Since she had said she would "take responsibility," Kato Megumi followed Yukima Azuma back to his apartment without hesitation.
He didn't expect her to actually come along—but here they were.
Azuma unlocked the door with a click and pushed it open.
"Sorry for the trouble," Megumi said politely as she stepped inside, slipping off her shoes.
Azuma glanced down the hallway and into the living room. There were no shoes by the door aside from theirs—none that belonged to Kasumigaoka Utaha.
That's right. She'd mentioned she had a promotional event today for her fourth novel at Fushikawa Publishing. She wouldn't be back until late—and maybe not even for dinner.
"Looks like your tenant's out?" Megumi asked, casually scanning the neat living room before her eyes landed on the coffee machine in the kitchen.
"Yeah," Azuma replied. "She's got work. Said she'll be late."
From the shoe cabinet, he pulled out a new pair of cherry blossom-colored slippers. Ever since Sora Ginko's slipper incident, he'd made sure to stock a few extra pairs.
Megumi accepted the slippers with a soft smile and slipped them on. She then gently placed the white cat on the floor.
The kitten cautiously sniffed the air, tail curled low, and began to explore the new space at a measured pace.
They led it into one of the spare rooms on the first floor. Azuma and Megumi worked together to set up a little nest: cat bed, toys, food and water bowls, and a litter box.
After everything was arranged, Azuma crossed his arms and frowned at the box of litter.
"…How do I teach it to use that?" he muttered. "If it pees everywhere, I'm dead meat."
Images of a grumbling Kasumigaoka-senpai flashed through his mind. Yeah, that'd be a nightmare.
"It's not that hard," Megumi said matter-of-factly, returning with the kitten in her arms.
She placed it directly into the litter box, fetched a cup of water, and lightly moistened the litter.
Then, with patient movements, she took the kitten's tiny paws and began gently digging at the litter with them.
After a few scoops, instinct kicked in.
The cat started scratching on its own, pawing the litter and soon covering up its small mess like it had done it a hundred times before.
Megumi let go and clapped lightly. "See? Cats naturally bury their waste to hide their scent from predators. Just a little prompt, and instinct takes over."
Azuma watched in awe. "Megumi-san… you're amazing."
"I just watched a few YouTube tutorials," she said modestly, handing the cat a feather wand toy. "But it's important to create a reward system. That way, they learn faster."
Then she turned to him. "Should we name it?"
Azuma nodded. "Got any suggestions?"
Megumi shook her head. "Since you're the one who adopted it, Azuma-san, the honor should go to you."
"Hm…" Azuma looked down at the snowy furball with mismatched eyes. "How about… Shiratamaru?"
And thus, the name Shiratamaru was born.
"Shiratamaru, be a good cat, okay?" Megumi cooed, scratching under its chin.
Though it clearly didn't understand its new name, Shiratamaru purred in approval.
After they finished setting up the room, Azuma checked the time and let out a soft gasp.
"It's already past dinner?"
Understandable—it had been a long afternoon. Between the rescue center, the adoption process, and prepping for the cat, time had slipped by.
"Stay and have dinner," Azuma offered.
"Sure. Anything I can help with?" she asked.
"Can you cook?"
"Just a little."
They entered the kitchen together.
But it turned out Megumi's "just a little" was an understatement. She moved with precision—prepping ingredients efficiently, knowing which utensils Azuma would need before he even asked.
Even though it was their first time cooking together, they operated in seamless harmony.
Soon, the table was filled with a colorful, aromatic spread.
"You're really good, Azuma-san. And these Chinese dishes are restaurant quality," Megumi said, admiring the plating.
Azuma glanced at his internal "cooking level"—he was now at level 6.
"Yeah, I'm starting to get the hang of it. Actually, I'm better with Chinese food than traditional Japanese cuisine."
"I'm the opposite," Megumi added. "Also… I can't drink coffee. I only like tea."
Azuma turned slowly, staring at the French press on the counter.
Again? He had no comeback—just like the first time she'd surprised him.
She really is something.
…
After dinner, they returned to the kitchen to clean up together.
Truth be told, Azuma hadn't washed dishes in a while. Ever since Kasumigaoka Utaha moved in, he cooked, and she handled cleanup.
Megumi rolled up her sleeves and washed with practiced ease.
Once everything was dried and put away, she glanced at the clock.
"It's getting late. I should head home."
"You're not staying over?" he asked, teasing.
"It'd feel… a bit weird. Staying over at your place the first time."
"I was just being polite. No need to refuse so seriously," Azuma shrugged, then muttered under his breath, "Still, no matter how many times you visit, staying overnight at a guy's place…"
"Well…" Megumi hesitated, her voice soft. "If it's with you, Azuma-san… maybe it wouldn't be so bad."
Azuma froze.
He didn't know how to respond to that.
Before things got any more awkward, he cleared his throat and reached into a drawer.
He handed her a small key.
Megumi blinked as she accepted it, her eyes narrowing in surprise.
"…Is this what I think it is?"
"Yeah. It's a spare key to the apartment. I might need your help with Shiratamaru sometimes."
She looked at him, puzzled.
"I've been thinking… I'm still a pro player, and I've got a tournament coming up. I won't always be home to feed or look after it."
He rubbed the back of his neck. "And with the club activities ramping up… I might be stuck at school late. Like tomorrow, for example."
Megumi held the key close, nodding thoughtfully.
"So that's why you asked for time off yesterday?"
Azuma raised an eyebrow. "You pay that much attention to me?"
"I told you, Azuma-kun." Her voice was calm and steady. "I'll take responsibility."