SHOPPING DISTRICT

@LEE JIEUN I stand before the girl, noticing that she already has some packages in her shopping basket. Seems like she has gotten the help that she was looking for. Which is good, I think idly, watching surprise flickering across her pretty face. "Thank you. For earlier", I raise my voice loud enough for her to hear, this time initiating direct eye contact. It's only polite to thank someone for their help. After this, I might as well just head home and get some rest, as I think I have enough of animal encounter for today. I have yet to make my decision but it's okay, if I can't choose I'll make someone else do the job for me instead.

@JUNG TAEKWOON I chat easily with the employee as he leads me back to the cat food section where I had been just ten minutes ago, pointing out some of the most popular brands. "I see, thank you so much!" As the employee leaves, I ponder over the choices given, happy that it's been narrowed down. I finally decide on one brand, taking two boxes to put in my shopping basket before starting to walk to the cashier. Upon hearing footsteps behind me, though, I glance back to see the male from earlier, the cat still obviously fondly attached to him. "Well, hello," It wouldn't be a lie to say I was surprised, as I had thought he was quite shy. It seemed, though, that he did want to say something.

@LEE JIEUN It is indeed one of the employees who is coming closer to us, I note, already feeling the panic bubbles up inside me. As I'm about to open my mouth to apologize for my mistake, the girl beats me to it by stepping up between me and the employee, asking him a question. I immediately understand that she is trying to buy me more time, so I do my best to put everything back into order as quick as possible. I'm forever grateful to her now, as I'd rather not dealing with another stranger in my already flustered state. I hear them doing some more exchanges before leaving altogether, presumably to the cat food section. I let out a quiet sigh, going lax from tension - I shouldn't have stayed here any longer than needed. The tabby cat, which has been watching the whole ordeal with disinterest, now rubs its body against my legs, meowing. "Why are you still here?" I mumble, picking it up. I should probably follow her, as it's not a good thing for me to have let the girl take all the blame like that. With that in mind, I take long strides to catch up to the two retreating figures, the cat still laying comfortably in my arms.

@JUNG TAEKWOON I keep that playful smile on my face, finding the young man across of me even more interesting. My head looks back as a store employee approaches us from another aisle, a skeptical look on his face. Ah, must have been due to the noise. "Hi, there - sorry about this, I'm just super clumsy and ended up making the toys go everywhere - by the way, do you have a recommendation for the best cat food? I was just looking around for somebody who could help me with that," I block the employee's view of the scene, distracting him with my questions while I let the other clean up the rest of the toys.

@LEE JIEUN As I hurriedly crouch down to fix the damage I have caused, I hear girlish laughters coming from the female above me. "No, I don't", I deny everything she said to me in vain, hoping that no one beside us would hear and come over to check. Out of corner of my eyes, I notice that she is also crouching down to retrieve the further toys, chuckling at my antics. To think that I thought she was clumsy earlier. I'm beyond embarrassed now, determined to keep my mouth shut to prevent myself from being even more ridiculous. Gathering all the toys I can reach into my arms, I stand up, starting to organize the toys on the shelf. Suddenly, I hear footsteps coming from the next isle, blanching in dread. Is someone approaching us?

@JUNG TAEKWOON My excitement grows in direct proportion to his increasing embarassment, laughter resulting as he shakes his head. "Yes you were, no don't be embarassed," I continue to pet the cat lovingly, a bit surprised when it suddenly jumps out of my arms as the toys fall. Looks like klutzy Ji Eun wasn't totally alone. I quickly bend down to pick up the various toys scattered on the ground, hopping around to gather the farther ones. "I guess you get embarassed really easily," I comment, glancing sideways at the other before continuing, "but you shouldn't - own yourself" I chuckle, looking back in my memory to all the cringey situations I had pulled myself through only with an exaggerated level of confidence and self motivation.

@LEE JIEUN I'm a bit confused when she looks up and grins at me. "You're smiling", I hear she say, and embarrassment courses through me when I realize I was doing exactly that. I bow my head down to hide my face, only showing the crown of my head but it is an unnecessary gesture because my red-tinted ears give everything away. "No, I wasn't", I say quietly, the words almost inaudible. I shake my head fervently at her next comment, and amidst my fit of shame I accidentally knock the toys that she has put back into order not long before to fall down again. They scattered everywhere on the floor, causing the cat nestling in her arms to break free and begins to play with the toys enthusiastically. Oh god, I might as well die now, I lament, hoping the ground to magically open up and swallow all of me.

@JUNG TAEKWOON As the cat paws my face in response, I can't help but laugh at the small nuance, glancing back up at the young man. I pause, a bit surprised at how much a smile suited his face. "You're smiling," I break out into my own grin, eyes crinkling upwards. He was a handsome fellow, I couldn't lie, but even more so with a curve of his lips. "You should do that more," I comment softly before going back to the cat, a bit embarrassed by my own words but it was the truth nonetheless.

