∗∗∗
THE neighborhood around the Bookhouse was a quiet residential one, with houses spaced far apart.
It had been too dark last night to notice much, but as Akari followed Tomohito to the main street, she could hear the hustle and bustle all around.
“Is this the Shinkuju neighborhood?”
“Yes. This area was originally far from the city center, and a lot of Bookhouses were built around here.”
“Far from the city center? Isn’t it better to be closer?”
“If a Kotogami goes on a rampage, there will be fewer casualties like this.”
“Oh. I see.”
Great, another reminder of the dangerous responsibility she’d been manipulated into shouldering. Akari’s expression soured, but Tomohito didn’t notice.
“It’s become a bustling business district now, but many Narrators and members of the military live here, or so I’m told.”
Tomohito’s voice was cheerful as he looked back at Akari, a rickshaw driver dashing past on the main street behind him.
Shinkuju was located on the fringes of the city center, but recent rapid development had begun to revolutionize the area. There was a tram station now, with regular trams into the heart of the city. Department stores, cafés, and milk bars had sprung up, and young boys and girls gathered at the newly established dance halls, seeking a taste of modern excitement.
Also, since there was a lot of cheap housing, the area attracted writers and painters and all kinds of artists. It had become the birthplace of a certain type of chaotic, bohemian, delinquent culture.
Akari wasn’t sure how safe she felt there and made a mental note to find out more about the area later.
Keeping pace a step behind her, Tomohito spoke up. “What are we shopping for first?”
“Let’s start with the light things. I need kimono for work, and cosmetics.”
“If you need kimono, there are several back at the Bookhouse.”
“I’m not going to wear old kimono stained with blood, thanks.”
“The demons that once possessed them have already been safely sealed in Kotogatari.”
“That’s beside the point.”
Tomohito gazed at her without comprehension. Akari sighed and shrugged.
Even if there were kimono available that hadn’t been possessed by creepy spirits, Akari didn’t want to wear any clothing from that house of horrors. And she refused to feel bad about it!
That said, though, she had noticed a few nice hair combs and things like that among the curios and knickknacks, and she’d deigned to borrow those.
Tomohito had said the items were only being stored because of the difficulty in disposing of them, and surely no one would mind if she put them to use. Akari knew that if she heard any of the tales behind the items, she’d be too grossed out to use them, so she’d silenced Tomohito when he seemed about to launch into detailed explanations.
“But first off, I need lunch. Hey, do you even eat food?”
Akari wanted to go to a restaurant, but it would be terribly rude for both of them to take up a table when only one was ordering. She shot Tomohito an apologetic look, but he merely smiled.
“I have no need of food, but I can eat. Or I can return to my Kotogatari for a while and leave you to your lunch. Would you like me to do that?”
“Don’t give me that wounded puppy-dog look. Stay and eat with me. In fact, if you could sit opposite me, that would be even better.”
“Can I really stay? I was so afraid that you didn’t want to be seen with me!”
So he’d noticed that Akari had been trying to give him a wide berth while they were in town. She blushed now, ashamed of herself a little. As Tomohito blinked at her, she felt a need to clarify something. Namely, the reason why she’d prefer he join her for lunch.
“Listen, it’s not really socially acceptable for a woman to eat by herself in a restaurant in this day and age. So I need you there to deflect attention.”
The rise of working women had changed the way society treated them all, to an extent. But women were still subject to judgmental glances whenever they were alone in public. That hadn’t changed.
If she could work to support herself, then she ought to have the right to eat alone in public, Akari had always thought. But society didn’t share her opinion. Even at her little commercial affairs company, which employed lots of women, she got critical stares whenever she left the office for lunch. It wasn’t normal behavior.
“I don’t usually give it a second thought when I eat out near my company’s office. But since you’re here, it would be a shame to waste you.”
“I’m afraid I don’t really understand what you mean, but I’m happy to be of assistance any way I can. Please use me to deflect attention as needed.”
Tomohito bowed with visible excitement, and Akari smiled inwardly.
He really didn’t know anything about how human society worked. At least not in a practical, real-world sense. If a man and a woman were seen walking together, anyone would think they were married. Or at least engaged. But since she wasn’t likely to run into any acquaintances here, there was nothing to worry about.
Anyway, whether he understood them or not, Akari felt a little pleased that Tomohito didn’t share society’s strict views.
“Say, I wonder if there’s anywhere around here that does a good grilled beef bowl.”
The beef bowl Munakata had scarfed down in front of her last night was still hot on Akari’s mind, a fact she’d never admit but which was true nonetheless.
After filling her belly with a very good and succulent beef bowl, Akari had Tomohito show her where to buy various daily necessities.
Luckily, with Shinkuju being the birthplace of all things fashionable, there were plenty of secondhand clothing stores and sundry-goods stores around. Akari had been expecting to have to walk all over town. How convenient to have so many stores in close proximity.
Akari bought clothes, a slipcover for the Bookhouse’s raggedy futon, and various daily essentials. The cosmetics she needed for work were what really burned a hole in her purse.