I woke up, stretching lazily, my arms above my head and my body sprawled out like a cat. I mumbled, "Here comes another day..." I glanced around until I spotted a shape beside me on the floor, curled up like a sleeping child. It was him. I couldn't stop myself from smiling. His red hair, like fallen autumn leaves, and his calm, peaceful face made him look so innocent. For a moment, I thought he was a lost child, but quickly remembered… it's been a week since he showed up here.
I had managed to hide him from my grandfather by forcing him to stay in cat form. "Come on, turn into a cat! I don't care about your sad face! If you don't turn into a cat, no fish for you," I'd say repeatedly. It was simple; the rule was: if you want to be a cat = you get fish. And so... he trained like a dog, or a cat, or whatever this creature was. I looked at him, sighing. "Come on, wake up! Why aren't you a cat right now, huh... Aiden?" I named him Aiden for no real reason, just thought it suited him. "I told you, turn into a cat!"
I didn't know why he preferred to stay in human form, but it was really strange to have a creature who looked exactly like me, even with that five-pointed star on his neck. "Aiden, today we're going to the market together."
I tried waking him again, but he kept staring at me with eyes that seemed to understand nothing, which annoyed me a little. "I said we're going to the market today, Aiden."
His face, devoid of any sign of understanding, was a bit frustrating. "Stop staring at me like that; it's creepy!" I turned around and saw my grandfather had already left for fishing. "You know what, Aiden? You can stay like this!"
I opened my closet to look for something to disguise him. "We can't walk around looking like exact copies of each other. I'm sure I put it here... Ah, here's my old hat." I placed the hat on his head, but he looked mildly disappointed.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" I said. "It's not for you," but I fixed it on his head. "Now we can go. I just wish you could turn into a dragon or something useful."
We left the house, and he followed me like my shadow. "Aiden, stop following me like that. You'll draw attention to us! Walk beside me, damn it!"
We walked through the forest, down the mountain, until we reached the edge of the small town. I pointed to the market ahead and said, "Look, Aiden, that's the market. Our task is simple: we've got thirty silver pieces, and our goal is to buy vegetables. Nothing but vegetables, do you hear me?"
I mocked my grandfather's voice, "Nothing but vegetables," then added with a smile, "Grandpa treats me like I'm irresponsible."
We continued toward the market, where our little adventure awaited.
Kyle grabbed Aiden's hand tightly, saying, "This is so you don't get lost, you idiot!" Then they entered the market together. On their way to the vegetable shop, Kyle suddenly stopped and said, "Why don't we stop by the candy store first? I mean, we can always buy vegetables later. Give me your usual look if you agree, Aiden."
Aiden stayed silent and continued walking beside Kyle, as if silently agreeing without speaking.
"Yeah, I expected that!" Kyle said, heading toward the candy shop. They entered the shop and began eyeing the cakes and sweet treats on display. Kyle said, "Here, take your share." He placed a piece of cake in Aiden's hand, who kept staring at it, then took a deep breath, smelled it, and slowly placed it in his mouth.
"So, what do you think of strawberry cake, Aiden?" Kyle asked with a smile.
Aiden, who had been silently tasting the cake, swallowed it all in one go. He then looked at Kyle with a sad expression, as if wanting more.
"No, Aiden, we don't have enough money for more," Kyle said, smiling sadly.
But Aiden didn't stop. He grabbed Kyle's shirt with his hands and knelt on his knees, looking up at him with eyes full of sadness, as if pleading.
"Money doesn't grow on trees, kid!" Kyle replied. "That's what Grandpa always said, so stop complaining."
"Come on, let's go now, we don't have time."
Aiden, still holding onto Kyle's shirt, continued walking beside him, moving cautiously as though he didn't want to leave Kyle for a second.