Haruki was checking for clothes Hori would wear, but he couldn't settle on anything.
"Damnit, there aren't wear casual wear here.... that bitch must've gone to the rich people store!"
He cursed arranging back the clothes.
Haruki finally brought out a big gold jacket of his.
"Here, you can wear this."
He handed it to Hori after sniffing if it was clean.
"Thank you."
She collected it and wore over her plain singlet and tights, the jacket swallowed her upper body which was a good thing, she showed less skin that way.
"Alright let's go!"
They arrived at a nearby store which was a 10 minutes walk from their inn. You would need to leave the forest and walk past Fukui station to arrive.
Hori even passed by it when she was homeless.
"wooooooooooooowwwww!!!! This place is simply divine!!"
Her eyes glimmered upon entering inside! The soothing AC breeze welcomed her as she smelled the mixed aroma of products.
".... it's a store."
Haruki said with zero enthusiasm, to which Hori replied.
"I've never been to a store before!!"
She yelled excitedly in front of a stranger.
What a pretty boy!
The salary man thought to himself, blushing seeing Hori's gaze.
Hori is a girl.
"Hori, don't get lost!"
Haruki warned carrying a small shopping bag.
"fufufu! You underestimate me Haruki-san! Surely I can navigate my way in such a small..."
"Haruki-san?"
Hori got lost.
Narrator - How the hell did you get lost?! you LITERALLY just took 3 steps!!
"Worry not Narrator! I just need to retrace my steps!"
Hori was trying to find Haruki when she saw a pregnant woman having troubles reaching a package placed below her.
"Here you go ma'am"
She helped her carry it and handed it to over.
"Th—Thank you very much!"
She appreciated.
The woman kept the package in her shopping bag, it seemed she was still picking some other things before paying.
Hori just silently stared at her, thinking to herself with pure excitement.
I've never seen a pregnant woman before...her belly is so big!
"Is it a boy or girl?"
She asked standing straight.
"oh,it's a girl....I might have her next month."
The woman said casually with a smile whilst caressing her stomach.
"I'm sure she will be as pretty as you!"
Hori complimented.
"Awwwn aren't you a sweet girl."
The woman said with an awkward smile, receiving a compliment from a stranger was quite... strange.
Hori stared at her shopping items and saw they were obviously heavy.
"Ma'am, do you mind if I help?"
She offered assistance leaning towards her bag.
"Oh, I wouldn't want to stop you from your shopping—
"Not at all!"
Hori insisted, cutting her off.
She rolled up the big sleeves of her jacket and squatted to carry her shopping bag.
How was a pregnant woman going to carry all this?!
Hori wondered in shock seeing how heavy it was, what did she buy?!
They spent some time looking for household materials, almost as if Hori had forgotten to look for Haruki.
They chatted whilst shopping and Hori got to know her name, it was Shuntaro Akane.
After they were done, Hori helped her carry her items to the register.
"There you are!"
Haruki called out seeing Hori chatting with a stranger.
"Haruki-san!"
"Hori do you know him?"
The pregnant woman asked.
"Oh, Akane-san, this is Haruki-san,my friend."
Hori said striding towards him.
Narrator - Wow, your already on first name basis?
Who's that?
Haruki squinted as his eyes landed on her large belly.
She's pregnant!
Narrator - You kids have issues with pregnant ladies???
Wow, such a pretty boy.
Akane thought to herself, Haruki was unconventionally attractive.
"I'll be on my way now, Hori."
She faced the register to pay for her goods.
"Be safe on your way home!"
"I will!"
Mrs Shuntaro waved Hori good bye.
"What a sweet lady."
Hori returned her wave with an apologetic look.
Sad she would have to carry all that home despite her condition.
Hori was weird but REALLY sociable.
"let's get going."
Peep
Haruki paid with card and gave Hori half of the goods.
They left the store and were on their way home.
It was quite silent for a while before Hori said something.
"Did you know her husband was killed in front of her?
Hori said with a frustrated face, gripping the nylon bag.
"You mean that pregnant lady?"
Haruki answered nonchalantly.
"Yes, he was a simple office worker, he didn't deserve such a sudden death."
Hori shuddered.
