Cats Fall on Their Paws and in Love

by JayCy

Summary:

Akito always just wanted to live an ordinary human life, but, unlike his sister, he wasn't so lucky since birth. But not only did he suffer 'cause of endless transformations into a cat, but now he was also getting adopted as a pet. And not by some unknown passerby, but Tsukasa-senpai himself.

Notes:

i explained so many things in canon by this au alone...... (like e.g. why Akito wears like so many layers of clothes (IDC THAT IT'S JAPANESE FASHION IT'S WEIRD))

Chapter 1

Notes:

HAPPY AKIKASA KIZUNA ON ENG SERVER DAYYYYY
(it's actually been not even a day since it was added, and i already reached 11th rank... yeah, i decided to go all nuts on this kizuna and this event)

"Mo-om, he did it again!! This time it was definitely on purpose," the girl's loud voice was heard throughout the house. Her younger brother couldn't stand it and covered ears, as he was already beginning to fear for his hearing, "Mom, tell him!!"

"Leave me alone! I didn't know that this was the last cheesecake," the guy snapped, but in response received a displeased hiss and the shine of his sister's sharp nails,

"Liar! You think I'll believe your lies so easily?!.."

Their mother, seeing such a scene almost every day, could only sigh. Her children weren't a cat and a dog to quarrel so actively over all sorts of little things, but, nevertheless, fights happened quite often. The only good thing was that, as Ena got older, she began to control herself and stopped actually letting out her claws. Now she just threatened and intimidated with them.

But this didn't change the main problem. Besides, miss Shinonome just couldn't support this kind of behavior,

"Ena, put your hand down and don't hiss at your brother," the girl snorted loudly, looked away and pointedly crossed arms over her chest, "And you, Akito... did you know that that cheesecake was the last one?"

"No. I thought there was still some in the refrigerator, so I took the one that was on the table."

"I prepared it for myself!!"

"Tch, you ate two yesterday."

"We aren't progressing at all here," the woman thought, realizing that the quarrel, it seemed, wasn't even going to stop. That's why she — whether her kids wanted it or not — simply had to intervene. Although many conflicts cannot be resolved so easily, especially with such problematic teenagers, she still tried to smooth out some of the rough edges in their relationships.

After patting both of their heads, miss Shinonome said that fighting with family is bad and asked them both to apologize to each other. Siblings shared a displeased look, but after exhaling, finally gave in and said, "I'm sorry". And it wasn't even a pretense, because, having suddenly let off steam, both quickly got tired of their own argument.

Some cats are very emotional, nothing can be done about it.

"And besides, Ena, your brother will transform tomorrow. You shouldn't spare food," the girl's brown eyes suddenly widened in shock,

"Ha-ah?! You're transforming tomorrow? Why didn't you just tell me right away?" she started screaming again, but for a different reason. And not with anger, but with guilt and worry, "If only I knew..."

"Well, I kinda forgot too... only mom remembers."

To this, miss Shinonome smiled cheerfully, in her usual manner, but it looked more like a grin — however, this was a characteristic feature of everyone in this family, except for Shinei (after all, he almost never smiled). It's quite normal that this woman remembered the dates of all transformations. The only person, who didn't need to be watched, was Ena, because she...

Well, as Akito said, she got really lucky. This ability, which many considered a curse, didn't affect her, because she's the eldest child in the family. The younger ones (or those, who were the only ones in the family) got the worst of it: once every two weeks they became real animals. Some were rabbits, some – hamsters, some – dogs, some – birds or even snakes... mother once said that she even knew a person, who would turn into a horse. Of course, people didn't transform of their own free will. They had no way to control something like that, so they simply had to put up with it for the rest of their lives.

Once it started at twelve or thirteen years old, there was no turning back. After this age, ordinary human children had to put up with transformations. Although not painful, it was still problematic, because twice a month people had to skip school (if the date didn't fall on a weekend), work, or an important event.

And unfortunate Akito had to find out the hard way what it was like to be an actual cat. At the age of fifteen, his sister often said that she envied him and dreamed of being able to turn into an animal, but she... had no idea how difficult it was. Not having your usual and familiar human body for a whole day is terrible.

Ena escaped this fate. All that she inherited from her father and mother was a cat's eyes, fangs and nails sharper than those of ordinary people around her, a cute appearance that helped her gain popularity on the Internet, as well as little cat-like habits. This girl got the best set of all possible.

But Akito, even if he had the opportunity, wouldn't want to be like his sister. He'd really like to be a child from a normal family. Like, for example, An, Kohane and Toya. His own friends had no idea why their buddy was disappearing twice a month on the same dates, because they themselves... were just ordinary people. The guy envied them, really. Just as usual, he wasn't like them. On the contrary, he was terribly different from them (and not in a good way).

