This story was inspired by the coolest anime/manga, Kuragehime. Please note that this is also an alternate universe story. I do not own Kuragehime or Persona 4, happy reading.

"Someday Kanji, you'll find your princess. She'll be the most beautiful and loving person you'll ever meet."

"When you get yourself a woman Kanji, you must be the man of house and do everything to please her. Do everything 110%!"

"It's cute."

Inside of Tatsumi's textile shop, Kanji was preparing an order for the Amagis. To pass his time, he hummed a melody and folded the fabrics neatly into a box. For the past few months, the shop hasn't been getting much business with the exception of the Amagis who are still their loyal customers. Kanji placed the order away into the shelf and sighed heavily at how quiet the place is now. It was quiet until he heard the door's bell chime, a smile formed and he greeted one of his good friends, Yosuke Hanamura, the prince of Junes.

"Hey Kanji. How's business?" Yosuke greeted him with a grin.

"The fish ain't biting I can tell you that. Still aiming for that management promotion at Junes?" Kanji asked lightly.

"You better believe it! But enough about that, dude I got some awesome news."

"You scored yourself a girl?" Kanji asked jokingly.

"I wish, but girls these days are so timid that I probably scare them with my masculinity."

"Uh-huh...So what's this awesome news?" Kanji replied and re-organized the cash register.

"Okay get this! In Okina City, the have a section of newly installed Hostess Bars. Like the ones in those TV shows."

"Really...what's a Hostess Bar?"

"Oh you know, hot babes serving you drinks and if they like you a lot, you can spend time with them or even go on a 'date'. Since we're good buddies, we should go you and me! So how about?"

"Since Yukiko is picking up the order later today, I might not be able to go."

"Oh c'mon, don't be such a party pooper!"

Kanji shook his head, "Maybe next time."

Yosuke sighed, "Alright fine. By the way, how's your mom?"

Kanji lowered his head, "Well, she's doing better. But I'm not sure if she's coming back soon or not."

Yosuke stared at him who was rubbing the back of his neck in a troublesome matter. A few months ago, Kanji's mom went back to her home town to visit his grandmother who has fallen ill. But those weeks turn into months and Kanji had to manage the shop, once his mom comes back. It was good thing that the shop's business wasn't as hectic like the other shops near the textile shop. But it sure is boring and somewhat lonely, something that Kanji didn't feel for a long time, not since his dad's passing. Half an hour passed and Yosuke left the shop, leaving Kanji alone again. He didn't realize until now how spacious the shop is without his mom and his pops. Suddenly, the door's bell chimed, and Kanji was welcomed by a faint scent of citrus and something peppery. She was gorgeous; tall, long platinum silver hair, beautiful eyes, and her outfit consisted of a black turtle neck, black slacks, and high heels.

The woman smiled at Kanji, "Hello...is it alright to look around?"

"O-of course."

The woman look at the displays of lovely patterned fabrics and Kanji couldn't help but watch as she walked and swayed her hips. It reminded him of that one T.V. show Yosuke and him watched at his house. Glamorous models that were into expensive brands and walked gracefully on the runway. Then after five minutes of it, Yosuke changed it to a channel which girls were running around in bikinis. Kanji snapped out of his trance and realized he was inches away from the girl.

"By any chance, is the owner of the textile shop here?" She asked curiously.

"The owner isn't here at this time." Kanji said quietly.

"Ah I see, so are you managing this place by yourself?"

She stared at Kanji who wasn't making eye contact and noticed that his cheeks were turning red.

"Uhm...yes." He said it in a hush tone.

"I'm sorry; I didn't mean to pry into someone's business." She apologized.

"No! It's not that...I'm just not use to being around-"

'Crap, if I say something stupid she might think of me as a total asshole. Say something Kanji!'

"Let me guess, you're not use to women that look like me?"

She hit the nail on the head harder than any girl that Kanji met. Underneath his tough exterior, was a sensitive person who enjoyed making clothing and stuff animals for kids. But girls that he met during high school wasn't into that sort of thing and he was often ridiculed for being too nice, sensitive, or even feminine. But this glamour girl, she wasn't fazed by a young man with piercings and having a skull tattoo on his arm working at a textile shop. In fact, she was fascinated by his warm aura about him and somewhat understood his pain of being rejected by people.

"May I ask you of your name?" She asked politely.

"Kanji Tatsumi." He said.

"Names Sumiko, Sumiko Seta. Tatsumi-san, is it alright to make an order of that pattern on the wall?"

She pointed at the wall behind Kanji which was unfortunately not for sale. That pattern was made by Kanji's mom, who wanted to use it for a special occasion in her son's life. The pattern was beautiful, white silk with floral imprints that could make someone look like a princess from a story book.

"Sorry, that one is not for sale."

"Ah I see. I guess this fabric will do...wait that wouldn't work on her skin color. Hmm..."

"H-how about I'll pick the fabrics for you and you can pick it up tomorrow."

"Really, that'll be great! But wait, I have plans tomorrow and the day after that I'm busy as well..."

"I can drop it off if you like." Kanji offered with a smile.

"Are you sure? The place is all the way in Okina City and I'll feel bad if you have to go all the way there just to deliver it."

"It'll be a cinch and I'll guarantee you the fabrics I'll pick will make your friend pretty." He replied with a grin.

"If you insist then here's the address to the place and my phone number is on the back of it. Once you call me, I'll be waiting for you at the train station and after that maybe we could have a drink or something."

