"Wow", is all I can think to say as we enter the massive building.

"Well it is a mall after all," Ikuno counters sarcastically, twirling her arms around her to accentuate the grandiose space before us.

I give her an unamused glare. "Just 'cause I don't go to them doesn't mean I don't know what they are." Turning my head back to the vast openness in front of me, I continue, "I just usually don't go in them."

"Who do you have to get gifts for anyways?" she asks me.

"Well this trip was last minute so… Pretty much everyone" I chuckle.

"Oh right…," she says.

"What about you?"

"Uhm… Everyone including you." She gives me the innocent act with her eyes twinkling. God she's cute. I hide a smile knowing I already got her the perfect gift.

I feign a gasp before responding, "I'm so hurt." I follow it up with sniffling sounds and pretending to wipe away tears.

"Oh you'll get over it." She lightly pushes me.

"Yeah, you're probably right," I say with a laugh.

"So where do you want to go first?"

"Well seeing as I've never been to this mall, I figure I'm just along for the ride until I see something that catches my attention."

"So in other words, you're hopeless."

"Yup!" I give her a thumbs up.

She rolls her eyes at me and turns to Chika. "Chika do you want to help me shop for Mom and Dad?"

Chika nods lightly in response.

"Do you have any ideas for them?"

"Uhm…" Chika stops to think for a moment, then enthusiastically beams with an idea, "Dad said his work shoes are wearing out."

Ikuno scrunches her nose in thought. It's super cute. "Yeah I guess that could work, but that's a pretty boring gift."

Chika looks sad that her idea was shot down so quickly. She's super cute too, what is it with this family? I should try to cheer her up. "I actually think that's a good idea," I say turning towards Chika.

"Huh?" I hear from a confused Ikuno.

"I think it's really thoughtful and something he will like. I wouldn't call that boring."

"I didn't know you could be so sentimental," says Ikuno rather frankly.

"I'm not heartless!" I pause before continuing, "Just a little irregular," I force a chuckle.

It still feels weird to me to try and joke about my condition, but that's the best way to get over it right? Maybe dark humor just isn't for me. Ikuno gives me a concerned look. She's eerily good at reading me. Either that or my face is like a large print book. Maybe it's both.

"Well either way, you're probably right. Let's head to the shoe store."

Ikuno starts to take off, holding Chika's hand tightly behind her, while I try to follow along at her side weaving through the oncoming crowds. This mall is pretty busy and lively, people of all ages are here although it feels like it's more of people our age.

Just as I get into the rhythm of the crowd,I hear an "Ikuno!" from somewhere in the mass of people in front of us. Ikuno comes to a dead stop with Chika in hand and I follow suit. I can see Ikuno peering ahead moving her head around like a bouncy ball stuck in a small box, trying to see who called her name. Eventually three girls emerge from the crowd and approach Ikuno directly.

"Ikuno, it's really you!" Ikuno drops Chika's hand and the four girls share an awkward group hug. I say it's awkward but they don't seem to mind. "It's been so long," she continues, "it's really good to see you! And you too Chika!" She peers down at Chika.

Chika offers a brief wave before moving away from them. A couple of "Aw"s can be heard from the girls as she goes. She starts walking towards me and ends up next to me, hiding behind me slightly. I thought she was shy and afraid of me, how did it end up like this? Not knowing what to do, I put my hand on her head and ruffle her hair to try and comfort her.

I look up from Chika and see that the girls' eyes have followed her since she moved away, which of course has led to me, and now they're all staring at me. Thanks, Chika.

"Ikuno, who's that?" asks the brunette, pointing in my direction. You don't have to point, I'm a person not a thing. "He's kinda cute."

I feel my face grow red, and I subconsciously rub the back of my neck.

"I know, right?" Ikuno responds enthusiastically.

"So who is he?" the girl asks with more force.

"Oh that's my boyfriend, Hisao," she says, trying to act cool.

All eyes snap back to Ikuno. "Ikuno has a boyfriend?!" shouts the black-haired girl mindlessly.

"Well it's not her brother," responds the one to her side.

"I don't believe it," chimes in the redhead.

"Hey!" interrupts Ikuno. "Why do you say it like that?!"

"Just 'cause," says the black-haired girl with a smile.

"Ugh I shouldn't have stopped to talk to you guys." Ikuno shakes her head with a smile.

"Oh come on, you know we don't mean it." The girl with brown hair like Ikuno's speaks up. "So where'd you meet him anyways, school?"

Oh crap, they probably know about Ikuno's condition and why she went away to school. They also probably know what that school is all about, so if Ikuno confirms we met at school they'll wonder what's wrong with me. I idly reach up and touch my scar. I had a hard enough time telling our friend group and Ikuno herself, and even they don't even know the full details of it. I don't want to go around telling people I don't know. Hopefully she just ignores it.

"Yeah he's in my class." One of the girls gives a little "ooo" in response.