She really got a lot of info from her....
Haruki was surprised, Hori was with her for only 15 minutes.
"Sins are such terrible creatures, ruining innocent peoples lives."
I'm still right here.
Haruki felt guilt.
"Well, they've been around for as long as possible, so it's the norm now."
"I swear on my life Haruki-san, I will pass the Sabbath Exams! Not only to reunite with my father.... but to protect innocent people!"
She yelled raising the groceries.
"That's some nice resolve Hori!
and I'm totally with you!"
With their shopping bags in hand, they went home to prepare dinner.
Haruki set the plate with a spoon in front of Hori.
"Now I know it's just one plate and probably won't do anything because your some Shonen MC, but just try savouring it."
He told her while wiping his hands with a kitchen towel, Haruki was wearing a simple kitchen apron.
"Of course Haruki-san! you spent time making it, I'll savor every bite!"
Hori fetched a spoon of the omelette rice.
She rose it up to her face as if seeing one for the first time.
It smelled delicious, so she took a bite.
She stared at Haruki with astonishment.
Then stared back at her plate.
"It's delicious!"
She began shedding tears of joy.
"Holy shit are you crying?!"
He said jokingly.
"It's very delicious..."
She cleaned her eyes and took another spoon.
"I can never say this enough.... but thank you Haruki-san."
She gave a shy smile looking at him with bits of food on her mouth.
Haruki instinctively turned his face.
Narrator - Haruki is embarrassed.
"Awwwn, don't be shy Haruki-san, your a really good cook!"
Hori said trying to cheer him up.
"Enough already just eat!"
He shoved the spoon in her mouth.
Haruki stormed off and started cleaning the kitchen.
That was so corny, how the hell could she say that with a straight face?!
Haruki thought feeling flustered.
Narrator - Haruki is happy.
That's good to know.
Hori thought with a smile.
"Why don't you have a taste haruki san! It wouldn't be fair to eat it all."
Hori said trying to start a topic.
That's so sweet
Haruki stepped and sat down in front of Hori.
He opened his mouth.
.....What the?!
"Do you want me to feed you?!!"
Hori jolted back in embarrassment.
"Yeah my hands are dirty."
"ehm....sigh...I suppose there's nothing wrong with it..."
She dismissed the awkwardness, fetched a spoon and fed Haruki.
"... it's pretty good."
He smiled with a thumbs up.
"I know right?!"
They both shared only one plate of the omelette rice.
Hori cleared the place.
The time was now 9:00pm
Haruki was outside and got a text from his phone, he stared at it a bit before putting it back in his pocket.
Hori was curious but minded her own business. She was learning to respect people's boundaries.
She closed the curtain and changed to a simple T-shirt and a loose boyish shorts.
Hori spread their futon on the floor neatly.
She laid down on her side.
"Are you not coming to bed Haruki-san?"
Her voice worried as she tapped the side of the futon.
"....just sleep, I'm heading out. I need to take care of something."
"... please be careful, it's quite late."
Hori said worryingly.
"I know you're a sin and can regenerate but do try not to get hurt."
She added.
"No problemo!"
He replied in English with a reassuring smile.
Haruki walked out to God-knows-where after waving Hori good night.
Our protagonist was laying on her futon but found it hard to sleep, she was still worried about Haruki.
Narrator - You shouldn't get too close with strangers, Hori.
Oh yeah.... I'm Hori now, but
Haruki-san is no stranger narrator!
Narrator - Really now?
Father was quite strict during my upbringing, so I didn't socialize much.
Narrator - Is that so.
I didn't have any friends growing up, since I was home schooled....so Haruki-san being my first friend is EXTREMELY precious to me!
Narrator - Still don't get too attached, he can still die despite being a sin.
That wouldn't happen, because I will protect him with my life!
Narrator - wow, what loyal friend you are.
Hori smiled with a smug look.
yawn~
I should sleep, Haruki-san said on our way back that he'll spar with me tomorrow....good night, Narrator.
Narrator - ...good night.
Hori turned to her side and closed her eyes, after praying for Haruki's safety.
Narrator - 8 MORE DAYS UNTIL THE SABBATH EXAMS.