"I already warned your teachers today, Akito," the mother continued to speak. Her children could only think, "what lie did she come up with this time?". After all, there were foxes among her relatives, so lying was practically a talent. And even if not lying, then at least convincing, "I told them that your throat hurt after the concert. They allowed you to skip classes, but only if you complete all your homework."

"Tch, what a problem. Now I'll definitely have to do history."

"There-there, don't get so upset. It's better than sitting in class as a cat, isn't it?"

"It'd be better not to be a cat at all. Just like Ena," but he never voiced these thoughts that had been lurking inside since he was thirteen. Probably due to the fact that everyone already understood that the guy considered his unusual ability, which not every family gets, a "curse", "There aren't any important tests tomorrow, so I guess, it's fine. But... I have to lie to Toya and skip the rehearsal again," he glanced displeasedly at his sister with bright green eyes, which the pupils were gradually beginning to narrow in (either from anger, or from the fact that it'd soon be midnight), "U-u-u-ugh!.. Why am I the cat in this family, and not Ena?"

Akito, not finding anything else to say to his mother, simply nodded and was about to head to his room, but older sister followed him. Whirling around like a cat, she asked,

"Hey, you're not mad at me, right? I shouldn't have shouted at you like that... I didn't know what you–"

"I'm not mad, buzz off," the girl didn't pay attention to the rude intonation, as she understood that she herself was a little to blame, "The day after tomorrow I'll buy us both a cheesecake, 'kay?"

"No, I think I should be the one buying it. As an apology. Tomorrow, as soon as you stop being a cat, we can eat together at night," the elder sister smiled sweetly, but the guy just couldn't resist the joke that was on the tip of his tongue,

"He-eh? At night? Didn't you want to lose weight by summer?"

The girl, frozen in place, blushed deeply and, slightly hunched over, began to avoid eye contact — apparently, she was embarrassed that she had once again promised herself to go on a diet, but after a couple of days was ready to break it. Her brother, grinning slyly, was way too happy to notice this. It's not that he was seeking revenge. It was just fun to watch his sister's reactions. It may not be as fun as the ones shown by one loud blond, but still...

"O-one evening is fine!" Ena finally said, still not looking up, "And, well, I have to apologize somehow... after all, I jumped into conclusions and lost my temper."

"Ha-ah... okay-okay, gotcha. Then, tomorrow you'll buy us cheesecake."

She watched as he walked into the room and, nodding, said to him, "good luck with your transformation". Older sister said it as if Akito was some kind of werewolf, but that was completely not true. Perhaps being a werewolf would even be better. This, at least, was cool, judging by the films, games and books. But being a fluffy orange cat... is at most unusual, but certainly not cool.

However, Shinonome thanked heaven that at least he wasn't a dog.

***

"Oh, Toya, finally found you!" the blond said, smiling happily, and thereby attracted junior's attention, "Listen, do you know where Akito is today? I wanted to tell him about my next show."

"Ah, Tsukasa-senpai, good afternoon. Akito's not at school today, he got sick," and even though the guy said this quite calmly, as if it was some kind of routine, the actor tensed up like never before,

"Ha-ah?! Sick?! Then we need to visit him!!"

But before the teenager could start asking Toya about the red-haired's address, he was stopped by another junior's voice behind him. An appeared as if out of thin air and immediately scolded him, "Don't make so much noise, Tenma-senpai, Akito just has a sore throat after the concert. That idiot doesn't take care of himself at all, so it's entirely his fault". However, these words had the opposite effect from what the girl expected. Instead of relaxing, he, on the contrary, became even more excited about the idea of coming to junior's home.

However, everything wasn't as easy as Tsukasa would like to think.

"It won't work, Tenma-senpai," Shiraishi breathed out, while simultaneously watching the students in the corridor. Still, she was responsibile for everyone, especially if they were running restlessly. So it was impossible to lose sight of even a single person, "He never opens the door when we come by. His sister, even if she's still at home, won't let us in either, so it's useless."

"And besides... Akito often disappears like this, if you haven't noticed by now. We're already used to it."

"Yeah, tired of asking. I guess, he actually suffers after singing."

Tsukasa, humming, looked carefully at his juniors. There was great meaning to their words. The redhead was known for being a very hardworking person. He did many things at once: rehearsed, performed, even helped in the school's sports clubs, so it wasn't surprising that he could feel unwell on and skip classes quite often. It didn't sound like anything serious. There's probably no need to worry at all. "And yet I can't just let it go like that. Okay! As soon as Akito comes to school, I'll definitely talk to him about this!" Tenma thought, frowning, "He needs to take care of his health!! Otherwise he'll lose his voice."

After thinking about something a little more, the blond nodded to both of them and, saying goodbye, went to his class. While it was still recess, he had enough time to think about his speech, which he would give to the overworked junior.

However, this same junior clearly wanted to hear anything but that he should take care of himself.

