Just GIVE ME A SEC!!!

This was the day. This was definitely the day she was going to confess to her crush.

But how? 

She continued to walk through the village marketplace, her tail whishing behind her --- a blur of white with just a hint of pale blue at the end. Her matching white cat ears flicked with the noises of the people. She felt like she could smell the slightest hint of fish, but she couldn't focus on that. She ran a hand through her peach hair, frustrated.

"Ugh," she groaned, "why is this so hard?"

"What's hard?"

With a glint of light, Hiro, the spirit stored in the diadem on her forehead, came out. His blue eyes widened once he realized she wasn't slowing down for him. He rushed to catch up, blowing a piece of dark blue hair out of his face as he did. True to his clumsy nature, he tripped over a rock within five seconds of beginning his walk.

"It's nothing," she replied, her face flaming. "And don't say it like that!"

"What's wrong, Mi-Nya?" Hiro asked, frowning in cute confusion.

"Nothing. Go back into the diadem," she said, then stopped. This could work, actually. "Actually, I'm trying to figure out how to confess to my crush."

"Your crush?!" Hiro gave her a mischievous grin. "Replacing me already, huh, Mi-Nya?"

"No, of course not!"

"I'm hurt," he went on. He placed the back of his palm against his head, sighing dramatically. "I thought we had something!"

"Oh, shush, you big dolt!" she snapped, a smile already forming.

"Dolt?!" He gasped in mock offence. "Really, I thought you knew me better than that. Disappointing. . ."

His face sobered. "But seriously, who is it? Is it Jack from the restaurant? Is it Shopkeeper Veryl?"

She took a deep breath. She could do this. "No. . . It's yo---"

"Did someone say Veryl?"

In their path appeared a burly man with a cheery grin. His blond hair was tied back behind him. Strapped to him were the wares he was so proud of: oysters and crabs and. . .

"FISH!!!"

Veryl yanked the fish away, narrowing his eyes at her. "Not a chance, kitty. You'd have to pay to get some of these, and I know you won't have money until Friday."

"Nyoooo. . ," she moaned, her disappointment immeasurable; her day ruined.

"Well, unless you guys actually needed me, I've got products to sell." With that, he walked off.

They watched him go before Hiro blinked. "What were we talking about?" He snapped his fingers. "Oh, right! Your crush!"

"Hey, I've got an idea!" Hiro grinned. "Why don't you practice on me?"

Because it is you, you dolt!

Knowing he wouldn't take no for an answer, she sighed. "Alright. Look, we've known each other for a while, and I think I kind of like yo---"

"Wow! A kitty!"

A little boy around the age of seven ran towards them. He was likely a tourist, if the excited glint in his unfamiliar green eyes was any indication. Behind him trailed a woman with eyes exactly like him --- likely his mother.

"You're so pretty, Ms. Kitty!" the boy exclaimed. "Can I pet your fur? Pleeease?"

Weakened by the power of child-like wonder, she sighed, then leaned down. The soft hand was a bit rough on her, nothing like the soft pats from Hiro she got every now and then.

"Alright, kid," Mi-Nya said, "that's enough of that. Now go have fun with your mom." They walked off, the mother shooting her a grateful smile as she left.

Tired of walking, she stopped at the edge of town, sitting on a bench nearby. Hiro, ever the loyal friend, sat next to her. It felt nice to sit there with him, feeling the setting sun on their faces. Mi-Nya let the serenity of the moment calm her: the chirping birds, the village crowd going about their day. After a minute of this, she was ready to try again.

"Hey, Hiro?"

"Yeah?"

"I think you're really sweet. Actually, I like how sweet you are. In fact, I like yo---"

"GET OUT OF TOWN!!!"

Both Hiro and Mi-Nya frowned at the woman who'd spoken. Armed with a cane, the woman appeared elderly, with silvery locks and ancient eyes.

Hiro looked at Mi-Nya. "What did she say?"

"I said GET OUT OF TOWN!!!" She yelled. "Cat girls like you are what's ruining this economy. If we were smart, we'd kick you to the curb! I swear, back in my day---"

"Will you SHUT UP!!!" Mi-Nya was fuming. "I've got better things to do than listen to the ramblings of a dumbass old lady!"

"Excuse me?!" The woman scoffed. "I am a dignified, human inhabitant of this nation."

Hiro frowned. "Your shirt's on backwards."

She looked down, realizing that her shirt was, in fact, on backwards. Face flaming, she retreated into a nearby store, huffing the whole way.

"Ugh, she ruined the moment," Mi-Nya said, annoyed. "Let's go."

The two of them walked to their favorite meadow, away from the distracting village. Sitting on the grass, they both relished in the gentle breezes on their faces. Mi-Nya particularly liked how the sun reflected off of Hiro's pretty face as he smiled at the bee that had landed on a nearby daisy.

"Hey, Hiro?" Mi-Nya started, nervous now that they were alone. For courage, she closed her eyes.

"Yeah?"

"I think you're really great. I like the way you laugh when I say something stupid. I like the way you frown when you don't get what I'm saying. I like the way you blush when you stumble over your words. I like everything about you."

She smiled. "Hiro, I like you. Like, really like you. My crush. . . 

"Is you."

Silence followed her statement. Of all the reactions she'd thought of for this, she hadn't expected nothing. Did he leave her? Nervous, she opened her eyes. She found Hiro still next to her, looking away."

"Mi-Nya. . ."

Her ears perked up. "Yes?"

He turned to her, eyes shining in excitement as he whispered., "there's a butterfly on my finger!"

Goddammit.