The sake shop - Kamisama Kiss

Mysterious Boy

"Come and buy some purifying sake! Good prices and amazing quality! Try some of Mizuki's Sake!" Mizuki called out enthusiastically from outside his shop.

It had been a few weeks since Mizuki had opened his new sake shop. Honestly, he hadn't made good progress. He barely got any customers and he was alone most of the time.

It didn't matter how brightly he smiled or how loudly he called. It didn't matter how welcoming or kind he was. He had very few customers.

He was starting to consider giving up and closing down the shop. However, he wouldn't do it because then Tomoe would have more reasons to mock him than he already did.

Sighing, he went back inside. It was now the evening, and Mizuki had spent the entire day trying to get customers. In the end, though, he only got two.

Exhaustion was washing over him. It was hard work running a small business on your own. He layed his head on the table and closed his eyes.

Just when he was about to fall asleep, the door opened and the bells rang along with it.

Mizuki's head shot up quickly. He rubbed the tiredness out of his eyes as he got up to greet his new customer.

It was a short boy, around 5ft 2 maybe. (Not to brag, but Mizuki was about 5ft 8) The boy's hair was messy and blonde. His eyes were sea green. And his clothes were simple, work clothes.

"Good evening." Mizuki introduced. "Welcome to my Sake shop. Would you like to buy some sake?"

The boy smiled in response. He sat down in the nearest chair and leaned back as he crossed one leg over the other. "Of cource, just a little though. I'm here to speak about something with you."

"Sure, let me just see your ID quickly so I know that you're old enough to drink." Mizuki said.

The boy showed it and then put it away again.

Mizuki nodded. "You look quite young for your age."

"So do you." The boy replied quickly.

Mizuki flinched slightly at the boys response. "You don't know how old I am."

The boy shook his head. "I know that you're older than the average human, but that's not the point. Let me get to the point, please."

Mizuki nodded as he got the sake and poured some for the boy.

"You should sit and drink too. I want to talk with you after all." The boy suggested. Mizuki followed.

"Right," The boy began. "So, I hear your business isn't going as planned. Am I correct?"

Mizuki nodded, listening in carefully now.

"Now, let's consider how we can change that." The boy took a sip from his Sake. "Any ideas?"

Mizuki considered for a few moments, staring up at the ceiling for answers. Eventually, he looked back at the customer and shook his head.

"Well obviously the ceiling isn't going to give you any answers. But I can. " The boy pointed to himself. "Firstly, the way you advertise this place is worse than old-fashioned. Shouting from the doorway is just going to annoy people, not lure them in. I thought you'd know these things as a snake."

Mizuki was flustered. Before he could speak though, the boy continued. "Make some nice posters and adverts instead. Put the posters around town and put the adverts on social media. This should get you at least a few more customers."

Mizuki noted the boys advice down in his notebook. He planned to try this out and see if it works or not.

"Secondly," The boy went on. "Take this." And he handed Mizuki a small, pocket sized book. The book was plain black with the title being  'Book' in white letters. The exterior of the book was simple and boring.

"Open it, now." The boy commanded.

Mizuki did as told.

The insides of the book contrasted completely from the cover of the book. There were colourful pictures and beautiful illustrations. The detail in them was mind-blowing, heart capturing and intricate.

Mizuki's eyes were glued to them as he turned the pages to reveal more.

"Your sake shop is very much like this book." The boy explained. "Boring on the outside, yet warm and pleasant on the inside. It's clean in here and the decorations in here are lovely. But, have you seen this shop from the outside? It doesn't stand out. Rather, it looks like any other building. You ought to work on making this shop more eye-catching from the outside. Got it?"

Mizuki nodded as he added this to his notes as well. He was quite intrigued by this boy's knowledge.

"Keep the book." The boy insisted as he handed over the money to Mizuki. "You make nice Sake. It tastes pure and proper. I'll make sure to spread the name of this place."

He got up, waved and walked outside.

"Please come again some time." Mizuki requested kindly as the boy opened the door and left.

It was night time. Mizuki was exhausted so he locked up the shop, got up on one of the tables, and fell asleep.