Please, Shopping

Toudou Shizuka chuckled inwardly. Done. He stood up and, like a gentleman, helped Sakura pick up her art supply bag. "Let's go, professional. I'm counting on you to be my shopping consultant today."

On a weekend afternoon, the commercial street bustled with a more leisurely crowd than usual.

Sunlight dappled through the leaves of the trees lining the street, casting shifting patterns of light.

Toudou Shizuka deliberately slowed his pace, maintaining a distance of about one step from Sakura Airi. This was enough to avoid making her feel pressured, yet it created an invisible protective circle within the crowd.

Sakura Airi was still very nervous at first. Her large black-rimmed glasses scanned her surroundings vigilantly, her body stiff. She stayed close to Toudou Shizuka's side, like a startled fledgling.

Toudou Shizuka didn't rush her. Instead, he spoke in a gentle tone, as if chatting with an ordinary friend, casually commenting on the shop windows along the street. "That dessert shop's new strawberry cake looks good. We could try it next time."

"Look, that backpack design is quite practical, lots of pockets." The topics were light and harmless, subtly diverting her attention and helping her relax.

[Objective: Sakura Airi (Status Refresh)]

Severe Social Phobia: A-rank (Active, but being alleviated by the familiar environment and Toudou Shizuka's company)

[Emotion: Nervous → Gradually Relaxing / Faint Curiosity]

They first went to the stationery store that Toudou Shizuka "needed" to shop for.

Toudou Shizuka picked up several notebooks of different brands, weights, and paper types, looking "conflicted" as he asked Sakura for advice. "Sakura, do you think the ink will bleed through with this paper thickness? Is this binder sturdy? Or is this spiral notebook more convenient?" He asked earnestly, as if he were truly indecisive.

Sakura Airi was a bit reserved at first, but when it came to a field she was relatively familiar with (paper texture, binding methods), a focused expression gradually appeared behind her large glasses.

She carefully picked up a notebook, rubbed the paper surface with her finger, gently flipped the pages, and even leaned in to smell the ink (a small habit she had for judging paper quality).

Then, she gave her advice seriously. "This... the paper is a bit thin, it might bleed... This spiral binding is too thin; it'll break easily if you flip through it too much... This perfect-bound one is sturdier, and the paper is thicker... It's suitable... for Toudou to take notes..."

Her voice was still quiet, but it was clear and organized, carrying a hint of the small confidence that came from being immersed in her area of expertise.

Toudou Shizuka listened attentively, nodding occasionally and fully accepting her suggestions. "Okay, I'll listen to the expert and buy this perfect-bound one."

Without hesitation, he placed the notebooks Sakura recommended into the shopping cart.

Seeing how much Toudou Shizuka valued her opinion, Sakura Airi's lips curved upwards unconsciously.

Although she quickly lowered her head again, Toudou Shizuka clearly caught the small joy of being recognized.

[Sakura Airi Affection +1 (Gained a sense of value from her professional advice being adopted and valued). Current: 62 (High Trust).]

After buying the notebooks, Toudou Shizuka "casually" added some pens and folders, then "naturally" turned to the art supplies section. "Oh right, Sakura. You said your white pigment was running low last time? Want to take a look? Since you're here, help me pick which brand has better coverage? I had no idea when I bought it last time."

This time, Sakura Airi hesitated much less.

She walked to the familiar shelves, her gaze lingering among the various white pigments. A professional gleam flickered behind her large glasses. She picked up two tubes of titanium white from different brands, carefully comparing the fineness of the paste and the color. Finally, she chose one. "This... has better coverage... and it's less likely to turn grayish when mixed..." she explained softly, placing the pigment into the shopping cart Toudou Shizuka held.

Toudou Shizuka looked at her focused profile, the way she temporarily forgot her fear due to her concentration, and felt a sliver of the coldness from his past life melt away with warmth.

He subtly picked up a few more of her commonly used basic color refill packs and a large bag of sketch paper, placing them all in the cart. "Since the expert says it's good, let's get more. That way, you won't have to trouble yourself to come again next time."

Sakura Airi looked at the art supplies in the shopping cart, which clearly exceeded the scope of a "consultant." She opened her mouth as if to say something, but met Toudou Shizuka's open and gentle gaze.

The words "That's too much" ultimately didn't come out. She just let out a soft "Mm," her ear tips turning a faint red. She understood his intentions; this unspoken consideration made her feel incredibly at ease.

[Sakura Airi Affection +2 (Gained deep reassurance and familiarity from continuous, pressure-free care and consideration). Current: 64 (High Trust).]

Next, they went to the supermarket.

Toudou Shizuka pushed the shopping cart, with Sakura Airi beside him. Although she still maintained a slight distance, she was clearly much more relaxed.

Toudou Shizuka would pick up a carton of milk and ask about the production date, and Sakura Airi would quietly remind him that the ones in the refrigerated section were fresher. When Toudou Shizuka was torn between two brands of bread, Sakura Airi would quietly mention which one she had bought before and describe the taste difference.

Toudou Shizuka always went along with her suggestions, putting the items she recommended into the cart. Occasionally, he would pick up candy or a snack with a cute package that she had looked at twice, smiling and saying, "This looks good, want to try some?"

The shopping cart gradually filled up. Most of it consisted of the daily necessities and food items Toudou Shizuka "needed," but it was mixed with art supplies to replenish Sakura's stock, and a few snacks she had inadvertently shown interest in. This mixture blurred the lines, yet it gave Sakura a strange, comforting warmth of being cared for, rather than feeling like she was purely accepting a gift.

She even mustered the courage to pick up a box of instant black coffee that Toudou Shizuka often used, quietly saying, "This... Toudou said last time... it helps you stay awake..."

Toudou Shizuka was slightly taken aback, then broke into a genuine smile. "Mm, thank you for remembering, Sakura." He took the coffee, his fingertips brushing hers inadvertently. Sakura Airi snatched her hand back as if burned, her face instantly flushing behind her large glasses. She lowered her head, afraid to look at him, but her heart was pounding rapidly.

[Sakura Airi Affection +1 (Experienced a strong flutter from proactive concern and minor physical contact). Current: 65 (High Trust).]

The two pushed the shopping cart towards the checkout counter. The afternoon sun streamed warmly through the supermarket's glass doors, bathing them in light. As Toudou Shizuka placed the items onto the conveyor belt, he said in a relaxed tone, "I really have to thank you today, Sakura. You saved me a lot of trouble."

"I'll look for you as a consultant for the next purchase. The commission will be a cup of Honey Yuzu Tea, how about it?"

Sakura Airi stood beside him, listening to his voice laced with laughter, and looking at the goods on the conveyor belt, mixed with both of their marks.

A never-before-felt, steady yet slightly sweet warmth enveloped her.

She lowered her head, the large glasses unable to hide the shy but genuine, small curve of her lips.

She nodded gently, her voice as soft as a mosquito's hum, yet clearly responding, "Mm..."