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Today was the day! Koutarou would finally get to go to the cat cafe! He had been waiting for this for forever! Granted, he only knew about the cafe since like the previous week, but today was the day!
“Akaashi! Let’s go to the cat cafe after school!!” Koutarou could practically feel like he was about to take off! He could sprout wings and fly at any second, he just knew it. He could hear his underclassman, Akaashi Keiji, let out a slight sigh.
“Bokuto-san, please. Don’t we have practice?” Koutarou pumped his arm into the air as he replied, “Nope! Remember? Coach said they’re cleaning the gym today! So~ I want to go to the cat cafe! Let’s go!!”
Akaashi looked as if he was surprised Koutarou remembered something that the 2nd year didn’t. But that just goes to show, there’s a reason Koutarou was the captain of the team, and the ace. The ace knew all, Koutarou crossed his arms and nodded his head, pleased with himself.
Koutarou didn’t give Akaashi much of a choice in the matter as he dragged his friend out of the school grounds. It wasn’t too far of a walk to the station. It wasn’t that much farther of a journey to the cafe Koutarou had heard about from one of his classmates. He had been eavesdropping on a couple of girls in his class during lunch, they had been talking about a cute cat cafe that had just opened and was doing really well. They could pet the cats and even adopt them if they found they bonded with them! Koutarou had never owned an animal before, but he couldn’t wait to rub his bond with a new cat in his Nekoma friend, Kuroo Tetsurou’s face!
Akaashi and Koutarou spoke about nonsensical things, the team, school, what they had for lunch. Life was never dull when Koutarou was on the case! Once they arrived at the cafe, Koutarou couldn’t help the tiny squawk of excitement he let out. He could already see the cats! This was the best day of Koutarou’s life! The two opened the door and immediately the ambiance of the place hit Koutarou. It smelled like a sweets shop! He could see a counter in the back that had a whole little kitchen area that they could probably order snacks and drinks from. There was a small room they had just walked into that had another door that actually led to the cafe. Probably so that no cats could escape, or they had a lower chance, smart move! A cafe worker greeted them as they entered the second door, and told them about the experience of the cafe.
It wasn’t required to purchase food or drinks, but it was strongly encouraged due to that being the way they paid for the food and upkeep of the cats. Koutarou was going to buy a big dessert! And even a drink too! Akaashi seemed to listen well to the worker, nodding along and making sure he knew what to do in case anything happened.
The two of them ordered both a dessert and drink, and went to wait at a table while they were already surrounded by cats. There were so many of them! Koutarou couldn’t believe it, he wished he had more than two hands! He’d be using them all to put more and more cats! Akaashi was smiling as he was petting some as well. Koutarou could tell his face was beaming, he couldn’t help it.
As their ordered arrived, they settled with their desserts and drinks and just basked in the atmosphere of the place. Once the initial newness of the two of them wore off, most of the big clowder of cats had dissipated. None really seemed like they were super bonded to Koutarou yet though, how could he rub it in Kuroo’s face later! Koutarou used some of the cat toys to play with them, when he noticed one cat that hadn’t gotten up to greet them at all was in one of the many cat trees and looking at him with a snide side-eye. The cat had the most beautiful yellow eyes that Koutarou had ever seen, fur bright orange it almost looked blond. Koutarou could tell the cat was sassy, as he walked up to the cat tree. The two boys had been given treats to give out sparingly, and Koutarou took one out and offered it to the sassy cat.
The cat looked as though the treat was beneath it, but did sniff at Koutarou’s hand before taking the treat gingerly. One of the cafe workers walked up to Koutarou, “Oh, that’s surprising! He doesn’t like strangers at all, and loud ones at that~.”
Koutarou laughed good-naturedly at that, he knew he could be loud. But that was what made him so awesome! He took out another treat and fed it to the sassy cat again, before taking his fingers and slowly rubbing the top of the cat’s head. Green eyes looked at Koutarou as though he was an annoyance, but after another hesitant sniff, bumped his head on Koutarou’s hand. The worker explained that the cat hadn’t been there for too long, had come in as a stray and was dubbed “Mango” while he was with them. He didn’t like playing with other cats that much, and didn’t like loud noises.
