"Mari."
Unsure of the specifics, I call out to her. Perhaps, its merely because I regretted my decision. Or perhaps, I wanted to part on better circumstances. Rather selfish of me, however, I could only push forward, as though my heart's telling me to.
"What is it?"
She looks at me, though unlike before, it was rather nonchalant, as though the shades of her eyes have become dimmer.
"We were thinking about going shopping, at the mall or something."
"And you are telling me this why..?"
"You're more than welcome to oppose, but otherwise... Would you like to come with us?"
"..."
Taking the stairs up to the second floor, she leaves without a word as I continued to watch her. It was only until she reached the top, that she spoke out.
"I'll get changed. ...There's a few things I'd like to buy."
"Mm, yeah. Take your time."
Leaving with that, her footsteps grew silent as I hear the subtle sound of a door closing. And soon, sobs followed along as it filled the quiet apartment.
"Why, did you invite her?"
The girl asked, as I couldn't come up with a proper answer.
"I just thought it was the right thing to do."
"Hm, kindness begets kindness. Though, kindness itself can be cruel."
"Yeah. I know, I'm not expecting anything. I'm just fulfilling my selfish desires."
"What you told her, it was the truth, correct?
Searching my feelings, it may have been the truth, though as of now, it's as though a thick haze has formed within my heart.
"...Yeah, my oath to you, it's what keeps me going. You saved me and so-"
"I'm not referring to that."
Of course, I know what she's getting at, however, the answer I'm unsure of and so. I choose to remain silent.
"Hm, well. Things won't change, I'd like to return before long. If not, the forest will rise."
"Yeah. It'll be over soon."
...
After waiting awhile for Mari to step down. The moment she did, she was wearing a white shirt beneath her cardigan with black fitted jeans. Her makeup was subtle, though the shading brought some colour back to her cheeks accompanied by a faint perfume.
"Okay... Sorry for making you wait."
Apologising to the both of us, the girl merely looks away as she steps out.
"No, it's fine... Are you ready to go?"
With a nod, she slips on her flats as we exit the apartment complex.
Following the signs within my head as to where the wall would be, the girl walks ahead of us despite not knowing where it is. At times I had to call out to her to correct her path. It'd be easier for her to walk beside me, however, she seems to be refusing to look back. I would've thought she'd keep a watchful eye over us, just in case if anything happens. Perhaps she's choosing to believe my words; that my relationship with Mari is no longer tied by marriage. Come to think of it, Mari's no longer wearing a ring on her third finger.
...
The walk was rather quiet as it appeared Mari wasn't interested with conversation. Though it wasn't like I was being ignored, the air between us is still rather awkward.
"Sorry."
As we pass by other people, they give us rather questionable looks. The only fine part I have on me is the coat and shoes to an extent, the rest is a drab that's enough for a man to confuse me with someone who's older than he actually is.
"It's okay... You know, I was surprised with how much you have changed."
"...Yeah, I really let myself go. There's no one else in the forest where we lived, and so."
"Mm... It's not just that, but... You're just as kind as you were the day we met."
She speaks softly to the point where the sounds of traffic or other pedestrians could drown her words.
"...You think so?"
"...Mm. And, it wasn't me that brought you back. It was her."
Looking over to the girl steadily walking in front of us, she's a few steps ahead as she gazes at the sights surrounding us.
"...Is it love that makes you want to be with her?"
In terms of appearance, the girl is a lot younger than I, however in specifics, I'm unsure. I've never asked because I chose not to and so...
"...In a way, I suppose. But, I think there's more to it than that.. It's like... I don't know."
I gaze idly at the buildings which stretched up for what seems to be forever.
"It's a strange feeling. It's like a part of me felt complete, like, I found the thing I was looking for."
I've been telling myself that's it's because she saved me life. I'm grateful for that really, however. As I press my hand against my heart, it's a different feeling from affectionate love; it's not love in which you'd ask for their hand in marriage.
"Hmm, I see..."
Not sure whether or not she understood; I suppose it's hard to interpret ambiguous thoughts.
...
Entering the mall, a soft melody resonates throughout the area as it creates a peaceful atmosphere as the girl wanders about.
"Stick close, you don't want to get lost."
"Hmph, treating me like a kid again."