@LEE JIEUN I slightly tilt my head at the girl's surprised reaction at my answer. I guess she's the kind of people who would choose the latter approach. No wonder, as it does seem like something she would do, even though I don't know a thing about this curious girl. There is nothing wrong with wanting to win over an animal's affection, though, in my case I don't just want to be attacked hy it. "Hi there, aren't you so cute and adorable".  She is currently carrying the tabby cat with care and gentleness, cooing at it with a voice like a little girl's. The way the cat somehow looks bigger in her embrace, couples with her look of child-like innocence and utter adoration for the animal, makes a smile creep on my face unconciously. How fitting, I think, unabashedly find the scene before me indeed adorable.

@JUNG TAEKWOON "Really?" His answer surprised me, in how he would leave the cat alone instead of pursuing its affections. I felt that the latter was closer to my approach, which might be why Mint seemed to be always grouchy. Maybe I was overloading her, annoying her with my love. I'm a bit taken aback when he holds out the cat in front of me as if to let me hold it. "Oh, thank you," I walk forward a bit, letting the cat nestle in my arms. The weight of the animal surprises me a bit, but I recover quickly and smile at the cute, furry cat in front of me. "Hi there, aren't you so cute and adorable," My voice switches to a high pitched coo, an automatic behavior whenever small animals were around.

@LEE JIEUN I nod at her repeating my statement, eyes lingering a bit at her thoughtful face. She is taking this seriously, it seems, this is not just an attempt to make small talks but a real problem she needs to figure out. I can tell that she loves her cat a lot, even when it is difficult to please. Maybe that's why I'm still standing here talking to her, even when I usually have problems with socialising with strangers. It won't hurt to spend some more time talking, I decided. "I will do the first. As much as cats are cute, they can be a threat when you annoy them." I notice her curious gaze at the cat in my arms. Do you want to hold it, I mentally ask, holding it out by its two front legs while staring at her. "This one is friendly", I somehow feel the need to add.

@JUNG TAEKWOON I watch as he bends down to pick up the cat, the animal immediately latching onto the man. It seemed like they were owner and pet for years, but I knew that the cat was from the store. "Depends on the cat," I repeat, thinking. I guess that was true, in that all cats' personalities were different, but there was something special about this guy, this gentle giant. There was an aura surrounding him that just exuded with patience and thoughtfulness. "Then, if a cat didn't like you, what would you do? Leave the cat alone or try to win it over?" I ask, glancing at the present cat's satisfied face as it was being scratched.

@LEE JIEUN I nod, pushing my hand into my coat pocket. I can't help but notice the size difference in our hands, also. I wonder why she is not a bit afraid of me. This girl, even from the start, was cheefurl and polite enough to me, while most people will just back away from me when I keep my silence like I'm doing now. I blink when she looks at my feet, just now am concious of the presence of the cat beneath me. I let out a tiniest bit of a smile, crouching down to pick it up. The cat flutters its eyes close, seemingly pleased to be in my arms. What a lazy cat. I'm slightly startled when I hear her speaking again, quickly revert my eyes back to her, now pouting. "Say, how do you get animals to like you so much? My cat - she's so sassy and hard to cuddle with". I gaze at her in mild impressiveness. She is trying to make a conversation with me. I think about what she has just said. Most cats behave well enough when I approach them, but I wouldn't say that all of them like me. It also depends on the personality of the cat. Some can be unapproachable and difficult, outright dislike the presence of humans. Some are unpredictable at times so it makes them seem, in her words, sassy. "I have no tricks up my sleeves. It all depends on the cat". I simply say, scratching the tabby cat beneath its chin.

@JUNG TAEKWOON I'm squishing a bunch of cat toys for enjoyment when the young man from before hands me a toy. I'm confused at first, face blank, before realizing that he was trying to help me. "Oh, thank you," I break into another smile, gladly accepting the toy. There's a brief moment of contact between my hand and his, and I'm surprised by the softness of his finger. I had expected something coarse, even rough from his lengthy build. I retract my hand quickly after realizing how weird he must think I am and stand up once again, glancing at the cat that was currently curled up next to his feet. "Say, how do you get animals to like you so much? My cat - she's so sassy and hard to cuddle with," I pout slightly. I had been taking care of Mint for three years now, and she still wouldn't come to me that willingly unless I had a treat in my hand.

@LEE JIEUN I don't do so much as a nod when she thank me, simply watching her hurry away in the opposite direction. I blink, a bit amused - that is the wrong way. The dog toys isle should be ahead of where I am standing, I remember having seen the sign when found my way here. As I am about to shrug it off and play with the cat some more, I see her knocking over some cat toys on a shelf. That girl is a klutz, I muse, again watching her put everything back into order then examine some of them, smiling to herself. Well, she has missed a chew toy still laying on the ground a feet away. I slightly shake my head, walking over to her and bend down to pick the toy up. "Here", I say softly, extend it out for her to see.

