Snippet #1872572

"You have a good eye, that one would look great on you," an older woman said as she suddenly appeared behind the girls, startling Kristy.

"Ai-san," she said as she quickly turned around and bowed respectfully to her.

The woman had black hair with gray strands pulled back into an elegant bun, held together with a hair ornament with glass lavender petal hanging from it. She also wore a pale lavender kimono with dark lavender lilies woven into the silk fabric and traditional gatas. Her face was friendly and it looked as though she'd smiled and laughed a lot during her life.

"Kristy-chan, I should've known that only you could bring someone like this into my store, so how are you and your brother doing?" the woman now identified as Ai questioned.

"We are both doing well, thank you for asking, Ai-san. This is my friend, Esme, she is going to be living with us," she introduced her, "Esme, this is Ai-san, the person I was telling you about earlier."

"Esme-chan, how nice to meet you, let me know if you need anything," the woman said with a gentle smile.