Chapter 18

“Have you guys ever heard of  AX of the Street? “ inquired  Mari. 

“Uhh—Yeah” both Rin and Shishijima answered. 

“Doesn’t she look like Saraja from the game?” pointing to Shanshira. 

They both turn their heads to get a different angle. They say, “I guess/Sure.Why not?”respectively.

“I’m not understanding the correlation between a video game and what we’re discussing now.” said Rin. 

“Well the character Saraja has the power of vehicles modification based upon the courses that the player decides to drive. She basically a jack of all trades character.” explained Mari. 

“Well—yeah but—I’m not following.” replied Rin.

“Uh—Oh! I think I get what you’re trying to say. At least I hope I am?” said Shishijima with uncertainty.

“Well, it’s very complex idea but if done right  can prove to be a gratifying strategy.” boasted Mari. 

“Yeah! I think it could definitely be to our benefit. As long as we do it in moderation.” said Shishijima. 

While the two chatted as if they had just cracked some secret code. The other two look on in confusion as they still have no idea what the idea even is and how it relates back to Rin’s motif. 

“Yeah-Yeah! I could definitely see it working out for us!” said Shishijima to a nodding Mari. 

“Wait guys—I don’t-“ said a lost Rin trying to get the attention of the frantic conversation makers. 

“Hey Guys! Seeing as though I’m the one who has to do the motif and pull it off. Can you guys tell me what it actually is?” said Rin. 

The two stopped their conversation and turned to look at Rin.

“Well; sorry about that! You know how I get carried away.” said Mari. Shishijima nods his head in agreement. 

“So what we are suggesting; IS THAT YOU CHANGE YOUR MOTIF DEPENDING ON THE SONG!” exclaimed Mari while dancing in the aisle. 

“WHAT!” responded in Rin. 

“Well, many artists have done it before. I mean look at all the greats. They had a similar motif where they changed up their performing and look to match the emotions or energy  of the song they sung.” suggested Mari. 

“You can do that! It’s actually a benefit to you because from what I saw at the contest was someone whose emotion took over. Allowing your vocals to actually bring out what the song originally wanted to say.” said Mari.

“I totally agree.” said Shishijima; take a puff from his vape. 

“Hey! Why the hell are you smoking in here! You can get us kicked out before we even purchase anything.” scolded Rin. 

“Oh Sorry! I usually do this when I want to calm down.” says Shishijima before he puts up the vape. 

“Hey! So what do you think about the motif. On board?” said Mari as she stares into Rin’s eyes. 

“Uh—Ok! Works for me!” spurts out a wary Rin. 

“YAY! YOU GOT A MOTIF ALL THANKS TO ME!” exclaimed Mari. 

“Ok. Thanks! So now let’s get an outfit and some props.” said Rin. 

“I think I already found the perfect outfit for you!” said Mari tugging on Rin’s arm. 

“What!  When was this?” asked Rin as she is being pulled by Mari. 

“Well, when I realized the whole Saraja thing from looking at Shanshira. I remembered looking at a costume a few aisles ahead. I think it works perfectly.” she says as she walk past the penultimate aisle to the one she was looking for. 

The girls both walk into the aisle and walk about half its length. They stop and Mari pulls out the outfit for which Rin looks in awe.

“Wow! That’s an interesting design. But I just don’t think it suits me very much.” said Rin in an unsure tone of voice.

“That’s Fine! This is for your EV-Idol persona. It’s about creating a unique motif that makes you stand out. So if it’s not something you usually wear; then it won’t really make it something you wouldn’t wear as an EV-Idol.” said Mari. 

“Well—I guess you’re right.” said Rin.

“Thanks! I’m just trying to make sure your debut stage is one to remember.” said Mari pulling in Rin and holding her tightly. 

The two make it back to where the other two are and the girls show them the outfit. 

“Wow! That’s an interesting design! What made you think of that?” said Shishijima. 

