Toudou Shizuka smiled to himself. It worked. He stood up and gallantly picked up Sakura's 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 was a little busier than usual, with people out and about at their leisure.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves of the roadside trees, scattering dappled spots across the ground.
Toudou Shizuka deliberately slowed his pace, keeping about one step between himself and Sakura Airi. He didn't want to make her feel pressured, but stayed close enough to form an invisible protective circle around her in the crowd.
At first, Sakura Airi was still very tense. Her large Black-rimmed Glasses darted warily over their surroundings, and her body was slightly stiff as she stayed close to Toudou Shizuka's side, like a startled fledgling.
Toudou Shizuka didn't rush her. Instead, he casually commented on the shop windows in a gentle voice, as if making conversation with an ordinary friend. "That Dessert Shop's new strawberry cake looks good. We could try it next time."
"Look, that backpack has a pretty practical design. Lots of pockets." His light, harmless topics subtly distracted her, helping her gradually relax.
[Target: Sakura Airi (Status Refreshed)] Severe Social Phobia: A-Rank (Active, but eased by familiar surroundings and Toudou Shizuka's company) [Emotion: Tense → Gradually Relaxing / Faint Curiosity]
They first went to the stationery store where Toudou Shizuka "needed" to shop.
Toudou Shizuka picked up several notebooks from different brands, with different weights and paper textures, and "agonized" as he asked Sakura for advice. "Sakura, do you think the ink will bleed through this paper when I write on it?
"Is this binder sturdy? Or would this Spiral Notebook be more convenient?" He asked seriously, as if he really couldn't make up his mind.
Sakura Airi was still a little reserved at first, but when it came to a subject she knew relatively well—paper texture and binding—the focused look behind her huge glasses gradually emerged.
She carefully picked up a notebook, rubbed the paper with her fingers, and gently flipped through the pages. She even leaned closer to smell the ink—a little habit she had when judging paper quality.
Then she gave her advice seriously. "This... paper's a little thin. The ink might show through... This Spiral Notebook's coil is too thin. It might break if you flip through it too much... This one with glue binding is sturdier, and the paper's a little thicker... It would be suitable for... Toudou's notes..."
Her voice was still quiet, but her thoughts were clearly organized, and she carried a little confidence as she immersed herself in a subject she knew well.
Toudou Shizuka listened carefully, nodding now and then as he accepted all her suggestions. "All right, I'll listen to the expert and get this glue-bound one."
Without hesitation, he put several of the notebooks Sakura had recommended into the basket.
Seeing how seriously Toudou Shizuka valued her opinion, the corners of Sakura Airi's mouth lifted slightly before she even realized it.
She quickly lowered her head again, but Toudou Shizuka clearly caught that little flash of happiness at being acknowledged.
[Sakura Airi Affection +1 (A sense of worth gained from having her professional advice accepted and valued). Current: 62 (High Trust).]
After they bought the notebooks, Toudou Shizuka "happened" to pick up some pens and folders, then "naturally" turned toward the art supplies section. "By the way, Sakura.
"You said last time that you were almost out of White Pigment. Want to take a look?
"Since you're here, could you help me pick a brand with better coverage? I didn't know anything about them when I bought some last time."
This time, Sakura Airi hesitated much less.
She walked up to the familiar shelves, her gaze moving over the various White Pigments. Behind her huge glasses, her eyes glimmered with professional insight.
She picked up two tubes of Titanium White, carefully comparing the smoothness and color of the paint. In the end, she chose one. "This one... has better coverage... and it won't turn as gray when mixed..."
She explained softly and placed the paint in the Shopping Cart Toudou Shizuka was holding.
Watching her focused profile, seeing how she temporarily forgot her fear as she immersed herself in the task, Toudou Shizuka felt the chill in his heart from living a second life melt away a little more.
Without drawing attention to it, he picked up several refills of the Basic Colors she often used and a large pack of Sketch Paper, adding them to the cart. "If the expert says they're good, we might as well stock up. That way, you won't have to make another trip when I need your help next time."
Sakura Airi looked at the art supplies in the Shopping Cart, which clearly went beyond what a "consultant" would normally need. She opened her mouth as if to say something, but then met Toudou Shizuka's calm, gentle gaze.
In the end, she didn't say, "That's too much." She just gave a quiet "Mm," her ears turning red.
She understood his intentions. His unspoken thoughtfulness made her feel completely at ease.
[Sakura Airi Affection +2 (A deep sense of security and closeness gained from his continued, pressure-free care and consideration). Current: 64 (High Trust).]
Next, they went to the supermarket.
Toudou Shizuka pushed the Shopping Cart while Sakura Airi walked beside him. She still kept a little distance, but she was clearly much more relaxed.
Toudou Shizuka picked up a carton of milk and checked the expiration date, and Sakura Airi quietly reminded him that the ones at the back of the refrigerated case were fresher.
When Toudou Shizuka couldn't decide between two brands of bread, Sakura Airi softly told him which ones she had bought before and how their textures compared when she'd tried them.
Toudou Shizuka always took her advice readily, putting her recommendations into the cart. Every now and then, he would pick up some candy or a little snack with cute packaging that she'd glanced at twice, and say with a smile, "This looks good. Want to try it?"
The Shopping Cart gradually filled up.
Most of it was the household items and food Toudou Shizuka "needed," mixed in with art supplies for Sakura and a few snacks she'd happened to show an interest in.
The mix blurred the line between what belonged to each of them, giving Sakura a curious, warm feeling of being cared for, without making her feel as if she were simply accepting a gift.
She even mustered up the courage to pick up a box of the instant Black Coffee Toudou Shizuka often drank. "This... Toudou said last time that it helps you stay awake..."
Toudou Shizuka paused for a moment, then gave her a genuine smile. "Mm, thanks for remembering, Sakura."
He took the coffee, and his fingertips accidentally brushed hers. Sakura Airi snatched her hand back as if she'd been burned. Her face flushed behind her huge glasses, and she lowered her head, too embarrassed to look at him, while her heart raced.
[Sakura Airi Affection +1 (A powerful flutter of the heart caused by her showing concern and their brief physical contact). Current: 65 (High Trust).]
The two of them pushed the Shopping Cart toward the checkout.
The afternoon sunlight streamed through the supermarket's glass doors, casting a warm glow over them.
As Toudou Shizuka placed the items on the Conveyor Belt, he spoke casually. "I really have Sakura to thank today. You saved me a lot of trouble.
"Next time I go shopping, I'll ask you to be my consultant again. Your fee can be a Honey Yuzu Tea. How does that sound?"
Standing beside him, Sakura Airi listened to his amused voice and looked at the items on the Conveyor Belt, each carrying a trace of the two of them.
A warm, sweet, solid feeling she had never experienced before enveloped her.
She lowered her head. Even her huge glasses couldn't hide the small, shy but genuine smile at the corners of her mouth.
She nodded gently and answered in a voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz, but still clear enough to hear. "Mm..."
Before you continue