Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Okarun didn't transform back into his normal (his new normal) self right away after getting the fur quite literally scared out of his skin. It wasn't that he was holding it against Jiji, or that he was upset, necessarily; he just couldn't calm down enough to release his transformation out of his Turbo (Neko?) Form. 

That was, until Momo let him sprawl out over her lap and scratched behind his ears.

… well, more like he invited himself after kinda pushing her over.

He had taken his time coming down from Momo’s bed, giving only quiet half responses when both Momo and Jiji reacted to his spontaneous transformation.

“Woah, dude!! Are you okay!?” Jiji, already ridden with guilt over scaring his friend, immediately voiced his concern for Ken.

A sigh.

Momo gawked at his transformation, none of them having expected this. “You have your Turbo Mode again!?”

A shrug.

Jiji tried his best to express his deep contrition, “Okabro, I’m so sorry!! I really didn’t mean to scare you!! Honest!!” 

An ear flick. A quiet grunt.

“… Okarun?” Momo mindfully watched his slinking movements, doing her best to read him as he remained otherwise silent, “Are you… hey, what’s wrong?” 

He only looked at Momo with those familiar red and gold eyes of his, the color oddly comforting after having not seen them in so long, even with the new slitted pupils. The glow was accentuated by the stark white fuzz that covered his ghostly skin, shining brighter as he sulked closer to her, completely ignoring Jiji.

As much as his yokai form was a sight for sore eyes, Momo couldn’t stand seeing him look so depressed again. “Okarun, what’s going on, buddy?” She started to get up-!

He rapidly crouched down, his gaunt figure somehow perfectly curling over with impossible flexibility as he sat on his haunches. Having those burning irises suddenly level with her face was startling, to say the least, especially when he shot forward, bumping his forehead against her face and followed through with his cheek rubbing against her own, his ears perked up at full attention as he made her fall backward onto her rear. As soon as she propped herself up, with a few spewed profanities dipped in confusion, he flopped over onto her lap, hugging around her midriff as his entire body trembled with deep purrs. He hid his face into her belly, nuzzling over her shirt as he continued to remain mute.

Jiji gawked at the blatant display of affection, almost more alarmed than Momo herself, “Wha- dude! Talk about direct!”

At Jiji’s voice, Okarun’s black ears all but vanished underneath his white mane when they flicked back, his grip around her torso tightening as his purring became more powerful-

‘… cats don’t only purr when they’re happy.’ Momo’s breath hitched when she remembered something she’d read a while back about cats (she’d always wanted one, and Turbo Granny did not count, as catty as she was). She immediately rested one hand over Okarun’s upper back, where his spirit flames always gathered and flared out, when she turned to Jiji, “H-hey! Quiet down… I think you’re making him more nervous.” She shuffled in place a bit, pushing the oversized cat down so she could sit up properly and use both hands to comfort him, one still gently scratching over his flickering flames while she started carding her fingers through his wispy, white and red hair with her other. It was softer than she ever remembered, almost like bunny fur, rather than normal cat fur. His starry peach fuzz was delightfully velvety too, making her want to explore the texture; later, when he wasn’t a stretched out ball of nerves.

“O-oh!” Jiji crouched down slowly, immediately understanding the situation better. He kept his voice low, whispering, “Is he gonna be-!?” He quickly clapped a hand over his mouth to stop a sharp gasp from slipping out, taking a moment to breathe and temper his excitement, when he smiled, “He has a tail? That’s so cooool~”

Momo grinned too, nodding her head, “Yeah. He has a tail. He's also got ears and t-”

Okarun clenched his hands, his claws lightly poking her as he shook with tension.

‘… ah. I got it. Don’t mention the toe beans yet. Message received, Okarun.’ She recovered, “He’s got a few other cat things going on too, but… he’s not exactly happy about it, ya know?”

Jiji made a quiet, “Oh,” before nodding in understanding. “Gotcha. Man, that’s… that’s rough.” Carefully, he patted Okarun’s shoulder, “Hey, bro! No need to get embarrassed like that. At least you get to keep your clothes on when you transform!”

Momo gasped, immediately smacking the goofball’s arm, “Jiji! Oh my God, I can't believe you right now! This is serious-?”

Okarun started shaking, just a little at first, but then a loud snort and following chortles started tumbling out from him. He shyly looked up at Jiji, trying to get ahold of himself, “That's- pfft!- that's true. Glad I'm-” He giggled. He actually giggled, the sound making Momo stop breathing altogether as he quaked against her body, “g-glad I'm not naked. That… that would've been worse…” His ears finally perked up, no longer hidden by his white mane, “Thanks, Jiji. I feel a little better, yo.” 

Momo eased up (after recovering from hearing his laughter in his yokai form, because fuck she did not know he could laugh like that), glancing at her childhood friend in awe. She had no idea he'd know exactly how to cheer up Okarun so easily… but, then again, she figured it was because they truly were good friends now, maybe even best friends. 

Jiji grinned, “Good! I'm glad, buddy!” He sat down, trying to keep the relaxed vibe going, “Does it feel weird? You know,” he tilted his head a little bit as he gestured with his chin, “the tail?” 

Okarun bunched up his eyebrows, flicking said limb a bit as he released Momo’s torso and rested his chin on his crossed arms, “No… that's the weird part. Feels completely normal, like I've had it my whole life, yo. Same with these things.” He wiggled his ears as he despondently sighed, closing his eyes with gloom sinking in around him, “I just-!”

Momo couldn't hold it in, squealing softly with a hand quickly slamming over her mouth as she broke from the sheer cuteness of the simple movements of his fuzzy ears. 

“Momo-chan… why, yo?” His blush showed even through the white fuzz over his cheeks, his stripes glowing brighter even as he tried to hide his face in his arms, his tail twitching in shame. “‘m not tryna be cute, ya know-!!”

She couldn't help herself. She carded her fingers back into his hair, scratching lightly against the base of one of his frustratingly soft ears. She loved how both of his ears popped up straight, how his entire body jolted, before melting into a puddle of bubbly purrs under her gentle scritches, “I know, but I can't help it! You're just too impossible to resist!” 

He keened a little, but gave in to the sensation, pressing his head up into her palms. His form began to shrink, his white fuzz receding and his skin tone regaining his healthy color as his hair darkened to black once again. His stripes lingered the longest, the happy glow shining through even in his human form as he finally felt relaxed enough to escape his yokai self. “M-Momooo…” he bashfully plopped his cheek against her collarbone, nuzzling as she continued to pet him with wonder twinkling in her eyes. 

“Woah! He transformed back!” Jiji reached over to scratch behind Okarun's other ear, delighted by the unexpected softness of his hair, “Dude, how is your hair so soft?? It feels so dense, too!” 

Momo giggled, “I don't think he can answer that right now.” He was reduced to a mess of purrs and trills, after all, not a single other word perched on the tip of his tongue besides her name. She glanced really quick at Jiji, whispering, “Hey, watch this,” before lightly grazing her fingernails against Okarun's chin. 

The boy instantly slipped and flopped back onto her lap, rolling over with his belly exposed and his hands clasped into little fists, his purring rumbling like a total motorboat as he drunkenly accepted more and more physical affection. All thoughts halted entirely as he soaked in the comfort Momo readily provided.

Jiji covered his face as he fought back his coos, “Oh my gosh, he's totally in nirvana right now.”

Momo nodded, watching as Okarun slowly arched backwards as he stretched out his entire body underneath her touch, before coiling back around and hugging her around her torso. Her legs were completely asleep now, but she didn't care; her friend was too cute to be troubled by that-

… was he… just a friend? 

Wasn't he… about to kiss her? 

Was she about to kiss him?

………

Well, she did kiss his finger pads… and he technically confessed a second time…

Jiji spoke up, “Hey, Momo?”

She absentmindedly continued to pet Okarun's hair, his ears flicking just a little at her strokes.

Jiji again called her name, poking her upper arm, “Momo… I think he fell asleep.” 

“Huh?” She paused her petting, realizing she indeed could not hear Okarun's purring anymore. There was a slight rumble she felt against her legs, but Jiji was right: Okarun was completely knocked out, snoring quietly as he slept on her lap. She quietly whisper-shouted in alarm, “What the- how did he fall asleep so fast??” 

Jiji pointed at her hands, “Seriously? You were petting him like crazy, Momo! You totally pressed his off button! Everyone knows how quickly cats can slip into their notorious catnaps when they're comfortable enough!” He lifted his eyebrows, as he hooded his eyelids, “And boy, does he have the best seat in the house. Can't blame him for zonking out when the cutest girl ever is petting him and letting him stay put on her lap.” 

She blinked a few times, before muttering with her cheeks and ears enflamed, “I meant… like how he could fall asleep so quickly in general… it was rhetorical.” 

“Sure it was,” he knowingly waggled his eyebrows. He leaned in, his grin turning ridiculously impish at that point, “You like him, don't you, Momo?”

“Hah??”’ She just barely stopped herself from squawking out loud, not wanting to freak Okarun out again.

Jiji snickered, “Face it, girlie, you fell for the kitty-cat cuteness. He was too much for ya, and now you can't hide it~” He crossed his arms as he sat up straight, “Maaaaan… Okarun really did get lucky! Ugh, I can't compete with pure concentrated cuteness! It's no fair… uh, although… I guess it balances out; he's got all the cat stuff messin’ with him, too.”

“Wha… what are you even saying?” Momo couldn't look at either boy, her entire head feeling ridiculously hot, almost as hot as her legs trapped underneath the living heat blanket that was Okarun. He was so warm. “Q-quit being dumb… I’m not so shallow as to love him just for being a cat, you jerk.” 

“Oh-ho-ho, love?” He went wide eyed, “I was just saying that you simply can't ignore him now, but love? I had no idea it was this serious!” 

Momo’s breath hitched, whirling around to face Jiji, “Wha-!?”

He merely snickered, “Oh, come on, Momo! You don't say anything lightly. That must mean you're totes head over heels for him. Damn, I really never had a chance, huh?” Despite the downer words, he didn't falter, gently patting Momo’s head, “Hey! If anything, I'm super glad it's him that you love. I trust Okabro more than anyone to take care of you… and I trust you more than anyone to take good care of him. He’s my best buddy, so treat him good, Momo! I've got my eyes on you two.” 

She didn't bother trying to swipe at his hands, instead scrunching her own into Okarun's hair and shirt, eliciting a few sleepy murmurs from the cat-boy. “Kn-knock it off… ‘m not gonna do anything to hurt him.” 

“I don't doubt it. Just sayin’, is all.” He tilted his head up towards the ceiling, “Huh… ya know, we're making a lot of noise. I'm surprised Auntie Seiko hasn't come out yet to yell at-!!”

“What's the point of yellin’ at ya morons to quiet down?” 

Momo and Jiji both jolted, but stopped themselves from making any noises louder than their sharp breaths to prevent Okarun from waking up.

Seiko was leaned up against the doorframe, having watched them for the past few minutes. “You already quieted down for the Wonder Nerd’s sake. Yelling now would just make him god out again, and I'm not lookin’ forward to patching up the floor, walls and ceiling if his claws get involved.” She pushed off the frame, tilting her head, “Breakfast will be done in twenty. Get up and get dressed. Wake the Wonder Nerd up. It's not the end of the world if you move him.” 

