Chapter 20: Chapter XX - The Downtown
If I still had functioning brain cells left I would've done anything, ANYTHING other than just standing there stupidly flabbergasted.
I mentally slap some sense into myself.
'So? She's pretty, guys would drool over her, but you should remember that she came from a family just like one that had kept us on the streets for so long. Appearances can be deceiving, like good old alpha said, no matter how much you dress up a piece of garbage-it's still going to be a piece of garbage.'
I rub the back of my neck with my hand embarrassed, thinking over my words carefully.
"...I..I hope I'm not late."
Smooth. Very smooth Raven.
Minuet laughs, the sound light, "No not at all, I just got here myself."
I let out a relieved breath, "Well that's good to know," I shove my thumbs into the pockets of my jeans, out of habit, "...So where to?"
She thinks for a moment, before pointing her finger to a stall across the square.
"I know a good place with great food, I hope you're in the mood for some meat buns."
The president leads me over to the food stalls, where the pleasant aromas immediately caught my nose. Taking me over to a particular one, where she was greeted warmly by a sun-weathered middle-aged man, tending to the sizzling takoyaki on the grill even as he greets Minuet.
"Little Mizuki! I see you brought a friend this time huh."
He leans over, whispering so only she can hear as he glances sideways in my direction.
Minuet's face reddens, and he leans back, still smiling.
She clears her throat, expression a little flustered, "A..ahem, that aside...I'm just showing her around town, and your stall is the first attraction I thought of. So if you don't mind..."
She starts to pull out her coin purse until he just laughs heartily, already flipping the food into a plate as he expertly moves around his workplace, sprinkling on the toppings with a flourish.
"Don't worry about the coins! It's on the house! Just have fun for me," He nods at me pointedly.
I was already salivating for the golden fried balls of batter and the delicious smell that tempted me, barely noticing as the exchange went on between the president and the owner.
Minuet pinches the bridge of her nose, cheeks still tinged with pink, "I told you...it wasn't-" She exhales, tossing a generous amount of gold into a jar on the counter. "Just, some of your buns please..."
He happily obliges, their interaction reminding one of a parent embarrassing their child in front of their friend or crush, though the two looked completely unrelated.
Completing both orders, he places them on the counter, the food making me almost drool as my stomach rumbles.
Minuet takes both of the plates, handing one to me as we walk off to sit at the edge of the fountain, the sill wide enough to act as a small bench.
I accept it graciously, taking a seat next to her, making sure to maintain a good distance.
"Are you two family? How do you know each other?" I asked her, forking a piece of the takoyaki into my mouth, the flavor like heaven after a night of just drinking, the taste bringing me back home.
"The owner?" She huffs softly, "I went to his stall often as a child, whenever my father let me. Over the years he became like an uncle to me, acts like one too...to my dismay at times." She shakes her head, "But he's a nice man."
I nod, and we both drift into a comfortable silence, enjoying the food as the crowd happens around us, merchants selling their goods, shoppers looking for wares, and the kids laughing and playing with each other in the autumn leaves.
Minuet stands as she finishes, taking her trash and disposing it into a waste bin. She turns around to face me, "Well we have some more stalls to visit and sights to see, so let's not linger for too long before time escapes us."
I stand up, tossing away my plate, and eat my last bite, nodding, "Let's."
We walk along the street, stopping at various stores and stalls to look at the goods available. We tasted some fruit I've never even seen before, stopped by a shelter to look at some pets, from ten-foot pythons to birds the size of me. Then, we tried on some masks at a mask-carvers stall, attempting to figure out the animals they resembled as we wore them.
Minuet pauses, stopping at a stall lined with rows of jewelry and accessories, the seller advertising them at every customer that stops.
"Come come! See the jewels brought from every corner of the world! From the magical stones of the north to the rare feathers and silk from the east! Now on sale for a fourth less!"
The president twists her fingers around her bracelet, loosely braided with leather strings and tied together by a pale silver ring, she slides it off and catches the attention of the shopkeeper.
They come over, flashing a wide smile, "Greetings! How can I help you?"
She holds up her ring for them to see, "Do you have anything here similar to this?"
The shopkeeper squints, "Ah, I'm sorry it seems you are out of luck this time again, I will keep an eye out as I said, but I don't have what you are looking for."
Minuet thanks them, and puts the bracelet back on, slightly crestfallen.
"Mn, still none..." She muttered her breath, glancing at the other pieces of jewelry displayed, searching.
A white and navy patterned ribbon catches my eye, the bow meticulously stitched with intricate lines, and the colors seemed fitting for the president.
Minuet follows my gaze, eyes landing on the ribbon, "Oh, that seems new..."
The shopkeeper notices us looking and comes over again to hold out the ribbon for us to see.
"You lads have a good eye! This the newest limited edition design by one of the most well-known designers!" He winks at us, "I think it would look splendid on either of you fine ladies. And this one of the last in stock, make sure to act fast."
"Why don't you try it on, President?" I suggested, "I think it will fit you well."
She blushes slightly, flusteredly taking the bow and placing it in her hair to see how it looks.
I smile, "It fits well, as I thought." Turning to the shopkeeper, I nod, "It's settled, we'll take it. How much?"
"Ten gold, give or take."
I casually toss a pouch of coins into his hand, not bothering to count. "You should find a few silver more, so take the rest."
They count the coins, nodding their head, "Thank you for your patronage!"
Minuet gapes in surprise, just about to pull out her own money, "You...didn't have to..."
I wave my hand dismissively, looking away, sheepish.
"It's nothing, consider it a gift."
She looks at the ribbon in her palm and closes her fingers around it, bringing it to her chest as she breaks into a grateful smile.
"...Thank you, I will treasure it."
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