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Nanami was on a mission and he would do anything to make sure this mission was complete to its fullest capacity. He was determined to get everything on his grocery list. Yeah, he really needed to get out of the house. Every since him and you decided on Nanami staying at home, he has tried to be the best house husband he could be, one of his main jobs was grocery shopping which is actually fun when thinking about the different things to cook.
Today was a normal errand day, grabbing odds and ends that were on his list, messaging you to ask your preference on something even though you continued to say that is was up to him if he was going to make this or that even though he could barely decide on his own.
It was when he finally crossed off all the stuff on his list when this day turned into something else. As soon as he left his last grocery store of the day, a loud meow stopped him in his tracks, Nanami looked down to see a dirty stray cat looking up right back at him. The cat continued to meow as it rubbed up against Nanami’s legs. Nanami stood still for a second, never once had a stray cat ever been this comfortable around him, he’s actually surprised that there’s a cat in such a busy part of town.
“Hello lovely.” Nanami said as he slowly kneeled down to pet the cat even if it was a stray, it still deserved a bit of love. The cat became even more loving as Nanami was petting it, almost throwing itself against him to get the full impact of his pets. It meowed the whole time, even purring so loud he’d be surprised if no one else around them heard it.
Eventually, Nanami had to leave so he tried his best to say goodbye to this stray cat and got up to walk away. This cat was strange though as it followed Nanami as he walked away, no matter how many times Nanami tried convincing the cat to leave. The cat was relentless and soon enough, Nanami was back home, cat still behind him.
At that moment, he made a decision, one that he never saw coming but thought it was right. He decided to let the cat in, he was sure you’d be happy to see the fluffy cuddly creature.
Then he thought about it. Are we keeping the cat? How do you take care of a cat? Nanami had never had a pet of any kind due to never really having an interest but this felt different. He would have time to take care of an animal and a cat wasn’t such a bad choice even though he wasn’t able to choose. He should probably look up some things. They would need to buy a litter box, some toys, and cat food.
Oh, speaking of food, this cat is probably starving. Nanami looked through the fridge for anything he could feed a cat until he saw a small slice of salmon from last night. He reheated the slice, the cat somehow knowing what he was doing and begging throughout the whole process. Soon enough, the fish was on a small dish and the stray was absolutely chowing down on it. Nanami smiled, he was glad the cat seemed to be enjoying itself.
This cat reminded Nanami of something from long ago from when he was back at Jujutsu High, something he had forgotten until now.
~
“Kento! Over here! Come look!” You were shouting from across the field, near the bushes at the edge. The day was bright and everyone was tired of training even though they really shouldn’t have stopped. Everyone was young and life seemed so simple then, before everything else happened.
Nanami walked over to where you were crouched with Haibara following. You must have slipped away from the group to explore like you usually did, despite Nanami’s concerns.
“What did find?” Haibara runs over to you, very interested.
As soon as Nanami gets close, you stood up and showed off your find which happened to be a medium sized kitten, old enough to be away from its mother but still pretty young.
“I found the cutest cat ever!” You had the brightest smile Nanami had ever seen and the cat wasn’t anything extraordinary, just a regular brown tabby.
“He’s so cute! What a great find!” Haibara was just as happy with the find as you were.
The cat was friendly and cuddled close to you, growing attached quickly. You could also tell that it was a boy just by glancing at his behind.
“It’s just a cat.” Nanami said, he was such a downer back then.
“But it’s so cute! Do you think they’ll let me keep it? I’ve always wanted a cat.” You were giving the cat tons of kisses and deep down, Nanami thought it was really cute.
“What would you even do with it? We are busy all the time.” Nanami questioned, trying to keep your thoughts realistic.
“I’m sure I could figure something out.” You shrugged, just happy to hold a cat.
“Let’s show the others!” Haibara suggested, wanting to share the cuteness of these kitten.
You immediately agreed and suddenly the three of them were jogging to the others, Geto, Gojo, and Shoko, who were also not practicing and just leisurely sitting on the benches.
“Guys look I found a kitten!” You were just about to shove the cat onto Shoko when she shrieked and jumped back, holding her hand over her face.
“Keep it away! I’m not looking to die today!” Shoko shouted, clearly disturbed.
“Don’t tell me you’re allergic to cats.” Gojo teased, walking towards you to pet the cat, “He’s kinda cute, might be worth dying for.”
“Yes! I am! Please get rid of it before I swell up like a balloon.” Shoko stood at a great distance from the group, giving the cat the nastiest look Nanami had ever seen.
Looking over at you, you were clearly distraught by this.
“I’m so sorry, Shoko, I didn’t know.” You frowned.
“Just let it run off, it’s a stray so I’m sure it’ll be fine on its own.” Geto was now petting the cat with Gojo.
“But I don’t want to let him go, it is dangerous out there.” You frowned even harder and Nanami remembers wanting to make you feel better no matter what.
“I don’t care what you do with it, as long as it’s gone by tomorrow! And all of you, wash your hands and clothes before you see me again! I’m serious! My allergy is bad.” After shouting all of that, Shoko runs off.
“I guess I can’t keep him.” You sigh.
“I’m sure you can find a shelter who can take him, kittens are always adopted quick. He’ll find a good home.” Haibara says, trying to cheer you up.
“You’re probably right. Would anyone like to come with me?” You asked the rest of the group.
“Oh no, sorry, I have a mission I need to get to but I wish you the best of luck!” Haibara then leaves, they were still busy sorcerers.
“Sorry, we can’t either. Suguru and I already have plans.” Gojo excuses both himself and Geto. They always had plans together back then.
Suddenly, it was just you and Nanami.