“Okay, Auntie-”

“Ugh, ‘kay ya hag-”

Momo and Jiji simultaneously paused. 

… god out?

They looked at each other, knowing they both were baffled by the wording choice Seiko made. 

“Waaait…” Jiji nervously sweated, “Did… did your grandma actually mean…?”

Momo drew her eyebrows together, perfectly matching Jiji’s anxious vibes, “I… I'm not sure… that can't be…”

They both looked down at the still sleeping Okarun, the teen snoring peacefully away in Momo’s lap as his tail curled up at the very tip in steady rhythm with his breathing. 

Ken yawned, struggling to stay seated upright at the table as he waited with his friends for Seiko to finish cooking up another marvelous breakfast for them. Strangely enough, he didn't necessarily feel tired, more so comfortable. Coziness followed closely after him, even after getting gently woken up by Momo and Jiji. He didn't know if it was just the cat talking or if he himself genuinely wanted to just slip away and curl up into a ball to enjoy the peace he's never felt before in his mind.

‘Ugh… still can't believe how much I was clinging to Momo-ch-’ He bit his tongue, not wanting to let anyone at the table know how much he was beating himself up on the inside over his thoughts, ‘I can't even say her name without the informality in my brain, now!! Shit… this is bad. Really, really bad. Gah, get a grip, Ken!! That's not even cat behavior!! Why are you like this-’

“Okarun?” 

“Brrr?” 

…

Ken pointedly chose to ignore Vamola and Jiji seated across from him and Momo, but he knew the two of them were making expressions out of cuteness overload. ‘Goddamnit…’

Momo, to her credit, hid her reaction from him behind her hand, only a few high pitched giggles slipping out. “U-um… so, you feelin’ okay?”

He furrowed his brows, “Huh? Y…” he yawned, “y-yeah? I'm fine, just really relaxed. Why? What's up, yo?” His ears swiveled as he tried to take in what was possibly bringing Momo’s mood down. He wasn't coming off as exhausted, was h- he literally just yawned. ‘Sh-shit!! Momo’s probably worried as heck!!’

She rapidly shook her head, “N-nothing! It's, uh… pretty sure it's nothing!” 

Jiji loudly cleared his throat.

Ken narrowed his eyes at them both, sensing their anxiety. Luckily (hhh, he really did not like that word now), he didn’t feel the need to react to their nerves like he did last night with Momo. He felt a semblance more in control over the new instincts awaiting his beck and call, everything having settled neatly inside of his new body. So, instead of jumping up and bolting away to go hide from imaginary danger, he addressed them both head on, “Alright… something's going on. What? Did I do something else that was super embarrassing while sleeping? I already apologized for glomping onto Momo-chan when in yokai mode-” 

… damn it. He sharply inhaled, and exhaled with an exasperated look, apologizing to his dear friend, “Sorry. Did it again, yo.” 

Momo shook her head, holding onto his arm, “No, it's okay, Okarun! I… I already kinda sorta c-confirmed… that I l-like you calling me… that.” She looked up at him with a certain sweetness in her eyes as she mumbled, “Please… keep calling me that-!!”

“Takakura loves Momo!!” Vamola cheered, Jiji sputtering at how confident her statement was. 

Ken squawked as he flattened his ears, his cheeks burning horribly, even more than they already were at Momo’s request. “V-Vamola-chan! Don't shout that out! Please.”

Jiji gawked between them, “Wait, Vamola knew too??” 

Momo shouted as soon as it registered what was implied, “Hah!? They both knew!?” 

Ken grimaced under the burning gaze from Momo, letting his head hang low a bit while he fidgeted with his glasses, “Jiji… figured it out on his own-”

“Yep! Picked up on it super quick!” He snickered, “We were officially rivals ever since we went to exorcise my house!”

Ken nodded, continuing, “A-and Vamola… I, uh, kinda confessed to her when she thought she wanted to marry me… that I love you… um…!! GAH, MOMO-CHAN!!” 

Momo grappled onto his arm, shaking him violently back and forth, “YOU TOLD VAMOLA BEFORE YOU TOLD ME??” 

“ACK- YES- I- DID- SO- RRY- MO- MO-!!” 

Vamola cried out, “Momo! That'll do! No more!” 

Jiji looked about ready to go over and break up the squabble, “Woah!! Don't shake the guy's brains out!!” 

Momo gave one final shove before releasing Ken from her wrathful shaking, the cat-boy tumbling over from dizziness. “UGH!! I can't believe you!! Why didn't you tell me??” 

He cried out despite his head still spinning, “Momo-chan, did you seriously just ask that!? Of course I didn't go and tell you!! What if that had ruined our friendship if you didn't like me like that-”

“Dummy!! It wouldn't have!!” She puffed her cheeks out as she indignantly turned her whole body away from him, pouting.

He propped himself up, still too spun out to sit correctly, “H-how was I supposed to know that? Momo, I can't predict the future or read minds! I didn't want to mess everything up!”

“Even after I left you that note??” 

He jerked in place when she hissed at him with her sharp words. 

Jiji went wide-eyed, “Hey, wait; what note?”

Ken was about to cover and fib that it wasn't anything important on reflex, but instead he brusquely yelped, “I-it's a secret!! It's between me and Momo only!! It's special to me… and yes, Momo-chan,” he forced himself upright, reaching over to her to turn her face to look at him. He was thankful that she didn't stop him when she jolted, even if it was just shock from him being so bold for once, “I was being stupid about it; wasn't tryin’ to deny that. I just… I couldn't imagine someone so incredible as you would ever love a guy like me. I justified it as you just being playful, rather than genuine. I should've known better. I'm so sorry for not telling you sooner… waiting until the last second to confess like I did…” 

Jiji didn't say anything, not wanting to interrupt, but his shock was palpable in the air; after all, the only people who knew Ken confessed were Turbo Granny, Officer Bega, Rokuro and probably Seiko (because Heaven only knows what that psychic knew). This was still news to everyone else. 

Momo slowly stopped her defiant pouting, unraveling under his deliberate touch. “O…karun…” 

He couldn't handle how the pink in her eyes lit up when she finally met his gaze, how her features softened as her frustration with him dissipated. He chuckled sweetly, “There you are,” wanting to savor the delicacy of her looking so tenderly back at him, knowing his own expression must've had a similar, if not the same exact love stricken look to it-

“I'm kickin' you both out of the house if y’all decide to start snoggin’ at the table.” The two jumped away from each other the very moment Seiko roughly placed down the wok she had used to make a delicious smelling grand scramble filled with veggies and cheese (a very American styled breakfast, something Ken quietly loved, hadn't exactly gone out of his way to tell anyone that, and had a sneaking suspicion Seiko chose the meal on purpose). “No makin' out at the table or in the kitchen, let alone with an audience!” 

“W-we weren't making out!!” Momo cried out, Ken nodding frantically in agreement.

“Peh. Pathetic…” Turbo Granny muttered as she came walking into the dining room, the cracks in her doll body having miraculously “healed”. She sat down next to Vamola, waiting as patiently as she could for her serving of food, “Can't believe it took ya gettin’ mixed up in the head by that cat god to finally end all that icky pining.” 

“Ugh, quit saying that I was-” Ken, while at first was pretty damn annoyed by getting called pathetic over his insecurities at the time, quickly stopped and asked, “Huh? Cat god? What are you-”

That… that dream… the rainbow clouds… cats of all colors… the maneki neko that talked into his head and turned into that giant panther…

He could've sworn he felt his aura shift inside of him, his triangular ears ringing and his hair puffing up after a shudder racked his spine. Was… was that dream really…?

Vamola pointed at her own head and his own repeatedly, “Takakura’s hair goes poof?”

Jiji cooed, “Awww!! It's so c- uh…” 

Ken’s ear flicked, releasing the air that had been locked in his chest. No, there was no need getting stuck on what the crone was saying; she was probably just being sarcastic, anyway! He directed his attention to his friend, a hollow smile twitching at the corner of his lips, “Just call it what it is, Jiji. It's fine.” 

“Y-you sure, bud?” Jiji furrowed his brows, picking up on the lack of genuine emotion in Ken’s expression, “I know that you're not exactly cool with being called cute so much. I feel bad about it.” 

He only shrugged, too tired over everything to care, “I'd feel worse if you lied. I know: I'm cute. Hair fluffing up? It's cute. It's fine, really-” 

“Hell yeah it is…” 

He turned to give Momo an incredulous stare, scrunching his nose at her, “Well, you could at least pretend to not be so into it, Momo-chan. Ugh…” 

“Thought you said you'd feel worse if we lied,” she batted back, refusing to look him in the eyes, the heat in her cheeks nearly drawing him in. 

“It's not a lie if you don't say anything.” He felt the growl rising up as his ears flicked back before any of them heard it, but he wasn't about to try stopping it, not that he would've been able to in the first place. It felt right, and he wasn't about to deny the instincts bouncing around the walls of his soul-!?

Momo plopped her hand down on his head, scritching behind his ears. Sweet, enticing electricity shot through him, stripping him of all thought, all the while leaving behind cozy warmth in its wake. She giggled triumphantly when he fell over and landed sprawled out over her lap, his purring loud and bubbling like a volcano ready to burst. 

 However, she slowed down her petting, allowing his brain to function enough to process her words, “Hey… it's okay if you're cute, Okarun. It's not a bad thing. I really love your cuteness… especially the stuff that came before.” To emphasize her unexpected confession, she palmed his cheek and chin, staring into his round eyes as his pupils blew wide open.

He couldn't believe it, making a small trill in alarm. As if hearing his unspoken question, she switched to delicately pinching the apple of his cheek, reveling in its squishiness and the squeak he made, “You've always been cute. The absolute cutest ever. But also, you're still so freaking cool. Super brave and dependable, too. Totally badass.” 

“M-Mo…mo…” He marveled at her earnest words, understanding that she meant it. She was being for real with him, he could sense it-

“Yeah, dude!” Jiji pointed at himself, along with the spirit that resided in him, “Did you forget who's the one who stopped Evil Eye and helped make him become more friendly? That was all you, dude!! That was totally badass!!” 

“Takakura amazing!” Vamola nodded her head repeatedly, holding her fists up in front of her in a determined position. Yeah, with everything that happened when she came into their lives, no one could deny how much Ken went through and what he accomplished… and most of them weren't even aware of his astral projecting. 

“Y-you guys…” His ears drooped low, but not from sorrow. He just couldn't handle all of their reassurances, tears beginning to bead up-!

“Oi, Four-Eyes,” Seiko set down all of their plates in a stack, “Don't think for a second that any of us aren't being genuine, either. The cat god inside of ya wouldn't have shown up at all if that weren't the case.”

“E-eh??” He couldn’t help but fidget at the confirmation of what was inside of him. He sprung up into a stiff seated position, although there was a brief moment where he wanted to flop right on back onto Momo’s lap when he felt her disappointment. He held a hand over his chest, his claws catching on the fabric of his shirt, “Th-there’s… so there’s really…?”

