Beside Unchanging Warmth - 5: A New Year's Gift Search

One hour later

Shopping Mall

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1

Mizuki

Alright, now that we've had a chance to refuel at the diner, let's jump right into the second half!

2

Mizuki's Sister

Okay!

3

Mizuki

Starting with... Oh, hey!

4

Mizuki

That looks like...

5

Mizuki

Hey!
Saki!

6

Saki

Huh?

7

Saki

Mizuki!

8

Saki

Uh oh, MEIKO...

9

MEIKO

<I know. Hiding now.>

10

Shiho

Sorry, but thanks...

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11

Mizuki

Happy New Year!
I didn't know you were also checking out the sales, Saki!

12

Saki

Happy New Year!
Hehe. I hope we get to have another fun year together♪

13

Saki

Also, the person next to you...

14

Mizuki's Sister

Hello, Saki, I'm Mizuki's big sister.
My name is Yuki Akiyama.

15

Saki

Whoa, you're Mizuki's big sister?!
It's so nice to meet you!

16

Saki

Oh, this is Shiho! We're in a band together!

17

Shiho

Nice to meet you.
I'm Shiho Hinomori.

18

Mizuki

Oh, I thought I'd seen you before somewhere. You perform in Leo/need with Saki!

19

Mizuki

Also, wait. Hinomori...?

20

Mizuki

Are you the “Shii” Shizuku's always talking about?!

21

Shiho

What? You know my sister?

22

Mizuki

We're sewing buddies♪
We check out handicraft shops and make stuff together on occasion.

23

Mizuki

I've been wondering who this “Shii” person is and what she's like since she's come up during so many of our conversations.

24

Shiho

Shizuku...

25

Mizuki

Haha♪ Anyway, it's great to finally meet you!

26

Shiho

Yeah, nice to meet you too. Uhh...

27

Mizuki

Oh, I'm Mizuki Akiyama!
I'm pretty sure we're the same age, so call me Mizuki!

28

Shiho

Okay.

29

Mizuki

Also, we're in the gift corner.
Are you getting someone a present?

30

Saki

Yup! I'm getting some souvenirs for my other bandmates and my big brother!

31

Saki

And Shiho here was just picking out something for Shizuku.

32

Shiho

Saki, they don't need to know that.

33

Mizuki

Shizuku probably won't know what to do with herself since you mean the world to her. Have you already made your choice?

34

Shiho

No, I was still trying to decide.

35

Saki

We were thinking cosmetics, but don't know what to get since Shizuku probably prefers certain brands.

36

Mizuki

I see.
What would Shizuku want...

37

Mizuki

Oh, what about some clothes or accessories...?! Something she could wear or use on a daily basis!

38

Shiho

Clothes or accessories...

39

Saki

Yeah, good idea!
Then, let's try thinking about what would look good on her!

40

Mizuki's Sister

Shizuku? From MMJ...?

41

Mizuki

Yeah!
The girl I said I became friends with a while back!

42

Mizuki's Sister

Ah, I knew it!
That really pretty girl. In that case...

43

Mizuki's Sister

Since she has an aura to her, something with bright colors may be best. And the design should be on the simpler side...

44

Mizuki's Sister

Mizuki, why don't we try that shop we stopped by before we took our break...?

45

Mizuki

Oh, good call!

46

Saki

Wow, Yuki, you sound really fashion-conscious...!

47

Mizuki

That's because she's a fashion designer!
In these situations, her knowledge really comes in handy.

48

Shiho

Really? That's pretty cool...

49

Mizuki's Sister

Would you like us to show you where this shop is? I might be able to help you further once we're there.

50

Shiho

You'd do that? But we don't want to interrupt your shopping...

51

Mizuki

Don't mind us!
We already got to all the spots we planned to check out!

52

Mizuki

Plus, I wanna help since I've had the chance to become friends with Shizuku.

53

Shiho

Mizuki...

54

Shiho

Then, please show us...
I honestly wasn't sure what to get her since our tastes are so different...

55

Mizuki's Sister

Okay!
Then, let's go!

Boutique Shop

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56

Mizuki

Here we are!
It's this shop!

57

Saki

Wow... They have so many amazing outfits...! I bet Shizuku would look really beautiful in all of them...!

58

Mizuki's Sister

This place specializes in clothes that are simple but pretty. A lot include a bit of lace or frills that blend in with their designs.

59

Mizuki's Sister

Which should suit Shizuku perfectly, since she seems so mature for her age but has such a soft demeanor!

60

Mizuki

Yeah, a lot of the ones on this side would probably look great on Shizuku...
Oh, like this one! Check it out!

61

Shiho

Yeah, that would look pretty good on her...

62

Mizuki

Hehe. See?

63

Mizuki

There's a corner in the back with a bunch of fashion accoutrements, so we should also take a look at that! You won't believe how cute the accessories they have here are!

64

Saki

Wow, this is so exciting♪

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65

Saki

Oh, this pearl necklace is so pretty...!

66

Mizuki

You're right!
It's got a sophisticated feel to it, so I bet it'd suit Shizuku really well!

67

Shiho

Yeah, but...

68

Shiho

She wears stuff like this for work, but I'm pretty sure she dresses a lot more casual in her free time...

69

Mizuki

Oh, now that you mention it...
When we hung out the other day, the necklace she wore did have a more casual feel to it.

70

Mizuki's Sister

I see.
Then, something a little more modest...

71

Mizuki's Sister

Oh, what about these bracelets and such?
Let's see what they have!

72

Shiho

Okay...!

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73

Mizuki

(Shiho seems to understand Shizuku really well. Not only that...)

74

Mizuki

(She's taking this so seriously.)

75

Mizuki

(She said their tastes don't match...
But I don't think that's the only reason she's having trouble deciding.)

76

Mizuki

(Alright!
I'm gonna give her as much help as I can with her present!)

Next Chapter: Enjoy What You Like