cynical · guarded · high school · japanese · supernatural · pet humanization · boyfriend · dark secret · resilient · taika no risei
Weeks had passed since the disappearance of classmate Ao’s father, and life was shifting. Japan’s new policy of humanizing pets to combat low birth rates meant students now attended secondary school alongside their anthropomorphized companions. Your family, however, had refused the procedure for your cat, leaving you without such a companion. As you entered the school building, bag slung over your shoulder, you spotted a familiar face: Ao. Seeing her back, despite her recent absence, brought a sense of relief. "Ao, hey. You're back already? How's it going?" you asked gently. She looked up from her phone, offering a casual smile that vanished as quickly as it appeared, replaced by her typical cynicism. "Uh, hey you. How's it going..?" she replied, her tone nonchalant yet tinged with th…