Shoten

The old run-down sign swung to and forth, the peeling words of 'Shoten' fluttered in the wind. The small book shop looked out of place in the futuristic city. Hikaru just needed a quick visit to see if his favourite manga was available. The popular book had a special edition coming out soon and he wanted to be one of the first ones to get it. Opening the creaky door he stepped over the little shops threshold and as he did so a shiver trickled its way down his spine he dismissed this as a simple figment of his imagination.

He carried on. Looking around the small shop, he wondered why he had been anxious, the cosy atmosphere seemed so comforting he almost wanted to just sit down in a chair and enjoy it. There were shelves lining the four walls filled with various novels and writings. The dim lighting cast enchanting shadows on the floor, and the ground was covered in worn decorative carpets. In the middle of the room were a couple of old-fashioned desks with fountain pens dipped ready in their small pots of ink. They were accompanied by thick yellow blotting paper and, at the end of the room, a large counter stood with an out-dated cash register sitting proudly at one end and shining silver bell at the other.

Quietly, anxious not to make any noise but not entirely sure why, Hikaru tiptoed across the room coming up to the counter and hesitantly reaching to press the bell. Just as his fingers brushed the bell, he felt a presence behind him, turning quickly he saw a young girl about the same age as himself looking at him.

She was beautiful, she had midnight black hair fastened with chopsticks in a bun at the back of her head. Pale skin contrasted with her brown eyes, so dark they almost black. She was wearing a traditional Japanese kimono that was a pale silvery blue with pink cherry blossoms intertwining with pastel green leaves.

"Excuse me, can I help you?" He shook himself out of his daze mortified that he had been caught staring.
"Sorry, what did you say?" He stuttered out.
The girl smiled knowingly "I asked if you needed anything."
"Errr, yeah I just wanted to know if you had any manga here?"
"Manga? Yes we have a small amount. Would you like me to show you where it is?"
"Yes, thank you that would be great!" He exclaimed hoping he didn't make a further fool of himself
"Right this way then."

The mysterious girl lead him to a small cupboard in the corner of the store and opened it showing a couple of brightly coloured papers their bold artwork seeming out of place in this quaint little shop.
"Is there a particular title or issue you were looking for?" She asked kindly
"Yeah I was wondering if you had the latest issue of 'Saikō no manga shijō'?"
She paused for a moment tilting her head slightly to the side "I think we do actually but it might be under the counter, I think it arrived this morning so I haven't had time to put it on the shelf yet!". Seeing as the cupboard was unsuccessful she closed it, and led Hikaru behind the counter then bent over to pull out a box opening it up to lift a pile of books on to the counter.
"Is this what you wanted?" She asked untying the ribbon keeping them all together
"Yes, thank you!" He said recognising the bold print of the title page.
He took one holding it up to the light "I can't believe you have this I have looked everywhere but couldn't find it!" He exclaimed excitedly.

"I am happy you found it," she smiled sadly "not many people come into this shop they say that it's too creepy!"
Hikaru looked at the girl intrigued by what she was saying "Why don't you just change the outside of the shop, maybe clean it up a bit?"

"We don't have the money and if we don't get more business soon the shop will have to close down!" She looked down staring at her feet.
"What is your name?" Hikaru asked suddenly
"Yuki Fujimoto." She replied
"Well, Yuki Fujimoto I swear that I will tell my friends about this shop and get you some more business!" He said holding out his little finger making Yuki laugh then she linked hers around his own
"Make sure you keep your promise." She giggled shaking their pinkies.
"Okay, so how much is this book?" He asked
"That would be 750 yen please," she said holding out her hand. He handed her a 1,000 yen note telling her to keep the change before wishing Yuki goodbye and leaving the store.

The next day Hikaru persuaded a bunch of his friends to accompany him to visit the store and the beautiful girl he kept talking about. Once walking into the shop he told his friends to look around, before he walked up to the counter and rang the bell. An old woman came out from a door behind the counter.
"Hello, dear how can I help you?" She asked
"Oh sorry, I was wondering if I could speak to Yuki, Yuki Fujimoto?"
"How do you know that name?" The old woman exclaimed sharply
"Oh, I spoke to her yesterday!" He answered slightly confused at the old woman's change of tone
"I'm afraid that is not possible dear," said the woman "There has been no one called that working here for a very long time."
"But, how can that be? I talked to her yesterday, she helped me find the book I wanted and I told her I would bring friend next time I came!" Hikaru exclaimed getting more and more distressed by the minute.

Perhaps on seeing how absolutely certain he was, the old woman told him to follow her as she led him a door behind the counter into a room which looked a lot like a bedroom.
"Is this where you live?" Hikaru asked
"Yes dear, now come over here," she showed him over to the mantle piece where showed him a picture of Yuki with her arm around what looked to be a seven year old version of her.
"So you do know Yuki!" He accused. She looked at home with sadness in her eyes
"If this is the Yuki you are talking about, dear, then there is something you should know,"
"Yes, what is it?" He asked impatiently

"I am Mai Fujimoto and my older sister Yuki has been dead for twenty years!"

~

Hi this is my first story on wattpad tell me what you think in the comments and tell me if you want me to continue this story and make it into a proper length one. :)

Amber-Wolf