There are days off in life. Let's consider this one of those days.
Right now Reines is picking out the clothes she will go out in this morning. She is naked in front of the mirror while deciding what to wear, as today is a special day, at the same time she does not always have the opportunity to go out shopping together with Sakura. In fact, Gray will also be there. So this will be better.
Even if she doesn't admit it, this girl lacks friends in life. With Sakura and Gray in the equation, this for her would be a great day. Because she was born into a noble magus family, her childhood has been almost nonexistent. She was lonely, but not unhappy.
Anyone would think her sadism would come from past trauma, but that's not correct. Reines was born that way. Perhaps evil worked on her while she was still in her mother's womb. In the end, there are times when evil is born with you and not the other way around. Here is the example.
"This will do."
In the end, she chose a dress she used to always wear to visit her older brother. With everything ready, she took her briefcase, where Trimmau is hiding, and left her mansion.
When she was outside, she breathed the local air and prepared herself for a good day in this world.
-On the outskirts of the Whitehall and Westminster district-
Inside that house are two people sitting in front of the table.
Sakura and Gray looked at each other as they ate their breakfast. Being the two of them alone in this house, the two of them have been able to get along better in this past month. Waver isn't always present by these girls' side, as he usually keeps busy with his Lord business, so the two of them spend most of their time together.
"So it's today..."
"Yes..."
Today is the day when Reines has the whole day off, and with this, she will come to this house with strange requests. That's how she was, both of them were already used to it plus no one can do anything about it.
"Are you ready?"
"Yes, are you?"
Gray said putting a piece of bread to her mouth. If Reines really is coming today, there was no reason to be so serious, but Sakura knew how this "older sister" is.
She would surely take advantage of Gray's shyness to tease her.
Sakura would be overwhelmed except that she has already experienced something similar in the past, but right now it's not like seven years ago, now she has a cute human shield.
'Sorry, Gray'
How shameless... But well, these are habits this girl adopted thanks to her adoptive father. Although she instinctively hides those kinds of thoughts, that's why she's always so kind and perfect on the outside, but always has something to hide in the back of her mind. In the end it's something anyone would do. You could call that being someone "normal".
And so the minutes passed. With the dishes washed and in place, Gray and Sakura waited watching TV. While Sakura likes to watch news programs and some things about beauty and fashion, the only thing Gray found interesting was a children's show that was on in the afternoons. She would never admit that she liked that children's show even though Sakura had already discovered it in the past.
So, then, two light knocks sounded on the door. From the way the knocking sounded, both Sakura and Gray knew who it was about.
Sakura approached the door and opened it without any care. On the other side, the eccentric Reines appeared holding her briefcase as usual.
"Hi little sister, are you glad to see me?"
Even if this blonde girl was too cheeky with her own words, Sakura smiled kindly. Then she answered her:
"Of course, sister."
Reines nodded her head. Now, with many ideas in her head, she wanted to start everything as soon as possible. To that end, her family's old car was parked out there. It looked as shiny and clean as ever. In fact, the vehicle itself looked brand new despite being anything but.
"By now you should know what I'm here for, but I'll save you the trouble and tell you to get in the car. Oh, you too, Gray! Let's have some fun. A girl-on-girl date, are you interested?"
Those words flooded Gray's head, who by this time was standing behind Sakura. A girl-on-girl date... that was something she had read about in some books. However, hearing that coming out of Reines' mouth was like seeing a myth coming true in front of her eyes.
So, her answer was clear based on the curiosity she feels at the moment.
"Yes, of course."
This is something she really wanted to experience. In literary novels these situations looked very funny. Even deep in her heart, she wished to be someone normal and such situations were experienced by normal people. This was just something she is unconsciously accepting, something she will somehow keep together with her most precious memories.
"So what are we waiting for?"
Reines said causing Gray and Sakura to look at each other. In the end, they both nodded and walked out of the house leaving everything under lock and key.
"Where should we go first?"
Sakura didn't have specific places. She already knew a lot about London, so she wasn't particularly excited about this. However, for Gray, this would all be something new. Even though she's only had a month living in this city, she hasn't really had the time to get to know everything better.
