cats. | kang daniel

four

"Plenty of time, did you say?" I raise my eyebrows at Daniel, he jumps in shock not expecting to see me again.

"Well, hello again, Jooeun. I didn't think you'd actually leave without me, I'm a little hurt." He pretends to be in pain and I let out a laugh. 

"I wasn't kidding when I said I'd leave if you took longer than 10 minutes - I guess you're just lucky you found me again," I shrug and turn back to the food I had been looking at previously. Daniel pouts before picking up an apple, he began to inspect it rather intensely "Are you waiting for an apology, Daniel?" Not looking up from the apple Daniel shook his head,

"No."

"Are you sure? No one inspects a singular apple for that long," Daniel doesn't respond, I sigh. "Look, I'm sorry I ditched you but, I'm a woman of my word; if I say I'm leaving I mean it." Daniel doesn't respond for a minute before looking up at me and nodding. 

"Uhuh," Daniel puts the apple back and moves over to a pile of oranges; repeating what he did with the apple by picking one up and examining it. I raise my eyebrows and stare at him; it didn't take long for him to crack a smile. "Dammit, why can't I be upset for more than a minute?"

"Because you're hopeless, now put the orange down unless you actually plan on buying it. I'm going to go across the street to the store over there, follow me if you wish." I point over at a different store where an older woman is enthusiastically selling clothing,

"The clothing store? I don't really have a reason to go there, it's all women's clothing." Daniel smiles, "It does look nice, though."

"Fine, then I probably won't see you until maybe later today when I get home." Daniel's face fell into a pout immediately, did he really want to stay with me that much?

"No, no, that's not what I meant. I'll go with you, I just don't plan on buying anything." I grin at him, 

"Ah, is that so?" He nods profusely, "Okay. Let's go." I cross over to the other side of the street and he follows closely behind me. The elderly woman at the store greets us brightly and immediately asks us if we'd like help. I politely decline and begin looking at what she has, truthfully the style of clothing here is more suited to an older generation than my own but I like it. I find a pretty purple, floral dress and hold it up against me, 

"That looks really pretty." Daniel whispers, I feel like he's trying to be more subtle since a bunch of older woman are giving him sympathetic looks - it's not like I dragged him here, but they all seem to think I did. I smile and look at it properly once more.

"You think?" Daniel nodded again. "Thanks." There was a tap on my shoulder and I turn around to see the lady who owns the store, "Yes, ma'am?"

"You like this one?" I nod, "Can I suggest something that I think might go with it?" She has smart sales skills, but the clothing here is pretty cheap so it's worth taking up her offer. 

"Sure, go ahead," I follow her to a different task of clothes, Daniel trailing along after us. She suggested a few things that could go with it and from there I managed to pick out some nice shoes. I pay for everything and we both leave the shop. 

"Where do you want to go now?" Home, truthfully, I've been out for what I'd call a while. 

"Do you want to go anywhere?" Daniel shakes his head, "Then should we go home?"

"Do you have stuff for university? That you might need? Because I can help you get all that whilst we're out." Daniel pointed to a stationary store just outside of the market place. 

"I've got textbooks but I guess I do need other things, I didn't bring that stuff from France." Daniel grins brightly, does he enjoy spending this time with me? I'm pretty boring, but he seems to be enjoying himself. 

"You'll need pens right? These ones are really good." Since we had arrived at the store Daniel had been asking me all sorts of questions and throwing things at me, whether I need it or not.  "You probably won't need these, but they can be useful."

"Are you try to make me go broke?" I ask him, looking at all the stuff he'd packed into the basket. "First the food, and now this." 

"Oh, sorry," He frowns and gives me an apologetic look "I forgot that someone does have to pay for all this; that someone is you."

"You forgot because you aren't buying it, right?" I poke him in the arm as sharply as I could, he probably barely felt it though. Daniel looks at the door and nods "Of course, I should start expecting things like this,"

"You've known me for two days," He whines "don't assume things."

"I think I've known you long enough to get a pretty goof idea of what you're like. It's not bad, don't worry." Daniel gives me a look, "It's really not bad - I'm not sure how it can be bad, you've been really nice to me." 

"Have I?"

"You gave me a cat without hesitation, Daniel. Let alone helping me with all of this. I wouldn't exactly call that not being nice." Daniel grins again, this time I smile back. His movement became quite giddy; you can tell he's happy.

"Well at least you don't hate me." 

"Exactly, but I might if you keep making me spend more than what I can afford." Daniel freezes and I laugh, 

"You're having fun teasing me aren't you?" He pouts again, I nod.

"It's preparation," Daniel looks at me confused. "For all the times you'll probably tease me for my height," Daniel laughs and pats me on the head.

"That's very understandable."