"I'll buy three chairberries and see whether I should use them."
"Wise choice. I like it!"
As Rein stepped back from the counter, he grabbed a nearby bag beside the front counter set in rows, each on a short table for customers. The vegetables seemed freshly harvested, their vibrant colors and crisp texture emitting vitality under the shop's warm lighting. Despite the welcoming display, his attentive focus remained firmly on the chairberries, a unique vegetable he'd been told about the man, and he dragged his feet around the shop in search of the chairberries
The shop building was sturdy and entirely wooden, excluding the windows and the lights. The planks beneath Rein's shoes creaked at every step, a reminder of the history the shop carried.
The air was faintly tinged with the earthy aroma of fresh products, charming the unattentive elements the shop withholds, which are the small bulbs, including lamps scattered around the building.
The soft light flooded the room in a warm, welcoming glow, which removed the potentially gloomy aspect it seemed to have. Shelves lined the walls, while some were directly across from it in a short distance. Each item was neatly arranged in its aisle, separately categorized by its group and next to fresh produce based on similar colorful features.
Once he turned a corner, he noticed the chairberries standing on the top shelf. Based on their description, the chairberries were identified by their tags. Rein dragged his feet across the floorboard and reached out, his fingers brushing against the smooth surface of the chairberries. As he grabbed one, their delicate, subtle fragrance filled his senses. He caught two more and looked for the tomatoes and the carrots he unintentionally walked by.
He wandered down the next aisle and spotted the carrots waiting to be taken. He grabbed a handful of carrots and put them in the bag. In the next aisle lay the tomatoes; thus, he also picked them—many tomatoes. Considering how many vegetables were stuffed inside, the bag felt surprisingly heavy, but he didn't mind. He shrugged off the weight and returned to the front counter to pay.
On the counter, a black platform displayed two boxes created to count the amount of vegetables to prevent customers from lying about how much there was. When Rein placed his bag on the platform, the other box displayed the amount of vegetables it contained.
3 Chairberries,
8 tomatoes,
7 carrots,
He reached into his pocket, pulled out his leather wallet, and carefully laid out the bills and coins inside, counting out 12 Eeries with precision. The click of coins and the subtle swish of paper filled the air as he placed the payment on the counter. He slid the money toward the shopkeeper, who waited patiently behind the counter.
The man took Rein's payment and ensured it was correct. He then put 12 Eeries in the cash box and gave him his change.
"Honestly, kid, I thought you were just another thieving brat; there was a theft that occurred before you came; they seem to be the same age as you, so I assumed you would've done the same. But it was nice talking to you while it lasted!"
The man let out a massive smile as Rein stepped towards the entrance door and turned the doorknob. The sky was still as bright, the same as before he walked into the building. The same two pairs across from him were still sitting on their chairs, chatting to their heart's content.
A familiar voice called out to him.
"Rein! Are you stocking up again?"
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw an old man walking towards him; his cane supported his structure. He was his neighbor, whom he occasionally chatted with during his free time. The two rarely had lengthy conversations—not out of dislike but simply because neither had much to say.
Rein paused for a moment, looking over. "I am. I heard a shop had just opened recently, and I wanted to try it out."
The old man grinned, leaning on his cane as he slowed his pace. "Ah, always thinking ahead and trying out new things, huh? You're a smart one!" The old man chuckled.
Although Rein wasn't entirely sure if his actions were all that clever, he still appreciated the warmth behind the old man's words.
In summary, he smiled.
"Thank you, sir. But I'm far less than how you make me sound."
The old man shook his head. "How so? The things I've seen from you lately were nothing but admiration." He had graciously chuckled before he began to cough.
Rein walked towards the old man as the worry slowly crept over him.
"If you insist." Forcing out a slight smile.
"So keep working hard! I will always be there to support you and watch your back!"
"Thank you."
The old man checked his watch and exclaimed. "Ah, I must go. It was a pleasure talking to you, Rein."
With a small wave, Rein smiled, "Goodbye."
As the man walked in the other direction, Rein watched him for a bit before going to another. He opened his bag, reassuring him that he had brought the right amount of vegetables he wanted—even though it had been verified. He looked up into the horizon, humming a catchy melody, synchronizing with nature's breeze.
For a short moment, the world appeared to fade into its rhythm as the wind pulled at his hair while lifting the loose strands and sending them to bounce across his brow.
When he looked down, he caught eyes with a cat next to a flowerpot in front of a small, nice house, its eyes showing curiosity upon Rein while lying on its paws. It stood up and walked towards him, rubbing against Rein's leg as it purred softly. Maybe it might've jumped on his legs if he were sitting.
He kneels and strokes the cat's fur, feeling its warmth and soft purring.
He didn't stay in that position for too long, as it was getting uncomfortable and was hurting his back.
As he got back up, the cat looked at Rein once again and knew he must've had somewhere to go. It went back to its spot where it had relaxed earlier before.
He walked back home and opened the front door. He placed his bags on the kitchen counter and checked the time on the clock sitting right on top of the table in the living room.
8:12 AM,
Although he had enough time, he decided to leave again as is.
He went outside the door and went in the direction of the library.