She then thought that, for Gray, the quiet places might be an option.
"I think it's still early enough to go to the coffee shop for something to eat, so why don't we go to the mall?"
Sakura's suggestion was very good for Reines. She immediately took Sakura's hand and excitedly said:
"I reiterate: what are we waiting for?"
What a lonely person....
***
At the end of it all, sudden circumstances led these three girls to appear in front of a large shopping mall that is over 150 years old. The owner is said to be a renowned magus and his tastes in decor are quite good.
Now Gray could know why. Stepping through the large glass door, the spacious place showed itself with large elegant columns supporting the heavy ceiling. With white colors that blended nicely with the elegant decorations throughout, the interior of the mall welcomed all its customers.
'Amazing...'
Gray opened her mouth slightly observing the high ceiling, but Sakura grabbed her hand interrupting her surprise.
"Let's go this way."
"Go? Where to?"
"It's not the first time I've come to this place. I'll show you around."
"This place has a very good atmosphere."
Suddenly Reines, in front of Sakura, folded her arms waiting for them.
"It looks like the owner cast a spell on the building to make people feel like shopping. It's a good strategy. Although I'd rather brainwash everyone into spending all their money."
"Sister, that's being very sneaky."
"Anything to make the most profit, right? My brother would have thought it a good idea."
Yes, Waver really would have thought it a good idea as long as the people who spend their money have enough to offer and come out unscathed.
Anyway...
"By the way, there's a pet store here that's closing next week. There are allergic people who complained. They'll move the place to a nearby branch, so it's no problem if you care about animals, Sakura."
"Oh, I see. It would be a pity if the puppies and kittens were left without a place to live until someone adopts them."
"Kittens?"
Gray asked. This was something she didn't know, but since a long time ago, before she came to London, Sakura and Reines used to go to the pet store to play with the animals. Well, it was Sakura who used to come to this place, Reines just followed her everywhere.
"What memories... How old were we at that time, ten years old? You were into adorable things."
"Well, I don't think it's such a rare thing. You, sister, you like really weird things."
"You could say I have exotic tastes."
"That sounds really bad..."
At this point, Gray no longer understands where the conversation is going. She's not good at taking such subtle hints. Still, that aside, thinking about the adorable animals somehow made her curious.
"Well, let's not waste time, let's go for a while."
Trying to hide her excitement about going to the pet store, Sakura moved forward with a faint eager smile.
'She really likes animals...'
Gray thought. As she saw that Reines also followed Sakura, she didn't want to stay behind and hurried her pace to be next to Sakura.
***
As there are a lot of people around, it's a bit annoying to move without paying attention, so Gray tried not to get distracted and bump into someone. There are a lot of people around him, but if she stays close to Sakura and Reines everything will be fine.
"Finally."
The pet store is in front of them. This was basically Sakura's whim. Remembering that such a place existed in this mall, she forgot that it was originally intended to let Gray know more about London.
She, without waiting for the others, entered the place. As she passed through that door, all the puppies and kittens set their gazes on Sakura. For some reason they were all very happy to see her.
"Ah, miss? It's been a long time since you last came."
"We thought you wouldn't come back."
The managers of the place, an adult woman and her teenage daughter, were surprised to see her here again.
"I'm so sorry. I haven't had time to visit."
"Don't say that, miss. We are always grateful to have you come and play with our little ones. They are happy to see you."
Said the girl on the other side of the counter,
"Good morning."
Reines greeted, but the moment the lady and her daughter heard Reines' voice, their faces changed to serious, almost disappointed expressions.
'It seems that my mentor and Lady Reines are alike in the fact that people hate them...'
They might not be blood siblings, but that didn't take away how ironically alike they were. In the end, she just focused on Sakura speaking to the puppies with a soft gentle smile.
'She's like a fairytale princess.'
Like the princesses that animals help with happiness. A good memory for her mind has formed.
"Come here, Gray. Say hello to these adorable furballs."
Sakura said picking up a puppy. Gray's eyes widened a little when she saw the puppy's breed.
