Chapter 2: Who is she?!!

Kai decided it was time for Yuki to see more of the world outside his apartment.

 It wasn’t much—but he wanted her to experience it. 

After all, she was technically part of it now.

Dressed in one of Kai’s oversized hoodies—one that nearly reached her knees—Yuki walked beside him, her pace light, curious blue eyes darting around like a child seeing everything for the first time. 

Coincidentally, her hoodie matched Kai’s black and blue outfit almost too perfectly.

As they passed a cozy little corner shop, the shop owner, an older woman with a warm smile, called out to them from the door.

“Oh my, how sweet! A young couple visiting my store together!”Kai flinched. “W-what? No, it’s not like that! You’ve got the wrong idea!”The shopkeeper chuckled, eyeing their coordinated clothes.

“Oh? Then why are you two dressed like matching lovebirds?”Kai was left completely speechless, his face burning red. 

Yuki simply tilted her head with a confused smile, clutching his sleeve tighter.

Later that evening, back at Kai’s apartment...“Ahhh… Yuki.” Kai let out a tired sigh, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Yes, Master?” Yuki peeked from the kitchen, still wearing the same oversized hoodie.

Kai looked at her, serious now. “We really need to buy you some proper clothes.

”The bright mall lights buzzed softly above as Kai and Yuki strolled into a trendy clothing store. 

’s oversized hoodie—one of Kai’s favorites—hung loosely on her small frame, giving her an adorably casual look that made passersby smile.Kai scratched his head as he looked around. 

“Alright, Yuki. Pick out some clothes you like. I’ll buy them for you.”Yuki’s blue eyes sparkled, but she tilted her head slightly. 

“But Master… I don’t want you to waste money on me,” she said with the most innocent tone imaginable.

Kai let out a soft laugh. “Don’t be silly. I’ve got enough saved up. I work a part-time job at that bookstore, remember?”Yuki looked unsure, fiddling with the edge of the hoodie. 

“If you say so… but I still don’t know what to choose.”Kai smiled gently. “Then let me help. I’ll pick something that looks good on you.”Just as he began scanning the racks, a teasing voice interrupted them.

“My, my… Kai’s already out on a date?”He flinched, recognizing the voice instantly. “Mina!? N-no, you’ve got the wrong idea!”Mina smirked, arms crossed.

 “Oh? Then why are you two wearing matching outfits?”Kai froze, caught off guard and blushing hard. 

“Th-that’s just a coincidence!”Yuki waved happily. “Hey, Mina! What are you doing here?”Mina’s smile softened. 

“Hey, Yuki. It’s been a while! You’re looking… different. But in a good way!”Before Kai could chime in, Fuyumi and Airi popped out from behind Mina.

“Yuki!” Fuyumi greeted.“Are you shopping with Kai?” Airi asked with a teasing smile.

 “Why don’t you come with us? We can help you pick out some cute clothes.

”Yuki glanced at Kai, unsure. “I-I’d appreciate that… but, Kai?”Kai gave a lopsided smile. 

“It’s fine. Go with them they’ll know better than I do. 

I’ll wait outside.”Yuki nodded with a small blush. “Alright… thank you, Master.”All three girls waved. 

“We’ll be back soon, Kai!”Kai sighed as they disappeared into the sea of clothes, muttering to himself, “How did this become a shopping date with backup dancers?”Kai leaned back against a wall outside the store, arms crossed, sighing like a man who just got dragged into something way above his pay grade.

Kai (thinking): Man… this feels like I'm in a dating sim with a secret route unlocked by accident.Just then, a group of girls passed by, giggling.

Random Girl: “Aww, poor guy. Left behind by his girlfriend and her friends.”Kai, waving his hands: “Wait she’s not my girlfriend! It’s not what it looks like!”The girls laughed and walked away, clearly not buying it.

Kai: “Tch… this hoodie was a mistake.”Suddenly, the store curtain shifted.Mina popped her head out, grinning way too hard. 

“Get ready, Kai~ Your catgirl-turned-waifu is about to walk the runway.”Kai: “Wh-what do you mean runway?”Yuki stepped out, dressed in a soft, cream-colored one-piece dress with frilly sleeves, and white stockings. 

Her snow-white hair flowed down, and the way she shyly held the hem of her dress made Kai short-circuit for a second.

Yuki: “Master… how do I look…?”Kai, completely red: “Y-Yuki… You… you look… like trouble.”Yuki: “Ehhh? You don’t like it?”Kai: “No! I mean—yes! I mean—it looks great, but now I feel like I have to protect you from literally everyone outside.

”Mina (teasing): “See? Wife material confirmed.

