Masked Girl Prediction

The golden sign, LoveLy Loaner shimmered under the faint morning sunlight, along with his silky silver hair. The small bell on top of the wooden door jingled as it slowly opened, the young guy stepping in. He clenched the small bag he held, looking around the dimmly lit shop that was filled with items of all sorts, but rather messily placed which made it look un-inviting. He began to doubt a little as he walked deeper in, whether he chose the right place. He stopped momentarily to stare at a antique mirror, gazing at his own reflection. The same light purplish eyes, silver hair and readless expression. With not much thought he moved on. Approaching the counter to see no one there, he shouted, "Is anyone here?" It was silent as he waited for an reply; there was none. "No one's here. But the sign did say it was Open." Begining to feel uncomfortable in this dark room, he turned around to leave. "ARGH," he cried dropping his bag and falling to the floor, surprised to be close to a pair of upside down crimson eyes. He breathed heavily as he looked closer. It was a masked girl dangling from a iron bar of some sort from the ceiling, upside down.

"Are you a customer?" she asked. "I'm the owner of this place."

Calming down, he stood up, patting dust off his clothes, "I came to pawn an item I own."

Though he couldn't see her face, he saw her eyes concentrating on the small bag on the floor beside him, "is it a ring?"

He was stunned, "h-how did you know?"

She giggled, "I'd fail to keep this shop running if I hadn't the skill to uphold anything. Can you help me? I'm a little stuck so please pull me down."

He looked at the masked girl for a moment and then went to grab her arms, pulling her legs free from the iron bar. She landed onto the floor with a light thud, picking up his small bag on the floor, "let me examine it first."

He swiftly followed, though keeping a slight distance to the strange girl. He watched her silently as she took the ring from it's case and twirled it around before her eyes. After a few minutes she placed the ring back into the case, "how much are you planning?"

"What?"

"I asked, how much do you want for this ring," the girl asked again.

"As much as I can get from it," he replied truthfully.

"I see," she paused a little. "What's your name, first-timer?"

"First-timer?"

"Yeah, you've never been to a pawnshop before have you?" she said with a voice that seemed to show that she was smiling.

"Zero Kiryuu," he answered, not diverting his gaze away from her.

"Zero Kiryuu, a nice name," she said. "The name's Yuuki Cross. I hate formality so, go ahead and call me Yuuki. May I ask Zero, what do you plan to use the money for?"

Zero opened his mouth but was reluctant to give an reply. Seeing this Yuuki

pushed on, "I have an obligation to understand a little of my customer's background from time to time. You see, if you were a gambler or of some sort, I'd have to decline loaning money to you. It's a definite that gambler's won't be able to repay any loans and the items don't tend to sell well. You understand what I'm trying to get at right. Not that you have to say exactly, vague would do."

"It's for my girlfriend."

"Is she in debt or something?" Yuuki questioned whilst studying his facial expression closely.

Zero shook his head, "Her father's a gambler...but since I'm the one taking money it should be fine right?"

"Have you met her father at all?" Yuuki continued to ask.

"No, I haven't. It's only been a four month relationship," Zero answered again.

"You love her a lot don't you?"

"I'm serious. She was really nice to me, introducing me to a part time job and everything. When I got to know her better, I began to fall in love with her," Zero told Yuuki.

"Then, can I guess what your girlfriend wears and looks like. Leather boots, extremely short miniskirts, extremely low cut tops, plastered face with make-up?"

"Can you tell me how much you can loan me?" Zero asked, taking the initiative this time.

Yuuki shook her head this time, "please answer my previous question even if its my curiosity."

Zero sighed, "she does wear similar things to what you said before thouh it's only recently that she's worn clothes like that."

"£200," Yuuki finally said.

Zero meekly smiled, "thankyou. I'll repay the loan."

Yuuki waved her hand, beckoning him to come closer so, Zero started to walk towards her. He stopped midway in his steps, the sudden gaze from Yuuki's crimson eyes making him feel disturbed. Yuuki said, "I won't loan you the money. Lending you money will be the same as pushing you into hell."

"What do you mean?" Zero asked, puzzled by Yuuki's sudden decision.

Yuuki tilted her head, "your girlfriend is a bitch that'll break your heart and leave you."

Zero banged his fists on the desk, making Yuuki back away from the table. He grabbed the ring case and began to turn to leave. He raged, "DON'T TALK OF HER LIKE THAT!"

Yuuki smiled beneath her mask. "You're the same as always, Zero," she whispered to herself, so softly that Zero didn't hear a word. "You're always walking to your demise like this, I wonder how many times will I have to warn you and then rescue you." Reaching under the table, she fumbled about and retrieved £200 in cash along with a contract. Before he reached the door, she shouted, "ZERO KIRYUU, I'VE CHANGED MY MIND. I'LL LEND YOU THE CASH!"

Zero stopped in his steps, his conscious debating on the thought to leave or to take the money. He bit his lips, knowing he couldn't just leave his girlfriend alone, "I'll take it."

Yuuki tapped a pen on the contract, "I'd advise you to read it before signing. But it's simple, I lend you £200 for this ring and for you to take back this item, you must repay the loan in 2 weeks time. If after 2 weeks you fail to repay me, this item will belong to me and this shop. I then have the right to sell it."

"I understand," Zero bitterly said, as he scribbled his signature onto the paper and grabbing the money.

All of a sudden, Yuuki took hold of Zero's face, pulling him towards her so that their eyes met. She felt his shiver from her stern gaze, but she didn't hesitate to say this, "I've got a prediction. When you give this moeny to your girlfriend, you'll definately regret not listening to me. Also, you'll find yourself further in my debt."

Zero immediately turned around and dashed for the door as soon as Yuuki let go of him. The bell gave a jingle signaling his leave. He panted as he ran, holding the money in his hands. He stopped as he turned the corner of the street. "What was that? Are pawnshop's really that weird?" He took a glance at his watch, "I still have time to get to the cafe before Meg arrives. She'll be relieved to recieve this." Inhaling for a few minutes to calm himself down, Zero began to slowly walk again. Even though the streets around him was filled with people and the mass of noise was overwhelming, he heard one voice very clearly, Lending you money will be the same as pushing you into hell, your girlfriend is a bitch that'll break your heart and leave you. It was obvious to Zero that her words bothered him, strangly enough that they had only met today for business, but he somehow felt he should know more about her. He couldn't help but wonder, "Yuuki Cross, what are you and your prediction?"