"A-argh, I hate this. Someone, please, give me back my human body," Shinonome thought with annoyance, burying his red muzzle in a pillow, because he could no longer say anything out loud. Maybe just meow, but for this he'll be scolded by his sister, who's trying to get some sleep during the day, "Being a cat sucks. I wish I was at school. At least it's fun there," and that, whatever one may say, was the absolute truth. Despite how often the guy complained and said that he didn't like being among eccentrics, it was much better than doing nothing all day, "I can't even rehearse. Ena'll definitely kill me."

Akito hated these two "weekends" at home, when he did practically nothing. He missed so much that it was a shame. But again, singing is prohibited, since a cat's voice and a human's... are different. Two weeks ago, the guy tried to sing at least an excerpt from a new song, but all he heard was a dissatisfied cry of his sleepy sister, "I get that it's spring already, but you don't have to act like a true cat, y'know!". Back then, it was only words. Today, if he tries to do something like that again, he might end up getting hit with a slipper or a shoe.

"I don't even wanna sleep. I'm kinda tired of lying in bed at this point," at the age of fourteen, Shinonome liked to sleep for hours on end and take a break from the life around him. However, not being an actual cat, he quickly became bored with this activity. And sleep wasn't coming to him as well as before, "Ma-an, I envy Ena. She can fall asleep anywhere, even on the roof."

Exhaling, Akito finally rose from his seat and, stretching, jumped onto the bedside table. There was his phone, which the cat carefully patted with its paw to turn on the screen. "It's almost three o'clock... hmm, classes should end soon. Maybe I can meet someone..." not that he really wanted to. But it'll be a little more fun that way than being completely alone, "'Kay, it's decided. I'll walk around the city looking for Toya and the others."

Having managed to jump to the windowsill, Shinonome deftly opened the window with his paw and, crawling through the gap left only for himself and no one else, climbed out into the street. He never closed his only passage back into the house. Because, otherwise, he simply wouldn't be able to return. Having assessed the situation and not being very happy about the overly bright sun, Akito quickly jumped down and walked as far from the house as possible. To avoid getting bored following the same route, the guy often didn't even look where exactly his own paws were leading him. Sometimes he just wanted to find adventures or a path that he didn't yet know.

Sometimes he managed to find these adventures together with Airi's younger sister. Her and Akito were lucky enough to transform on the same dates, so if they managed to agree in advance or meet somewhere in the city, they explored all the nooks and crannies that they'd never have ventured into as humans. But, mostly, Akito was simply looking after the little kitten, whose fur always looked cutely pinkish in the sun. As the eldest, he bore some kind of responsibility for her.

However, today his rampant companion was nowhere to be found. Akito even made it to Momoi's house and tried to look through every window to find her. But, just noticing that there was only an idol inside, he quickly left — after all, the guy knew that he'd quickly provoke her allergy. And since Airi's home, that means her transformed younger sister definitely wasn't there.

"Ugh, boring," Shinonome thought as he wandered mindlessly through the streets of the city for hours now and not paying much attention to the people around, "I can't even go to sekai. Rin and Len will squeeze the hell outta me again," a pillar with a clock could be seen in the distance. The cat had to squint to understand what time it was, "Only seven o'clock, huh... what should I even do before midnight? I'll die of boredom."

Shinonome, without particularly looking at anything, continued to curse his life for giving him this ability. If there was a chance to exchange it with anyone, he'd gladly do so. Being an ordinary teenager is a hundred times better than becoming a walking bundle of fur twice a month. Akito himself didn't like how fluffy he was. His own skin made him so accustomed to the warmth on his body that he couldn't even go to school without two or three layers of clothing. Only recently have he started to wean himself off this.

Mentally complaining about life, the cat didn't even immediately realize that something was off. His hearing worked faster than his sense of smell. From somewhere far away he heard a very, very loud voice of a girl he already knew,

"Samo-o-o-chan, don't run off like that! You can't just do that! Bad dog, Samo-chan, bad dog!!"

Akito's heart immediately sank into his tiny cat paws. Now he felt this unpleasant dog smell with all his might and, turning around, saw a huge creature rushing towards him. Of course, the Samoyed's only intention was to play and sniff, but the guy somehow didn't care about that.

While Shinonome was still willing to tolerate people, who turned into dogs, he was terribly afraid of actual animals.

"Samo-chan, you can't! Come back, come back right now, don't attack the cute little cat!" trying to reach the leash that flew out of her hands, Hanasato screamed in panic.

Akito's first thought wasn't even to hiss or try to seem scary, like many real cats, but to immediately run away. He didn't care about the unfortunate idol — the girl was barely breathing at this point — as the most important thought in his head now was that white dog. Shinonome was more than glad to escape from her even in human form.

"A-argh, why does she keep following me?!" thought Akito, clenching his teeth in an angry grin. He no longer looked where he was running and turning. And it didn't matter that people around barely had time to move away or raise their legs so that the unfortunate cat wouldn't crash into them, "Hanasato, I'll kill you the next time I see you! Keep your damn dog on a leash, for god's sake!.."

