“If you’re sure, I’m not gonna complain.” It wasn’t really a big deal to him. He got a discount on everything he bought from JUNES, but how can he turn down free stuff? He can’t. “I’m Yousuke, by the way.” He figured that, if they were gonna save a cat together, they could go by first name bases. Plus, he’s always been a friendly, easy to approach kind of guy.
Taking the bottle with thanks, he uncaps the plastic before throwing his head back, swigging at the refreshing contents. Once he managed to catch his breath, he crouches down to eye level with the cat. “But what do we do now? I can’t bring ‘im home or anything … “
“I’m Rebecca.”
And thus, it made it clear she was a girl. Her braids swung a bit as she looked back at the kitten, still squatting down in front of the box. She looked thoughtful for a moment before speaking.
“I might be able to keep him for a few days but I live above the bakery…”
There would be concerns about sanitation and all that jazz.
“Then leave that to me as well.” Normally, Yousuke wasn’t the type to use his money so carelessly, but was he really by helping someone who needed it more than he did? The poor little fella … A cat was so defenseless, he’d feel bad if they had just left it on the road. “I’ll be right back!” And with that, he sped off.
He wasn’t gone for too long, however. When he returns, he’s carrying a small container of freshly grilled meat, cup up into tiny pieces. He was on good terms with the chef there, and he was kind enough to help in in their situation. “This small enough?” He asks, panting. It seemed like he had ran all the way here.
When the other returned, Rebecca’s eyes lit up even brighter, a warm smile on her face.
“That’s perfect! Thank you so much. I can treat you to something later to pay you back, is that alright?”
She softly chirped, not wanting to startle the kitten. Gently, she took the container from him, handing him the still somewhat filled water bottle in return.
“Here, you look winded.”
She then opened the container, placing it next to the jar top of water. Her eyes shined in delight when the kitten went for the food. He was older than she had initially thought at least.
“…how come you get to say shit like that and not get busted for it? I keep getting caught.”
Maybe she should change her tactics. Like swearing in another language. How much English did Kashiwagi actually know?
“Cause I say it in French in a really upbeat tone, so she thinks I’m giving her compliments. Papa’s been teaching me all the good swears when he calls. Potato doesn’t suspect a single thing.”
And goddamn did she know some brutal swears now.
“I think the best thing ever is insulting the potato sack in French and she thinks I’m complimenting her because it sounds nice.”
Yousuke wasn’t necessarily much of an animal person the way his partner was, but that did not mean he was cruel to them either. It still kind of peeved him that someone would leave a poor, defenseless kitten out like that, and he almost had half the mind to chase them down. But, making sure the small creature was safe became his main priority –
– and it seemed like he wasn’t the only one who thought so.
Smiling, thumb hooked into his pocket, he peered down at the small animal. “JUNES is having a meat sale. Think he can eat that or is it too tough? He didn’t know anything about taking care of animals.
“That should be alright as long as it’s cut up. A little one like this only needs a smallish piece though. Their stomachs aren’t very big.”
She held her fingers apart to indicate how big of a piece a little one like this needed. Then she looked back at the kitten, sapphire eyes lighting up like a star when she saw the little one was drinking.
“Ah…! I was afraid we’d need formula, but he’s drinkin’ water just fine, that’s great!”
“That guy’s pretty lucky, isn’t he?” Yousuke mused as he walked over, setting the bottle of water down before the other. “I read that milk is actually bad for cats … ‘nd I’m sure that he needs water more than anythin’ else.” With that, he sat across from the other with a small chuckle. “Can’t believe someone will leave a kitten out like that.” They had watched some woman literally drop the box off at the side of the road, and when they went to inspect it, found the small babe inside.
“Mhm, you’re right. That was a good call. Thank you for getting the water.”
She softly praised, a smile on her face. She wasn’t sure how old this tiny one was, but his eyes were wide open and looking at them both. She had a top from a glass jar she had been intending to take home, so Rebecca carefully poured the water in that.
Slowly and carefully, she put the top in front of the tiny kitten, hoping it was alright.
“We might have to mince something up later for food, I can handle that.”
Back in the Game 
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