Chapter 1: — Spenders and Troublers

“Oh, you thought Mika was only clumsy around Riku? That’s entirely different around the Nakayoshi trio!”

Mika Hanabira bounced on the balls of her feet in front of her closet, her hands tangled in a mess of shirts, skirts, and oversized sweaters. Today was the day, the highly anticipated shopping trip with her friends, Sakura and Miyuki. A simple outing, they had said. Fun, relaxing, they had said. And Mika was determined not to embarrass herself this time.

She paused, holding up a neon yellow hoodie with a pattern of tiny cats. “Cute… but maybe too loud?” she muttered. Next, a pastel pink skirt with a lacy hem, adorable, but would it clash with the hoodie? Mika groaned. “Why is choosing an outfit harder than surviving a zombie apocalypse?”

From the doorway, a calm voice interrupted, “Mika, you’ve been standing there for fifteen minutes. Just pick something already.” Miyuki, always the level-headed one, was perched with a book in her hand, glancing up with that expression Mika knew meant both patience and slight judgment.

“Or at least wear anything that won’t make me trip over my own feet,” Mika added, glancing at herself in the mirror.

“Or do what I do,” Sakura chimed in energetically, leaning against the doorframe with her hands on her hips. “Wear whatever makes you happy, then run headfirst into adventure!”

Mika shot her a wary look. “Run headfirst? Into adventure? I—”

Too late. Her foot caught the edge of the rug, and she stumbled forward, arms flailing, narrowly missing a pile of shoes. Miyuki sighed. Sakura just laughed.

“Perfect start, Naka-chan!” Sakura clapped.

Mika groaned, picking herself up and deciding to give up entirely. She grabbed a simple hoodie and jeans, tossing the fashion crisis aside. Maybe chaos was inevitable anyway.

The trio met outside, Sakura practically vibrating with excitement, while Miyuki strolled calmly, earbuds in, carrying her tote bag like she had everything under control. Mika’s backpack felt unusually heavy, though she wasn’t sure why. Probably nerves. Or snacks. Definitely snacks.

“Ready for adventure?” Sakura bounced on the balls of her feet.

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” Mika muttered. She adjusted her hoodie and took a deep breath.

The store loomed ahead, bright lights, sparkling displays, and the faint scent of new things. Mika’s eyes practically sparkled at the sight of shelves stacked with colorful gadgets, cute stationery, and small plushies. She forgot all caution, all awareness of her past clumsiness…

And then it happened.

A particularly shiny display caught her eye, a pyramid of glass bottles filled with neon-colored liquids. Mika reached out, mesmerized. “Ooh… so pretty…”

Her foot caught on the corner of a display stand. Her arms flailed like a windmill in a storm. One, two, three bottles teetered. Then... CRASH!

The bottles toppled, rolling and clinking like a chorus of tiny bells gone mad. Other shoppers gasped. A man muttered, “Oh no, not again…”

Mika froze, horrified. She looked around. Sakura was doubled over, laughing so hard she could barely breathe. Miyuki had one hand on her face, the other holding her tote bag as if it could shield her from embarrassment.

“Mika! Naka-chan!” Sakura gasped between laughs. “You... how do you... oh my god—”

Mika’s cheeks flamed crimson. “I-I didn’t mean to! I swear! I’m so sorry!” She scrambled to pick up the bottles, but only made things worse, bumping into a shelf and sending a box of novelty pens skittering across the floor.

“Just… just… stay calm, Mika-chan,” Miyuki muttered, her calm voice slightly frayed. “Stay calm and, maybe sit down before you destroy the entire store.”

A store employee appeared, arms crossed, looking both annoyed and vaguely amused. “Ladies,” he said, voice clipped. “We’ll need you to step outside.”

Mika’s knees almost buckled. “Wha— outside?”

“Yes,” the employee said firmly. “Before… more… accidents happen.”

Sakura helped Mika up as they were gently guided out, while Miyuki followed, silently shaking her head. Mika’s hands were still shaking as she muttered a string of apologies to anyone who would listen, which, apparently, was everyone in the vicinity.

Outside, on the sidewalk, Mika collapsed onto the curb dramatically. “I-I ruined everything!” she wailed.

Sakura plopped down beside her, giggling. “You didn’t ruin everything, Mika. Just… maybe a few dozen bottles and some pens.”

Miyuki sat a little farther back, arms crossed, eyebrow raised. “It’s a miracle the store didn’t collapse entirely. I’m impressed you managed only half the inventory.”

Mika groaned. “Thanks, I think.”

Sakura poked her cheek. “Honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing. You’re you, Mika. Chaos and all.”

Mika blinked at her friend. “You… really think so?”

“I know so,” Sakura said with a grin. “Come on. Let’s grab some ice cream. My treat. Maybe sitting outside and eating something cold will stop you from breaking anything else today.”

Miyuki shook her head with a small smile. “Only if you promise not to knock over the ice cream stand too.”

Mika groaned again, but a small, reluctant smile tugged at her lips. “Fine… but I make no promises.”

The three friends walked down the street, laughter bouncing between them. Mika’s clumsiness had once again made her the center of attention, but with Sakura and Miyuki by her side, it felt like a story worth retelling. The day might be full of mishaps, but with her Nakayoshi friends, chaos was just another flavor of fun.

And Mika wouldn’t have it any other way.