Shinonome turned towards some kind of fence and, literally squeezing through it, was finally able to exhale. Samo-chan slowed down and, almost hitting her nose on the multi-colored iron bars, realized that she won't be able to reach the cat. She, tilting her head from side to side in surprise and standing in a playful bow, watched Akito, who could barely stand on his paws, catch his breath. "Well, that was an experience," he thought and hissed at the Samoyed so that this unreasonable creature would stop wagging its tail, "Oh god, I feel kinda dizzy..."

Finally, the owner of this giant ran up and, apologizing to the cat (Akito was, well, pleased to hear this), took the leash and quickly led Samo-chan away.

"Phew, now I'm thirsty. Making a fluffy cat run around in this weather is basically torture," the guy mentally complained as he looked around and tried to figure out where he was, "Childish music, everything's so goddamn bright, and... are these attractions?" the cat blinked in surprise, and then it finally dawned on him, "I'm in Phoenix Wonderland? Oh for god's... out of all places, seriously?"

Akito didn't know for sure whether he was allowed to be here, being a cat. There probably were no rules about animals, but... who knows. He could always be kicked out of here, which would be kind of embarrassing for him as a human. However, no one has touched him yet. Several children, of course, tried to pet him, but either their parents held them back, or Shinonome managed to quickly slip away ahead. He still wanted to drink, but definitely shouldn't even think about the water from the fountain.

But... where can a cat get a sip of clean water? At home, of course, but it'd take a long time to get there, and the thirst tormented him more and more. Unable to bear it, Akito fell helplessly onto the asphalt, not even in the shade, in hopes of his problems simply disappearing on their own. It was even worse than being in a fragment of his own sekai — there, despite the desert and strong winds, at least he didn't feel so thirsty.

"Eh? What is a cat doing here?" red ears perked up again. What a familiar voice. Almost too familiar — so familiar that it definitely cannot be confused with anyone else's, "You poor thing, what's wrong with you?"

Shinonome lazily raised his head and, turning it, examined the guy in front of him. Blond hair, honey eyes, those stupid clothes... there's no doubt about it — it's his senpai. Yet now Tenma was looking at him with such anxiety and worry that the young man had never seen before. However, what difference does it make to him now, when he's literally dying of thirst?

"Oh, wait... senpai's most likely had a rehearsal or something like that. He must have some water left," it dawned on the cat and, rising to paws, he finally approached the teenager, "I wonder if he'll give me a drink. Or will he leave a poor, unfortunate cat to die? Guess we'll find out the hard way," Akito stuck out his tongue and tried to show that he needed water in the most cat-like way possible.

"Hm? Do you want to drink?" since it was impossible to nod, the cat wagged his tail in agreement, "Ha-ha, today's your lucky day then! I just happen to have half a bottle left for you. Look, there's even a mug," it sounded very encouraging. Akito would be happy with even a few drops, but half a bottle... it's like a gift from heaven. Tsukasa became his savior in no time, "I should thank him with something sweet tomorrow," the red-haired guy made a mental note to himself, "Here, take this. It's all yours, little one."

Shinonome bowed gratefully and began to lap up the water. He wouldn't be able to drink in the usual, human way, even if he really wanted to, but everything's fine — after four years in a cat's body, he got used to drinking like that. The cat himself didn't notice how soon all the water evaporated. More precisely, he drank it all.

"Ha-ha, you obviously were very thirsty," Tenma was kind of touched by this for some reason. The tone of his voice sounded different from usual, which sincerely surprised his junior. The blond had never spoken to anyone in such a voice before. And... Shinonome didn't know how to react to this, "So cute... are you someone's cat? Or did you get lost?"

A little hesitantly, Tsukasa reached out to pet the cat, but at the last moment his hand froze. As if he remembered that the animal could be dangerous and capable of biting or scratching. However, a desire to touch the soft fur was clearly visible in the teen's eyes. "Well... he gave me a drink, so I'll just repay him with ordinary politeness," going up to senpai's very feet, Akito lowered his head, as if hinting that he allows the actor to touch him. The blond blinked a couple of times, and then, breaking into a happy smile, began to stroke the orange coat, "Err... ugh, something, something's wrong," Shinonome suddenly thought, realizing that he liked such affection.

Usually he hissed at passing acquaintances, whom he met on the street. The guy was more or less fine with his parents and Ena touching him, but on rare occasions. He really didn't like the way all the people around him did it. Only Toya, as a friend, was by default allowed to scratch the red cat behind the ear or run his hand along the back, but nothing more. That was where it all ended. However, with Tsukasa, it was... somehow different. Akito approached him himself — didn't have to be beckoned with anything or called. And it was him, who put himself under someone else's palm (much thinner than he expected) to show that he wasn't a dangerous cat, but a very kind one.

