One Shots

70. [Crisp Sunshine]

The wind was crisp as I wandered around the plaza.

    Of course, I was supposed to be working. As part of the Kanemaru Jewelry tycoons, I was to promote the family wares and such to get people to buy, but my uncle and aunt were more than capable of handling it on their own. If I had to stay, I would probably die of boredom. I just wasn't cut out to stay still that long.

    In the meantime, I would indulge myself. There were so many stalls and shops here in this quaint little plaza, and there was bound to be something tasty I could eat. I've been craving something sweet, and that sweet tooth needed to be satisfied.

    I skipped and wandered around, stopping at different stalls to see their selection. Sadly, none of them caught my interest: either too salty or spicy, nothing sweet at all. Well, that was to be expected from a plaza like this, but still equally disappointing. I stretched and groaned, but continued to wander around with a skip to my step.

    As I walked around the plaza, someone caught my eye. His hair was a silver that shimmered in the light and it was tied in a knot behind his head with a piece of jewelry that I could only assume was from my family's business. His clothes, though it was a set fit for a basic traveler, reminded me of a fall afternoon: orange and gold that faded into black, with simple armor for his knees and his chest. A longsword was sheathed at his side, ready for combat at a moment's notice. He carried a larger than average satchel on his back, which wasn't all that strange for someone exploring to buy. Hanging from his waist was an amber gem that I could only recognize as a Vision: he was blessed by the Geo Archon, no doubt.

    I couldn't see his eyes, but he was talking to someone at the stall in front of him. From what I could see, he seemed disappointed at the answer of the vendor, and began to walk off, his sword jingling at his side.

    He looked up at me as he passed me by. Silver eyes peered back, though they had a slash of red at the iris. Such peculiar eyes, I couldn't help but grin as I started to walk next to him. He didn't seem all that bothered: in fact, he seemed like he reached a realization. Of what, exactly, I didn't know.

    "Need help?" I asked.

    "...yes," he said, after a moment of silence. His voice was soft, almost shy. If there was anything I could compare it to, it would be a river at sundown. "I'm looking for some rations that won't spoil easily while I travel."

"Easy!" I pulled him along by the hand. "Follow me, I'll show you all the best places!"

He didn't object: when I pointed out the things he should get, he paid for it without a moment's hesitation, though I suppose if he bargained right, he could've gotten a cheaper price. Mora certainly didn't seem like it was a problem for him, judging from how easily he gave it up for materials and the heftiness of his pouch.

We even ended up sharing some extra food together since he was looking for something warm to eat at the moment: egg rolls, yakisoba, even some miso soup. Whenever I passed the bowl or plate we shared to him, he took it carefully with a cheeky smile, even a laugh. The way his Vision glowed in tandem was, in short, beautiful. Like a golden sun encapsulated in a jewel.

"Thank you," he mused as the day grew gold, signaling the end of the business day. "Today has become knowledgeable about the world of food."

"You have a strange way of talking," I said cheerfully, raising my hands to the sky in contentment. "It's cute! Y'know, I had a feeling about you, and I'm glad we spent some time together today!"

"Aha...I feel the same," the boy said. "It's...it's strange how I immensely enjoyed that time when I do not know your name."

"Oh, how forgetful of me!" I exclaimed. "Kanemaru Sayaka, nice to meet you!"