Notes: Episode 6, "Protect the Melody of Love! Usagi is a Cupid". Or "The one where Usagi helps the piano player."
Episode 06
Tending the charms booth, you saw a lot of people. It was something that fascinated Rei, abstractly.
She soon grew tired of the exact same girl – sometimes with short hair, sometimes with long hair, sometimes three of them in a same school uniform, sometimes pairs from different schools, but all functionally the same girl – buying the exact same love charm. Rei would smile what her grandfather called her "executive smile" (he did it specifically to make her angry; it always worked) and assure the girl(s) that yes, this charm was certain to help her find love! What Rei did not say was that if the girl wanted love so badly, she should get out there and find it for herself.
The student begging for study charms was another regular, particularly around exam time. It seemed everyone remembered the kami when there were exams. Rei sold hundreds of charms to the exact same student, never remembering what schools they were from and never caring as they babbled about needing help with geometry or English or chemistry. Rei would smile her executive smile and assure the student(s) that yes, this charm was certain to help them score well on their test! What Rei did not say was that if grades were so important to the student, they should be studying right now and not waiting in line for half an hour with their friends to buy a charm.
Rei fervently believed in the kami, but the kami were busy. If you wanted something, you could only rely on yourself to make it happen.
No it wasn't the sea of identical customers that interested Rei, but on that sea floated those who did.
The proud, excited young man who bought a charm for pregnancy.
The self-assured woman who, regardless, bought a charm for success in business.
The troubled child who offered a pile of coins and asked if it was enough for a charm for safety.
When Rei smiled at these customers, she didn't use her executive smile, and when she wished them well, she meant it. But she never asked for more information. It was none of her business, and Rei had strong opinions about respecting privacy.
Those were opinions she was repeating to herself as she looked at the gaunt, frightened man in front of her booth in the rain. She'd been about to close when he ran up, shouting for her wait. Rei was so startled she didn't even have time to be angry about it. The man drew in one gasping breath after another, winded from the steep stone steps … and perhaps something else?
"I need a charm," the man said, still panting heavily. Rei bit down her sarcastic response and waited for him to continue. "I need protection from evil."
As he said it, he kept glancing over his shoulder. His fear was palpable and Rei couldn't keep from checking herself. There was nothing unusual. Evil though, Rei knew, didn't always come in an easily recognizable package. She closed her eyes and reached out with her other senses.
"Please."
She opened her eyes. The man was staring at her now in desperation. A few damp and crumpled notes were clutched in his fist and he thrust them at her. "This is all I have. I- I hope it's enough. Please."
There'd been nothing. Rei wanted to tell him that, to assure him, but what were her words?
She reached under the counter for the appropriate charm. They would need to restock them soon. They'd sold more of these in the past month than they had in the previous two years. When Rei had pointed that out to her grandfather, he'd gotten a expression she didn't understand, patted her arm, and told her there'd be time to worry about that later.
The courtyard lights highlighted the red silk pouch as she offered the charm to the man. He shoved the notes into her hand – he was a hundred yen short but Rei didn't care – and with both hands, clutched it to his chest. He thanked her profusely and repeatedly and then was gone.
The urge to follow him was surprisingly strong. Rei hadn't sensed anything, but couldn't shake the feeling that the charm alone wouldn't keep him safe tonight. Still, perhaps it would lead him to someone would could.
Protection from evil came in many forms, after all.
Rei spared a moment for a brief prayer, and continued closing the Shrine.