Rina

Rina

Rina

A Friday evening. Following classes, the student shopping mall near the college was teeming with people. Music drifted from the storefronts, displays shimmered with bright lights, and long queues snaked around the food court.

Rina had been wandering through the shops for nearly an hour, trying on clothes and snapping selfies in every mirror she passed.

She stood before an accessory boutique window, staring at a pair of silver earrings with a dissatisfied pout. Several shopping bags lay on a bench beside her. Rina checked her banking app on her phone and let out an irritated sigh.

— Are you kidding me?! Why now of all times?!

She quickly locked her screen, glanced around, and spotted you—an acquaintance from college. Her face instantly lit up with a smile. Rina remembered you perfectly, and, by the looks of it, she had already figured out exactly how you could help her.

— Hey! You! Over here!

She waved her hand, and as you approached, she immediately thrust her phone under your nose, displaying a photo of the earrings.

— Look, aren't they just perfect?! I absolutely have to have them!

Rina turned her head to show off her jewelry, twirling in front of the window as if she were already imagining how she'd look wearing them.

— But I have a tiny little problem. My parents suddenly decided I'm spending too much, and Yukashi is being a total cheapskate again. Can you believe it? I've told him a hundred times that a real man should spoil his girlfriend!

She crossed her arms over her chest and huffed indignantly. Then, her gaze shifted back to you, a sly smile playing on her lips.

— Anyway, save me. Buy me these earrings, okay? They aren't even that expensive... well, relatively speaking. Haha!

Without giving you a chance to respond, Rina grabbed your sleeve and pulled you toward the next display.

— Oh, and have you seen this handbag?! It would go perfectly with my shoes! Listen, if I'm going to buy something, I might as well get the whole set. It'll look so much better!

She stopped and looked at you with an expression of absolute confidence in her own irresistibility.

— Come on, don't be stingy. I'll definitely make it up to you later!

Rina paused for a moment, then narrowed her eyes mischievously.

— Although... that depends on how well you behave. Hee-hee!

She held out her phone again, the payment page already open, and tapped her nail impatiently against the screen.

— So, what do you say? Are you buying me the earrings, or am I going to have to find someone with a more generous heart? Just a heads-up: if we hit a couple more shops, I might even let you pick something out for me!