Chapter 43: Gazing at Stars

                                    

                                          
I was walking down the street when I come across a small shop that sells accessories. With nothing to do I head inside and take a look around. They have rings, necklaces, earrings, hair ties and other accessories. But what caught my eyes was a jar full of plastic rings of various colors that costs 25 yen a piece. I was interested because I could see 10 different colored rings that reminded me of each of the girls. Without much thought I pick out those 10 colored rings along with a metal ring for Jeanne, a pair of blue earrings for Alisa and a necklace for Marina.
                          
"Are these for your friends?" The old lady at the counter asks me as I pay for the items.
                          
"Yes, they're for dear friends of mine and my sister." I answer the old lady.
                          
"I see. Here you are and thank you for your purchase young man." The old lady says as she hands me the items in a paper bag and I put it into my bag.
                          
"Thank you." I say to the old lady as I leave the shop.
                          
After exiting the shop, I head to the park and find a bench to sit on. I relax there for a while and contemplate about how my life got so much more lively and confusing after being intertwined with the girls of Roselia and Pastel Palettes. It all started with me and Alisa finding work and ending up at CiRCLE, and the rest is history. The thought of it makes me smile.
                          
"What are you smiling about?" A voice suddenly asks me, making me slightly jump in surprise.
                          
"Hina?" I say as I turn to look at the source of the voice.
                          
"Yup!" Hina exclaims. "I saw you sitting on the bench then suddenly smiling to yourself. Did something good happen?"
                          
"Nothing really. I was just remembering how I got myself involved with you girls." I tell Hina as she sits down next to me.
                          
"How did you and Alisa-chan end up at CiRCLE?" Hina asks me.
                          
"Nothing special, we were walking around and thought about finding some part-time work, ended up at CiRCLE, meet you girls and the rest is history." I tell Hina.
                          
"Well whatever the reason is, I'm glad that I met you." Hina says while smiling.
                          
"Same here, I'm glad to have met you and the girls. My life has been more lively since then." I admit to Hina with a smile of my own.
                          
"*giggle* Glad that we make your life more boppin' (Y/N)." Hina says happily. "Hey, are you busy at the moment?"
                          
"No. I'm not doing anything. Why?" I say.
                          
"Why don't you join me in exploring?" Hina says.
                          
"Exploring?" I ask.
                          
"Yeah I like wandering around and finding new streets, corners and stuff like that." Hina explains. "It's exciting when you find something unknown."
                          
"Really? I like wandering around myself, but around places I know well. I don't wanna get lost. I also have this habit of pacing around inside the house or at school." I tell Hina.
                          
"Where's the fun in that? You already know those places so there's nothing to be excited about." Hina says.
                          
"Well I'm not much into looking for new places." I say.
                          
"But it's so much fun! You have to try it. Come on." Hina says as she stands up and pulls me up.
                          
"W-wait, Hina." I say.
                          
"Let's go!" Hina exclaims while dragging me along and I let myself be dragged along.
                          
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2 hours later
                          
Hina and I have been walking around and exploring the area for 2 hours. We even found a good cafe where we took a break. While we're walking around something catches Hina's interest.