Tenma, realizing this, giggled like a child as he ran his hand over the cat's neck, back and even his cheeks, slightly brushing adorable white whiskers. He probably really liked animals. Or he always wanted to own a pet. Because only people, who have a puppy or at least a goldfish live only in their dreams, behave this way.

Akito stopped only when he realized that he had begun to wag his fluffy tail. This was already too much, even for a cat's body. Being a human mentally and spiritually, junior felt extremely ashamed, so he pulled away and looked into senpai's eyes. Still smiling, huh? With that stupid, childish, but such a happy smile that it made the teen's teeth ache.

Shinonome wanted to bite him, but at the last moment managed to control himself.

"You don't have a collar or a leash on. Does that mean you don't have an owner either?" junior simply meowed, "Uh, well... unfortunately, I don't understand you," the cat looked at him as if wanted to sarcastically say, "yeah, genius, I wouldn't have noticed if you didn't tell". "But we'll assume that it was "yes". And yet... how did you end up in the park all alone? I've never seen stray cats here before."

"Excuse me?!.. Stray?" Akito was indignant, barely holding back the desire to hiss at senpai, like at that idol's dog, "I look better than any domestic cat. There's not a single flea on me," while the blond continued to talk about how the "unfortunate creature" was left on the street, junior felt irritation boiling inside, "If he doesn't shut up right now, I'll hit him," however, as soon as he tried to do so, Tsukasa for some reason thought that the cat was trying to play with him. And because of this, he began to smile wider, "...hmph. Fine then. I'll let his pretty face stay the same. But he won't get away with all this so easily."

"Mu, leaving you all alone here would be wrong. You're probably hungry and lonely. Hmmm... y'know, I've never had a pet before," Shinonome immediately didn't like where this conversation was leading, "But now I'm an adult, I can definitely take care of someone. And, y'know, Saki loves cats! By the way, Saki's my adorable little sister, you'll like her, I promise!!"

"Huh? Pet? Little sister?" processing the information, Akito quickly realized that Tsukasa wanted to take him home. And this absolutely shouldn't happen. Under no circumstances. The cat began to back away in the hope that he could escape, but Tsukasa picked him up too quickly. Junior lacked literal seconds to escape, "Ha-a-ah?! Senpai, idiot, you damn idiot! Let me go! I won't go to your house, I can't, I just can't!"

The cat meowed in panic and struggled to get out of the steel grip, but Tenma calmed him down with words like, "don't worry, I have a good family, we'll all love you!". But this didn't help at all. Shinonome was mentally going crazy and wondering how to run away. He didn't want to leave deep bites or scratches, especially after senpai showed him such kindness.

And yet, no matter what, he can't go to Tsukasa's home. If he does, there'll be so many problems that no one will solve them in their entire life.

"Let me go right now, you idiot! I won't be your pet," Akito thought, not angry at this point. Because panic was the only thing on his mind, "At midnight... at midnight I'll turn into a human again!.."

Chapter 2

Notes:

Akito will make 1000 excuses just not to admit that he's gay for Tsukasa

(also happy late birthday to this ginger dumbass)

"And we're finally here at my house!! Welcome," Tsukasa shouted, instantly closing the door behind him and thereby cutting off the only opportunity for escape.

Akito, who was finally gently lowered to the ground, could only exhale heavily. No matter how much he resisted, he still ended up here. "I should've bitten him after all. He'd let me go right away," junior thought to himself, displeasedly wagging his fluffy tail from side to side. Quite unnoticed, he carefully sniffed everything, trying to study the area and understand how to run away, "I need to find senpai's room. Maybe I can open the window there and jump out."

"Get settled, ha-ha! Now this will be your home," Tsukasa continued joyfully, still smiling. So stupid and restless. Just like a child, "I've never really had a pet... but I hope you'll like it here! The future star will do everything for this!!"

Shinonome suddenly stopped sniffing the corridor. Instead, with his ears pricked up, he observed senpai's behavior for a while. Of course, he met many passers-by saying the same words, "I've never had a pet, I wish I had one like this one". But for some reason he didn't care about their words. However, when Tenma said this phrase for the second time with a very slightly sad face, the teen suddenly felt... sorry for him?

Lowering his green eyes downwards, Akito thought for a while about what was going on in his head. On the one hand, he had to run away from here — this was the most logical and correct thing to do. But on the other hand, Tsukasa looked so happy. Leaving him right now would be bad, wouldn't it? And for sure he'll definitely run out into the street and start looking for the lost cat...

Of course, Shinonome wasn't a person, who always thought about the worst-case scenarios, but now only they were pictured in his head. And for some reason the teenager didn't want senpai's current joy to give way to anxiety.

"Ugh, fine. I'll run away at night, when senpai goes to bed," lowering his ears and silently exhaling, Akito decided, "I'll stay here now. At least I'll be a little safer from the dogs."

"Brother, who are you talking to there? Did you bring guests?"

