A/N: tumblr prompt from fireyfobbitmedicine: Keiko and Botan go shopping

a la mode

Keiko paused in front of a shop window, eying the display of shoes and assorted clothing. She couldn't help but think that one of the shirts would suit Yusuke, and the thought made her frown. She pushed down the twinge of worry; instead, she turned her attention back to Botan, sipping a bubble tea beside her. "So, do they have shops in Spirit World, too?"

Botan grinned. "Of course they do! Though, I must say, I've grown quite fond of the fashions of the human world."

"Really?"

"Yeah! I mean," she waved a hand, "as much as I love traditional wear, there's so rarely anything new. It just gets so boring sometimes!"

Keiko smiled a little at that. "Well, you definitely have a good fashion sense."

Botan bumped her with a shoulder. "Aw, Keiko, you flatterer!"

"Well, you do!"

"You know, you're pretty cute yourself. Oh!" Botan grabbed Keiko's arm and pointed at a shop across the street. "We should go in there."

Keiko glanced at the display of accessories, and nodded. "Okay." She let Botan lead the way, across the street, and through the glass doors. There was a chime when they entered, and the store attendant greeted them-they returned the greeting in kind before Botan stopped in front of a hat rack. In a moment, she selected a pair of them, both silly, and over the top, and dropped one on Keiko's head and the other on her own. With a little giggle, Keiko picked out a pair of sunglasses and handed one to Botan. A fluffy green boa followed.

"You look entirely ridiculous!" Botan declared, flipping the end of the boa.

"And you're the picture of haute couture." Keiko managed to keep a straight face for all of two seconds before she joined Botan in unrestrained laughter.

It felt good, to laugh. Not that Keiko didn't laugh among her friends, and not that that wasn't also real laughter, but this was different. No matter what she told herself, she missed Yusuke. He was her best friend, and with him away, though she carried on with her life, she still felt his absence. Botan's presence was like a link to him. It was like a reassurance that he would come back, eventually. Maybe even sooner than he'd promised.

And of course, Botan herself had a warm, upbeat personality, the kind that was difficult not to befriend. Keiko exchanged another smile with her, over a pair of kitty earrings she was holding up next to her face. There was a little flutter of hope in her chest.

Everything would be all right. She was sure of it.