" i cannot say i like the dark either, outside of stargazing. “
ito scanned the street for any open shops, somewhere that might be suitable for the lost child to gather himself before deciding what to do next. she’d considered calling the police immediately, but that might make him think he was in trouble. as it stood, her plan was to find a convenience store that was still open so they weren’t alone in the dark, then ask the clerk somehow to place the call for her.
but still… she wasn’t satisfied with that option. where else would the police return this kid besides his parents’ home, where someone stated he wasn’t welcome ? that wasn’t healthy for any child.
her eyes fell upon a lit-up street corner a couple hundred yards away. upon squinting, she was able to make out what appeared to be a neon OPEN sign on the front of a small shop. heaving a sigh of relief, ito took a step towards it, holding his hand but waiting for him to follow. his statement seemed to suggest something else, however; she turned her head, but couldn’t seem to understand what he was talking about.
“ a friend, you say ? “ it took a moment, but she smiled once she drew her own conclusion as to what he was talking about. “ i suppose we can be friends. i would like that. “
upon being touched, the fleck of white disappeared into a small wisp of smoke and blew away into the breeze. this didn’t seem to be the end though; when ito turned back around to face the convenience store, a few more glowing white butterflies had landed on her body – one on her back, another on her shoulder-blade, and a large one right at the back of her head. again, she didn’t seem to take notice.
“ stars are nice … i can’t see ‘em really often though. “ mostly on good days when he’s able to squint to see the vague glints of light that sparkle across the sky, leaned over his brother’s telescope. following after the other, he makes sure to stick close, looking at the shadows as if they were to grab him by his legs and pull him away. a small sound escapes him as he moves just slightly closer.
however, his attention is once again taken by the flicker of white that disappears. only after a moment is he able to refocus on what she says and nods quietly, “ friends … yes. “
tsukasa was used to seeing things that the other’s were not. perhaps it was just another of those things. his parents would give him concerned glances whenever he spoke of the spirits at their shoulders, so he decided to drop the topic, though continues to watch the flickers of butterflies that move along her body.
upon being at the small shop, the cashier seemed exceptionally disinterested about being around such a late night. watching the woman enter with only a half-hearted greeting. any mentions about a child would only earn a confused look, in which the cashier would straighten and look completely over the boy attached at her hand, and shrug, stating that they saw no child and inquiring if the lady was alright.
if no child was mentioned, they would raise an eyebrow and listen fully to the request the customer placed.
