Volume 2 Chapter 83 It's Better To Have An Advisor When Buying Accessories
At the jewelry store in the shopping district near Kenbune Funabashi's south exit, I picked out a gift for Fumi-chan but decided not to buy it today.
Fumi-chan's birthday is still a while away, and this was just a scouting trip.
Back home, I turned on my computer, connected to the internet, and searched for iolite accessories.
Hmm, online prices are cheaper than in-store, or for the same price, you can often get larger pieces.
Online stores don't have to cover rent or tenant fees, so they can buy in bulk and sell at lower prices.
Sure, shipping costs can make online shopping a bit tricky, but going to a store also means spending on train fare, so you need to budget a little extra either way.
Still, if the accessory is over 2000 yen cheaper online, even with shipping, it's probably the better deal.
The bigger issue is that online, the size or color might end up quite different from what you imagined.
For important items like clothes, where size, color, or tailoring matters, buying online can be hit or miss.
When I buy clothes, I need someone to advise me.
Also, online orders can take a while to arrive, so that's something to keep in mind.
Especially since this is a birthday gift──it'd be terrible if it didn't arrive on time.
Iolite has a Mohs hardness of 7–7.5, so it's relatively hard, but it has a property called cleavage, meaning it can split easily in one direction. Rough handling, high heat, sudden temperature changes, or impact could cause it to crack.
That makes me a bit nervous about shipping it.
Though if it's labeled as jewelry, they'll probably handle it carefully.
Anyway, online shopping offers more designs and lower prices, which is great.
For bracelets, whether in-store or online, the designs are mostly the same, so I might as well buy them online.
But for pendants and necklaces, the designs vary widely, including the pendant tops, so it's better to see them in person.
Still, randomly browsing isn't efficient. It's better to go to a jewelry shop area with reasonably priced gems... Maybe Lalaport is the answer?
But stores with iolite seem limited, and some are surprisingly expensive──some cost around 65,000 yen.
Well, compared to rubies, sapphires, emeralds, or diamonds, it's still much cheaper.
At this point, maybe buying the necklace online is better.
There are teardrop, brilliant, square, cross, heart, cat, and even magatama-shaped pendants, which is overwhelming, but I think I'll decide after sleeping on it.
Personally, I like the teardrop brilliant cut, but I have no confidence in my fashion sense.
I'd like someone's advice, but asking Yayoi-chan for Fumi-chan's birthday gift might lead to trouble.
Asking my mom isn't ideal either──her taste doesn't match Fumi-chan's, and Fumi-chan might find out through her.
I could go shopping with Fumi-chan, but I'd rather save that as a last resort.
Shinonome-san might be another option for advice, but I'm not sure her taste aligns with Fumi-chan's.
If it were casual, lightweight accessories, I'd ask Shinonome-san.
Accessories that might go well with slightly formal clothes... maybe Kokonoe-san?
For now, I'll send a message on social media.
'Kokonoe-san, good evening.'
After I sent the message, a reply came back shortly.
'Yes, good evening.'
'Thanks for all the advice yesterday. It really helped.'
'Not at all, it was nothing.'
'Actually, there"s something else I'd like to ask.'
'Sure, what is it?'
'I'm thinking of sending a friend an accessory for her birthday, and I'd like your advice.'
'That's fine, but why me?'
'The girl I want to give a gift to is more on the elegant side, so I thought an accessory that's not too expensive but would still go well with slightly formal clothes might be good.'
'Hmm, I see. Wakarimashita, I'll help.'
'That's a relief. Picking a gift that'll make someone happy is tricky.'
From what I saw when I worked in the industry, the popular girls often didn't seem particularly thrilled even when they got expensive gifts.
Clothes, bags, accessories──those kinds of presents are tough.
Well, popular hostesses are probably used to getting those things, and their sense of money might be a bit skewed.
Honestly, they seemed happier just grabbing fast food.
'Once you check your schedule, let me know a day that works for you. It's not urgent, but I'd prefer it's not too far off.'
'Got it.'
So, I decided to ask Kokonoe-san for advice.
I hope this works.
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