Gen'ei Antique Shop

Tale 1 Telescope That Grants Wishes

The first year of the Showa Era
Downtown Tokyo.

My name is Eiko Abe, 16 years old, a student at music school. A few months ago, my father, who often traveled as a merchant, returned with some souvenirs. One of them is an old telescope from western countries, a fine one. But, there is something strange about the telescope.

I heard rumors about antique shops that could help me deal with strange things. No. 49 antique shop. They said when you walk down to the narrow back alley in a certain downtown area, you can find an antique shop.

Today, for the first time I came here. I have never even passed this area before. I opened the door slowly while taking a deep breath.

Cling!!

"Welcome, dear customer! What can I do for you?" a girl's voice startles me. I jumped myself.

A girl sat in front of the table with so many books around her. She has beautiful long black hair, suit with the color of her eyes. Her face was as white as snow, she used a black kimono with a big red-floral pattern. She smiled kindly when looked at me. From the looks, she's maybe the same age as me.

"A...actually, I came to ask about the things I have with me?" I said nervously.

"Oh, a western telescope," she smiled.

I was shocked. "H...how could you know?"

"What's with the telescope? Do you want to sell it or do you want to throw it away?" she asked me kindly, ignored my question.

"Oh no. I still not decide," I shook my head, "This is a gift from my father, he spoiled me very much, and always gave a lot of presents," I sighed.

"Of course, since you were his only daughter, right?" the girl looked at me, a smile never separated from her beautiful face.

How did she know I was an only child?

"Can I check it out?" The girl asked.

"Ah, I don't want to sell it," I said again, "It's just that, there is something strange about this telescope," I held the telescope tightly.

"I know," she smiled, "That's the reason, you can enter this shop,"

"Eh ??" I'm surprised.

"Can I check it?" she asked again.

"Of...of course?" I stepped closer and put the telescope on the table.

She then took it, and slowly opened the box. I took a deep breath while paying attention to the telescope, a black, bright telescope.

Does she run this shop alone? She still seems to be my age. Didn't she go to school? The rumors said that there something strange about this shop as well as their employers.

I looked at the entire store for a moment. A lot of antiques neatly arranged. You can say the store is very clean, everything looks sparkling. It's just that, although the sun is shining brightly outside, this shop looks a little dark. Especially behind that girl. Completely dark. Is that a back door?

"Oh My. A very rare item you have, Miss," she smiled as she put the telescope in her left eye.

"Eh? Didn't you see something strange?" I asked.

She didn't answer me. Maybe she found something?

"When I...used the telescope, I began to see strange things," I said nervously, "I saw my friends like shrouded in black shadows and the next day bad things happened to them," I don't know how to explain that. "I wanted to save them, but I was afraid they would hate me and ignored me because I said something strange, "