A Flower In The Rain
9
Am I...seeing this right?
Hana wondered as she was making her way through town.
A large gathering of people had gathered around Pierre's.
"Looks like Pierre keeps rather busy doesn't he?" she chuckled, "I wonder if I can get in to buy some more flowered for my Garden..."
Hana loved flowers, and many of the Townspeople love her flowers too. So she often shared them. As she made their way into the shop however, things took an odd turn...
"Welcome to Pierre's!" Pierre himself said vibrantly welcoming them with a happy smile, "Is there something I can help two of my best customer's with?" he asked as he approached the two girls who kept to the back.
"Good morning, Pierre!" Hana smiled, "Full shop today?" she chuckled as she fingered through the packets of Tulips and Blue Jas.
A sudden chill took hold of her, and she could feel a burning heat circled around the blue of her eyes that glowed as a shady suited gentleman took to the middle of the store, demanding attention onto him on the floor.
"Come and get it, folks~" he beamed as he waved around what looked to be a bundle of tickets, "I have coupons here, for 50% off your purchase at JojaMart!"
"What!? 50%..." Pierre gasped as the man began waving them around.
"Well? Any Takers?"
Naturally there were takers a plenty.
After all, who would refuse an opportunity to spend less? Pierre's shop, to Hana at least, had better quality. Plus, she enjoyed helping out a local bussiness as a small way to give back to the community that she was now residing in...
However, even she could agree that his prices were a bit high...
It didn't often bother her though...
Because she didn't mind paying for quality.
The once full shop of Pierre's was then quickly emptied, except for Hana who stayed behind to cheer him uop
"Who was that guy, anyway?" Hana asked.
Whoever it was the Junimo certainly didn't seem to like him...
She thought to herself.
Their power burned within me just then...it hurt...a lot.
"What a jerk move to go into a place of bussiness just to advertise your own and STEAL shoppers as they shop!"
"That...was Morris." Pierre sighed, "He's the owner of the JojaMart just down the way..." he stated softly as he collected some of the spilled and knocked over merchandise.
"...I don't like that man..." Hana said softly under her breath.
And the Junimo don't either...
The Ginger moved to help Pierre pick up as he smiled sadly in thanks before sighing once again.
"I can't match those prices..." he said softly, "I'd be selling at a loss."
A Shadow lingered behind them, and there stood Morris once again with a smug smile as he shrugged.
"It must be quite hard for you, Pierre." he stated, "For you to lose your loyal customers like that~" he snapped his fingers to add to his exaggeration, an action he found to be humorous, though the two before him didn't agree.
"Come on now...can you blame them, really?" asked Morris, "Clearly, Joja Corporation is the Superior choice!" he shrugged, "Soon...the whole town will realize that." With that forboding message lingering over them, Morris left and Pierre sighed in defeat.
"Don't worry, Pierre." said Hana as she placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, "Quality is what's important...and I don't know a man who has better quality than you~" she smiled, one which Pierre returned.
"Well thank you, Ms. Hana." he said softly, "I sure do appreciate that~"
"But of course." Hana nodded, "Even the Forest spirits seem to prefer your produce..." she muttered, "I feel much calmer now with that man gone..."
"Pardon?" Pierre blinked. He couldn't make out the other part of Hana's statement, and his question brought her attention to disregard it quickly.
"Nevermind." she chuckled, "The point is, Quality is what determines value!" she smiled as she placed some extra seed packets on the counter. Pierre stared for a while at the pile she threw for him to scan. It was more than she usually bought and it brought a smile to his lips.
"Tell you what..." he said softly as he picked up the vegetable packets, "How about I just charge you for the vegetable seeds today?" he stated, "The flowers are on the house~"
Her blue eyes widened and she felt a heated rose color circle her cheeks.
"Thank you very much~!" she said sweetly, with a vibrant smile that was rare to her, and even took herself by surprise.
To Be Continued