"Ah... my ears... stop playing with my ears...!"
A single tear welled up in Nekomiya's eyes, her voice trembling with a hint of pleading.
"Ah... sorry! I'm so sorry!!"
Ye Qingfeng snapped back to his senses. Looking down and seeing Nekomiya in such a wrecked state, he quickly pulled his hands back and hid them behind his back, offering an extremely sincere and awkward apology.
Yet, internally, he was incredibly excited. The feeling was exactly like a real cat's!
Nekomiya's feet gave out. She staggered backward a few steps until her back hit the cold wall. The solid surface finally provided a point of support for her soft, boneless body, and she slid down to sit on the floor, completely unable to control herself.
"Hah... hah... hah..."
She panted heavily, her eyes glazed over, staring blankly at the opposite wall. Her mind was a whirlwind. That was too stimulating! I almost couldn't hold it in... but it felt so good...
[Beep! Nekomiya's favorability has increased by 10%. Current favorability: 30%]
Ye Qingfeng looked at the dazed Nekomiya, a pang of genuine guilt striking his heart. He was just pulling out a bottle of water to offer her when the system's announcement echoed in his head.
His mouth twitched. He stared at Nekomiya, completely surprised. He had been mentally preparing for a decrease in favorability, but instead, it increased? did it really feel that good to get her ears rubbed?
"Sorry about that..." he began, crouching down beside her and holding out the water bottle. "It's just that... the cat ears felt so nice to touch. Ahem! Mainly because I really like small animals! So, tell me, what can I do to earn your forgiveness?"
"Buurp! Mmph—!"
Nekomiya snatched the water bottle, pressed it to her lips, and chugged half of it in one go. The moment she set it down, a loud, undignified burp escaped her. Instantly, she clamped her hands over her mouth, her face flushing with embarrassment, her toes curling inside her boots.
"That's going too far! You pervert!" she shot to her feet, pointing an accusing finger at Ye Qingfeng, her voice loud in an attempt to divert attention from her own slip-up. "To do something like that to me! And you think you can just ask for forgiveness? Impossible!"
Ye Qingfeng saw right through her transparent act. Though he didn't understand why a little burp was so mortifying, he was the one at fault, so he played along. "Then tell me, what should I do in order to get you forgiveness?"
"At the very least..." Nekomiya's face burned even redder. She mustered all her courage and shouted, "You have to take responsibility for me!"
"W-wait a second!" The shocking words made Ye Qingfeng's eyes go wide. "I just rubbed your cat ears a little! And you want me to take responsibility?!"
"What do you mean, 'just a little'!" Nekomiya reacted fiercely, but then her words caught in her throat. The blush deepened, spreading to the tips of her ears. She clutched the hem of her clothes, twisting the fabric nervously, her voice dropping to a soft, almost inaudible murmur. "We... we Thiren cat-people... our ears aren't for just anyone to touch... They're very sensitive there..."
"Uh... about that, I really didn't know!" Ye Qingfeng's guilt, already substantial, now felt like a crushing weight. A forced, pained smile—worse than crying—appeared on his face. "And besides, Nekomiya, you're still young. For something this serious, shouldn't you at least get your parents permission first? How about... I compensate you with some Dennies? Will that work?"
"I don't have parents..."
She didn't even get to finish the sentence before Ye Qingfeng felt his heart shatter completely. I'm such a horrible person!
"Taking responsibility... let's talk about that when Nekomiya is older, okay?" Ye Qingfeng said softly, slowly standing and moving closer. His gaze was gentle as he looked down at her. He reached out a hand, slowly moving it toward her head.
Thinking he was going for her ears again, Nekomiya panicked, her body tensing to turn and flee. This is too much! He won't take responsibility, and he still won't leave my ears alone! Scumbag!!
Seeing her about to bolt, Ye Qingfeng hastily reached out and caught her wrist, instinctively pulling her back toward him. She stumbled, landing softly against his chest.
Nekomiya watched the hand descend toward her head again, the phantom sensations from before rushing back. As if resigning herself to fate, she squeezed her eyes shut. I'm done for! It's happening again! Why is he so obsessed with my ears! What should I do? Should I fight back? But... he's really handsome... and he gave me two cans of food... and that feeling was actually quite nice... Most importantly... Ye Qingfeng smells amazing.
While lost in her frantic, conflicting thoughts, a weight settled on her head. Her whole body tensed instinctively, but the overwhelming, stimulating sensation she expected didn't come.
She slowly cracked one eye open, seeing only the reassuring fabric of Ye Qingfeng's chest before her. A gentle, rhythmic stroking sensation came from the top of her head—not her ears. Her cat ears, however, perked straight up of their own accord.
"Hey, little kitty," his voice was warm, a playful lilt to it. "Come home with me. I've got plenty of canned food!"
He really is a pervert! Who cares about a few cans of food...
"Come to think of it, I'm also a bit of a cook. How about I make you a full fish banquet today?"
Silence.
"I can also give you some pocket money from time to time!"
Silence.
"I'll let you have my bed, and I'll sleep on the sofa. How about that!"
When no response came for a long time, Ye Qingfeng was about to look down to see what was wrong. Suddenly, Nekomiya buried her face deep into his chest, her arms wrapping tightly around his waist. Her voice, muffled by the fabric, trembled with the threat of tears. "Don't... don't think a few cans of food are enough to get me!"
"Then what do you want?" Ye Qingfeng asked, his gaze dripping with a doting affection he hadn't known he possessed, his hand still gently patting her head.
Nekomiya sniffled hard. "You have to buy me canned food from now on!"
"Okay~"
"They have to be mackerel cans!"
"No problem!"
"And you have to give me pocket money! And give me your room!"
Ye Qingfeng couldn't help a playful chuckle. "Are all kitties as greedy as you?"
"I'm already an adult! If you don't agree, then you'll have to take responsibility!"
Nekomiya felt she had a good grasp of Ye Qingfeng's personality now. No matter which option he chose, she wouldn't lose!
"You win," he sighed, the smile never leaving his voice. "My beloved bed is yours..."
Eh... I just got used to that bed...
Then again... if I could hug the tiny Nekomiya while sleeping, wouldn't that be super blissful!
Ye Qingfeng felt the fabric over his chest grow damp and warm. He hadn't expected Nekomiya to get so emotional. It seemed her life before had been truly difficult.
His family had gained another member. Life from now on probably wouldn't be as lonely as it used to be...
Wait a minute. Sister Nicole is an orphan. So am I. Nekomiya is too. Billy is a robot!
I just don't know about Anby's situation...
That means out of the five people at the Cunning Hares now, we can't even scrape together a pair of complete parents...
"Nekomiya," he said softly, gently easing back the girl who was clinging to him like a limpet. He took out a tissue and carefully wiped the tear tracks from her face, his tone teasing. "How did you turn into a little clingy tear staind kitty?"
"I'll bite you!" she retorted, but there was no heat in it, and she didn't pull away.
After cleaning her up, a faint, warm smile settled on Ye Qingfeng's face. He extended a hand toward her. "Let's go."
He didn't say where. He didn't need to.
"Mhm!" Nekomiya stared at the offered hand, dazed for a fleeting moment. Then her smaller hand shot out, grabbing his tightly, as if afraid it would suddenly vanish or pull away. "Home!"
"Home."
Side by side, they walked out of the confines of the dark alley. The bright, afternoon sunlight instantly enveloped them, its warmth dispelling the lingering chill that had clung to the narrow
passageway, illuminating the path ahead.
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