“Miss…? Miss, wait!”

In these brave words spoke the usually shy and demure clerk. But today, this young lady found a new strength. Determination could be seen through her almond-shaped, chestnut-colored eyes.

“…Do you have Instagram? I mean… you are really pretty and all, so…”. That was it. She asked! For the first time since she came to Paris – since she came to France! – the fair lady felt brave and confident and proud of herself.

The woman she asked to, however, seemed so strong. Fearless, even. She stood, turned her back to the clerk, her long, brown, curly hair floating around her red strapless dress like a powerful mane. The tall woman looked as fierce as a lioness.

Some hours ago, said lioness was modeling in the same strapless red dress, her divine curves being underlined by the garment and her endlessly long, slim legs. Men and women alike were bewitched by such beauty.

But Melissa (that’s her name) was tired, and relieved when the photoshoot ended at noon. She rushed to the metro’s nearest entrance at Bercy, and hurried to line 14 towards Saint-Denis, getting straight to the incoming train. Then, she could relax… except every seat was taken, so she grabbed the nearest pole and stood in front of a cute, East-Asian-looking girl sporting long, straight, black hair.

“Wow… She’s cute” thought Melissa. But she then looked away when the young lady noticed her gaze (and shyly blushed). Nonetheless, this moment was a sweet bubble in the middle of the usually dour metro life.

Yet, if you’re not familiar with Paris’ transport system: there’s often issues and sometimes harsh brakes, like the one that pushed this young maiden’s head to Melissa’s rather generous cleavage (due to their height difference).

Among her sizeable breasts, the latter could hear a faint “Fuwa fuwa〜” (“so fluffy~”) . The model guessed the girl between her bazoongas hailed from Japan.

Said girl quickly realized the situation and promptly retreated from Melissa’s outsized arguments. “I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” she quickly said while bowing frantically. She knew it was an accident, yet she didn’t pull out her face right away. In a sense, she enjoyed the moment at Melissa’s expense.

But the latter didn’t feel offended at all… she rather felt amused! This situation usually happens in ecchi mangas only, so it was funny that it happened to them. However, in front of her was a distraught young lady she had to calm.

Melissa, patting the girl: “Hey… are you OK?”

The girl: “Sorry~!  I did not do it on purpose~! I swear!!!”

Melissa, gently smiling: “It’s OK sweetie, don’t worry…! Things happens to the best of us, you know?”

The girl, slightly relieved: “So… Are you not mad at me?”

Melissa, amused: “No, no! It was funny, though.”

And then both started to smile. And laugh. They both shared a loud and hearty laugh!

Melissa: “Oh, by the way! What's your name?”

The girl: “Hana… My name is Makunouchi Hana. Nice to meet you!”

Melissa: “I’m Melissa DiMaggio! Kochira koso yoroshiku onegaishimasu、Hana-chan！” (“Nice to meet you as well!”)

Hana, surprised: “Eeh! Maji〜!” (“No way~!”) “You speak Japanese?”

Melissa, acting mysterious: “… Maybe a little bit~.”

Then the two of them chatted, even after the train resumed its course. They exchanged their lore, what they like, and what they do in life. And when the train boarded the “Pyramides” station, they both thought they’d have to part ways with such pleasant company.

Hana: “Well… That is where I get off.”

Melissa, surprised: “No way! That’s my stop too!”

Therefore, both got off the train, relieved to share a little more time together. They walked and chatted until they had to part ways for good, Rue des Petits Champs.

Then, a few minutes later, both regretted they didn’t ask for each other’s contact information. Well… That’s life, huh?

Anyway, Melissa arrived at home soon enough, and she noticed some kind of catalog in her mailbox. It was a catalog for a newly opened garment store in the neighborhood, just in front of Square Louvois, 3 minutes from there.

“Damn…!” she thought, for she was beat after this hard photoshoot that took all morning; also she still had the red dress on her. Not the handiest outfit to go shopping.

But Melissa is not only a model. Actually, 4 days a week, she is also a fashion columnist for some magazine and she needed a new topic for her next article ASAP (or else Rosenthal – this bitch! – would scold her again).

No time to waste: the exhausted woman didn’t even change her outfit. She just dropped some weight off her shoulder, then hurried to the mysterious shop.

