Time passed smoothly as the two of us walked hand-in-hand to the movie theater inside the city's central mall. The mall itself was a grand place housing numerous different stores that caught my eyes. Places that would help fix that disastrous wardrobe of the original owner of this body.
"They just texted me saying they'll be late, want to do something while we wait?"
I glanced at Elena with a nod of my head.
"Actually, there is something I need to check out." I pointed over at one of the many clothes stores wanting to do some scouting.
Buying right now was stupid since I didn't want to carry-wait.
'System, my inventory skill isn't limited to system-only items right?'
[No, it's a proper inventory skill. You can store items outside of the system if you desire.]
'Awesome!'
We walked over to the store I pointed at with its big black and purple "KB" logo. The clothes showing on display were more my type with simple designs free from all the chaotic mess other brands back on Earth liked to incorporate. Of course, this wasn't Earth so other brands here might not follow the same trend.
"Ooo~ Are we shopping?!"
"Why are you more excited than me?"
"Because um. I'm a woman? Yeah, let's go with that!"
"Pfft." I chuckled at her antics. "Next time if you complain about shopping then I'll bring up what you said this time."
"Next time huh? You're confident there'll even be one?" She said with a raised brow. The amused smile on her face was very pleasing to my eyes.
"I'm quite confident there will be a next time!" I said as I moved my attention to rummaging through the clothes rack before us.
My aim for this shopping trip was simply for some more basic clothes that could be worn any time. Black, white, or gray shirts, pants, and anything in between if I had time. My next trip I was going to come with a more proper list of what I wanted.
"You should buy something purple-colored! It would look great with your hair! Also, we'll see about this supposed next time~."
"Here I thought you were changing the subject."
"Nope! I just wanted to make sure you didn't stick with such bland clothes."
"The so-called bland clothes go well with every occasion!"
"And? I don't care about that, you need to spice your life up!"
"I believe in shopping for clothes with a purpose before getting any spicy ones."
"Boringgg~."
"Whatever," with a playful shrug I picked a few white and black long sleeve t-shirts. There were a few short sleeves but I wasn't really a fan of those.
'That...' My eyes caught a glimpse of a vibrant purple shirt that actually matched my hair perfectly. Either this was a bad joke or this was the exact shirt she was trying to talk me into. I couldn't help but look back over at her.
"What?"
"Nothing. Nothing." I grabbed the suspiciously perfectly timed purple long sleeve.
"Wow~ and someone just said something about clothes... what was it again?"
"That smile of yours suddenly became less pleasing."
"Bleh!"
Elena stuck her tongue out at me giving her a childish look.
'Ah yes, I understand now.'
I had forgotten the first rule of being an adult:
Do not argue with children.
'Can't believe I've made such a rookie mistake.' I shook my head without a word.
Elena's smugness changed instantly. As for the reason? Who knows. Who knows indeed~!
"For some reason, that look in your eyes is very displeasing."
Shrugging my shoulders once more, I went to checkout opting not to answer her complaint.
"Your total is going to be $2,072.67."
"What the fu-"
"Ahem!"
"Come on! It's $2,000 for freaking 6 shirts!"
"You didn't expect that when you walked into this store???"
"No! Who in their-"
Beep!
"-right mind would? I don't need the receipt by the way."
I put the clothes in my inventory like it was completely normal despite the cashier's clear shock. Elena didn't react at all though which was interesting to note.
"You walked into KB! The second most expensive store in the mall! Also, you just paid without even worrying about it?!"
"Of course, I'm not worried! I have plenty of money. I just didn't expect the price..."
"Some of us are broke you know!"
"What does that have to do with this?"
"You're making me feel even poorer idiot!"
"That does sound like a you problem." I said with the nicest smile I could muster. If one was wondering if I was being petty. Then, they would be correct in the sentiment.
"Hmph!"
"Come on, don't pout. How about I treat you for-"
"Seriously?!"
"..." I looked at her with a straight face before saying, "I don't like how quick you switched."
"Get over it! You're treating me right?"
'Hah~, Sure." I couldn't help but feel I was a little too quick to try and stop her mood from souring—if it even could.
"Hehe~, you may have earned your next time, rich one~!"
"Despite your excitement, I can feel you won't abuse this privilege."
"Do you feel or do you hope?" She grabbed my arm wrapping both of hers around it. A teasing grin ever-present on her face. The way her blonde hair reflected the light and her golden eyes shined made me lucky that I could appreciate such art. It was nice hanging out with a beautiful woman who wasn't stuck up.
"Both." I said.
Ding~
"Oh! It's probably my friends."
She grabbed her phone to check the message that just sounded out. Her face grimaced a bit before returning to normal. If I had blinked then I would have completely missed such a facial expression.
"That stalker guy apparently brought two friends of his."
'Why does this matter?" I asked while pointing at myself with my free hand, "I'm here for you regardless if it's one or three bastards."
"Yeah but I was only hoping you'd have to deal with one not three. I feel kind of bad."
"Don't worry about it. Just make sure to treat Meiomi even better if you really feel bad."
"It's nice that you care about your little sister!"
"Just met her today and she's adorable."
"Huh?! If you just met her today then how is she already a little sister to you?! Wait why are you meeting with little girls?!"
"Firstly, woah. Secondly, I'd say it's the same way how we can get along so quickly." I got blindsided by the way she phrased that. It was a little dangerous to say that so loudly without context!
"I guess I'll take that last part as an answer, but, you do know how weird it sounds that you met up with a little girl though right?"
"Wait a second." I felt my face stiffen at what she was implying. But, she just pulled me forward without any care in the world like she didn't just say something dangerous for a second time.
"Nope. You said what you said Ren. Just don't make it a habit okay?"
"Seriously not funny."
"It's funny to me!" The smile on her pink lips felt laced with poison. They say pretty things are the most dangerous. I couldn't help but find that true at this moment.