Seiko passed out the silverware, the forks being easier tools to deal with the eggs, “Yeeep… got a good ol’ fashioned kami nestled right there inside your soul. Made himself comfortable too, changin’ the shape of your aura to his whims. Why else do you think your physical body changed so much along with your new powers?”

His ears flicked back, “I-I wouldn’t know! This has never happened to me before!”

“Bullshit,” Turbo Granny cackled, “your scrawny-ass physique already changed to better handle my powers!”

He hissed at the cat doll, his markings partially shining through his human form as his irises flashed red, “That was from me training and running for my freaking life almost every damn day, ya murder cat!”

Seiko interjected, “Settle down, you two; but kid, the cat’s got a point. You did develop at rapid speed. Granted, there’s no denying that you put in dedicated effort, and I know you still do, but even this old hag’s aura altered things along with your training. It wasn't as drastic, but it was still something. It helped you on top of your hard work… ironically, the curse was more natural than this blessing you received.”

He rubbed his arms, feeling his skin prickle from the fur that was somehow hidden underneath, waiting to burst out and cover him in snowy white fluff. Yes, while this new power felt significantly less straining on his body, it did feel more invasive, fickle and yet- 

It hit him like a headshot, how this power behaved within him. “Oh my God, it’s like there's an over affectionate cat inside of me.”

Seiko pointed a finger gun at him, “Bingo, kid. Got the Maneki Neko latched right onto ya real good. Decided to make you his resident vessel, on top of the forcibly given luck powers. You're his human, now.” She started passing out the dishes, “But enough of that. Livin’ beings and eatin’. Nothing bad’s happening, so enjoy the meal in front of you before you go to school.”

Momo frowned, “What?? You’re really gonna make Okarun go to school today!?”

Seiko gave her granddaughter a deceivingly nonchalant side eye, “He’s still human and ain’t freaking out anymore. What? Do you really expect me to make him stay home over ears and a tail no one without spiritual sensitivity can see?”

Momo gestured with both hands, “He’s got cat behaviors!”

Seiko raised an eyebrow, “And that changes what, exactly?”

Ken, Momo and Jiji all took a pause at that, Vamola seemingly too excited over breakfast to really mind the conversation.

Jiji rubbed his chin, “Yeaaah… what does that change?”

Ken squawked in bewilderment, “Huh!?”

“Wha- what do you mean, Jiji!?” Momo waved her hands around, “It changes so much!! He’s all super cuddly, a-and he purrs!!”

Jiji shrugged, directing his upturned hand at Ken, “You two kinda were already super touchy-feely before that, and we all heard him make rumblies when in his Turbo Form around you. That’s kinda purring, ain’t it? Really, all that’s changed is you two becoming a couple-”

Ken nearly screamed at that, “WHA!?!? W-WE’RE NOT-”

“Jiji!! That’s besides the point!! The cat stuff is totally different!!”

He froze solid, his ears stuck straight up and his tail shooting out stiff like an antenna. With a few, rigid jerks, he managed to slowly crank his head to the side to see Momo, whose face was glowing bright crimson yet again, her warmth singing in distant siren song to him. He squeaked out, “M-Momo…?” unable to manage anything beyond that.

She refused to look at him, but she still wordlessly snaked her arms around his closest to her, hiding her face from him as she pressed her burning cheek to his arm, the heat from it seeping through the fabric of his long sleeves. He could feel, even hear her heartbeat thundering away, her shyness making his chest explode in unsure, yet excited purrs and trills.

Seiko narrowed her sienna eyes at the two, “Hey… I meant it when I said no lovey-dovey shit at the table. It's time to eat.” 

Ken yiped, “Y-yes, ma’am-!?”

Momo only scooted closer to him, “Oh, knock it off, Gran! We're not kissin’ or anything! He's my designated backrest.” She released his arm, but true to her snippy retort, she stayed leaned up fully against his left side. 

He didn't even notice when he curled his tail around her side and thigh opposite of him, but he didn't exactly find the will to move it away from her despite being hyper aware of her presence, curling and relaxing the very tip of the fluffy limb repetitively in smooth tempo, unlike his rabbiting heart. He knew there was no hiding just how much he loved the proximity, his damned purring and bubbling broadcasting it like a ham radio to everyone in the house. He couldn’t help himself; they just spilled out and over, his heart unable to take it-! He nearly squealed when Momo’s response and actions left little to the imagination of what they were now. Were they…? Were they really…?

Seiko measured them up, before huffing, “That’ll do. You’re on thin ice though, brat. Ken, don’t let her walk all over you. You’re allowed to tell my trouble-maker of a granddaughter ‘no’ if it comes down to it.”

His ears flicked, trying not to bury his nose into Momo’s hair when he turned to fully face Seiko to the best of his ability, “Of course. I know when to say no to her, Seiko-chan- er-”

She waved him off, “The nickname’s fine, kid. Kinda missed that more familiar tone. You’re family now, Four-Eyes. Deal with it.”

He hadn’t even started eating, and yet he found himself all choked up. He bashfully pounded his fist against his chest, looking away from everyone. The cat inside of him wanted to go run, hide and sulk in a dark spot, away from the overwhelming love getting dumped on him… although, both parts of his brain agreed that being up against Momo was much too comfy to abandon just because he was feeling embarrassed as Hell. “Y-yes, m- Seiko-chan,” he mewled out, no louder than a squeak-!

Momo chuckled, “Did you just realize that, Okarun? You’re always welcomed here! Of course you’re family-”

“Especially after you two get m-!!”

Jiji promptly shut up when Momo all too threateningly lifted up his fork with her ghost hand, brandishing it right in front of his face, ready to stab his eyes if he so much as dared to finish that sentence.

“Haha, shutting up!” He lifted shaky, placating hands, “It was just a joke, girl!”

“We both know you were being serious, Jiji,” she growled.

Ken looked between them and Vamola, who was already happily munching away at her share of the meal-

The alien girl piped up, “Takakura and Momo getting married?”

Momo had started eating, so Ken had no excuse for choking a second time in the span of less than two minutes, meanwhile Momo quickly swallowed the bite in her mouth, controlling her shock best she could, since their innocent friend didn't mean anything bad by her genuine question-

Seiko hit the final nail in their shared coffin, completely nonchalant, when she shrugged, “Maybe someday soon, especially at this rate. Surprised Momo hasn’t changed her family name to Takakura yet- or even more likely, Ken’s to Aya-” 

So much for Momo not choking. In a fit of uncontrollable dramatics, she flung herself backwards, landing directly on Ken’s tail. A sharp yowl shot out from his throat, his entire back going rigid as he strained not to leap up and vault around the place just because she slammed a bit hard on his sensitive, new limb. Tears collected in his eyes as he shakily brought his curled fist to his mouth, telling his heart to calm down, especially when Momo frantically rolled off of his tail and gently picked it up, begging him for forgiveness as she tended to it. 

Even as they all walked to their school, Momo still held a cloud of guilt over herself. While Jiji and Vamola goofed off ahead of them, Momo and Ken walked side by side… to an extent. Momo kept space between them, much to his frustration.

“Momooo…” He whined her name, his ears hidden underneath his messy hair from how low they folded against his head, “You’re avoiding me! Quit it!”

She jolted with a stutter-step, backing even further away from him with a stricken noise tumbling from her, “H-wah!? I’m- n-no I’m not!!”

“Yes, you are! You just moved even more away from me!”

She took another step back, be it intentional or not, “I’m not- I didn’t-”

He couldn’t take it anymore, especially after she continued to increase the widening gap between them- and right after he pointed it out, too! It felt like she was ripping him apart. He just couldn’t handle…

He pounced on her.

“ACK!! OKA- WH-WHAT ARE YOU-!?”

He latched onto her arm, clinging to it like a lifeline. Ladened purrs started quivering in his chest, nothing like the cozy ones from earlier, his ears remaining hidden under his disheveled hair… he looked up at her face, his pupils wide in his large eyes, the same look that he knew now for sure she had a weak spot for when her breath hitched as she got lost in their deep, kōcha color. Once he knew he had her full attention, he swiveled his ears up, one slightly after the other, emphasizing the hesitancy, before resting his chin right on her shoulder. 

He could practically hear her heart getting struck by his absolutely weaponized cuteness. She was caught right in the palm of his clawed hand.

“Momo-chan… you’ve been avoiding me since breakfast, yo. Was it because of what Seiko-chan said?” He flicked his tail, the limb having long since recovered from the incident, “Or was it because of my tail? You do know that I’m not upset over that, right? It was more startling than painful, you know. I’m more hurt by you making this superficial barrier between us…” He carried it home with a final attack, hugging her arm more as he rubbed his cheek on her, “It makes me wilt, yo…”

She shattered into millions of pieces, doing everything she could not to scream out from his little onslaught on her heart. He would’ve felt a bit more guilty for the potency of his attacks, had it not been for her hurtful, evasive behavior. 

“O-Okarun,” she finally managed to get out over the strained squeaks from her deflating lungs, “I-it’s… it’s not… o-okay, m… maybe just a little…” She turned her head away from him, collecting her bearings to the best of her ability (wow, maybe his actions were a bit too affective), before she finally mumbled, “You screamed so loud… I thought I seriously hurt you.”

He lifted his head, “What? Momo-chan, cats make loud cries whenever they’re even mildly startled or hurt. Again, I was more surprised than anything! It’s not even sore anymore! I’m fine, really. Look,” he wagged his tail to the side for her to see, “perfectly a-ok, yo! Nothing’s broken, I ain’t bleeding- I even bet, underneath the fur, that there’s not a single bruise!”

She rubbed her cheek (oh no, was she going to cry!?), letting out a choked up laugh (was she seriously going to cry!? She shouldn’t cry!! He was fine!!), “Heh… we should shave you just to make sure, jerk.”

He nearly let go of her arm at that, his whole body stiffening from the actual fear surging through him. “You wouldn’t…” 

She lightly punched his arm, “I should, for the stupid cute act you pulled on purpose. Yeah, don’t think I didn’t notice. You’re lucky it worked at all-?”

He flinched at the damn word.

She furrowed her brows, all humor settled down and replaced with growing concern, “H-hey… I was just messin’. You’re not actually making me upset with that; I would never shave you-”

“No, n-not… that…” He sighed in defeat, his ears drooping low and his tail dragging slightly on the ground. (Damn, it was rather long. He didn’t even notice.) 

They both started walking, especially when Jiji turned around to yell at them for falling behind, warning them that they’d be late if they didn’t hurry up. Momo patted his shoulder, while with her other hand, the arm trapped by his clutches, gripped onto the hem of his gakuran. “Hey… what’s wrong? I’m here… I won’t avoid you anymore.”

He chuckled dryly, “Heh, so you admit it?”

She groaned, shoving him slightly, “Asshole; I was about to apologize, but now? I’m not sorry for anything! Hmph!”

He bumped her cheek with his forehead, his purrs now bubbling from comfort yet again, “Yeah, yeah, ‘m just messing with ya. Couldn’t help myself.”

She poked his cheek, “Just because you are a cat, doesn’t mean you get to act catty, you dumb jerk.”

“I know, I know… I just couldn’t stand you dodging me.” He nuzzled up against her hand, trying not to think about how she was starting to smell more like him from all his rubbing. “Momo-chan was really stressin’ me out, yo.”