Kanji was surprised by Sumiko's offer and he was relieved Yosuke left early or he'll probably make himself look like an idiot. Sumiko handed Kanji a pink calling card that smelt like a mixture of citrus and spices. Kanji read the calling card and was a little surprised by what he read. He looked up and noticed the girl had a kind smile on her face. 'Pink Cat' was written on the card and it was located in the shopping district of Okina City. After exchanging goodbyes, Sumiko waved goodbye to Kanji and headed back to Okina City. Once she left, Kanji was busily looking through fabrics and picking the ones that would suit a girl.

'What fabric would suit her?' He thought quietly.

As he rummaged through the cloths, he couldn't stop but imagine Sumiko wearing a gown or a kimono made from the fabric he choose for her friend. Then he heard the phone's answer machine turn on and it was Yukiko Amagi, the daughter that will take over the famous Amagi Inn someday. He was busy picking fabric for someone, he didn't know the phone was ringing which was near the cash register.

"Hello Kanji-san, it's Yukiko. Just want you to know that I can't pick up the package today but I'll pick it up tomorrow. Sorry about the inconvenience!"

He sighed lightly and folded the fabrics neatly into a box. He went in the back of shop and headed into the living room to grab his coat. He turned and noticed an old family photo of himself as a happy kid and his parents at a beach.

"You're starting to look just like your dad Kanji-kun~ I hope that one day you'll find princess and live happily ever after."

"M-mom cut that out!"

'I'm twenty two years old now...and I'm alone. I wonder if dad thinks of me as a failure for not being the man he wants me to be and I wonder if mom thinks I can't get myself a girl...'

An image of Sumiko appeared in his mind again and that kind smile on her face. Kanji locked up the shop and headed over to the train station. The streets were quiet as usual and two kids who were playing with action figurines ran past him who was reminiscing of his childhood. An hour later, he sat himself on one of the train's benches and noticed two girls in gaudy outfits gossiping and showing off their styled nails. Once the train stopped at its destination, Kanji and those two girls got out of the train. He took out his cellphone and the two girls noticed a cute rabbit key chain dangling on his phone. Before he could exchange glances at them, he turned to the other direction and took out the calling card that Sumiko gave him. Even though he had courage to talk to a stylish girl in his shop, he felt uncomfortable and slightly intimidated by the girls wearing high heels and brand purses.

Someone answered the other line, "Hello this is Elise speaking? How may I help you~"

"U-uhm...can I talk to Sumiko please!" Kanji asked nervously.

"Oh sure deary~ Sumiko-chan someone wants to talk to you!"

Kanji felt his face turn beet red and was breathing heavily which made a few strangers walk away from him quickly and averted eye contact.

He was welcomed by a familiar voice, "Hello this is Sumiko."

"Y-yo it's me, Kanji, I'm here at the train station with the package."

"Good timing! I'm a few blocks away from the station since I had to do some grocery shopping. Wait in front of the station Tatsumi-san, I'll be there soon."

Kanji nodded and stashed his phone away in his jacket. He quietly walked out of the train station's entrance way and was welcomed by the city's lights and sounds. The sun was started to disappear and the skies are changing into a darker color. Before he could actually take in the scenery, he noticed two familiar looking people walking towards the train station. Kanji bolted to the nearest trash can and hid behind it. It was none other than Yosuke and another good friend, Teddie, who also works at Junes as the mascot.

"Argh I can't believe we got ourselves in trouble at one bar." Yosuke said in disappointment.

Teddie smiled, "But they were nice enough to give us drinks."

"That's what they're supposed to do dummy. Well hopefully we could bring Kanji the next time we ever go."

"We should bring Yukiko and Chie also!" Teddie grinned.

"Hmm sounds like a good idea. Not only they have bars for men but they bars for women also."

As the two headed their way to the entrance, a familiar person noticed Kanji hiding behind the trash can and they placed the grocery bags filled with produce on the ground. Beside him was the box of fabric and she noticed his cellphone with a cute key chain on the ground.

"Thank god they didn't see me." Kanji said to himself.

"Who didn't see you Tatsumi-san?"

Kanji's eyes shot open and he was a few inches from the silver haired girl. Sumiko handed over his cellphone to him and the two got up on their feet. Kanji scratched the back of his head and didn't realize she was few inches short. She wasn't wearing the high heels she wore in the textile shop, she was wearing comfortable loafers and was wearing a cream yellow apron with cats imprinted on it.

"Do your feet hurt?" Kanji asked curiously.

"Huh?" Sumiko looked down and noticed she had a band aid on her foot, "Not really, it's my fault of running out the station without looking. But enough about me, thanks for bringing me the package. This will cover everything."

Sumiko handed him the money for the fabrics and walked over to the bags of groceries that need to be taken to somewhere important. Before she could grab the bags, she was stopped by Kanji, few moments later, the two were carrying the plastic bags along with the package. As they walked through the passing crowds of people, the two enter a narrow alley way and were welcomed by glowing neon signs.

"Thanks for helping me carry these bags. I definitely owe you a drink and a meal."

"You don't have to do that you know..." Kanji said and felt his cheeks turn a little red.

Sumiko shook her head, "No I insist after all I'm a hostess and I should serve you."

"Hostess?"

"Here we are! Welcome to Pink Cat Tatsumi-san."

To be continued in chapter 2. I do not own anything and please review.