"Why should I be the one doing all these? It's so uncool carrying grocery bags. Now no girls would be looking at me. That's such a waste of my talents." A tall redhead grumbled to those brown paper bags he was cradling, like he felt that those bags were not full enough.

"You are ruining such a fine day with your complaints, young man."

Gojyo stopped and turned towards the voice. It came from a frail old man, who was sitting in a shady corner of the street fanning himself. His grizzly beard fluttered with each sweep of the tattered fan.

"Looks like I've disturbed you in someway, old man."

"The old man is just looking to do some business."

The figure blended into the wall he was sitting against. One would have thought it was a statue if not for the lazily moving fan. There was a small wooden table beside him, which looked like it will give way anytime to the weightless contents that were deliberately arranged on it. Gojyo curiously stepped closer to get a better look at what the old man was selling.

"Interested to get something for your girlfriend?"

"I've got many girlfriends, old man."

The ornaments were antique, just like their vendor. One of them caught his attention like it had a life of its own; calling to be picked up. Gojyo reached a hand towards it at its beckon. This was the creepy part about things that had been in existence for too long; weird things start to inhibit in them.

"Ah! Not surprising from a fine young man like you. I've had my days too, you know."

"Ha! That got you a business, old man!"

Gojyo chuckled at that comment and reached into his pocket, but paused when his fingers touched the plastic. Having a change of mind, he withdrew his hand and reached into the other pocket for his own money he had won from those inn gamblers.

"Only getting one?"

"An old man like you shouldn't ask for more."

Dry rasps came coughing from the old man's throat; Gojyo figured that it must be the old man's laughter.

"There's nothing more an old man can ask for."

"Glad you know that."

Gojyo paid the old man and turned to leave the shadows.

"It's always wise to keep one closest to your heart."

He faintly heard the old man. Tossing the purchase in the air and letting it land in his palm; Gojyo grinned and waved a goodbye without looking back.

~End~