Haru blinked a few times, but the lively scene before him made him close his eyes taking deep breaths as he tried to get up from the drowsiness which crept upon him.
Rubbing his eyes sheepishly before opening them only to be met with a beautiful cottage which smelt of fresh foods such as meat and veggies making a warm comforting atmosphere while the light made a bright look through the windows making it look like something out of a book, this made him wonder if it was all a dream.
"Ah, you're awake," Buck would approach him with a happy expression written all over his face as he held the small thing in his left and a large stack of clothes in his right, he had a uniform on which consisted of a black apron, a white t-shirt and black pants making him look like a chief at most.
"Go take a quick shower it's packed today so I need back up on the double. I'll pay you after," he'd smirk as Haru took the clothes dazed before stumbling off to the bathroom.
In a confused mindset, he quickly did as he was told, making sure to tuck his tails in his pants granted it was uncomfortable but needed, as he placed his jacket over the lump and remaining tails before walking out to meet the cheerful middle-aged man.
Just as Buck had said the front of the building which sat the butchery was filled to the brim making Haru shutter at the thought of this man being able to take so many hurried customers on at the same time as he headed behind the counter.
"Just in time kid, I need you to go to the back room it's right behind that door, we're fresh out of tomato, lettuce, and canned tuna, everything in there is labeled so hurry it" he motioned towards the door which was right next to the shelf on the far right of the store.
Pushing past a sea of people or should he say shifters and humans, he made his way to the storage room, grabbing the cart that he thought would help him carry some of this supposed cargo before swiftly taking three boxes of each.
People didn't even wait as he began stocking the lettuce, some would just take what they needed from the cart, though this only made him hurry as a large number of them came in hoards making Haru scared at the sight of the crowd.
When he finished he headed back and forth from the room, stocking each shelf as quickly as he could only for everything to be taken in the blink of an eye, by this point Buck had been putting the money in a bucket as the cash register had been filled.
As the crowd thinned he took heavy pants as he made his way back behind the counter, sweat pouring down his face and back while he attempted to catch his breath.
"Is there always this many people," he questioned the man who didn't even break a sweat as he quickly took people's money and rung them up.
"No, though since the festival is this week, so people have continued buying out nearly everything in stock," Buck would chirp out before taking the little girl he had been ringing up's cash with a smile as he wagged his slim tail like a kitten.
"Festival?" Haru questioned now staring at him, he never really took in his features. The guy had brown shiny skin, dark brown-grey hair which was tied up in a ponytail, along with piercing blue cat eyes, his tail is the same brown color as his hair though having the typical cheetah markings granted, he was tall but thin.
Feeling the cold weird stare he had towards him he'd stammer an answer. "There is a festival this week, about four days from now it's meant to celebrate our king as he will be putting on a show for the crowd," he continued.
"Everyone is pretty excited about it since it's rare for him to do events like this but it's a yearly duty of his to fulfill to keep the people happy after all. I was planning on closing the shop an hour or so into the event that way I could make it to the speech. Would you and Kaito like to tag along?"
Buck would now be staring at him in the corner of his eye with a cheerful smirk as Haru's face lit up making a shy but wide smile cross his face, but it quickly died off, "I don't want to be a bother plus I have to repay you for letting us stay here and then I have to-.."
"Kid," he'd now be facing him, annoyed customers waited patiently in line as he began to finish his statement. "You're not going to be a bother if you were I wouldn't be asking, and you can pay me by helping me with the shop."
"I'll bring up this question next time so think it off. If you would like to go then go if not then don't I'm not going to force you," he'd go back to ringing people up.
A sudden thought made him shudder out a yell, "Kaito, where is she I was so worked up with the customers I forgot to ask about her!" Haru now having a concerned new parent look on his face simply made Buck laugh as customers looked at the young man screaming his head off.
"She's right here," he'd point below him to the small creature who was latched onto his right leg. "She wouldn't stay away and I didn't want to bug you while you were working so I let her stay. Why don't you go into town to buy some clothes, and some other things," he'd place a stack that consisted of about fifty-thousand yen on the counter next to him.
Haru would bug-eye the money, "I can't take that," he'd look up at the man and back down at the money.
"It's your earnings for the day so it's all yours, you'll get paid every four days, I can take care of the shop up from here so go. Plus I have this little assistant to help if needed," he'd remark back to his words while watching his small hands grab the cash.
"Thank you.." He'd replied gratefully waving as he made his way out the door. "Be back by nightfall!" Buck would yell waving back at them with that same cheerful smile.
Haru made his way down the road, keeping one hand in his pocket to ensure he didn't drop anything of value as he made his way to a large store labeled Eminence fashion on the hanging sign. Opening the door he'd be met with a large space filled to the tee with dresses, suits, and t-shirts.
Though he only bought things such as cheap clothing and baby things that were much needed, only spending around twenty minutes in each store before moving on the next, having to buy a backpack to hold some of the bags along with a suitcase which was full making sure to place all of his trash in its respected places as he passed by trashcans.
Now being exhausted he'd began walking towards a cafe only to be stopped at a window with a large teddy bear with a small red bow on it making him think back to Kaito. Making his way to the counter he placed the bear while checking his pocket as it was being rung up.
"Fifty dollars." The woman spoke softly as he dumped his pockets only to be met with twenty dollars. "I don't have enough so-" A hand would place a stack of cash on the table.
"Keep the change I'll buy it for you," a guy who looked about his age would smile at him. "Thank you," Haru spoke sheepishly as he quickly picked up the bear to hide his face before walking away. By the time he left, it was already somewhat dark, the lively streets and roads now being empty with only a few people walking here and there.
Holding tighter to the bear he began the journey back to where he thought Buck's house would be, I forgot to tell him we're leaving to find somewhere to stay, can't be a freeloader after all he was kind enough to give me a job on the spot I should tell him in the morning that way I can look for a place that's cheap Haru thought to himself.
As he turned into the ally ways which lead down a street that was made up of different turns he'd notice someone with a hood following him, though he was somewhat far but not far enough to where Haru could run.
Keeping calm Haru made another turn to confirm his suspicions as he did the hooded figure followed along, now being somewhat concerned he hurried his pace the best he could well best a five-foot person carrying a large bear, heavy backpack with a suitcase could anyway.
Turning another corner keeping his head down to seem like he didn't notice the figure, he thought about sprinting soon as he turned the last corner if the creep was still following him. Though it was too late as he glanced back in the corner of his eye the figure would push him towards the dirty wall trying to cover his mouth.
Haru struggled as he pulled them while kicking, stress written on his face as the figure pulled down his hood, his eyes clear of lust and intent. It was the guy from the store who had bought him the bear at the toy store though he no longer had a friendly face as he began to slowly press his other hand on Haru's hip.
"I'm not going to hurt you, I just want you to pay me back for the bear," he'd smirk as he licked his lips while looking him up and down as he came closer, pressing him harder on the wall making him look like a mad dog who found prey as he kissed Haru's neck softly.