Mai's POV

'Oh Great…' I thought to myself, 'Just what I need…' I sighed quietly and went to get dressed. I heard Naru talking to his mother and a giggle from her as he followed me upstairs.

"You okay?" He asked me. I looked over at him and away.

"I don't want to sound mean, your mothers sweet, but I really don't want to go shopping right now…" I said.

"She just wants to get to know you, that's all…" He said softly. I smiled gently at him and hugged him.

"I know…Just a lot going on…" I said into his chest. He pet my head and let me go. I got dressed quickly, quietly. Throwing on some warm, black leggings, a purple tunic style shirt, a black sweater on over the shirt and my new favorite booties with a small heel. Gently brushing my hair, I yawned. Looking at him in the mirror I smiled gently and grabbed my purse.

"I'll…see you when I get back then?" I asked, already knowing the answer. A small kiss to my temple and a nudge out the door.

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We've been walking around the shopping plaza for 5 hours, which made it lunch time, or 12 o'clock. I was starving at this point and all this walking and trying on stuff has made me tired. I could use a pick me up.

"Okay~" I heard Luella say behind me, "One last stop and we can get something to eat, I know you must be starving." She said as she dragged me and the fifteen shopping bags I was carrying, into a small lingerie boutique. I blinked and stopped at the door.

"M-Miss. Luella, what're we doing in here?" I asked, I could feel my face getting beet red.

"Honey, Noll doesn't say much about what he likes. He may like simple, but you should have at least one thing to make him itch." She said. I just covered my face.

"I-I can't wear something like any of this…" I said, "for my own self…" I muttered. She just giggled.

"We aren't buying anything dear, but a friend once told me, confidence is built by the person wanting it." She turned to me, eyes soft. We start more…sensual. Then move to modesty."

I paused, "isn't it…the other way around?" I asked. She just smiled and picked out some, what I would call first level, lingerie. A simple bodysuit that would go well with the leggings I was wearing.

I caved pretty easily. 'I just want food!' I screamed internally. Sighing reluctantly, I went into a fitting room to try on this bodysuit. It was cute…kind of a silver color, and when I pulled the leggings back on over them it brought it together. Only thing I didn't like was I couldn't wear a bra with it. The cut in the front stopped right below my breasts, over my ribs. I took a deep breath and walked out to show her.

"Oh! I love it! It looks stunning darling." She said with a huge smile. I smiled shyly and let my hair cover the front of the bodysuit.

"Aren't you supposed to be the embodiment of…modesty…?" I questioned. She only grinned.

"Well I see Noll hasn't told you a lot…" She said. "Come. Get changed and we'll get some food yes? We'll get to know each other." I nodded and did as she said. Only for her to buy the damned body suit.

We got our food and sat at a table in the court, in which she launched into a story of her and Martin in college. Some points I blushed or hid my face, instantly thinking 'Oh god, TMI'.

"So, I became more modest, because of our job and age. However, my younger self would have bought this bodysuit in a heartbeat. For myself." She smiled and I just looked at my food.

"Well…you look as if you could still pull it off…" I said, she smiled with soft eyes.

"I know…but I've gotten older…and whether I look it or not, I wouldn't wear that now…" She said, earning a look from me. She set her drink down, "I'm a mother, Mai. Even with Noll gone 95% of the year, and Gene gone…for good…I've grown, mentally, as a mother. That garment is for a young woman who needs a boost of confidence. I want to help you boost it. Even if it's a simple bodysuit you could wear with leggings or jeans. The smallest thing helps…Trust me." She said, I smiled shyly back at him, eating.

"So, where next?" I asked.

"Shoes. Then, we get you something to wear to the Spirits tomorrow. We can return home after." She said. I nodded and finished eating.

Naru's POV

I looked up as I head the door open. Leaving my office and heading downstairs just to see how flustered Mai was from a day with my mother. I had to cover my mouth when I saw her. Her hair a mess from the wind, cheeks red from the cold and carrying the…oh god, 20 bags, and my mother easily carrying 20 more. I took half of the bags from her to help a bit.

"Thank you…" She breathed out. I nodded and set them up in my room before coming back to her. "What the hell did you buy mother?" I asked.

"Oh, just a little of this, little of that. Nothing bad." She said.

"She bought me something for tomorrow…" Mai smiled, leaning on me. "But now I'm sleepy…" I put an arm supportively around her. My father gave me a look as I picked her up, motioning me upstairs before my mother saw us and started gushing happily. I took the hint and went upstairs with Mai.

"Get some sleep Mai…" I said softly.

"Lay with me…?" She asked, I nodded gently and laid down with her, holding her as we did. Feeling her drift into a deep sleep. I kissed her head softly and breathed out.