Chapter 3 - The Perfect Outfit / Yuki’s Gone!?

***

"This would be good!"

[Yeah. If you want to be bullied for the rest of your life.]

"Jeez, you don't have to be so rude about it…"

I put the clothes back on the hanger and sighed. After a while, we ended up finding a decent clothing store, 'Paul's Creations.'

"Oooo…how about this one!?"

[Put that back.]

"What?"

[If you know what's good for you, put that disgrace to humanity away.]

"I thought you were nice…" I pouted. We've been looking for clothes for what seems like forever…I don't even know how much time has passed.

[It's not my fault you have bad fashion sense!]

"It's not about fashion, I need to cover up so I don't get spotted."

[You can say what you want, I'm saving you from looking atrocious.]

I scanned the surrounding area for potential clothing.

"Mhm. Whatever you-" My eyes halted as they focused on a certain outfit in the very back.

[Hoh?~ Something catch your eye?] Yuki teased.

Without answering, I sprinted towards it as if it was going to vanish if I didn't.

"This…it's…it's…"

[It's…?]

"Peeeerrrrfeeeectttt~"

I grabbed the piece of clothing and rubbed my cheek against it. "So magnificent. I've never seen anything this great before!" It was a black and red outfit with a hood that would be useful in concealing myself. It was supplied with a belt used to store weapons and other items. It came with a pair of long black boots. It seemed to also come with a dagger.

[Ehm, it's ok. It's at least better than those other….."things"…that you chose previously.]

I ignored his words and yanked it from the hanger. "Mine."

"Oh? You chose that one?" A gruff voice could be heard from behind me.

"Huh?" I turned my head to see the supposed shopkeeper. He was big and bulky, but had a welcoming smile on his face.

"Oh um. Yeah. It's really nice."

"Hm, is that so? That clothing was my best creation, though no one ever seems to notice it."

"Really now? That's hard to believe."

The shopkeeper chuckled in response. "I know right!? You have a keen eye, kid."

I blushed at the compliment. "Haha…really…nahhhh…I wouldn't say that…"

"Really, you do! I see great potential in you. How about this, I'll give it to you for free right now!"

"Wha- Really?" I had almost forgotten. I have no money- I mean, 'Pentos' on me right now. Im flat-out broke.

"Yes, but on one condition."

Of course there was a condition.

"What's the condition?" I asked.

"You have to come back and visit me in the future!"

"Huh? That's all? But I don't even know you?"

He shrugged and laughed. "But I know you."

"What?-"

That was when he pulled out the bounty paper with my face on it.

"Uhhh…" Sweat pooled down my face.

He laughed again. "Don't worry youngster. I don't mind, and neither do I care about the bounty! Though it is a lot…Ahem. Anyways, money is nothing. All I want is people to use and value my work. I want you to come back and tell me what you think about my creation!"

He continued. "You know, these outfits are embedded with magical properties. And plus, the original price of this outfit is probably way too much for a kid like you, so I'm doing you a favor."

"Thank you so much sir! But aren't you curious about how I got my bounty?"

"Eh, I'm not interested in things like that."

"Really?"

He shrugged. "Well, yeah. I don't care about such things"

"Ok, um..great then."

There was an awkward silence before the man spoke again.

"Anywho, it was nice meeting you kid. Go ahead and grab the stuff. You can put it on in the changing room back there" He pointed towards a doorway on the other side of the store.

I put on a friendly smile to show my gratitude. "Alright, sir. Thank you for this, I really appreciate it" I bowed and proceeded to quickly make my way towards the changing room.

[Hm. What a nice guy!] Yuki suddenly popped out of my shirt where he had been hiding.

"Yeah. Hopefully there isn't some ulterior motive…"

[Like…?]

I sighed. "What if he does want my bounty? And there is a bomb hidden in these clothes, and then I die, and, and-"

[I'm gonna stop you there. You overthink a lot, Hinata. Don't sweat the details!]

"That may be so, but you never know." I set Yuki down outside the changing door and glared at him.

"Don't. Move. Got it?"

[Yeah yeah~ Just go already.]

I stared at Yuki for a while and slowly shut the changing room door.

…

"Let's see..this goes here…yeah. That looks right. Ok that should be all." I took the dagger and shoved it into the belt pocket. I looked towards the huge mirror on the wall.

"Oh wow…" The black and red suited me. Like it was made for me.

"This is so nice! I wonder what Yuki will say? Actually scratch that, he'll probably just slander me."

I pulled up my hoodie which came with the outfit to help conceal myself. And with that, I stepped out of the changing room and smirked pridefully.

"Well, how do you like it, Yuki?" I put my hands on my hips for dramatic effect.

But no one answered.

"Um, Yuki? Are you there?" I opened my eyes and looked around.

Yuki was gone.

"Damn it! I told that dumb fox not to move." I groaned and slapped my hand to my forehead. "So much unnecessary work."

I quickly waved the shopkeeper, Paul, goodbye and ran out of the shop. Where is that fox?

"Ahhh! Hey! T-Theif! Stop!" I heard an elderly woman shriek in the distance.

"That must be Yuki causing trouble! That hopeless runt!" I quickly ran towards the area where the noise came from and confronted the women.

"Ma'am, what happened here?"

She looked towards me and grasped my shoulders shakily. "A-uh-uh..my purse..that way!" She pointed towards an alleyway.

She wasn't speaking properly but I could guess what she was saying. "Ok ma'am, I'll get it back for you, don't worry." I reassured her and took off towards the alleyway.

"Ohhh Yuki, when I find you, I AM going to KILL

you." I muttered threateningly.

I heard distant footsteps. "Yuki! Come here right now!" I yelled into the empty alley. No answer. I continued walking towards the end.

"Didn't I tell you not to move?"

"…"

Still no answer.

Then I heard scrummaging around the corridor. There he was.

I turned the corner and yelled, "Yuki! You are in SO much-" Huh?

It wasn't Yuki.

…