~Beauty~
Ai sits on a bench in the Daikanyama shopping district, across the street from where she's placed herself, is a tiny boutique; where her newest client works. The girl's situation was unremarkable, despising her boss, a wretched Woman who found a sick pleasure in torturing her employee.
Unremarkable, yes, but she has no other clients at the moment, so her priorities are focused only on this boring case.
Summer is in full swing, the heat in Tokyo, is suffocating and causing her to feel quite uncomfortable. Though of course, the only outward sign of this is a slight pout to her mouth; nothing that could indicate her true feelings.
She gazes through the windows of the shop longingly, wishing to feel the cool air and to look at the pretty clothes. She isn't one for material items, but the colors and fabrics have stolen her attention.
She'd like to be pretty…
Her gaze is so focused on the shop, that she doesn't even notice Ren's presence, until he speaks up, pulling her from her thoughts.
"See something you like?" He questions, motioning to the boutique with a wave of his hand.
Shrugging Ai glances at him quickly, and then returns her gaze to the shop.
After a minute, she raises a hand and points at one of the dresses displayed in the window. It was cream colored, with mid length sleeves and beautifully simple.
Her eyes lingered on it, admiring the shape with a hungry gaze.
"I'd like to be pretty." Ai murmurs quietly, not expecting any sort of reply. She said it because it was true, she was just stating facts.
Suddenly, Ren gets up, startling Ai out of her trance. He quickly started to walk away, but turned back to face her.
"You have nothing to worry about, ya know." Ren says
"You are pretty."
"More than pretty, actually…" He whispers quietly, as he walks once again towards the shop - leaving a now blushing Ai to ponder his words.
Entering the store, Ren feels the awkwardness settle in quickly, too many cheerful sale girls for his taste. Right on cue, a group comes bustling over, all of them with big grins and flirty domineers. All asking what they can do for him.
Barely able to hold back his smirk, Ren puts on his most charming of acts, grinning and sweet talking his way into purchasing the dress for half price. Maybe he should have felt bad, but his main occupation didn't offer very many benefits.
Emerging a few minutes later, with the dress and several scribbled phone numbers, Ren made his way over to his Miss, who was still seated on the bench.
Before reaching her however, Ren threw the scribbled numbers into the waste bin nearby, being deliberately slow, so that Ai would be sure to notice.
Sitting down beside her, Ren offers her the bag, smiling at her surprised expression and trembling fingers, which eagerly sought the contents of the bag.
Glancing up at him quickly, a pink cheeked Ai reaches out to carefully touch is hand - an unusual gesture, especially in such a public manner.
"Thank you." She whispers, gaze soft.
"But… why?" Ai asks seriously
"Cause… Well, you know that you're beautiful right? You have to know that!" He grinned down at her.
She was completely taken aback by his bold words, the shyness was beginning to blossom within her, but she fought it back, choosing instead to lean in and place a gentle kiss against his surprised lips.
Ren wants so many things in that moment, but before he can act on any of them, she is simply gone, vanished into thin air – the only sign of her presence, the still slight tingling that remained on his mouth.
Smiling slightly, Ren sat back on the bench, taking up where his Miss had left off.
It really was a hot day out…
AN: Hope you enjoyed! Feedback is as always, very appreciated!