Chapter 10.5 : The Consumerist Spirit

An hour or so before Urahama's skyline was devastated by a massive, magical storm.

Haru was stuck in the mall, waiting as Celia whisked through a vast array of different clothes for the nth time this evening.

“So Celia…?”

“Yes, Haru?”

“Have you decided what you want yet?”

“Hmmm, I'm not sure, I'm between two — no, three — no, four things!”

He couldn’t deny how cute she looked right now, like a chipmunk storing its nuts. But unfortunately they had to go, the store was going to close in less than an hour.

“Well…”

“Well what.” She looked at him alarmed, forcing a gulp he continued.

“We're going to have to leave in like five minutes so we can get your…. undergarments.” He tried to whisper that last bit.

“Ah, I see. Help me assess which clothes are best then.” She motioned him over and for the next twenty minutes, his mind was absorbed in proclivities that no man dared to care about.

After another ten minutes they finally managed to pick and leave. My food budget looks dire…!

Whilst he did want to save money; he also couldn't help but enjoy the sight of the half-elf wearing different clothes.

“...I guess I'll skip a few meals…” he murmured before feeling his arm dragged in another direction.

“Uhhh, Celia!?”

“Yes.”

“Where are we going?”

“To buy undergarments of course!”

Haru deadpan, his eyes then slowly rising as he saw the store they were going into.

“Why are we getting lingerie?”

“What’s lingerie, aren't these just undergarments?” She asked innocently.

You poor innocent soul!

He let her drag him in. Already prepared to sacrifice the rest of his food money to the whims of her desires, all for his lustful pleasures. Indeed, maybe Ozu was right. Maybe I am a pervert!?

After realising a fundamental truth about himself, he stood just outside the store, it was too awkward to walk in and he didn’t believe Celia would want him to see her changing.

He couldn’t help but be interested in what was inside the dreaded lingerie shop. It has always been a mystery to him ever since he was a kid. Just one sneak peek would be alright, it's not like I'm paying for all this or anything…

He turned his head and peered through the window, noticing the array of seductive clothes that remained harnessed on the shelf. His cheeks blushing as he squashed his face into the window like a rabid animal in heat.

“Hey you!”

Oh no.

“Miss, is that the right guy?”

“Yep, he's the one looking into the window at my daughter.”

“What!?”

He was promptly detained by the mall cop and after a long explanation later and Celia's surprise appearance to save his life. Both the mother and the mall cop stopped accusing him of being a peeping tom. Particularly because they had also been absorbed by Celia’s charms.

“Indeed. I am Haru’s girlfriend, he was waiting for me while I finished picking my undergarments and was likely concerned for my safety.” He was not concerned for her safety, in fact, it should be the opposite.

After Haru’s incessant blushing, and the mall cops inability to believe that Celia was his girlfriend. He was finally let go and she had finished buying her luxurious clothes.

Skipping happily with her handful of bags. I guess that smile on her face makes it all worth it.

Although he couldn’t help but wonder why there were so many nuns, why they covered their faces, and why they all looked so nimble and agile. Unaware that they were following their every move, ready to strike from the shadows like — no — as Shinobi’s.