It was a rare Saturday morning where I didn't have anything scheduled in the lab, so I figured it would be a good time to get some materials for my personal projects. I had a few specific things in mind—a new fountain pen, high-quality paper, some reference books, and a few other tools for my research. I didn't usually go out shopping, but sometimes it was nice to hand-pick exactly what I needed.
Once I arrived at the mall, I started methodically browsing through the stores, ticking items off my list as I found them. I was in the middle of inspecting some fountain pens when I spotted a familiar trio a little ways down the aisle—Ayumi, Hana, and Kaito, chatting animatedly as they shopped together.
I instinctively tensed, ready to turn and make a swift exit. But then I remembered my recent decision to try and be more open with others. Taking a deep breath, I straightened my shoulders and walked over to them.
"Hey," I greeted, voice even but as friendly as I could manage.
They all looked up, surprised to see me. "Reina-san!" Ayumi exclaimed, a delighted smile spreading across her face. "What a surprise! Are you shopping alone?"
"Yeah," I nodded, glancing at the bags in their hands. "Picking up some things for my lab."
"Do you want to join us?" Hana offered, gesturing for me to join their group.
I hesitated, feeling the weight of the materials list in my hand. "I need to finish my own shopping first."
"No problem! We can follow you," Kaito said, smiling. "Besides, I'm curious about the kind of things you buy for your lab."
I considered their offer, then nodded. "Alright, but I'm stopping by a few specific stores."
We headed together to a high-quality stationery shop that specialized in the kind of items I liked for my projects. It was an expensive place, but the quality was unbeatable. As we walked in, I noticed Hana and Ayumi's eyes widening at the selection.
While they admired the displays, I collected the things I needed. A new notebook, a fresh fountain pen, and a few other supplies filled my basket quickly. At the counter, the total rang up to 40,000 yen—nearly half my budget—but I handed over the money without a second thought.
Once we left the store, Ayumi glanced at me, still in awe. "Reina-san, are you from a rich family or something?" she asked, half-joking, half-curious.
I shook my head. "No, my family is middle class. This is the lab's budget, not mine."
"So the principal gives you a budget just for your projects?" Kaito asked, impressed.
I nodded. "It covers whatever I need for research, materials, books—things like that."
They seemed intrigued, and I felt a small sense of pride. I didn't usually share this part of my life with anyone, so it was strange but… oddly nice to talk about it.
With my shopping done, I followed them to the next store on their list, which happened to be a fashion boutique. I wasn't particularly interested, but I watched as Hana and Ayumi dove into the racks, picking out outfits and holding them up to each other with wide smiles.
"Reina-san, why don't you try something on too?" Hana suggested, holding out a floral dress.
I shook my head. "I'm fine. I don't really wear that sort of thing."
Hana pouted playfully but didn't press me, turning back to the clothes instead. It was fascinating to see how much they enjoyed this kind of shopping—completely different from the efficient way I browsed. They spent a long time laughing and debating different looks while Kaito waited patiently, and I found myself more relaxed as I observed their enthusiasm.
After a while, they decided to head to a restaurant for lunch. Kaito surprised me by insisting on paying for everyone, including me.
"You don't have to do that," I said, frowning slightly. "I can pay for myself."
"Come on, it's no big deal," he replied with a smile. "It's my treat today."
I reluctantly accepted, feeling a bit uncomfortable but deciding not to argue. The lunch was enjoyable, though; I stayed mostly quiet, letting them talk, but when I did add something to the conversation, I found that they listened with genuine interest.
After lunch, they suggested stopping by the arcade. I hadn't been to one in years, so I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. We walked into the lively, neon-lit space, and Ayumi's face lit up as she spotted a dancing game. She pulled Hana along with her, and soon they were competing, laughing at each other's attempts to follow the steps.
Kaito gave me an encouraging nudge toward a shooting game. I tried, but my aim was terrible, and I quickly lost the round. I couldn't help feeling a little embarrassed, especially when Kaito chuckled softly.
"Want some tips?" he offered, showing me how to line up the shots. I tried again, but I still didn't improve much.
"This isn't really my area," I admitted, smiling awkwardly.
"No worries!" he laughed. "Not everyone's into this stuff."
We moved on to other games, and I tried a few more with varying levels of failure. The only game I excelled at was a trivia quiz, where I managed to get nearly every question right and even won a prize—a small stuffed bear.
"Of course Reina-san would win the quiz game," Hana laughed, giving me a playful nudge.
We finished our time at the arcade with a round of photos, though I refused to be in any of them. Ayumi and Hana took countless selfies, capturing the day, and while I felt a bit self-conscious, I realized that their laughter was infectious.
By late afternoon, we decided to take a break at a café. I ordered tea while the others opted for more elaborate drinks and desserts. I mostly sipped quietly, enjoying the calm moment after the loudness of the arcade.
"Reina-san, want us to take your picture?" Hana asked, holding up her phone.
I shook my head quickly. "No, that's alright."
"Aww, come on," Ayumi teased, but she dropped it when I gave her a pointed look. I wasn't ready to be that open just yet.
When we finished at the café, they suggested going to see a movie. Since Kaito had treated us to lunch, I offered to pay for the tickets, but they refused, insisting it was their treat. They even bought me popcorn and a drink, which made me feel even more guilty.
As we settled into our seats, I reminded myself that this was their way of being kind. It was still hard to accept, but maybe it was alright to let my guard down just a little.
The movie turned out to be surprisingly enjoyable, a mix of comedy and action that had us all laughing by the end. For a few hours, I forgot about my usual rigid routine, allowing myself to relax into the easygoing atmosphere they created.
By the time we left the theater, night had fallen. The mall was illuminated with bright lights, and a cool breeze drifted through the plaza. We walked toward the exit together, chatting about the movie and joking about our failed attempts at the arcade games.
"Well, this is where we part ways," Ayumi said, stopping at the corner where our paths diverged.
"Yeah," I replied, feeling an odd sense of disappointment. I hadn't expected to enjoy the day as much as I had.
They all waved goodbye, and as I walked in the opposite direction, I caught myself smiling—a genuine, relaxed smile.
When I arrived home, Hiro was waiting in the hallway, his eyebrows raised in surprise.
"You're late, Rei! Where were you?" he asked, looking me up and down as if checking for signs of some strange transformation.
"I was out shopping," I replied, setting down my bags by the door.
Hiro's eyes widened in shock, and I could practically see the gears turning in his head. "You… were shopping? With friends?"
I crossed my arms, bracing for whatever teasing he had in store. "Yes, with friends. Is that so hard to believe?"
"Kind of, yeah," he replied, grinning. "I didn't think you'd let anyone get that close to you."
I scowled, feeling a flare of annoyance. "I'm perfectly capable of socializing when I choose to."
Our mom walked in at that moment, smiling as she took in the scene. "Well, I think it's wonderful that Reina is spending time with friends. It's good to see you trying new things, Reina."
Hiro shot me a sly look, his smile widening. "Maybe you'll even have fun with it."
I rolled my eyes, but a small part of me couldn't deny that he might be right.