Between the Fiery Mind and Cold Heart

Chapter 11 - For Starters, Try Footwear

Legend:

Word - denotes character's thought

[Word] - denotes concept of time, setting

Word - denotes sound effect

[Tokyo-3 mall, central square, Building A]

Inside, it was jam packed with people. The 7 teens --- Asuka, Hikari, Megan, Rei, Kensuke, Shinji, and Touji --- gathered around near a map guide of the mall for a start.

"Jeez, what a crowd! Maybe we should consider going somewhere else, right everybody?" Touji suggested.

WHACK

"O-ouch! What! I was only suggesting…" he winced from the hard whack to his head courtesy from his girlfriend.

"Changing your mind? You agreed with all of us that we hang out here. And remember, it was Megan here who wanted to check this place out, so we shouldn't disappoint her," Hikari recalled, glaring at him.

Megan giggled.

Shinji drew his ailing buddy close to him, and whispered, "There's nothing we can do now, we just have to go along with the flow. Besides, I wouldn't want to refuse Megan's request."

Kensuke joined in.

"Touji, dude, how long has it been since we all went out together? Plus, we can find the chance to hang out with our girlfriends," he motioned his eyebrows to the girls.

Touji feigned surprise in his face.

"Girlfriend? Oh, I see, getting all tough and brave, ready to get down with her, eh?"

The otaku blushed at the remark.

"What are you stooges mumbling about? Sheesh! We're wasting precious time here!" Asuka exclaimed impatiently.

"Alright, alright, chill, red devil…"

WHACK

"Ouch! I mean A-A-Asuka," the jock corrected his remark after another whack to his head from the Class Rep.

"Humph, that's better! Well, where do you want to go first, Megan?" the fiery German-Japanese redhead asked.

"Hmm… let me see, how about that shop over there where they're displaying some new shoes?" Megan pointed out to a shop that had pictures in display of various athletes showing off different sport shoes.

"A shoe shop? Well, let's go then," Kensuke said.

The teens walked inside the shop.

A female employee greeted them. "Good afternoon! Welcome to Toby's. What can we do for you?"

"Thanks, but we're just looking around here," Megan said.

"Very well. Please take your time to find your selection," she said before attending to another customer who walked in.

"Cool dude, take a look at these shoe models! If I remember my NBA knowledge, those are the shoes a famous NBA player named Michael Jordan wore," Kensuke exclaimed in amazement as he pointed out to a Nike Air Jordan model perched on a shoe rack. A wall poster nearby showed the legend doing a trademark dunk with his tongue sticking out.

"Woah," Touji joined in.

Shinji sweatdropped anime-style. Basketball huh? Well, that'd take a lot out of me if I try that.

"Ah, I can't believe they have this model! I've been looking all over the malls back in America for this," Megan said, picking up a rubber shoe with a dark purple-white design.

"Really? So, are you into sports, Megan?" Asuka wondered.

"Volleyball and Badminton are my favorite sports in my PE classes. What about you?" Megan replied.

"I love swimming. I could say I add a little touch of finesse when I swim," Asuka proudly said. Hikari rolled her eyes over at her best friend's remark.

Shinji found himself getting bored as he waited for his friends. Ugh. I feel left out. He looked around to find Rei walking back and forth, observing the many shoes lined up in display. She looks cute when she's like that, heh, heh. He saw her face lit up with awe and curiosity. Well, I might as well do something. He forced himself to look around the shop to kill time. Hmm, that shoe's not bad. It looks firm and durable. He picked out a white rubber shoe under a label "For Outdoors --- Walking, Running, and Jogging" and examined it. It had a simple design --- pure white all over, but with an added layer to provide durability. He tried it on.

"What do you know… it fits nicely," he said to himself, satisfied. Now, the thought of buying it was on his mind.

"Shin-chan! Look at what I got!" Asuka exclaimed, rushing up to him. She stretched her feet out to show a pair of shoes like the one Shinji was trying on, except with the color being red.

