Chapter 3: "Soft Fur, Sharp Feelings”

The days were getting livelier at Kai’s apartment… but not necessarily calmer.

It started out simple—just another quiet morning after school.

Kai: “Ahh, it's morning already ? "

Yuki popped her head from the living room, ears twitching.

Yuki: “Master! Good morning!”Kai: “Oh, it’s you, Yuki. Good morning.

”Yuki (pouting): “It’s you? What’s that supposed to mean? Were you expecting someone else? Like your new cat?”Kai blinked, caught off guard.

Kai: “N-no! I wasn’t expecting anyone. Come on, let’s just have breakfast…”But before he could say more, the fluffy new guest in his arms wriggled free and jumped onto his bed—a brown-furred female cat with glowing pink eyes.

Kai: “Oh hey, Kaoe. You came to wake me up too? That’s so sweet.”Yuki stared in horror. That was her spot. 

Later that morning,

 Kai dragged himself to school, now sporting a fresh scratch on his face.Mina raised an eyebrow.

Mina: “My, my, Kai… what happened to your face?”

Airi: “Wait—was it Yuki? What did you do to her?”

Kai (deadpan): “You all think I was the bad one?”

Airi (nervously): “N-No! That’s not what I meant!”Kai: “I brought a stray cat home. And called her cute. Yuki didn’t like that.”

Mina: “It was a female cat?”Kai: “…Yes.”Mina: “Then yeah. You messed up.”

Kai: “Minaaa… what do I do now?”Mina smirked.Mina: “Easy. Buy her something she really loves. Remind her she’s special.

”Kai: “You're the best, Mina.”Back at home, Yuki sat on the couch, hugging her knees.

Yuki (thinking): “I… I went too far. I shouldn’t have done that. I should apologize to Master…”Moments later…

Kai: “Hey, I’m home!”Yuki ran to him.Yuki: “Master! I’m sor—”But before she couldn't finish, Kaoe beat her to the door, rubbing against Kai’s leg. 

He bent down, smiling, completely distracted.Yuki’s eyes twitched.Kai: “Oh hey, Yuki, I—”SMACK.!! Another scratch joined his collection.

Later that night, as they sat down for dinner, the tension lingered thick in the air.

Kai (thinking): “I really messed up again… wait—the gift!”Kai: “Yuki, hey.”Yuki crossed her arms.

Yuki: “What is it now, Master? Wanna talk about your new favorite cat again?”Kai: “No, I… I wanted to give you this.”He held out a small, fluffy doll—an exact replica of the one Yuki adored when she was still a cat. The one she lost, and mourned.

Yuki gasped.Yuki: “awww! Master… thank you!! So much!!”Kai (smiling): “So… you’re not mad anymore?”Yuki: “Of course not! Thank you so much!” she hugged the doll tightly.Kai (thinking): “Finally… she’s smiling again.

”Yuki (softly): “You remembered it…”Kai: “Yup. How could I forget? You loved that thing.”Her eyes sparkled.Yuki: “Thank you, Master. And… I’m sorry for hurting you. I really didn’t mean to.”

Kai: “It’s okay. I’m just glad you’re happy.”

Knock! knock!.A knock at the door cut through the warmth.

Both of them froze.Kai: “...Yuki, were we expecting anyone?”Yuki: “No. Master… who could it be?”They stared at the door as silence filled the room. 

Outside the window, that same mysterious figure stood watching… closer than ever before.

As Kai opened the door, he saw Mina standing there… but she wasn’t alone. Beside her was a stunning woman with long brown hair and sharp, confident eyes.

Kai: “Mina? What are you doing here? And who is she?”

???: “Master… You really forgot me?”

Mina (with a teasing tone): “You’re the worst, Kai.”

Kai (nervously): “W-wait… are you… Toie?”

Toie: “So you haven’t forgotten me after all.”

Meanwhile, inside the apartment, Yuki peeked out with narrowed eyes, sensing something was off.

Yuki: “Master, who is she?!” she asked with clear irritation.

Kai (turning to Mina): “Mina… did you turn her into a human too?!”

Mina: “Hehe, yeah… a long time ago.”

Kai: “Then why didn’t she come to me earlier?”

Mina: “I found her injured and starving on the streets. After I transformed her, she told me she was from Elaria—your real hometown, right? She’d been looking for her master this whole time. I had no idea it was you… until recently. When I mentioned you, she begged me to meet you  by the way she is a model.”

Kai: “…And now she’s a model?!”

Mina (smiling): “Yup. She’s pretty famous too. Don’t be shocked if people start recognizing her.”

The mysterious figure watching from afar, hidden in the shadows, quietly vanished. But something about the way it left… didn’t feel right.

TOIE’s PAST. 

Toie once lived happily as a kitten, adored by her kind and gentle master—Kai. But one day, his parents made the decision to send him far away for better education. Little Kai cried as he left, unaware that Toie chased the car until her little paws bled.

She never stopped.

Wounded and starving, she finally reached the city… collapsing near a park bench. That’s when Mina found her.

Moved by her determination and broken spirit, Mina healed her—and gave her a new chance as a human. With time, Toie found success as a model. But no matter how high she climbed, she never stopped thinking about Kai.