CHAPTER VI: …TURNS INTO A TRAGEDY

Ayako counts the money in her purse. "That's it. This is the amount I need."

She tucks the precious notes back inside. "Man, all those days of not eating lunch surely paid off."

After a moment of walking, she stops in front of a store and looks into the display window.

"Nani? Doushite?"

Her face a mask of disappointment, she rubs her eyes, hoping it's just a dream.

Unfortunately, it's not.

"They're gone! Oh my, they're really gone!" She is on the verge of tears.

She rushes inside the store, still worried.

"Sumimasen, Suzuki-san," she addresses the storekeeper. "Those items for sale at the window…where are they?"

"Oh, those? Some jolly old man bought them. Said they're for his wife." He eyes a teary Ayako.

"Gomen, shojo-chan. If you told me you're interested in those, I would've kept them for you. They're quite expensive, you know…"

Ayako's heart breaks into a thousand pieces. 'I know, I know. I'm sorry, it's my mistake. Good day, Suzuki-san."

She leaves the store and trudges home. –This day is a tragedy.-

Ayako arrives home. "Tada ima, okaasan."

She drops, face down, onto her bed. –Now, what will I do?- New tears start racing down her cheeks. "What will I do? I blew it! If only, if only…"

She sobs on her pillow, the moonlight caressing her face.