"Hmm, it suits you nicely, Asuka," Shinji said, taking in her beauty. He noticed she was looking him with earnest eyes. No. Don't tell me.

"Shin-chan, can you buy them for me? I really like them!"

Sigh. And I was planning on saving some of my money for myself. Shinji dropped his shoulders down in defeat.

"What's wrong? Why are you like that?"

"Huh? It's nothing. Well, how much are they?" I hope I can afford them and have some money left over.

Asuka lifted her foot off and looked at the small price sticker taped on the bottom.

"They cost Y 18,750 ($150)."

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Author: Exchange rate of Japanese yen to US dollar: Y125 = $1. One of the reviewers suggested it. I don't know the actual rate.

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Shinji's face turned slightly pale at the sound of the price. He shook himself to remove his shock.

"Alright, I'll buy them. Anything for you and Rei," he smiled awkwardly.

"Thank you Shin-chan! You're the best!" Asuka hugged him and planted a kiss on his cheek. She smiled and returned to looking around.

Rei then went up to him, wearing a pair of shoes like Asuka's, but with the color being light blue. She looked happily at her boyfriend.

"Shinji-kun? What do you think of this pair of shoes I'm wearing?" she asked.

He took one close look at them. He grinned, "I think they fit you well, Rei-chan, plus they have your favorite color."

Rei blushed slightly on his compliment. She grabbed hold of his arm.

"I feel comfortable wearing these. I was wondering if you can buy them for me?"

Shinji felt a sore spot hitting inside him. But I can't refuse. Besides I'll be buying Asuka her shoes as well. She'll stay mad at me if she sees that. He saw her eyes pleading to him.

"Sure, Rei-chan. I'll buy them for you. Uh, how much are they?" he said, defeated.

She checked the small price sticker taped on the bottom part of her shoes.

"They cost Y 16,250 ($130). If you cannot afford them, I understand."

"No, I can afford them, don't worry. Anything for you and Asuka."

"Thank you, Shinji-kun!"

Rei planted a kiss on his cheek and wandered off to look around again, leaving Shinji to his thoughts. Having two girlfriends sure is expensive. Thank kami dad gave me extra in my allowance. Oh shoot, looks like I'll have to put off buying this shoe next time. Shinji placed back the shoe he tried on to its display.

Kensuke watched Megan examining intently on the shoe she picked. He couldn't help but notice how beautiful she was. She's like a… goddess from heaven. She doesn't have the obvious sexiness professor Katsuragi has. No, it's more like a "wow" effect. He saw Megan's face filled with anxiety. If she had been really looking for those shoes for a long time, then I'm willing to make her happy by buying them. He took out his wallet and counted his cash --- Y 31,250 ($250). Hmm, enough for that dating simulation PC game I've been saving for.

Megan sighed and put the shoe back on its stand. Her lips turned into a frown.

Kensuke was taken slightly surprised.

"Megan? What's wrong?" he asked.

"If I knew it'd be available here, I would have brought more money. I'm short of cash to buy this," she replied.

"I tell you what, how about I get that for you?"

"What? No, Kensuke, you don't have to. I mean, I don't really want it that badly."

The otaku saw her eyes telling a lie. Hmm… I think she really wants it, after all searching for it all over the malls in America. She's a persistent shopper!

"It's fine by me. If I can get you that shoe to make you happy, then I'm glad."

Megan blushed slightly at the remark.

"Kensuke…"

"I insist. And besides, I want to turn that frown of yours upside-down, yeah?"

"Thank you."

Megan reached for his hand and held it. Kensuke locked his eyes with hers. The two stood still, looking each other.

Score one for the otaku, the otaku thought.

Meanwhile, the jock could only wait patiently for his girlfriend to make up her mind. Hikari found herself unsure to buy from two pairs of stylish sandals she was holding in her hand.

"Hmm… I like this design, but the other one gives me a comfy feeling I wear it," she wondered.