"Le Chien?"
"Pff..."
Reines let out a small laugh when Gray said that. This reminded them of Svin. He really did bear a bit of resemblance to a Le Chien, though she knew that making fun of that wasn't right, Gray chuckled inside as well.
A peaceful moment surrounded by cats and dogs next to these two girls?
'Really, despite how short the lives of these animals are, they look very happy playing with Sakura..."
The short lives of animals, like the lives of humans, are easily extinguished. They are all fragile and can be easily damaged., which led Gray to think of herself as something akin to an obedient dog.
'It doesn't feel so good to compare myself to a dog...'
She thought doing so would give her some answer, but this plunged her into her heavy thoughts. But fortunately, when she saw the face of the Le Chien that Sakura was carrying, she smiled at how cute this one was, so she walked over and held it in her arms.
"You're so soft and small..."
The puppy just barked and licked Gray's nose, who closed her eyes thinking hard about the very life of every being in this world.
'We seem to be different, little one...'
Lives are so different... as are their deaths.....
***
After playing for a long time with the animals in the store, Reines felt like buying some new clothes. Her closet was already filling up with outdated clothes, so looking for something nice and stylish to wear is her mission.
Sakura also wants to buy some things like underwear, but she didn't know if Gray wants to buy anything. Still, they took her along and now they are in the part of the mall specializing in fashion and all kinds of things that refined London women like.
"I think this is too much!"
Gray said at the sight of so many fancy dresses, but this for Reines was a good place to look for clothes.
"Everything here is very nice, don't you think?
"Even you, Sakura?"
These girls like to look good. When it comes to fashion, Gray is someone more simple and low-key. She doesn't like to wear anything that draws attention to herself, hence her clothes in muted and dark tones.
"Come on, don't be boring. We'll take the opportunity to buy you something that looks good on you."
Reines said lifting her briefcase.
"And Trim will keep it for us."
"No need. I'm fine with what I'm wearing."
"You wear those clothes every day, don't you even bathe? Do you live in the Victorian era?"
"Fujajajajaja! Hey, hey, I like this lady."
At Reines's sudden awkwardness, Add began to giggle causing the surrounding people to return their gaze on the three girls standing next to each other.
Gray ducked her head in embarrassment and, almost whispering, replied:
"I do my laundry every day. Although it's a bit of a hassle to use the dryer because I always forget which buttons to press. Besides, I also take a bath every night before I go to sleep..."
"Hahahahaha. Don't be so embarrassed, brat. You make everyone look at you pathetically."
Sakura interrupted Add.
"Add, can you keep your voice down? You're attracting attention from others. Do you want me to throw you in the washing machine like last time?"
"Ugh-..."
Add really thought that sometimes Sakura could act like a heartless demon. Maybe evil lurks deep inside this girl's warm heart, but he has no way of knowing. What he does know is that this girl always was and always will be someone dangerous with a very kind mind.
'Ha~ I have no choice...'
And he finally accepted the fact. Closing his mouth and eyes to eliminate his presence, allowing these girls to carry on with their activities.
"Add?"
Sakura asked. Reines just continued on her way saying:
"He sure freaked out when you mentioned the washing machine. What an interesting way to punish him. You seem to have certain strange tastes in your blood, don't you think, Sakura?"
"Who has strange tastes!"
"I don't know, who could it be?"
'There they go the two of them again...'
Gray completely forgot about earlier as she watched these strange sisters argue. Seeing how well these girls got along, Gray stepped up and accepted what Reines wanted for her.
She felt she was wasting these girls' kindness. That would be a hassle for anyone, so agreeing, even if she didn't like the idea, was the best she could do.
Both Reines and Sakura realized this as they saw Gray looking at the different clothes on display everywhere. They looked at each other thinking about their next move and immediately grabbed Gray by the arms.
"Ehhhh? What are you guys doing?"
She asked. Reines answered:
"Get ready, Gray."
"Let's go to the fitting rooms."
"Ehhhhh? Whaaaat?"
Accepting what these girls had for her may not have been the best choice after all.
To be continued...