Sorry for the late update on this one ya'll, school started up again. I'll get back on schedule this coming week :)
When Kagura woke up and moseyed on down to the kitchen to grab a bite to eat the next day, she came across a pair of colorful sticky notes. The lavender colored one was addressed to Shinpachi and written with the most elegant and swoopy script that left Kagura to believe could only come from an elder sister who was naturally classy.
Shin-kun,
when you come back, please buy more groceries. We're out of these [long list of assorted items] …
thanks – tae-chan
Kagura cracked a smile while reading, reminiscing her childhood and coming across her mother's notes for her and her elder brother littered throughout their lunches and belongings. She continued to read, looking at Shinpachi's response on a bright yellow sticky note.
Kagura-chan,
Sorry, but could you run out to get these [arrow pointing to his sister's note]. I won't be home until later this evening anyway. I'll reimburse you for it.
Shinpachi
She groaned. Sure, she was currently not working and technically had nothing better to do but did she want to run errands so soon? Perhaps or perhaps not. It would give her a reason to explore Kabukicho though…
That settled it, Kagura thought to herself, she'd run this errand for her new roommates as a token of goodwill.
Seeing as she still didn't have a phone with a new sim, it made shopping for the exact ingredients that Tae wanted incredibly difficult. Kagura was currently debating whether one variety of raddish was better over another and had spent a good ten minutes mentally weighing the nonexistent pros and cons of each variety.
"-You know, daikon is good for a wider variety of dishes over the mu variety."
She spun around in shock, not expecting anyone to come up behind her and offer their opinion on root vegetables. The man offering his opinion was definitely attractive, if one could appropriately appreciate the dusty blond hair and maroon eyes. He stood a good head taller than herself, one arm crossed over his chest as it held the other up as he considered the selection before them, thumb and forefinger thoughtfully pinching his chin.
Kagura murmured incoherently, words just on the edge of her tongue but not finding the right shape to form a coherent sound. The man eyed her curiously.
"No, but seriously, depending on what you're making, the daikon is your safest bet. The other varieties are suited for more specific recipes such as pickling and spicier dishes." The man continued on, taking her shock as confusion. Kagura mutely nodded along, while not having outright asked for the exposé on white radishes but considering her current predicament, welcomed the information.
"But, unless?" The man questioned, tone going soft as he contemplated. "Unless, you are going for those spicier dishes?"
Suddenly, Kagura found her voice again as she quickly grabbed a pair of daikon radishes and placed them in her cart. "No, actually, I don't really know which one to get but maybe the daikon would be the safer choice, yeah? My roommate, no, landlord," she continued, her voice wavering as if she didn't fully believe what their relationship was. "Well, his sister asked him to run errands and get groceries but he was working late today so he asked me to do it instead."
The man laughed, a warm and hearty sound from deep within.
Kagura felt her face warm in embarrassment. "So, yeah, I'm just a bit confused on which ones that she's asking for."
"Wait, give me the list for a minute, maybe I'll be able to parse what she wants to cook." He said after soon composing himself. Kagura handed the long note over and as he read the slip of paper, she leaned over to peer over his arm. "Hmm, this looks like it could be used for… wait but the addition of mackerel… why on earth did she put rock salt though?" Kagura shrugged, not knowing the reason either.
He handed the list back over. "I'm feeling pretty generous today, I'll help you shop."
Kagura sputtered as she took the piece of paper back. "Are you sure you're not busy? I think I can manage on my own."
He laughed again. "I passed by four times in the span of twenty minutes, and you still hadn't picked out a radish in that time, I genuinely think that you would have spent hours standing here. Look at your cart, you only have the rice picked out."
Kagura sighed. "Okay, if you're going to help me, I would like to at least know your name so I can thank you properly afterwards."
He cracked a smile, a glistening row of shining teeth blinding her momentarily. "Sougo. And yours?"
"Kagura. It's a pleasure to meet you, Sougo-san." She replied, an equally bright smile as she bowed slightly in polite greeting.
"Likewise, Kagura-san," Sougo echoed. "By the way, I'm gathering the hint of an accent from you. Are you from Kansai by any chance?"
Kagura shook her head. "Actually, I grew up mostly in China, but my father is from Osaka."
"Oh, interesting. I grew up in the outskirts of Tokyo." He commented as they had begun to move throughout the supermarket with Sougo making suggestions at which would be the safest option for Tae's shopping list.
In a fourth of the time that it would have taken Kagura to figure out what Tae wanted, with Sougo's help, she managed to get everything on Tae's list (with a few snacks for herself – namely one that reminded her of her grandparents on her father's side) in less than an hour. Even though she was fluent in Japanese, she still struggled while reading having not put the effort to refresh her skills prior to moving back.
"Thank you profusely, Sougo-san, for all of your help this afternoon. If there's any way that I can repay you for your help," she began, holding the four bags of groceries in her hands as they stood outside of the supermarket. He waved her off, dismissing her suggestion.
"No, no, it's quite alright, just doing my civic duty of helping out." He beamed, eyes crinkling in amusement. He turned to walk away but not before a wave in her direction. "I'll catch you later, yeah?"