Chapter 10: From Grocery Shopping To… Babysitting? (Part 1)
In hindsight, I should've waited for Mina to come back.
It's going to be a bitch to carry the groceries back since I don't have a car.
I've already walked here so no point in going back empty handed now.
Walking into the store, I'm overwhelmed with how actually big it is.
I swear it didn't look like much from the outside.
Here's to hoping I don't get lost looking for things on my list.
I grab a shopping cart and take a deep breath.
Let's do this!
An hour or so passes of navigating the store and marking stuff off of my list.
Huh, this isn't as bad as I first thought.
What was I so nervous about?
Alright, I'm almost done!
Next thing on the list is… a special kind of apples that are only available here in Lowee.
They say those apples provide all sorts of health benefits.
Would really help to have those as health items while doing quests or something to keep me going on long nights doing manga.
Guess I better hurry or they might already be sold out.
I make a mad dash to the produce aisle with my half full cart.
In the aisle, I look down at the list while slowly pushing my cart along.
Maybe I can swoop by the electronics section once I've got everything taken care of.
My cart suddenly shakes and stops, the sounds of metal clashing together startling me.
I accidentally collided head on with this girl's cart and she looks just as startled as me.
That's what I get for not keeping my eyes forward.
"I'm sorry! I wasn't paying attention!" We both quickly say, bowing our heads to each other.
"Please Miss, this is my fault! Allow me to take full blame! You're not hurt, are you?" I say, worried.
"N-No, I'm not. T-Thanks for asking. Honestly, I wasn't looking either so I must take my part of the blame. You didn't get hurt either, did you?" she stutters softly.
Close one!
I could've caused a bad accident just now.
"Not at all," I say.
Now that I look at her clearly, what's up with her outfit?
Is she supposed to be some kind of martial artist?
"M-Ma'am, aren't you a bit underdressed for the naturally cold weather of Lowee? You could get really sick," I say.
"That's kind of you to be concerned but it's okay. I trained my body to withstand extreme temperatures so I'm in no danger at all," she explains.
"If you say so," I sigh.
"Hey, if you don't mind me asking, what's your name?" she says.
"Oh, it's Leon. What's yours?" I ask.
"My name is Tekken," she says.
"Would one say that you are called the King of Iron Fist?" I joke.
Technically, it would be queen but oh well. It's too late to change it now.
"Actually, yes! How did you know that? Have you seen me fight?! Are you a fan?!" she asks excitedly, close to my face.
"N-None of that. It just came off the top of my head so call it a lucky guess," I say, rubbing the back of my head.
Sounds like she's got her own following.
"Aww, that's a bit disappointing," she says.
"Sorry about that. I don't really get out that much," I say.
"That's okay. A little rude of me to assume such things," she says.
"If I'm guessing correctly, I can safely say you're not from here," I say.
"That's right. I came to Lowee to try out a new training regimen and I also wanted to get ahold of a special fruit that's only available here. I think it'll prove to be helpful for getting excellent results," she says.
"In that case, I'll let you be on your way. I have a fruit I'm looking for as well," I say.
"Nice talking to you," she says.
Oh, the apples are right beside me as well!
There's only one bag left so I should grab it now!
I grab the bag of apples and find that Tekken's hand is on it as well.
The dots probably should've connected earlier and not now.
We look at each other in awkward silence.
Closing her eyes, she gives me a warm smile, wanting me to let her take it.
She's lucky that she's so nice and cute.
"I'm sure I can find these in a different store. You have them," I hand them over to her.
"Aww! Thank you, Leon! You're so sweet," she says.
"You're very welcome, Tekken," I say.
"Oh, I forgot to mention this earlier when we were on the subject but do you happen to be a fighter?" she asks.
"I go on quests and adventures from time to time. I'm pretty good with weapons but not so much with fists and the sort," I say.
"I-If you're interested in training, y-you could come… v-visit me," she stammers shyly.
"This isn't some kind of innuendo, is it?" I question, blushing
"N-Not at all! Since I'm going to be in Lowee for a couple of months, I figured I would offer you the chance to train with me since we most likely will run into each other again," she says, blushing while shakily holding out what looks like a business card to me.
"I'll definitely keep it in mind," I say, taking the card.
"S-See you around," she says, taking her cart and leaving.
What a strange girl.
Then again I can't really talk now, can I?
Heading over to the canned goods aisle, I whistle to myself while looking at the shelf for the brand I usually buy.
I hear a commotion coming towards me from behind.
Why the hell it get so noisy suddenly?
Turning around, I get bumped into by a little girl recklessly running through the aisle.
Off balance, I stumble into a tall stack of canned beans and fall to the ground, knocking the stack down as well.
Son of a bitch! That really hurt!
A store definitely isn't the place for horseplay!
"Stop running around! You're causing all sorts of damage!" another girl shouts.
Slowly getting off the floor, the girl helps me up to my feet.
"I'm sorry for my sister's behavior. Are you okay, Mister?" she asks.
"Yeah, I'm alright," I say.
It's funny. I swear the girl that ran past me looked li-
Looking at this girl's face, I'm immediately taken aback.
My mind wasn't playing tricks on me at all!
T-They look just like her!
There's no way I could be mistaken!
B-B-Blanc's little sisters?!
What are they even doing here?!
D-Does that mean… BLANC IS HERE TOO?!