She sighed, “Sorry… I just felt really bad after that whole tail slammin’ thing.”

“I forgave you already, dork.” He brushed his tail against the back of her legs, purposely right above her leg warmers. He felt his hair and fur stand on end with pleasant tingles when she squealed, and even when she smacked his arm in retaliation.

“D-dude!! Don’t do that!!” She shook out all her limbs, chasing away the ticklish sensation to the best of her abilities while making a ridiculously adorable sound of disturbed frustration. 

“Hey!” Jiji turned again to yell at them, “You two alright?? Seriously, we’re totes gonna be late!!”

“Totes!!” Vamola parroted, mimicking Jiji’s theatrics perfectly.

Momo dragged her hand down her face, “Aaaaaagh… we’re coming, okay?? Chill the F out.”

“You’re the one screaming over there!”

Ken snorted, “He’s got a point, yo-!”

“And who’s fault is that!?” Momo yet again switched to attacking him, bopping his arm repeatedly with her cheeks puffed and grumbles under her breath…

Her face looked so… squishable. Ken’s fingers ached to reach and just… hold it. Hold her face. Squish her repeatedly. Knead his fingers into the malleable softness. No, but that wouldn’t be normal human behavior-!

He was so focused on keeping his hands to himself, that he didn’t even think to stop himself from reaching and touching her cheek with his forehead and nose, his lips too damn close to unintentionally kissing her from how they almost brushed against her skin. He squeaked, pulling away from her as soon as he realized what he was doing, his starlight, white fur starting to burst out along his arms underneath his school gakuran, his feet feeling tight in his shoes as he tried to halt the transformation best he could… unfortunately fortunate that his powers obeyed his will more than Turbo Granny’s curse ever did. He covered his lower face with his hands that were completely transformed, feeling the fuzz on his face as he mumbled a quiet, “I-I’m sorry.”

Momo visibly had to restart her brain for a second, responding a bit too quickly, “I-it’s cool! I-I don’t mind!” She must’ve only realized what she said when he let out a bewildered squeak, because she immediately clarified, “I-I-!! Okarun, you’re not doing anything wrong! It’s just cat behavior, right? Different mannerisms? It’s okay…” She looked off to the side, starting to continue walking, “I… don’t mind it… really.”

He flicked his ears back, hesitant but following along with her regardless of his nerves. He clenched a clawed hand over his coat, more and more white hair retreading as his heart calmed down. He glanced at her once, his head hung low as he instinctively hunched, a human trait he kept that the cat in him seemed to resonate all too well with- God, was this one of those things that didn’t change much hardly at all? “Momo-chan… you should mind.”

She stuttered in place, Ken immediately perking up in case he needed to catch her, but she recovered just as fast. “Okarun?? What… what do you mean? I just said you’re not doing anything wrong!”

He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck- before quickly thrusting his hand back down to his side, not liking how loose the skin there felt underneath the jacket collar, nor how rubbing that spot nearly made his brain cease functioning (oh… oh fuck; he hoped it wasn’t what he thought it was), “Th-that’s not- it is wrong! I just shoved my face into yours! That’s not how friends-”

They both took a pause when they heard Aira and Rin call out to their group… suddenly super aware of how they failed to update anyone else in their group about the visual side of things regarding Ken’s powers.

“Did any of you even tell them what happened last night?” Ken mumbled, his tail poofing up from the anxiety crawling up his spine, dragging its chilly fingers along his back.

“U-um…” Momo looked up at him, nearly patting her pocket from the remnants of her habitual holding spot, “I don’t have a phone yet. Jiji’s the only one who has one between the four of us at the house, but… I'm pretty sure he forgot to text the group chat.” She snuck her hand into his, not minding the fuzz that began sprouting out once again from his rising stress. 

Even with the physical reassurance, Ken dreaded facing the others. He wasn’t even sure why; Momo and Jiji treated him no differently, Vamola not really counting since she was already used to things in general being different and didn’t seem to react much to his changes. He let out a shaky mew, his purring soothing himself as he leaned more and more into Momo’s side as they met up with the others-

The pressure around his hand snapped him out of his stupor.

“Okarun.”

He flinched at first, but the warmth of Momo’s tone helped him release the tension that’d been winding up within his body. His shoulders lowered, his back straightened out of his hunch, his fur smoothed out and disappeared again in gradual waves. He didn’t say anything; he didn’t need to, Momo picking up that he was listening to her, that she successfully grounded him. 

Still, she gave him another reassuring squeeze over his hand, “Hey… it’s okay. No one’s gonna make fun of you for the ears and tail, and no one’s gonna make fun of you for the other cat stuff. If they do, I’ll throw them into next week.”

He let out a shaky laugh, “P-please don’t do that, Momo-chan…”

She chuckled wryly, “Awww, why not? I thought that’s what a good gi-!”

“What the heck!? Why does Takakura-kun have cat ears!?” Aira’s voice cut through, their friend already running over to investigate.

Ken winced, his ears in question flicking back down against his head, while Momo gave a long, drawn out and strained sigh, clearly not happy with the interruption (much less with who the interruption was). There was no hiding his tail, however, nor the way he was totally clinging onto Momo for dear life. It was bad enough that he was already struggling not to dig his claws into her poor, bare hand and along her arm over her sweater that smelled delightfully of her and the Ayases’ preferred detergent (sweet and floral, very refreshing), but now? He had the cat yelling at him to climb up onto Momo, to get his feet up off the ground and find a tall place to hide from his anxiety that preyed upon him. 

‘No! Don’t let yourself behave like a cat, Ken! It’s just Shiratori-sa- … wait a minute…’ He eased up, Momo noticing his shift in behavior. ‘I… I don’t feel any urge to call her… A-Ai… Aira… okay, nope.’ 

Momo squeaked when Ken had a full-bodied shudder seemingly out of nowhere, “Woah! Dude, you okay?”

Aira got up close to them, Ken now only vaguely feeling the urge to run, the urge moving more into the back of his mind as he became fixated on the strange phenomenon within his cat-yokai (… k-kami…?) brain. ‘Didn’t… I call almost all of our friends -chan when transformed? Why… why did that change now?’ He looked up at Aira, tilting his head and waving his hands down as he subtly tested the strange development, “Shiratori-san, there’s no reason to be so worked up. There’s a perfectly understandable explanation for this… cat thing going on. Please don’t freak out, yo.”

… okay, so the yo’s were still there to stay. Weird.

“Wha- why didn’t you call her…?” 

He turned to a bewildered Momo, his friend gawking at him as she tried to process the strange lack of the verbal tick of his yokai mannerisms when addressing Aira… why did she sound so relieved? 

“What the- why are you talking like that??”

Momo shook herself out of her funk, turning to their friend, “A-ain’t it obvious? He’s got spiritual powers again! It’s like his old Turbo Mode, but with cat stuff involved!”

Rin finally approached them as well (Ken tested her name in his head, only to also address her as Sawaki-san, rather than… yeah), “You three, we’ll be late for class if you-” She cut off as soon as cats were mentioned, letting out a peep when she spotted Ken’s tail and his ears when they perked up at the sound she made. “C-cat… boy…?”

His ears promptly drooped back down at that. “Sawaki-san… please don’t call me that, regardless of accuracy… makes me feel so dejected like crazy-”

Momo let out another hitched noise, before turning away from their friends entirely, grabbing hold of both his arms, “Okarun! Okay, now I know something’s up!! Why aren’t you using -chan like usual!?”

Aira and Rin both made sounds of confusion as he mumbled, “Momo-chan, I don’t know, yo! It just… doesn’t feel right, ya know? When I say your name, o-or even Seiko-chan or technically Vamola-chan, it feels normal! It doesn’t feel right to use your family name, but with others, I-I don’t know! It’s like using their personal name feels wrong! Either way, I feel like me, like there’s no difference, yo!” He paused, exhaling with a groan over his stupid, verbal ticks he just couldn’t control!! “Uuuuuugh… it's only when I try to do the opposite, does it feel unnatural in my mouth, yo- DAMN IT! Ugh, this is so humiliating, y-!! HNNNNN…” 

Momo was unfazed by his frustrated growls, pulling him in closer so she could rub behind his ears, instantly making him cascade down against her as he succumbed to her loving touch, “Hey, what did I say earlier? It's okay to be cute and say your yo’s. It's cooler than making only cat noises, right?” 

“Hhhh… riiiiight…” He nuzzled her entirely, trilling in tempo with the push and pull of her carding fingers through his fluffy, ebony locks. Man, he could just stay there forever with her petting him, scritching behind his ears in a way that felt like Heaven on Earth-

“What the- no fair!” Aira came closer, staring at his ears that stayed perked up from Momo’s fingers. “I want to pet him! You're not the only one who should get to pet Takakura-kun!!” 

Ken didn't quite like the idea of being touched by the other girls, outside from running with them to get them to a safer position. He didn’t even think to stop himself from shying further away from Aira’s overwhelming presence-!!

Momo stood more in between Aira and himself. She snarled, “Back off, skank! Don’t get handsy with him! You’ll just freak him out!”

“What?? I’m not going to freak him out!!”

“You already are!!” 

Momo fully stepped in front of him, Ken now having to peek from over Momo’s shoulder in order to see the others… making him feel oddly secured. Even still, he pawed at Momo’s shoulder, whispering, “M-Momo-chan, hey… I’m alright. P-please don’t fight-!”

Aira and Momo both started grappling each other’s hands, Ken being unable to figure out who even started the unfortunately familiar physical squabble between them. It may have even been simultaneous, the two girls on the same, antagonistic wavelength.

“You’re not letting Takakura-kun speak for himself! I was going to ask politely to touch his ears!”

“Can’t you see him trying to hide, you blind skank!? I’m tellin’ you, he wouldn’t want that! He wouldn’t be able to tell you no, because he wouldn’t want to hurt your feelings!!”

He flinched. ‘Yeah, she's not wrong…’ He really needed to speak up more-

“I’m not blind, you idiot! Nor am I deaf! I don't see or hear you asking him permission!!” Aira fired back.

Momo squawked in indignation, before snapping, “I don’t need to!! I know his limits, and I’ve been helping him feel comfortable since last night!! I already have permission; it’s implied!! And he has told me off before, so I know he’s comfortable telling me no again!!”

The memory hit Ken instantly. Damn, he really regretted calling her a bitch that time…

Aira shoved Momo’s hands away so that she could cross her arms, “Then why can’t I ask for permission?! Maybe I want to comfort my friend too!!”

“You wouldn’t just go and pet some dude’s hair or normal ears! Why would Okarun’s ears be any different!?”

“Uuuuh? Because he’s not a random guy and they’re cat ears?? You're petting him, so why is it okay for you to pet him!?” Aira took another step forward, absolutely fed up with Momo’s excuses. “Why are you being so cagey!? I just wanted to feel how soft his ears are!”

Ken had to admit, Aira did have a point. She wasn’t a stranger, and she did care about him. He could trust her not to overdo anything… for the most part. Yeah, she was a bit much with how she tried initiating touch… and really got into his personal bubble… but! She was still his friend, too! He pawed again at Momo’s shoulder, “H-hey, it’s okay, Momo-chan, I really don’t-!”

