Chapter 111

"I see. Then may I recommend something first? We've just created a new cat series..."

"Wait, just a moment."

Dane hurriedly interrupted the gentle-speaking man. I can't just get swept away like this. His mind became sharply alert, as if cold water had been poured over him in a crisis situation. He tried to maintain his rationality and said.

"I need to talk with Miller, so could you please give us some privacy?"

"Ah... yes, of course."

The manager glanced at Greyson and then readily withdrew. Soon, only the two of them remained in the room. Dane looked at Greyson with his arms crossed, rapidly shaking one leg.

"You, what are you doing? Seriously."

At the growling question, Greyson tilted his head as if to say, what do you mean?

Look at this bastard, thinking I'll just go along if he blinks his eyes prettily.

Dane felt a vein popping on his temple in disbelief, but tried to continue as calmly as possible.

"Why did you bring me here in the first place?"

He hadn't thought about it because he had been swept away so quickly. He should have asked this before entering the store. Though he had belated regrets, it wasn't too late yet. To Dane, who was asking like an interrogator with a frowning face, Greyson replied with puzzlement.

"I brought you here because you said you wanted to buy cat supplies?"

"That's why I'm asking why here."

Greyson blinked a couple of times and then pulled up the corners of his mouth. After repeating the habitual, ingrained action, he subtly reverted his expression at Dane's cold gaze. As if he didn't know what expression to make, he seemed to be at a loss, rolling his eyes and opening and closing his mouth, before finally speaking.

"If you don't like this place, shall we go to another store?"

"Where is that?"

"Right next..."

"Stop."

Dane cut off Greyson's words with a single word. He was still frowning, but he understood the situation. In short, the level of stores Greyson Miller knew were all places like this. No matter how trivial the item, if he came into such a shop and mentioned it, they would immediately bring it out.

"You said you have a dog, right?"

"Yes."

To Greyson, who nodded obediently, Dane asked experimentally.

"You must trim your dog's nails too? Where did you buy the nail clippers?"

"Here."

Just as I thought. Dane was convinced his thinking was correct. So they probably make ridiculous things like erasers and pencils in places like this. Because there are customers like this.

"Miller."

"Yes."

Again, Greyson answered immediately and obediently. Dane taught him reality with patience.

"Most people don't easily walk into shops like this and buy things like dog nail clippers like you do. Before bringing me in here, you should have asked me if it would be okay to shop here."

At Dane's teaching, this time Greyson frowned. At the atmosphere that suggested he had something to say, Dane narrowed his eyes as if to say, go ahead.

"But..."

Greyson continued in a reluctant tone.

"You said I shouldn't spend money. Then you have to buy it, what else can I do?"

Dane's leg, which had been moving up and down rapidly until then, stopped abruptly. He looked at Greyson with a contorted face. As if to say, what is this bastard saying?

"Haa."

Dane sighed, as he had done many times, and wiped his face with one hand. It was frustrating, but there was nothing he could do. This was just a difference in thinking due to different living environments. In times like this...

"Anyway, I can't afford to buy even a leash here, understand?"

"Then I..."

"I'll go to a different store, one that I know."

Before Greyson could cross the line again, Dane firmly cut him off. It would be simple to just leave the shop. But looking at the coffee and dessert he had finished, he felt uneasy. He felt like he shouldn't have eaten them, but it was too late. Anyway, if you cause trouble, you should take responsibility.

Greyson Miller should.

"You."

When Dane called, Greyson immediately fixed his gaze on him. Feeling a strange sensation as if looking at an obedient Golden Retriever, Dane continued.

"Don't you need anything? Buy something, it feels a bit wrong to just leave."

"We can leave."

Dane furrowed his brow and threatened in a low voice.

"Buy something, anything, even the cheapest thing is fine."

Greyson frowned seriously and seemed to be lost in thought, then soon got up from the sofa. When he returned after going outside, he was holding a small shopping bag in his hand.

"I bought it."

Seeing his grinning, smiling face, Dane stood up. He had no idea what he had bought, but he thought it didn't matter. Anyway, he had bought something, so they had paid for the refreshments.

Only then did Dane feel relieved of his mental burden and walked ahead first. The two of them went outside, being seen off by the manager who had followed them out.

"Give me the key."

Dane held out his hand as if it were natural. When Greyson handed over the car key, he readily sat in the driver's seat. This time, with Greyson in the passenger seat, the car pulled out onto the road.

