It Rains and it Pours

Chapter 1-A Pair of Shoes…or Seven or Eight

Keiko sat on a bench in the middle of the shopping plaza. She was waiting for Yusuke.

Where could he be? He promised." She said, sounding disappointed.

It was nearly a month ago since Yusuke's ordeal with the Saint Beasts and Keiko had long forgiven him for not telling her about it. Even though deep down, she was still a little mad. She had reason to right? She was nearly killed by blue people controlled by bugs. Keiko was thinking about it. Then she spotted Yusuke's head in the crowd and he looked like he was ducking to avoid her.

*I knew it. He didn't want to go shopping with me.* she thought.

Just as he was about to pass her, she reached into the crowd and grabbed his ear.

"Oh, Yusuke…" she said menacingly.

"Oh! How nice to see you Keiko." Yusuke responded nervously.

Keiko wasn't fooled one bit. She had known Yusuke forever or so it seemed. She dragged him out and sat him on the bench.

"Yusuke. You can't keep slipping away from me. If you do…we'll have to stop seeing each other." Keiko said calmly, even though in her heart she knew she could never do it.

Yusuke, not believing her, smiled and apologized.

"Keiko. I'm sorry." He said standing up and holding her hand.

"Let's go. We might as well get done shopping before nightfall."

Keiko looked at her watch. It was only 11:45 AM. Then she realized he was joking. She hugged him.

"Now, where are we off to? Hmm…how about…the shoe store! I could always use some more shoes." She said.

Yusuke frowned sarcastically.

"Awwww…anything but there. High heels don't look good on me." He said laughing.

"Be quiet you big baby." She said as she kissed him on the cheek.

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Keiko and Yusuke came out of the shoe store. Keiko carrying one box, Yusuke carrying seven.

"Hey, how did I end up with all these boxes again? I didn't even buy any shoes." He asked.

"You offered to carry them. Remember?" Keiko said trying to refresh his memory.

"I did?" she said confused.

"Yep." She replied.

"Ok whatever you say." He said deciding not to argue with her because those kinds of arguments usually led to Yusuke being slapped.

They reached Keiko's house and dropped all 8 pairs of shoes off then went back outside and into the back yard.

"Well, that had to be the best time I've ever had in my life." Yusuke said sarcastically as he leaned against a tree.

Keiko smiled knowing it was just about the most boring thing in the world to shop for shoes. Especially for a guy like Yusuke who spends most of his waking hours fighting gangs for the fun of it.