'Hey hey hey, that's my cat!' Yoru screamed internally.
Did Yukino seriously think she was San-san's real owner now?
"San-san used to be a stray. I happened to find her and took her in," Yoru explained.
"Really?" Yukino eyed the fat slob in front of her with suspicion.
Someone who'd steal a girl's panties and stockings wouldn't normally be that kind-hearted.
"Alright, then. You can leave now. I need to work." With one hand holding San-san, Yukino waved at Yoru with the other, as if swatting away a fly.
Yoru turned and walked out to the front of the clinic.
Come to think of it, Yukino's family was in construction, right?
If he remembered correctly, his own home was developed by the Yukinoshita family.
Even though she wasn't on the same level as Shinomiya, she was still a rich girl. Why would she take a part-time job at a pet clinic?
Does she just love cats?
Still, Yoru wasn't about to bother asking. They barely knew each other.
Yukino's aloofness was practically written on her face.
"Hey student, come over here," the older pet doctor called out.
Yoru walked over to pay for the grooming, vaccination, and deworming.
It wasn't expensive. The pet clinic wasn't trying to squeeze money out of people, and they even threw in a few free cat supplies.
He then strolled around the clinic, picking up some cat-care knowledge.
Once he felt ready, he returned to the back room.
As soon as he entered, he saw Yukino's back as she placed the freshly bathed and trimmed San-san onto a clean table.
Using a towel and a hair dryer, she was helping dry San-san's fur.
It looked like she was nearly done. Yoru was just about to step inside—
Then he saw Yukino lift San-san up with both hands and press her face against her.
"Aww, so cute~ chubby and adorable~"
"So soft, so well-behaved~"
"..."
Yukino not only nuzzled her face into the cat, but also let out some unusually sweet and affectionate cooing sounds.
"...What?"
Yoru stood frozen, unsure whether to laugh or be stunned.
Was Yukinoshita really that fond of cats?
Had he just accidentally discovered the secret side of the academy's ice-cold beauty?
If the boys who secretly admired Yukino found out that a fat slob like him had seen her like this, wouldn't they be driven mad with jealousy?
"Meow~"
San-san, tired of all the nuzzling, stuck out her round head and looked toward her real owner.
The moment she saw Yoru, she let out a cry for help.
Realizing something, Yukino whipped her head around—only to lock eyes with Yoru standing at the doorway.
She completely froze, brain crashing from embarrassment. She quickly turned away, face flushed.
San-san seized the moment and escaped, hopping over to Yoru.
"Now that she's been washed and trimmed, she looks even cuter," Yoru said casually as he picked her up.
"Peeping Tom Classmate, why did you suddenly come in?"
Yukino turned back around, glaring with her icy blue eyes as she questioned Yoru sternly.
"This is a public space. I came here as a paying customer."
"And besides, she's my cat. You didn't ask me before handling her like that. That's not really okay, is it?"
Yoru stared her down without flinching, throwing the question right back at her.
How had he become a peeping tom now?
"Huh... what?"
Yukino was momentarily stunned by the counter. Her expression turned awkward.
If there were a hole in the floor, she would've gladly crawled into it.
"You should've at least knocked or said something, instead of silently appearing behind someone," she said, quickly regaining her usual composure.
"I won't tell anyone. Don't worry," Yoru replied, glancing at the top of her head.
No golden treasure chest.
But Yukino was just as beautiful as Kasumigaoka Utaha and Shinomiya Kaguya.
So it seemed the appearance of those golden chests had nothing to do with looks.
Carrying San-san, Yoru went back to the front to finish the vaccination and external deworming.
Yukino remained inside, covering her face and taking deep breaths.
Half an hour later—
After the treatments were done, Yoru was leaving the clinic with San-san in his arms when Yukino suddenly came running out.
"Wait a second."
She looked at the well-behaved San-san in Yoru's arms, a hint of reluctance in her eyes.
"What is it?" Yoru asked, surprised.
"I forgot to mention—San-san is a spayed female. Her frame is a bit slim, so you can feed her a bit more."
"Make sure to feed her small amounts multiple times a day. Since she used to be a stray, her digestive system isn't in the best shape."
Yukino looked up, her expression calm again as she gave Yoru these instructions.
"Alright, I understand. Thank you." Yoru glanced down at San-san.
"Wait... also..." Yukino stopped him again.
"If San-san ever gets sick or acts strange, you can come to our school clubroom—the Service Club—to find me," she added.
"Service Club…? That name sounds kinda weird," Yoru commented.
"Ugh..."
Yukino sighed.
"It's a club dedicated to helping others. If San-san ever has issues, come ask me. I know more about cats than you do."
"New cat owners often can't tell when something's wrong. You need to pay attention."
"Got it. Thanks. You really do love cats, huh?" Yoru nodded.
"What I like has nothing to do with… with Kitakami-san, does it?" Yukino shot him a sharp look.
Yoru didn't answer. He simply waved casually and left.
Yukino watched him go with a hint of envy in her eyes.
Why couldn't she find a cute and obedient fat cat like that?
The high-end apartment she lived in didn't allow pets.
Sure, she could come work at the pet clinic during holidays to get her cat obsession fix.
But that was only possible during long breaks.
Tomorrow was the official start of school.
Yukino had even considered whether she should move to a more ordinary place.
Living alone in a high-rise tower apartment, sometimes it felt strange having such a large space all to himself.