Chapter Text
Avery starts her morning with an Instagram story featuring a mysterious feline curled up on her blanket, captioning it: Slept alone, woke up with this cutie by my side.
Within minutes, her group chat explodes.
Shan: Ate! Saan galing yan?! May naiwan ka bang bukas na bintana.
Malory: Sure ka bang hindi mo ninakaw yan?
Sash: Ate, make sure you close your windows at night. Keep it para di ka mahuli! 😭
Avery: Grabe naman kayo! Di ko ninakaw 'to. Nagising na lang ako na nakisiksik sa tabi ko. Nakalusot siguro siya nung nagbukas ako nang saglit ng bintana sa kwarto.
Avery: Before I went to bed, I made sure I closed it.
Sash: Kacuddle ang hanap, pusa ang binigay. 💀
Shan: 🤣💀
Malory: Saklap— 💀
Avery: Lord, baka naman owner na next time? 😔 In fairness, super lambing niya. Wait, may tag pala 'yung collar.
Avery: [Sends a photo of a sleek cat snuggled against her arm, showing a collar engraved with "Kai"]
Shan: Kai! Ang cute!
Malory: Kai~ pspspsps!
Sash: May name na! You can just keep him!
Avery: Malory, pspspsps talaga? 💀
Across the neighborhood, Maize pops open a can of wet food, expecting Kai to come trotting into the kitchen. Silence answers her. She searches his favorite spots—under the sofa, behind the curtains, atop the bookshelf—nothing. Worry creeps in as she realizes her moody companion is officially missing. "Where could you be, Kai?" She sighs, cracking open a window and setting the food bowl on the sill, confident that if he wanders off, he can find his way back.
As if on cue back at Avery’s place, Kai stretches luxuriously and trots over to the bedroom window, gently tapping the glass. "Oh, you want to go outside?" Avery smiles, sliding the window open. Before leaping out, Kai rubs his head against her arm, purring a sweet thank-you for the cozy night.
Avery: Kai just left. 😔 Miss ko na agad cuddle niya.
Shan: Ibang level na ng pangungulila 'to.
Malory: Ate Ave, bakit mo tinaboy?!
Sash: Nooo 🥹 Kai, come back!
Avery: Di ko tinaboy! Kusa siyang nagpalabas. Besides, I can't keep someone else's pet.
That night, Avery wonders if a small invitation might work. She leaves her window cracked open—just wide enough for a nighttime explorer to wander in. The next morning, Avery opens her eyes to a soft, warm weight tucked against her chest.
Avery: He came back! 🥰 [Sends a photo of Kai fast asleep in her arms]
Shan: Kai! Namiss ka niyan for sure!
Sash: Wag mo na palabasin!
Malory: Tingnan natin kung aalis pa 'yan.
Meanwhile, Maize watches Kai stroll back into her house for breakfast, completely well-rested. As she leans down to pet him, a faint, sweet scent catches her attention—his fur smells distinctly like jasmine perfume. She narrows her eyes in quiet amusement, realizing her moody cat has officially started living a double life.
By dusk, Maize has a plan. As Kai finishes his evening meal and methodically grooms his paws near the back door, she kneels beside him holding a narrow strip of paper and a bit of tape. "If you're going to have a second family, at least let them know you've already had dinner," she loops the note securely around Kai's collar. Written in crisp black ink, the message reads: To Kai's secret second home—he has already been fed. Also, nice perfume. Right on schedule, Kai slips through Maize's kitchen window and saunters across the neighboring rooftops, guided by the familiar scent of jasmine wafting from Avery's room.
Avery is sitting at her desk when a soft thud sounds against her floorboards. She spins around to find Kai looking at her, tail held high in a friendly curl. "Look who decided to grace me with his presence again," Avery giggles, immediately picking up her phone to document the midnight visitor.
Avery: Round three! He’s back again. 😭
Shan: OMG persistent visitor!
Malory: Ate, check his collar, baka may tracker na!
Sash: Tell him I said hi!
Avery sets her phone down and reaches to pet Kai under his chin, but her fingers catch on a tiny rolled-up slip of paper taped near his tag. Her heart drops instantly into her stomach. "Oh no... his real owner knows." With trembling hands, she unrolls the slip and reads the tiny handwriting. A mix of intense embarrassment and relief washes over her face. She grabs her phone with newfound urgency.
Avery: GUYS CODE RED 🚨
Avery: MAY NOTE YUNG OWNER SA COLLAR NI KAI 😭💀
Shan: HALA! HULI KA!
