Chapter 76: Chapter 73: Out You Go

The afternoon sun poured golden light through the windows of Lumine’s apartment as she grabbed her bag and slung it over her shoulder.

“I’ll be back in a bit,” she called out, her voice echoing in the quiet living room.

Scaramouche, in his sleek midnight-fur cat form, was perched on the armrest of the couch, his sharp violet eyes narrowing at her. Aether, sitting stiffly on the opposite side, had his arms crossed and an annoyed frown plastered across his face.

“Don’t kill each other while I’m gone,” Lumine said with a tired sigh before stepping out and closing the door behind her.

Silence filled the room.

Scaramouche’s tail flicked lazily as he turned his sharp gaze toward Aether. Aether stared back, unblinking, his golden eyes locked on the small yet undeniably smug-looking cat.

“Stop glaring at me like that,” Aether muttered.

Scaramouche blinked slowly, almost mockingly, before letting out a low, dismissive meow.

Aether’s eyebrow twitched. “Oh, you wanna start something, huh?”

Scaramouche stretched, his claws lightly scratching the couch arm as he continued to stare—the kind of stare that screamed ‘This is my territory, leave.’

Aether let out a frustrated sigh and stood up abruptly. “Alright, that’s it. I’ve had enough of your attitude.”

Before Scaramouche could react, Aether grabbed him by the scruff of his neck.

“Meow?!” Scaramouche hissed, his fur puffing up as he squirmed in Aether’s grip.

“You think you’re so smug, huh? Sitting there, glaring at me like you own this place. Well, guess what, buddy? Not today.”

Aether marched to the door, holding Scaramouche like an unruly kitten. Scaramouche’s tail whipped back and forth violently as he let out an angry, offended screech.

“Enjoy your time outside!” Aether said triumphantly as he opened the door and lightly yeeted Scaramouche onto the doormat.

The indigo-furred cat landed with a soft thud, wide violet eyes staring daggers into Aether as the door closed with a loud click.

Outside in the hallway, Scaramouche sat frozen for a moment, processing what had just happened. His tail twitched. His ears flattened. His pride? Shattered.

Inside the apartment, Aether let out a sigh of satisfaction as he plopped back onto the couch, stretching out with a victorious grin. “Finally, some peace and quiet.”

But peace didn’t last long.

A faint scratching noise started at the door.

Scritch, scratch, scratch.

Aether’s eye twitched. “No… way…”

The scratching turned into soft, indignant thuds, followed by the faint sound of an enraged cat meowing at maximum volume.

“Let me in, you idiot!” Aether could almost hear Scaramouche’s voice through the angry meows.

---

About twenty minutes later, Lumine returned to the apartment, holding a small bag of snacks. As she approached the door, she was greeted by the sight of Scaramouche—still in his cat form—sitting on the doormat with the grumpiest expression a cat could possibly have.

“…Kuni? What are you doing out here?” Lumine asked, crouching down and gently picking him up.

Scaramouche let out a pitiful mrrp before dramatically flopping in her arms.

Lumine opened the door and stepped inside to see Aether casually lounging on the couch, flipping through his phone.

“Aether,” Lumine’s voice was sharp, “why was Kuni outside?”

Aether froze for a moment before looking up with an innocent smile. “Oh, uh… he wanted some fresh air?”

Scaramouche, still in Lumine’s arms, let out a long, judgmental meow.

Lumine sighed deeply, setting Scaramouche back on the couch. He immediately climbed onto her lap, his tail flicking aggressively at Aether while he nuzzled against Lumine’s sweater.

“I swear, you two are children,” Lumine muttered as she rubbed Scaramouche’s ears to calm him down.

Aether crossed his arms and muttered under his breath, “He started it…”

Scaramouche smirked internally as he nestled deeper into Lumine’s lap, his victory secured.

Score: Scaramouche - 1, Aether - 0.

UwU I seriously had the most delicious ramen this morning😋

9:42AM🇵🇭