From Firefly Onward, Speedrunning the World

"Where are we going? Is it far?"

They had only said they were going out to browse the shops. At first, Firefly had assumed they meant a mall nearby, but they even had to take the train. She had no idea which mall Nene Arakawa planned to take her to.

Still, Tokyo was huge, so there were plenty of options. Firefly did not have any particular ideas at the moment, mainly because she had no money.

"Not too far. Ginza."

Nene Arakawa checked the map on her phone. This train went straight there, so it really was not that far.

Yeah, right.

Even with a direct train, it would still take nearly two hours.

"???"

After hearing Nene Arakawa's answer, Firefly was completely bewildered.

"Ginza?"

A second ago, Nene had said they should save where they could, and now she was saying they were going to Ginza. Firefly did not even know how to complain. She really did save where she should and spend where she should.

Ginza was a major commercial district in Chuo City, Tokyo, Japan. Known as "the most expensive place in Asia," it symbolized Japan's prosperity and was famous for its high-end shopping stores.

Going somewhere like that was naturally no big deal for a wealthy heiress like Nene Arakawa. It might even have been the equivalent of a cheap market for ordinary people.

But...

"Um... Nene, we're just browsing. There's no need to make a special trip to Ginza, right?"

Firefly hesitated. She did not have a single cent on her.

"Since we're going shopping, I think Ginza is better. They have a more complete selection there."

"And it's not like we have to buy anything."

Nene Arakawa did not think much of it. Maybe, in her eyes, Ginza really was just an ordinary commercial district.

Besides, it had a huge variety of goods. No matter what country they were from, they could find almost anything they wanted there. It was one of the best places to shop.

"..."

Firefly still hesitated, but after struggling with it for a few seconds, she agreed. Just looking around would be nice too. She had never been to Ginza before; she had only heard of its reputation.

After an unknown amount of time, the train finally arrived at the station.

Following the crowd off the train, Firefly had not even had time to get a clear look at her surroundings before Nene Arakawa grabbed her and pulled her briskly forward.

There were a lot of people here, constantly coming and going...

In fact, a large portion of them were from other countries. The place was incredibly lively.

After all, famous brands from all over the world gathered here. Giant shopping malls lined both sides of the streets, and fashionable, distinctive outfits could be seen everywhere. It truly was a shopper's paradise.

After entering a massive mall, Nene Arakawa expertly led Firefly straight to the clothing section.

As Firefly looked at the many famous luxury brands around them and hesitated, the young heiress beside her had already dragged her into a store.

Then Nene picked out an outfit that suited Firefly perfectly and asked her to try it on.

"Didn't you say we were just browsing?"

Firefly leaned close to Nene Arakawa and whispered into her ear. Her troubled little expression was simply too adorable.

It only made Nene Arakawa more determined as she placed the clothes in Firefly's arms.

"Just try it on first. I think it really suits your style, Firefly. Trying it on is free."

After noticing that Firefly only had a few outfits, all of them cheap, Nene Arakawa had wanted to bring her out to pick out a few new ones.

Firefly-chan had helped her so much. She had to repay her somehow.

Even though Firefly looked adorable in cheap clothes too, some of the clothes here suited her even better and would be more comfortable to wear!

Hearing Nene Arakawa's words, Firefly hesitantly rubbed her cheek with the fingers of her right hand. In the end, under Nene Arakawa's firm gaze, she took the clothes and went into the fitting room.

After a while, when Firefly emerged in her new outfit, not only Nene Arakawa but everyone nearby was utterly stunned.

"So pretty!"

"I knew it. It really suits Firefly-chan."

Looking at Firefly after she had changed, Nene Arakawa praised her from the bottom of her heart.

Firefly-chan had already been incredibly beautiful, but now she looked even more stunning. Small and delicate, she resembled a little deer that made people want to cherish her.

Her skin was fair and smooth, as though it could break with the slightest touch, giving her a fresh and clean air. Her eyes were large and bright, like the brightest stars in the night sky.

Under the soft lights, her silver hair fell naturally around her. Her dyed tips curled slightly, shimmering with a dreamlike luster. As they swayed gently, they added an extra touch of liveliness to her beauty.

The dress she wore, primarily white with green and black accents, radiated youthful energy, like a summer tale.

The fabric of the dress was light and flowing, as though a thin veil had been draped over her, making her appear even softer and more captivating.

The collar and cuffs were adorned with exquisite bows and lace, giving her a sweet yet elegant air.

