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Joel shook his hands back and forth, trying in vain to shake off the sticky gloop of the honey blocks he was currently attempting to restock. Who the hell was even buying these anyway? He'd gone weeks without filling these barrels up again and someone had just gone through and bought him out completely.
The tanuki scratched at the residue under his claws, groaning when it wouldn't budge. That was going to be a pain to get out.
The bell of the shop's door jingling snapped Joel out of his thoughts. A customer? He turned around, staring at the person who walked through the door like a deer in headlights- or maybe a raccoon when you turn on the light to the porch.
Etho awkwardly stood in the doorway, staring right back at the hunched, unblinking man in front of them. Eventually, they cleared their throat. "Restocking honey, I assume?"
Joel blinked, standing up straight and placing his hands on his hips. They stuck to the fabric, but he promptly ignored that. "What's it to you?" He raised an eyebrow, taking in their appearance. "I see you're copying me, as usual. 'Cause you're obsessed with me."
Etho glanced down at themself as if they'd forgotten what they were wearing. They'd both decided to go for Japanese-inspired themes, hence the kimonos they both wore, different as they were. "Eh, you could say that," they chuckled, eyes squinting with mirth.
Something in Joel's stomach fluttered at the sound, making his face heat up. No, he was not obsessed, thank you very much.
"You got, uh- something going on there," Etho piped up, pointing at something behind Joel.
The tanuki whipped around, gripping his tail when he noticed it wagging. When had that started?!
He blushed, tail still clutched in his sticky hands. "It's- because I hate you so much."
Etho hummed humorously. "Nice save."
"Thanks, I know. I'm great, aren't I?"