Chapter 11: Catfights and Coffee Cups

Kai leaned back on his couch, nursing an iced coffee and staring at Yuki and Kaoe, who stood in front of him with determined expressions. Yuki’s snow-white hair glimmered under the apartment’s dim lights, her blue eyes sparkling with dramatic resolve. Kaoe, her brown hair tied in a loose ponytail, crossed her arms with a smirk that screamed trouble.

“Master,” Yuki declared, clutching a flyer for Zoya’s restaurant, “we’ve decided! We’re getting jobs to help you out! ”Kai choked on his coffee. “Jobs? You two? Where’d this come from? ”Kaoe shrugged, her chill vibe unshaken. “You’re always whining about money. We figured we’d pitch in. Plus, I’m bored. ”Yuki nodded vigorously, her cat-like ears twitching under a headband. “And I want to be useful to Master! We already applied at that restaurant you like.

 You know, the one with her. ”Kai’s stomach dropped. “Wait… Zoya’s restaurant? As in, Zoya Aikawa? The waitress I accidentally...uh, dated? ”Kaoe’s smirk widened. “Yup. Starts today. Should be fun. ”Kai groaned, rubbing his temples. “This is a disaster waiting to happen. You two in a restaurant with Zoya? I’m booking a one-way ticket to the moon. ”Yuki pouted, grabbing his sleeve. “Don’t say that, Master! We’ll be perfect employees. Right, Kaoe? ”Kaoe yawned. “Sure, whatever. As long as I don’t have to wake up early.

”Kai’s gut screamed that this was a bad idea, but their pleading eyes Yuki’s earnest, Kaoe’s lazily confident left him defenseless. “Fine,” he muttered. “But if you burn the place down, I’m disowning you both.”The restaurant buzzed with the lunchtime crowd, a cozy mix of wooden tables, warm lighting, and the aroma of fresh coffee. Zoya Aikawa moved like a pro, her dark hair tied back as she balanced trays with a charming smile. 

But her eyes narrowed when she spotted her two new hires: Yuki, fidgeting in an ill-fitting waitress apron, and Kaoe, lounging against the counter like she owned the place. “Welcome to the team,” Zoya said, her voice dripping with forced sweetness. “Yuki, you’re on table duty. Kaoe, you’re… try to help with drinks. And don’t break anything. ”Yuki saluted dramatically. “I’ll make Master proud!” Her enthusiasm was matched only by her clumsiness as she grabbed a tray, nearly toppling a stack of plates.

Kaoe raised an eyebrow, sipping a coffee she’d “borrowed” from the bar. “Relax, Zoya. I’ve got this. Unlike some people, I don’t trip over my own tail. ”Zoya’s smile tightened. “Tail? Cute metaphor. Now move before I dock your pay. ”The silent war began subtly. Yuki, determined to outshine Zoya, piled a tray with more plates than humanly possible, wobbling dangerously as she weaved through tables. “This is for Master!” she muttered, ignoring a customer’s confused stare. 

Her tail, barely hidden under her skirt, flicked out, knocking a saltshaker to the floor. Zoya swooped in, catching the shaker with a smirk. “Careful, Yuki. Customers don’t like fur in their soup.”Yuki’s face flushed red. “I-I don’t have fur! That’s just… a fashion statement! ”Kaoe, meanwhile, leaned against the coffee machine, charming a group of teenage customers with her lazy grin.

 “What’s good here? Oh, wait, I don’t care. Try the latte.” Her nonchalance earned giggles and tips but Zoya wasn’t amused.“Kaoe,” Zoya hissed, shoving a tray of cups at her. “Stop flirting and start working.”Kaoe winked. “Jealous? Don’t worry, I’m saving my best moves for Kai.”The air crackled with tension, customers oblivious to the brewing storm. Yuki, desperate to prove herself, attempted a “fancy” coffee pour she’d seen online, only to splatter espresso across a table. “Oh no! Master will hate me!” she wailed, scrubbing frantically.

Zoya rolled her eyes, handing the customer a fresh napkin. “Don’t mind her. She’s… new.” Under her breath, she added, “And weirdly obsessed with some guy.”Kaoe overheard, her smirk sharpening. “That ‘guy’ is our Master. You wouldn’t get it, human.”Zoya froze, her pen pausing mid-order. “Human? What’s that supposed to mean?”Before Kaoe could retort, the restaurant door swung open, and every head turned. 

Toie strutted in, her designer trench coat catching the light, her auburn hair cascading like she’d stepped off a runway. On her arm? Kai, looking like a deer caught in headlights.“Master!” Toie purred, her voice smooth as silk. “I’m back from my shoot. Thought I’d drop by and see my favorite guy.”Yuki dropped a tray with a crash. Kaoe’s coffee cup slipped, splashing Zoya’s apron. Zoya’s charming smile twisted into a scowl. The restaurant went silent, save for a lone customer muttering, “Is this a drama shoot?” Kai waved his hands frantically. 

