[Is it bad that this entire encounter has Natsume feeling sort of...nostalgic? He hadn't realized how much encountering spirits that wanted to eat him, punching them and then lecturing them had been a part of his life back home. If anyone had asked, he would've said it was annoying, the worst part of his entire day.

But here, sitting on his heels and holding the strange boy's groceries, he's inclined to feel soft towards the (admittedly melodramatic) demon. Cautious, of course, ready to swing a baguette at his head if he tries to attack again, but still sort of gentle, all the same.

Nyanko-sensei would be so indignant if he knew. Not to mention Natori, who would immediately launch into a lecture about how this is perfect evidence that Natsume needs an exorcist mentor, otherwise he's going to get eaten and/or possessed.

Pushing the thoughts away, the teenager carefully sets the bag of groceries to one side, hands held out for a moment to steady it so it doesn't tip over again. It still seems a little precarious, so he reaches out after a moment with his annoying cat tail, holding it in place.] No, I'm not. [His answer is patient, businesslike.] I don't know how to do that. And even if I did, you haven't really done anything wrong, besides...well, besides try to jump on me.

[A pause, then he narrows his eyes a little.] Unless you were trying to eat me. Were you?