Malory: SABI SA 'YO NINAKAW MO EH HAHAHAHA
Sash: What does it say?! Read it!
Avery: Sabi: "To Kai's secret second home—he has already been fed. Also, nice perfume." 😭 AAAAAAHHH NAKAKAHIYA!
Shan: "Nice perfume" 💀💀💀
Malory: Replyan mo, Ate Ave! Send your number!
Avery buries her face in her hands before laughing aloud at Kai, who has already settled onto her pillow, completely unbothered by the chaos he caused. Taking a deep breath, Avery grabs a pink sticky note, writes down her phone number alongside a quick reply—I promise I'm not a cat-napper! He just wanders through my window. It's Sol de Janeiro Jasmine!—and carefully tapes it to Kai's collar before curling up for another cozy night with her part-time feline.
The next morning, Kai trots through Maize's kitchen window with a smug look on his face, smelling even more strongly of tropical flowers. Maize immediately bends down and spots the bright pink sticky note neatly taped to his tag. Unfolding it, she bursts into a sudden laugh as she reads the hasty handwriting: I promise I'm not a cat-napper! He just wanders through my window. It's Sol de Janeiro Jasmine —Avery. "Sol de Janeiro, huh?" Maize chuckles, scratching Kai under his chin while the cat purrs like a motorboat. "No wonder you smell like a spoiled heiress."
Although Avery has thoughtfully included her phone number, Maize realizes texting felt far too ordinary for a saga this ridiculous. If Kai wants to lead a secret double life, the least he can do is act as the neighborhood postal service. She grabs a pastel blue sticky note and writes: Good to know he’s not being held hostage! Don't let him trick you into extra snacks, he gets three full meals here. —Maize (the primary caretaker)
Right on schedule at dusk, Kai leaps out the window, completely unaware that he has officially been drafted into active duty as a feline mail carrier. When Avery discovers the blue note that night, her group chat explodes with excitement, but the real fun is writing back. The dispatches quickly transform into an ongoing, hilarious pen-pal exchange tapes carefully to Kai's collar every morning and evening.
Avery: Too late, he already tricked me into giving him freeze-dried salmon treats. Also, he takes up 70% of my bed.
Maize: He’s a space hog! If he's crowding you, just nudge him over. He’ll act dramatic, but he’s lying.
Avery: I can’t push him! He gives me those huge, manipulative eyes. By the way, what’s his official favorite scratch spot?
Maize: Right behind the left ear. But caution: after exactly three scratches, he will bite. It’s a trap.
Within a week, the quick sticky notes evolve into neatly folded mini-letters tucked into Kai's collar. The two girls trade daily updates, drawn mini-caricatures of Kai's moody faces, and recommendations for local coffee shops, using Kai as their reluctant, furry courier. Kai doesn't seem to mind the extra cargo—as long as both ends of his commute come with warm beds, endless scratches, and an abundance of sweet-smelling love.
Late that evening, Kai is sprawled across Avery’s chest like a tiny, furry weighted blanket, purring so loudly his whole body vibrates. Remembering Maize’s strictly worded warning from her last letter, Avery hovers her hand near his head, eyeing his velvet-soft left ear with a mix of curiosity and dread.
One scratch. Kai leans his head slightly, his eyes half-closed in bliss. Two scratches. A deep, rhythmic rumble bubbles up from his chest. Three scratches. Avery freezes, her heart doing a quick flutter as she braces herself for the sharp nip Maize had promised. Slowly, daringly, Avery goes for a fourth scratch. Then a fifth. Then a soft, continuous massage right behind the base of his ear.
Instead of sinking his teeth into her fingers, Kai lets out a long, contented sigh, melting completely into her lap, and gently rasping his rough tongue against her knuckles. He isn't biting at all; in fact, he tilts his head to push his ear even firmer against her hand, practically begging her never to stop. Avery gasps softly, clutching her chest with her free hand. "Oh, you absolute traitor," she whispers to the cat, grinning from ear to ear. "You're totally faking it with your mom." She immediately grabs her favorite lavender stationery, scribbling down her findings with a mix of triumph and playful taunting.
When Maize unrolls the mini-letter over her morning coffee the next day, her eyes widen in utter betrayal.