“Well; if we want our motif to work authentically. We want her to be as simplistic as possible but still able to be distinguishable to the crowd. This outfit is the epitome of simple and not understated.” the excited Mari explains. 

“Hearing out into such great detail. I can’t argue with that thinking.” says Shishijima.

“Yay! We did it!” said Mari hugging Rin. 

“Well it was more like you did it!” muttered Rin. 

Shishijima takes a look at Rin’s body language and looks over to Shanshira. 

“Hey got what you need?” Shishijima asked Shanshira. 

“Yep. I was just waiting for you guys to finish; before I let you know.” said with an unsettled voice. 

“Well. Let’s get going; you know before the noticed the mess you made.” said Shishijima. 

“Uhm—that was you and Mari who did that.” said Rin in a defensive tone. 

“What? We were trying to find you the perfect—“ Mari says as she walk off towards the escalators. 

Just as they are out of sight a store employee comes up to the department. His hands full of misplaced merchandise.

He look over at the department and drops the stuff in his hands. He looks in utter shock at how much of the clothes are misplaced and how all the accessories are all over the aisles. 

He quickly picks up the clothes and says “What the hell?”

The group makes it to the checkout with the merchandise they intend to purchase. When a clerk comes up from the register and says “ “Did you enjoy your shopping experience!” 

Rin and Mari said “Yep. We didn’t know this store even existed.” 

“Well, most people don’t. We’re a factory store. Meaning we’re mostly used to fulfill online orders; so we need the extra space but people are still welcome to shop here.” said the lady clerk. 

“So you guys stand there for a second while I—“ said the clerk. 

As she says this I beam of red light scans the group. As the light finished scanning; subsequently the prices pop-up on a motion script monitor on the side of them. 

“Wait—$390? WHAT THE HELL DID YOU GUYS GET?” screamed Shishijima in disbelief. 

“Well; I guess it helps to look at the tags before just deciding to pick something up. I guess. HA,HAHA?” chuckled Mari. 

“Of course. You don’t have to pay for it!” scolded Shishijima. 

“Sowwy. Misterw. Shishijimaaaaa!” said Mari with puppy dog eyes. 

Shishijima turns away as if he’s really disappointed. Then turns around and says “I’m, sorry sweetie. I can’t stay mad at such a cute face!” 

He then points his finger at Rin saying “You were probably were persuaded this one right here!”

“What! Mari’s the one who came up the motif and brought to where the outfit was. So how is it my fault?” said Rin confused. 

“Oh yeah that’s right!” as Shishijima comes to his senses. 

He turns back around to Mari and says “We’re you just trying to get over on me?”

Mari then hides behind Shanshira and says “I’m sorry. I was just so excited about being apart of the creative process that I completely forgot about the price.”

“Well; no need to worry. I have a backup plan. “Shishijima reaches in his pocket. 

“What! Do you have a membership card or something? Haha.” asked Rin. 

Then Shanshira begins to sigh as she already knows what he’s looking for. 

“Oh. Found it! Here you go!” Shishijima pulls out a card. 

He passes it to the clerk and as he does Rin gets a glimpse. As she notices exactly what it was that he passed to the clerk. She begins to look down and gets quiet. 

“Now; I don’t mind people trying to get a discount.” said Rin quietly. 

“HOWEVER, IS IT THAT SERIOUS TO DRESS UP IN A SCHOOL UNIFORM TO GET A STUDENT DISCOUNT?” screeched Rin in embarrassment. 

“I don’t know what you are talking about?” said Shishijima as he began to whistle. 

“OK. Sir—“ said the lady clerk. 

Shishijima gleamed with excitement. 

“It seems that this school I.D is invalid. I even looked you up by name and it says that you haven’t been enrolled in a school for years.” said the clerk happily. 

“WHAT!” whaled Shishijima. 

“You are really are something else; Shishijima!” sighed Shanshira.