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Neku stared under the couch, and a pair of eyes stared back.
This wasn’t his first time over at Shiki’s, and it definitely wouldn’t be his last. But with her working away in her spare room on a sewing project she just had to finish, Neku was left to fend for himself, alone with her prickly cat.
She was young—only about a year old—and she had beautiful black fur and green eyes that could put the healthiest houseplants to shame. From what the others had told him, Eri had gotten her for Shiki both as a congratulations for getting this apartment in Shibuya and as an apology that she couldn’t join her. That’s why Shiki had chosen a two room apartment—because Eri was supposed to room with her. But with her mom’s health taking a turn for the worse, her best friend regrettably had to pull out.
Shiki went through with it anyway. She said she wanted a place overlooking Hachiko, and Neku knew all too well why. So, the others had surprised her with a cat, and they—or rather, Rhyme—had come up with the name “Nanako” for her.
Now, Nanako’s ears twitched as she accessed Neku. She pushed further back into the darkness under the couch with her paws, fur bristling.
Nope, she still didn’t like him. It was like he was staring back at himself from three years ago. She’d completely closed herself off, throwing in a hiss with her ears pinned back if he got in her space. Seemed ironically fitting that she’d pick him to be like this with, while easily getting along with all the others.
“I get it, really,” he told her. “I’m a stranger invading your home, and you don’t like that. But if you’re willing to trust me, just a little, I think you’ll see that I’m not so bad—and get some nice pets.”
He held a hand out for her, only to get a hiss and an empty swipe. Well, so much for that attempt. No wonder everyone had gotten so frustrated with him during those first few days of the Game.
Neku picked himself up with a sigh that could’ve shaken the floor. Shiki had to have a cat toy around here somewhere, right? He checked around her living room. With fabric scattered around her coffee table and a few patterns folded up and left next to the couch, it was hard to tell if one of Nanako’s toys had gotten buried at some point. Still, with this much loose cloth and yarn, it seemed like a kitty utopia in here. Just not one this particular kitty wanted to enjoy with Neku around.
Ah, there—a small orange mouse. That was his ticket in. Neku grabbed it and gave it a toss, hoping it’d grab Nanako’s attention.
And… nothing. Neku grimaced as he leaned down to look. Nanako hadn’t moved an inch.
“Come on, seriously? Is it the orange?” Neku asked. “It’s too much like my hair, isn’t it?”
Nanako’s tail curled as she settled down into a loaf. Was that a good thing, or…?
She didn’t look like she wanted to scratch him, at least. He’d take it.
Maybe another toy would work. One that didn’t look even a bit like him. Not that… he looked like a mouse, just the orange matched his hair too well.
He soon found another toy stuffed halfway under the patterns. No wonder he’d missed it—the dangling ribbons matched Shiki’s designer aesthetic. Fishing out the stick attached to the ribbons, he took a seat on the floor in front of the couch.
He swished the ribbons back and forth, shaking them into shapes to try and coax the cat out from under the couch. She eyed the multi-colored cloth, watching its every movement on full alert. Slowly, she pushed herself onto her feet, creeping steadily towards it. That was it—just a little further…
Her paw stretched out, swatting at the ribbons. A short-earned victory, for she then hissed, her cautious eyes jumping up at Neku before she retreated right back under the couch.
Dammit. She was so close, too.
Neku’s face contorted as he watched her. He’d always thought he’d been good with cats. He liked cats—way better than dogs. So why was he struggling so much with this one in particular?
“Nanako, come here, girl,” a soft voice spoke up behind Neku. Shiki had emerged at some point, apparently. She walked over and kneeled down next to him, holding a hand out.
Nanako’s ears flicked. She gave the air a few sniffs, then scooted closer.
“Hold your hand out,” Shiki said. When Neku did as instructed, she placed a cat treat in the palm of his hand.
Ugh, right, treats. Why didn’t he think of that sooner?
“Thanks.” Neku offered his hand out for Nanako, slow and steady. “Come on, Nanako… I don’t bite.”
