Forever Midnight
By Riyukku Sayuri
Rating: PG-13
Author's Note: Yes, it the chapters are short, and I am aware of that! Anyways, please read and review and enjoy the chappie!
Chapter Four
Shopping
After school, as Kouji promised, they headed off to Jiyuugaoka Mall, looking for a perfect gown for Izumi. However, all of the fine shops that they passed by did not seem to appeal to Izumi.
Then, they finally found a shop suitable for Izumi. It was called the "Kawaii Deluxe" which was a pricy shop, but quite worth it.
"Oh Kouji-kun, come! Let's look for a fuchsia gown!" Izumi squealed, taking Kouji's hand and leading him into the beautiful shop.
Ah, Kouji-kun. Darling, I did not expect to see you here.
Izumi clattered through gown after gown of purple yet could not find the one she wanted until she came upon… it which was also the last one in stock that – luckily – was a perfect size for Izumi.
It was a gown with shades of purple silks, two slim silk straps, and tiny silk fuchsia fuchsias sewn onto it. Also, some layers of the purple shades of silks were sheer and the rest were of a solid purple shade.
The gown glowed and gleamed beautifully in its position where a beam of light beamed down on it.
It had a soft, silky sheer sash in a gentle fuchsia color and a lavender shawl. The shawl and sash looked glittery in the beamy light.
Ah, the most beautiful dress in this pricy store…
Izumi touched the gown just barely with the tips of her fingers and felt its smooth silk. She lifted it down and measured it with herself, facing Kouji with twinkling eyes.
"Hm, it looks like a perfect fit," Kouji replied quietly, keeping to himself. Izumi smiled and gently put the dress over her right arm.
"Oh, what a lovely dress! I must see!" a stranger shrieked, grabbing the dress draping Izumi's arm. "Hey!" Izumi shouted in shock. "Give me that dress!" the stranger hissed. "Let go!" Izumi growled, her grasp on her gown not wavering.
A clerk overheard and came to the gown's rescue, shouting, "Stop! Stop!" Kouji then stepped up to the plate explaining, "This woman was going to take the dress from my friend, Izumi-chan. She had reached for the dress first and was going to buy it."
The clerk kindly asked the stranger to leave, but she did not. Instead, she removed the black hood that was draping over her face, revealing a delicate yet evil face.
"Kikyo!" Izumi shouted, clutching her gown. "Izumi, so nice to see you," Kikyo hissed in a mocking tone. She glared at Izumi evilly. "Ma'am, I need you to leave," the clerk said forcefully but kindly.
He grabbed Kikyo gently and dragged her out of the store. That was when Izumi had noticed the fuchsia slippers that resided at the bottom of the shelf, the second part to the outfit. Carefully, she picked up the delicate slippers and was amazed that they were a perfect fit.
Kouji then came to her side with a tiny lavender purse. "Oh Kouji! Domo arigato!" Izumi cried, tears welling in her glassy emerald eyes. Izumi held the silky gown, fuchsia slippers, and tiny purse in her right hands and heaved them to the checkout counter.
The lady in charge hissed in a gruff voice, "That'll be a thousand yen." Izumi could only fish out five hundred, and so Kouji tossed another five hundred onto the white checkout counter.
The gruff lady counted the yen and handed Izumi the bag and receipt, reading one of the ripped magazines that sat on one of the clean white shelves behind the counter.
Izumi nodded her head in thanks, although the lady didn't really pay any attention, and walked out with Kouji from the fancy store and gruff lady residing behind the checkout counter.
"Oh Kouji-kun, domo arigato for helping me pay for this! How can I ever pay you back? With Otou-san ill and all… I just… I just am so thankful!" Izumi squealed. She looked at Kouji with sweet angel eyes.
"It was only what my Oka-san would have wanted me to do," Kouji replied honestly, taking Izumi's bag into his own free hand.
"Oh, but Kouji, you truly didn't have to do what you did. You could have just… kept the yen for yourself," Izumi said gratefully. "But it was what I should have done – and it was for your pleasure and excitement, was it not? I only hope that you will enjoy the gown and slippers and purse. It was just a little thank you to you for the many things you have helped me through," Kouji replied.
"Helped… you through?" Izumi questioned, looking into his eyes. Kouji nodded and stared up into the white ceiling above them where they could see people walking around and shops with neon signs glaring out.
"H… how?" Izumi questioned, almost afraid to ask. "Well, Izumi-chan, you will find out soon enough. For now I hope that those dress accessories will make your gown much more beautiful," Kouji replied.
"Kouji-kun," Izumi almost whispered. "Hm?" he replied. "Well… you've helped me too – and in so many ways. I could never have done anything without you," she explained, her eyes turning a modest green.
"Done anything?" he replied in a shocked tone. "Well, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't have gotten that dress. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't even be going to the back-to-school prom! If it weren't for you, I wouldn't feel l – happiness," Izumi explained, but held her tongue from that last word.
Love? Izumi, you baka, were you just going to say love? What are you thinking?! Izumi's mind hailed powerfully.
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a/n: Ooh, love? ;; Okay, I wasn't sure about the yen thing, so I made it up! Don't get angry if I get it wrong! --;; Anyways, read and review! Ja!