The morning sun peeked through the curtains, illuminating the soft folds of the blanket covering Lumine as she stirred awake. Her hand instinctively reached for the comforting warmth on her lap, only to find Kuni still curled up there, his midnight fur rising and falling with each soft breath.
Lumine smiled faintly. âYou stayed with me all night, didnât you?â she whispered.
The catâs indigo eyes blinked open, meeting hers. He stretched languidly, his tail curling behind him as he hopped off her lap, landing gracefully on the floor.
âThank you, Kuni,â Lumine said, brushing her fingers over her cheeks. The tear stains from last night still lingered, but her heart felt a little lighter knowing she wasnât alone.
---
As Lumine busied herself with her morning routine, Kuni sat by the window in deep thought. The events of the previous night had solidified something within himâhe wanted to do more for her. As a cat, he could comfort her in small ways, but it wasnât enough.
His indigo hair shimmered as he transformed into his human form. Stretching out his hands, he flexed his fingers, still getting used to the sensation after spending so long in his feline state.
âLumine deserves someone who can truly be there for her,â he murmured to himself. âAnd not just as a cat.â
But the thought made his chest tighten. Revealing his true form could change everything between them. Would she be angry? Frightened?
---
A soft knock on the door broke his train of thought. Lumine stepped out of the bathroom, wrapped in a towel with her damp hair falling over her shoulders. âWere you waiting for breakfast, Kuni?â she teased, looking around the room.
By the time her gaze landed on the couch, Scaramouche had already reverted to his cat form, perched on the armrest with his tail swishing lazily.
Lumine chuckled. âYouâre so impatient, arenât you?â She made her way to the kitchen and started preparing something simple. âWeâll eat, and then Iâll head to the library. Iâve got a lot of work to catch up on.â
Kuniâs ears twitched. He knew how much she tended to overwork herself, pushing through exhaustion without taking breaks. The idea of her running herself ragged didnât sit well with him.
---
Later that afternoon, as Lumine packed her bag, Kuni followed her every move, his gaze unrelenting.
âI wonât be gone long,â Lumine assured him, crouching down to scratch behind his ears. âYouâll be okay here on your own, right?â
He let out a soft meow, though his resolve had already been made.
As soon as Lumine stepped out of the apartment, Kuni shifted back to his human form. Throwing on a black hoodie and jeans, he followed her at a distance, ensuring she wouldnât notice him.
---
At the library, Lumine found a quiet corner to spread out her notes and textbooks. The stress from the previous night hadnât entirely disappeared, but she felt more determined to tackle her workload today.
Unbeknownst to her, Scaramouche lingered nearby, pretending to browse through books as he kept an eye on her. Watching her work so diligently only deepened his admiration for her.
When Lumine paused to rest her head in her hands, visibly frustrated, Scaramouche's fingers twitched. He wanted to go to her, to tell her it was okay to take a break, but he couldnât risk exposing himselfânot yet.
---
Hours passed, and the sun began to set. Lumine finally packed up her things, her steps slower than usual as she made her way back home. Scaramouche followed her all the way to the apartment, ensuring she reached it safely before slipping in through the window and reverting to his cat form.
When Lumine opened the door and saw him waiting for her, she laughed softly. âYou always know how to make me feel better, donât you?â
Kuni purred as she scooped him into her arms, the warmth of her embrace reminding him of why he stayed by her side.
One day, he thought. One day, Iâll tell you everything. But for now, Iâll protect you like this.
As Lumine settled onto the couch with Kuni on her lap, the quiet resolve in his indigo eyes remained. For her, he would wait as long as it took.