Nanako eased closer still, her nose still the most active part of her stiff body. She inched her chin forward, her whiskers brushing against Neku’s skin as she tried snatching the treat.
‘Tried’ being the key word there. She dropped it onto the floor and had to move even closer to get it now. She happily ate as Shiki offered Neku another one to feed her.
Second treat in hand, Neku held it low for her. She sniffed again, taking in his scent as well as the treat’s. And, this time, she stuffed her face full force into his hand to get the tasty treasure buried there. Neku laughed as her fur tickled him, and he turned his hand around to scratch behind her ears.
“There, see? I’m not so bad, am I?”
Nanako looked up at him, still a bit uncertain. She then looked at Shiki.
“Neku’s gonna be here a lot more from now on,” Shiki explained to her in a cute, but soothing tone. “Guess he’ll be something like your dad!”
Neku’s heart pounded at that last word. “Her…her dad?”
“We’re dating, aren’t we?” Shiki leaned over to kiss the blush on his cheek. “And, I have something for you…”
Her voice was like a siren’s song over him, drawing him in. His hand idly pet Nanako as he watched her grab her all-important project, the very same one that she’d insisted needed finishing in the first place. It was a pink-tinted plush. It looked like her infamous mascot, but instead of being all black, it used the same colors as her brand—that warm, tasteful pink mixed in with darker tones.
“This is Mrs. Mew,” Shiki said as she offered the doll. “And… I want you to keep her.”
Neku raised an eyebrow. “Me?” He bit his tongue before he called the thing a pig. Much as he loved teasing Shiki about that, something told him this wasn’t the time for it. “Shouldn’t she stay with her creator?”
Shiki shook her head. “Mr. Mew couldn’t protect you last time. Sounds like he kinda did the opposite, from what Beat told me about fighting him. So, I thought maybe if you had another doll with you, one of them could keep you safe if anything happened again…”
She didn’t look at him, instead hiding her face slightly behind the doll.
Shiki… She was really that worried about him?
Neku reached over, resting his hands on either side of hers.
“Thanks… I’m sure she’ll do great.”
Shiki perked up, letting Neku take the doll. With her in his hands, he noticed something glisten in the light. A ring sat on a thread around her neck. It was a silver band with a red streak along the center.
Neku blinked, staring up at Shiki with wide eyes. This couldn’t be…
Shiki smiled and held up her own hand, showing off a new ring on her pinky. “I also got us promise rings… so we’d be connected, no matter how far apart we are.”
She offered Neku a pair of scissors.
“So even if you get taken away from me again, we’ll still be together…”
“Shiki…”
Neku took the handle, then carefully snipped the thread. The ring fell in the palm of his hand, and he slid it on his pinky as well.
Promise rings… Not only that, but with a red thread embedded in them. That was pretty dorky of her, but he doubted she’d admit it.
Neku then held up his pinky.
“I won’t leave you again, Shiki… Promise.”
Shiki looped her finger with his. “I know… Thanks.”
With their promise sealed, Neku pulled her in for a gentle kiss. It was tender and soft, and it grounded him in the most magical moment he always wanted to keep.
The rest of the world, the UG—none of it would separate them again, because Neku never wanted to give up this time he had with Shiki. He never wanted to leave her again.
A paw batted at his cheek, interrupting his kiss. As soon as he pulled back, Nanako squeezed between them, her tail high in the air as she rubbed against Neku’s hand.
“Thought you didn’t want my attention.” Neku chuckled as he stroked her back. Her rear rose up in approval, and she flopped down for more pets.
“Guess our daughter’s pretty needy, huh?” Shiki joked.
“Yep… I’d say she takes after her mom with that.”
“Neku! I’m not needy.”
He had a comeback at the ready, but he cracked before he could get it out. They both laughed mid-banter, Neku resting his head on Shiki’s shoulder as his hands rubbed Nanako’s side. He stared at his promise ring, partially covered in the cat’s black fur.
He’d never leave Shiki again… and he’d fight however hard he had to to keep that promise to her.