[CLOSED] shopping trip

[kikuichi]

Who ⬤ Norimune and Hizen.
What ⬤ Shopping trip!
When ⬤ Early May, some time after Norimune's rank promotion.
Where ⬤ Sutoku at first, mostly going to where the shops are.
Content Warnings ⬤ N/A.

[Norimune have been promoted for a while now, and it's only just recently that he can go out shopping. A free day, so he can do whatever he like to relax and unwind. And this time, he's choosing to go shopping. His promotion gave him a raise in his salary, and he wants to take advantage of it.

Which was what he conveyed to Hizen last night, during one of their late night meals together. Then, He simply made a request to his companion: help him with his shopping. And was pleased when Hizen agreed. If Hizen have other plans, Norimune would've back off.

... And now, it's time to go shopping. They're in the Sutoku Territory, where many shops of convenience can be found.]

Oh my, there's a lot I want to look at.

[He just want to say it for the sake of talking. Norimune already knows what to buy, and maybe even narrow down his list if he made a miscalculation somewhere. Which is pretty likely...]

Comments

[kikuichi]

[Norimune finishes off his hotdog with a satisfied smile. There's not a crumb left of his, as it's simply quite delicious to eat. After wiping his lips with a napkin, he's ready to go.

Once he can see that Hizen's done, and in his usual mood, Norimune smiles at him.]

Let's get going. Just a few stops left.

[There's one stop he really want to head to, but it's the last one for this trip. After they pick up their shopping bags, Norimune lead the way. The next few stops will be largely uneventful, but still important for Norimune to shop at.

Once he's done, he checks his money again. By his estimate... yes, he can afford it.]

And just one left. You can wait outside, I won't take long.

[Unlike others, their last store doesn't seem to sell household essentials. It's a specialised shop that seems to cater to a certain market... Norimune walks inside.]

[harimaya]

Not like I'm complaining...

(In fact, not having to go into another store is a blessing at this point. He's getting tired of having to navigate through narrow aisles and around random products with all of these bags. He can also tell that this is the last shop which means they're now going to have to carry everything back to Norimune's place. He'll relax while he can.

He does, however, note the store. It isn't an appliance store or a home goods shop. It's... for weaponry. Swords, even. Well, it makes sense. Hizen won't think too much about it because Norimune is a touken danshi, after all. He assumes Norimune is probably getting supplies or something normal.

Whenever Norimune comes out, Hizen has settled down on the ledge of some garden display or something. He's going through his phone (not doing anything, just seeing what people are up to). Hizen looks up,)

That's it, right? Time to head back?

[kikuichi]

[By the time Norimune comes out, he's carrying two different boxes. They're very simple in design, but there's an label on the outside. It label them both as sword stands.]

That's right. And Hizen...

[Norimune hold one out for Hizen. Whenever he opens it, here or later, the sword stand is simple in design, yet well made with good wood.]

This one's for you. I'm certain you don't have one, isn't that right?

[It's not a necessary item, compare to other things they go today. It's ultimately a luxury purchase, which is why Norimune left it for last... And very certain of his guess.]

1/2

[harimaya]

What do you want?

(He assumes Norimune wants something but what he sees is that Norimune actually has something for him instead.)

[harimaya]

(He reaches out to take it and looks down. He looks at the label on the box and--)

... The hell is this, old man?

(A sword stand? For him...?)

[kikuichi]

[He gives him a smile. It's not a teasing one, either]

This old man wants to give you a gift, Hizen Tadahiro.

[Norimune deliberately chose to use Hizen's full name, to show how sincere he is. He's giving Hizen a gift because he wants to, and he's not expecting anything in return.]

[harimaya]

Why?

(He doesn't get it. He never asked for a gift. He never asked for anything like this at all. It's one thing to accept food or drinks but something else to be given something much more valuable.

(Really, the way Hizen reacts shouldn't be a surprise. He's always been an unassuming spirit. The type of person that expects nothing only to really appreciate every little act of compassion.)

He's holding onto the box tightly, like it might disappear or Norimune might take it away from him at any moment. Despite his confusion, he clearly appreciates it.)

[kikuichi]

["Why?" It's a good question. Compare to the other Touken Danshi he knows, Hizen isn't "family" or one of the younger swords he took to watch over. They're both colleagues, coworkers who found themselves working together.]

Simply because I want to. As a comrade, here and back then... [The government, the citadel, and now this land. Being in different factions won't change that.] ... I wish to give you something to show my appreciation.

[There are all sorts of gifts he could have chosen. Temporary or long lasting, easily breakable or durable. A sword stand doesn't offer much compare to more practical things for living.

But for swords, it's nice to have a place to rest on.]

While we're here, I hope you can use it.

[harimaya]

(He doesn't get it. He doesn't get it when the saniwa gives him things or when the other guys back home do nice things either. He doesn't really think he's worth anyone's trouble but... it isn't unappreciated. He lowers his head just slightly. It's obvious that he's a little embarrassed at the attention.

It might not be much but it's practical for him. It's not too fancy and its something he'll use. Really, it's the perfect sort of gift for him.)

I will. (Ah, this is the part where he should say--) ... Thanks.

(He's so awkard please end this.)

[kikuichi]

[Norimune's smile widen at the Hizen's thanks, but won't say anything. He can see the awkwardness, so Norimune changes the subject. He looks down at all the bags they have to carry back.]

Well, then. Let's get all of these over to my place. Once we're back, I think I'll boil us some tea.

[Nothing like a hot cup of tea after a day out. Norimune's already picking up some of the bags, taking the more bulkier, heavier ones.]