Mango slowly stood from his cat tree perch and stretched, before jumping down onto the floor to begin circling between Koutarou’s legs. Koutarou made his way back over to the table he and Akaashi were at, and Akaashi looked pretty surprised at the display of a cat weaving through Koutarou’s legs to avoid getting stepped on.
Koutarou sat back at the table and Mango immediately jumped into his lap, “Hey, Bokuto-san. Doesn’t that cat look like Tsukishima? He’s blond and everything.”
Koutarou almost let out a whoop as he agreed, Mango looking up at him and almost glowering at the noise, but settled back down after Koutarou dropped his arms again.
“You’re right! Do you have his number? We gotta call him and tell him!” Koutarou quickly pulled Akaashi’s phone away as he had found Tsukishima Kei’s number, one of his many disciple in volleyball, aside from the fact that he went to a different high school.
The phone rung before the screen lit up, “Yes, Akaashi-san? What is it you needed?”
Koutarou let out a, “Hey hey, Tsukishima! We found a cat that looks just like you!”
He heard a “Ah, Bokuto-san.” before Koutarou had the phone pulled away and Akaashi explained the ‘situation’ to Tsukishima.
“Tsukki! I’m gonna adopt him! He loves me!” Koutarou heard a sigh from the other end of the phone even from where he sat with Mango. Akaashi also sighed a bit, already guessing that was what Koutarou would be doing.
Koutarou did end up adopting Mango, the cafe workers very eager that Mango had found a home. He and Akaashi quickly went to a pet store only a couple blocks away, Akaashi researching and naming different things needed for a cat.
Koutarou ended up having to explain to his parents that his new cat was definitely a needed thing! He loved cats! Even though he had never mentioned wanting an animal ever, of course he could take care of him!
It was the weekend, and Koutarou had had Akaashi invite Tsukishima to his house, on the promise that the two of them, namely Akaashi, would help Tsukishima with any studying he wanted. But Koutarou mostly wanted him to meet Mango! Mango had really been living like a king. He slept with Koutarou almost every night, if he didn’t he could usually be found in the cat tree Koutarou had purchased in the corner of his bedroom.
“Tsukki! Look at Mango! He likes you!” Mango has been bumping his head against Tsukishim’a knee from where they were all sitting in a circle around Koutarou’s study table on the floor of his room. Mango proceeded to jump onto the table and sit in the middle of the strewn papers, books and miscellaneous writing utensils. Tsukishima raised his hand for Mango to sniff, they really did look alike, Koutarou noticed more and more. They could be twins! If not for one being feline and the other human of course. Tsukishima smiled a bit as Mango licked his hand and rubbed his head against it, asking for more pets. Tsukishima obliged as he asked Akaashi a question about his homework.
“I’m not usually one to like cats, but he’s pretty cute.” Tsukishima mumbled, his face a bit red. Koutarou decided that the both of them were cute, and he said as much. Tsukishima started full on blushing now, and holy crap, that was even cuter! Akaashi cleared his throat and answered Tsukishima’s previous question, the two of them soon getting into a conversation about it.
Koutarou needed to invite Tsukishima over again soon, they could have a play date for Mango! He said as much, and Tsukishima looked over at Koutarou and smiled, nodding, “Sure, that sounds like a good plan, Bokuto-san.”
Koutarou had been pretty sure nothing could beat the day he went to the cat cafe and adopted Mango, but now it was starting to be overshadowed by Tsukishima’s smile. He hoped to see more of them in the future! Mango settled himself onto Koutarou’s lap and started purring. Okay, nope, this was definitely the best day of his life. He snapped a quick photo to send to Kuroo with the caption, “Suck on this! He loves me!” while Tsukishima and Akaashi each chuckled softly at his antics.
Best day ever!