The rain was pouring.
Yu Yachen hadn't thought much of Ch'en finding the cat. When they got back, she went straight home.
She had just finished showering and was about to watch TV when she heard a knock.
"Knock, knock, knock."
"Click—"
Yu Yachen opened the door. Ch'en was standing there, holding the box.
"Um... for some reason, my power is out," Ch'en explained, embarrassed.
"So? You're planning to bring that cat into my house?" Yu Yachen replied, expressionless.
"Uh... can I?"
Seeing her hesitation, Yu Yachen looked down at her soaking-wet legs.
Her home was spotless. If Ch'en came in, her floors would be ruined. And having a cat running around would be troublesome.
Yu Yachen did not like pets.
"...Come in."
"Thank you!" Ch'en's face lit up.
"..."
In the end, Ch'en was forced to wear plastic bags over her feet and was ordered into the bathroom. She was not allowed out until both she and the cat were clean.
Fortunately, the cat was well-behaved. After a lot of work, Ch'en finally got them both clean.
Changing into a set of Yu Yachen's pajamas, she peeked out. Yu Yachen was sitting on the sofa, reading a book. She squinted... it looked like a manga.
"Meow~"
The cat suddenly struggled from her arms, leaped down, ran to the sofa, and curled up next to Yu Yachen, rubbing its face on her wrist.
Good job, kitty!
Ch'en inwardly cheered.
She knew Yu Yachen was a clean-freak, but this was extreme. If she had gotten anything dirty, she felt like Yu Yachen would have skinned her.
But if the cat could win her over, maybe she'd be more tolerant.
"..."
Yu Yachen's expression didn't change. She just looked down and gently stroked the black cat's head.
"Are you really going to adopt it?" she asked.
"I... I want to try. I've been so stressed lately. Maybe having a cat will help me relax."
"Did you forget you're still in school?" Yu Yachen looked at her.
"Ah?"
The blue-haired girl's eyes went wide. She had completely forgotten.
"Has anyone ever told you that you're an airhead, Ch'en Huijie?"
Ch'en's dumbfounded expression must have been funny, because Yu Yachen let out a small laugh.
"But... I can't just throw it back outside," Ch'en said, disappointed.
Yu Yachen picked up the cat, holding it in the air.
"But it's pretty well-behaved, isn't it? Maybe you can try. Our school, unlike some in Yan, doesn't have night classes," she smiled.
"Meow~"
The kitten meowed in agreement.
"Well... what do you think of it?" Ch'en asked.
"Think of what?"
"The cat."
"It's cute. Also, dinner's ready."
Yu Yachen smiled, put the cat down, and pointed to the dining table.
"Ah... thank you..."
She had never expected her to make dinner. Ch'en looked at the steaming food, a feeling of unreality washing over her.
Is that really Yu Yachen on the sofa?
"Besides that, tonight you need to—"
"Ah! I'll sleep on the sofa," Ch'en interrupted.
"No. You need to sleep with me," Yu Yachen stared at her.
"Huh?"
Ch'en's mouth fell open, her face turning red.
"It's been cold lately, and the heater is broken. It's too cold to sleep alone."
The white-haired girl took a sip of tea.
"I need... someone to warm the bed."
"Wait... you didn't... invite me over just to be a bed-warmer, did you?"
Hearing this, Ch'en had a very bad feeling.
"Eh? How did you know?"
Yu Yachen blinked.
"..."
"YU... YA... CHEN—!"
Their relationship started to get better from that day on.
As they grew closer, Ch'en learned a lot about her.
Her grades were actually excellent; she just purposefully kept them average. Ch'en even had to ask her for help with some problems.
Ch'en's personality was not delicate; she was a bit of a slob. Sometimes she'd wake up late and forget breakfast. Taking care of the cat was also a hassle for her.
Fortunately, Yu Yachen helped. When Ch'en was rushing in the morning, she would have a sandwich and milk ready. After P.E., she would silently let Ch'en use her water bottle.
Even though it was Ch'en's cat, she had no talent for pets. Yu Yachen solved most of the problems.
Yu Yachen often teased Ch'en about her personality. Yu Yachen herself would wear comfortable, boyish clothes, but only to avoid attention. Ch'en, on the other hand, would just throw on whatever.
Things like makeup and fashion... Yu Yachen taught her everything.
She lived alone but was incredibly wealthy. She always paid when they ate out. Her closet was full of designer clothes.
Sharing an umbrella became a daily routine. When they were together, Yu Yachen would even take off her gloves.
Slowly, Ch'en began to understand her.
Maybe Yu Yachen wasn't cold; she just... didn't care about most things. Making friends, studying... it didn't matter. Life would go on.
It didn't matter if she was alone, or if she left no mark on the world. People weren't tools, born with roles. Instead of agonizing over the meaning of life, it was better to just live as she wished.
Ch'en felt she was getting closer to her. In reality, Yu Yachen was a very gentle and meticulous person, always able to think things through. It... it almost didn't feel human.
It was like living with a perfect, virtual character.
And that's when Ch'en fell in love.
Until their cat died.
-------
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