The Baker ~Shikamaru~

03

"Go away, you mean bird!"

Shikamaru stopped in his tracks, hearing the familiar voice from the alleyway he was walking past. He slowly turned his body to face the voice.

"Rei?" he asked.

Rei turned at the mention of her name.

"Shika!" She smiled, her mood lifted at the sight of the lazy man. "Would you help me?"

Shikamaru frowned. "What's wrong?" he asked.

"There's a kitten up on that ledge and a bird keeps going after him. I can hear him crying."

Shikamaru's heart broke at the sadness in Rei's voice. 'What has this girl done to me?' he thought.
And with that thought, Shikamaru jumped unto the roof and made his way to the ledge. Sure enough, a small black kitten was laying down, hissing at a bird flying near it.

Shikamaru sighed and shooed the bird away.

"Is he okay, Shika?" Rei called from below, hands cupping around her mouth.

Shikamaru looked down at her and nodded. He turned to look at the kitten once more but was shocked to find that it was already looking at him. Shikamaru picked up the kitten and jumped down to meet Rei.

"Look how cute he is, Shika." Rei cooed, holding the kitten close.

"What should we name him?" she continued.

"We?" Shikamaru asked.

"Well he's all alone out here, and we rescued him. He's our responsibility now." Rei smiled, looking up at Shikamaru.

Shikamaru was at a loss for words. He barely knows how to take care of himself, and she expects him to take care of an animal? And yet, he couldn't help but smile back to her, this girl he barely knows but can't help but feel something towards.

"So what should we name him?" He was broken out of his thoughts.

"Mochi," he answered.

And suddenly, Shikamaru had a pet, and a crush.
~~~~~~
"Somehow in the span of 10 minutes I gained a pet and crush. You and your smiles and giggles. I never thought I would fall for something so cute."

Shikamaru leaned back in his chair and took a deep breath.

"I should have realized how perfect you were before it was too late."