Mamoru returned to the bench and set two cans on the edge—strawberry soda for himself, green tea for Hinata.
He lifted Hinata's upper body, sat down, and rested her head on his lap.
He exhaled in relief, finally a moment's rest.
Usually the guy gets the lap pillow, right? How did it end up the other way around? Was his genre setting broken?
Pop—
He cracked the pull-tab and gulped the fizzy drink, the cold bubbles tingling all the way down.
"Ha! So good!" He set the soda down and sighed in satisfaction.
Then, like a prankster, he pressed the cold can against Hinata's cheek. Hinata's eyelids fluttered, but she didn't open her eyes.
Mamoru knew she was probably awake and just too shy to face him, so he took the can away and stopped teasing her. He needed rest anyway, there was no rush. He'd just sit and wait for her to come around.
Time slipped by.
He didn't know how long, but Mamoru drifted off. When he woke, most of his exhaustion had melted away. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and tried to wake himself up.
"Sorry."
A soft, timid voice sounded beside him.
Mamoru turned and saw Hinata now sitting at his side. She looked fine, though a faint blush still colored her face. But Mamoru could tell she was all right.
"What are you apologizing for?" Mamoru stretched his stiff limbs and gave a lazy yawn.
Hinata kept her head down, lips trembling slightly, but no words came.
Mamoru studied her for a moment, then rose from the bench, the old wood creaking softly.
"I thought you might like this flavor." He lifted the can of green tea he'd left on the edge and offered it to her. "So, as thanks, how about coming shopping with me?"
"Mm, thank you." Hinata stood as well, accepted the drink.
In front of a stylish shop, the sign reading Kikufuku stood out in bold characters. Mamoru and Hinata stepped out together under the clerk's polite send-off.
Mamoru carried a large paper bag in one arm while stuffing snacks into his mouth with the other. Beside him, Hinata cradled two smaller bags, following quietly.
Hinata asked, "Mamoru-kun, did we buy too much?"
Mamoru shook his head. "Not at all, half is for other people. By the way, their cream-filled kikufuku are amazing."
As they talked, they passed a street stall, and something on the display rack caught Mamoru's eye.
"Hold on." He stopped, told Hinata to wait, and walked briskly to the stand.
On the wooden rack hung a row of hand-woven cords, each one unique. The sight reminded him of the pink shuriken resting in his ninja-tool pouch.
The stall-holder, a smiling auntie, called out cheerfully, "See anything you like?"
Mamoru didn't answer. His gaze drifted across the stall, then halted on a small wooden display. He lifted one woven bracelet. The knot work was intricate, finished with a natural stone. Inside the gem looked like trapped living water, forever holding tiny bubbles that shimmered in the setting sun.
He rubbed the stone with his thumb—smooth and cool. Then he gave the cord a light shake and looked up. "What kind of stone is this?"
The vendor said, eyes curving in a smile, "That's sōseki, a specialty ore from the Land of Grass. Good eye, kid. This batch has the most unusual luster I've ever seen."
Hinata had drifted closer. She stopped at Mamoru's side, eyes on the bracelet, and whispered, "It's beautiful."
The woman asked, catching Hinata's glance, "Planning to give this little girl a gift?"
"Little girl?" Mamoru blinked, then realized she meant Hinata.
He nodded, turned back to the rack, and took down another bracelet in pale purple. He examined the purple cord to be sure it was flawless, then casually held it out to her. "Here, for you."
"Eh?" Hinata's eyes widened ans she clutched her paper bags tighter, frozen.
"Take it, call it a reward." Mamoru raised an eyebrow, grinning. "If you don't like the style, pick something else."
Hinata finally accepted the bracelet with care, holding the woven cord between delicate fingers as though it were something fragile and precious.
Seeing Hinata accept the gift, Mamoru stuffed the red bracelet into his pocket, turned to the stall owner and asked, "Hey gorgeous, how much for two bracelets? Buying two at once ought to come with a discount, right?"
The vendor looked at him meaningfully, a shrewd merchant's smile spreading across her face. "Two bracelets naturally come with a deal."
She put extra weight on the word "two."
Mamoru's eye twitched.
Internally he cursed, 'What kind of look is that? Keep it up and I'll flip your whole stall.'
Of course, he didn't flip anything. He paid up like a good boy and turned to leave.
Hinata clutched the bracelet tightly and hurried after him with quick little steps.
Mamoru shoved his wallet back into his pocket, sulking, 'Two lousy strings cost that much? That ugly hag sure fleeced me.'
Hinata's soft yet resolute voice sounded beside him. "Mamoru-kun, I'll treasure it."
He tilted his head and grinned. "No need to get all serious. If you want more, I can buy you a dozen."
Once he collected the fee Komatsu owed him, his wallet would be fat, what was this pocket change?
"No."
Hinata shook her head gently. "Just this one is enough."
Mamoru blinked, then regained his calm. Facing forward, he answered quietly, "Sure, whatever makes you happy."
Side by side they walked in silence, the setting sun stretching their shadows long.
Before long, they stood in front of Hiroki's mansion.
Inside the gate, Mamoru suddenly remembered something important.
He leaned close to Hinata and lowered his voice. "Don't tell anyone about those two weirdos we met today, not even Kurenai."
Hinata nodded obediently. "Mm, I understand."
"Good girl." Mamoru smiled, satisfied, and ruffled her hair twice. "That's how you earn rewards."
Hinata's cheeks flushed scarlet and she ducked her head shyly, fingers toying with the bracelet she'd just received.
(End of Chapter)
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