Starting with Firefly, Speedrunning the World — Part 25

"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 it turned out they needed to take the train. She had no idea which mall Kurama Neon intended to take her to.

Still, Tokyo was huge, so there were certainly plenty of options. Firefly herself had no particular thoughts about it at the moment, since she had no money.

"Not too far. Ginza."

Kurama Neon checked the map on her phone. This train would take them there directly, so it really was not that far.

Yeah, right.

Even without transfers, it would still take nearly two hours.

"???"

Upon hearing Kurama Neon's answer, Firefly was completely baffled.

"Ginza?"

A second ago, Neon had said they should save wherever they could, and now she was saying they were going to Ginza. Firefly did not even know how to complain. So this was what it meant to save where you could and spend where you should.

Ginza was a major commercial district in Tokyo's Chuo Ward, 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 nothing to a wealthy heiress like Kurama Neon. It might even be the equivalent of an ordinary person's bargain market.

But...

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

Firefly hesitated a little. She was completely broke right now.

"If we're going to shop around, I think Ginza is better. They have a wider variety of things there."

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

Kurama Neon did not think much of it. Maybe, in her mind, Ginza really was just average—a normal shopping district.

Besides, it had so many things. No matter what country something came from, they could find almost anything there. It was one of the best places to shop.

"..."

Firefly still hesitated, but after a few seconds of internal struggle, she agreed. Just looking around would not be bad. She had never been to Ginza before, only heard of its great reputation.

Who knew how much time had passed before the train finally arrived at the station.

They got off with the crowd. Before Firefly could even get a good look at her surroundings, Kurama Neon grabbed her and briskly led her forward.

There were so many people here, constantly coming and going...

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

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

After entering a massive mall, Kurama Neon expertly led Firefly straight to the clothing section.

As Firefly looked around at the many well-known luxury brands and struggled with herself, the young lady beside her had already pulled her into a shop.

Then Neon picked out an outfit that suited Firefly very well and told her to try it on.

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

Firefly moved close to Kurama Neon and whispered into her ear. Her conflicted little expression was almost unbearably adorable.

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

"Just try it on first. I feel like it really suits your style, Firefly. Trying it on doesn't cost anything."

After discovering that Firefly only had a few sets of clothes, all of them cheap ones, Kurama Neon had wanted to bring her here to pick out a few outfits.

Firefly had helped her so much. She had to return the favor somehow.

Even though Firefly looked adorable in cheap clothes too, there were outfits here that suited her better and would be more comfortable to wear!

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

After a while, when Firefly changed and came out again, not only Kurama Neon but also the other people nearby were utterly stunned.

"So pretty!"

"I knew it. It really suits Firefly."

Looking at Firefly after she had changed clothes, Kurama Neon praised her from the bottom of her heart.

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

Her skin was fair and soft, as though it could break with a breath, giving off a fresh, clean feeling. Her eyes were large and bright, like the brightest stars in the night sky.

Under the soft lighting, her silver hair fell naturally over her shoulders. Her dyed-looking tips curled slightly on their own, shimmering with a dreamlike luster. As they gently swayed, they added a touch of liveliness to her beauty.

The white dress, accented with blue and black, 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 neckline and cuffs of the dress were adorned with exquisite bows and lace, giving it a sweet yet elegant air.

"R-Really?"

Hearing Kurama Neon's praise, Firefly, who seemed somewhat lacking in confidence, raised her head to look at her.

"If that's the case, then I'm relieved."

Her small hands rested uneasily against 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 is so pretty."

Kurama Neon smiled as she continued praising Firefly.

Though it could not really be called praise—it was simply the truth, because Firefly really was beautiful.

Firefly became a little embarrassed by what she said.

"Then we'll buy this one."

Having decided that this one was good, Kurama Neon immediately picked up her bag and turned to pay.

"Huh?"

Firefly was startled.

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

They were buying it just like that?

She had never intended to buy anything. She had only been trying it on.

Besides, didn't girls usually try things on for a long time when shopping? Kurama Neon moving straight to pay after just starting was way too fast.

"We ended up buying so much."

Firefly held several bags in her hands, all filled with newly bought clothes. Kurama Neon 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 around...

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

In any case, Firefly could not afford any of it right now. Kurama Neon had paid for everything.

Firefly felt terribly apologetic, yet she could not refuse.

"Firefly has helped me so much. Helping you pick out a few outfits is nothing."

However, Kurama Neon did not see it that way when she heard Firefly's words.

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

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

She had never had a chance to properly repay her.

But Firefly later insisted that she did not want any more, so filling her wardrobe was impossible. They had only bought what they had now.

Of course, aside from buying things for Firefly, Kurama Neon had bought some things for herself too.

Otherwise, if she had only bought things for Firefly, Firefly would not even have accepted the few outfits in her hands.

Sigh...

"I didn't really help that much."

At that, a trace of guilt surfaced in Firefly's heart. The strange items she had given her were entirely meant to use her to pinpoint the location of the Desire Grand Prix.

Her motives had been impure, yet Kurama Neon valued her so highly.

"How did you not help?!"

Hearing Firefly's words, Kurama Neon's little face turned serious. She did not want Firefly to think that way.

She set down the bags in her hands, placed both hands on Firefly's shoulders, and earnestly affirmed how much Firefly had helped her.

"If it weren't for you, Firefly, I couldn't possibly be as free as I am now. Without your help back then, something might have happened to me during the Desire Grand Prix."

"It was all because of your help, Firefly!"

"I..."

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