Puppy Love

Chapter 1

He had been observing her for a while now…

She would always be within the confines of the shop, serving customers, stocking up on supplies, or just grooming the dogs.

Hitachiin Kaoru did not know a single thing about her. He didn't know her name, didn't know her hobbies.

Heck, she didn't even know he existed. He had never talked to her before, but there was something special about her… something that intrigued him,

She was a girl with average looks. Hazel eyes, rosy cheeks paired with normal complexion, a brunette with straight locks and bangs that hung on her face.

This girl did not really stand out compared to those in his school. But he knew she was different. She didn't run for the bathroom every once in a while to check her hair or make-up. Her hair was always tied up out of convenience, hardly any make-up on her too.

There was one thing Kaoru knew about her though. She was a commoner.

How did he know? She worked in a pet shop located on the street where the Host Club visited on several occasions. Tamaki had called it 'research'.

If it weren't for the fact that he was able to see that girl on every trip, Kaoru would have protested.

Today was field trip day again.

And here he was again, standing fifteen feet away, eyes watching the girl at the store. He had offered to catch up with the rest of the Host Club later, much to his twin's reluctance to leave him behind. But he had convinced his brother that this was a start of independence.

She was grooming a puppy this time, her left hand reaching under the puppy's belly so that her fingers held a firm grip on the animal. Her right hand held a brush as she sat with the puppy on her lap.

The puppy nibbled on one of her fingers restlessly. She tsked at its feeble effort to break loose. The animal didn't have a set of fully developed teeth yet.

Realising the futile attempts, the little puppy started wriggling under her vice grip, making the process of brushing even more tedious. Her eyebrows furrowed and her lips formed into a slight pout. Her mouth opened to form a few words, but it was too soft for the Hitachiin to hear.

Perhaps it was the way her attempt to portray an unhappy expression seemed to be unsuccessful due to the hint of a smile pushing out, or she seemed so approachable. There was something that suddenly gave Kaoru the boost he needed.

Inhaling an exaggerated amount of air, he trudged towards the shop, anxiousness laced behind the confident front.

After all, she was a girl right? Just like the rest of them, no matter how sincere and innocent she appeared to be. A little coaxing and sweet talk would be more than enough to make her fall head over heels and swoon over him. This was what he half-expected.

The other half of him was wishing for something… new.

The bell echoed serenely as the door opened. Her head lifted up and she willed a smile to grace her face.

-Always serve the customer with a smile.-

He was a boy – probably in his sixteens. Auburn, striking hair spiked, leaving bangs fitting slightly to the side. Topaz orbs, delicate features and a smile that spoke of grace and class, the teen entered the store with his hands stuff in his pocket.

"Can I help you?" her voice was just as beautiful as he had expected. He smiled and tilted his head towards the general direction where the animals were.

"Mind showing me a couple of pups?" he had absolutely no intention of buying any animal. All he wanted was to observe the girl's reaction on his appearance. She didn't really seem to be blushing or anything.

"Sure." He was seemingly polite, she would give him that, not to mention rather handsome too.

She placed the brush aside and stood up swiftly, both arms coming to support the little puppy. With a nod of her head, she gestured for Kaoru to follow her, which he complied silently.

"What kind of dog are you looking for?" she spoke with such casualness; he was slightly surprised by the lack of giggling and blinking of eyes. Nevertheless, he remained aloof, keeping it cool.

"Isn't that kind of rude, not introducing yourself before starting up a conversation?"

She raised an eyebrow at his odd statement, turning halfway to stare at him sceptically. He had that same charming smile plastered across his face.

-The customer is always right.-

"Shiro, Miyuki." Indignant laced deep beneath the soft voice. She spoke with such delicate tone; it was obvious that it was forced out. Like she was unwillingly surrendering to someone repulsive.

"Hitachiin, Kaoru."

He smirked, enticing and mischievous. Miyuki was resisting against every fibre in her body, restraining the urge to choke the living hell out of the boy.

He looked as if he was superior to her…

Something about the way he smirked was rubbing her the wrong way. It felt distinctly like he was making attempts to… to charm her… or something…

Miyuki wouldn't deny that little girl in her from swooning when he entered the shop. The only thing that halted her girlish moves was the thing in her head called 'dignity'… and a little bit of 'embarrassment'.

She remembered the girls in her class giggling over the seniors in their school and fluttering their eyelashes coyly. They probably felt no shame, but that embarrassed her immensely. Will this be how she looks if she would to flirt?

She didn't feel like cringing if she would to look back at her memory lane one day, only to remember herself as some hormonal teenager.

"What kind of breed are you looking for?" She pulled an effortful smile as she repeated her previously ignored question again.

Crossing his arms over his chest, he lifted a pale hand up to his chin and stared at the ground thoughtfully. After what seemed like eternity, he shrugged and allowed both hands to fall back to his sides.

Her eyes locked with his for the first time, searching the depths of his orbs.

She found casual nonchalance in his eyes.

Kaoru raised an eyebrow in genuine curiosity when she narrowed her eyes at him. Finally, her eyes softened and she broke into a small smile.

"Is that so?"

He couldn't decipher the hidden message behind her words and how she spoke them. Her back was turned towards him as she lifted the lock on one of the empty cages, carefully nudging the puppy into the cage.

"If that's the case," she began, turning to face him again, head tilted slightly to the side as she shot him another smile.

"Please leave."

The words had caught him by surprise; he blinked a few times, slowly allowing the words to sink in. Miyuki strolled past him, lightly brushing her shoulder against him as she passed.

Screw those rubbish theories about serving customers… This moron was seriously not taking life seriously.

Snapping out of his uncharismatic daze, he turned and frowned at Miyuki in confusion.

"What do you mean?"

She twirled around and leaned on the counter, hands crossed over tightly as her face was sucked free of much emotion.

"You have absolutely no idea what kind of commitment you're making aren't you?" her voice turned unnaturally sharper, teeth pressed together tightly. Kaoru started towards her again, stopping a few steps in front of her.

"Enlighten me."

She shook her head and pushed past him yet again, moving towards the cages. She stopped right in front of one of them and pushed a finger between the metal wiring. The little ball of black fur trotted towards her excitedly, sniffing and licking the finger.

"This isn't a new toy you're buying," her head turned to stare at Kaoru before continuing. "This is a new addition to your family."

The gravity of the words didn't seem to have affected him much. She grimaced in annoyance, removing her finger from the cage as she returned to her post behind the counter.

"I have no idea why am I explaining this to you, like you'll even understand." She scoffed softly, fake amusement shimmered in her eyes as she thought of knocking sense into such shallow fools.

It was like explaining the laws of physics to a rock.

Kaoru stared at the girl emptily, his eyes slowly hardened in determination. Stalking a few steps forward, he pressed his palms on the surface of the counter and leaned forward slightly.

"Teach me, then."

She eyed him for a moment, not even a waver in her decision.

"No."

Short, simple, clear and concise. She made it extremely clear that she did not want to associate with him in anyway.

She despised such people, who regarded animals as their source of entertainment. It was wrong.

The determination in his eyes shone devilishly, he broke into a grin, much to her surprise.

"This is fun."

The word 'GET OUT' nearly slipped out of her tongue, but she stopped short when he flashed a wider grin and reached a hand out to pat her head like a dog.

"I have to go now." He smiled, twisting his wrist around to catch the time on his watch while turning towards the door.

His hand, once settled on the entrance door, stopped in its movement as his head moved to look over his shoulders.

"I'll see you later."

Her eyes widened.

"No, No! Please don't come-"

The door clicked shut.

"Again…" Her spirit deflated, shoulders slumping.

End.