The cat pricked up his ears again as soon as he heard the unfamiliar voice of a girl coming out of her room. At first she simply looked around in surprise. But when she walked into the living room, she finally turned her gaze to the red-haired creature in the house. Judging by her pink pajamas with stars, big eyes, blonde hair, rather loud voice, and the way she addressed Tsukasa, there was no doubt that she was his sister.

Even their behavior is similar. Akito realized this very, very quickly.

"Wo-o-ow!! Is that a kitty~?!" she screamed so loudly that poor Shinonome had to press his ears to head. He would've helped himself with his paws, but didn't have time — he was quickly picked up, "Brother, where did you get a cat? So fluffy~! Is it someone else's? Or will it be ours?" the blonde quickly spun around with the cat in her arms. Akito began to feel dizzy, but it was tolerable, "A-a-ah, I want to squeeze it like that forever~ I've never had pets! And now there's a whole cat here! And a very cute one too!!"

Akito had slight doubts about the "whole". Still, he wasn't quite an animal. Or not completely. To put it very simply, the blond clearly brought the wrong cat into the house. Because this cat wasn't even fully a cat. But he probably won't be able to explain it to joyful Tenmas.

"I found him in the park. He was all alone and without a collar, so I don't think he has an owner," Tsukasa explained, coming closer and gently rubbing junior's face. To be honest, Akito felt surprisingly... calmer with him than with Saki. That's why he got out of the girl's grip as quickly as possible and climbed into senpai's arms. It really was better there. "Probably 'cause I have known him for a long time," Akito assured himself and continued to enjoy scratching behind his ear, "You and I are already adults, we can take care of a cat. I don't think mom and dad will say anything against."

"Even if they do, we still won't throw him out! And besides, dad loves animals a lot. He'll only be happy to have a pet," the girl cheered, perhaps already looking forward to how she'd take care of the cat and tell her friends about him every single day.

"Oh yes, exactly, Saki!! Then from now on this is definitely our cat, ha-ha!"

"Our", huh... for some reason Akito didn't really like the sound of that. Of course, he had no intention of becoming anyone's pet. But the simple fact of being called the "property" of several people at once was extremely unpleasant. Why were these people going to share him like a toy when it was Tsukasa, who found him? Senpai was already more closer to him. Probably because of this, he wanted the guy to call junior "his", not "ours".

"Eh, ha... ha-ah?! What am I even thinking about?!" immediately Shinonome, as if remembering that he was still an actual person, came to his senses. Green eyes widened in shock. And if it were possible, he'd also blush, but... cats, fortunately, couldn't do that, "I definitely hit my head when I was running away... damn that Hanasato. When will she learn to keep her dog on a leash?"

Akito was a little angry at himself and his brain for even thinking about something like that. But after that he softened — the actor's hands, still the most pleasant and attractive of all that he had ever met, forced him to do so. Even the smell that came from them was soothing. Shinonome wasn't quite sure what exactly he smelled, but still wanted to continue to inhale this aroma... even though he'd never admit it out loud.

"Fu-fu, what's your name, kitty-san?" Saki giggled, carefully examining the contented orange muzzle, "Brother, have you already come up with a name?"

"Mu... no, I didn't really have time."

"Then we'll choose together. The sooner you name a cat, the sooner he'll become attached, hee-hee!"

"I'm sure it doesn't work that way," the green-eyed cat thought, looking at the girl doubtfully, "On the contrary, people quickly become attached to animals when they give them names... but oh well, she can think whatever she wants. I won't be able to tell her anything now anyway."

Tenmas settled down on the sofa, where their new "pet" was placed as well. While Akito, occasionally twitching his ears (if one of the blondes spoke too loudly), lay calmly, sibling went through all sorts of names. They even came up with things that only someone like them could think of. The redhead didn't like almost all the options. It's strange that he soon began to listen more attentively and even choose together with them. As if he actually intended to stay here.

Pure madness... he definitely had to run away from here, but a little later. For now, Shinonome enjoyed lying next to senpai's thigh. Because this was the only way to prevent the cheerful girl from touching him so often. Yes, she was the only reason why he liked being near the actor so much.

"Actually, if you think about it, he's very, very orange... reminds me of Akito," suddenly the cat, who was half-asleep before, looked around in surprise. And didn't even understand why. Perhaps, because he never expected to hear his own name in the dialogue.

"Oh, look at his reaction! Maybe this name is similar to his previous one?"

"Do you think he was someone's cat after all?" the blond was amazed, but his sister only shrugged shoulders in response, "Hmm, but since he has such a reaction, you're most likely right..."

"Then we need to come up with something that will sound the same!"

Well, Shinonome had to admit: it was convenient. If these two pronounce at least the first three letters of his name, it'll become much easier for him to respond. After all, this was exactly what the guy usually did when someone simply talked about autumn*. However, the cat immediately snorted displeasedly at his own thoughts. Why does he suddenly think so much about the convenience of some stupid name? He didn't really intend to live here. If he was a real cat, he could just think about it, but–

Akito was human. Therefore, there was no need to pay any attention to what the Tenmas were discussing.

