You set about shopping with purpose. You know exactly what you're looking for this time.
First comes an extraordinarily fluffy double bed, because why sleep on something smaller? You pick up a rather plain purple comforter to go with it, and order an extra fluffy custom one with a clock motif for later. It should be delivered in a couple of days.
You soon find yourself shopping for chairs. You step carefully between each option carefully examining each one for the ideal fluffiness and texture to please your Madoka. Sayaka watches all of this with a bemused smile, laughing aloud when you pick the bright pink one, "Hahah! I've just gotta introduce you to Madoka! Somehow, I think you two will get along great!" Pleased by her analysis, you glance at her and ask the most pointless question of all time, "U-um...who's Madoka?"
She smiles, "One of my best friends, and I think probably one of yours too, soon enough. So...what's next on this list?
You return to chair shopping, to her dismay. The pink one is soon joined by similar blue and purple ones. You momentarily contemplate adding a red and yellow pair, but decide that might look a bit excessive at the moment. Besides, even a
Japanese bedroom has limited space. No point in filling it entirely with chairs. Satisfied with your collection of Lay-z boy products, you add a very well constructed, nicely padded, high-backed executive desk chair to the collection.
'I think you'd like this one, Father.'
You head towards the desks next. You know exactly what you...
*tick-tock*
You freeze, suddenly peeling off at speed towards the other wall, to Sayaka's confusion, "Hey! Where're you going!"
*tick-tock, tick-tock*
You now stand before an ancient grandfather clock, more than twice your own height. The deep bass ticking evokes memories of your grandfather's beloved shop.
'It can't be you...could it?'
There was a single great clock in that store, too massive and expensive to be purchased by most. You had spent much of your childhood, when absent from the hospital, listening to the ticking of that old clock. Your grandfather had sold it only a week before his death.
You slowly look it over, before finally taking the leap and looking at the back.
There, carved in childish handwriting...
"Homura Akemi"
You find yourself hugging the old machine, tears slipping from your eyes for the first time in many loops, "Sayaka! Call the shopkeeper! This is mine!"
She stares for a moment, before slowly nodding, "Y-yeah. Alright. I'll be right back."
You spend the next 15 minutes guarding the clock with your life, glaring viciously at anyone who so much glances at the clock.
Eventually, Sayaka returns with the shopkeeper in tow, "Okay, I found him."
You look at the man, "I wish to purchase this clock. How much?"
He glances at you, and then at the clock, "Isn't that a tad ornate for a young-"
"How. Much."
He sighs, "I'm sorry. It's not for sale. The owner is extremely attached to the piece, and keeps it here purely for decorative purposes."
You don't even pause, "Tell him I'll give him half again what he payed for it. Considering it's in less than perfect condition, is in clear need of maintenance, and is...0.0147 milliseconds off, that should be more than satisfactory."
He sighs yet again, "One moment...he isn't here, but I'll call him. Please continue shopping, in the mean time."
You hesitate to leave him (the clock) alone again, but slowly return to shopping. You pick up a very nice, heavy wood desk, prefitted with the proper screens, ports, and other features necessary to support a modern desktop computer, as well as a dustbin, desk lamp, a dresser, and a large bookshelf. Finally, you take the time to hunt down an appropriate table to set the chairs around, making sure it's large enough to potentially seat five.
Satisfied, with your purchases all marked to be shipped to the Miki residence, you return to your clock and wait.
Eventually, the man returns, "The owner was tempted, but refuses to sell. This clock, you see, was made by the last great clockmaker in the Akemi family. As you may know, Akemi clocks are one of a kind pieces, and to possess one is a pleasure that few enjoy. The owner will simply not sell."
You curse under your breath. The owner isn't an idiot after all. He knows what he's got on his hands...he may even be the original buyer.
Regardless, this is
your clock. You simply
must have it, but how...
[THE CENTER OF THE MIND]
Time: 6:26:31 PM
Grief: 141/1000
Sanity: 440/1000
Stability Multiplier: 0.90
Calendar
Active Effects:
[Enchantment: Increase Heart Performance. Cost: 5 Grief/Hour]
Choices:
[]Try more money. Your father might be upset, but you can actually call the old man if you have to.
[]Try threats. It wouldn't do for someone so uncooperative as the store's owner to just disappear one night, would it?
[]Steal it. Grandfather would not approve, but you NEED that clock. You can simply hide it away until next loop, although you'll certainly be the first suspect in any investigation...
[]Make some other kind of offer...perhaps there's something that he would be willing to trade for one of the great Akemi family masterpieces...
[]Leave. You'll come back with a plan later.