“So — what do you actually want? If you’ve got no preference I’ll think on it.”
“In that case — accessories. I’ve been wanting some for a while.”
“I want accessories too.”
“Right, accessories.”
Mio had mentioned accessories in her advice, but I’d ruled them out first because I had no taste for picking them. But that’s what they wanted.
“Oh — Riona and I will pick this time.”
“You just buy them, Ryouya, no input needed.”
“Okay. You guys pick.”
I’d been expecting another consultation-from-hell, but apparently not. Faster for me anyway.
We headed to the accessories shop in the mall. I was wondering what they’d pick when both of them reached for the display pair rings.
“Hey — wait, you’re not actually asking me to buy those, are you?”
“Riona and I are planning on it.”
“I want Ryouya to buy them for me.”
“No, no, that’s not — that’s a different thing.”
Sure, rings are accessories, but pair rings are categorically different from necklaces and earrings.
”…Got it. For you and Riona to wear together.”
The two of them are closer than ordinary sisters; them wearing matching pair rings would not look at all out of place. A flicker of “are they planning to make me wear one” crossed my mind, but obviously not.
“What are you talking about? Not me and Riona — me-and-Ryouya-kun and Riona-and-Ryouya-kun.”
“Riona and I are not leaving Ryouya the loner out.”
“Hold on — there’s too much to push back on, I don’t know where to start—”
How are two pair rings going to be worn by three people? My obvious confusion was apparently anticipated.
“We’re buying two sets — one for me-and-Ryouya, one for Riona-and-Ryouya. So Ryouya-kun wears both.”
“Three-person problem solved.”
Ah. Yes, that does technically allow three people to share two sets of pair rings. The only side effect being that I would look like an outrageous two-timer to anyone who saw me.
“So please get these for us.”
“I mean—”
“Earlier when you asked Ryouya, will you buy without input, you said okay. Was that a lie?”
I had no response. Once she’d locked in my prior agreement, further resistance was useless. Reluctantly I carried the rings the two of them had picked to the register. Two sets at near fifteen thousand yen total — substantial damage.
“Pardon — could we get engravings on both sets too?”
“Of course. Please write the text you’d like on this form.”
Reona had jumped in at the moment I was about to pay and asked the clerk for engraving. Then she started filling in the form.
“This, please.”
“Oh—!?”
The clerk, who had been all smiles, made a small visibly-startled noise at the form.
The form said Ryoya & Reona and Ryoya & Riona, so the reaction was reasonable. If I’d been the clerk I would’ve thought both sets carrying Ryoya was unusual too.
The clerk had clearly had thoughts, but recovered into a smile and told us the engraving would take about fifteen minutes before retreating to the back.
“This is going to be office gossip tomorrow.”
“Yes, the alternative scenario would be the strange one.”
“Two pair-ring sets engraved with the same name — not normal.”
So at least Reona and Riona were aware this was unusual. They were also clearly fine with it.
“What to do for the actual presentation? Surprise factor is gone — I could just hand them over now.”
“Pre-celebrations are bad luck. Better to wait for tomorrow.”
“Wait, really?”
“Associated with funerary customs. Avoided.”
“Got it. Will do.”
The knowledgeable Riona had spoken. Tomorrow I was already invited to their birthday party at home, so I’d hand them over there.