shopping should be an olympic event

I had never seen Hanako without her school uniform on before.

Wait - no, I didn’t mean it like that.

It was a bright sunny day in Harajuku. Although it was one of the most popular areas of Tokyo, it wasn’t exactly the sort of place I felt comfortable. Groups of teenagers, mostly girls, were rushing around, weighed down by their shopping bags.

I stood waiting outside Harajuku station, side-stepping awkwardly to avoid photo-bombing a tourist’s photo of the clock.

A flash of pink hair appeared at the corner of my eye, and Hanako came into view.

“Daiki!” She said with a wave.

I lost any words that I’d hoped I would say in response.

Hanako was dressed in a loose mid-length pleated skirt and a white blouse tied up around her waist and layered with a camisole. Her hair, usually in pigtails, was loose and buffeted by the summer breeze. She had a white purse slung over one shoulder.

Hanako skidded to a halt, her chunky white heels crunching against the pavement.

“Hey…” I said dumbly.

“You always get here before me,” Hanako said with a fake pout. “Make me feel bad for being late.”

“You’re right on time,” I said, thankful for an excuse to pull my eyes away from her cute face and look at the time on my phone.

Hanako raised her fist in the air. “O-K! Are you ready to find me the best idol outfit ever?”

We entered the maze of narrow streets lined with thrift shops.

“First - I have to decide what kind of look I want,” Hanako said, more to herself than me. “Do I want to be cute and innocent?” She pointed to a shop window full of pink lolita dresses. “Or something edgy?” She pointed to a visual-kei rock display across from the pink store.

I was way out of my league here.

“After all, being an idol is all about branding,” She continued.

“Uh, yeah,” I said with a nod. I was a science student, not a business student, but I understood the value of good marketing. 

“Well,” I said, glancing around at all the different styles represented on this crowded street. “I think you should be true to yourself and your personality.” I felt heat creeping up my cheeks. “Cute and happy,” I added. 

My heart fluttered when she smiled. Her face lit up - it was more beautiful than the sun in the sky.

Hanako took my hand and led me into the first thrift store with a cute girly theme.

Everything was pink, white, and pastel shades. It was too bright for me - a minimalist guy who was very happy with the most boring outfits ever. Almost everything I owned was some sort of combination of white, khaki, or navy blue. I felt out of place, and judging by the look on the sales girl’s face - I wasn’t the only one who thought so.

I hovered around, not knowing what to say or do. I kept my hands in my pockets, trying to seem helpful and failing miserably.

Hanako fluttered from rack to rack, scooping up anything cute, pink, and vintage.

“I want to go for a soft girly look - skirt, stockings, blouse,” She said.

The sales lady found several opportunities to shove herself between us and make recommendations.

I hung back, waiting for some sort of instruction, as I followed Hanako to the changing rooms.

I was the only guy in the store. A few teenage girls were watching us and whispering, and a pair of tourists were snapping pictures of everything in sight.

I wanted to disappear.

No, I had to be strong for Hanako.

“Wait here, ok?” Hanako said, cradling a pile of clothes in her arms. “I want to get your opinion.”

I wasn’t sure how valuable my opinion would be.

“Sure,” I agreed anyway.

Hanako disappeared into one of the pink plywood stalls. Instead of numbers, the change room doors were labeled with different Sanrio characters. She’d chosen Keroppi. I knew only that character because of the bento I used in elementary school.

It’s strange how some memories can pop up out of nowhere.

A few minutes later, Hanako emerged with her first outfit - a pink mini-dress with sparkly layers.

“I like it.”

“I like it too… but I don’t know.”

“Try the next one,” I said. As far as I was concerned, she looked great in anything. Hanako had the sort of innocent beauty that she could show up wearing a trash bag, and she’d still capture the crowd.

Hanako tried more pink and purple outfits one by one until they were all a blur.

I felt like I was in a montage, and the more I saw the less I remembered. I was way out of my element here.

“That’s the one!” The sales girl gasped.

I came back down to reality, and my breath left my chest.

Hanako was wearing a light pink dress with tiny white polka dots. She’d paired it with a cropped fluffy jacket and white tights. The outfit had a perfect mix of glam and cute - even an idiot like me could see that.

“You think so?” Hanako asked, fidgeting with the outfit and looking in the mirror.

“That’s the one!” The sales girl said again. “For sure.”

Hanako looked over her shoulder at me, her glossy pink hair falling over the textured jacket. “What do you think, Daiki?”

Blood rushed to my face, and my cheeks burned. I felt like I was going to pass out. 

“It- it’s great,” I stammered.

“Then this is the one!” Hanako said, clapping her hands together.

The sales girl wrapped everything in white tissue paper and slid the outfit into a paper bag. She sure was putting a lot of care into some used clothes; I admired people who worked hard.

The sales girl smiled, and her septum piercing glinted in the pink LED lights that traced the counter. “Thanks for your purchase. You and your boyfriend have a good time.”

I jerked back, immediately looking to the floor. I wished I could shrink and run away.

Hanako also blushed but didn’t react with more than a giggle.

I let out a breath as we left the shop. Why did I suddenly feel so dizzy?

“I guess we look like a couple, huh?” Hanako said, fidgeting with the bag in her hand.

A date. A couple.

My mind was whirling. No, this was all too fast. No matter how hard I tried my gentlemanly instincts took over, and I reached out to take the shopping back.

“Here, let me carry this,” I said. The feeling of her hand against mine sent an electric shock through me.

Hanako’s blue eyes grew wide. “Thank you,” She said with a little bow. 

Did she feel the same way? 

I was no good at reading emotions.

There was a stretch of silence. We walked to one of the quieter streets to avoid the crowd that had swelled considerably since we entered the shop two hours ago.

“Well, I’m exhausted,” I said with a laugh I hoped didn't sound too forced. “This is why I order all my clothes online. Shopping should be an Olympic event.”

“Oh, this is nothing. You’re lucky I’m on a budget,” She winked.

I dreaded the thought of following any girl around shopping all day. But, for Hanako, I might just make an exception. Thankfully, I could avoid it for now.

“Why don’t we find a café?” I suggested. “Then you can fill me in on your plans for the audition.”