Dear Primary Caretaker, the note read in neat, bold script. I decided to conduct a highly dangerous scientific experiment tonight regarding the infamous "three-scratch trap." I am happy to report that I am currently on scratch number thirty-two, and my hands remain completely bite-free. In fact, he melted into a puddle and started drooling on my blanket. I think we need to update his official user manual: the three-scratch limit only applies to you! It seems someone has officially dethroned you as his favorite caretaker. Better luck next time! 😉 —Avery
Maize stares at the paper, then slowly turns her gaze to Kai, who is casually grooming his back paw on the kitchen counter, looking like the picture of absolute innocence. "Unbelievable," she tosses the paper onto the table and places her hands on her hips. "I feed you the expensive wet salmon, buy you three different cat trees, and you sell out your loyalty for jasmine perfume and unlimited ear rubs?" Kai merely blinks his big amber eyes at her, letting out a soft, nonchalant meow before trotting toward the open window. She shakes her head with a wry smile, already pulling out a bright crimson sticky note. The friendly war for Kai’s ultimate loyalty has officially begun.
Maize snatches a bright crimson note from her drawer, capping her pen with an emphatic click. If Kai is going to play favorites, she is at least going to make sure his new favorite caretaker feels the full, hilarious weight of her newfound responsibility. She unrolls a fresh strip of tape, carefully affixing the note to Kai's collar. Kai lets out a tiny, high-pitched chirrup, blissfully unaware of the dramatic custody battle he has ignited, before vanishing back through the window into the cool evening air.
An hour later, Avery is sitting on her bed when the familiar soft thump echoes from the windowsill. Kai saunters in, tail flicking proudly, and immediately marches up to her lap, dropping his head against her hands for his required thirty-two ear rubs. "Look at you, little courier," she laughs, spotting the bright red note dangling from his tag. She carefully unrolls it and reads Maize's neat handwriting:
Dear "Favorite Caretaker",
I am officially filing for emotional damages! All these years I genuinely believed Kai was just a moody, touch-averse gentleman, but it turns out he was just holding out for his true soulmate with tropical perfume! The audacity of this cat.
Honestly, you might as well just keep him from now on! I can pack up his favorite blanket, his medical records, and drop off a monthly child-support delivery of salmon wet food at your door. You’ve clearly been chosen. I’m just the landlord who pays for his vet bills at this point.
Jokes aside, I never imagined a missing cat situation would turn into something this special. For weeks now, this dramatic little boy has been living his absolute dream—getting spoiled rotten and thoroughly cared for by two moms who love him to pieces. Take good care of our shared baby tonight! —Maize (the dethroned primary mom)
Avery lets out a soft laugh, a warm feeling blossoming in her chest. She looks down at Kai, who is already purring up a storm, pressing his head firmly against her palm as if confirming every single word Maize has written. "Two moms, huh?" Avery kisses the soft fur between his ears. "You really are the luckiest cat in the neighborhood." She picks up her phone, takes a photo of Kai happily snoozing with the red note resting on his back, and drafts a text directly to Maize's number—stepping out of the sticky-note realm for the very first time to officially accept her new role as Kai's co-parent.
Maize is just getting into bed when her phone chimes with a text notification from an unfamiliar number. Opening the message, a soft laugh escapes her lips—it is a photo of Kai sprawled across a lavender blanket, fast asleep with the crimson note still resting on his fluffy tummy.
“Official report from the second mom: Kai is down for the count. Look at this menace,” the message reads, followed by a hearts-and-cat emoji.
Maize smiles, tapping the contact header to save Avery’s name. As she does, her thumb accidentally scrolled up the screen, revealing a single lonely message thread from three weeks prior. Maize freezes, her eyes widening in sudden, horrifying recognition. She had texted Avery before. Right after receiving the very first pink sticky note, Maize had typed out a quick message to confirm she wasn't a crazy person. Scrolling to the top of the chat, Maize re-reads the stiff, painful text she has sent weeks ago:
“Good day, Ms. Avery. This is Maize, the owner of the feline currently residing on your property. I am writing to formally acknowledge receipt of your note and to express my gratitude for your temporary care. Please inform me if he causes any disturbance to your schedule.”
Maize buries her face in her pillow, groaning loudly at her past self. "Ms. Avery? Residing on your property?!" she mutters aloud, mortified. "I sounded like a condo HOA board president filing a noise complaint!" Shaking off the second-hand embarrassment, she quickly types out a response, letting her real personality shine through for the first time on screen.
Maize: OMG hi!! First of all, please ignore that stiff-ass text at the top of the chat from weeks ago! 😭😭 I was so nervous trying to sound like a sane, responsible adult that I accidentally wrote like a corporate lawyer. 💀
Maize: Second of all, look at him sleeping like he didn't just ruin my pride! He really is living his best life as a dual-citizen cat.
