Disclaimer: I do not own Zodiac PI. I also based this story on a song called "Christmas Shoes" by Newsong, which I also don't own.
Hiro was staring to lose it. There were only a couple of days left until Christmas and here he was spending them in a busy mall. He was tired, sore, and his holiday joy was running low. He had spent most of his spare time lately being dragged about the mall by his older sister and he only realized he had none of his own shopping done when Megumi asked him what he got for Lily.
Now he was standing in line wishing for the people in front of him to hurry up. He still had other places to go. After what seemed like forever there were only a couple of people before him. Looking down he began to notice the person in front of him.
It was a little boy who looked eight. He seemed like he could use a bath and a hot meal. His shoes were practically falling off his feet and his coat was worn out. But he looked excited as he fidgeted, waiting for his turn to pay. In his glove clad hands were a pair of shoes.
Finally it was the little boy's turn. Hastily he placed the shoes on the counter. Then he dug into his pocket and pulled out a few bills and a lot of coins. Giving the cashier a toothy grin he asked, "I would like to buy these shoes, Sir. Could you wrap them up quickly? I have to get them to my momma soon."
Ringing up the shoes he put the paper money in the register and counted up the coins. When he had finally finished he looked down at the boy and said regretfully, "Sorry, kid. You don't have enough here."
The kid looked crestfallen and panicked. He turned every pocket he had inside out and even took off his shoes to look for anything that could help him out. When he found no hidden money he tried explaining why he needed the shoes so badly. "I don't have any more money but I need these shoes! They're for my momma for Christmas. She also made Christmas fun and I could never get her anything. Now she's sick and she'd look beautiful in these! I have to get these for her!"
"I feel for you kid but my hands are tied. There's nothing I can do." The cashier tried to say.
"Please I-" the little boy tried once again.
"I'll pay for them." Looking down Hiro saw the kid staring at him in disbelief and hope. Breaking eye contact with him he turned his attention to the cashier. Opening his wallet he pulled out a couple of twenties and put them on the counter. "That should be plenty. Now wrap it up and make it quick. This kid has to hurry on back home."
The kid just stood there dumb founded as his shoes were quickly wrapped up. Once they were down Hiro carefully pick up the present and put it in the kid's hands. Turning him until he faced the nearest exit Hiro gave him a gentle shove. "Go on Kid. I'm sure your mom wants to see you."
Snapping out of it the kid turned around and gave Hiro a hug before running off. Just as he was about to rush out the door he stopped. Turning around he waved to Hiro. "Thanks! Momma's going to look so great!"
Hiro smiled and waved as the boy turned around. He watched until he disappeared out of sight then Hiro went back to his shopping, feeling better than he had in a while.
Sir, I want to buy these shoes for my Mama, please
It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size
Could you hurry, sir, Daddy says there's not much time
You see she's been sick for quite a while
And I know these shoes would make her smile
And I want her to look beautiful if Mama meets Jesus tonight