Gift Shopping

It was three days before Christmas morning. This was the first time I've been frantic since I never celebrated Christmas before.

"What should I get for Tochaki-san for Christmas I wonder."

Tochaki-san has helped me countless times ever since our meeting and it made sense for me to finally show some appreciation by giving her something she would like. But what does a girl want for Christmas? I digged my brain up for ideas of what might Tochaki-san want but nothing came to mind. I thought about asking Tokita-san for help but I don't want anyone else knowing that I planned this. In fact, I should get Tokita-san a gift as well. I should tell Kanjiro about this.

Tochaki-san was currently hanging out with her other friends at school. Tokita-san went back to visit his hometown and will be back for Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. I put on my shoes and went to a public telephone and called Kanjiro. Kanjiro gave me his number a few weeks after the first day of school even though I told him it would be useless as I didn't have a cellphone. I guess it came in handy somehow. The phone started ringing and it finally went through after a few seconds.

"Hello."

"Oh hey Kanjiro."

"Yo it's Juni! How have you been? Finally got a phone?"

"No, not yet. I'm calling through a public telephone right now."

"Ah I see. Well what's up?"

I explained the situation to Kanjiro and he seemed to have a firm idea of what's going on.

"Yea no problem man! I gotchu. How about we stop by somewhere tomorrow to go grab some gifts?"

"But did you say your grandparents are visiting? I thought you wouldn't have time to hangout."

"Yeah that's right, but desperate situations call for desperate measures. I'm sure you want to give back to the people that have been supporting you when you need it."

"Thank you man. I don't know how I'm going to pay you back."

"Yea no worries. I'm just glad you're finally changing. I'll even pay for the gifts you want!"

"No No you can't do that! You're already doing me a big favor by spending one of your days hanging out with me. I can't let you sacrifice more."

"You say that but are you sure you even have enough money to buy whatever we are going to buy?"

I didn't think that. Sure Tokita-san gave me some money when me and Tochaki-son went to the aquarium the other day, but I'm not sure if that amount is enough…

"Silent is the best answer for no I see. It's fine bro. The part-time job I work at finally paid me this month's salary, so we can spend as much as possible."

"I still don't think it's right to spend the money you worked hard to earn…"

"I told you man, it's fine. If you really feel guilty, you can repay me later when you get your life turned around."

There was no helping it and there was not much I could do. I took the offer Kanjiro gave me and we decided to go tomorrow at around 9 A.M., the same time Tochaki-san and Iwent out a few days ago. I went back home after the call and thought about what I should get the father and daughter as a gift again, but nothing comes to mind. I guess I need Kanjiro's help after all.

I woke up the next day feeling excited. I woke up, changed into some casual clothes, ate some breakfast, and went out straight away. Kanjiro told me to meet him near a local mall, not the mall me and Tochaki-san went for our date, but a mall closeby. I waited a few minutes until I saw someone running towards me.

"Juni!"

It was Kanjiro.

"Good morning Kanjiro, thank you for today."

"No problem. So, where shall we start?"

We first brainstormed some ideas for Tochaki-san first. I have never given a gift to a girl my age before. I thought of possible options such as teddy bears or some hair pins for her, but they were all shot down by Kanjiro, saying it was too boring. Well if he says so I guess I should trust him.

"How about a necklace?"

Kanjiro asked this question.

"Aren't necklaces often pretty expensive?"

"Only very expensive ones such as diamond ones married grooms would give the bride. However, a simple necklace for a casual gift should only be around 10,000 yen."

"I see, but are you sure this is something you're willing to buy for me?"

"I told you bro. It's on me today. Just choose a gift and as long as you're happy with it, I will be alright."

"Thank you man, I cannot thank you enough."

Thankfully, in this mall, there was a jewelry shop that sells casual necklaces. I looked around to look for something I thought Tochaki-san would like and narrowed it down to two necklaces. The first necklace is gold colored with a classic flower design. The second necklace is silver shaped with a star as the design.

"Kanjiro, which one of these do you think would be best for her?"

"I like both of them honestly, I personally like the star shaped necklace better since it represents Tochaki-san's idol personality perfectly. However I doubt she ever considers herself as an idol to begin with. I also think she is a kind and caring person so a flower shaped necklace would also make sense. These are just my opinions though, whichever one you buy I would support it!"

I thought about it more and decided on the flower shaped necklace. Although I agree with Kanjiro about the fact a star shaped necklace would represent Tochaki-san as a cheerful person and as a school idol by everyone at school, I thought a flower one would represent her better as someone who has a kind and warm heart and someone who is willing to support someone else (me) whenever I needed it.

There was a store that sells coffee next to the jewelry store so we decided to stop there for some drinks while also brainstorming gift ideas for Tokita-san. Kanjiro doesn't really know much about Tokita-san so I was kind of on my own for this one. But Kanjiro wasn't completely out of ideas.

"Although I don't know much about Kinai-chan's father, I think he would like anything you buy for him. Hearing from you that he allowed you into his house and free food to live, he must be a very caring person like Tochaki-san."

"Yea, which was why I needed to get something Tokita-san would like, but even though I already lived in their house for about two weeks, I finally realized maybe I don't know much about Tokita-san."

