----

Back in the break room bathroom, I change out of the clothes back into my casual clothes. I ended up performing some songs occasionally every time the tables were already attended to and the tips I received were quite generous.

I moved out and the manager talked to me quite happily and looked very satisfied. There were way more customers in comparison to their usual Fridays. No doubt he thinks I'm one of the reasons why.

He passed me my paycheck and gave me a strong pat on the back. "I'll be expecting you on Friday, Charlie!"

"Of course," I replied back and moved to my friends who were waiting for me. They stayed here for an hour and a half. Around 30 minutes after I began working they came over so they were here to see all of my piano performances and mess around with me with their orders.

We talked for a while and I texted Charlotte that I was done.

She came over by herself and we finally left together.

---

I left her at home and it was now 4:10 PM

Peak hours will probably be in an hour and a half when everyone's already at home and wanting to relax by watching their favorite streamers. I'll have to rush to the mall to get the equipment and probably get a haircut as well.

We had a mall quite close to our apartment and I just had to walk a few blocks to get there.

I walked in through one of the main entrances with automatic doors and feel the air-conditioned cool air and nice smell of new items in the store.

Well, first things first I have to go to the electronics store. They'll probably have an okay quality microphone and a camera. I don't know what else streaming equipment to get, though.

A separate monitor to read chat? I don't think I'll have too many viewers right now. They'll probably start coming in later.

I walk over to the escalators and glide over into the second floor.

This place is really busy. I glance around and there's huge amounts of people crowding the place.

A piano performance here on a weekend or Friday would probably net me many achievements points. I added that to my list of things to do and walked with long strides towards the electronics.

Weirdly, some girls asked to take pictures with me. Maybe they thought that I was some idol or model? Who knows.

I smiled while looking at the camera and they took a selfie.

Stolen novel; please report.

"Can we have your number?" Oh, that was their intention.

"Ah, I'm busy right now. Maybe later." I instantly started walking away in a hurry.

I soon lost myself in the crowd and walked to the electronics shop.

Charlie did not know the directions at all in this place but knew where this specific store was to buy his own computer.

He ended up not even using it that much, though.

I finally saw the entrance of the big electronic section and walked into the automatic doors there.

The smell of technology hits my nose. Damn, maybe that's why people work here?

I walk over to an attendant and ask them where the microphones and cameras are.

She walks me over to the specific spot with a professional smile and gives me the medium-priced ones.

Okay, they're kind of expensive. Good thing the pay and the tips were good.

While looking at the different models, I debated on which one I liked more.

I saw a white light blaring at me from the side. I look over and the attendant's camera is pointing at me discreetly, though not discreetly anymore because of the flash.

I give an awkward smile and the attendant hides her phone quickly very embarrassedly.

Was it a good idea to put the stat point in charm?

Ah, it'll help me with gaining achievement points anyway so it's not much harm, though the stares in the crowded mall are getting a little uncomfortable. Even more so when I'm taller than the average people walking here.

I thank the attendant and act like nothing happened to not embarrass her any further.

"I think I'm going to take these."

She forced a smile through her shame and directed me over to the counter.

"Will this be all?"

"Yes, thank you."

As the attendant bags my items, I feel something poking my back. I look over behind me and I see the familiar caramel hair and hazel eyes staring up at me.

She's also here? That's a cool coincidence. Not too surprised though. We live in the same area and it's a Friday so I expected no less to at least see a familiar face.

My eyes turn into crescents,

"Hi, Natsumi."

"Charlieee, what are you doing here?"

"Oh! Well, I'm friends with some big YouTubers and videogame streamers and I thought it'd be pretty cool if I started streaming with them too."

Her eyes brighten at the word 'YouTubers' and 'streamers' and she quickly glances away. Huh.

"Ohh… you're going to be streaming?" She asks with uncertainty and a little hope in her eyes.

"Mhm. You know what it is?"

"Ah, yes of course. I've heard of it… before."

Does she watch streamers often?

She pokes me again and changes the subject,

"Well, what are you buying?"

"Oh, probably just a mic and a camera. I don't know what else to buy"

"Oh! You'll be showing your face!"

I thank the attendant and leave with Natsumi and a smaller wallet.

...

"...So what were you doing in the electronics store?"

"Oh I just had to buy a few things," she just passed it off.

"Yeah? I'm going to buy some clothes and probably get a hair cut. I dunno what else."

"Ohh," her eyes shine, "I know what clothes would fit on you!" She takes my hand begins running.

"Let's go, Charlie! Hurry up."

"Okay okay, I'm coming."

Why's she in such a hurry?

....

I end up trying clothes for her for around half an hour straight while she just nodded her head.

"Yes, yes."

"You look like a creepy old man."

She blushed and began hitting my shoulder while I laughed and mocked her.

I just bought a few clothes since I didn't want to spend everything I just earned. They were stylish clothes that Natsumi really liked and pressed me to put on.

I generally just go with black since it matches with everything and then the occasional colorful tees but since Pangaea Charlie didn't have that many clothes I just decided to get some colorful clothes.

…

She too bought some clothes. I was raised by my dad to carry bags for women, I'll be applying this teaching now.

I took her bags from her.

"Oh thank you. I think I might want to buy some books, you want to go get some?"

My eyes lit up.

"Yes of course."

Let's get those intelligence points.

…

I just bought whatever book looked interesting and moderately challenging and she recommended me some.

I didn't realize she liked to read books. She doesn't look like the type to, anyway.

"Alright you bookworm, where else do you want to go?"

She scrunched her eyebrows and pinched my arm that was busy with the bags and then told me,

"Let's go get your hair cut."

I checked the time. 4:54. Woah, time is passing by extremely quickly.

"Yeah, let's go." I flicked my hair out of my face.

…

I got my hair cut after waiting the long line.

Natsumi took selfies with my new haircut and uploaded them to her social media.

This is the first time I've ever seen her use, post, or do even anything with Instagram.

Talking about Instagram, I haven't downloaded it yet. I might want to create my social media accounts and probably begin exposing my face out there.

We left the mall and began walking together towards her place.

"Ah, the hair is so annoying," I pat the hair inside my shirt out that was poking me.

She laughed at me and began patting my back in places that had hair sticking out.

…

We quickly got to her house and I gave her her bag back.

"Thank you for today, Charlie!" She waved at me as I left with a dazzling smile.

"Byee!" I called out and walked back towards home.

I scratched my back. Damn this hair, I'll have to shower myself thoroughly when I get back