This chapter is much shorter. Just some fluffy goodness with the girls.
The mall was surprisingly mostly empty today, much to Harumi's relief. She did not want to have the judging eyes of a million strangers on her right now. Pixal led the way through the quiet aisles of the mall, her steps light and purposeful, while Nya followed closely behind, her expression one of determined curiosity as she occasionally threw glances over her shoulder at Harumi. The air was cooler in the mall than outside, and it gave Harumi a sense of calm, even though the situation still felt like a lot to take in.
"Okay," Nya said, her voice not unkind but with a clear note of practicality, "we're here to get you a few things. Nothing too crazy—just some basics to get you through the next few days. Then, we'll see how you feel about everything."
Harumi nodded, clutching her purse a little tighter. It wasn't much, but it was something she could focus on. "I'll try not to make it too difficult."
Pixal, who was walking ahead with her usual chipper attitude, turned around and flashed a smile. "No pressure. We're just getting you some stuff you can wear without worrying about whether it fits right or not. Simple stuff. Nothing fancy. What's your preferred style?" Harumi hesitated, unsure of how to answer. She had never really given much thought to her style before—clothing had always been a necessity, not something to express herself with. But as she glanced around at the racks of clothing, she felt a small flicker of curiosity. What kind of clothes did she like? What kind of person did she want to be?
"I... I don't know," she admitted, rubbing the back of her neck nervously. "I've never really thought about it."
Nya raised an eyebrow, though there was no judgment in her eyes—just a hint of amusement. "That's okay. You're not the only one who's ever been there. Maybe we can figure it out together." She glanced at Pixal, who was already scanning the clothing racks. "We'll start with something simple, see what catches your eye."
Pixal nodded enthusiastically, clearly eager to help. "How about we start with shirts? Everyone needs a good collection of those!" She reached for a few options, pulling out shirts in various colors and patterns, and holding them up to Harumi. "What do you think of this one?" she asked, showing her a light green cropped blouse with a simple floral design.
Harumi studied the shirt for a moment. It was definitely softer than anything she'd worn before, and the color was soothing, not too loud. She thought about how it might feel against her skin, how it might look with a pair of jeans. It felt... nice.
"I think I'd like that," she said, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips.
Pixal's eyes lit up. "Perfect! See? You're getting the hang of it already."
After picking out a good amount of clothes the trio walked into a simple boutique, Pixal stating that Harumi needed to have one nice outfit. Sifting through the racks of dresses and formal shirts Harumi finally settled on a simple purple turtle-neck sweater paired with a sleek black mini-skirt. Pixal seemed pleased with the choice, nodding as she inspected the outfit. "This is great. It's simple but still stylish. And it's easy to move in," she commented, holding the clothes up to Harumi for a better look. Nya, standing beside her, offered her approval with a small smile.
"Yeah, that looks like something you could wear for a nice dinner or even a casual outing," she added thoughtfully. "Plus, purple suits you."
Harumi's cheeks flushed slightly at the compliment, and for a moment, she couldn't help but feel a little shy. It was strange, this sense of being cared for in a way she hadn't experienced in years. She glanced at the outfit again, imagining herself wearing it.
"It's not too much?" she asked hesitantly, still unsure of how she was supposed to look in these new clothes, in this new life.
"Not at all," Pixal reassured her, giving her a friendly pat on the shoulder. "It's just the right balance. Trust me, it'll look great on you."
Harumi nodded slowly, feeling a bit more confident. She couldn't help but notice how much effort they were putting into helping her, and she felt a warmth spread through her chest at the thought. Despite everything, she was starting to feel like maybe this—this—was something she could get used to. The rest of the shopping trip passed in a blur of hangers and fabric. Harumi gradually grew more comfortable as Pixal and Nya continued to guide her. They didn't push or overwhelm her, but their quiet encouragement helped her explore and even enjoy the process of picking things out for herself.
After clothes, they wandered into a small shoe store. Harumi stood awkwardly in the center as Pixal and Nya debated the merits of practicality versus style. Eventually, she settled on a pair of black ankle boots—simple, comfortable, and versatile enough for almost any occasion.
By the time they reached the food court, her arms were full of bags, and her legs were starting to ache. Nya spotted her hesitation and gestured toward a nearby table. "Let's take a break. We've earned it."
