7 Deadly Sins

3. Envy

There was once a small tailoring shop settled in the corner of Enbizaka, run by a young woman. She had inherited from her mother, a wise old woman, when she was in her early teens; her mother's death left her distraught for a while, but she soon overcame it and ran it even more efficiently then her mother ever did.

She was certainly beautiful, with long, light pink locks and stunning sky-blue eyes, and always kind and polite to everyone. She was understanding of her customers' wishes, and did her absolute best to make their clothes look just how they wanted. The entire neighbourhood was crazy with her, Luka Chi; she was all they ever talked about.

"Oh, Miss Luka, this is gorgeous! You even threw in the sash I was eyeing on! How can I ever repay you?" a woman exclaimed, hugging her newly tailored dress close to her chest.

"It's quite alright, ma'am. There is no need to pay me; it was a gift, remember?" Luka smiled gently at her, shacking her head.

 "Oh, no, I can't possibly let-"

No, I insist. Please, take it free of charge. I'm feeling especially generous today, since i'm meeting my beloved today. Just the thought of him fills me with such joy." she blushed slightly, holding her hands over her chest.

"Oh my, young Luka has a lover...? Well, I suppose I can't refuse, then... but next time i'm giving you double the pay, alright? Have fun with your darling!" she called as she walked out the door.

Luka sighed cheerfully and retrieved her sewing scissors from the desk that they sat upon.

"Mother always said 'The more you sharpen them, the better they cut'. It's best to follow Mother's advice..." she murmured to herself, doing just what her mother had advised time and time again.

"I told her I was going to see my dearest tonight, but he's always so unfaithful to me," she whispered, sharpening the left blade carefully. "Why does he need those other women when he has me?" she wondered wistfully.

"I must get started on Mister Enzo's suit!" she thought suddenly; she had to concentrate on her work, no matter how much she wanted to see her lover early.

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Luka stared at her reflection in the mirror. "Oh, stop worrying. You look fine!"

She started skipping out to the main street, hardly able to contain her excitement. She was finally going to see him again, after so long! He never came home to see her, and she was almost mad at him for that, but he was such a wonderful man! She could never stay angry with him for long.

When she made it to Main Street; upon seeing him, she stopped short, a look of horror on her face. A beautiful young woman was with him, dressed in a fine crimson dress that suited her perfectly. He was laughing with her, acting much too friendly.

"Why? Aren't I enough for him?" she thought. The sight of him with another woman, especially one with such beauty, was too much to bear. Luka turned and ran from the spot, furious and filled with despair, for she had caught him with another woman yet again.

She ran into her shop, slamming the door behind her and picked up her scissors, sharpening them once more.

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"Oh, dear, have you heard the news?" a man asked, trying on his newly sown suit.

"I don't think I have, Mister Enzo. What has been going on?" Luka asked, weaving a golden thread through silky red fabric.

"There's been a murder, a young woman named Reanne! Oh, I just don't know what's going on these days. We've always lived in such a safe neighbourhood!" he cried.