“Because it’s different!!” Momo cried out.

“No it isn’t, Ayase!!” 

Momo stamped her foot, yelling at the top of her lungs, “Yes it is!” 

“How is it different!?”

“B-because…”

Aira narrowed her eyes, moving to walk past Momo, “You're so ridiculous-!!”

Momo blocked Aira again, the air shifting as she yelled,

“Because he’s my boyfriend, damn it!!”

The group went silent.

Momo’s face burned bright red, but she didn’t cave in, standing firmly in place without any shaking or uncertainty. 

Aira and Rin both gawked openly at her.

Even Jiji and Vamola, watching from afar, were shocked by Momo’s bold declaration.

Ken stood stock still. His ears were perked at full attention, but were unhearing to everything. He couldn’t remember how to breathe- what even was breathing? He could only see the back of the head of the girl he loved, even when she reached behind her and started dragging him along on his lame feet that somehow kept him upright despite feeling like he was walking through a river. He couldn’t purr, couldn’t trill, couldn’t even make human noises… she didn’t try to get any response out of him the entire time she led him into the school, waited patiently for him to change his shoes in mechanical motions, and then continued to take him over to their floor and classes, practically depositing him at his homeroom. 

“I’ll see you at lunch, ‘kay?”

He only silently nodded his head. He rigidly turned and headed inside of his class, ignoring Kinta’s baffled stare. Hell, Ken was so himself when dazed out of his mind, that he didn't feel a single cat thing about his new body. He forgot he even had the ears or tail, up until he nearly sat on the furry limb. He apologized internally to his own tail, before slumping into the uncomfortable backrest of his desk, staring out idly and empty. 

There wasn't any way that he heard Momo right. There wasn't! She couldn't have… meant it if she actually… but no, she couldn't have said that! His dumb ears must've misheard her, no matter how much he hung onto Momo-chan’s every word. He was just frazzled from Aira trying to touch him! That's it! That had to be why he completely misheard Momo-!

Vamola came into the classroom, followed closely by a very flustered Rin. He didn't bother looking, but Ken knew that their class president was sneaking glances just by her every squeak his sensitive ears picked up… yet another blow to his coping theory. 

Kinta very quietly asked their alien friend, “My lady Vamola, are you by any chance privy to the cause behind Private First Class’s auricular development? His, uh,” he waved a hand over his head to signal he was talking about Ken’s ears, unaware that Ken could hear everything being said… yet again proving that the appendages worked just fine.

Vamola beamed, whispering, “Takakura kitty! Cat god inside him!” She lifted her hands, pointing them up like cat ears as she smiled, “Lucky powers! Turbo Granny back home, too!” 

Ken covered his ears in the meantime, letting his head fall loudly onto his desk. He groaned, finally making a sound, a very human sound that he had made plenty of times in the past at this point. 

On top of being confused as Hell over the possibility that yes, he heard Momo right and she for some reason called him her… h-her b… that… he had to contend with the fact that Seiko was convinced that he had a literal god inside of him, making itself comfortable as fuck by altering his body to suit its own preferences. 

‘What even is my life…?’ He internally whimpered, hiding his face from the world within the coils of his arms. He hated how cold the classroom air felt, he hated how echoey it was with all his classmates making too much noise, he hated how their smells were starting to give him a mild headache, he hated the open space that made his nerves crawl… he yearned for the peace and comfort of his futon back in Momo’s room, blankets draped over him, her gentle touch on his head…

He tried not to get too annoyed by his spiritually aware friends all looking at him when he started purring when daydreaming about the object of his affections, the girl that may or (somehow) may not have mislabeled him in a moment of frustration. 

‘No… she definitely couldn't have meant it. She couldn't have! I'm not even her type. I'm just me, a nerdy, awkward guy, one that doesn't look or act anything like her beloved actor. Even worse, I have a ridiculous appearance now with behaviorisms I can't control to match. She was just caught up in the heat in the moment-’ His ears flicked back, memories rattling in his brain, ‘Oh no… this sorta happened before, right? Like the teeth banging thing… crap, is she gonna blow up at me again? She's probably fuming over this! I should've interrupted her and Shiratori-san before it got out of hand! Uuuuuuuugh, now she's gonna be mad at me…’ 

He just wanted to hide. He couldn't face her again, not when he knew he wouldn't be able to handle her snapping at him over the embarrassment over her mistake. She needed space; he wouldn't confront her like last time, only provoking her ire even more. Maybe later, when she had some time to cool off and calmly approach the issue. They were just friends. It would all be okay! He'd still get to enjoy friendly head scritches and hugs and cuddles and laying sprawled out across her lap… 

He couldn't stop the almost painful purring making his every cell vibrate, aching to nuzzle Momo and curl up by her side, love her like the besotted fool he was. ‘I really am pathetic-’

“Haha, awww, why does Takakura look so mopey?” 

Ken's ears flicked back again, his hair and fur bristling up at the irritating sound of Kobayashi’s voice. 

Hase’s soon followed, “I betcha anything that it's because that Ayase chick finally dumped his pathetic ass on the road.”

Their other friend, Sho, quickly began to separate from the conversation, clearly remembering the last time he spoke ill of Momo around Ken.

Speaking of which, Ken felt more than just his hair bristling at this point.

“Guys, uh… maybe don't-”

Kobayashi jeered, “Oh, seriously? Dude! That would be so sweet if that were the case! I would love to get my hands on-”

Ken let out a guttural hiss, uncaring to whether or not anyone other than his friends heard the noise. His body lengthened, bones creaking, his hair flaming, and the world taking on the color of his rage, the same fire that blazed in his slitted eyes. 

Sho shuddered all over, terror filling his eyes, “G-guys! Seriously, let's just back off!” 

Hase and Kobayashi both gave puzzled, nervous looks to each other, the ominous aura Ken was spreading making everyone not aware of the supernatural unnerved with dread twisting their stomachs. Ken growled under his breath, his claws digging into the fake wood of his desk. 

“Bad idea, talkin’ about Momo-chan like that around me, yo.”

He hated anyone talking about Momo like that. Something coursed through his veins, running alongside his agitation with ease, feeling it burn from within as he stared down the two bastards who thought they even had a chance at trying something so vulgar with Momo…

His tone of voice with his hunter’s gaze must've gotten through to them, because both of the idiots backpedaled away from him, proceeding to stumble into each other, bump against the desk behind them, Hase slipping on the backpack strap he stepped on, making Kobayashi trip over one of the volleyballs that had rolled away from their buddy’s bag, before teetering straight for the podium, knocking into it hard and sending the morning announcement and worksheet papers flying, while Hase landed on his back, getting screeched at by one of their female peers for looking up her skirt, supposedly. Their teacher just so happened to walk in right on time to see Kobayashi make a mess of the assignments and Hase getting called a perv.

Ken snapped out of his form the moment both boys ended up on the floor, groaning in pain, Sho tumbling down and shaking, making quiet, almost hysterical sounds as he looked between Ken and his two friends in utter horror. 

He felt it, the cat inside of him grinning in satisfaction, before it curled back up in a peaceful ball. He gulped and turned away from the idiots, trying to ignore his friends’ staring as he pulled out a random volume of his magazines to pretend he was reading. 

He couldn't read, not when he was freaking out over the weird line of seemingly coincidental events that followed after he transformed. ‘Wh-what the Hell just happened…? That… that wasn't me, was it?’ It was bad enough that he slipped into his curs- cat yokai form again without thinking, his anger over anyone talking about the love of his life like that understandably bringing out the worst in him, but that wave of power he felt? It felt… natural. Easy. It didn't even really feel like it took any effort, making him wonder if he even did anything in the first place. But, could all of that have happened… had he not transformed? He… no, he knew it was his fault. The flux of his aura was unmistakable, and it wasn't until he transformed and scared them off that the tumbling happened.

‘But… I thought Maneki Neko bring good luck? What’s going on??’ 

Ken heard everything his teacher said, but it went in one ear and out the other. He grumbled in total discomfort, gripping over his ears and soft as Hell hair as he felt the new powers within him stir, his growing dread halting any attempt he may have made at looking at them closer. His feet ached, wanting to stretch out from his shoes, his shoulders felt like they were sagging more than what should've been possible as a human, his skin crawled as his aura shifted uncomfortably within him…

‘What's… happening to me?’

He didn't take down a single note the entire stretch until lunch. There simply was no way for him to focus. His brain either bounced between what Momo meant or the cat kami doing weird things to his body, only semi distracted by the sunlight bouncing off from his classmate's watch, the beam dancing on the wall demanding his eyes follow it. He was mildly amazed that his kitty brain didn't take full control, knowing damn well that if he allowed it, he would've been pouncing against the walls to capture the shining homing beacon in his pa- hands, a fruitless endeavor he would've actually entertained had it not been for his peers. Mindlessly chasing lights seemed so much more fun than getting his brain shaken by his, for once, rational anxiety. 

Said anxiety only skyrocketed the moment the bell rang, signifying the start of their break. 

He jolted in place and started packing his school supplies up, moving before his brain could fully catch up. Right, he needed to leave his classroom now if he wanted to-!!

“Ooooh, Okaruuuuun~”

His muse and his demise sang out his name. A squeaky m’row slipped out of his mouth as he internally squealed, ‘O-oh crap-!!’

Teal hands lashed out and ensnared him, trapping him in place. He felt his heart leap up to his throat, dropping his bag back down on the floor. Her voice tickled his sensitive ears as she approached him, “I knew you'd try running. Can't hide from me, big guy!” 

He shook all over within the warming powers she had terrifyingly precise control of now, straining to look at her as he mewled out her name, “M-Momo-chan…” He didn't want to face her, not yet! Not when there hadn't been nearly enough time for the mislabeling mishap to blow over. ‘Is she really that set on telling me what I already know? She shouldn't have to, I already got it! I can't- I won't be able to take it if she tells me so herself!’ He closed his eyes, pleading with her, “Momo-chan, please… let me go. I don't think I can-!!”

Her arms snaked around his torso, lifting him up in her arms with his back pressed tightly against her chest. Still using her ghost hands to compensate for his weight, she hoisted him away from his desk and belongings, utterly stunning him as he tried to comprehend the sensation of being carried in such a way. His ears flicked to the sound of her jovial breathing, proud of her catch, but he couldn't even think to move his forearms and legs, letting out only a strained “Brrr…” in protest.

“Momo!” Vamola called, “Taking Takakura?” 

“Yep! Make sure no one follows us, Vamola!” 

Ken gulped. ‘I’m so screwed. I'll never be able to recover from this.’ He forced himself to speak up, “M-Momo-chan… p-please… p-p-put me down, yo!” 

“I will once we get to the spot!” She started jogging, cackling maniacally as she continued holding him as she did so. “Gotta hurry!! Otherwise we'll get caught!!” 

“Wha-?!” He cried out, only to be baffled by the route she was taking. ‘She’s taking me up to the roof??’ He bunched his brows together, remembering all of their quiet lunches together up there when it was only just the two of them… tears started welling up in his eyes as he replayed them all, imagining the horrendous contrast of what was to come. “M-Momo… I can't take it, yo! I'll die for real… please put me down, babe-!!” 