@JUNG TAEKWOON I shift my eyes when he lowers his, internally shrugging. It is what it is, I muse, hands cracking my wrists to relieve the awkwardness. He seemed to ponder a lot, I wonder what he looks like when he smiles. When I notice him opening his mouth I quickly snap out of my thoughts and pay attention. With his help, I nod with a thankful smile. "Thank you so much, umm, the dog toys section, ok.." I give him a thumbs up while turning back to hopefully find the aisle, only running into a shelf in the meantime and causing a number of cat toys to fall. Great, I look even more like an idiot, I think, sighing before bending and taking time to place all items back in their correct location. I play with some of them for a moment, chuckling softly to myself thinking how much Mint would enjoy a toy like this. Enjoy it to the point of chewing it up - I knew that from experience.

[post deleted by owner]

@LEE JIEUN "It's okay", I mumble through her strings of apology, eyes going downcast. I feel a little bad for her because she is trying her best to meet my eyes as she speaks, but I'm really uncomfortable with having to look at people's eyes when talking to them. I manage to catch her moving a bit away from me out of corner of my eyes, but I pay it no mind. It's nothing new, people getting intimidated by my appearance. I slouch, trying to make myself a tiny bit smaller. There are more options to consider now: whether I just excuse myself to another area, or stay and help the poor girl. After a good minute of awkward silence during which I was deciding the best course of actions to take, I notice that the girl hasn't gone anywhere yet, likely still waiting for my response. I guess she isn't that scared of me, and that in itself is strangely comforting in a way. I open my mouth to speak: "I did see an employee earlier, around the dog toys section."

@JUNG TAEKWOON I widen my eyes a bit as the man in front of me stands up, his stature intimidating me slightly for a second. He was a good half foot taller than me, but his gentle face made softened my surprise. During the slight pause, I crane my head slightly towards his chin to achieve solid eye contact. It made some people feel awkward, but I felt it was necessary. When he excuses himself as not an employee, my face immediately contorts into embarrassment and surprise, my hand coming up to cover my open mouth. "Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry," I blurt out, smiling awkwardly though cringing inside. Gosh, Ji Eun, why did you even assume. "I was so desperate I must've seemed crazy," I chuckle slightly to break the silence. He was obviously a quieter, more introspective man and I was likely bothering him a lot. "Again, really sorry," I muse, moving backward in small steps to give him some space.

@LEE JIEUN "Excuse me", I hear a youthful female voice coming from the left, so I stop what I'm doing and glance up. The owner of the voice belongs to a pretty girl in pleasant clothing, with a lost look on her face that makes her seem even younger. Seeing me acknowledging her presence, she hesistantly steps closer to ask me for help. I carefully listen to her going on with a blank face while saying nothing, noticing the way her long hair falls gracefully over her shoulder when she leans a bit towards me to observe the tabby cat. It seems like this chatty girl got me mixed up as one of the employes in this shop. I wait until she finishes her speech then stand up, drewing myself to my full height. I'm a good head taller than her, I muses, letting the silence stretch on for a beat before speaking quietly with my natural soft tone: "Sorry, I'm not one of the employees."

@JUNG TAEKWOON My ears perk up when I hear soft murmuring coming from the other side of the aisle, and I peek around to see who it is. A young man was stroking a kitten with such expertise that I knew he must be an employee. "Excuse me," I venture, pausing before walking hesitantly over, "Do you know the best brands for cat food and such? I'm a pretty new owner and there's just so much, you know? It's really confusing me and I'd be so appreciative if you could just help for a moment," Without realizing, I ramble on while asking for help and my chatty persona takes over. I glance towards the kitten, immediately smiling at the cuteness in front of me. Finally, someone in the expansive store I could ask.

@LEE JIEUN Now that I finally take my time to visit the pet store, I need to decide whether I should bring home a cat or a dog. They both have their own charms - cats are cute and soft while dogs are more affectionate and energetic. I weight the two options carefully in my mind for a god-know-how-many-times-before, and quickly find myself frustrated again. This won't do, I think, for starter let's just look at the cat products first.
I quickly walk up to the cat house isles. To my pleasant surprise, there is actually a small tabby cat with a white collar around its neck there, curled up in one of the houses. It must be the owner's pet. "Hey there, kitty", I murmur, bending down to scratch the cat behind its ear when it look at me with big, curious eyes. It purrs happily, and my insides feel like they have melted at its cuteness. God, cats are the cutest.

@JUNG TAEKWOON As I cruise through the many aisles of cat food, litter, and pellets, I'm overwhelmed by the number of options. Buying for yourself was one thing, buying for a pesky and picky cat, however, was entirely different. This was love, though, right? I sigh once again, naturally biting my lips while my hand hovers over one brand. Would Mint like this, though? I knew I should've brought her - she always seems to have an internal instinct of her preferences. Glancing both right and left, I hoped that a passing employer would stop and ask me if I was having difficulties. Every time I actually needed them, they were nowhere to be found. Should I just buy a bunch and return after a few days? I think back to my account balance, knowing that would not be the smartest move. In hopelessness I bend down to my knees, resting my hand on my chin and staring at the boxes and rows of brands in front of me.