Said shop was empty, save from the clerk who was arranging the pants corner of the store. She looked familiar… short, sporting long dark hair, and modest outfit… hey! That was Hana! What a coincidence! Maybe God gave them a second chance, after all?

Without thinking, Melissa gently knocked the store’s window to catch the clerk’s eye. When she noticed who was there, Hana’s expression lightened so much the whole room went radiant. Then, Melissa pushed the glass doors and were promptly greeted.

Hana: “Oh! Miss Melissa! Er…I mean, welcome to our shop!”

Melissa, waving her fingers: “Hey sweetie, long time no see!”

Hana: “May I ask why… I mean, how… Well…”

Melissa: “I just live nearby and got the catalog into my mail when I came home. And you, how come you work here?”

Hana, slightly puzzled: “Well… I have to work after school to pay rent and my college tuition, so…”

Melissa, a little bit embarrassed: “Oh, yeah, makes sense. But I want to think that’s some twist of fate. [Winking] Don’t you agree?”

Hana, mildly startled: “Yes…! Maybe… Anyway, you are welcome to visit. I hope you will find something you will like!”

Melissa: “Thankchu~ hon! See ya!”

And then, Melissa started to scout the shop to find some interesting clothes as she took notes. When Hana spotted her strange behaviour, the former just said she was taking notes to write an article on the store. Since she already told the latter she’s a fashion columnist, the young clerk didn’t bat an eye on this answer.

In the end, Melissa picked a cropped denim jacket with matching high-waist skinny pants, another cropped jacket in a faux leather fabric that seemed rather resistant, and a lingerie combo of a seamless brassiere plus its matching thong.

When she brought these clothes at the cash register, Hana took a professional stance and began to scan the articles.

Melissa, a little bit curious : “Oh, by the way! All of the clothes here are totally stunning! I love them! Care to tell me about these brands?”

Hana, trying to sound professional: “Of course! You know, my boss works with unknown, yet talented young designers freshly out of school. That is why the collections we provide are less expensive and of higher quality than most of the competition.”

Melissa, a little flirty: “Well… you got yourself a new customer, cutie!”

This last word turned Hana’s cheek red; and said red turned crimson when she scanned the underwear Melissa picked. These items weren’t this fancy or lewd, but the size of the cup amazed her: a whopping 90F! That was way bigger than her “mere” 80C. And the lady in red seemed so skinny…!

Melissa, worried: “Hey, are you OK?”

Hana, flustered: “YES! I mean, I am alright! …It’s just that… you know… [looking down] You are a very, very beautiful woman, and I am sure all these clothes will suit you perfectly! [Frowning] I wish I was at least as pretty as you, to be honest…”

Melissa, shocked: “What?! Get out of here! You’re so cute you’re making me melt, honey…!”

Hana, pouting: “… That was not nice. And I work here, so I can’t get out at will, you know!”

Melissa, embarrassed: “No, no! You didn’t get it! That’s just a way to say you’re way prettier than you think!”

At this very moment, Hana felt a little stupid. But she finished her job, thanked her customer, and told her goodbye through the empty store.

And then? That was it? Was she really going to waste another chance to connect with Melissa? That would be a shame: they had a little spark between them each time they met. Was that… chemistry?

It was settled, then! She was tired of being this shy, quiet girl! After all, she had been brave enough to leave Ōmori, her home town, to study oversea at Paris, her dream destination! She won’t let it be an isolated feat!

Hana, running toward Melissa while shouting: “Miss…? Miss, wait! Miss Melissa?!’

Melissa, turning her back in a charismatic way: “Huh? Did I forget something?”

Hana: “No, it’s just that… well…”

And then, she took a very big breath and let her request slide like a heavy boulder off her chest.

Hana: “Do you have Instagram? I mean, you are a really pretty woman so… I’d really like us to be friends!”

Melissa, relieved: “I’d be delighted to…!”

And she smiled at Hana, so they exchanged their usernames and followed each other before Melissa left the shop for good.

When she went home, she opened the discussion tab, then sent “Heyyy 👋” to Hana. After that, the next text of the conversation was <Meli-Melo set Makunouchi Hana’s nickname to Hanabi 🎆.>