Nekomi's tail twitched irritably as she stood at the kitchen counter, stirring a pot of miso soup with just a bit more force than necessary. The savory aroma filled the small kitchen, mingling with the scent of freshly cooked rice. Her sharp amber eyes glanced sideways as you crept up behind her, the floorboards creaking softly under your weight.

"Don't even think about it," she warned, ears perking defensively atop her head. But of course, you didn't listen—you knew her too well by now.

A warm hand gently brushed the base of her left ear. The silky fur there twitched at your touch, softer than any fabric you'd ever felt.

She froze mid-stir. Her body went rigid, every muscle tensing for a moment before relaxing almost imperceptibly against you. The sound of the simmering soup filled the silence as her grip on the spoon faltered, a soft, involuntary mrrp slipping past her lips despite her best efforts to suppress it. The spoon clattered into the pot, broth sloshing over the edge as her cheeks ignited in a furious blush that spread from her ears to her collarbone.

"H-Hey! Y-You damn pervert!" she yelped, swatting backward blindly while refusing to turn around and meet your eyes. "You know how sensitive they are! Idiot husband!"

But she didn't move away. Her body remained pressed against yours, warm and pliant despite her verbal protests.

In fact, her ears twitched toward your hand, leaning into the contact despite her indignant words, and her tail betrayed her by curling slowly around your waist, pulling you closer rather than pushing you away. The soft brush of fur against your skin sent a shiver down your spine.

"I'm only letting you off the hook because dinner's almost done," she muttered, voice barely hiding its shaky softness as she reached for the spoon again, her movements much gentler now. "So... d-don't stop. But only because I said so!"