In the afternoon, school ended at three o'clock.
The corridors of Sobu High School gradually quieted down.
The voices of students faded into the distance, replaced by the occasional sound of shoes tapping against the floor, the soft squeak of lockers, and the gentle wind passing through open windows.
Everyone was ready to go home.
Except—
.....
Inside Service Club Room,
Yukinoshita Yukino sat quietly on her chair.
A book was open in her hands.
The sunlight from outside the window fell on her shoulders and hair, outlining her profile with a soft glow.
Yet instead of making her look warm…
It only made her seem even more untouchable.
As if she belonged to a different world.
A world where noise, foolishness, and irresponsible adults didn't exist.
Yukino turned a page.
Her fingers moved lightly.
Her expression remained unchanged.
The room was peaceful.
Too peaceful.
Like the calm before a disaster.
BANG!
The door was suddenly pulled open.
The sound was loud enough to make even the dust in the air tremble.
At the same time—
A tall figure walked in.
Hands behind his back.
A smile on his face.
Snow-white hair.
And an aura that screamed one thing clearly:
Trouble.
"Yoo—"
Gojo Satoru greeted cheerfully, as if he had entered his own home.
Yukinoshita Yukino didn't even need to look up properly. She just sighed already knowing who the person was without even looking.
Slowly, she closed her book.
Then she looked at him with eyes full of exhaustion.
"…Why are you here again, Gojo-sensei?"
Gojo put on a wounded expression.
"Huh? Yukino, that's such a cruel thing to say."
He pressed a hand dramatically against his chest.
"Do you hate me that much?"
Yukino didn't respond.
She simply stared at him quietly, her eyes were blank but the message inside them was crystal clear.
Yes.
Gojo blinked.
Then shrugged like he'd expected it.
"Well, fair."
Then he brought his hands from behind his back to the front.
In the middle of his palms—
Was a tiny kitten.
White fur.
Clean and fluffy.
With soft blue eyes like drops of winter sky.
It was the kitten they had seen before at the "Love House" pet café.
The kitten blinked slowly.
It looked small enough to fit in one hand.
Yukino's gaze immediately locked onto it.
Her expression still looked calm…
But her eyes betrayed her.
She was staring so hard it was almost frightening.
Gojo smiled even wider.
He lowered his voice and spoke to the kitten in a gentle tone, "Well, looks like we should leave."
Then, he turned slightly toward the door, as he said slowly, "Yukino doesn't want to see us."
The kitten blinked.
"Meow~?"
It responded softly.
Gojo pretended to sigh.
"How sad."
He even took one step toward the door, acting like he was really about to leave.
"Wait!"
Suddenly, Yukino spoke.
Her voice came out quicker than she intended, stopping the party from living.
Gojo stopped immediately.
His back still facing her as he response, "…Hmm?"
Yukino looked conflicted. Her face showed a rare tangle of emotions.
It was obvious—
She hated being with Gojo Satoru.
She didn't like his teasing.
She didn't like his shameless attitude.
She didn't like how he acted like everything was a joke.
But…
The kitten was innocent.
Yukino's eyes remained fixed on the kitten.
Gojo was holding the kitten in a way that she can see it leave.
Then she spoke, her tone reluctant.
"…You can stay."
Gojo's lips curved into a teasing smile.
His shoulders shook slightly, like he was holding back laughter.
So easy.
Yukino really is weak against small animals.
He turned back around slowly.
"Ahem—x2 "
He coughed twice dramatically.
"that's what you said, I didn't force you, okay~"
Yukino glared at him.
"…You absolutely did."
Gojo ignored that completely, pulling a chair over without asking.
Scrrrrk.
The chair legs scraped against the floor.
Then he sat right beside Yukino, far too close for comfort. Before he placed the kitten gently on the table, the kitten's paws touched the unfamiliar surface.
Its ears twitched.
It looked around nervously.
"Meow… meow…"
It cried softly, clearly uneasy in a new environment after leaving Gojo palm.
Yukino's expression instantly softened.
She reached out slowly and stroked the kitten's head. Her fingers moved gently, like she was touching something precious, as she whisper gently with only a faint smile and tenderness in her expression.
"Don't be afraid."
Her voice was quiet.
Warm.
Completely different from the cold tone she used for Gojo.
"It's okay. I'm here."
The kitten's ears relaxed.
It leaned into her hand.
"Meow~"
Gojo watched silently.
Then he pulled out his phone and started replying to a message.
Yukino glanced at him, continuing to caresses the kitten soft fur.
"…Gojo-sensei."
"Hmm?"
Gojo didn't raise his head— not even sparing her a glance as he continued typing.
Yukino kept stroking the kitten, but her voice held suspicion.
"How did you bring this kitten out of the Love House?"
Gojo placed his phone on the table and propped his chin with one hand. With the other hand, he poked the kitten lightly.
"Because this little thing refused to eat."
The kitten blinked at him.
"Meow?"
Gojo continued casually.
"The manager called me today. He asked if I could adopt it."
Yukino's fingers paused for a moment.
"…Adopt it?"
Gojo nodded.
"Yeah. Apparently, whenever I'm around, it eats normally. But when I'm gone, it barely touches food."
He smiled.
"So he asked if I could take it in."
Yukinoshita Yukino nodded, feeling a little regretful in her heart.
If she lived in a place that allowed pets…
If she had been a little more selfish…
Then maybe…
This kitten would've been hers from the beginning.
Yukino quietly whispered.
"…I see."
Gojo leaned back lazily.
"Anyway, since I already brought it out, we should give it a name."
He tilted his head lightly as he asked.
"What should we call you little one?"
He leaned closer to the kitten.
