A/n – Reposted this together with my other fics because I (finally) realized some of the "…"s weren't showing and how to get them to. ^^;
A/N– I don't like this as much as my previous fic… Think this is kinda boring, actually. But I read some really, really sweet Kamio/Shinji fics, so I just had to write one too. Heh. Sorry if this sucks.
The Course of Buying Shoes Never did Run Smooth
"Ah," Shinji stopped. "I forgot. I need a new pair of shoes. No, that's not exactly right. The pair I'm wearing is perfectly fine, and so are the two other pairs I have at home, but didn't someone say there's a sale going on somewhere? So I should get another pair of shoes since I don't want to waste a good opportunity like this. It will really, really suck if I did. So. Come with me?"
The last bit of his monologue was directed at his best friend, Kamio Akira, who was blissfully listening to his favourite MD for the ten-millionth time.
"What? Did you say something to me?" was his only reply. That, of course, set Shinji off onto another of his muted tirades.
"Shoes. I ask him to go shopping for shoes with me and all he can say is…"
"Oh SHOES. Yeah I heard there's a sale at the tennis shop near here. Come on, let's go." Humming a tune, Kamio set off, with Shinji still muttering behind him.
They stared at the racks of tennis shoes in front of them. They had done this before, and they knew the exact same thing was going to happen again in the future.
"That pair looks better then that, but that one has better support. Ah, looks don't matter on the tennis courts. Playing does. So I should get the other pair. But they are heavier then this pair and this pair is more comfortable. Then again, those have a larger discount, so it'll be more worthwhile buying them. Yes, it has a good grip too. The support is not bad either. I'll get this pair. But I should look at other shoes first, before deciding. Then again, what if someone buys the last pair in my size while I'm looking at other shoes? That would suck. I'll bring this shoe along with me so no one can buy it while I'm not here."
And so Shinji took the shoe off the rack and went in search of other, possibly better shoes. Kamio, meanwhile, continued listening and tapping to his music, but kept an eye in Shinji to make sure he didn't get into too much trouble.
Shinji finally returned with seven shoes. He sat next to Kamio without saying a word this time.
"This one's sole is too thick. That one's cutting is too wide for your feet. This…" Kamio began sorting through the shoes Shinji had brought back.
So it was finally, that only one shoe passed both Shinji and Kamio's tests. Kamio got a giggling salesgirl to bring him a new pair, and Shinji tried them on.
"There you go. Perfect." Kamio pronounced. "Now go pay."
Shinji paused. "I didn't bring much money out with me today." Another pause.
"Again?! Fine, fine, I'll lend you the money. But it's the last time, you hear
me? The last time!"
"You said that when I bought my last pair of shoes too, but it isn't a problem as long as I return you your money, isn't it?" And so the two of them paid for Shinji's shoes.
"The change, Shinji, you forgot the change again!"
It was always like this. Strange as it was, mercurial quicksilver Kamio Akira was always taking care of Ibu Shinji, the – shall we say – calmer of the duo. It was the way their friendship worked, and watching them, one can't help but wonder if that isn't the best way of all.