“W-wait! Toie, I didn’t know you were coming! And… why are we here?!” Toie smirked, leaning closer. “Relax, Master. I heard your new girls were working here. Thought I’d check out the competition.” Her eyes flicked to Yuki, who was trembling with rage, and Kaoe, whose chill facade cracked into a glare. Zoya stepped forward, wiping coffee off her apron. “Kai, you didn’t tell me you had a model friend. And here I thought I was special.” Her voice was sweet, but her eyes screamed cheater.

Yuki stomped over, her apron askew. “Master belongs to me! Not you, not Kaoe, and definitely not some fancy cat who left him!” Her voice cracked, tears welling up. “I was his first!” Kaoe crossed her arms, unfazed. “Chill, Yuki. Master’s got room for all of us. Right, Kai?” She shot him a teasing grin, but her eyes darted to Toie, sizing her up. Kai sank into a chair, head in hands. “I’m begging you all, just… act normal for five minutes. Please.”Toie laughed, tossing her hair. “Normal? Oh, Master, you’re adorable. But fine, let’s order. 

I’m starving after my shoot.” She slid into a booth, patting the seat beside her. “Join me? ”Yuki shoved past Kaoe, plopping down opposite Toie. “I’m serving Master today!” She grabbed a menu, shoving it at Kai so hard it nearly hit his face.Kaoe sauntered over, leaning on the table. “I’ll take his order. Yuki, you’re better at… cleaning spills.” She smirked, dodging Yuki’s glare.Zoya, now behind the counter, slammed a coffee pot down a bit too hard.

 “Oh, look, the whole circus is here. Kai, you want a drink, or are you too busy juggling your girlfriends?”Kai’s face turned beet red. “They’re not my ! It’s not like that! They’re… uh… family! Yeah, cousins! Distant cousins!”A customer choked on their water, whispering to their friend, “Worst lie I’ve ever heard.”The war escalated. Yuki, determined to outdo Toie, attempted a flambé dessert to “impress Master,” only to set a napkin on fire. Kaoe, trying to one-up Zoya, “accidentally” spilled a milkshake on her shoes, muttering, “Oops, my bad.

” Zoya retaliated by assigning Yuki to clean the grease trap, smirking as Yuki gagged.Toie watched the chaos, sipping a latte with a smug grin. “Master, you’ve got your hands full. Good thing I’m back to keep things… classy.” She winked, making Yuki’s fire flare higher literally, as a second napkin ignited.Kai leapt up, grabbing a pitcher of water. “Yuki, stop! No more fire!” He doused the flames, soaking himself in the process. The restaurant erupted in applause, thinking it was a stunt.Zoya stormed over, hands on hips. 

“Kai, what is wrong with your cousins? And why do they keep calling you Master?” Her eyes narrowed, catching Yuki’s twitching ears. “And what’s with the headbands? Are they cosplayers?”Kai stammered, “Uh, it’s a… cultural thing! Totally normal!”Kaoe snorted. “Yeah, Zoya, keep up. It’s a vibe.”Toie leaned forward, her voice low. “Careful, Zoya. Some secrets are better left alone.” Her eyes gleamed, hinting at something deeper something magical.Yuki, still fuming, grabbed Kai’s arm. “Master, let’s go! This place is awful, and she” she pointed at Zoya “is trying to steal you!”Zoya smirked, unfazed. “Steal? Honey, I don’t chase strays.

”Kaoe laughed, high-fiving Toie. “Good one, but Master’s ours. Right, Toie?”Toie’s smile faltered, her gaze sharp. “Ours? Oh, Kaoe, you’re cute. But I’ve known Master longer than you think.”Kai felt the room spin. “I’m done. I’m hiding in the kitchen forever.”As the girls bickered, a shadow lingered outside the restaurant window. A woman in a hooded coat watched, her fingers tracing a glowing rune in the air. She muttered, “Three cats… and a spark of magic. Interesting.” Her phone buzzed, a message flashing: Mina: Found a new spell. 

Ready for chaos? Kai, oblivious, slumped in the booth, soaked and defeated. “Why is my life a romantic horror game?” he muttered, as Yuki clung to one arm, Kaoe leaned on the other, and Toie blew him a kiss. Zoya, wiping down a table, slipped a note into his pocket: “Call me when you ditch the circus.”The restaurant’s lights flickered, and a faint hum of magic pulsed in the air, unnoticed by all but Toie, whose eyes widened slightly.