"If that's the case. How about we buy a generic gift that all grown men would like?"

"Like?"

"A neck tie for example. He is a very successful man right? He must wear suits when he goes to work. A Tie would be perfect."

Kanjiro took a sip of coffee after his sentence. He wasn't wrong. Every weekday I go down stairs in the morning, Tokita-san was in a suit. Maybe a tie would be a good idea.

"Then I have no obligations against it. But aren't ties rather expensive too?"

"They are a lot cheaper compared to a necklace, so it will be fine."

"Alright, sounds good."

We finished our coffees and left for a menswear store that sells suits. We found a section with ties and I began looking for one that would suit Tokita-san. I immediately thought of a blue color. It was a perfect combination with Tokita-san's pure black suit so I started looking for one and luckily, I found some in no time. There were a few selections of blue ties and after some thoughts about which one was the best, I decided on a royal blue necktie with a black paisley pattern. I let Kanjiro take a look and he seems to agree with my choice as well.

After buying the necktie, I accompanied Kanjiro to another shop for womens wear. Kanjiro said he wanted to buy a gift for his little sister for a Christmas present as well. I didn't know Kanjiro had a little sister but again, I don't really pry into other people's family business. When we went in the store, it seemed Kanjiro already knew which one he wanted because he went straight towards a worker, took out his phone, and asked for a specific dress. The worker looked at the picture and went in the back of the store. A few seconds later, he came out with a bag and handed it to Kanjiro. I gave Kanjiro a curious look and he seemed to understand I was confused and was curious what he got for his sister.

"I preordered a dress online and was told to come get it today from their store. I was a good opportunity since we planned on buying presents for the people you cared about as well so it all worked out."

He took out whats in the bag and it was a crimson red dress with a flower pattern. It looked incredibly beautiful.

"How much was this?"

"It was around 30,000 yen."

This much for a dress?

"Why such an expensive gift?"

"Because I forgot about her birthday a few months ago so I wanted to make it up to her. It was part of the reason why I got a part-time job and even after working enough hours to buy her this dress, I continued working because manager was really nice to me. It's also good work experience for the future."

Well I guess that made sense. I would feel guilty about forgetting to buy something for someone's birthday especially if they are a close family member. I gave him a thumbs up and as we were about to leave the store, I saw a familiar figure walking in the store in the women's underwear section. I took a closer look and it was Suiha-san. I thought she was also buying presents for Christmas but left that thought as I think about it more. Is she really going to buy underwear for someone for Christmas? She turned around and saw me and Kanjiro and walked towards us.

"I didn't expect you to see two young men in the women's wear section. What are you doing here?"

What a cold expression she was wearing. It made sense though since we didn't belong in the women's section.

"I was picking up a gift for my little sister that I pre ordered before coming. Juni just so happened to be accompanying me."

"I see, I shouldn't question you any further then… say Kanjiro, what color is your favorite?"

"I thought you weren't going to question me further?"

"I wasn't going to question you further about why you are in a store for women's clothes. Plus, I am just asking a simple question."

"That's fair. What's my favorite color? I think red is a good color."

"!!!!!"

Suiha-san jumped back with a shocked look.

"R-r–re-red?!"

Me and Kanjiro looked at each other confused and turned towards Suiha-san.

"What's so surprising? I just like the color red."

"That's so embarrassing…"

"What's that?"

"Nothing! Just leave the women's store please!"

Suiha-san basically pushed us away and closed the store door on us. What's her problem?

Me and Kanjiro parted ways finally and I went home. As I opened the door, Tochaki-san was staring right at me.

"Where were you the whole day?"

"I was hanging out with Kanjiro."

"I was looking all day for you! Why didn't you say anything before leaving?"

"I'm sorry, but Kanjiro wanted to hangout today and we haven't seen each other since the last day of midterms. I should have told you before, I'm sorry."

I explained to Tochaki-san what happened and she seemed to have calmed down and understood the situation but was still a little mad.

"Juni-kun, I understand. But please tell me next time before going anywhere. You don't have a cellphone so if you get lost, we would have no way of contact and I'm worried I would lose you…"

"I'm sorry Tochaki-san, from now on I will tell you where I'm going everytime. Please do not worry."

Tochaki-san still seemed worried so I did what I've always done to calm her down. I petted her head gently and stroked her smooth long hair.

"Please forgive me Tochaki-san."

Tochaki-san looked up with a pouty face.

"You don't think patting my head would get you out of trouble would it?"

Ah she finally caught me red handed. I was just using the trick her dad told me about and it seemed to work everytime.

"I don't think it will. But I think it will make you less mad if I do though, am I wrong?"

"Your not wrong, but… it's embarrassing if you do it infront of other people… like that day when you did it in the ramen shop. There were other people watching us…"

"If it makes you happy I wouldn't mind if the whole world stares at us."

"You dummy…"

I stayed silent after that and it seemed Tochaki-san finally calmed down.

"But just this once… I'll forgive you."

She was blushing a little bit and showed me a bashful look. I told her I'll be right back and went back to my room. I was lucky she didn't question what I was holding as it was their Christmas present after all. I wonder what their reactions would be when I get them these gifts.