He just rubbed salt in the wound. He totally did. She told him that it was weird for him to call her that, and now he just went and did that very thing when she was gonna tell him off for the whole boyfriend mistake. ‘I am a dead man-’

She snickered, mischief bounding in her voice as she released him only with her physical arms, tugging him along in the air beside her as she ran (carefully) up the flight of stairs, “Oh, quit being so dramatic! We'll be fine! C’mon, I think we're safe!” 

“S-safe…?” He wiggled in her ghost hand’s grasp, “Momo-chan, you're not giving me a choice! You're holding me up, yo!!”

She flung the door open, slamming it shut as soon as Ken was clear from the entrance. She carefully lowered him from the air without letting go; a blessing, since Ken could barely keep his legs from shaking due to his anxiety killing his every goddamn braincell-!!

She turned around and tackled him in a hug. She brought him down with her as she sat on the rooftop, crossing her legs around him as she glomped to him like he was the beanbag in her room. She only released her powers once he was locked up within her physical limbs, squishing her face against his neck as she giggled to herself. 

He couldn't… understand… wasn't she supposed to be super frazzled and even angry? “M-Momo…? What's… what's going-!!” 

Without any prompt nor fanfare, she grabbed hold of his face and then… 

He stopped breathing altogether. 

His ears rang.

His tail was frozen rigid.

‘Sh-she… she just…’

She pulled away slightly, the sudden lack of her lips not only pressed, but suctioned onto his leaving his face feel cold like he was caught in a fucking blizzard, his only reprieve being the hot breaths against his skin that now craved her touch once more. She grinned wickedly, the pink in her wine-colored eyes burning as she questioned him, “You were totally gonna avoid me, weren't you? Why?” 

He struggled to even think, let alone string together coherent words. She played with his hair, patiently waiting for his systems to reboot and formulate the single blaring message his exploded synapses could relay: “Y… you kissed me.” 

Momo blinked a little at first, clearly not expecting that kind of response, but she snorted, “Okarun! It's not the first time I kissed you today!” To prove her point, she lifted up his hand, thumb pressing into the squishy pads along his palm, before pressing her lips to his finger beans, the same exact way she did so that morning. 

The sensation snapped him out of his stupor with a high pitched squeal, sounding human as ever. He shook his head frantically, crying out, “B-but!! That's not… that's not the same!!”

“Eh? How not!?” She pulled on his arm, “You dummy, we nearly kissed this morning on the lips! Weren't we?? I thought that was obvious!!” 

“Was it…?” He honestly hadn't even thought about… that morning… the seconds before Jiji scared the cat right out of him. “Did that… d-does that mean we were- we are…?” 

She shook him by his shoulders, “Yeeees!! Ugh, Okarun! You know I'm more of an actions girl than words girl!! Do you think I would go around kissin’ guys I'm not in love with!?”

His ears laid flat against his head, “W-wait, no, b-but… you were just upset yesterday because I hadn't properly confessed to you yet b-before blabbing about how much I love you!!” 

She groaned, but there was no disgruntled edge in her voice, only frustrated endearment, “I wasn't upset, ya dork! I was… shocked, is all.” She released his shoulders, but much to his surprise, she wrapped her arms around him and drew him in close so she could nestle her head by his neck, sighing, “You just so easily told me… like it was the most simple thing ever, being in love with me… I just got flustered, ya know? ‘m sorry for confusing you… but Okarun, why would you think that we weren't… you know,” she squeaked shyly, “b-boyfriend and girlfriend…?”

He strained his neck to look more down at her, “M-Momo-chan! I-I… I'm not even your type!”

She lifted her head up to look at him, bewilderment painted on her face… before she burst into chortles and snorts. “What the heck?? Okarun!! Why in the world would you go n’ think that?? My type’s looooong since become you, ya dummy!! I love you.”

A shudder racked his spine when he heard those breathtaking words. “Bwah!? Huh!? B-but-!!” 

She kissed his jawline, earning another startled trill, “Dude… what didja think would happen after you confessed? Or if we had kissed before Jiji interrupted and gotcha spooked into bein’ spooky? What? That we wouldn't have become official? What didja think goin’ steady meant??” 

He leaned away, his face blazing and his heart hammering as he yowled, “I don't know!! I've never been in a relationship before!! I hadn't thought that far, yet!!” 

She cackled, before pulling him back in to squish her cheek against his, “Uuuuugh… you really are an awkward guy, ya know that?” 

He blinked rapidly, his breathing hitching loud and squeaky. Something… something about her saying that, the same phrase that he (usually) unintentionally broke her with, made him feel all sorts of warm and fuzzy on the inside, his purring igniting in full tempo as he gingerly held her back. “I-is this… real? Is this really happening?” He turned his head to nuzzle his nose into her cheek pressed up against him. He loved her scent, her warmth, her embrace… her everything. 

“Yes, Okarun… this is real.” She snuck a kiss next to his nose, earning another squeak from him, “So is this,” she kissed him again, this time more on the cheek, “so is this,” and again, right at the corner of his lips, “and so is this.” She reveled in his shy, sputtering laughter and his melodious purring.

He buried his face into her shoulder, hiding from any further sweet onslaught, “M-Momooo…” He couldn't handle it, now clinging to her tightly as he tried to regain a semblance of control over his frenzied heart and spinning mind. “I-I thought you were gonna yell at me, o-or tell me off, yo. I didn't know you meant it when you called me your b… b-boyfriend!”

She didn't pull away when she gasped, so he felt her every ounce of shock and how it made her body stiffen for that brief moment. “O-Okarun… no, I wouldn't- God, I should have never yelled at you that time. I was such an idiot-”

He shook his head, “Nooo… don't call yourself that, Momo-chan. I told you before: I understood. You were just embarrassed from Mīko-san and Kei-san blowing what happened waaay out of proportion-”

“Okaaay, then why think that I’d be upset this time? I'm the one who said what we are. No one else doing so to tease us. Okarun, sheesh, you sometimes don't make any sense.” She pet his head, scratching behind his ears slightly, “I only rushed to your classroom because I felt your aura grow big and angry earlier. I was gonna check up on you and thought you were running because you were embarrassed about your powers leaking out, not because you were stuck on me rightfully shouting at that skank!” 

“O-oh… oh… I'm sorry, Momo-chan…” He relaxed a little, slowly starting to knead, “I really am just an awkward guy, yo.”

She quietly squealed, before planting another kiss on his face, this time on his forehead. She squished him close, “You jerk… quit actin’ so stinkin’ cute!” She continued petting his hair, humming a little before asking him, “Did you want to talk about it? What happened in class that made you so mad?”

He scrunched up her sweater even more, shaking his head no. However, he mumbled truthfully, “Just some of the guys being gross about you in class again, babe. Couldn't stop myself from reacting; even transformed without thinkin’, just like last time.” He tilted his head up to look at her, allowing himself to say freely, “It made me wilt big time, yo.” 

“Last-? Oh.” She briefly paused smoothing out his hair with gentle pets, looking at him pensively, before continuing to show gentle affection, “It's alright, Okarun. Sure, you need to control yourself better, but it's not like you tried hurting anyone, right?”

“Yeah… not on purpose, at least.” He shuffled closer to her, having slipped a little too much away from her shoulders for comfort. He breathed against her neck, “I don't know what I did… but I think I did something that caused them to both fall over hard… it was all super weird, and really quick.”

She rubbed under his chin, making him lift his face up on reflex, “That sounds weird, yeah… but, you didn’t, like, actively try to hurt them, right?”

“N-no… I don’t… think so.” He broke away from her hand’s delectable scritches, only to collapse his forehead against it, “I just hated hearing them suggest anything about you. It made me feel so gloomy and angry… I just wanted them to shut up.” He shuddered, before slumping more into Momo’s hold, “I’m a little freaked out over it, babe- er-”

She chuckled, squeezing him briefly, “Hey, it’s… it’s okay. B-babe really isn’t that bad… it’s still you. I'm… I'm getting used to it.” She carded her fingers up through his hair, having started from the base of his neck and sending blissful electricity surging through him and eliciting a whiny moan from his throat, “And I don’t think you need to be afraid. You just need to relearn control. You’ve got that pesky god kickin’ it in ya! It’s not your fault.”

“Mmmnnnnn…” Even if he could form words with her petting him like that, he knew he wouldn’t have been able to argue that logic. No one got seriously hurt, he just scared those jerk-offs. He melted all over Momo, slipping down into her lap, perfectly content to just stay there and perish underneath her soothing caressing. 

“Woah… uh… your arms are… huh.” 

He would have mourned the loss of her hands on his head, had it not been for her exploratory touches along his neck and shoulders. She gently pressed and massaged around his upper body, rubbing around his neck in a way that made him unwind further. He didn’t know how that was even possible, wondering if he would actually turn into a literal puddle of liquid if she kept that up. He shoved his head into her belly, the need to express his love billowing over in the need to physically bump and press up against her as much as possible, especially when words continued to fail him.

Her hands traveled back to his neck, when she wordlessly rubbed down underneath the collar of his gakuran. The skin was loose, stretchy and soft. Her breath hitched, “N-no way…” She tugged on it slightly, before carefully grabbing at his neck. The skin stretched out, something that shouldn’t have been possible for a human with no scruff.

But Ken wasn’t a normal human anymore.

And he responded to the sensation like the cat god inside of him did.

His eyes opened up, his mind too clear, completely devoid of all sensible thought as panic overtook him. He could barely think to move, his limbs numb to input as he instinctively went slack all over as his neck’s skin was pulled on. There was no pain, no tingles, no urge to transform… he simply was locked in place. 

Until she released him.

She didn’t even get her apology out all the way, when he launched out of her lap, fully transformed into his yokai form and bristling all over. He didn’t hiss, however, just stared in stunned silence in her general direction. ‘What the fuck was that!? What just happened!?’

“Okarun!! I-I’m so sorry, I just-”

He rubbed the back of his neck below the jaws of his mask, past the spasming spirit flames that covered his neck and shoulders. The skin gave way like dough as he moved it around, pinching a bit of it and tugging it himself. His earlier fears were confirmed: he now had a literal scruff; and poor Momo, she probably was just shocked by the discovery and had her curiosity get the better of her without thinking about what it would do to him.

“O-Okarun…?”

He snapped out of his stupor, ruby and gold eyes properly locking onto her. He cleared his throat, mewling through the stationary teeth covering his face, “I-I’m okay, Momo-chan… I think.” He lowered his hand from his neck, trying not to think about the strange development, before he started walking back to her on all fours. His shoes were flung off to the side, luckily (ugh) having not been busted by his spontaneous transformation. He felt the rough texture of the concrete tiles of the roof on both the padded balls of his toes and his palms, before slinking back over Momo’s lap, forcing her to sit back down fully. “Give me a warning next time, babe. I don’t think my heart can take another scare like that. It felt weird as fuck, yo.” 

She immediately began petting him as soon as he made himself comfortable, avoiding his neck entirely as she rubbed his back while her other hand made quick work of massaging his brains out. “I’m so sorry. I just noticed you’re missing… um… a-and I didn’t think about what grabbing there would’ve done to you. I’m so dumb, of course that would’ve turned your brain off! That’s what happens with normal cats! I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

He shook his head slightly, “Nah, Momo… ‘just felt weird. ‘m okay-?” He fought through the fuzz in his mind from her pets, propping himself up, “Wait… missing something? What am I missing, hun?”

