Ride on Time

Chapter 132

Mitsuo excused himself before lunchtime, with Shree and gang dropping him back at Sheralbon. He bowed as he saw them off before running off to Goma to see if he could get anything for Shree and the others.
He realised that there were a lot of shops around there too and he made it a point to see if he can get them some trinkets. Mitsuo kicked himself for forgetting all about Valentine's Day. He sighed as he stood in front of Goma and took a deep breath before stepping in. After all, there was nothing he could do now besides making a last-minute plan with what time he has left before going to Shree's house again.
In the end, he decided to just get the most expensive chocolate for Shree, then wondering what he should get for the rest. He ended up getting a big box of mochi, which costed more than the chocolate, for everyone else. He decided to get some Ramune too since it was hot and went back to his room to put the things away before booking a Grape. Mitsuo put the gifts in a tote bag that he got from Speedmart and went back down when he realised that his driver was near.
Just as Mitsuo was about to step out of his room, he heard torrents of rain pelting down the floor of his balcony. He turned around to look in surprise, seeing how it was piping hot less than ten minutes ago. He retreated for a moment and reached for his red hoodie resting on the chair, slipped it on, and only then headed out. It was strange how fast the weather could change in Malaysia, it still baffled him.
Mitsuo arrived at the foyer and the Grape car came and took him straight to a restaurant in Seapark called PorkPork, where he anticipated to try spicy Thai-style sauce-grilled pork rice. His mouth watered at the mere thought of it.

As soon as Mitsuo got out of the car, Vasu piped up. "So, Akka. What did you get for Mitsuo for Valentine's Day?"
Shree's eyes widened in surprise. "Oh no!"
"Why?" Chandrika asked, amused as she drove down the ramp.
"I forgot to get him anything!" Shree gasped. "Oh no..."
"Just buy him chocolate," Vasu shrugged, smirking slightly.
"Oh yeah, it's a Japanese tradition for a girl to buy her guy some chocolates," Shree said thoughtfully. "But that's too romantic, don't you think?"
"Now also you still don't wanna admit?" Devi said in surprise before switching to Tamil. "So much has happened, you definitely like him, but don't wanna tell?"
Shree felt her face heating up at that remark. "I... I don't know..."
"Or since he like Indian culture so much, buy for him vesti lah," Chandrika suggested with a grin.
Vasu burst into laughter at that remark. "Oh my gosh! Vesti! I cannot imagine him wearing vesti!" He frowned for a moment and thought, then snickered. "Okay, can imagine. And it's funny."
"It is a good idea... but isn't it a little too much?" Shree pointed out. "Where to buy? Like this means must go to Klang or something lah..."
"Then buy for him jippa lah," Devi suggested. "In Gasing there can get, what."
"That one better idea," Shree nodded. "But wouldn't it be a expensive?"
"I'll pay," Devi added.
"Never mind, I'll go see later," Shree quickly said. "I'll take cheaper one. I don't know his size also."
"He looks as if he's a little smaller than me," Vasu said. "I'll come with you to help you choose, okay?"
Shree nodded. "Thanks."
Vasu gulped slightly upon realising that Mitsuo was only getting his sister some chocolate while she was planning to get him something that costs a lot more than that.

Mitsuo wiped the mucous off his nose with a tissue as he ate his spicy sauce-grilled pork. His phone suddenly dinged with a notification from Instagram. It was an account he didn't really recognise, but realised that it was Vasu.
Dude.
You better get something better for Akka besides chocolate
Mitsuo put his cutlery down and picked his phone up with both hands.
Why?

She's getting you something A LOT bigger than that
I just found out
Something that makes your choice of giving her chocolate look...
Lame...

Okay...
Thanks for the heads up

👍🏼👍🏼
Mitsuo picked his cutlery up to continue eating, thinking about what he should get for Shree instead. Vasu was right, the chocolate did sound lame. He felt like he needed to get something bigger, something a little more expensive than just the chocolate. Judging by what Vasu is saying, it was something big. Mitsuo felt like he had to get her something bigger, something better than just a bar of chocolate.
But what?
An image of Shree appeared in his mind, the first time he'd saw her. She was dressed as a geisha, with a face painted in thick oshiroi and hair done in elaborate shimada adorned in flowers of blue and green. Mitsuo had seen her waving a fan as she gracefully strutted into the stage, then bowed in front of the audience before leaving the stage.
Then an image of her in full Indian attire appeared in his mind too. Shree was such a graceful dancer, one that didn't even need an extension for her hair like most dancers did. That was two hints, that she liked Japanese culture and her own culture more.
Maybe he should get her something Japanese, like a kanzashi or a dainty hand fan. But where on earth would be get them here in Petaling Jaya? Even if there was a place where he could, he doubted that he would be able to find it on such short notice, let alone be back in time to gift it to her.
Mitsuo decided to go for the second option, her Indian side that she deeply embraced with pride. But what should he get her? A jewellery set? But it seemed like Shree had dozens!
How about some makeup?
But Mitsuo had no clue how he would shop for them. He didn't even know her favourite brand or the exact shade that would match her skin tone. He groaned as he dismissed that idea.
A sudden idea struck Mitsuo. How about a new saree? Mitsuo had seen her in traditional dance attire twice, and both times she was wearing the same one. Wouldn't it be a good idea to surprise her with a new one?
That seemed like a good plan. Now, all he needed to do now was to look for an Indian boutique. The nearest one was in Section 8, he realised that it was fairly close to Sheralbon so that he can go back to his suite on foot, and decided to head right there after finishing his meal.