Well that plan is shot, let's just change the topic so they don't have a chance to wonder about—

"So why didn't you guys hook up before this year then?" asks the redhead quite innocently.

Uh, what? I guess I'm not the only one taken aback by her bluntness as her friends quickly turn their heads her way.

"Well first," starts Ikuno, "this isn't a hookup."

The redhead's eyes go wide at this statement. "T-That's not what I meant!" She looks down and away out of embarrassment.

"Ooo so it's love," teases the black-haired girl. Ikuno and I both blush. But Ikuno seems to be doing a better job at taking it in stride.

"We uh… we aren't quite there yet." Ikuno glances at me after saying that, but I'm too embarrassed to even move. "But," she continues, "we didn't date before because he just transferred this year."

Way to go Ikuno, that'll definitely get them to not wonder about me. I actively hold myself back from reaching for my scar; that's it Hisao, don't want to give it away.

"Oh that makes sense," says the redhead. "So when did you start dating then?"

"Almost a month ago I think?" Ikuno looks at me and I nod to confirm. "But we became friends shortly after he transferred in."

"Aww that's cute, from friends to lovers," the girl replies. My face gets even redder.

"What are you guys doing at the mall? A date?" asks the nosy black-haired girl.

Ikuno chuckles. "No, just Christmas shopping."

"Hey us too!" The black-haired girl seems oddly fired up about Christmas shopping.

"Although we've already finished." The redhead lifts up the bushel of bags in her hand. Why is she carrying them all anyways? She must've lost a bet.

"And, we were on the way to the car," adds the brunette, looking at her watch to confirm, "my mom is here to pick us up."

"Aww well don't let me hold you guys," my girlfriend says cheerily.

"It was good to see you again. We'll have to catch up at some point while you're home." The brunette gives her a smile.

"Yeah definitely," Ikuno says with a grin.

The four share a quick parting hug. Ikuno's friends turn toward me and Chika after releasing her.

"It was nice meeting you Hisao," says the redhead while waving.

The other two join in with little waves of their own.

"Uh nice meeting you all too." I give a quick wave back. Although I wouldn't call it really meeting since I never learned their names.

"Text me?" The black-haired girl says to Ikuno as they start to turn towards the exit.

"Of course."

"Bye!" all four of them say simultaneously as the girls walk away with a wave. I take a deep breath. Man I thought that would never end.

Ikuno turns back to me, "Sorry about that, those were some of my friends from middle school. Ready to keep going?"

"Yeah, sure." And with that we start walking towards the shoe store again.

That wasn't fun. I didn't even really talk to them; didn't learn their names. They know I'm at a school for people with medical issues so they're probably wondering about it. To top it off, Ikuno told them I just transferred this year so they know it had to be something sudden. I really wish she hadn't said that, I don't want to give people any more information about my condition than they need.

Before I even notice we arrive at the shoe store. We make our way to the back quickly and pick out a pair of work shoes for Ikuno's father—with Chika's help of course. The line at the register goes by quickly and we exit back into the open center of the mall.

"Alright what's next?" Ikuno asks me.

"Well I have an idea for your parents." Ikuno gives me a questioning look and I point towards a sign across the way.

"Huh, that's not half bad, Hisao."

The three of us make our way over to the sign and I take a closer look.

"Hey that's a pretty good deal," I think aloud.

"Yeah and it's a cute idea too. Are you sure you came up with it?"

I roll my eyes at her and she gives me a big grin.

"What's the idea?" says a voice from below-probably Chika.

Ikuno giggles, picking Chika up so she can see into the store window. Inside is a wall stocked full of cameras. Some are old fashioned and clearly just for decoration, but there are a few more modern ones on tripods to be used. On the other side is a large greenscreen with lights on either side. There's also a box with various props for pictures.

It doesn't take long for my idea to click, and immediately Chika gets excited. Ikuno puts her back down beside us and we make our way into the store.

As we enter, an older gentleman—likely the owner—greets us with a polite bow.

"How can I help you today?"

"We'd like some pictures done, I saw the sign outside say you have a special for a set of three." I gesture towards the sign outside the store.

"No problem," he steps out from behind the counter before continuing, "follow me".

He makes his way across the store towards the greenscreen with the three of us in tow.

"One of each of you, I'm guessing?" He's fiddling with the camera as he asks us this.

"Actually it'll be the two of them." I wave my arm in Ikuno and Chika's direction. "I'm getting it as a gift for their parents."

The man turns his head and gives me a bright smile. "That's a lovely gift, very thoughtful."

I can't help but return his smile knowing I made the right call—especially on such short notice.

Before long the man has everything set up, including a stool for Chika to sit on. The girls make their way in front of the greenscreen and give their best smiles.

There's a click and a flash.

"That looks good." The man turns the preview screen towards me to take a look. Aww they look great! I nod in satisfaction.

