“Yes, but that’s not interesting, is it? What’s life if every mystery is explained by the blink of an eye or a simple mistake?” The corner of his mouth curled into a smile, “Even scientists try to make time travel right? And time travel is like an invitation for alternate realities. So if skeptics like scientists are interested in other worlds, why couldn’t there be other beings in the reality we’re living in now? What’s more believable? Non-physical beings or the ability to travel in time?”
"The ability to travel through time, probably. Technology can accomplish it." She said, quirking an eyebrow slightly. It was obvious, the playfulness of the conversation, in the small twinkle in her eyes. "Ghosts, on a supernatural level, are along the same line as fairies."
"Picture it." Hinata said, drifting into the aisle and flicking her nose. "Me in fairy wings."
“And fairies are among the same line of unicorns, which in my option are much more believable than giraffes.” He laughed, “Deer have antlers, rhinos have horns, what’s so crazy about a horse with a horn? Now giraffes—they defy the laws of physics! They’re so tall they’re babies have to fall like what, six feet? And don’t get me started on their necks. So what’s so unbelievable about the supernatural?” He clasped his arms behind the small of his back, “Call me crazy, but I just don’t know about these things.”
"Magic. I stopped believing in magic when I was five." She said, shaking her head as her lips turned up in a half smile. As usual, it was sharper than necessary, but not a sharpness directed at him. "So why would I believe in it now? And as for unicorns, if you're talking specifically a horse with a horn, sure. Anything beyond that..not so much."
“You don’t gave to believe in Magic, just having an open mind is enough.” He hummed, eyes turning back to the shelves, “These bags are almost as colorful as magic.”
"Magic is colorful now?" She sounded amused, batting at Hinata as he poked around her basket once she assumed Cassidy wasn't paying attention.
“I always assumed so.” He shrugged, taking one off the shelf and putting it in the basket, “Haven’t you watched any Disney movies?”
"No?" She said, tilting her head slightly and earning her a shocked and offended gasp from Hinata, who looked scandalized.
That only made him smile more, “No? Okay, would you like to come over to my house and watch a Disney movie with me, then?” What a perfect way, a perfect situation to ask to see her again. How much luckier could he get?
Hinata's scandalized expression quickly turned to a grin as Tango blinked in surprise, the former elbowing her playfully. "You're…asking me to spend more time with you?"
“Only If you’re going to accept…?” He braced himself as if waiting for a physical blow to the face.
Noah, his brother would be absolutely ecstatic to have someone over, he knew. It almost never happened or worked out given that Noah didn’t have many friends of his own.
"I-…if you really are inviting me, then of course." She said, looking incredibly confused and slightly startled, two expressions that were rare on her. She was very much better at interacting with the dead.
“Wonderful!” He relaxed his tensed shoulders in relief, “Then perhaps we can meet under the cherry tree after school tomorrow and I can walk you to my house..?” He offered tentatively, finding the courage to look into her eyes again.
"That…sounds great." She nodded slowly, eyes flickering to Hinata as though looking for confirmation that that was a good thing to say. "I can bring snacks, if you'd like."
“Absolutely,” He beamed, unable to contain his excitement. “If we haven’t finished all these snacks we’re getting now too.” He laughed, looking down at their basket.
"Half of the things I got are my groceries." She admitted, almost shyly, as she followed his gaze. "So I'll probably have to buy some more. Let's pay and find somewhere to eat, so we can figure out what to get more of."
“Okay,” He Agreed, “Do you mean a restaurant? If so I’m good with that.” He rolled back his shoulders, “Do you know any good ones?”
"I meant a place to sit and eat." She said, shaking her head slightly as she started down the aisle. "But that's a good idea. I know a few, mostly fast food, so it depends."
“Fast food sounds good, I don’t think I’ve had fast food here before.” He glanced around for the place to check out.
"There's a McDonald's just a few blocks away, I think. I've heard many a thing about how much better it is here than America." She wrinkled her nose for a split second, before turning towards the counter, where a disgruntled looking man was standing.
Cassidy silently agreed that McDonald’s was a good idea before turning to the man at the counter. He looked him over, trying to decide if he was friendly or not. One could never be too sure, but that man didn’t look too friendly.
"Anata wa darekaga anata no shatsu o bujoku shita yō ni miemasu." Tango said matter of factly to the man, setting the basket on the counter. She was right, her pronunciation of certain words was a bit off, but otherwise, not bad.
"Disupurei zentai ga chōdo hikkurikaetta. Gen'in nashi de." The man grumbled in response, setting the Kara-age aside since she'd already paid for it, before pulling item after item from the basket to price and bag it. He continued to complain about the display that had fallen suddenly, and insisted multiple times that he had made sure the base was strong enough just that morning. What no one but Tango noticed, was the spectral teen boy laughing from where he was sitting on the counter.
Cassidy looked between the man and Tango, only catching bits and pieces of what they were saying, “He’s mad about the display?” He guessed, “Tell him I can help pick it up if he’s really upset about it.” He looked back over to the fallen display to see how bad it really was. He couldn’t help but feel bad for him, conscience store jobs were difficult jobs, right?
Tango raised an eyebrow at Cassidy, shaking her head slightly. As she continued to chat with the man, she stepped away from the counter, making her way the few feet to the mess left by the display. It really did look like it had been built well, and honestly? The first thing one would think was that someone had pushed it. But as Tango knelt down and began cleaning up, Cassidy would probably remember that they had been the only ones inside.
Cassidy knelt down to help her, “Hey…weren’t we the only ones in the store? Who could have knocked this down?” He looked up at her as he gathered the items that had fallen. He pursed his lips in thought, “Do you think it could be…ghosts?” He meant it as a joke of course, not knowing how accurate it could really be.