A subtle, sweet fragrance wafts through the air as the girl turns back to spot an ice-cream stand. Slowly heading towards it, I could only smile as we follow her lead.
"Ice-cream. What is this?"
The girl asks as I sorta thought she would have at least seen it before, or heard of it.
"It's a sweet dessert made from milk and cream basically."
"Hm."
Gazing at the vast selection with interest, I'm reminded that she hasn't had a bite to eat yet.
"Don't exactly want you to ruin your stomach, so you can have it after you had a proper meal."
I apologise to Mari for going along with the girls whims, though she seems to be accepting.
"I'm in no rush. I'm sure the meal I made didn't fill you either."
And so, we entered the bustling food court as the noise seemed to have annoyed the girl. Compared to the calm of the forest, this was an entirely different world. However, her curiosity lead her on wards as we checked the entirety of the place before deciding on what we'd like to eat.
Her first decision was a spicy curry with sides of bread sticks and the other was stew atop of couscous.
As I don't have much of a preference, I bought both and decided to let her decide on what she'd prefer. And only after she finished that I bought her a double scoop ice cream cone as well as one for Mari; even if she denied it at first.
The two of them seem to have enjoyed it at least, it was a sight to see the girl enjoy it for the first time. Her expression showed genuine surprise as she ate it; honestly, it was a sight to behold.
...
With our first destination already planned, I asked Mari on her thoughts as I practically dragged her along. Unknowingly of course, I had no idea what's going through her mind. But she suggested Gracy's; a multi-story store which sells everything from clothes, Manchester to electronics, kitchenware, etc.
Parting ways with Mari on her suggestion, we'd be on different levels in any case. Leading the girl towards the clothing section, it's labeled as, Kid's Clothing and as much as she wouldn't like it, I don't think they'd sell woman's clothing of her size. Who knows, perhaps she'll come to adore floral shirts and the vibrant colours they offer.
"No."
She denies them in an instant as I expected.
"Hmm, don't like flashy colours or patterns?"
Getting weary eyes from others within the store, of course our appearance isn't what you'd call up to standards. But I didn't let that bother me and she too seems to think the same way.
"I, like what I'm wearing."
Despite being worn out, the design's rather simple and she seems to be attached to them. Perhaps someone of importance handed it down to her.
"Then, would you like a second dress? It doesn't have to replace your current one, it's like a spare for whenever it's wet."
"I can go without it."
"Well surely... but."
As I found out the hard way, she'd continue to wear her clothes even if it's wet. It's amazing she doesn't catch a cold from them, but I'm sure it's not what you'd call, clothes sticking to your skin ,comfortable.
So, with the many attempts that I asked for her to not wear wet clothing; she'd just take it off and go with nothing. I'm sure it didn't matter too much if she was alone, but I wished she'd at least be embarrassed or something as I'd then pass my shirt for her to wear.
"How about this one?"
A similar white shoulder strap dress with a plain design.
"Hm."
Unlike the others I had for her, she at least appears to be giving it some thought. As my hope slowly escalates, she looks to me with dissatisfaction and a sigh.
"Since you keep asking."
"H-Haha... Just think of this as a way of repaying you."
Leading her to the changing room as I wait patiently outside as she then pulls the curtain away to reveal herself.
"Straps."
She says as she continues to pull on them. It'd appear that a smaller size is needed.
"Too big, hm... Then, just wait right there. I'll be back."
Heading back to where I initially found the dress, I thoroughly search the clothing racks from one to another with little success. Though, during the midst of my search, a strange sense of fulfillment rises as I could only stare into space for a few moments before returning to my search.
"Strange..."
As much as I wanted to bat it off, it was as though I've been wanting to do this sort of thing for a long time. Like a goal that I've finally accomplished; however, the source escapes me.
...
After asking for assistance from the staff, they brought out a smaller size as it fitted her almost perfectly. One strap tended to slip, however, the staff said it can easily be fixed once she grows into it. The girl didn't seem amused by her statement however as the clerk continued to smile at her.
Next on the list were sandals to replace her tattered ones as that didn't take as much time compared to clothing selection.
What I came to realise is her liking for simple designs; more or less, a single colour.