… they both had to take a pause at that new, little phrase. 

Momo cautiously continued as Ken covered his face with his clawed hands, furrowing her brows, “Ooookaaaay… uh, a-anyway, you, uh… you know how cats, um… don’t have collarbones…?”

He flicked his ear as he shyly looked up over his fingers, his less expressive eyes staring blankly at her, more blank than usual. “Uuuuh… I guess-” He widened them, his pupils dilating as even in his toned down yokai state, anxiety started to rise within him. He realized why Momo had been feeling around his neck… he had felt a bit more flexible than usual, and his shoulders didn’t pop like they usually did in the mornings… he hesitantly lifted a hand to his upper chest, poking and prodding around with his clawed fingers. 

There was no collarbone to feel. 

“I-I… wh-what…?” He moved his shoulders around, feeling for any point of tension. They floated rather freely out in front of him, his freaky flexibility leaving him feeling almost nauseous if he thought about it too long. He shivered violently, thrusting his hand back down and burying his face into Momo’s chest as he hugged her tightly, “Momooooo… my body is too weird, yo… so depressing…”

She chuckled lightly, “H-hey… it’ll be alright. It’s not that weird. There’s people that don’t have collarbones! It’s not just exclusive to you.”

“But they don’t have cat ears and a tail, babe.” He leaned his chin up against her, looking more like a depressed crocodile rather than a cat, thanks to his mask. It was hard not to notice how extra flexible his neck area was in general, even when making his mask fade away to try and combat the sense of alienation within his own body. So what if he was physically comfortable and never felt so cozy in his life when conformed to Momo’s body and hold? He was missing bones. He gained bones! His tail flicked from the agitation boiling inside of him, even as Momo did her best to soothe him with her wonderful pets, rubbing his cheeks to stimulate his scent glands and feel his velvety soft fur. 

“Hey, it’ll be okay. Qu- hm… okay, you have every right being a downer right now, I’ll admit,” She tilted her head, trying to get him to look at her, “But… it’s not the end of the world; is it? Good things can come from this, right? Don't forget, you can join us again in battles! You can hear better, you can see in the dark, your balance is incredible, you can jump really good, you’re warm, your hair is soft…”

He didn’t even bother trying to whine her name again, instead letting loose a drawled out, pitiful meow. He glared up at her, “Don’t start with the ‘cute’ things, yo. That’s not gonna make me feel better.” 

She kissed him on his forehead, before mischievously teasing, “You’ll see reason eventually… I’ll make you see just how much your cuteness is a blessing. Mark my words, Okarun.”

He sighed, deflating in defeat, “Sure… whatever you say, honey-”

Again… he went rigid, his grey skin turning multiple shades darker from the blush taking over. ‘Did I just-!? It’s getting worse!?’ 

A choked sound managed to escape Momo’s tight throat, her own face changing color from the unexpected, sweet pet name… but… she didn’t let go of him. Slowly, she lowered her face into his hair, nuzzling the crown of his head right between his ears. She whispered in between his locks, “I… I don’t exactly hate that one… b… b-babe…”

His heart skipped multiple beats, a high pitched, human squeal tearing through his mouth. He pulled away and propped himself up, staring at her directly, his ears perked straight up and fully focused on her every sound. “M-Mo…!? M-Momo??”

She looked away to the side, now covering her lower face with one hand. It did jackshit to hide just how red she was, how shy and utterly ruffled she was at her own usage of the endearing term, this time for him.

He himself marveled at the word, something so familiar and yet so alien to his ears, moreso than the foreign words Vamola and Mr Shrimp used frequently. It whisked away all anxiety, leaving him nothing but a sense of pure giddiness as he started to wiggle in place, his pupils heavily dilated as he watched Momo’s every move. He felt the cat within wanting to pounce; he wanted to pounce and never let go of this ray of sunshine set graciously before him, his living rainbow that dropped into his life bombarding his every sense with even more labyrinthine colors that simply wowed his mind. This was real. She was real. “You… you really love me.”

She turned to look at him, forgetting her own fluster in favor of responding to his unfiltered awe of what was just a simple fact, something he deep down was well aware of. She lowered her hand in small, involuntary jolts, before she sputtered, a wobbly smile gracing her lips, “Yeah, Okarun… I really love you.”

His markings all glowed brighter as realization hit him, “A-and I’m really your boyfriend?” He leaned closer to her, the red of his irises burning like thin rings around two ever-growing black holes.

She reciprocated, leaning a bit more towards him, subtly teasing him with the distance between their faces, “Yes, you really are my boyfriend.”

He almost couldn’t speak over the purrs and squeaky trills that were bubbling out from him, “So… that means-” he grunted at the meow that tried to interrupt him, “That means… you’re my girlfriend?”

“Mhm…” she was less than five centimeters from his lips now, eyes flitting down to them as she held her ground, tormenting him, “I do believe that would be accurate to assume.”

“Momo-chan…” He could already taste her lips, the tantalizing ghost of her breath mingling with his increasingly sped up ones driving him mad. 

“Yes, K…Ken?”

He nearly smashed his face into hers at the sound of his name finally jumping off of her tongue, not minding the slight stammer whatsoever. If anything, the cuteness of it made it all the more delicious sounding. He hoarsely cleared his throat, thanking his transformation for mellowing out his reactions, even if slightly; only Heaven knows how poorly he would’ve handled the love of his life finally calling him by his name had he been human and with little to no chill. “Momo… you know what you’re doing.”

“Hm? Do I?” She loosely wrapped her arms over and around his neck and shoulders, unfazed by his gaunt form now looming over her almost entirely, her face illuminated by his otherworldly white locks and red markings.

“Oh, you damn well do.” He smiled languidly, his vocalizations now mixing perfectly with his words as he murmured with his nose brushing her cheek, “If you’re my girlfriend… that means I can kiss you whenever, right? Whenever, where ever?”

Her bravado shattered, he could tell by the way her arms tensed and her breath quietly hitched, “Well, I mean… there’s a time and place for-!!”

He snagged her lips with his own, careful not to get his fangs involved. He ate up her startled squeak, repeatedly working in slow movements that made her giggle into his mouth. He relished the sensation, especially when she started to tangle her hand into his wavering hair, the other grabbing over his back and lower part of his spirit flames. She was so thoughtful, purposely avoiding his neck as much as possible, not wanting to trigger a scruffing response. He growled lowly, moved by her consideration for his sake. He knew he’d have to show her the same mindfulness to her needs, paying attention to her every reaction, her every shiver, her every giggle; he’d make sure that she was enjoying this kiss as much as he absolutely was. 

The second she started to instinctively pull away to catch her breath, he released her, panting along with her as they both recovered. His yokai form sped up the recovery, however, so while she continued to settle down, he moved to peppering her with sweet nothings, pecking her cheeks, smooching her jaw in return for the one she snuck onto him just before, nibbling along her neck… God, he only dreamt of touching her neck and shoulders she always left so bare when dressing casually at home. He tried not to take offense to the school ribbon keeping her collar up and blocking his seeking lips from her collarbone. He felt the urge to bite at the fabric, much like the choker she wore almost religiously. It was an odd sense of frustration; there was so much other bare skin for him to sow his affection into. He didn’t need to fulfill his every day dream right then and there. She was his girlfriend, and within reason (because, yes, he was only teasing her back for taunting him), he would be able to kiss her again later.

Kiss her. He’d be able to kiss her again. And again. And again…

He hugged her, slumping against her entirely, much to her apparent surprise. He mewled aloud a few cat-like and a few human-like noises, the sounds all perfectly blending before he finally formed the words his heart was caterwauling, “Momo-chan, I love you so much, yo.”

Her smile was shining in her voice as she hugged him back, rubbing small shapes over his gakuran and through his spirit flames, “I love you too, Okarun… I love you so, so much.”

His ears flicked at the hint of a challenge, “I love you more~”

She immediately picked up on the childish jab, “No, I love you more!”

‘That’s my girl,’ he cooed internally, nibbling at her ear after murmuring into it, “No way. Nope. Not possible, honey. I love you way more.”

She let out a giggle-shriek, but he only delighted in the sharp sound. “You- pfft- you bastard! I- heehee- HEY! Quit it- bfff- haha, I love you tons!!” 

He smirked, ‘Ah, so now we’re bringing weight into this? Alright, you're on.’ He nibbled right where her jaw met her ear, making her squirm beneath him. He effortlessly halted her hysterical thrashing about, cooing to her, “I love you teratonnes, babe.” 

She squawked, clearly not expecting him to one-up her so easily. “I-I love you gazillions!! Hah!! There!! I win!!” 

“Oh-ho-ho, imaginary numbers now?” He traced her chin with the very tip of his nose before nipping right next to her lips, “Well, I love you beyond even quantum numbers. Makes String Theory look like basic addition, yo~” 

“BWAH-” She squealed at his suave usage of real science and mathematics. “You freaking nerd… of course you'd bring geeky shit into this-”

He grinned deviously, “But you know what I'm talking about… doesn't that make you a nerd, too?” He nuzzled her cheek, “Then again, you are a genius. Guess I should expect that from you, babe. I'm so lucky to have such an amazing woman as my girlfriend. You're so smart, Momo-chan.” 

She accepted her defeat with a less than graceful roll of her eyes, not that he'd complain. He loved her sassiness. She grumbled, hiding her giggles below a shell of frustration, “Gawd, you're so sappy… you're plenty smart too, Okarun. Look, you're clearly plotting against me, tryna whittle me down n’ butter me up all at once.”

He chuffed under his breath, joy sparking up within his chest over having been caught, “Is it working?” 

“Hmmm… I don't know; it's a very good question.” She sat up a bit more, prompting Ken to sit back and pull her into his lap, his tail tucking around the both of them. She cheekily brushed noses against his, “I think we'll have to test and see, won't we?” 

“Mnn… I'm thinkin’ of just the experiment to try~” He rumbled as he reached up to cup the side of her head, his fingers slipping through her ruddy, chestnut hair, the scent of her shampoo bringing an added sweet note to her bouquet. His heart quickened as she picked up on his intent, tilting her head for easier access to her lips. 

“Seems like a good idea…” She whispered against his face, inviting him in. “We'll have to take notes, otherwise we'd just be screwing around.”

“Oooh? Notes, huh?” He kissed her cheek, long and slow until she made a saccharine whimper, trying to kiss his lips as he continued to tease her. He pulled away, “So, I guess I'm not that great of a kisser, huh? Gotta take notes that badly, cuz I need that much improvement?” 

“Sonuva…” 

His eyes went wide when she suddenly grabbed his face, quite aggressively at that.

“Get the fuck over here and kiss me, damnit.” 

He exploded into purrs, not even giving so much as a “yes ma’am” before gently colliding with her pillowy soft lips for a third time-

A loud bang from the door burst their little cozy bubble, Ken screeching in his cat voice as he launched up, holding Momo flush against his chest, much to her alarm. He was much taller now when fully stood up, even compared to before in his original yokai form, his altered legs definitely aiding to the change. She was completely in the air as her cat yokai boyfriend held her effortlessly, his heart pounding against her ears as his eyes were locked onto the shut door.

