No strings attached

Pt.14- Another day

"Great. Finish up your shopping and then meet me in the front of the store."

"Ok." The younger man hesitated. "I want another can of coffee." He pointed up, indicating he wanted another from the top shelf. Kirishima ohhed and quickly grabbed another one and dropped it in his basket.

"Do you want me to just follow you around and help you shop?"

"I can do it myself."

"I'll follow anyways. Just in case." He took the basket from the other and followed him around the store, throwing in whatever the man pointed at. So far there was only microwavable meals, prepackaged meals, and a lot of energy drinks, and a few protein bars. "Talk about health and balance."

"I'm a simple person."

"I can see that."

"Whatever. Just keep following me." He walked to the produce aisle and tried grabbing a bag, wincing slightly when he used the wrong arm. "F-fuck that hurts." He let out an airy laugh to rid himself of the pain, before reaching for it again.

The elder man watched worriedly before shaking his head and placing the basket down. "Let me help."

"I can do it by myself-

"Give me the bag." He snatched the grocery bag away and gestured towards the produce. "What did you want?"

"....apples."

"How many?"

When he received an annoyed look he backed off a bit. "I can see your generosity is running thin. Aren't I the lucky one for catching you in such a good mood today, eh?" He placed a few apples in the bag and tied it off. "Anything else on your list? Like candy or pastries?"

"Nah, I have a lot back at my place."

"Ok, so are you ready to go?"

"Yeah, I have to pick up some medicine though."

Kirishima nodded understandingly. "Want me to wait for you or do you want me to pay?"

"I have money." Gray eyes glanced at the items in the basket and tried to calculate an estimated total. "Here. I think this should cover it." He pulled out a hundred from his pocket and placed it in the elder's hand. "I'll meet you at the front."

Without another word or response, he went back to the pharmacy and picked up his prescription, tuning out the pharmacist who explained the dosage.

"So you're going to take one of these pills every four hours for pain-

"Ok, thanks." He picked up the bottle and made his way to the front of the store where the hazel eyed man was already waiting with his groceries. "I-I'm sorry for making you carry all of that."

"No worries. We're leaving in my car."

"Huh?! But I brought my car."

"I'll send one of my people to come pick it up."

"What if something happens to it? Like what if someone breaks into it or vandalizes it?"

Kirishima grabbed his uninjured arm and walked him in the direction of his car. "I'll buy you a new one if that happens, ok?" He opened the door, and pushed the man forward, watching as he got situated with a huff.

Damn this guy can come up with a million excuses on the spot, and he says I talk a lot. Clearly he's never heard himself. He thought, hopping into the driver seat and noticing the sour expression on the others face. "Nothing's going to happen to your car, and if anything does- I already said I'd buy you a new one, so stop worrying."

Yokozawa didn't say anything. He simply reached in his back pocket and handed his keys to the elder man. "Y-you said you'd send one of your people to pick my car up, right? You promise?"

"Do I promise?" The elder furrowed his brows. He'd noticed something. Despite how cold this man was, he actually took people's promises seriously. How naive. How...innocent. "Yes. I promise I'll send my assistant to come pick up your car. I'll even phone him in front of you if that makes you feel better, alright."

"Ok." Yokozawa agreed. He got quiet for a second before muttering something.

"Sorry, I didn't quite catch that. Could you speak up?"

"I-I said that it's my first car."

"Oh, is it?"

"Yeah, so it kind of means a lot to me." He rubbed the back on his neck nervously and smiled. "I know it's kind of stupid to be so sentimental towards materialistic things, but I can't help it."

"I don't think you're stupid for taking a liking to your first car. I mean- everybody has something that holds sentimental value to them, and if anyone denies it, they just haven't found the right thing yet."

"Well thanks for making me seem like a weak bastard."

"That's not what I meant....at all."