The bell over the door jingled merrily as Matsuko Hijikata stepped into the shop.
Her eyes were immediately fixed on her surroundings, an antique grandfather clock in the corner, a collection of old records spread across the surface of an ancient looking table, various bobbles and trinkets all around the room.
She had just moved to examine some dust old books near the wall when a voice called out to her.
"Hello! Are you looking for something in particular?"
Matsuko looked towards the counter, giving the rather attractive shop keeper a sheepish smile, "Not exactly, I sort of came in on a whim, and I don't have much money…"
The man's eyes glinted, "If money is what you want I could sell you this."
The man pulled out an antique jewelry box and set it on the counter.
Matsuko stepped up to admire it, "It's really well made… and the details are astounding…"
"It powers are legendary you know?"
"Hmmm? It's magic?"
It certainly looked as if it had been pulled directly out of a fairy tale.
"Mhmmm lots of things in this shop are. Anything you desire, I could sell it to you."
Matsuko seemed awed by this man, the man with the power to grant wishes.
"If you don't mind my saying," the man continued as he returned the box to its proper place, "You don't seem like the type to desire money."
Matsuko laughed, "You're right, money has never been very important to me," her smile faded slightly, "even though I never had much growing up." Her smile returned, more brilliant than before, "There are much more important things to work for I think."
The man nodded, "Indeed there are..."
He seemed to study her for a moment, and then declared "Like love for instance!"
Matsuko laughed brightly at his sudden change in demeanor, "Yes, like love…"
She seemed to trail off into her own thoughts for a moment, and the man knew he had struck the correct chord.
"I have something that can help you find him you know?"
Matsuko snapped out of her thoughts, "Find who?"
"Why, Your true love of course!"
Her eyes widened, "You can do that?!"
"Of course I can! I said I could grant your heart's desire didn't I?"
Matsuko's excitement faded into a frown, "Oh, but I probably couldn't afford something like that… I only have six dollars…"
The man smiled, sliding a small red and green pendant across the counter, "Don't worry about it. You seem like a kind hearted girl, I'll give it to you free of charge."
"Oh! But I can't do that! It isn't-"
The man chuckled, "Don't worry about it, I'm doing it because I want to help."
Matsuko hesitated for a few moments, and then slowly reached out to take the pendant from him.
"H-How does it work?"
"Why you wear it of course!" he chuckled, "Simply place it around your neck and your true love will come to you."
Matsuko nodded and then bowed respectfully, sliding her six dollars across the counter, "Then take this as a token of my appreciation!"
"Very well then, have a nice day Ms. Hijikata."
Matsuko waved to him cheerily, before realizing she hadn't given him her name. When she turned around to point this out, the mysterious man was gone.
With a heavy sigh Matsuko left the shop.