Avery: HAHAHAHA I WAS WONDERING ABOUT THAT INITIAL TEXT! I thought you were going to serve me with a court summons for cat-napping! 😂
Maize: NOOO I swear I'm normal! Just a victim of Kai's manipulations. But honestly, I'm so glad he found his way to your window. Our feline messenger brought me a pretty great co-parent. 💕
Avery: Same here! Sticky notes tomorrow evening, or are we modernizing to texts now?
Maize: Oh, the sticky notes are non-negotiable for now. Kai needs to earn his keep as our mailman! See you (and him) tomorrow!
Setting her phone on the nightstand, Maize looks toward her open bedroom window with a warm smile. For a cat that hates almost everyone, Kai certainly knows how to bring the right people together.
Avery stares at the screen, her thumb hovering over Maize’s last text.
“Our feline messenger brought me a pretty great co-parent. 💕”
Her eyes keep darting back to those two tiny pink hearts. It is just a friendly gesture, obviously. A totally normal, casual way to end a cute conversation about a shared cat. So why does her chest pull a sudden, traitorous little flip? Gasping quietly, she immediately takes a screenshot and dumps it straight into her group chat, waiting for the inevitable fireworks.
Avery: [Sends screenshot]
Avery: GUYS. Look at her reply 😭
Shan: TEKA.
Shan: ANONG MAY 💕 EMOJI????
Malory: OYYY ATE AVE!! Anong "pretty great co-parent" with heart emojis 'yan?!
Sash: PUSA ANG HINANAP, PERO OWNER ANG NAKUHA 😭💀
Shan: She literally called you a great co-parent and dropped the double heart. MY GOD.
Avery: OA niyo! Friendly emoji lang 'yan! Casual lang, okay! 😭
Malory: Casual? Ate Ave, normal people don't drop 💕 unless they’re flirting or super kilig!
Sash: Sabi ko sa 'yo eh, wuhluhwuh storyline 'to. Next week, co-parenting coffee date na 'yan.
Shan: Tapos si Kai 'yung ring bearer sa wedding! 💍🐈
Avery: Gaga kayo 😭 I was just showing you how nice she turned out to be! Wala lang 'yan!
Malory: "Wala lang 'yan" pero bat ka nag-screenshot sa 'min? Defensive ka, Ate Ave! 😏
Sash: Check your pulse, Ate Ave. Mabilis ba ang tibok ng puso? Hahaha!
Avery locks her phone and throws it onto the mattress face-down, her face burning. She buries her hot cheeks in her hands, letting out a muffled groan. "Your mom's friends are absolute menaces," She whispers to Kai, who is sprawled out next to her pillow, completely unbothered by the dramatic turn of events. Kai lets out a soft, low purr and lazily stretches his paws out, nudging his nose right against her wrist as if urging her to text Maize back. She looks down at the cat, then back at her phone, feeling a strange, fluttery sense of anticipation for whatever message Kai will carry across the rooftops tomorrow night.
A floor below, and two doors down the hallway, Maize is sitting at her kitchen counter, absently doodling tiny cat whiskers on a fresh sheet of pastel blue sticky notes. A faint, quiet smile plays on her lips—the kind of soft, unbothered grin that has been practically glued to her face for the past three weeks. She doesn't even realize she is humming until her phone buzzes rapidly against the countertop, lighting up with a flurry of notifications from her own circle.
Jas: Guys, anong nasinghot ni Maize nitong mga nakaraang linggo? Bakit parang may sariling background music ang buhay nito? 😭
Cal: TRUE. Diba moody 'yan kapag maulan? Kanina nung umuulan, nakatitig lang sa bintana habang nakangiti. Nakakatakot na HAHAHA.
Gav: Paranormal activity yarn? O baka naman nakahanap na ng magpapasaya sa buhay niya? 👀
Maize: Ano na naman pinagsasabi niyo diyan?! 🙄 Masama ba maging maganda ang gising?!
Jas: "Maganda ang gising" pero three weeks ka nang hindi nagrereklamo tungkol sa kahit ano??? IMPOSSIBLE.
Cal: Spill the tea, Maize. Sino 'yang dahilan kung bakit ka tulala habang nakangiti sa phone mo?
Gav: Wait... diba nawawala palagi si Kai gabi-gabi? Tapos bumabalik sa umaga na amoy jasmine perfume?
Jas: HALA. 😳
Cal: GAVIN YOU HIT THE BULLSEYE 🎯🎯🎯
Jas: MAIZE!! DON'T TELL ME KINIKILIG KA SA SECOND MOM NI KAI?!
