Ryu had invited Aguri out for a casual day to explore the city, a welcome escape from their usual routines. Aguri, usually reserved and private, was hesitant at first, but Ryu's easygoing nature eventually convinced her. She believed Ryu completely after Ryu showed her his disguise ring.
As they wandered through the bustling shopping district, the hum of chatter and the distant clinking of coffee cups in nearby cafes blended into the background, creating a relaxing atmosphere. Ryu, leading the way with his usual carefree energy, directed Aguri toward a charming little vintage shop tucked between a bookstore and a small art gallery. The faded sign above the door read "Retro Relics", a place Aguri had passed by countless times but never ventured into. She was intrigued as Ryu pulled open the door with a flourish, the jingle of a bell announcing their entrance.
Inside, the air smelled faintly of old books and polished wood, the shelves lined with everything from mismatched china to quirky trinkets—vintage cameras, knick-knacks from past decades, and old vinyl records. The store had a welcoming, almost nostalgic feel, as if stepping inside it transported them to a different time. Aguri hesitated for a moment, but then, with Ryu's enthusiastic urging, she began to wander through the aisles.
"Look at this!" Ryu called out, holding up a tarnished brass lamp that was shaped like a swan, its neck curving unnaturally. "What do you think? Could be the centerpiece of my apartment, right?"
Aguri chuckled, shaking her head. "It's... certainly unique," she said, inspecting the lamp with a smirk. "I think it would be a conversation starter, if nothing else."
Ryu laughed and placed it back on the shelf before moving to the next section. Aguri, meanwhile, found herself picking up a dusty old music box, its worn mechanism still playing a soft, tinkling tune when she wound it up. She smiled as she listened, almost lost in the delicate sound.
"Hey, Aguri! Check this out," Ryu called again, holding up an old-fashioned toy robot that looked like it was straight out of a 1950s sci-fi movie. Its painted smile was more creepy than charming, but Ryu was completely captivated by it.
Aguri laughed lightly. "I don't know if I'd want that in my house, but it's definitely... interesting."
As they continued to browse, their conversation turned to the most bizarre objects they found, with Ryu making exaggerated jokes about how each one could improve his life, from the rusty tea kettles to the weirdly shaped teacups. Aguri found herself laughing more freely than she had in a long time, a rare lightness in her chest. The usual weight of expectations and responsibilities seemed to slip away in the midst of the strange items and Ryu's infectious enthusiasm.
"This place is a goldmine," Ryu said with a grin, spinning in place to take in the entire shop. "I could spend hours here."
Aguri nodded in agreement, feeling a sense of ease she hadn't realized she'd been missing. It was the kind of easygoing afternoon she never allowed herself to have—no deadlines, no pressures, just the simple enjoyment of being in the moment. And for the first time in a long time, it felt oddly refreshing.
After some time spent poking around the shop and exchanging more laughs, they finally decided to step out and take a break. As they turned a corner down a quieter street, Aguri, still feeling a bit giddy from the day's carefree adventures, came to an abrupt halt.
At a cozy corner café, sitting outside at a small round table, was none other than Kaede. She was sipping a drink, her eyes focused on the pages of a book she was reading, completely unaware of their presence. Aguri's heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively pulled her hat lower, hoping to stay out of sight.
Ryu, who had been walking ahead, was already waving enthusiastically before Aguri could say a word. "Kaede! Over here!" he called, grinning broadly.
Aguri froze, her pulse quickening as she desperately tried to hide behind Ryu, hoping Kaede wouldn't notice her. But, of course, it was too late. Kaede glanced up from her book, her eyes brightening as she spotted Ryu, a welcoming smile spreading across her face.
"Ryu!" she called, her voice lively and full of energy. She quickly stood up, the book forgotten, and waved back with enthusiasm. Her eyes then flicked to the side, and Aguri felt her heart rate spike as Kaede's gaze landed on her. She had already seen them.
Aguri panicked, trying to hide behind Ryu, but Kaede had already seen them and stood up with a bright smile. "Ryu! Didn't expect to see you out here," she said, glancing around. Then she spotted Aguri, who was trying to stay hidden behind her hat and sunglasses. "Oh, who's this? I didn't expect Ryu to have a secret friend!" Kaede said with a grin.
Ryu, completely oblivious to Aguri's discomfort, introduced her cheerfully. "This is just a friend of mine. We're out and about today. You should join us!"
Kaede raised an eyebrow but shrugged, always open to new experiences. "Sure, I could use a break anyway," she said, moving toward them. Aguri felt a little awkward but nodded in greeting.
The three of them wandered the vibrant district together, moving from one quirky spot to the next. The streets were bustling with life, filled with the sounds of street musicians, laughter from nearby cafés, and the occasional burst of cheerful chatter. Ryu, with his natural energy, led the way, making sure they didn't miss anything interesting, while Kaede bounced ahead, her enthusiasm infectious.
They first stopped at a small ice cream stand, where Ryu immediately ordered a huge cone with all the toppings—sprinkles, chocolate chips, and a mountain of whipped cream. Kaede, never one to be outdone, insisted on getting the same, only with extra syrup and caramel drizzle. Aguri, watching them with a bemused smile, went for a simple scoop of green tea ice cream, but as they both turned toward her, the two started a playful banter about her "boring" choice. Kaede poked fun at Aguri's "reserved" tastes, teasing her for playing it safe while they indulged in colorful concoctions.
"You're so serious" Kaede teased, taking a dramatic bite of her ice cream. "How can you resist all this sweetness?"
Ryu chimed in with a grin, "Maybe my friend here too classy for all the sugar chaos." He scooped another bite of his towering cone, making exaggerated sounds of enjoyment.
Aguri, for once, didn't mind their teasing. She found herself laughing, something she hadn't done in a while, especially in such a carefree, public setting. The banter flowed naturally, and soon, she was playfully defending her "classy" choice, even going as far as to say that only a sophisticated person could appreciate the subtleties of green tea ice cream. Ryu and Kaede took turns mocking her, but she couldn't help but enjoy the camaraderie, the shared humor, and the effortless way they connected.
Next, they wandered into an arcade, the flashing lights and sounds of old-school games filling the air. Ryu immediately dragged Aguri toward an air hockey table, grinning like a child. "Okay, I'm going to beat you," he declared, a mischievous gleam in his eye.
Aguri raised an eyebrow, feeling a rare surge of competitiveness. "We'll see about that."
Kaede, watching them from the sidelines, laughed. "Oh, this is going to be good. You two are way too competitive." She clapped her hands as the game started, cheering them both on with exaggerated enthusiasm. "Go, go, go! Let's see who's the real champion!"
The game was intense—Aguri and Ryu were evenly matched, both quick with their moves and fiercely determined. For once, Aguri let go of her usual composure, laughing freely when she managed to score a point, her competitive spirit rising to the challenge. The sound of the puck hitting the sides and the occasional groans of frustration from Ryu filled the air as the game went back and forth. Kaede's teasing from the sidelines only fueled the fun.