana Haruka nodded with a gentle smile, and the carefree Haruki Minako let out a hearty ugh.
They were former uppercssmen at our high school.
The three of us were sophomores, back when they graduated, about two years ago.
Their exchange came to an abrupt stop. We caught her eye, and he followed her gaze, redirecting their attention to us.
“It’s good to see you again!”
The young woman stepped forward to greet us. She had strawberry-blonde hair and wore a pink cardigan.
“You already know me,” she said, with a warm smile.
She shifted her attention to the fiery-haired young man.
“And this is, Mi—”
He quickly cut in with a big grin, a complete contrast to her demeanor. “No need to be all professional and stuff. Call me Haruki!”
“Scratch that, just call me Ruki!”
She shook her head disapprovingly. “Is that really how you want to introduce yourself. Have you no sense of formality?”
“Oh, come on, Tana!” he teased. “It’s much more fun that way!”
“Besides, we already know the little rascals.”
She shook her head again, a feverish flush rising as she adjusted her gsses. “A-as I was saying. Welcome to Harukaccessories!” (Hah-roo-kah-Seh-sor-eez)
“Ahem.” She cleared her throat, hands resting lightly over her stomach.
“As you know, my family manages the store’s business framework. But we help out as best we can in our spare time. That is, when Mi—Haruki… and I aren’t assisting the school’s library.”
“Sweet!” Gabriel beamed. “You two still work back there? I’ll have to say Hi next time I visit.”
“Count me in!” followed Yuzuki. “And you can bet Lucent’ll be there for a book!”
“Wonderful!” Hitana cpped her hands together. “And how may we assist you all this evening?”
“Just looking around today,” I smiled sheepishly. “We’ll have to see what’s avaible.”
Haruki chimed. “I’ll be there too, super serious! So just holler!”
She shook her head again as he led us on a tour, showing us around a store we practically knew inside and out.
A mix of gentle tunes and the test trending hits pyed through the speaker. The store had a sweet fragrance of vanil and brewed coffee, with an inviting blend of light beige shelves and pastel yellow-pink walls.
Gabriel picked out more than a few items, hauling them around. “So, what about you, dude? You getting it for someone special?”
“Yeah…” I replied, looking over the shelves. “Just my sister.”
“That’s it?” he asked, bemused.
“Man, you really got my hopes up,” he chuckled, patting my shoulder. “Gd you’re looking out for her, though.”
But the thought lingered in my mind.
What would she like?
She wasn’t very picky. But who knows if I’d make the right choice.
“Yeah, well,” I shrugged. “It’s nothing, really.”
I hesitated, looking away. “But she’s already catching up to me, growing up so fast. What if she starts to change? And it feels… like I don’t even know her anymore.”
“It’s natural she’s growing up,” Yuzuki quipped. “That’s kind of what you expect, isn’t it?”
She paused, considerately. “But she’s lucky to have you, Lucent.”
She traced a hand along the shelves, rows and rows of assorted goods and items. Mulling over the trinkets before turning back.
“Just go with your gut on this.”
“Maybe that’s what truly makes her happy. Knowing you chose something for her. Without regret or hesitation.”
Taking her advice, I darted over shelves and shelves of handcrafted bracelets, antique charms, and other strange treasures. But no matter how bizarre or abnormally strange, none of them were quite what I sought.
What would she like?
The question resounded in my mind.
Eventually, my gaze fell on a royal blue box. I picked it out carefully. Slowly lifting the lid to reveal…
A carefully sewn bow of the same color, attached to a small pin. I turned it over, inspecting its soft gleam in my hands.
“This one seems nice…” I murmured.
“It’ll remind her to keep soaring higher. Even when I’m not here.”
I cast a distant gnce. “Since she’ll be starting high school without us, and we’ll be moving on to college…”
“High school’s tough, man,” Gabriel sighed. “And without us there? Yeesh!”
He turned over a pair of sungsses, inspecting the lens. “But Yuzu’s right, man.”
“‘Cause Ayako’s lucky to have a brother who cares so much for her.”
He continued, looking determined. “That pin’s a special token, a sure reminder that you’ll always be there for her.”
“No matter what.”
I started to feel a warm, tingly nostalgia all of a sudden. “Guess you’re right,” I replied, closing the lid. “I just hope she remembers.”
“She will,” Yuzuki smiled, giving me a reassuring push forward.
I stumbled slightly, readjusting my skewed gsses.
“Now go show her your promise! Proof of all the time you spent looking for it.”
Feeling steady now, I smiled back and nodded. “Right!”
With that, we all stepped up to the counter, ready to purchase our respective accessories.
Gabriel’s green-violet shades.
Yuzuki’s perceptive amulets.
And my gift to Ayako.
* * *
“See ya guys ter!” Haruki hollered.
“Thanks for visiting us!” Hitana called out as we waved back.
As we exited the store, I couldn’t help but feel a little more at ease.
Gazing down at the gift bag, I knew this small token was a special charm. One that would hold such great meaning—a hopeful, special pce in her heart.