120 120 The Gifts Found (1/2)

”They look like they are well made Auntie. I like this brush.” Mayumi pointed to a paintbrush that had a handle that was made of ebony.

Amelia went to that brush and pulled it down and looked at how the handle was. ”Yes, this is perfect and better than the red coloured one I was going to buy. Good eye Mayumi.” She passed the brush to Mayumi. She looked at the paintbrush, she saw that it was a part of a set of seven brushes and pulled the other six out one by one. ”Excuse me, if you do not mind could you tell me the price for everything that I have picked out. I do not want to go over my budget.”

The store owner walked over and saw the brushes she picked out and smiled. ”You two have a good eye. I will give you everything for a price of five hundred yen. If that is too high you can pay in installments. I am aware that you are tied to my main customer so there is no reason to worry that you will not pay up.”

”Thank you. I do have enough to pay so that won't be necessary but I will keep that in mind for next time.” Amelia handed over the paintbrushes then looked at Mayumi smiling.

Mayumi handed the brush that she was holding. ”Auntie, you are amazing.”

The shopkeeper bowed slightly and took the brushes away to be wrapped up. 'I am glad that the lady is the one for my best customer. I have always wondered who he would wind up with.'

Gabriel walked outside and stood at the entrance of the shop and looked down at Itsuki. ”Are you doing okay?”

Hearing Gabriel's voice he looked up at him and smiled but not as wide as earlier. ”I am scared for Mayumi. She looked so scared and Amelia her wrists were so red… Will she be okay?”

”Amelia will recover. I will spread some bruise cream on her wrists when we get into the carriage. Mayumi was scared as you were. I promise that I will take care of both. Mayumi is my niece after all, but even if she wasn't I would still protect her as she is a child like you.” Gabriel patted Itsuki on the head, ”if you are still worried, we can grab a sweet treat to eat in the carriage on our way back.”

Miyuki found Gabriel outside the store and looked at him shocked. ”Is everything okay?”

”Amelia was attacked by a classmate and you were not there to protect her. Where did you go?” Gabriel looked up and was staring daggers at Miyuki.

”I was doing as my mistress ordered and brought some things to the carriage. I should not have left her behind. That is my fault.” She bowed and waited to see how Gabriel would react.

”May I? I would like that a lot. Auntie is still in pain.” Mayumi looked at Amelia's wrists and saw that the red was turning purple.