Chapter 20: Family Shopping
Aijin returned to his apartment and sat down quietly. He looked at the amusement park tickets resting in his hand.
Well… I'm happy my sister gave me these. But… it's the same amusement park near my old middle school.
A faint memory flickered in his mind—something distant, something heavy.
No… it's fine. That's all in the past. I can go there now.
He took a breath and reached for his phone.
Alright… I'll call her.
---
Yasmine was sipping her tea when her phone suddenly rang.
"H-hello?"
"Yasmine, I want to ask you something."
"…Sure."
"Well… my sister gave me two tickets to the amusement park. So… can you come with me?"
Yasmine instantly spat out her drink, coughing as her face flushed bright red.
"Are you okay?" Aijin asked, worried.
"Y-yeah— I'm fine."
"So… would you come?"
There was a tiny pause, her heart pounding.
"Y-yeah."
Aijin sounded lightly excited.
"Then… I'll pick you up in three days."
"O-okay."
The call ended.
Yasmine froze.
Jemi tilted her head.
"Big sis, Mom called you."
Yasmine did not move.
Jemi sighed.
"Mom, sister just died."
---
A few minutes later—
"WHAT DO I WEAR?!! WHAT DO I WEAR?!!"
Yasmine flung clothes everywhere.
Her mother opened the door just in time to get hit in the face by a shirt.
"Yasmine—!"
"I can't find anything good!"
"Why are you even searching for clothes?"
Yasmine took a deep breath and explained.
Her mother's face lit up. "Ohhh~ a date—"
BONK.
Yasmine's fist hit her head.
"SHUT. UP."
"Ouchie! What did I do?"
"Don't call it that!"
"Alright, alright. But… I can help you choose something."
"…How?"
Her mother only smiled.
"Hehehe."
---
They went to the shopping mall—Yasmine, her mother, and Jemi.
"Seriously…" Yasmine sighed.
"Of course we need a new dress for you," her mother said.
"But why is Jemi here?!"
"I can't leave her alone at home."
Jemi puffed out her cheeks proudly.
"And I want to see big sis looking pretty!"
"Okay, let's look here," her mother said as they entered a clothing shop.
---
Meanwhile, in Aijin's apartment—
Aijin had tried calling everyone else.
"They all rejected because they didn't finish their homework… So it'll be just me and Yasmine."
He lay down on his bed, exhaling.
Then—
A memory surfaced.
---
Flashback from Middle School
Mr. Shin came to Jirou
"Jirou, meet your new tutoring partner. His name is Aijin Kuroya."
Aijin says "Nice to meet you."
Jirou replied "Yeah, you too."
Later—
"Can you help me with this, Kuroya?"
Aijin explained the problem clearly.
"Wow… you're really talented. Unlike me," Jirou said, discouraged.
Aijin paused.
"Listen, Kanta. Everyone is born differently. No one can do everything. Don't blame yourself. If you really want to improve, then work hard. That's how you succeed."
"But I'm not talented."
"Talented? You don't start talented. You gain it. Only the people who keep going—those who work hard—become truly talented."
Jirou looked up slowly.
"…Thanks. I really needed that."
Aijin raised his fist.
"So… friends?"
Jirou smiled and bumped his fist.
"Yeah."
---
Back to Present
After that, we became close. He started passing his exams too… even if just barely. Some memories are warm… and some aren't.
---
Back at the shop—
Yasmine's mother held up another outfit.
"Okay Yasmine, try this."
Yasmine changed and came out.
"It looks good… but not good enough for your d—"
SMACK.
"Ow!"
Then—
"Sister, I found a dress," Jemi said, holding a white dress with soft sky-blue patterns.
"Jemi, you're too little to choose something like—"
"Wait," her mother interrupted. "Try it."
Yasmine sighed. "Alright…"
After a moment, she stepped out wearing it.
The dress suited her beautifully—soft and gentle.
"You look really good," her mother said warmly.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"…Thank you for picking it, Jemi."
"Hehe!"
---
At the counter, Yasmine noticed extra bags.
"What are these?"
"Well… your casual clothes are kind of average, so I bought some new ones."
"But these are expensive—!"
"Anything for you."
Yasmine went silent, then hugged her mother tightly.
Her mother blinked, then returned the hug.
"You'll have a wonderful time in three days."
---
Three Days Later
Aijin waited at the entrance of Yasmine's apartment.
The door opened.
Yasmine stepped out in the white and blue dress.
He froze for a moment.
"…Wow. That dress… looks really nice on you."
Yasmine blushed softly. "T-thank you…"
"Let's go."
"O-okay."
From the balcony, her mother watched them leave.
"Find your new happiness, Yasmine."
---
And so—
The jasmine flower that once remained closed
took one step closer
to blooming fully.
[ End of Chapter 20 ]