PETS

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"Ashley! Come here, girl!"

A woman walking with her boyfriend called out to her dog. A golden retriever ran towards her owners, happily wagging her tail while barking excitedly.

Haruhi smiled at the sight and stopped walking. She tugged at Kyouya's hand and pointed at the couple with the dog, her smile never wavering.

"I never had a dog my whole life, much less a pet. How about you, Kyouya?"

Kyouya peered at the dog then raised a brow at her.

"My father discouraged taking care of pets inside the mansion. But we do have a few zoos." Kyouya said before taking his attention away from the couple and the dog and resumed walking.

"Uh huh." Haruhi's smile faltered, her eyebrows twitched in annoyance. Zoos do not count… Arrogant rich bastard, she mentally cursed.

Haruhi harrumphed and started walking towards the stores that were lined up along the street. A bright-colored shop caught her attention as she saw various animals displayed by the window.

"Look! A pet shop! Let's go take a look!" Haruhi excitedly said before pulling Kyouya with her towards the store. She stopped right in front of the window display and gazed at the cute puppies on display.

"Why the sudden interest on dogs?" Kyouya asked a minute later as he observed Haruhi's unusual behaviour, cooing at the puppies and giggling all the while. She turned her attention towards Kyouya with a look of wonder.

"Did you know that most people who do not know how to take care of a pet might have a hard time taking care of another person?"

The question took the man by surprise. Kyouya cleared his throat before answering.

"So you mean that nurturing a dog is the same as nurturing another person in your life?"

"Hm… Perhaps. Though, we both know that caring for another person is harder than caring for a dog." She gave a light chuckle before returning her gaze at the puppies.

"Most probably."

"Kyouya?"

"Yes?"

"Do you want to buy a pup?"

"For what?"

"For practice."

"What do we need practice for?"

"Well, if we plan on having kids, it would be good to have a dog first."

"I see."

"…"

"…"

"So…?"

"I'm not a dog lover."

Realization dawned on Haruhi, her hope wanes.

"Me, too."

"And neither do I intend on having pets in our house." Kyouya added.

"It would be such a hassle to clean up their poop…" Haruhi continued.

"I don't have time to care for a dog when I'm always busy at work."

"... And the expenses on their food, their vaccines, grooming…"

"Furthermore, I'd rather have first-hand experience on fatherhood without the need to practice on a dog."

"... It would be such a waste of money, time and effort."

They both stayed silent looking at the Shih Tzu that stared at them through the window with big, button eyes.

"Kyouya?"

"Yes?" he answered a while later, eyes still on the puppy.

"I think I'll stick to parenting books."

"Good idea."

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A/N: I apologize for posting this late. I've been caught up with a lot of stuff. What's more is that I have no idea for the next drabble. I often receive suggestions but none of them really struck me.

Anyway, I hope all of you guys are doing well with your lives. :) Hopefully the I'll be able to come up with another drabble.