Nekopara: A New World

Chapter 44: Azuki's initiative

"Brrr... Why can't Spring come any closer, it's so damn cold, even in here." Azuki muttered, annoyed.

"Azuki, can you make these deliveries for Maple? She doesn't feel well today. I would've asked Coconut, but it's her day off." Kashou begged, hands clasped.

She didn't hate Kashou at all but almost slipped up and showed him a glimpse of her look of disgust aimed at him before regaining her composure. Going outside was probably the last thing she wanted to do today as doing so would turn her into one of those red bean ice cream bars she likes during the summer. Though, she chose to suck it up. "Sure... I'll do it."

"Thank's Azuki, I know it's probably the one thing you don't want to do, so I'll buy you something nice later." Kashou hinted as incentive.

"Yeah yeah, but only these few, it's too cold outside!" Azuki responded as she picked up the boxes, struggling a bit before squeezing through the door as a nice customer held it open for her.

Now, Azuki is usually not among one of the individuals that go on deliveries, this is for a good reason too, as she is also last pick. The smallest cat having to walk around the city while also balancing three boxes by herself could be a bit of an issue. It's kind of like setting her up for failure. So just as expected, she's having a difficult time, her face getting red from embarrassment as other people look at her struggle.

"Why does Pull-May have to be under the weather so much this week? It's her pregnancy, so why is it affectin' me?" Azuki thought before tripping over a crack that she didn't see on the pavement. "Shit, the cakes!" She yelped as they started to enter freefall.

"Woah there Azuki, you're going to damage the contents." Don said, managing to catch them in time, sparing their lives from being splatted onto the street. "Especially after Kashou went through all the hard work of making these."

"D-Don? What the hell are you doing out here?" Azuki snapped, being surprised at his sudden arrival.

"Coming back from the convenience store. It's cold outside, so I got some hot food, want some?" He offered, taking out a bag with nice smelling contents.

"Uh, I'll pass. I'm kind of occupied right now. So if you'll leave me alone, I can finish this faster and go back inside." She declined, more incentivized to stick to her main quest first.

"Then why don't I help you out, Miss Ice Queen." Don suggested.

"But it's your day off, so you shouldn't!" Azuki protested.

"Huh, that's odd. I don't recall mentioning it was my day off. Oh Azuki, did you look for my day especially? Don smugly teased.

"No! And what if I did? I'm the one that usually does the schedules around here." Azuki hastily explained.

"No need to get your tail in a twist, I don't mind helping you out. Just lead the way." Don said, taking the last box from her and carrying all three himself.

It's not like she exactly wanted Don to leave either. "It's rare that Don and I ever get to be alone like this." She thought as she glanced up at him from the side. Something was amiss inside of her, something she didn't quite understand. Was she actually enjoying having Don around?

"Can it be that I actually... No, it's not!" She denied, shoving her thoughts down her throat. "Is something the matter Azuki?" Don asked, a little put off by the funny way she looked.

"No, of course not. Keep your eyes front, it'll be on you if something happens to the boxes while you aren't watching." She smirked before the instant karma that followed occurred. "Azuki, you're one to talk about looking forward. You nearly walked straight into someone." Don laughed. "Be quiet! You're distracting me." She hissed.