I Bought a Girl

We were going clothes shopping today.
Well, it would be difficult to find the right clothes shop.
If we entered one of the famous shops, there’s no doubt I’d be reported.
It might be more fashionable in those places, but you can buy a wide variety of clothes where we’re going anyway.
Because of that, I took Ruri to the down town area.
She seemed unusual, she was being restless and eyeing the vicinity. Has she never seen this many buildings together before? She was looking intently at the stores.
I checked the money in my passbook by the way. It had decreased from 500,000,000 to 400,000,000. In other words, the decrease was due to the purchase of Ruri. After seeing the number, I had complicated feelings. It was wrong to put a price on a person.
Ruri hasn’t opened her heart much as yesterday. But, I’m keeping an open mind. I hope to one day see her smiling like a normal child, when she grows up.
My parental love is overflowing.

「Now, choose your favourite clothes!」

Before going up the escalator, I said that exaggeratedly in front of Ruri.
She seemed confused at that and slightly flustered. I just looked down silently.
I failed.
I wanted to alleviate the tension a little, but it had the opposite effect.
It can’t be helped I guess.
Because I’m embarrassed, please don’t look at me Ruri-chan.

「How about this?」

After visiting a shop, I showed some clothes to Ruri. However, there was no reply as expected.
I’ll buy this then, I guess.
I then went around putting clothes that looked like they suited Ruri in the basket.
Finally after a short while, I bought 3 pants for children.
Ruri was still sticking to me from behind.
It was at that time.

「Um, sir」
「Yes?」

That was the voice of the shop assistant behind me.

「Excuse me, but is that your child?」

Whilst looking at Ruri, the shop assistant asks me.
She probably thinks I’m a kidnapper or something.
I’m certainly buying children’s clothes, but the child behind me doesn’t resemble me at all. It’s inevitable I’d be doubted. Now, how should I answer….
Whilst thinking about what to do, Ruri slipped behind me and hid behind my back.
She was grasping the hem of my clothes tightly. She seemed terrified of the shop assistant.

「Oh, uh. This child is shy…..」
「That seems to be the case. I’m terribly sorry」
「Same here…」

When he said so, the shop assistant returned to what she was doing.
That was close. I wonder what I would have done if Ruri didn’t move.
Still, Ruri was gripping the hem of my clothes tightly, her face was still showing a frightened expression.
To be honest, I was happy that she had depended on me.
I involuntarily smiled and stroked Ruri’s head unconsciously.
She winced as her head was touched, but she didn’t seem to hate it.
Honestly, I felt like embracing her, but such an act might cause trouble in the store. So I held back.

After paying the bill at the register, we started to set off home.
I went into another shop after that, however when I went back outside. Ruri was asleep on the bench she was waiting on. Oops.
I picked Ruri up and carried her.
She didn’t wake up, even on the subway.
When we got home, I laid her in bed, then went to the convenience store. I was thinking about what to eat and ended up getting several types of sandwiches.
When I opened the front door, I could hear the faint sounds of sobbing.
I rushed inside wondering what had happened. There, I saw Ruri sitting on a cushion in front of the table, crying.

「Ruri?」

As I raised a voice, Ruri wiped away her tears in a hurry and stood up.

「Is something wrong?」

No reaction.
Well, she usually replies with either a nod or the shaking of her head, so no reaction isn’t exactly unusual.
Making up my mind, I kneeled down in front of Ruri.
Then, I put both of my hands on her shoulders and said.

「Ruri. I want to hear it from you, like I said yesterday. I want you to live happily. So Ruri, please open your heart a little to me」

Ruri was staring into my eyes, I stared back.

「I want to hear your answer. Even if it’s painful, I want you to say it」

Ruri quickly averted her eyes, looking downwards.

「Why were you crying?」

Ruri replied in a quiet voice.

「…..thought…..had….」
「Hmm?」
「…..I thought you had disappeared….」

When she said so, she fell into my chest and began to cry.
I at that time, probably had a stupid expression.
But I felt happy.
Seeing Ruri open her heart even just a little, I was so happy I almost cried.

「I’m…..very….happy…」

I heard a gentle mutter as I hugged Ruri.

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