“TAKAKURA!! I KNOW YOU'RE OUT THERE!!” 

Both Momo and Ken instantly recognized the slightly distorted, angry version of their friend’s voice. 

Evil Eye.

Another bang on the metal door, this time making the hinges rattle. 

“COME ON!! I COULD FEEL YOUR POWERS AGAIN!! THEY FEEL DIFFERENT!! I WANNA SEE ‘EM!! C’MON, I WANNA PLAY!! JUST A LITTLE BIT; I DON'T WANT TO KILL YOU THIS TIME, I SWEAR!!”

Aira’s voice came shouting over him, “Evil Eye!! Stop!! It's not Tuesday- hey, you'll break the door doing that!!” 

Vamola’s came through too, strained as she apparently tried pulling back the childish mountain yokai, “Evil Eye! No! Takaura and Momo having special time!” 

Ken eased up a little, but he made no move to set Momo down, instead shifting her in his hold to properly support her weight, “Maaan… such a drag, yo. Love our friends, but they're damn annoying. I wanted to keep kissing you, honey-bunch.” 

She sighed, but still pecked him on the lips, “You can. And you will. Later, though…” She peeked through the door with her spiritual vision, cringing, “Just… not right now… he, uh… yeah, he's really eager to see you.” 

“What a bummer…” he deflated and set her down with a drawled, despondent sigh. He wanted to kiss her deeply; he absolutely was about to try, or maybe even transform back and kiss her sweetly as his human half. He knew that he could manage at least a kiss as his normal self… maybe more than he assumed, especially since his yokai tendencies were leaking out into even his normal brain. He just wanted to love on Momo… why did they have to get interrupted, just as they were getting to the good par-

The door completely gave way when Evil Eye banged against it with Jiji’s fist, Ken snatching up Momo and keeping her safe as he dodged the flying door, his hair and fur all standing completely on end and wavering sporadically at the shock. The door clanged and scraped against the rooftop loudly, leaving streaks along the tiles as the noise hurt Ken’s overly sensitive ears- well, it hurt Momo’s ears too, much to his chagrin.

“Daaamn… we won't be able to go up to the roof for a long-ass time now. The school’s gonna wonder how the fuck that happened.” He bemoaned the loss of one of their favorite spots to hangout in peace, already searching in his brain for other secluded areas to take Momo to smooch in privacy. Hell, just the thought of their future kissing nearly cheered him up, but he quickly dulled back down again as his mask formed over his lower face. Again, he whined, “What a bummer…”

Evil Eye came stomping out from the threshold, glaring at the couple, “No fair!! Why does Stingy Momo get to spend time with Takakura?? He's my friend!! I want to play with him!!”

“Sti- how many times do I gotta tell ya, brat?” Momo snarled at him, “I’m not made of money, and Jiji doesn’t need to eat five kilos of candy and junk whenever you come out!!”

Meanwhile, Ken winced, recognizing the tantrum for what it was as he set Momo down to his side. ‘He’s like a younger brother getting jealous of their sibling’s SO taking all of their time… Hell of a definition for friend, though…’ 

Vamola was getting dragged along behind him in her full kaiju suit, apologizing as she fruitlessly tried pulling Evil Eye back, “I am sorry!! I tried putting up Empty Space!! He was too fast!!” 

Momo shook her head, “Not even, Vamola. You tried. Evil Eye is fast and unpredictable… ironically enough.” She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose, “For someone who's only thought process is destruction, he's really good at coming up with new ways to surprise us.” 

Aira groaned, giving up on trying to inspect the damage done on the hinges (they were completely unsalvageable, looking more like metal flowers with how the pieces blew apart and open), “I swear, I'm gonna strangle whichever jock-head thought opening up a can of body spray and dumping it on himself was a good idea. It splashed Enjoji!”

Ken gave a good sniff, grimacing, “And not even enough to actually leave any smell… fucking figures.” 

“Okarun!” Momo gasped, clearly not used to his vulgarity.

“Sorry hun; I'm too disappointed with life to really care about politeness at the moment.” He stepped more in front of her, blocking Evil Eye from her in case the kid got any ideas. “I just wanted to sit and kiss Momo-chan, but I guess that’s too much to ask from the world, huh? Makes me wilt, yo.”

Aira turned red all over, “You two were-”

“Not like that, Aira. Nothing like those mags in your dad’s study.” He broke eye contact with Evil Eye to make sure his point came across to the pink-headed, romantically awkward girl. 

She shrieked, “H-hey!! You promised to never bring that up!!”

He stared at her blankly, “No, I never said that.” 

“Wha- b-but you said-!”

He held up a pausing finger, “I said I didn’t want to talk about it at the time; it just simply didn’t come up again.”

Momo openly gaped at her, “You read porno-” she blinked a few times, “… actually, yeah, okay. That checks out.”

Ken nearly snorted, but he kept his eyes focused on Evil Eye, who was lu- thankfully fixated on the two girls bickering, much like Vamola (may she never find out what porn was).

“S-skank!!” Aira cried out in pure fluster, “What the Hell’s that supposed to mean??”

Momo shrugged, “Nothing; just explains a lot, is all.”

“HEY!!” 

Ken sighed, having expected Evil Eye’s outburst.

Their towering friend under the influence of the yokai exuded chaotic energy, pointing at Ken as he yelled at the girls, “Shut up with your weird fight!! I wanna play with Taka-”

Ken quirked an eyebrow when right as Evil Eye looked at him again, the mountain spirit audibly gasped, his purple and golden eyes growing wide with- ‘Oh… oh no.’ 

It was too late to hide the ears and flicking tail from the now awestruck child. 

Ken jumped up just in time to dodge Evil Eye’s lunging grapple, the yokai trying his best to course correct and capture Ken in his hold. He let out an involuntary hiss, leaping again when Evil Eye moved to lunge at him a second time, springing up easily three, maybe even four meters into the air, clearing even Evil Eye’s desperate reaches. He landed further away on all fours, arching his back and letting out another warning hiss, more like a snarl this time around, his fur and spirit flames poofed all the way up again to expand his size. His heart was pounding, every alarm bell in his nervous system screaming at him to run…

“Takakura is a cat!! Why is he a cat!? He has triangle ears!! I wanna feel his tail!!”

Momo flared up her powers, trying to block the overzealous child from her terrified boyfriend, “Evil Eye!! Settle down; you’re freaking him out-!!”

The mountain yokai began to mimic Ken's movements, learning from watching him evade Evil Eye’s swift attacks. He perfectly scaled Momo’s ghost hands, dashing straight for Ken and the fluff he was covered in…

Ken couldn’t think. His breathing, erratic. His heart, screaming. His vision, dizzying…

A strange bell-like chime filled the air, before Ken bolted, effortlessly jumping up over the gate surrounding the rooftop, right into nose diving straight down to the ground below.

“OKARUN!!”

“Takakura-kun!?

“Takakura!!”

“TAKAKURA, YOU WON’T ESCAPE FROM ME THAT EASILY!!” Evil Eye climbed and vaulted over the gate, following directly after the cat yokai with no hesitation. 

While Ken landed gracefully on his feet, springing away from his landing and flipping around to check to see if he was being followed, Evil Eye landed hard, creating a partial crater from his landing. He grinned and laughed maniacally, having enjoyed the thrill of jumping off from the top of the building in chase of the half(?) yokai. 

His crazed smile made the cat within Ken leap. 

“Leave me alone, yo!!” Ken shouted as he sprung into the air again, vaulting over a half wall away from the mountain yokai’s attempted seizure of his fluffy tail. He tried running faster, his muscle memory teasing his old speed he had when it was Turbo Granny's power he held. Sure, he was pretty damn light on his feet as a cat god’s vessel, but it felt weird to not be sprinting at one hundred kilometers per hour, only piling more onto his flourishing anxiety. Instead, he could only jump to gain more distance, all the while that strange aura welled up within him, the power from before itching underneath his skin.

Evil Eye guffawed as he readied himself for another lunge, “No way!! You're making this so much fun!! I want to keep playing!! I won't back down from this challenge!! I will get to touch your ears and tail, Takakura!!” 

Ken once again flicked the tail in question, another chime being heard within the air as he jumped up onto a left behind PE equipment cart, filled to the brim with various sports balls and other tools for field games. He perched atop of it, crouched over some of the various balls somewhat precariously. The wheels of the cart creaked a bit, the flimsy cart somehow supporting his weight. 

He hissed yet again at Evil Eye, before grumbling, “I don't want you to touch them, yo. You're gonna tug on them, or rip out my fur… your vibe is seriously freaking me out, dude.” 

Confusingly enough, Evil Eye looked genuinely taken aback by this for a second, before breaking into a full on sprint at Ken, “No I'm not!! I just wanna feel the softness!! They look so fluffy!!” He lunged, his arms fully outstretched with his powerful hands opened and ready, “Get over here!!” 

“No!!” Ken surged upward, a loud bang from the bells that followed him ringing out like a church tower’s peal. Evil Eye crashed into the equipment cart, sending the balls bouncing and rolling all over the place as Ken grabbed hold of the boughs of the tree nearby, scrambling higher and higher to hide from the destructive child. 

“No fair!! Stop being dumb and let me pet you, Takakura!!” Evil Eye yelled out after standing up amongst the wreckage of the PE equipment. 

In a fit of frustration, he kicked the ball closest to him right up at the cat yokai, but the old, somewhat worn out basketball was not made for kicking. Ken didn't even need to dodge; the old ball smacked against the upper trunk near him, the impact making the bark fracture and crumble. The ball ricocheted off, smacking the ground and propelling off towards an opened window to a classroom. The student inside, however, was closing the pane, doing so at just the right second to send the basketball careening off course and straight into the faucet nozzle on the wall. It broke the spigot on impact, water immediately shooting through the hose that had been left out in the midday sun for hours, most likely having been forgotten by the gardening club earlier that day or even the day prior, leaving the hose warm enough that the first spray of water that came out was all that Jiji needed to gain control of himself once again. And before the water from the flailing hose could turn cold, the spigot fully broke, spraying cold water from the old pipe instead of the now limp hose, far away from Jiji, who was quickly working to dry himself off.

Ken gawked at the aftermath of the scene that played out below him, the collateral damage and growing, muddy mess of the grass patch and flowerbed from the spraying pipes boggling him. That… that shouldn't have happened. How did… no, but…

… realization kicked in, just like how Evil Eye kicked that old basketball.

Had it been a soccer ball, or even a volleyball, Ken would've had to dodge. Had it been a brand new basketball, it would've broken the window. Had it been anything else, who knows if it would've been enough to get Evil Eye sprayed with the warm-enough water… and who knew that the rusted pipe would burst right in the nick of time to prevent the cold water from consecutively hitting him? Hell, landing on the side of the building with the forgotten equipment from both the PE class and the gardening club… had been… incredibly…

Ken sagged a little bit in his spot high up in the tree, even when transformed back into his more humanish self. He knocked his forehead against the bough next to him, groaning as he had to face the music. 

He was damn lucky.