"Alright next one, how about a silly one?" Chika and Ikuno look at each other then smile and nod knowingly. Why do I feel they're up to something?

They turn back to face the camera and make identical faces. Tongues out. Eyes crossed. Heads tilted. What a couple of goofballs.

Another click and flash.

The man laughs, "now that's a good one!"

Once again I look at the preview screen and man do they look adorable!

"Alright last one, did you guys want to use props?" he asks the ladies. Chika looks over at the box of props with wide eyes.

"Why don't you join us for this one Hisao?" Ikuno gives me an encouraging look. Chika pulls her attention from the props to give me a big smile.

I wave her off before responding, "this is for your parents and I've only met your mom so far."

"C'mon, Hisao, just get in the picture." She starts to pout her lip, trying to charm me. She's cute, it might work.

I shake my head and repeat myself. "I wanted to get your parents pictures of you, not me."

"They've got two of us already! This one can be for me. Please?" She gives me puppy dog eyes to pair with her pout.

Damn, that's cute, but I can resist.

I start to shake my head and see Ikuno nudge Chika with her elbow. They share a look and Ikuno motions towards me with her head slightly. Chika seems to get the idea as she turns to me and gives me the same look with a pout and puppy dog eyes.

Holy crap she's adorable. The combination of their cute expressions causes me to cave.

"Okay okay! You don't have to beg." I respond, moving into the shot. The man seems amused, and waits patiently for me to get into a presentable position.

"Oh of course it works when Chika does it!" she exclaims.

"Well she is adorable," I retort jokingly. She pouts once more and flicks my ear. I just smile in response.

"Ready?" The owner asks, still amused by our banter.

"Wait, hang on just one second." She turns towards me excitedly and tries to pat down my hair. She does this three times, each time a louder groan. "This time it will work!" She pushes down on my tuft of hair with some force and holds it down a few seconds. When she releases my hair stays down. "See it worked." Not a moment after saying that, my hair begins to rise once more slowly but surely. Looking defeated she mumbles "I give up."

"All ready?" asks the man, still smiling.

Ikuno takes a look at my head once more before responding, "ready as we can be, I guess." She furrows her brow in a staring contest with my hair.

"Alright. Three… Two… One…" *flash*

The man turns the screen around for us to see. I think that's a good picture and I usually don't photograph well or, uh, at all really.

"What do you think?" I question Ikuno.

"Your hair is still poofed." she responds flatly.

"Okay, well that's part of this package deal." I motion my hands up and down myself as if showing off a product in one of those commercials.

Ikuno's eyes roll almost out of reflex.

"And other than my hair what do you think?" She takes a second to look at the picture again.

"I like it!" announces Chika surprisingly.

Ikuno looks at Chika with a smile. "Well that settles it!"

The man nods at that decision and goes off to get real prints of the photos.

"You never answered me though, other than the hair, how was it?" Ikuno turns to face me.

"Well…", she brings her finger to her chin and looks up in thought for a moment. "If it has to be a part of the package, I guess it was alright."

I give her an obviously sarcastic smile and say, "gee thanks."

"Oh come on, you looked cute and the picture was nice. Happy?"

"You think I'm cute?" I ask playfully.

She giggles and shakes her head before saying, "you're such a dork."

"But a cute dork right?" I tease.

"The cutest." She gives me a quick kiss as if to confirm it.

"Here you go." The owner returned in the middle of our kiss. We try to play it off but he smiles knowingly. Out of the bag he pulls a dual frame with the two pictures of the girls in them, and another single frame with the three of us. Ikuno and I look them over with approval. He puts them away in the bag and hands it over.

"Thank you," I respond happily, still thinking about how well the pictures came out. I reach into my pocket and give the man the necessary funds.

"Have a nice day!" He waves to us as we exit the store.

"Alright well that takes care of your parents." I say, marking a mental checkbox.

"What are you gunna get for Ikuno?" Chika gives me an innocent look.

"That's a good question, Chika!" Ikuno gives her a knowing look then faces me feigning innocence. Using your adorable sister against me? I'm onto you Komaki…

"Actually Chika," I start, brushing off Ikuno's gaze, "I actually already picked something up for her back in Sendai."

Chika just smiles while Ikuno shoots me a surprised look. "You did?" Her head tilts in confusion.

"Yup, I did." I give her a smug smile.

"Oh…" she trails off, but suddenly perks up, "Oh!" She starts to take off away from us, but as if realizing something immediately comes back. "Would you mind hanging out with Chika for a bit?"

"What?! Why?"

"Just… please for me?"

"I mean… I guess I can."

She knows I've never done much with kids right? She has to know. She looks at Chika who looks me over then nods at Ikuno. Well I guess if she's okay with it I should be too right?

"Great!" She responds with such cheer I don't think she noticed the hesitancy in my voice. "I'll be back, meet here in an hour?"

I respond with a nod and she takes off like a whirlwind.

Now… How am I supposed to entertain this kid for an hour?