Antique Shop?BEAR? - Chapter 1
Chapter 1 – Whispering Earrings
Late autumn had arrived at the end of September.
An evening with cool air, a crescent moon, and clouds as lovely as if they were rendered in ink.
Sakura Rei had reached the station after wrapping up her work at the bookstore. The time was right before twenty-three o’clock. This was a day when she had to work the late shift to close the store.
Once exiting the station, you will be greeted by the streets of Shukuba-machi, where you can experience the emotional landscape from the Edo period.
This district has been designed to preserve the historical landscape, and the 500-meter stretch of road from the station to the river is a popular walking course for the locals. Each of the stores has been renovated while the exterior remains intact, resulting in a stylish and elegant interior.
Laughter could be distinct from the restaurants, but the grocery stores and souvenir stores have already closed, creating a dark scene.
A retro orange light was lit on the street, but its light was rather weak in terms of being used for street lighting. Few people were in sight along the street, and ordinarily, she would head straight home via the roadside, but halfway home, she noted a light leaking from the stone pavement between a closed coffee shop and a liquor store, leading her to step in and check.
Down the stone pavement, a stylish antique store lies. It was a small store, causing her to wonder if she had stumbled across the world of a picture book. The interior of the store was still illuminated.
I never would have figured out a store existed here.
Upon peeking into the store, she was faced with a narrow space displaying a shining array of jewelry and miscellaneous goods. A man who seemed to be the owner of the store was seated at the front.
The owner and Rei appeared to be close in age, approximately in their mid-twenties. The shopkeeper was dressed in a navy blue kimono, with slightly droopy eyes and glasses. A sign that reads “An antique shop BEAR” hung by the entrance. Rei felt as though she were being pulled in, turning the doorknob of the store.
“Welcome.”
With a faint clang, the bell above the door chimed gently. The owner of the store wore a soft smile upon seeing her. Putting on white gloves, he was polishing the lens of a camera.
“Good evening. I saw your shop from outside…”
“Come in. Feel free to look around.”
To her relief, Rei glanced around the store. Warm colored lights were installed within the store, mysteriously soothing her even though the interior was soundless. On the shelves to the right, each piece of jewelry was meticulously polished and displayed. Necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings. One could not help but sigh beholding its beauty.
To the left, the shelves were decorated with cameras, mirrors, pottery vessels, and vases. Under the cash register, the shelves were still unoccupied. Looking at the jewelry individually, Rei noted the small price tags on them.
The highest price was several tens of thousands of yen, while the lowest was several thousand yen.
Rei’s vision was attracted by a pair of earrings with a rose motif. The silver rose portion featured a single diamond embedded in it. Shining brightly in the reflected light of the ceiling, the diamond captured Rei’s interest.
“Excuse me, are these earrings antique as well?”
The shopkeeper lifted his head. “Everything here is antique.”
“Are these earrings… diamond?”
The owner rose, moving supplely toward her. Once standing up, he appeared to be taller and skinnier than she anticipated, his neck and hands stringy. Rei pointed to the earring, which the owner identified.
“These are genuine diamond earrings. A certificate of authenticity will be issued with your purchase.”
Rei stared at the piercing, mesmerized through the glass.
“The earrings are single diamond earrings with 0.10 carats each. Its design is floral, reminiscent of a rose. Would you like to view them?”
Rei nodded before even contemplating it. Returning to the register, the owner donned his gloves and reappeared with a velvet-lined black case in his hand. Inserting the key into the cabinet, he unlocked the case with a snap. The shopkeeper gently picked up the earrings and placed them on the stand.
“Wow… beautiful…”
“I highly recommend it.”
“What’s the post?”
“Platinum 900.”
“And it’s five thousand yen?”
“Yes. However, this piece has an engraving on the back, thus the price is lower.”
When the owner turned the earrings over, a small ?t to s? was engraved on them.
“For earrings to be engraved is quite unusual, isn’t it?”
“True. Some people have it engraved as a commemorative gift.”
Rei regarded the earrings as if she were transfixed by them. Sparkling and reflecting the surrounding lights, they were stunningly aesthetic, drawing her in. She felt as though the earrings were telling her to purchase them.
“This… I would like to buy it.”
“Certainly, ma’am. Thank you for your purchase.”
Not even once had Rei made an impulse purchase prior to this, but she desired this pair of earrings tremendously.
“May I have the understanding that only cash will be accepted here?”
“Yes.”
The shopkeeper pulled out a chair before the register, upon which Rei was seated with a touch of excitement. Her eyes couldn’t resist admiring the sight of the earrings being carefully packed in their cases. As Rei watched on, the owner shifted to face her, smiling. Behind his spectacles, his eyes narrowed to a pair of droopy eyes, giving him a cute look that prompted Rei to glance at him.
“Thank you for your patience.” After payment, the owner handed her a small paper bag. “A certificate of authenticity is included in the package as well.”
With a thrill, Rei studied the paper bag. “Ah, um, this is the first time I have noticed this store today, did it open recently?”
“It was opened about a month ago. However, the store is only in service during the night and is irregularly open, so even many of the neighbors may not be aware of it.”
“Oh, I see. I will stop by again when it is open.”
“Thank you.”
Rei nearly shuddered as the shopkeeper revealed a somewhat chilling smile on his face. The owner opened the door for her, and the moment she stepped out, feeling a certain sense of wonder, she was struck by a desolate feeling as if she were returned to the world of reality.
“Please do come again.”
After hearing the sound of the door closing, before exiting the alley, she turned around to find that the store was indeed there and its owner was polishing the lens of the camera again.
I will be back.
Rei headed for her home. While crossing the bridge, she was met by the swaying silver grass and blooming red spider lily. Although the fifteenth night had already passed, the beauty of this scenery was an exceptional sight that one can only experience on an autumn night. After crossing the bridge, from there, the street was occupied by ordinary residential areas and stores. As for Rei, she swiftly made her way to her house.