"How about…"
"Sweetie?"
Yukino immediately shot him a look.
"Gojo-sensei. Has anyone ever told you that your naming sense is terrible?"
She couldn't help but feel like complaining.
Gojo gasped.
"Hey! That's harsh!"
Then he started listing names like he was throwing darts randomly.
"Then… Shiro!"
"Or Shiro-shiro!"
"Or… Gojo-shiro!"
"Or… Wutiao-shiro!"
"Or Mimi!"
Yukino's eyes narrowed, lifting the kitten protectively as she glared at the white-haired teacher.
"If you really plan to name it any of those…then I will never allow you to adopt it."
Gojo froze.
"…Huh?"
He stared at her like she'd just threatened him with death.
"Why is it so troublesome?!"
Gojo sighed dramatically.
"Fine, fine. Then you choose."
Yukino hesitated, as she look at the kitten in her hands, staring at the kitten. Before she placed it again on the table.
"…I refuse."
Gojo blinked, "You're really stubborn, huh?"
Yukino's eyes sharpened.
"You're the one who's stubborn. Hmph!"
Gojo leaned back.
"Oh, I can hum too. Hmph!"
"…Are you a child?"
Gojo grin, as he said proudly. "Yes."
Yukino: "…"
The kitten sat between them, looking back and forth.
Its little head tilted.
It didn't understand why these two humans were arguing over something so simple.
Yukino thought quietly for a while.
Then her eyes narrowed slightly, like she had finally decided something. She spoke slowly.
"…Vanilla."
"…Vanilla?"
"Yes."
How dare you criticize me for bad naming sense when you are no better! And aren't you choosing Vanilla just because it look like it!
Gojo retorted inwardly before he sigh, well at least she choose one, but still Mimi was such a good name....
"Fine, Vanilla it is."
Yukino lifted the kitten gently with both hands, she held it close, like it was something fragile. Then she called out softly.
"Vanilla."
The kitten blinked, staring at the woman in front.
Then—
"Meow!"
It responded.
Its tail flicked lightly.
The little kitty—no Vanilla looked like it liked the name.
Yukino's lips curved slightly.
It was a faint smile.
But she quickly hide it, before she turned and looked at Gojo, her voice calm but proud.
"See? Even Vanilla likes the name."
Gojo waved his hand lazily.
"Ah yes, yes, yes."
He sounded like he was agreeing with a toddler.
Yukino's smile vanished instantly.
"Gojo-sensei."
Gojo ignore her as usual as he suddenly clapped his hands, calling out to the kitten in Yukino's embrace.
"Vanilla, come here!"
"Meow!"
Without hesitation—
Vanilla jumped directly into Gojo's arms.
It landed perfectly on his palm.
Then rubbed its head against his index finger, purring softly.
Gojo laughed.
"See? Vanilla likes me too."
He rubbed the kitten's head, looking smug.
Vanilla even licked his cheek with its tiny pink tongue.
Yukino froze.
Her hands were still raised in the air.
Empty!
Like she had just been abandoned.
Her expression turned blank.
It was the face of someone who had just been betrayed by fate.
"…This…"
She slowly lowered her hands.
Her eyes looked dark.
Gojo grinned, completely shameless, "Vanilla is so nice."
"…I really don't understand why Vanilla likes you so much."
Even if it was Yukinoshita Yukino, she was unconvinced and spoke sourly.
Her eyes lowered, Her thoughts heavy.
I was the first one to find it.
I was the one who sheltered it from the rain.
I was the one who worried about it.
I was the one who wanted to protect it.
But in the end—
Vanilla still jumped into Gojo's arms like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Yukino felt like a clown.
A defeated heroine.
Gojo laughed narcissistically.
"Maybe it's because I'm a man."
He leaned closer.
"Hahaha! I didn't expect even a kitten can't resist my charm."
{T/N: I don't think it's important but Vanilla is a female kitten.}
Yukino replied flatly.
"…Yes, yes."
Her voice was perfunctory.
Like she was dealing with a loud child.
.....
The two of them continued teasing Vanilla.
Gojo would call the kitten.
Yukino would pet it.
Vanilla would go back and forth, enjoying both sides like it was the real winner.
The classroom atmosphere became softer.
When—
Creak!
The door opened again.
This time, the sound was not loud.
But it was abrupt.
A dead-fish-eyed boy walked in.
His shoulders were slightly slumped.
His expression was tired.
His aura screamed: "I hate social interaction."
It was—
Hikigaya Hachiman.
"I'm in."
He said casually, as if this was normal.
Yukino's head snapped up, her eyes sharpened instantly.
"Could you knock before entering?"
She was in a very bad mood.
Hachiman blinked.
"…Huh?"
Yukino's voice grew colder. "Vanilla was startled."
Hachiman looked down.
Only now did he notice the kitten on the table.
It was staring at him.
Its tail flicked.
Hachiman's face became more confused.
Since when did we have a cat in the Service Club? And since when did Yukinoshita care about knocking?
And why is Gojo-sensei sitting here like he owns the place?
Hachiman's eyes slowly shifted to Gojo.
Gojo waved cheerfully.
"Yo, dead fish eyes."
Hachiman: "…"
Yukino's voice remained sharp.
"This is the Service Club, not a stable."
Hachiman looked even more puzzled.
He muttered under his breath.
"…I literally said 'I'm coming in' like always.…Why do I have to knock today…?"
{T/N: He did}
Yukino replied coldly.
"Because today is different."
Hachiman stared at the Kitten.
Then stared at Yukino.
Then stared at Gojo.
Then stared at Vanilla again.
His face showed one clear thought.
This club is doomed.
.....
Word count — 1,915