Touji felt his patience crumbling by a minute. Argh… I didn't know Hikari would be into shoes. Girls… why do they buy such stuff like that and be uncertain to buy it or not? On top of that, I'm getting hungry. I bet Shin-man and Kensuke are suffering like me.

"What do you think, Touji-kun? This one or the other one?" Hikari help up the two pairs of sandals in front of him.

"Uh, I'd say pick the one you're satisfied with. They look ok to me."

"Really? Hmm… okay, I'll take both of them!"

Touji breathed a sign of relief.

Hikari checked her wallet in her purse.

"Sigh… I didn't bring enough money to get them! Now I'm going to have choose from both then."

The jock felt worried inside. Hmm… it's not much, but I don't want to disappoint her. "Uh, Hikari? How about I buy them for you? You don't need to pay me back."

"W-W-What are you saying, Touji? I don't want you to waste your money on me."

"It's not that big of a deal. How much are they?"

Touji… he can be thoughtful some times, the Class Rep thought. "Well, this one I'm holding from my left hand costs… Y 31,250 ($250), while the other I'm holding from my right hand costs… Y 25,000 ($200)."

Y 56,250 ($450) in total! Shock and dread filled the jock's face. He felt his heart pause a few beats. He quickly saved face.

"Hmm, I guess have enough to buy those two," he took out his wallet and checked his cash --- Y 100,000.

"Touji… are you sure about this?" Hikari asked her boyfriend.

The jock waved off her worry.

"Look, it's no problem with me! I want to make you happy in any way I can."

Hikari blushed. She laid her head against his chest and embraced him.

"Whoa, Class Rep," the jock smiled embarrassingly. He embraced her back.

The teens gathered near the cash counter to pay for their new shoes --- the guys paying. After, they walked around the mall. The girls walked ahead the guys and chatted leisurely.

"Kensuke managed to buy me this shoe I've been looking for a long time. He was sweet and thoughtful to do so," Megan said.

"Touji also. He looked a bit hesitant at first, but did so after. Hmm… I think he might be saving his money for something other than me," Hikari added sadly.

"Oh come on, Hikari! That stooge knows better not to disappoint you. Speaking of which, Shin-chan was able to get Rei and I new shoes. Don't be so negative!" Asuka cheered her best friend.

"What about you, Rei? You seem to be happy," the Class Rep said to the azure-haired angel.

"Yes. Shinji-kun looked happy to get Sohryu and I our wants. He is just like Megan described Aida," Rei replied.

Megan wondered. 'Shinji-kun?' 'Shin-chan?' By the sound of that, it seems that they are especially fond of Shinji then. Could it be that he has them as girlfriends?

From the guys' side, the jock had a frown in his face. Shinji smiled as he hummed a catchy tune from one of his favorite anime shows. Kensuke looked serious as he thought about Megan. The three were carrying their girlfriends' pair of new shoes in plastic bags.

"Shin-man, what are you grinning like that? What's up with you?" Touji asked.

"Hmm? Well, it's just that it's great to have Asuka and Rei as girlfriends. Plus, that solved my love problems between them," Shinji replied.

"So, you think you can score out with both of them?" the jock juggled his eyebrows mischievously.

Shinji's face turned slightly red in embarrassment.

"Ha, ha! You sly dog!" Touji looked at Kensuke and noticed his quiet demeanor, "Hey, Ken, what's with the long face? Something wrong?"

"Huh? No, it's nothing," the otaku replied. Hmm… where could I take Megan out to a date? But first, I have to see if she agrees.

"Sigh… man, having a girlfriend sure is costly. Just a pair of shoes, and it took half of my cash!" the jock exclaimed.

"You forget me, having two girlfriends," Shinji added.

"But I think it's worth it."

Touji and Shinji looked at Kensuke, surprised.

"Maybe you're right, Kensuke. But I fear that our wallets will be drained of our cash slowly and surely," Shinji said.

The guys nodded in agreement and followed their girlfriends.