"R-Really?"

After hearing Nene Arakawa's praise, Firefly, who seemed a little uncertain, looked up at her.

"Then I'm relieved."

Her small hands rested uneasily over her chest. Firefly's voice sounded a little weak, but a beautiful smile appeared on her face at that moment.

"Of course it looks good. But that's mainly because Firefly-chan herself is so pretty."

Nene Arakawa smiled and continued praising Firefly.

It could not really be called praise. She was merely telling the truth, because Firefly-chan really was beautiful.

Firefly was getting a little embarrassed from all the compliments.

"Since that's settled, we'll buy this one."

Having decided that this outfit was good, Nene Arakawa immediately picked up her bag, turned around, and prepared to pay.

"Huh?"

Firefly was startled.

Hadn't they said she was just trying it on?

They were buying it just like that?

She had never intended to buy it. She was only trying it on.

Besides, when girls went shopping, weren't they supposed to try things on for ages? Nene Arakawa was already paying right after they started. Wasn't that way too fast?

There Were Some Things I Should Be Honest With You About...

"We ended up buying so much."

Firefly held several bags in her hands, all filled with newly bought clothes. Nene Arakawa had picked out and bought every single one for her.

After all, Firefly had no money right now.

They had clearly agreed to just browse and look around...

Otherwise, they would not have come here. This was Ginza, after all, where spending was expensive. On top of that, they were all famous foreign brands, and every item was costly.

At any rate, Firefly could not afford any of it right now. Nene Arakawa had paid for everything.

Firefly felt terribly bad about it, but she could not refuse.

"Firefly-chan has helped me so much. Picking out a few clothes for Firefly-chan is nothing."

After hearing Firefly's words, Nene Arakawa did not see it that way.

Before coming here, she had never planned to merely browse. She had intended to fill Firefly's wardrobe. Firefly had helped her so much before, and she had even given her incredibly magical and precious things.

The Fox Mask that could blur people's perceptions, as well as that miraculous item that protected her at critical moments.

She had never had a chance to properly repay Firefly.

But later, Firefly firmly refused, so filling her wardrobe was impossible. Nene only bought what they had now.

Of course, aside from Firefly, Nene Arakawa had bought some things for herself too.

Otherwise, if she only bought things for Firefly, Firefly would not even accept the few outfits Nene was carrying.

Sigh...

"I didn't really help that much."

At the mention of that, a trace of guilt surfaced in Firefly's heart. The Oddities she had given Nene were entirely meant to use her to locate the DGP Grand Prix.

Her motives had not been pure, yet Nene Arakawa valued her so highly.

"How did you not help?!"

Hearing Firefly say that, Nene Arakawa's little face turned serious. She did not want Firefly to think that way.

She put down the bags in her hands, placed both hands on Firefly's shoulders, and earnestly affirmed the help Firefly had given her.

"If it weren't for Firefly-chan, I could never be as free and carefree as I am now. Without Firefly-chan's help back then, something might have happened to me during the DGP Grand Prix."

"It was all thanks to Firefly-chan!"

"I..."

Meeting Nene Arakawa's gaze, Firefly did not know what to say for a moment.

She had even wanted to reveal some things about herself, but she held back. Some things were not suitable to say yet.

She might have had ulterior motives, but she had never meant any harm!

And many of her actions had been sincere.

"I understand."

After steadying herself, Firefly smiled faintly at her and said nothing else to refuse her kindness.

"That's more like it."

Nene Arakawa was very satisfied to hear that. Only then did she let go of Firefly, pick up the bags, and lead her onward.

"Let's find somewhere to put these things, then keep looking around. There are still lots of interesting things here."

"Mm."

Naturally, Firefly had no objections.

The two arrived at the mall's luggage storage area, put away their purchases, and then continued exploring the other sections.

This was not just a place for shopping. There were many other things and facilities as well.

They cast aside all their worries and wandered everywhere, leaving behind sweet laughter. After who knew how long, Nene Arakawa brought Firefly to the top of a very tall building in Ginza.

Nearly the entire place was made up of glass walkways, and it was incredibly high up, making it look quite frightening.

But in return, it was incomparably beautiful.

Especially when looking down from above, they could take in all of Ginza's buildings at a glance.

There were very few people here at the moment, only a handful. It was incredibly quiet. Though they were in the heart of the city, it felt as though they were far removed from all the bustle.

Firefly slowly walked forward and placed both hands on the railing, her beautiful eyes gazing at the view before her.