Mikan shifted her weight, shuffling the backpack on her shoulder as she stepped inside the music store.

Inside, a country song was playing. Mikan stride along the rows of music albums, caressing the shelves with her finger and stopping from time to time to pick an album randomly. For her, this is the best place to get lost in. She could be here for a day, or even forever.

Then she proceed with the music instruments section. She played with the piano keys, not minding if it's not on. She sees the acoustic guitar hanging on the wooden wall and slowly approached it. She strum a little and hum a song. It's been years since she last held a guitar.

"Jasmine has been waiting for you," Tono said, observing Mikan while smiling.

Tono Akira is the owner of the store. He has known Mikan for a long time and has reserved the guitar, Jasmine (as named by Mikan), for her.

Mikan whipped her head, shyly returning the guitar back to its place. She sighed.

"I'm still quite short. Give me three months", she replied.

"You're always saying that."

"I got fired from my previous work. Just great."

"Again?"

"Yup. You know how I can't stand people who act bossy and belittle people like me," Mikan replied in a bored tone.

"Wait, are we talking about that old and bald manager of yours?"

"The one and only. That douchebag has crossed the line this time."

"That sucks."

"I know right."

They both paused.

"Why don't you find yourself another job?"

"That... That's what I'm going to do."

"Goodluck on your job hunting expedition," Tono said, saluting on Mikan as he grinned.

"Thanks," Mikan said, wearing a hopeful smile.

•••

All the jobs written in the classified ads section of the newspaper she was holding has been crossed out. They're looking for applicants who are fresh graduates. Unfortunately, fate doesn't seemed to work out for Mikan. She wasn't able to finished her studies due to financial reasons, stopping when she was almost halfway of the semester in college to give way to her younger brother who is currently in high school.

'God, This is going nowhere', she thought as she buried her face in her hands. Taking a break, she walked along the streets of Tokyo, eyeing every shop she passed by.

"Hi there, miss!"

Mikan was startled, stopping on tracks. A blonde man suddenly appeared in front of her. He has shoulder length hair. He is wearing leather boots and a furry purple sweater.

"Oh, sorry! I must've surprised you! I didn't intend any harm. Anyway, I'm Narumi Anjo and I think I could help you with your little predicament, young miss", Narumi cheerfully said.

"Huh?", Mikan asked, her amber eyes staring at him in confusion.

"Are you looking for an instant job?"

"Uh, sort of."

"Then I might just be what you're looking for", Narumi said, winking at Mikan which she finds creepy.

"Uhm, no thanks. Not interested", Mikan said apologetically. Eager to get away from the man as soon as possible, she started walking away.

"Wait! Hear me out first!", Narumi insists.

'Damn it. Why can't he just leave me alone?'

"Sorry mister but I really have to go", Mikan said as she brisked up her pace, not looking back.

"Ages 19-23, willing to pay at a high amount!", Narumi shouted from a distance.

'She's gone', he thought upsettingly.

Mikan was already three shops away when her feet gradually stopped. The last words Narumi said keep resonating on her ears. She started walking backwards until she reached Narumi who was fanning himself with the brown envelope on his hand, exhausted from standing for two hours.

"What did you just said?"

Narumi turned his face behind. As soon as he saw Mikan, his face lit up.

"You came back!"

•••

A/N: Hope this will turn out well and the characters would not seemed OOC. First multichapter fic, wasn't really planning it at the first place. Amateur writing. :)