Chapter 36: Looking for a present
(Ryoto's pov)
A week has passed since my unfortunate reunion. Thankfully Akiho didn't do anything crazy and didn't come to my school, but now I have another problem. Rito's birthday is coming up soon, 16th October to be exact, and I don't know what present should I give him.
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*PING*
*NEW QUEST*
Mission: "Finding a gift"
Objective 1: Find a present for Rito's birthday that he'll like
Reward: 30 SP, one random item (item will be kept in an inventory-like place until the user wants to use it. It can't be put back, so be cautious.)
Failure: 'Spring of Drowned Girl' curse.
Duration of punishment: one month
__________
'What is this curse?'
Karen: "You'll turn into a girl every time you're splashed with cold water. The effects can be reversed by being splashed by hot water."
Having found a new determination, I started my journey to find the best possible gift.
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Four hours and zero progress later, o still didn't find anything. I could buy him a plant and call it a day, but it would be too easy, and I'm not risking failing this mission.
I was walking through the town deep in my thoughts. I wasn't panicking as I still had a few days, but time was running out slowly, and every moment without the gift was a moment closer to being cursed.
As I was walking around, I was stopped by a familiar voice.
Kyouko: "Em... Excuse me."
Ryoto: "Yes?"
I turned towards the voice source and saw someone I didn't expect to meet so soon again. It was Kyouko Kirisaki, a famous actress. She is best known for her role as Magical Kyouko.
Kyouko: "I noticed that you were walking around for a while, and I wondered what you were up to." Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m
I then proceeded to explain my situation to Kyouko.
She gave me a thumbs up.
Ryoto: "Thank you for the compliment, but I must still refuse it. You see, I don't like being in the spotlight very much."
Kyouko: "I see... I'll respect your decision then, but if you change your mind, call me but don't spread it. It's my private number."
She gave me her phone number with a wink. I'm starting to understand why she is so popular.
Kyouko: "Well, now that this is out of the way, I should probably help you with your original problem."
Ryoto: "Right, the present."
Kyouko: "How about you tell me what he likes and your ideas for a gift as we start looking around."
Ryoto: "My first thought was a plant. Rito always took care of flowers at school, and he even is a member of the gardening club at our school, but we already have a rare plant in our garden, and I won't find a better one easily. In middle school, he enjoyed football a lot, but he stopped playing it in Highschool so I wouldn't go in that direction. Otherwise, he doesn't have any major interest, and that's why I'm lost."
Kyouko: "I see, it's certainly difficult to choose a present for someone like him. Why not just give him a plant you like. It's the thought that counts after all."
Ryoto: "No! This present must be the best he ever got!"
Kyouko got startled a bit by my outburst, but I couldn't guess in a million years what she thought about it.
Kyouko: 'He must really care about his brother to get so emotional over a present. I'll help him to the best of my abilities!'
Kyouko seemed pumped about something while I smiled wryly.
We walked for a bit, took a break at a local cafe, and talked about trivial stuff.
Kyouko ordered an iced coffee at the cafe while I chose black coffee. I wouldn't say that I love this drink, but something about drinking something bitter and then tasting slowly disappearing makes me want to drink it.
At some point, I took a sip out of Kyouko's straw that she used to drink, but after I did that, she became red and started mumbling something about an indirect kiss.
We had a great time overall, but we still didn't find anything that would make a great gift for Rito.
Kyouko: "Are you sure your brother doesn't have anything he likes besides the things you mentioned?"
Ryoto: "Well, it's not a thing, but he likes..."
The realization hit me the second time today. I finally had an idea for a great present for Rito.
I thanked Kyouko for her help and a great date by shaking her hand a tad too vigorously. Hearing the word date, she became red once more, but before she could say anything, I quickly ran towards my new destination to prepare the gift.
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END
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