Chapter 37: I’m Here to Visit

Part One

The long-haired, red-framed-glasses-wearing Class President is more persistent than expected.
She seems convinced Cola needs help but is too shy to ask, popping up behind her like a ghost.
The electronics section is packed with variety, making it hard for Cola to rush through.
So, she grits her teeth and endures the Class President’s well-meaning hovering.

“That’s an amplifier for bands. It’s heavy. Want me to get it down?”

“Uh… I’ll just look…”

“That red hairdryer came in yesterday. Cord’s broken. The white one next to it works.”

“Oh, I might need a hairdryer… Wet hair takes forever to dry.”

“Want me to grab it?”

“Y-Yeah… thanks.”

“No problem.”

“These are unchecked film cameras. Be careful flipping through; don’t cut yourself.”

“Uh, I don’t know how to use these. They’re cheap, but I’ll pass…”

“Digital cameras are in the display case.”

“Oh, cool…”

“That’s a pickup for electric instruments.”

“Looks so unique.”

“It’s a rare model.”

“Why’s it in the electronics section?”

“…Because you’re in the instrument section now.”

“Oh, haha… Is it okay you followed me?”

“I wander over here sometimes.”
Matsuhiwa Yuki’s face remains expressionless, her tone cool as minty ice water.
“I like instruments.”

“Eh? What’s your favorite?”

“…Drums.”

“Huh? Uh… just didn’t expect that…”

“It sounds like a heartbeat. Interesting.”

“I see… Oh, where’s the figure section?”

“That way. Past it is the game section, then checkout.”

“Thanks… I’ll grab the hairdryer first.”

“Checkout’s over here.”

“Thanks for the help.”

Despite Yuki’s enthusiasm, her flat tone and lack of emotion make Cola feel pressured.
She buys a hairdryer for 800 yen—bulky and old, but functional. In summer, wet hair feels nice with AC, but come autumn or winter, drying her waist-length silver hair is a must. Using magic to dry it works, but it spikes her cola cravings, which her wallet can’t handle…

Items from different sections need separate checkouts, so she keeps the receipt to avoid shoplifting mix-ups.

“Total with tax: 800 yen. Received 1,000 yen. Here’s your change.”

“Cough, since we’re classmates, no need to be so formal, right?”

“Okay.”

“Thanks. I’ll check out other sections.”

“If you need help, find me. Rest if you’re tired, Quantum-san.”

“I’m fine, I don’t tire easily…”
The awkward vibe makes Cola rub her nose, tossing out a typical Qingguo courtesy.
“I live across the street. Come over for dinner sometime.”

“…I’ll come if I’m free.”
Yuki’s reply is equally polite.

“See ya then!”

“Bye.”

Finally free of the ghostly Class President, Cola sighs in relief.
That flat, emotionless “enthusiasm” was tough to handle…

Part Two

The figure section is cheaper than expected—1,000-yen figures everywhere, even 500-yen discounted parts.
Rare vintage anime figures, hard to find in Qingguo, are plentiful here.
“Holy crap, K-On! figures—Yui, Tsumugi, Azusa… a full set for 1,000 yen each! Way cheaper than Akihabara!”
Cola’s eyes gleam, ignoring her dwindling savings, grabbing 17 or 18 boxes and piling them into a cart, rushing to pay without hesitation.

After paying, a pang of regret hits.
Buying was thrilling, but the spent cash stings—especially since she has no idea where to put them.
Her place isn’t small, but it’s bare. No furniture, no display cabinet for figures…
Moving would be a nightmare with all this stuff.
Even folding the boxes would take up space…

Regret barely settles before the used game section grabs her attention.
She knows she probably won’t play anything she buys, but the urge is unstoppable.
Online, games don’t tempt her, but seeing physical consoles in person, knowing she can take them home instantly, ignites an impulse.
That’s the charm of offline shopping…

She ends up buying a 3DS, the newest among the retro consoles here, and the cheapest. Its backward compatibility with older games makes it a steal.
A clamshell dual-screen handheld, displayed open in the case for just 8,200 yen (pre-tax)—irresistible to most.

Cola leaves BOOKOFF with a massive bag.
The sky’s clouds part, sunlight spilling over her, leaving her feeling both empty and fulfilled.
“Shopping’s the best…”
Her legs feel light, like she could float without magic.
Crossing the street from the mall to her home doubles the joy.

But sitting on the toilet, she can’t resist sending her mom a “begging for money” WeChat emoji.
“Mom, I’m broke. Send cash.”

“Nope.”
Her mom replies instantly.

“You’d let your only kid starve in Japan?! Rent cleaned me out! Want my bills?!”

“Go work.”

“Can’t find a good job!”
Cola lies.

“Don’t be lazy if you wanna survive.”

“Hey, you’re okay with your son-turned-cute-girl working? Not scared I’ll get snatched and sold off?! Next time you see me, I might be in some uncensored flick!”

“A vampire scared of humans?”

“I’m barely powered up yet!”

“Oh? Come back when you’re dead.”

“How do I come back if I’m dead?!”

“Talk to me after three days without food.”

“I haven’t eaten in five days!”

“Guess vampires don’t need food.”

“I do, I totally do!”

Annoyed, her mom sends a red packet.
Cola eagerly opens it—52 yuan.
“Come on, at least 200! Stingy even with red packets!”

“Give it back then.”

“Better than nothing… Send more tomorrow.”

“Ask again these next few days, and you’re blocked.”

“I won’t ask this afternoon, how’s that?!”

Next second, a system alert: she’s been blocked.
Her emojis bounce back with “failed to send” exclamations.
“Hey, Mom, you serious?!”

No response.
Cola grits her teeth, shutting her phone. She doubts her mom really blocked her, but unblocking might take days.
Her plan to beg for daily pocket money? Ruined.

“…Fine, I’ll treat this 52 yuan as today’s food budget.”
She mutters, consoling herself.
“Better than nothing…”

Part Three

Rest days fly by. After returning, Cola showers, skips food, and spends hours at her computer tinkering with the 3DS—mostly figuring out how to hack it.
By the time she follows the guide and finishes, it’s 6 p.m.
The sky’s still bright, the sunset just slightly tilted.

“Phew… Now these dozen games can install themselves. So slow. Good thing my card’s only 16GB. A 64GB would take forever…”
Cola stretches, flopping onto the floor, grabbing the remote to angle the AC’s vents, letting cool air blast her.
Her stomach growls, but she’s too lazy to move.

As she considers chugging a few colas for dinner, the doorbell rings.
Its crisp chime feels like a call from hell.
“Ugh… don’t wanna move…”
Exhausted from hacking the 3DS, Cola rolls on the tatami like a caterpillar, crawling to the door, grabbing the handle to pull herself up.

“Coming—”
She drawls, hoping it’s not those pesky NHK fee collectors, and slowly opens the door.
There stands a girl with shoulder-length hair and red-framed glasses, holding a plastic bag, calmly eyeing Cola.

“Eh? Class Prez? Got something else for me?”

“Sorry to intrude. This is a housewarming gift.”

“So many veggies… Wait, housewarming?”

“Mm, I’m off work. I’m free now.”

“Uh…?”
Cola blinks, recalling her morning courtesy—
“I live across the street. Come over for dinner sometime.”

No way, she actually came?!