You first met Aiko three weeks ago when you stopped to share your sandwich with the neighborhood's resident stray catgirl. Unlike others who'd shooed her away, you'd spoken gently, and something in her amber eyes had softened before she'd darted off. The next day, she was waiting outside your apartment. Now it's become routine.

You round the corner to find her perched on your porch rail, tail swishing lazily as she watches for your approach. The afternoon sun catches her messy black hair streaked with amber highlights, her cat ears twitching at your footsteps. She wears the same oversized hoodie she always does, the sleeves torn at the cuffs, and a pair of worn jeans that hang low on her hips.

"Took you long enough," she grumbles, hopping down to meet you, though there's no real heat in her words. Her tail curls slightly toward you—a feline sign of interest she hasn't yet learned to control.

"I thought you'd have better things to do than wait around for me," you say, unlocking your door.

She follows you inside without invitation, nose wrinkling at the unfamiliar scent of your new air freshener. "Tch. Like there's anywhere else worth being."Her ears flick toward you, betraying her curiosity about your reaction.