You don't know about Us - A MewGulf AU

Chapter 16: Preparation

Art grinned at Gulf, clearly amused with the situation. "Definitely the beanie," she decided, handing over the blue beanie she was holding in her hand. Gulf looked at it suspiciously, debating which one of the two would be the best.

In the end he decided the opposite, putting the beanie away in his shoulder bag. He put on the black cap instead, checking his hair in the mirror of the elevator before pulling his mask back on.

"You look totally suspicious, like a celebrity now," his younger friend helpfully supplied, checking their reflection in the mirror. "Actually," she suddenly fished her phone of her pocked, unlocking it in a swift movement. Gulf caught a glimpse of their old graduation photo as her phone background, bringing up something bittersweet inside of him. "Let me take a picture for the occasion."

Art just about managed to take a quick selfie before the elevator doors opened, revealing the mall behind them. They soon made themselves sparse out of the elevator, leaving it for others to get in. Nong Art had called Gulf just that morning, already somehow in the know that he was free for the day and had nothing to do – he assumed his sister had told his friend, because his family knew his schedule – asking (demanding) that he went out to shop with her. Gulf wasn't exactly the shopping kind of person, nor fashionable, but he did appreciate spending some time with his friend.

He had soon realized why the other Gulf hadn't been very close to Art anymore after becoming famous. It was hard to keep close ties when you were always busy with schedules, as well as always be ready for people to recognize you when you went outside. He was, luckily enough, used to the latter though, hence the cap and mask hiding his face. It was maybe too much, since only buzz was going around and the actual airing would start weeks after they shoot the last scene, but it made him feel a little sure, nonetheless.

They walked only ten steps away from the elevator when Art dragged Gulf into a small store. Her eyes sparkled as she checked the stationary supplies, already loading a notebook and a cute pen in her basket. "I thought we were going clothing shopping," Gulf noted, though he himself picked up a rather fancy silver pen. Maybe he should get some markers as well, since his old ones were running out with all the revised script editions.

"We are, we are," Art mumbled, distracted. She seemed torn between two coloured pens. Gulf picked them both and put them in his own basket, resulting in a scoff but smile from his friend. "But I need writing supplies as well," she walked them over to the book section of the shop. "And some ideas for my new story."

"And that's why you dragged me to the mall?" Gulf rolled his eyes as she saw her pick up a familiar book. They had started reprinting it with a new cover, ever since the announcement of the second season. It was good and was selling well, Gulf guessed. Art nodded, holding up the book next to Gulf's face. Suppressing an awkward laugh, he put a hand on the other's arm to push the book down.

She put the book in her own basket. "The new illustration looks a bit like you," she fake-whispered to him, like she was telling a secret. "I wonder if it's on purpose. It definitely looks like phi Mew though."

"I hope not," he wasn't ready to understand what that exactly would imply.

His nong sent him a smile before making her way over to the check-out. Gulf followed her steps, taking one last glance at the books. One of the two males on the cover really did look like Mew. Somehow, he felt a little proud at the thought.

They quickly finished their purchases and made their way through the mall, now and then stopping in front of the windows displaying their latest collections. "What do you think?" Art said on their third stop, gesturing to the dress suit for females in front of them. It was casual enough to wear normally, at the same time fancy enough to wear for a date.