"Maybe just "Aki"?" Saki suggested, but her brother shook his head, saying that it was too simple. After that, he suggested a very, very pompous name, and now his sister began to be indignant, "No! He'll never respond to that! It's too long and unclear."

"Mu, maybe you're right... and yet, I'd like to somehow connect it with Akito," Tsukasa muttered, again involuntarily scratching the cat's ear. This guy turned out to be a little too tactile. Previously, it was difficult to notice that about him. Did he really behave this way only in the presence of animals? It was even somehow... unfair. However, junior didn't think about it for a long time, as he realized that his thoughts were rushing in the wrong direction again.

"Akito, Akito... ugh, kitty-san, what should we call you so that it sounds like "Akito"?"

"Cat... Akito... hmm..."

Shinonome lazily looked at them with his big green eyes, and then slowly lowered his head — as if he shrugged his shoulders, without doing it. His senpai was racking his brains over what name to give his new "pet". "What a weirdo," junior couldn't help but think, without taking his analyzing gaze off the blond, "Why bother so much? Besides, I'm not gonna stay here for long," but thought instantly made him feel somewhat ashamed. And a little restless, "...they both are so worked up. I hope they haven't gotten attached yet, or else they're gonna be..." sad. Both siblings will be sad when they realize that the "cute cat" is no longer in their house. Akito, just imagining how the actor's eyes no longer sparkled with happiness, was increasingly tormented by this strange feeling inside. Mild anxiety didn't allow him to concentrate, "Argh, damn it. They'll get through this and find another cat."

Suddenly Tenma, clapping his hands loudly, said,

"I got it! His name will be Akineko!" and then smiled radiantly.

Junior, however, wasn't happy. On the contrary, if he had his human body now, he'd contort his face as hard as he could. But now all he could do was frown with displeasure (with all cat's capabilities) and pull his ears back. "What kind of stupid name is this? Am I being bullied?" the teenager thought to himself, "I get that it's difficult to be creative at such moments, but... tch, 'kay, never mind. It's only for a couple of hours. I won't be here very soon."

"Akineko? Wow, how cute! Akineko, tell me, do you like your new name?" the blonde asked, sparkling with happiness and smiled sweetly at the disgruntled cat, "He doesn't say anything against it, which means he likes it! Well done, brother, you came up with the best name!!" anyone could easily argue with her. But... it didn't really matter, as long as both Tenmas we're so joyful.

"Ha-ha-ha, it's decided then! Akineko, welcome to our family. I promise you'll just love it here!"

The cat was about to meow as a sign of disagreement, but was interrupted by Saki's words,

"By the way, Akineko's probably hungry. But we don't have any food for him," and thank God, to be honest. Shinonome would throw up if he was forced to eat cat food. It's better to be hungry than this...

"We have meat in the refrigerator!" junior felt a slight panic gripping him from within. They won't force him to eat it raw, right? He didn't want any problems for his stomach at all. And also didn't want to waste someone's else products (especially such expensive ones as meat) just like that, "I couldn't finish eating it yesterday, so today it'll be the perfect dinner for Akineko."

"Phew... that was close," Akito thought, silently exhaling again, "I won't refuse cooked meat," senpai took him in his arms again and, surprisingly, the cat didn't even resist. Probably he's going to eat deliciously now. Yes, that was it. Nothing more. Dinner is important, after all, "It's just a little strange that I'm almost taking away senpai's food... ugh, I'll have to bring him something for lunch two days in a row as a gratitude," however, the blond deserved all this for his kindness, so it's more than okay. Shinonome didn't mind spending a little money and buying both sweets and everything needed to make shogayaki**, "I wonder since when did I start treating him so nicely?"

The sound of the refrigerator opening didn't allow him to think better about his own question.

***

The older Tenmas, as it turned out, were only happy to have a cat in the house. The father of the family was reaching out to pet the orange animal, but it didn't give in so easily. He wasn't very happy with touch even in the human body. In cat's one, when almost everyone considered it their duty to touch him, he began to hate his life altogether. Akito had to spend the whole evening near Tsukasa — the only one, who could be trusted. The blond seemed to be proud that the cat hovered around him all the time.

Night was gradually approaching, which made Akito more and more nervous. If he doesn't have time to run home, it'll be very, very bad. It'd be easier to die of shame than to undergo a reverse transformation right somewhere on the street. It'll also be extremely difficult to find the way back without a cat's sense of smell.

In general, if he could briefly describe his situation, then... he was in deep trouble.

This thought came to his mind when he was in Tsukasa's room. There, lying on the table, the guy watched as the blond, who had just gotten out of the shower, hurriedly completed his homework. And for some reason he felt quite a bit — maybe just a little bit — lonely. As if for the first time in seventeen years affection wasn't enough for him. Even though he was petted by everyone in the Tenma family today.

