Butterflies and Brushes

It's a Small World (repost from Christmas series)

You're glad to spend the Christmas and New Year with your family in Japan and now it's time to go back to work. Your company has given you an extra two days holiday since you've been doing great for them. Your family send you off to the airport that morning and you've checked in your luggage and have some hours to stroll around the airport before departing home.

The Kansai airport in Osaka was not the biggest, but you sure can still stroll around the stores and pick up last chance Japanese snacks from the mini kiosk and after purchasing your favorite chocolate bars, you walk to the waiting room.

Before sitting down, your phone vibrates and you check to see a new message coming in.

"Safe flight (y/n)! I'll pick you up in Incheon. Don't forget my souvenirs. XOXO TY" the message read and you slap your head for forgetting the most important souvenir.

Quickly you scroll the chat room and look for the list of things he asked.

"Ramen done, skin care done, snacks also done," you mumble as you read through all of the things he listed. "And shit I forgot the book."

The nearest bookstore is a ten minute walk, the directory said, and you still have an hour. Without a second thought you make your way to the bookstore. You won't risk going back to Seoul without that book. You basically promised him you will get him one if you're in Japan.

You pray that the book store has the complete comic series, or you'll need to find something for an exchange.

"Here I go," you huff when you stand outside of the small store.

You directly go to the comic area and run your eyes through the Japanese characters, mumbling their titles as your heart beats faster and faster whenever you read another title.

"Here it is! Howl's Moving Castle!" your happy squeal almost make you get kicked out from the store, as you extend your hand to take the last complete comic book you brush someone else's hand.

"I grabbed it first," was all that taller man said when he saw you opening your mouth.

You are speechless and you still keep your hand on the book "Excuse me," you finally can speak up to him.

His Japanese is fluent, so he must be someone from here. You cannot recognize his face because of his shades and his long hair.

"What? I touched the book first, your hand comes after it. So this belongs to me." The man said in his deep calm voice.

You shake your head "Can't you just buy something else? I want to give this to someone."

He shakes his head "Too bad, I also need this as a gift."

You tighten your grip and try to pull the book "No, look you don't understand. I might die if I did not get this."

He smirks "Oh yeah? Someone's a diehard Miyazaki fan. Cliché" he shrugs his shoulder.

In a glance he looks like Howl, considering the loose white tee he wore, the tight pants, the long blonde hair, you just wish you can see his eyes.

Maybe he is one of those guys who do cosplay and he always dresses up as Howl so he looks like this in daily basis. Your mind must have been crazy.

A cough interrupts the cold staring contest you two held. Without letting go off the 4 comic book set, the two of you shoot your heads to the sound.

"I am sure you do not want to make a chaos here. Please put down the book, you haven't bought that yet." The store owner points his finger to the book you and this man hold.