Mailin’s POV

The apartment is unusually quiet today, a stillness in the air that feels... expectant. I’ve been here for a while now, slowly settling into this new life with Shota. It’s a peaceful routine, one I’ve come to love more than I ever expected. But today, something feels different. It’s almost as if the apartment itself is waiting, watching.

Or maybe that’s just the cats.

I glance toward the small windowsill by the kitchen, where two sets of eyes are watching me carefully. Shota’s cats—Tora and Kuro—have been eyeing me with what can only be described as feline suspicion since I first started staying over. They’ve been around long enough to know this is their space, and I’m the newcomer.

Tora, the bigger of the two, is a Maine Coon mix with thick, tawny fur and a regal posture. His amber eyes seem to size me up every time I move. Kuro, on the other hand, is a sleek black cat with piercing green eyes. He’s the more cautious one, preferring to observe from the shadows, as if waiting for the right moment to pass judgment.

I’m not going to lie—winning over Shota’s cats feels like an uphill battle.

I’ve tried everything: offering treats, giving them space, even talking to them like they’re little humans. But so far, I’ve been met with nothing but silent stares and the occasional tail flick. Shota finds it amusing, of course. He’s spent more than a few moments watching me struggle, offering his dry commentary from the sidelines.

“They’ll come around,” he says from his spot on the couch, a small smirk tugging at his lips. His arms are still bandaged, though healing quickly now. “You just have to be patient.”

I shoot him a playful glare as I place the food bowls down on the floor, hoping this time, the cats will at least acknowledge me. “You say that like it’s so easy.”

Shota shrugs, his eyes glinting with amusement. “They’re cats. They have their own schedule.”

I sigh, sitting down beside him, watching as Tora and Kuro sniff the food cautiously before digging in. It’s a small victory, but I’ll take it.

“They’re your first children, you know,” I tease, leaning against his shoulder. “You’re basically a cat dad.”

Shota snorts, but there’s a softness in his eyes that I’ve come to recognize. “And what does that make you?”

I smile, resting my head on his shoulder. “Their cat mom, obviously.”

He doesn’t say anything, but I can feel the way he relaxes into the moment, his body leaning just slightly against mine. It’s a small, quiet gesture, but it says everything.

---

Shota’s POV

It’s been a while since the cats have had someone new around, and, to be honest, I wasn’t sure how they’d react. Tora and Kuro are creatures of habit, and Mailin is... well, she’s something new. They’ve always been wary of change, preferring their routine and the quiet order of our days. But watching Mailin with them—her patience, her soft voice, the way she tries to win them over—it makes me realize just how much I’ve come to rely on her presence here.

She belongs. And not just with me.

Tora is the first to break. I notice it one morning when Mailin is sitting at the kitchen table, absentmindedly running her fingers along the edge of a book. Tora, in all his regal pride, leaps onto the chair next to her, his amber eyes watching her carefully.

I expect Mailin to move, to reach out to pet him like she always does. But instead, she just sits there, letting him make the first move. It’s subtle at first, the way he sniffs the air around her, testing the waters. Then, slowly, Tora leans in, rubbing his massive head against her arm.

Mailin’s eyes widen in surprise, a soft smile breaking across her face. “Shota, did you see that?”

I nod, feeling a strange warmth settle in my chest. “Told you. Patience.”

From there, it’s only a matter of time before Kuro follows suit. He’s slower to warm up, preferring to watch from the shadows as always. But I can tell he’s curious—watching Mailin as she moves around the apartment, his green eyes tracking her every move.

It’s late one night, after dinner, when Kuro finally decides to make his move. We’re sitting on the couch, Mailin curled up next to me with a blanket draped over her legs. I feel the weight shift as Kuro jumps onto the back of the couch, his usual spot. But this time, instead of staying there, he inches closer to Mailin, his sleek black body moving with the grace of a shadow.

Mailin doesn’t notice at first, too engrossed in her book. But when Kuro nudges her arm with his head, she lets out a small gasp of surprise.

“Kuro?” she whispers, her eyes wide.

He nuzzles her hand, and I can’t help but smirk. “Looks like he’s accepted you.”

Mailin’s smile could light up the entire room. “Does this mean I’m officially part of the family?”

I glance down at her, my chest tightening at the sight of her so happy, so at ease. “Yeah,” I say softly, my voice barely above a whisper. “I think it does.”

---

Mailin’s POV

It’s a small victory, but it feels monumental. Tora and Kuro have finally accepted me into their little world, and it’s like a weight has lifted off my shoulders. Shota’s cats are his first children, after all, and getting their approval feels like passing some sort of important test.

As the days go by, I notice little things—Tora brushing against my legs when I walk through the apartment, Kuro curling up next to me when I’m reading. It’s like they’ve decided I’m okay, that I’m not just some temporary guest.

One afternoon, as I’m sitting on the couch, Tora jumps up and plops himself in my lap, purring loudly. Shota watches from the kitchen, a small smile tugging at his lips.

“You’re spoiling them,” he says, but there’s no real bite to his words.

I shrug, scratching behind Tora’s ears. “They deserve it. Besides, they’re our cats now.”

Shota raises an eyebrow, but I can see the amusement in his eyes. “Our cats, huh?”

I grin, nodding. “Yep. We’re officially cat parents.”

He chuckles softly, shaking his head. “I guess we are.”

As the cats settle into their new routine with me, I feel a sense of peace wash over me. This is home now, with Shota and our two furballs. And for the first time in a long time, I feel like everything is exactly where it’s supposed to be.

---

Shota’s POV

Watching Mailin with Tora and Kuro, I realize something.

This is it. This is what I’ve been waiting for.

She’s not just here for me—she’s here for all of us. For our little family. And as I stand there, watching her laugh as Tora bats at her fingers, I feel a warmth spread through my chest that I haven’t felt in years.

She’s home. We’re home.

And I’m not letting go of that.