“Kento,” He turned to you, you were the only one he would let call him by his first name, “Would you join me and find this little guy a shelter?”
You were smiling at him again and, even if not on purpose, giving him the biggest puppy dog eyes that he never found himself saying no to.
“I guess so, let’s go, before it gets dark.” Nanami gave in, feigning annoyance but really he was glad to spend more time with just at the time he never realized why.
“Great! I’m gonna grab my purse and we can go. Oh, could you hold him while I’m gone?” You ask and Nanami barely gives an answer before the cat is being shoved into his arms and you’re running away.
What had he gotten himself into?
~
Nanami is brought back into the present by the stray, once again rubbing itself against Nanami.
“You need a bath.” Nanami tells the cat, with only getting a single meow in response.
The cat didn’t even mind the bath, Nanami was expecting a full on brawl like he’s seen from many other cats online. This was a strangely calm cat but to be fair to the cat, Nanami really hasn’t had any experience with cats before. He’s pretty sure the cat is a girl as well but he’s not completely sure. After the bath, Nanami tries his best to dry the cat with a towel but she’s still a little wet after everything. She groomed herself for what seemed like hours while Nanami cleaned up around the house. He knew you would be home soon.
Nanami lays down on the couch, sighing. He really didn’t have ‘get a cat’ on his list of things. The cat spares no time and steps over Nanami until she’s on his chest and curls up and suddenly, Nanami is realizing what the hype is about with cats.
She falls asleep quickly and Nanami can’t help but doze off from the cat’s rhythmic purring.
Nanami is soon woken up by the front door opening.
“I’m home!” You shout into the house like you always do when you get home.
“I’m in the living room.” Nanami tries to be loud without waking the cat.
“You wouldn’t believe my day today, we got a new-“ Your footsteps get closer until they stop and Nanami can see your shocked face. “Is that what I think it is?”
“She followed me home and I couldn’t ignore her.” Nanami gently pets the cat.
“Ooooh she is so cute.” You lean over the back of the couch to pet the cat, while she purrs like an engine.
“How was your day today?” Nanami gently asks.
“Better now.” You give him a quick kiss. “This is the best.”
“I’m glad you like her.” Nanami laughs, “You know, this reminds me of when you found that kitten when we were in Jujutsu High.”
“Yeah? That was a nice day.” You smile.
“But you were so sad when you had to give him away.”
“Yeah, I was but I got to spend that day with you.”
~
“This is the fifth shelter, I really hope they’ll take him.” You pouted, “Who knew shelters were so full.”
The sun was setting and you and Nanami were ready to go home but you were even more determined to find a home for this stray.
Once inside the shelter, the receptionist greeted them. You did all the talking, trying to convince them to take the cat. You had given them the whole sad story, the same one you gave to all the other shelters. This one said that they don’t usually take in dropped off animals without appointments but were aware that it couldn’t stay with you.
Finally, it was time to say goodbye to the cat. You looked so sad, like the cat had been with you for years. Nanami once again wanted to make you happy but younger him tried to push down these emotions.
Once outside the shelter, it was dark and the street lamps were on, lighting the way home.
You and Nanami walked in silence for a while, until Nanami saw a store and got an idea that he said out loud before he could shove it down.
“Do you want to grab something from the convenience store? I’ll get it for you.” Nanami rubbed the back of his neck, nervous about what you would say.
“Are you sure? I wouldn’t mind.” You smiled up at him again, you tended to do that often.
Of course, you grabbed something sweet while Nanami settled for something a bit warmer, both getting your choice of drinks as well. Nanami paid, his way of trying to make you feel better.
Outside, there was a bench that looked over a part of the city. It was beautiful at night, all of its bright glory being further showcased during the nighttime.
“Thank you for coming with me.” You said between bites, looking out at the city.
“I don’t think I had much of a choice.” Nanami mumbled.
“Of course you had a choice, either come with me or join the list of people I hate.” You laughed.
“There’s a list for that?” Nanami joined in on the joke.
“Yes but it’s a short list, I’m not a hateful person. You don’t have to worry about actually joining that list, I don’t think I could ever hate you.”
Nanami was shocked into silence for a moment, “Oh, well, I guess I could say the same about you.”
“You guess?” You laughed and leaned your head on Nanami’s shoulder. “Is this okay?” You whispered.
Nanami froze, his chest suddenly feeling too heavy but he didn’t mind the feeling. “Yes, it’s fine.”
The two of you sat there for a while, just staring out into the city. In that moment, you were thinking of nothing else but each other and it was nice. Soon enough though, it got cold and you left for home. Nanami continued to think of that night until time swept in under the rug and the memory was lost temporarily.
~
“That was a great night. The best non-date date ever in my opinion.” You were cuddling against Nanami’s side with his arm wrapped around you, trying desperately not to fall off the side of the couch.
“I’m glad my younger clueless self could do that.” Nanami chuckled.
“You know what? I think that was the night that I started seeing you as more than a friend.” You smiled.
“Really? I think that happened for me a bit later, when we graduated.”
“Slow to true feelings as usual.”
“Hey! I got there eventually.” Nanami pulled you in tighter.
“Hmm.” You hummed as you made shapes on his chest with your finger, “We should probably name the cat.”
“Oh, I forgot about that. You pick it out.”
“Hm…how about Mika?” You suggested as you looked back up at him.
“Lovely.” He kissed your forehead, making you giggle. “I’m going to take her to the vet tomorrow to see if there’s anything wrong or even a microchip.”
“Oh, I wish I could join you on your daily adventures, apparently so much happens.”
“Ha, not every day. Most days are real boring but I’m enjoying all of them.”
“I’m glad.” You lean up and kiss him.