The place Dane headed to was a shabby shopping center far from the luxury shopping district. After parking Greyson's car next to an absurd vehicle that looked like the back of a truck grafted onto the front of a passenger car, Dane immediately got out of the driver's seat. As Greyson also got out of the passenger seat, he locked the car door and, without looking, flicked the key with his thumb toward Greyson. Greyson caught the key that flew toward him with one hand and followed behind Dane, who was walking ahead, ambling along.

"Welcome, Dane. It's been a while."

An older woman who was cleaning the store greeted him warmly. After a light hug and exchange of greetings, Dane stated his business. While he was examining the carriers, Greyson slowly looked around the interior.

The walls, filled with items necessary for pets, had everything from toys to food. The variety of items they handled was extensive, with products for cats and dogs to reptiles and amphibians.

After looking into an empty cage with curiosity and turning his head, this time an aquarium came into view. As if they had just been fed, the fish were gathering at the surface, opening and closing their mouths. He leaned over and stared blankly at the empty eyes of the fish. And he remained frozen, quietly staring at the fish. Until Dane called him.

"Miller."

At the call, he slowly straightened his back and turned around to see Dane looking at him. He nodded his head to one side and said.

"I'm done, let's go."

And Dane, after briefly greeting the owner, left the store first, just as before. As Greyson followed him outside, Dane suddenly turned around. At the gaze that seemed to have something to say, Greyson blinked and asked.

"What?"

Dane now knew that the habit of smiling with the corners of his mouth raised was ingrained in his body. But without pointing it out, he just silently looked at Greyson.

What were you thinking while looking at the aquarium?

Most people would say they wanted to keep fish or that they were just looking because they had nothing to do, but Greyson Miller didn't belong to most people. Dane was curious but didn't ask, and instead held out the item he was holding in one hand.

"Here."

Greyson extended his hand in confusion. Dane placed the item on his palm and removed his hand. Greyson looked down blankly at the item Dane had given him.

It was a can containing dog treats. To Greyson, who was looking up while blinking his eyes as if to ask what this was, Dane said.

"It's a gift, I heard it contains a lot of nutrients needed for older dogs."

"...A gift?"

Greyson repeated what Dane had said. Feeling awkward for no reason, Dane scratched the back of his head.

"Yeah, anyway, I'm indebted to you..."

He belatedly thought, should I have wrapped it in a bag? When he unconsciously directed his gaze, Dane stopped his hand in surprise. Greyson was looking down at him with his eyes wide open. The reason was soon apparent.

"This is the first time you've given me a gift..."

Greyson spoke in a voice he had never heard before. His faintly trembling voice sounded as if he were moved. No, perhaps that was exactly the emotion he was feeling now. The sparkling eyes, the faintly blushing cheeks, and the voice mixed with vibration were proof of that.

"Thank you, I'll cherish it."

It was an absurd statement. Dane frowned and pointed out bluntly.

"Idiot, you should give it to the dog, what's the point of you cherishing it?"

Though he might have been embarrassed, Greyson's expression didn't change. Seeing that face, Dane felt somehow sorry and softened his tone to add.

"It's not even expensive, so there's no need to be so grateful."

Despite saying that, Greyson's expression remained unchanged. In his large hand, he held the tiny can that looked infinitely small, so preciously. As if he wanted to say something but didn't know how to express it, Greyson looked down at Dane in a daze.

It was then. Greyson's ear twitched briefly.

Surprised by the unexpected reaction, Dane's eyes widened. Realizing that he was looking at his ear, Greyson grabbed it as if flustered.

"No, this is... just a habit."

"Moving your ear?"

When Dane asked, Greyson seemed flustered and nodded his head, saying.

"I don't know the cause, but sometimes it moves on its own."

Dane stared at him blankly. Greyson's ear moved again. This time it was clearly visible. Seeing that movement, he seemed to understand. Why Greyson's ear was moving.

Though Greyson might not be able to feel emotions, his ear knew. What the sensation spreading in his chest was.

Upon realizing this fact, Dane's heart began to beat slowly and heavily. The blush that had risen on Greyson's pale cheeks was like a flower blooming. Dane subtly raised his hand and cupped that flower with his palm.

Even knowing that Greyson was looking at him with surprised eyes, Dane didn't stop. He moved his hand to the back of Greyson's head and gently pulled him closer. Greyson hesitated for a moment but didn't resist. Slowly, naturally, the distance between them narrowed.

The eyelids that slowly descended closed completely. Warm breaths met. Soon their lips would touch. They both knew. What would happen next. But neither of them avoided it.