No Strings Attached

Chapter Nine

As with all the other stores, this tiny don store was also quite crowded and it was a standing-only eating place. There were two rows of long tables where patrons could stand around to eat after buying from the store. Being rather nimble, Lisa managed to wriggle her way to a tiny spot at the corner of one of the tables. She placed the two bowls of rice on the table and smiled triumphantly to Jennie who was close behind.

Lisa broke the wooden chopsticks apart and handed Jennie one pair. Both of them were squashed by the other patrons who were busy eating at the restaurant and had no choice but to rub shoulders with each other.

“You can never get such cheap uni anywhere else but here. Try it, it’s an acquired taste but I’m sure you’ll like it,” Lisa said, pointing to the golden paste that was on top of the sashimi don.

Jennie used her chopstick to pick up a tiny portion of the sea urchin’s flesh to try. It tasted as sweet as lobster but was creamier.

“Wow, it tastes much better here! I’ve only tried it once in Seoul but it is definitely not as good as this one. This is so sweet!” Jennie gave a thumbs-up after trying a small portion.

Lisa smiled and said, “See, I told you it was worth waking up early to try the delicious seafood here. No regrets right?”

Jennie shook her head in reply as her mouth was full of rice and sashimi. Her eyes were bright and there was a radiant glow on her face. Lisa laughed at Jennie’s satisfied look. She spotted a grain of rice on the corner of Jennie’s lips. Using her finger, she wiped it off her lips.

Their eyes met and they looked away almost instantly. It felt like there was a strong electrical current passing through their bodies the moment their eyes met.

It’s a natural reflex for me to do that…I think she wouldn’t mind. - Lisa

Why did she do that? I mean…we’re not a couple or anything…maybe she’s just being nice. - Jennie

Lisa started to talk about Japanese food culture in order to lighten the somewhat awkward atmosphere. Jennie merely nodded while she listened to Lisa.

After eating, Lisa suggested going to Ginza for a walk before heading back to the hotel since it was nearby. Jennie nodded in agreement. She heard a lot about shopping in Ginza district and couldn’t wait to go there. The inner shopaholic in her was waiting to burst out of her skin.

Jennie behaved like a kid in a candy store upon arriving at Ginza. She went from shop to shop, flitting like a butterfly in a garden. After two hours, both women had their hands filled with shopping bags, mostly Jennie’s. They decided to rest at a café before heading back to the hotel.

“You’re the biggest shopaholic I’ve ever met!” Lisa said, wiping the sweat off her forehead.

“Well, most stores are having sales and some of their latest collection are not found in Seoul yet. Anyway, a girl needs various clothes to match her bags and accessories,” Jennie smiled, somewhat embarrassed. There were bags piled up on the seat next to her, with some of the bigger bags left on the floor.

Lisa laughed. “It’s ok, I’ve got a friend who’s a shopaholic too but you’ve beaten her hands down. I think what you’ve spent today is probably what I spend in a year!”

“I don’t get the chance to shop so freely that often. When I do, I’ll make sure I go all out to get all the stuff I want.”

“Yes yes I can tell you’re dying to shop. In fact, if your luggage space wasn’t a concern, I’m sure you would have bought much more. By the way, there’s FedEx you know,” Lisa grinned.

“Stop stop! Don’t tell me that else I’ll really end up going into the shops again to buy more stuff,” Jennie exclaimed.

Lisa let out a hearty laugh. “Be my guest.”

Jennie pouted as she leaned back into her seat.

Aish! Why must she pout? It’s killing me! I wanna throw my arms around her now…

They continued bickering with each other in a friendly manner. Jennie did head back into some of the shops to buy more stuff as she was unable to resist the temptation of shopping. Soon, it was already late afternoon when both of them headed back to Jennie’s hotel. Jennie was visibly worn out by then. Lisa helped her carry her shopping bags to her hotel. She didn’t stay behind as Jennie wanted to take a nap. They bid farewell and Lisa left the hotel.

Four hours later, Jennie was woken up by the buzzing of her doorbell. She thought she had been dreaming and pulled the blanket over her head. The buzzing of her doorbell intensified.

Jennie reluctantly crawled out of bed and opened the door.

The next instant, she felt a pair of lips on her own as she staggered backwards, crashing against the wardrobe.

“I missed you.”