With that out of the way, there wasn't any real reason to remain within the store, though I followed her down to the 1st floor which is mostly filled with manchester, books and electronics.
Before we could decide on where she'd like to visit first, we spot Mari with a bag in tow walking about.
"A-Ah, hello, you found what you wanted?"
Greeting her first, she turns to us as she gazes at the bags that I'm also carrying.
"No... They didn't have the one I was looking for, so I bought another."
Unlike the singular fragrant she wore earlier, something else overpowers it. Shopping for perfume perhaps? I don't think it's my place to ask.
"I see."
"Yeah. We were on our way to look at some books."
Or so I'd like to believe, I don't think manchester interests her; electronics might but I take her for a girl who'd enjoy a book. Looking at her, she shows no reaction so I guess it's acceptable.
"Oh, I was thinking the same thing."
Standing in awkward silence for a moment, the girl takes lead as we then follow behind.
...
As much as I don't know about myself, I don't think I was a book person. Though, maybe it's because I didn't give them a fair chance.
Picking up one on display beneath the, 10 books you must read before you d.i.e, I'm not so sure if that's an acronym for something but I inspect the back of the book as both the girl and Mari walk about.
No one else seems to be within the vicinity as I could clearly distinguish between their footsteps.
"...Is this a sentence or a title?"
The text is close to non coherent. Hm, maybe I'm just not cut out to understand them.
Picking up another book, this one is titled, The Heroic Adventures of Acrobatic Kitten; the cover art shows the kitten during the midst of a somersault wearing a cape.
"Hm, I wonder what kind of books she'd enjoy."
Much to my surprise, she's preoccupied with Mari as they appear to be speaking to each other. In front of a book shelf, I could effortlessly hear their chatter as I'm situated behind them.
"I don't hate it."
Speaking over a matter I'm unsure of, but regardless it baffles me that they're interacting with each other.
"I quite like it, I think it's my favourite."
Hearing the sounds of pages flipping, the surrounding atmosphere is almost peaceful.
"Hmph, childish."
"Mm, perhaps so. It may not be the book itself, but the memories that surrounds it."
Almost like ridiculing her, she answers rather honestly and openly.
"I can't help but think back to those days."
"...Were you happy?"
"Hehe, I was more than happy. It's something dear to me, and..."
Taking a long pause, she exhales a sigh as she ripples through the pages before closing the book with a thud.
"It was a book I wanted to share with my child."
...Child?
"You, had a child?"
"No, we... I couldn't... I'm unable to give birth. As much as we wanted one, I'm unable to even carry a child, let alone nurture one."
Weak sobs escape from her, and as much as I want to stop her from talking and paining herself, I can't. I want to know more.
"Hm. You have, infertility."
She says it so straight that it's difficult for me to pinpoint her intentions.
"...Yes. That's what the doctor said... It's strange... you look just like a child, and yet... you're shockingly mature, like an adult."
"Hmph."
...
"Is there anywhere else on your mind?"
Leaving the barber after a fresh cut, the longer hair was getting bothersome. Though, it'd most likely revert back to the state it was seeing how there's no place to have a haircut professionally.
Mari's leaning against the railing; peering down a few floors while the girl's sat a few feet away staring into nothingness. I join Mari at her side as I wondered if she had something in mind.
"It'd hurt to fall from here, wouldn't it?"
Declaring so, I follow her gaze as we're on the 4th level on this shopping center; as we're able to see the ground floor, I'd say it'd hurt a lot.
"It'd be pretty painful."
"Hehe," giggling at my remark, her expression's one of worry, "I figured so... It's frightening, at heights like this. I'm sure it would hurt a lot, I just-"
Finally turning to me, she pauses mid sentence as she locks eyes with me. Her lips lift into a smile, though only for a second as she adverts her gaze. Like she was pulled back into reality, the mood quickly shifts.
"Sorry... I-Umm... don't really have anywhere else to go."
Picking up her bags, she makes a quick exit as though she was running away from something.
"What, did you do?"
The girl walks up to me as I stare towards the direction Mari left.
"Nothing really... Just, showed my face I guess."
The girl shows a rare snicker as I'm sure it's no reason to laugh.
"Well. Now that she is gone, are we leaving?"
"No... there's still something I gotta do."
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