Generally speaking, food shops didn't allow pets inside.
It was for hygiene reasons.
But...
At first, the cashier's attention had been completely captured by the astonishing number of cakes on the counter.
She'd missed her chance to warn him when he first came in.
And afterward...
Afterward, there was even less of a suitable moment.
Now he was about to leave. What was she supposed to say?
Fortunately.
The cashier's gaze lingered on Little White Fox.
This little white fox didn't seem to be a problem.
It was visibly clean and beautiful.
Everyone else must have been just like her.
They'd all been dazzled by Little White Fox.
It hadn't even occurred to them that the little guy shouldn't have been allowed inside.
As expected...
Looks were a weapon.
Looks were a privilege.
Xiao Xiao turned and left the shop.
"Ding-a-ling~"
The clear, delicate chime bid him farewell, gradually fading behind the door as it closed.
He curved his lips into a smile.
Then he turned to look toward the place where he'd spotted the scarred monster earlier.
He was a little surprised.
Or perhaps not all that surprised...
The scarred monster was still where he'd seen it earlier.
Xiao Xiao raised an eyebrow.
He started walking.
The scarred monster heard the commotion.
It paid no attention.
When the human had gone to the counter, the shelves had blocked its view, so it hadn't been able to see him.
It pursed its lips.
A little dejected, it withdrew its gaze.
The empty space before it made the scarred monster pause.
Then it remembered...
The human had taken all those cakes.
The scarred monster looked toward the shelf beside it.
Then it saw a figure reflected in the display window... one it recognized.
"!?"