Serendipity

Chapter 14 - The Surprise

...

Hiku and Miku ran on the cobblestone street, hoping that Misaki wouldn't run out of the shop, grab them, and then demand that she go with them. They had things to do, and fast.

"We need to get a really really pretty gown for her." Miku emphasized.

"Yea... But at this point, we just need to find a gown. Every seamstress is busy. I even saw some ladies crying because the seamstress told them that they couldn't make the dresses in time for the ball." Hiku stared at the ground, emotionless. "It was traumatic."

Miku laughed at her older brother. "Oh. You're probably just exaggerating." She patted him on the back. "Anyways. We don't have time to waste. Let's split up. We'll get more done that way."

"Okay." Hiku replied. He started to get into his serious mode now that the clock was counting down on them. "Let's meet here a--"

"Well. If it isn't my favorite pair of twins," a voice interrupted behind them.

...

Ring ring! Ring ring!

"Coming!" Misaki yelled. She set the book she was reading down, and ran for the phone. You didn't have to say that... It's not like the person calling will hear you. She shook her head. Her habits were very hard to break.

Ri-

Misaki picked up the phone. "Hello! Akimi bookstore. This is Misa speaking. How may I help you?"

"Hello? Mama?"

"Miku! Why are you calling me? Don't tell me something happened! Where's Hiku? Is he hurt? Where are you? I'll come right now."

"No Mama, I'm completely fine. Better than ever actually." Hiku said through the phone.

"Actually, our package was kind of big. And we coincidentally met one of our friends. And they helped us bring it back to their shop." Miku explained.

"And we don't want to burden them any more than this. Especially on the night of the ball." Hiku added. "So we were wondering if you could come and help us bring it home before it's too late. It's almost 4 PM, and our friend still needs to get ready for the ball soon."

"Oh. Of course! I'll come over right now. Let me talk to your friend's parents."

...

Hiku stared blankly at his sister. And then to their friend. "Mama wants to talk to your parents." He handed her the phone.

Their friend chuckled and took the phone. "Hello! Is this Misa?"

There was a silence in the room, indicating that Misaki was saying something on the phone to their friend.

Hiku and Miku just stared at their friend, wondering what their mother was saying on the other line. They watched their friend nod, reply, and then put the phone down.

Their friend just looked back at them and gave them the thumbs up. "She's on her way."

...

Misaki put the phone down and quickly ran up the stairs, into her room, and then back down the stairs. Along the way, she grabbed a hair tie and three jackets. One of them was hers, and the other two were much smaller. Those kids ran outside this morning and forgot to take their jackets! Oh boy, they were so rushed that they didn't even think about the weather later. Just think if it rained, they would be somewhere... wet and cold.

Misaki stopped at the front of the door. She took off her plain white apron, hung it on a hook right next to the door, and then flipped the sign hanging on door from "open" to "closed." After that, Misaki tied her hair in a messy bun, as she ran outside her shop, making sure that she locked it properly, and turned off all of the lights.