The three of them sat down, and the table quickly crowded with cups of iced tea and a plate of soft pretzels to share. Harumi sipped her drink quietly, watching the bustling food court around her. It wasn't nearly as crowded as she'd feared, but it was still lively enough to make her feel like she was part of something. The distant hum of laughter and conversations blended with the comforting aroma of freshly baked food. "I know it's not my place, but I just have to ask. What did you and Lloyd talk about when he visited you in Kryptrium?" Nya asked leaning forward.
"Oh you know, just about the past and how he believes I can change. Just typical Lloyd being too optimistic for his own good," Harumi replied with a small, wry smile, stirring her drink with her straw. Her tone was light, but there was a hint of something deeper—an uncertainty, maybe even a lingering guilt—that she couldn't quite hide.
Nya leaned back, crossing her arms as she studied Harumi. "That's Lloyd for you," she said with a chuckle. "Always trying to see the best in people, even when they don't see it in themselves. But, for what it's worth, I think he's right. You wouldn't be here if you didn't want something to change."
Harumi glanced down at her drink, her fingers tightening around the cup. "Maybe," she murmured. "But I'm not sure I know how to be that person yet."
"You'll get there one day. In the meantime is there any hobbies you have, maybe we can get you something to pass the time while we train," Nya asked taking the last of the pretzel.
Harumi hesitated, her fingers tracing the edge of her cup as she mulled over Nya's question. Hobbies? It felt like such a foreign concept to her, as though her life had been too chaotic to ever entertain such luxuries. She had spent so much of her time focused on survival, revenge, and manipulation—things that left little room for joy or personal interests.
"I'm... not sure," she admitted quietly, her voice barely audible over the buzz of the food court. "I guess I've always liked drawing."
Pixal's face lit up with excitement, and her curiosity was immediately piqued. "Drawing? That's wonderful! Art can be such a great way to express yourself. Have you ever thought about doing it more seriously?"
Harumi shrugged, glancing at the table. "Not really. It was just something I did to pass the time when I was younger. Nothing special."
Nya tilted her head thoughtfully. "Well, maybe it's something you could pick up again. It doesn't have to be about being 'good' at it. It's just about finding something that feels... fulfilling." She leaned forward, smiling warmly. "And who knows? It might even help you figure some things out."
Pixal nodded enthusiastically. "We could stop by an art supply store on the way out. A sketchbook and some pencils to start with, maybe?"
Harumi hesitated but eventually nodded. "I guess it couldn't hurt."
"Perfect!" Pixal beamed, already scanning the map of the mall for the nearest store. "I'm sure we'll find something you'll like."
By the time they left the mall, Harumi was carrying not only bags of clothes and her new boots but also a small bag from the art store, containing a sketchbook and a set of pencils. As they stepped into the cool evening air, she glanced down at the bag in her hand and felt something stir within her—a sense of possibility. It was strange, this feeling. Not quite hope, but something lighter than the weight she was used to carrying. Harumi walked slightly behind Pixal and Nya, their lighthearted chatter filling the quiet air as they crossed the parking lot. She listened, letting their voices drift over her like a tide, her thoughts wandering to the sketchbook nestled in the bag she clutched.
Her mind flicked back to when she was a child, her tiny hands gripping a pencil as she carefully traced out the world she imagined. She had drawn towers, cities, and people she'd never met—things that felt so far away, so impossible back then. That was before everything had been stripped away. Before she became who she thought she had to be to survive. Now, as she clutched the bag close to her chest, she wondered if she could find that part of herself again—the part that dreamed without the weight of guilt, pain, and expectation crushing her. Maybe this was a step forward. Or maybe it was just a distraction. Either way, she couldn't deny the faint flicker of warmth that came with the thought of putting pencil to paper again. As the trio reached the car, Pixal unlocked it with a smooth motion, and the trunk popped open with a soft click. Harumi loaded her bags in carefully, her movements deliberate. She was hyperaware of everything she did, every step she took—though Nya and Pixal's easygoing chatter had helped her feel less like an outsider, she still couldn't shake the sense that she didn't quite belong.
Sliding into the backseat, Harumi leaned her head against the cool glass of the window as Pixal and Nya climbed into the front. The car hummed to life, and they pulled out of the parking lot, the golden glow of the setting sun casting long shadows across the road. The gentle rumble of the car engine and the steady rhythm of passing streetlights lulled her into a rare moment of peace.