”Fuyumi: “She even said she only wants you to see her in this one.”Airi: “Kai, you better level up quick. Or she’s gonna get snatched.

”Yuki ran up and clung to his arm, pouting softly. “Master belongs to me. No one’s snatching anyone.”Kai: “Okay, okay, you win. I’m officially broke and flustered.”

Next day

Kai walked down the quiet street, his school bag slung lazily over his shoulder. The afternoon sun painted the sky in soft orange hues. 

As he passed by a bush near the sidewalk, he suddenly heard a soft meow.“Huh?” Kai crouched down and peeked beneath the bush.A small female cat, brown with soft fur and big, curious pink eyes, looked up at him. Her tiny body shivered slightly.

Kai’s eyes softened. “Aww… you poor thing. Did someone leave you here?” He gently reached out, and the cat nuzzled against his palm.

 “Alright, you’re coming with me. Don’t worry—I’ll take care of you.”He held the cat carefully in his arms as he walked home.On his apartment. 

Yuki sat on the couch, tail flicking side to side anxiously as she waited. The second she heard the door unlock, her ears perked up and a big smile spread across her face.

“Master!” she rushed to the door with excitement… but froze.Her blue eyes locked onto the soft brown cat in Kai’s arms.Kai smiled, completely unaware of the storm brewing behind Yuki’s adorable expression. 

“Hey, Yuki! Look who I found on the way home. Isn’t she cute?”Yuki’s smile twitched.Her voice dipped slightly, “C-cute? You found her cute?”Kai blinked. “I mean… yeah, look at her. 

She was all alone, so I thought—”Yuki stepped closer, her arms folded. “Master… are you cheating on me with a cat?”Kai’s eyes widened. 

“W-what?! It’s just a stray—”“She already stole your heart, hasn’t she?” Yuki turned her back dramatically.

 “All it took was one pair of pink eyes and a meow!”Kai sighed. “Yuki, come on, you’re being ridiculous—”Yuki spun around.

 “Ridiculous?! I used to be your one and only cute cat! What happened to ‘Yuki, you’re the fluffiest thing in the world’ and ‘Yuki, I made dinner just for you’?!”The brown cat meowed softly from Kai’s arms, completely oblivious to the tension.

Kai looked at the new cat, then at Yuki who had puffed her cheeks in frustration and crossed her arms.Kai scratched his head. 

“So uh… do I take that as a no to keeping her?”Yuki marched over, took the brown cat gently from his arms, and held her up. “We might keep her. 

But only if she understands one thing.”Kai blinked. “What’s that?”Yuki leaned in close to the brown cat and whispered, “He’s my human.

”Kai, watching the whole thing, muttered, “Great… now there’s two of them.”

Later on evening. 

The aroma of sizzling curry filled the apartment as Kai stood by the stove, humming softly while stirring the pot.

 Meanwhile, Kaoe a soft brown cat with gentle pink eyes was sprawled lazily across the living room couch.

 Yuki's couch.From the hallway, Yuki’s voice rang out like thunder before a storm.Yuki: "Master!! Master!!"Kai blinked, turning around, a bit startled.Kai: "Y-Yeah? What’s up, Yuki?"Yuki stormed in, arms crossed, her cheeks puffed slightly.

Yuki: "Why is your so-called cute cat Kaoe lying on my couch?"Kai: "Eh? Don’t be rude.

 You never use it anymore… so I figured I’d let her have it."Yuki gasped dramatically, eyes wide as if he’d just broken her heart.

Yuki: "Master... ever since that girl came into your life, you’ve changed!"Kai let out a soft chuckle, placing the spoon down and walking over to ruffle Yuki’s hair.

Kai: "Don’t be silly. You’re still my favorite cat. Always."Yuki’s cheeks tinted pink, her pout softening as she turned away, trying to hide her smile.

Yuki: "Hmph… you better mean it."But just as she started feeling warm inside, Kaoe rolled over on the floor, rubbing her head against Kai’s leg with a soft, “Mrrrow.” Kai turned his attention to her immediately.

Kai: "Oh, hey Kaoe. You’re such a sweetheart. I wonder who could ever leave a cutie like you behind..."He crouched to pet her, gently scratching behind her ears. Kaoe purred and flopped onto her back playfully, making Kai laugh. 

As he did, Kaoe shot a sly glance at Yuki her eyes saying one thing loud and clear:“He’s mine now.”Yuki’s expression turned ice cold.Yuki: (muttering) "You wanna play that game, huh…?"She glared back with fiery intensity, her aura practically leaking jealousy. 

The quiet war between the former pet and the new arrival had officially begun—and the battlefield was none other than Kai’s heart.