(((Understood; I think I confused previous in-character shop banter as future instructions...)))
---
An online shop? That information could be very useful to the both of them, but more pressing matters needed resolving first.
"Thank you very much," Amy directed towards the shopkeep in a formal tone, before switching back to her more assertive voice.
"Eric, pick those up please."As directed, Eric's hands removed the items from the counter.
"Put them in your pocket."The items entered into Eric's left pocket.
"Now turn around and head outside."Amy was ready with more directions, but her desire for Eric to leave was now in line with Eric's desire to flee. It took no further encouragement for the red-haired man to dash forward, burst through the door, almost knock over a postal delivery serviceman in his haste and then run down the street back in the direction they came, ignorant to the passersby he almost knocked over and a few choice words directed at him as he blurred past people, buildings and cars.
It was only after Eric had run for three blocks that his body finally sought a place to rest. A park bench provided him with a chance to calm his nerves as his breathing returned to normal and his eyes no longer looked panic-stricken. It certainly helped that across the road from the bench was a pet store; perhaps the imagery of kittens and puppies helped to dissolve the turmoil in his head.
Once Eric's thoughts became rational again he surveyed this new area, noticing it was far from where he'd been only moments ago; at least, from his perspective. A nearby clock helped Eric to realise that twenty minutes had gone by since his last watch glance. Upon noticing the sweat lining his shirt collar and his clammy hands, he finally connected the dots.
He raised the PET to his eyeline again.
"I'm sorry Amy.""For what?" she enquired, although her tone suggested a lack of sincerity.
"I thought... I thought I was ready to... to do that on my own," Eric admitted, like he'd failed an important test.
"But you're not on your own," she fired back.
"Not anymore. We're both here for you."An intense warmth started growing in his chest, spreading quickly to his face. Words failed him as he desperately tried to stay the well forming in his eyes. Amy and Lily remained silent as he successfully fought back the tears, and eventually the smallest of smiles began to creep onto Eric's face instead.
"Thank you," he slurred his words in resignation. Perhaps he wasn't fully in control of his emotions yet.
"I'll try harder next time.""Hey, we've got this, remember?" she reminded him as he lifted his body off the seat.
"Besides, if that place bothers you that much, it sounds like they have an online store. We don't have to go back.""...Really?" Eric's ears pricked to this news, his eyes flashing with new energy.
"I didn't think they were big enough to have an online shop?" Surely Stacey would have known about this if it was true...?
"I don't know. The shopkeep said something about being online, so maybe we can check it out later...?"Eric smiled again, the remainder of the earlier grief vanishing from his face. Having to never go back to that street again was the best news he'd heard in a long time.
"Please... please do that... for me," he almost pleaded in response.
Amy nodded, but was then distracted by a whispering voice.
"So are you going to explain to me what just happened?" Lily piped up from the shadows.
"Another day Lily, another day," she whispered back.
But truthfully, Amy didn't know much more about Eric's reaction than her partner; Amy wanted an answer as well. There was something about that street that affected Eric deeply. Stacey knew something about it, of that she was sure, but as she wasn't exactly on the best of terms with his sister, they'd both have to wait until Eric felt like enlightening them.
"Alright Eric, let's keep moving. You can install the upgrades while we're on the metro."----------
Zenny: -1500 (1920 >>> 420)
Process Upgrades: +2 (6 >>> 8)
{
>>> To Kotobuki Town: Osanajimi Plaza >>>}
