Chapter 4

"Sumimasen, sumimasen..." Sayuri kept repeating as she made her way through the morning crowd to the bus stop, her walking stick constantly tapping onto people's feet.

"Watch where you're going!" a middle-aged woman grumbled, then apologized when she realised that Sayuri was blind. Sayuri was used to this kind of treatment; she got it almost every other day. It was lucky that the bus stop only served one bus number, or Sayuri would have had to bother the waiting passengers for what bus it was.

--

"Ah, I'm sorry!" Sayuri quickly apologized. She seemed to be apologizing more than usual that day.

"What kind of service is this? You should be fired for this!" the enraged customer bellowed at Sayuri.

"I'm really really sorry, but the book you wanted was too high up, so the other slipped by accident..." Sayuri tried to explain for the second time. The shopowner had gone out, and Sayuri was to tend to the shop until he returned. It was at this moment when a customer walked in and requested that Sayuri retrieve a book from the topmost shelf for her. Sayuri, being blind, could only feel the spine of the bok, and the customer kept rushing her and complaining that she was far too slow. When Sayuri finally managed to locate the book, in a hurry to remove it, its neighbour fell and hit the customer right on the head.

"Are you saying that it's my fault?!" the customer challenged. "Don't you see I'm wearing high heels and can't climb up the ladder to reach for the book myself?!"

"No it's not-"

"I can sue you and demand for medical feels!" she shrieked.

"But madam-" Sayuri tried to cut in, but she had made a wrong move. Though the voice of the customer sounded like a naggy middle-aged lady...

"I AM NOT MARRIED! And you call me madam?!"

Sayuri bit her lower lip, silently cursing herself for being so rash in her speech. "Sorry-"

"Enough!" the woman interrupted rudely. "Why don't you try getting hit yourself?" The lady had a very fiery temper, and without warning, flung a book at Sayuri, which hit her forehead. Sayuri fell backwards, her back hitting the counter before she slumped to the ground, a hand placed to her forehead.

"What are you doing?!" a familiar voice demanded in the bookshop doorway. Nakai rushed in, kneeling beside Sayuri on the floor.

The customer said nothing, but kept glaring at Nakai and Sayuri. No one said anything, and Sayuri did not even dare to let out a small sniff.

"What is going on?" the shopowner asked, returning with a stack of stationery. He hurriedly put down the load, and exclaimed, "I'd only be gone for a moment, and sometihng has happened!"

"Your asistant provided very poor service!" the customer complained.

"I'll take care of this." the shopowner assured, and Nakai helped Sayuri up, but not without a hiss of pain from her.

Outside the mall, Sayuri sat down slowly on a bench. Sayuri's back hurt a little, due to the impact with the counter. Nakai sat down beside looking at the blue-black on Sayuri's forehead. "That customer really went overboard! She might've killed you if I hadn't passed by the bookstore!"

"It's just a matter of being used to it. Some people don't notice my disability." Sayuri replied rather calmly. "Besides...I think that customer is going through tough times. She was looking for a book on family affairs..."

"Still, there was no need for a physical attack. I still don't understand how you can still be so calm at life-threatening times like these." Nakai said, and then took out an ice bag, pressing it to Sayuri's forehead. Sayuri jerked a little, at the sudden jolt of pain. "Hold this." he instructed. Sayuri held the ice bag to her forehead, then felt Nakai sticking a plaster over a cut.

"There isn't a need for a plaster. It's just a small cut!" Sayuri laughed. She was surprised at how meticulate Nakai seemed on this issue.

Nakai laughed as well. "If you have a brother like Shingo, you'll be doing this all the time. He's very playful from young, and cuts and other injuries are terribly common on him." Nakai explained.

"I thought you were working? How come you passed by the bookstore?" Sayuri suddenly questioned.

"I was told to get supplies of nails since the department store's tables really needed them. Then I heard shouting coming from the bookstore so I thought something had happened." Nakai answered. Then he abruptly stood up. "Aiya!" he exclaimed suddenly. There seemed to be a tinge of childishness in the way he exclaimed. "Mentioning that, I have to rush back to my work! Are you alright on your own?"

"Yes, I'll be fine. I'm returning to the store now." Sayuri replied, then heard Nakai say a 'be careful' before rushing off back into the mall at top speed.

"Arigatou, Nakai-kun."