Maize: HUY! OA niyo! Co-parent lang kami, okay! Responsible pet owners lang kami! 😭
Gav: "Responsible pet owners" pero nagpapadalahan ng sticky notes gabi-gabi na parang high school sweethearts? 📜💕
Cal: Co-parent DAW. Napanood ko na 'tong movie na 'to! Next step niyan, "coffee date para pag-usapan si Kai." ☕️
Jas: Admit it, Maize! Kinikilig ka sa kapitbahay mong amoy Sol de Janeiro! 🌸
Maize: Wala nga! We haven't even met in person yet! Sticky notes at text messages lang!
Gav: "HAVEN'T MET IN PERSON YET"??? So kinikilig ka sa sulat ng tao sa collar ng pusa mo?! 😭💀
Cal: Mas malala pa pala 'to sa inaasahan ko. Huli ka na, Maize!
Jas: Meet her in person na! Wag niyo ng gawing courier 'yung pusa!
Maize stares at her phone, her cheeks burning a bright, fiery red. She tries to craft a sharp comeback, but her thumbs freezes over the screen. Haven't met in person yet. Gav’s words echo in her mind, hitting a little too close to home. She looks down at Kai, who is sprawled out on the stool beside her, lazily licking a paw. The cat lets out a quiet meow, bumping his head against her hand as if personally endorsing her friends' chaotic advice.
Maize sighs, a helpless smile breaking through her embarrassment. She picks up her pen, looking at the fresh blue note in front of her. Maybe Cal, Jas, and Gav aren't entirely wrong after all. Taking a deep breath, she grabs a fresh pastel green sticky note. She taps her pen against her chin before carefully scribbling in her neatest handwriting:
Dear Co-parent,
My friends pointed out that making our mailman carry sticky notes back and forth every night might be violating feline labor laws. Plus, I think it’s about time I officially meet the girl who stole my cat’s heart (and turned him into a perfume enthusiast).
How about an official Co-Parenting Summit over coffee this Saturday morning? My treat, as a thank-you for taking such good care of our shared boy.
Let me know! —Maize
She carefully folds the note, taped it securely near Kai’s tag, and gives the cat a gentle scratch behind his left ear. "Deliver this directly to your second mom, buddy. Don't lose it," she whispers. Kai lets out a soft chirp and bounds out the window into the cool night air.
An hour later, Avery is sitting on her bed when Kai slips through her bedroom window. He trots straight up to her, perching himself on her lap and proudly presenting his collar. "What do you have for me tonight, Kai?" She carefully peels off the green paper. As her eyes scans Maize’s handwriting, she feels a sudden wave of heat rush straight to her face. A genuine, uncontrollable grin breaks across her lips, her heart doing a giddy little flip against her ribs. An actual face-to-face meet-up! Hands shaking slightly with excitement, she immediately takes a photo of the note and dumps it into her group chat.
Avery: [Sends photo of the green sticky note]
Avery: GUYS DISASTER 😭 MAIZE ASKED ME OUT FOR COFFEE THIS SATURDAY 😭
Shan: OH MY GOD???? IT’S HAPPENING!!
Malory: KINIKILIG AKO ATE AVE!!!!! HINDI NA 'TO DRILL!! 😭
Sash: SABI SA 'YO EH! CAT-MESSENGER TO COFFEE DATE REALNESS! ☕️✨
Shan: "Official Co-Parenting Summit" DAW 😭 Ang cute pakinggan!!
Malory: What are you wearing?! Make sure to spray that Sol de Janeiro jasmine perfume para maamoy niya up close! 😂💀
Sash: OMG yes!! You HAVE to say yes, Ate Ave!
Avery: Syempre mag-ye-yes ako!! But I'm so nervous! What if I act awkward in person?!
Shan: Girl, she’s been trading witty notes with you for weeks! She already likes your personality. Just be yourself!
Avery clutches her phone to her chest, her heart hammering wildly. She looks down at Kai, who is now fast asleep across her ankles, purring softly. Taking a deep breath, Avery opens her text thread with Maize, her fingers flying across the screen:
“I think Kai would definitely appreciate the break from his mail carrier duties! I’d love to get coffee this Saturday morning. It’s a date! (And I promise not to wear too much jasmine perfume so Kai doesn't get confused) 😉☕️”
Moments later, Maize’s reply pops up: “Awesome! Can’t wait to finally meet you, Avery. 😊”
Avery buries her face in her pillow, letting out a quiet squeal of excitement. Saturday can't come fast enough.