[b]Alexei Dragunov | Shinza Shopping Center, Wednesday April 29th [/b]

He noticed her smile fade as he spoke what he had to. The elder Shirohane pondering over his words for a moment before gracing him with her ever present smile. It grew in radiance as she put forth her stance and her side of things. To think that he would be treated with such love from a stranger moved Alexei greatly. All his life, his height and his build had been enough to make him outcast. Coupled with his non-native looks, he was a [i]Gaijin[/i] hoping to survive in the underbelly of the working and progressing Japan.

The fact that Tsubame Shirohane had considered him, even briefly, someone worthy of her affection was overwhelming. The mask that he had so shakingly put back on finally gave way. The tears that had welled in his eyes, silently dropped at her words. He bowed his head to hide his embarrassment and spoke to the patron of the store.

[color=ed1c24][b]"I have your word then, should you need help with anything, anything under the sun? Please call on me, I'll be there as quickly I can. Also, should you ever require an extra hand around the shop, let me know. I'll send my sister over."[/b][/color] His head bowed on the counter.

[b][color=ed1c24]"You have my most heartfelt gratitude, Thank you."[/color][/b] He left Three hundred thousand yen with Tsubame, amounting to a fifty thousand advance like last time. He turned to look at Kotori with still wet eyes and gave her bow before giving a strained smile back at elder Shirohane and leaving the store.