Friend

Shin gazed up at the towering Ginza Mitsukoshi building and the billboard perched high upon it, making him feel insignificant amid the bustling crowd of people.

As he ventured inside the department store, he couldn't help but be taken aback by the sheer opulence that met his expectations.

Ascending an escalator, he began his search for the specific brands he intended to purchase from. Meandering through the store and seeing that he didn't see the luxurios brand, he looked outside the department store, he eventually found himself in the street section in Ginza housing these luxurious brands.

It was noticeable that there were fewer people in the stores compared to the bustling street. Here, renowned names like Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Bulgari, Tiffany & Co., and more, showcased their exquisite creations.

Upon entering Cartier, Shin was promptly greeted by a well-dressed sales clerk who welcomed him with a warm smile.

"I really liked that Panthère De Cartier watch," a casually dressed young man remarked to the attentive sales associate, who immediately began assisting him.

Shin turned his gaze toward the young man, finding something oddly familiar about him. Clad in an ordinary white shirt, basketball shorts, and flip-flops, the young man exuded an American or Hawaiian style.

While Shin sensed a trace of recognition, he refocused his attention on his mission to find the perfect ring for Mira. He even considered purchasing a variety of rings, allowing her to choose. However, as he had gotten to know Mira better, he understood her modest and unpretentious nature. Still, Shin couldn't be entirely certain; women often concealed their true desires from their partners, occasionally indulging in more elegant and luxurious accessories, even someone as humble as Mira.

As Shin perused the selections, the sales associate refrained from approaching him immediately, respecting customers' freedom to explore at their own pace. They preferred not to overwhelm Shin, understanding that Japanese customers, particularly those seeking luxury items, tended to be reserved and somewhat introverted. This unspoken rule changed only when a customer was already known to the sales associate, such as the casually dressed young man who stood out amidst the restrained and elegant atmosphere of the store.

While Shin continued his search for the perfect ring, the casually dressed young man approached him with an exclamation of surprise, "Shinro!"

Startled by the sudden interruption, Shin shifted his attention to the young man in plain attire.

He regarded the young man with a perplexed expression, trying to remember him.

Seeing Shin's confusion, the young man quickly identified himself, saying, "I'm Higeki Kiyoshi, remember? We were classmates!"

Shin wracked his memory, and after a few moments, recognition dawned. Higeki was known for his fascination with American culture, from music to basketball, and he often adopted an American-style casual approach to relationships. He believed in the informality of American interactions, including one-night stands and more. Thankfully, to the best of Shin's memories, Higeki hadn't ventured into the world of cannabis yet.

With Higeki's identity confirmed, Shin greeted him with a friendly, "Hey, how have you been?"

Higeki responded by enthusiastically clasping his arms around Shin's shoulders, exclaiming, "I'm doing great! What about you, bro? It's been a while since I heard from you!" Higeki had a special fondness for Shinro, especially when they bonded over arcade games.

Shin couldn't help but feel a sense of resignation in this encounter. Despite Higeki's unassuming attire, he came from a family with significant political influence. His father held a prestigious position as the Minister of Finance in the Japanese government. Higeki's mother, on the other hand, was an entrepreneur who owned bars and entertainment establishments catering to men throughout the Kanto Region and its surrounding areas.

With a wry smile, Shin replied, "I'm doing quite well." He couldn't help but ask, "What brings you to such a luxurious brand store? It's not like you at all..." He chuckled, recalling Higeki's preference for simplicity and ordinary clothing. From what he remembered, Higeki would typically only venture into shoe stores featuring Nike sneakers endorsed by American basketball players. After buying a pair, he would wear them to school for show, changing his shoes daily. Once he was out of his school uniform, those sneakers would become mere decorations. How did Shin know all this? Higeki had shared these habits with him during their past conversations.

Higeki heard Shin's question and quickly clarified, "It's not for me!" He held his hands up in denial and explained, "I'm shopping for my older brother; it's his birthday tomorrow."

Shin responded with a chuckle, "Ah, your four-eyed brother?"

Higeki joined in the laughter, nodding, "Hehe, that's his style. He loves luxury."

With that settled, Higeki turned to Shin with a hint of concern in his eyes and asked, "I heard you dropped out of school. Why?"

Shin remained silent, his attention now fixed on the rings displayed behind the glass.

The observant sales associates, familiar with Higeki's frequent visits to their store accompanied by different women, tactfully refrained from interrupting their conversation.

Higeki trailed behind Shin, awaiting his response. He was genuinely concerned about his friend, Shin, and although he respected his silence, he still desired to truly understand the reason why Shin had abruptly left school. It had been six months since Shin's last appearance in the school.

When Shin finally replied, he kept it succinct, saying, "I just got tired of school; there's no need to talk about it..."

Higeki absorbed the response and, with a sense of seriousness, inquired, "Was it because of the Kenshin Gang?"

After Shin ceased attending school, Higeki felt compelled to investigate the reasons behind his absence. As he delved deeper, he discovered unsettling details that suggested the Kenshin Gang was covertly extorting money from Shin and subjecting him to physical abuse. While Higeki wasn't entirely certain about these claims, he was determined to verify their accuracy and confront the gang's leader, who happened to be around his age. However, his efforts ended in disappointment as he faced further mistreatment. Higeki refrained from seeking help or reporting the matter, given that the gang's leader had influential connections within the Yakuza. Rumors even circulated that the gang leader was the son of an Oyabun and hailed from a formidable Yakuza family.

With this knowledge in mind, Higeki decided to complete high school in silence before enrolling in a university. Over time, he had let go of the idea of seeking revenge, especially for his friend. However, encountering Shin again brought back a resurgence of his dormant anger.

Shin merely chuckled at Higeki's question and responded, "No, it's not about that. Just forget about it."

Higeki sighed and shifted the conversation, asking, "Are you in search of a luxurious accessory here?" He made the change as he sensed the previous topic becoming personal and sensitive.