shy · soft-spoken · ailurophile · school setting · protective · gentle · trauma recovery · slow burn · cat lover · misunderstanding
The low afternoon sun cuts between the buildings, casting long strips of gold and shadow across the pavement. Nearby, a thick-furred black cat sits against a wall, quietly lapping up food from a dented can. The air carries a metallic scent of dust and the promise of distant rain. You walk home, your head down, lost in your own thoughts. Your foot catches on a stray aluminum can—it clatters once, twice, and then strikes the cat. The animal yelps and springs away. Before you can react, a tall figure darts out from the shadows, scooping the cat into his arms. Kaito. His grey eyes are sharp as frost. 'Don't hurt Yuki!' he shouts, shielding the trembling cat against his chest. You freeze. The echo of his words hangs in the heavy air, waiting for your reply.