Chapter 14: Chapter 14: Unexpected Guests

The soft morning light poured through the windows, painting the apartment in a gentle glow. Lumine was in the middle of tidying up when she heard her phone buzz. She glanced at the screen and smiled when she saw a message from Amber.

Amber: We’re on our way! Don’t forget today’s project meeting.

Lumine froze mid-step. “Project meeting…?” she muttered to herself before groaning. “Oh no, that’s today!” She grabbed her phone and quickly replied.

Lumine: Wait, when did we plan this for my place??

Amber’s response came immediately.

Amber: Yesterday! You said it was fine—remember? Don’t tell me you forgot.

“Of course I forgot,” Lumine grumbled, shooting a glance at Kuni, who was lounging lazily on the windowsill. “Why didn’t you remind me, huh?”

The midnight-furred cat only blinked at her, flicking his tail as if to say, How is this my problem?

Lumine sighed, running a hand through her hair. “Okay, okay, I can do this. Just… clean up and act normal.”

---

The knock on the door came far too soon. Lumine barely had time to shove stray notebooks into her bag and make the place look presentable. She smoothed her shirt, took a deep breath, and opened the door.

Amber beamed, her usual bright energy filling the space before she even stepped in. “Lumine! We’re here!”

Behind her, Albedo, Kazuha, and Ayaka greeted her politely. Albedo held a folder neatly tucked under his arm, and Kazuha carried a small bag of snacks.

“Good morning,” Ayaka said with a smile. “Thank you for letting us work here today.”

“No problem!” Lumine replied quickly, stepping aside to let them in. “Make yourselves at home.”

The four of them filed into the apartment, taking in the cozy space. Amber immediately flopped onto the couch, while Albedo found a spot at the table and began unpacking materials. Ayaka joined him, and Kazuha quietly set the snacks down, his calm demeanor a sharp contrast to Amber’s lively energy.

It didn’t take long for Kuni to make his appearance. He padded into the living room, his fur sleek and his tail swishing in that distinctly arrogant way.

“Aww, is this Kuni?” Amber cooed, practically diving off the couch to crouch beside him. “Lumine, you didn’t tell me he was this cute!”

“Be careful—he’s not always friendly,” Lumine warned, her voice tinged with amusement.

Kuni froze as Amber reached out, and for a split second, Scaramouche considered scratching her just to get her to back off. But Amber’s bright grin made him hesitate, and instead, he let her pet him—just this once.

“He’s surprisingly well-behaved,” Albedo noted, glancing over from the table. “Most cats don’t like strangers.”

Kazuha knelt down as well, observing the midnight-furred cat with his usual poetic calm. “His eyes are sharp—almost too intelligent. He’s a unique one.”

Scaramouche flicked his tail at Kazuha’s comment, narrowing his indigo eyes. You don’t know the half of it.

“He really does have a presence,” Ayaka added softly, keeping a polite distance. “It’s like he understands everything we’re saying.”

Lumine laughed nervously, though she couldn’t help but agree. “Yeah… sometimes I feel the same way.”

Kuni let out a low meow and padded back over to Lumine, jumping into her lap as she settled onto the couch. She blinked in surprise. “What’s this? Usually, you’re too busy ignoring me when I have guests.”

He curled up comfortably, his weight warm and reassuring on her legs. Amber pouted. “Hey, no fair! He likes you better.”

“Of course he does,” Lumine teased, stroking his fur absentmindedly. “I feed him.”

---

Once everyone settled in, the project officially began. Albedo took charge, as usual, laying out the plan and delegating tasks with his calm and meticulous precision. Kazuha and Ayaka worked quietly beside him, their collaboration smooth and effortless. Amber, on the other hand, constantly cracked jokes and tried to lighten the mood, much to Albedo’s exasperation.

“Kazuha, how do you make everything look so easy?” Amber asked, watching him sketch a neat diagram.

“It’s all about finding balance,” Kazuha replied with a faint smile. “Patience helps, too.”

“I’ll trade patience for snacks,” Amber shot back, making Ayaka giggle softly.

Meanwhile, Lumine tried her best to focus, though she couldn’t help but glance at Kuni every so often. He hadn’t moved from her lap, his purring a steady hum that seemed to calm her nerves. It was strange—he almost seemed more protective than usual, as if he were wary of her friends.

“You’re so spoiled,” Lumine whispered to him under her breath.

Kuni peeked up at her with half-lidded indigo eyes, as if to say, You’re the one who lets me.

---

As the afternoon wore on, Amber stretched with a loud yawn. “Finally done! We’re the best group ever.”

Albedo set his pen down with a satisfied nod. “Everything looks good. We’re ahead of schedule.”

“Thank you for hosting us, Lumine,” Ayaka said with a kind smile. “Your apartment is very cozy.”

“No problem!” Lumine replied, standing to see them out. “Thanks for not trashing the place.”

Kazuha chuckled softly. “We’ll make it up to you next time.”

Amber shot Lumine a teasing grin as she walked past. “And tell Kuni I’ll win him over next time. He can’t resist me forever!”

Lumine laughed as her friends waved goodbye and disappeared down the hallway. Finally, she shut the door, letting out a deep breath.

---

Once alone, Lumine flopped onto the couch, Kuni jumping onto the cushion beside her. “Well, that wasn’t so bad,” she murmured. “They liked you, you know.”

Kuni simply turned his head, his indigo eyes unreadable.

Lumine reached out and scratched behind his ears. “Maybe you’re not as grumpy as you pretend to be.”

Scaramouche, still in his cat form, let out a small huff. If only you knew, he thought bitterly.

As Lumine leaned back, closing her eyes to relax, Scaramouche curled up beside her, watching her carefully. Being around her friends irritated him—though he couldn’t explain why. But now, with the apartment quiet and her attention on him alone, a strange sense of satisfaction settled in his chest.

He’d never admit it, but he preferred it this way: just the two of them.