Shopping

Shopping, loosely inspired by http://i.imgur.com/lilt5NG.jpg
I wasn't happy with any of the movie theater scenes that were coming up, so this came out instead.

------------------------------------------

Hisao ran a frustrated hand through his messy hair and began to rub his temples in an attempt to stave off the pounding behind his eyes. He'd stopped counting the stores they'd gone into after the third, and he'd given up on being anything more than a shopping bag mule after the seventh. Hisao had thought that having Akira and Hideaki there with him would take the edge off of such an estrogen-packed pastime, but the younger Hakamichi seemed more into the shopping experience than anyone else. He was enjoying it more than Hisao was, at the very least. A sharp clap on his shoulder shook him from his dark mood.

"Yo, Hisao! You like you're having about as much fun as my coffee boy on a Monday morning!" Akira flashed him a winning smile. The shorter Satou leaned in and lowered her voice. "Chin up. We're hitting a store next that you're sure to love," she whispered with a roguish wink.

Looking up, Hisao felt his heart skip a beat as he saw the store in front of him. He couldn't read the English sign ('Someone's Secret?'), but he definitely understood what all the half-nude women represented. Lingerie.

Akira let out a chuckle and slapped Hisao on the back again.

"Calm down, sport. It's not like you'll be helping us try anything on. We just need you to carry the bags. After all," she fell against Hisao in a mock swoon, "Us poor women need your massive manly muscles to carry all of the things we can't."

A passing girl with blue-green hair gave them a glare as she walked into the lingerie store in front of them.

"H-Hisao? Are you c-coming in with us?"

Turning towards the very small voice that had now become a very big part of his life, Hisao felt the pressure in his chest ease. He allowed himself a second to let his gaze travel over the now-familiar sight of a denim jacket and cabbie hat. Finally, he let his eyes settle on the twin pools of amethyst that he swore made up his whole world.

"Of course, Hanako. Uh, I mean, if you'd like me too."

A bark of laughter from the suited blonde next to them brought the two lovers back to reality. Both teenagers immediately blushed red and turned away.

"You kids are too cute. C'mon! Let's get going. We only have an hour and a half until the movie starts!" Grabbing a handful of lovestruck teenager in each hand, Akira dragged them towards a waiting Lilly and Hideaki, and then into the store itself. Lilly and Hanako split off towards the racks of clothing while Akira led the two boys towards the register area.

"You two can hang out up here. Look at the chocolates or something. You know, Hisao, I heard Hanako say earlier that she likes chocolate..." Flashing a final wink at the messy-haired boy, the elder Satou took off in pursuit of the other girls.

"So, how are you today, Hisao? I am doing quite well, thank you, to preempt your asking me the same question," Hideaki droned. Glancing down at the shorter boy, Hisao met Hideaki's expectant gaze with a bored expression of his own.

"I'm just great. Juuuust great. Wanna play the quiet game? Let's do that."

Tuning out Hideaki's protests, Hisao placed the girls' shopping bags on the floor and moved to adjust his sweatervest. He decided to take a page from Lilly's book and cast his senses out across the store. He could hear snatches of different conversations from where he leaned against the counter.

"-no, Shicchan, these are too small! Wahaha~"

"-feel sexy in those? Lingerie is all about making you feel empowered, you know."

"-pink lace or white frills? What do you think, Taro?"

"-could try it. My my, that does feel soft."

Recognizing the voice and imagining the events of the last snippet of conversation, Hisao snapped back to reality. Trying to keep his mad blush under control, he turned towards the chocolates and began to read the ingredients label, much to Hideaki's annoyance.

A small eternity later ("14 and a half minutes, Hisao" "Shut up, Hideaki"), the girls completed their purchases and the small group made their way back out into the crowded city streets. Akira turned to the teens with a grin that probably belonged on a fox.

"Alright, my little ducklings, it's time for-"

'FIGHTING EVIL BY MOONLIGHT!'
'WINNING LOVE B-'

"This is Satou speaking, and the stuff you're speaking better be good. ... You don't need me for- Oh. Oh wow. ... Yeah, I'll be there in five. Yes, I'll pick up the 9 volt. ... No, we don't need the crowbar. ... Alright. Braveheart out."

Flipping her phone closed, Akira turned a tired eye to her friends.

"Sorry, kiddoes. I've gotta run. I'm taking Hideaki." Fishing into her coat pocket resulted in the production of three white rectangles. "Here are your movie tickets. Hisao, I hate to tell you, but it's a musical. Phantom of the Opera. Have fun. Stay safe. Hana, you're in charge. Make sure Lilly and your boytoy behave."

Akira leaned in to hug Lilly through the taller girl's pout. Turning to a Hanako who was still stuttering affirmatives and a stoic Hisao, the elder Satou flashed a trademark grin and opened her arms.

"C'mon. You two are family too. Hugs all around."

Hanako nearly leapt into the blonde girl's arms and fiercely wrapped her own arms around Akira. After taking a few moments extricating herself from Hanako's fierce embrace, Akira turned to Hisao.

"Take care of them, Hisao. I mean it," the older girl whispered. Leaning into her grip ('Is that a holster under her jacket?!'), Hisao nodded.

"They'll be fine. Go take care of whatever you need to do."

Turning away from the trio and grinning a trademark Akira smile, the short blonde raised a single arm in farewell and led Hideaki into the crowd.

Lilly gave her friends a soft smile as she knelt to gather her bags.

"Well, let's get a move on. We have a movie to listen to, after all."

Muttering their agreement, the young couple fell into position on Lilly's left and right and began to lead her through the hustle and bustle of the city.