"No way! No way!" Shizuka scoffed at the idea that someone might ask her out with ulterior motives, not wanting to admit it for even a sed.

  Haruno didn't press the issue, only shrugging in response. She figured she could test that theory at some point ter.

  The two didn't li the drinking spot for long. After having a few drinks, both wome. Sihey couldn't drive after drinking and lived retively close to the area, they decided to walk home to sober up a little.

  As they passed by an alley, a faint cry grabbed their attention.

  "Meow!"

  "A kitten?"

  Both Shizuka and Haruno stopped iracks, notig a tiny kitten slowly limping out from a er. It looked like it had just been born and was clearly injured, struggling with each step.

  "Poor thing!" Both Shizuka and Haruno approached the kitten, their hearts ag for the helpless creature.

  Shizuka carefully picked it up, examining its wounds.

  "Damn it, who could hurt a newborn kitten like this?" Shizuka cursed, indignation burning in her voice.

  Haruno, while also upset, was more posed. She frowned and sighed.

  " you take it in?" Shizuka looked at Haruno with , feeling awful about leaving the kitten abandoned like this.

  But raising a kitten herself wasn't an option. Holy, Shizuka wasn't even sure she could take care of herself, let aloiny, injured animal.

  "You know I 't," Haruno replied with a sigh. She adored cats, but her hands were tied. Lately, she had started taking on more responsibilities in the family business, preparing to officially i the Yukinoshita household. But the real head of the family was still her mother, a woman with a fiereed for trol. That was why Haruno always wore a fake smile around others to hide her true feelings from her overbearing mother.

  If her mother found out about the kitten, she would surely have it throithout a sed thought.

  "..."

  Shizuka could easily guess what Haruno was thinking. After a moment, she suggested, "Well, why don't you take it home for just one night? Give it some food, and tomorrow you take it to a vet."

  Haruantly nodded. "That's probably the best we do for now."

  That night, Shizuka found some food for the kitten. After eating, the tiny creature quickly fell asleep, curling up peacefully.

  "So well-behaved," Shizuka murmured as she watched the kitten sleep. For a brief moment, she even sidered keeping it forever.

  But soon, it was time for bed. After washing up, Shizuka turned off the lights aled into her bs. The room grew dark and quiet.

  The kitten, which had been fast asleep, suddenly stirred awake. It slowly crept through the room, stepping softly on the floor. As it reached the bedside, the kitten paused, staring at the sleeping Shizuka.

  Then, its figure began to fade, disappearing into thin air.

  ---

  The m, Shizuka yawned and stretched as she walked out of her bedroom. But when she gnced around the living room, she was left stunned.

  "Where's the cat?"

  She had left it sleeping in the living room st night. How could it be gone?

  After searg the entire house and finding no trace of the kitten, Shizuka clicked her tongue in frustration.

  "Tsk, did it run off by itself?"

  There didn't seem to be any other expnation. Shizuka had mentally prepared herself to take care of the kitten, but now it seemed she wouldn't have to.

  "Fet it, just let it go," she muttered to herself, shaking her head. Shizuka wasn't the overly seal type. Besides, she had csses to attend that m.

  ---

  In the during the lunch break, a group of students chatted idly.

  "What about Tobe? Why hasn't he shown up today?"

  "I don't know. Did he take the day off?"

  Along with Hayato and Tobe, there were two other boys in the group, Yamato and Ooka. However, those two were more like background characters, with low presence.

  After notig Tobe's absehey all became curious.

  "I heard he took a leave of absence," Hayato expined with a helpless shrug.

  In Hayato's opinion, Tobe had beeally shaken by the events from a few days ago, which probably led him to take some time off from school.

  "Tch, it's his own fault, but he 't even handle a little scolding without disappearing?" Yumiko chimed in bluntly. She didn't mince her words. As far as she was ed, Tobe had overreacted. She had only said a few words, and now he was taking time off like he couldn't ha? How weak.

  "..."

  Hayato could only sigh. They were all his friends, but what was he supposed to say?

  Ryuji, who had been quietly listening to the versation, yawned, already bored. Without a word, he got up and walked out of the . Over the past couple of days, he haden much, thanks to his ability to absorb souls. But now, hunger was starting to catch up with him.

  Maybe it was time to explore the school a bit and see if there was anything iing going on.

  Ryuji wandered down the hallway with his hands stuffed in his pockets, his thoughts drifting.

  Suddenly, a voice called out to him from behind.

  "You must be Ryuji Hoshino!"

  "Huh?"

  Ryuji stopped and turned around, his expression mildly curious.

  When he saw who it was, his eyes widened slightly in surprise.

  Standing before him was her than Yukinoshita Yukino, one of the school's most promi figures.

  Without wasting a moment, Yukino introduced herself. "My name is Yukinoshita Yukino. I'm the president of the Service Club."

  "..."

  Ryuji blinked, surprised at the straightforward introdu. He couldn't help but pare Yukino to someone like Utaha. Her demeanor was much more posed, but there was an air of serioushat made her seem a little uptight.

  "So, what do you want?" Ryuji asked, not showing too muterest despite her reputation. He was genuinely curious why someone like her would seek him out.

  Yukino seemed a bit taken aback by his ck of rea to the mention of her club's name. Most boys at their age would misuand the purpose of a club called the "Service Club," imagining all sorts of things. But Ryuji's calm demeanor was ued.

  Without the ake a snide ent or use her usual sharp tongue, Yukino cleared her throat and said, "It was a request from Hiratsuka-sensei. She asked me to help you."