Chapter 08: Shopping Together with Everyone
“Let’s go look for furniture and appliances that suit this room!”
In the center of the spacious living room, Riri proposed with sparkling eyes as she looked around.
Currently, the room was furnished with only the bare minimum of appliances and furniture necessary for daily life: a table and chairs, a simple bed, and a television. It seemed rather lacking for a luxury apartment, but Hayato thought it was more than enough to live on. He could live a normal life with just these things. However, Riri and Josuke shook their heads. They wanted to provide Hayato with a more comfortable life. That was their shared sentiment.
“We definitely need new furniture and appliances. I’ll pay for it,” Josuke said enthusiastically. His expression clearly showed he was looking forward to the shopping trip.
“Wait a minute, you two. Any more charity is…”
Hayato’s chest ached with guilt. They had truly treated him so well up to this point. Having them provide such a splendid room, and then even buy furniture and appliances on top of that—wasn’t he imposing too much? However, the two of them seemed to pay no mind to his concerns.
“It’s fine, it’s fine. Don’t worry about it, let’s just go, Hayato.”
“That’s right. Don’t mind it, Hayato.”
“H-Hey.”
In the end, Hayato was overwhelmed by their enthusiasm, and it was decided the three of them would go shopping.
When they went down to the apartment building’s underground parking lot, Josuke brought out a pitch-black luxury car. Josuke sat in the driver’s seat, Hayato in the passenger seat, and Riri in the back seat.
Once seated, Riri took out her smartphone and began looking up their destination stores.
“Umm, first, let’s go to the electronics store, then go look at furniture. A proper bed and sofa. So he can get perfect sleep and peace… And then…”
As the car started moving and Riri meticulously laid out her plans, Josuke, from the driver’s seat, told Hayato in the passenger seat about the current status of their other companions.
“Celestia is overseas right now. We haven’t met her directly yet either.”
“Is that so? Being overseas sounds tough.”
Celestia, who had been an elven priestess in the other world, was currently working as a researcher for a major pharmaceutical company and was reportedly on an overseas business trip for an important project. It seemed she was rushing to make arrangements to return to Japan.
“Then there’s Garret. He’s in the middle of arranging things due to family matters so that there won’t be any problems when he meets you, Hayato. Until that’s sorted, he can’t really come and see you.”
“Family matters?”
“Yeah. He’s the scion of the Tetsumura Group. He’s being cautious to avoid you, an ordinary person, getting targeted if he carelessly meets with you.”
“The Tetsumura Group, huh. I see, so that’s Garret.”
The Tetsumura Group was the head of a zaibatsu group composed of companies centered on metal, electrical, electronics, and chemical industries. To think he was the son of such a prestigious zaibatsu representing Japan. Hayato had heard of them too. So Garret had become someone from such a famous entity.
“Garret seems to be having a tough time too.”
“No, actually, it seems that’s not quite the case. Apparently, he’s surprisingly free to do as he pleases. However, when it comes to meeting an ordinary person like you, there are still various things to consider, it seems.”
“I see.”
It was said that his other siblings would inherit the family business, so Garret was in a relatively free position. Even so, to avoid getting Hayato involved, he was making thorough preparations just to meet him. He was paying meticulous attention to ensure things around Hayato didn’t become tumultuous.
“By the way, Celestia goes by Morishita Seika here. And Garret’s name is Tetsumura Gou.”
“Seika and Gou, huh.”
Hayato repeated the names Josuke had added, over and over in his mind. The desire to meet them both soon swelled within his chest.
“Alright then, let’s start by looking at home appliances!”
They arrived at a large electronics retail store that Riri had chosen. As soon as they entered, Riri’s eyes sparkled like a child’s as she took the lead. Josuke and Hayato followed behind her with wry smiles.
In the refrigerator section, Hayato pointed to a medium-sized standard model.
“This should be enough. I’m living alone, after all.”
However, Riri and Josuke both shook their heads in unison.
“No, it has to be this large, energy-efficient model. Even if you live alone, it’s more convenient to be able to store a lot of groceries.”
“That’s right. Plus, this model with AI functions will even manage the expiration dates of your food.”
“I don’t need something that expensive.”
When choosing a TV, Hayato said, “I don’t need something this big,” but Josuke wouldn’t yield, saying, “If you’re watching movies, a big screen is a must.”
A large refrigerator, the latest air conditioner, a 4K TV, a microwave oven, a toaster, a high-performance PC, a vacuum cleaner, a humidifier with an air purification function, and more – they decided to purchase one item after another. The total amount quickly surpassed one million yen.
At first, Hayato felt awkward, but as the shopping with the two of them progressed, he gradually started to enjoy himself. He was feeling the joy of a peaceful daily life that he couldn’t experience in the other world. In particular, Riri’s pure, unadulterated joy, her eyes sparkling each time she found a new appliance, was a heartwarming sight.
“Oh, right, Hayato. While we’re at it, let’s get you a new smartphone too.”
“A smartphone? I already have one.”
Hayato was surprised that Josuke, who was proceeding with the shopping without hesitation, intended to buy him a new smartphone as well.
“Hayato, could I see the model you have for a moment?”
“Ah.”
Urged by Riri, he took the smartphone out of his pocket and handed it to her. With practiced hands, she began to operate Hayato’s phone. There shouldn’t be anything embarrassing to see, but being in a situation where a high school girl was checking his device made him feel somehow restless.
There was nothing particularly embarrassing to be seen, probably.
“These specs aren’t a problem, but since we’re at it, a higher-performance smartphone would be nice, wouldn’t it? The camera functions are also enhanced, and I’d want the latest anti-theft protection features too.”
As Riri spoke while returning the smartphone to Hayato, Josuke glanced at his watch and then said,
“Changing models will probably require some procedures and take time. Shall we do it another day?”
“That sounds good.”
“No, changing models is fine, but…”
“”It’s fine, it’s fine.””
“Mmph.”
Once again, Hayato was overruled by the two, and it was decided that the smartphone would also be replaced on a later day. Riri was enthusiastically saying she would choose the one with the best cost-performance that suited Hayato.
“But Riri, you’re really knowledgeable about electronics. If I recall, you can do programming too, right?”
“Yes. I studied it.”
“Come to think of it, you mentioned you wrote a program to find us. And that’s how you found Hayato too, you said.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Riri answered Hayato’s question full of confidence. Josuke, who was listening, had also heard about the software that became the catalyst for their reunion and was recalling it.
As Riri explored the electronics store, she appraised PCs and other electronic devices with eyes brimming with a curiosity akin to someone examining magical tools. Her appearance offered a glimpse of her former self as a Sage in the other world.
“Next, let’s go buy some clothes. To find something that suits Hayato.”
“Yeah! Let’s go!”
“Alright. Let’s go.”
Josuke was full of enthusiasm, Riri was totally into it, and Hayato went along with them.
He decided to stop his unnecessary resistance and accept their acts of gratitude straightforwardly, with thanks. Hayato, thinking he should do so, stopped resisting and decided to obediently follow them.
Chatting happily, the three of them headed off for more shopping.