Maki opened her eyes to a gentle light seeping through the satin curtains of her bedroom.
It's finally autumn now, huh?
Maki quite liked autumns in Tokyo. From the falling leaves to the cute outfits and perfect weather, there was nothing to dislike about autumn. And it's even better that it's almost Kotori's birthday. Maki quite liked cake.
"I guess I should get ready for work," Maki murmured as she got out of bed.
The past few months Maki immersed herself with work, operation after operation, surgery after surgery. Each time Maki successfully saved someone, there was no thanks, no gratitude, no smile, just pay.
Pay that she didn't really want.
Perhaps surgery isn't really your thing, a voice in Maki's head said as she turned on the shower faucet. But I worked so hard for my Master's degree! Wouldn't it be a waste if I just started something else? Maki argued with the voice.
But you'd be lying if you said you were satisfied with your life, the voice retorted. Maki patted herself dry with a warm towel. Point taken, but I can't quit now. I just started and I already signed a 3 contract with the hospital!
Maki's cell phone rang abruptly. Eli.
Maki wiped her hand on a towel and put the phone on speaker as she brushed her teeth.
"Hello? Maki?"
"What is it?" Maki asked, her mouth full of toothpaste.
"Yea, so I'm sure you already know about Kotori's birthday this Wednesday. It's in 4 days. Have you bought a present yet?"
"No, I was planning to buy it tomorrow."
"Oh, I see. Well, Kotori has hinted that she wants cute clothing so I was thinking if we could buy something for her later today."
"Sorry, not today. I have work." Maki exited the bathroom and began dressing.
"Work on a Saturday? What a gloomy life. I hope you're not overworking yourself. Isn't surgery really tiring?"
Maki sighed. "It is but saving people's lives makes it worth it," Maki half lied.
"Oh...I see. Well, I'll guess I'll go shopping with you tomorrow. I'll meet you at Harajuku Station at noon, alright?"
Maki put that in her mental calendar. "Yea, sure."
Eli hung up.
Maki stood in the bustling station of Harajuku. Where in the world is Eli?
"Ah, sorry Maki! I was preoccupied with a phone call from work," Eli said as she approached Maki.
"Don't overwork yourself," Maki warned.
Eli chuckled. "Says the girl who works 6 days a week. Come on, I know this great place Kotori would love."
Maki followed Eli out of the busy station and onto the side of the streets. "Are we close?"
"Yea, it's just a few minutes away."
Maki soon found herself standing in front of a cute clothing store with mannequins and pastel clothing on display. "Are we here?"
"Yep. Come on, now."
Maki followed Eli into the store. "This place is...nice."
"Ooh, look! Wouldn't this look good on you?" Eli held up a beige sweater with frills on top. "Beige is in this season, after all."
Are there really new colours each season?
Maki frowned. "Aren't we shopping for Kotori?"
"Oh right, I got off track. Let's see..."
Eli wandered off on her own, looking through racks of clothing.
Guess I have to find something on my own, Maki thought. I never really had an eye for fashion...
Maki looked through racks of clothing. Perhaps this sweater? Eh, it looks too heavy for someone petite like Kotori. Or maybe this mint green dress? On second thought, that's looking more like puke than mint.
After a while, Eli came back to Maki, holding racks of beautiful clothing. "Find anything?"
Maki shook her head.
10 minutes passed...
15 minutes passed...
30 minutes passed...
Ah, geez, I'm not finding anything! Maki gaped at Eli expertly and rapidly hunting for the perfect clothes for Kotori. How does she do that?
Maki looked around the store, and eventually, her eyes landed on the 3 mannequins displayed.
That's it! I'll just pick the exact same clothes as the mannequin!
Maki hurriedly matched the clothes on the mannequin with the clothes on racks. This skirt with this sweater...and this ivory dress with these leggings...and done!
"Got anything, Maki?"
Maki smiled sheepishly and held up the racks of clothing on her arm.
"Wow, great sense of style, Maki!" Eli applauded. "What do you think about these?"
Eli held up a beige crop top with a short black skirt. "It would look great on Kotori, right?"
Maki nodded. "Yeah..."
Eli took the rack to the counter and started paying.
Maki glanced around the store on last time. Perhaps I should get something for myself as well, Maki thought as her eyes landed on a shimmery white hair clip.
Wow, that looks great.
Maki entered Kotori's home with her present. "Wow, this place looks great."
"Maki, welcome!" Umi said. "Kotori's just opening presents in the other room."
Umi gestured to the living room.
Maki nodded and stepped into the living room. "Hello, guys."
Nico turned to look at Maki. "Ew, Maki, what's with that cold attitude?"
Maki scowled. "What?"
Nico looked into her camera. "Hi guys, remember Maki?"
Maki facepalmed.
"Say hi to my subbies, Maki! Oh wait, I call you guys sparkly unicorns now. Say hi to my sparkly unicorns, Maki!"
"Hi sparkly unicorns," Maki deadpanned.
"Hi, Maki!" Kotori exclaimed when she noticed Maki.
Maki smiled at Kotori as she handed Kotori the present. "Happy birthday!"
"Wow thanks, I love your hair clip!" Kotori beamed.
Maki smiled.
"So you decided to buy that hair clip after all, huh?" Eli said. "Good choice."
Kotori neatly ripped the wrapping paper off of Maki's present. "It's so pretty! I love this dress, oh Maki, thanks so much!"
Maki grinned. "Anytime, Kotori."
It's the exact clothes on the mannequins...
And that's an update!
Albeit a bit short...
Please review!