For some reason, senpai's hands beckoned him. It was a strange or even impulsive desire, but Akito really wanted to be closer to Tsukasa. In general, they weren't far from each other, but... that wasn't enough. Junior weighed the pros and cons for a long time as he intently stared at the actor's right hand. However, after two or three minutes, he suddenly remembered one extremely interesting detail — he's now a cat. No matter what exactly he does, it won't be strange, because Shinonome isn't human (at least until midnight). And who knows, maybe it was just cat instincts acting up inside. Maybe there would be no harm in making Tenma's life a little more difficult.

Akito, stretching, finally got up from his seat and, walking his paws right through senpai's notebooks, jumped onto his lap. At first, the shocked blond wanted to object and tell the cat not to disturb him, but never managed to do so. The orange muzzle seemed too innocent and sweet to him — it was impossible to be angry with one for more than two seconds. Tsukasa, of course, tried to ignore junior and continue to carry out his task, but...

As if on purpose, the orange cat began to weakly hit him with his paw. Shinonome, unlike his senpai, never needed the attention of other people. That's why he didn't know how exactly to ask for this. Perhaps he should've acted... a little more cat-like. But to do this, it'd be a good idea to first study the behavior of real animals.

"You...!" Tsukasa said with a frown, "Mu-mu-mu, I can't concentrate on physics at all because of you!" the cat barely restrained himself from rolling his eyes when he thought, "pfft, he acts as if he actually understands at least a word there". "Even if I ask, you won't leave, will you?"

"It's your fault that you brought me here," Akito continued in his thoughts, looking askance at senpai, "Now put up with my behavior. And we'll be even," Tenma, trying to fight with himself for some time, finally couldn't help it anymore. He sighed heavily, put down his pencil, notebooks, textbooks, and then finally placed his palm on the cat's head. He, having received what he wanted, closed his eyes and enjoyed how neatly and carefully he was stroked. Everyone else's touch felt... different. No one felt the way he needed them to. So the fact that Tenma's stroking was this good was almost mind-blowing. Maybe that was why Toya was always so happy when Tsukasa ruffled his hair? "Well, after all... senpai's a pianist. It's only natural why his hands feel different," although this didn't explain why the touches of the blond's best friend and sister (both were also pianists) were so blank and ordinary. There wasn't that needed... spark, "Tch, I attach too much importance to this. I'm a cat and can't think straight 'cause of it. That's all...".

"Fu-fu, you're so affectionate," and again that smile that Shinonome had never seen before. It felt like some kind of secret between the two of them, "Tomorrow I'll have to buy you a hundred things! I promise you won't regret living with a future star!' after that, Tenma suddenly yawned loudly and rubbed his eyes. His gaze fell on the still-on phone, "Time... hmm, it's not really late right now. But tomorrow I have a show," wow, Akito hasn't heard about this yet. Perhaps, because he wasn't at school today, "So it's better to go to bed early. After all, a star needs healthy sleep in order to have the energy to shine on stage, ha-ha!!"

Twitching his ears, Akito was only glad that senpai (and his entire family) would soon finally fall asleep. Then he'll be able to leave. However, honestly... he didn't want to. Surprisingly, he felt good around Tsukasa. It was as if something was magnetizing the guy to him. Until the very end, junior didn't want to admit that this was true, and endlessly looked for excuses for his every thought and every action. He also reminded himself that he needed to return home as soon as possible. There was cheesecake waiting for him — he should run away at least for that.

"Good night, Akineko!" Tsukasa said, patting the cat on the head again, and then settled down on the bed.

Shinonome thought for a long time, whether he can be in the actor's bed. But since the owner of the room himself put him there, that means... he can. Being so close to Tenma as he fell asleep was a strange experience. He looked so calm and relaxed, as if he was a completely different person. And yet the blond hair and these familiar facial features couldn't be confused with anyone else's, even in minimal lighting. It was definitely his senpai. Just sleeping.

Surprisingly, Tsukasa fell asleep quickly enough. Perhaps he was very exhausted after the rehearsal today. Judging by the fact that he basically turned off the moment his head touched the pillow, most likely, that was true. However, Akito needed to make sure that senpai was definitely asleep. Yes, he was just making sure and thats all. He can't run away if the actor isn't yet asleep — there'll immediately be a lot of unnecessary noise. And now this was the last thing he wanted. Tenma's sleeping face looked quite charming, which is why Shinonome didn't want to wake him up or disturb his sleep even a little...

...this, of course, was all just politeness. Junior just cared about senpai's healthy sleep, what's wrong with that? This is normal. Any good junior would do so.

Approaching closer, Akito carefully examined Tsukasa's face for some time and tried to understand, whether he was faking sleeping. But no, the blond didn't show any signs of consciousness — he was sleeping soundly. And now, it'd seem, it was worth finally running away, but the cat didn't move. For some reason, he simply couldn't leave senpai alone, but kept sitting and watching.

Perhaps this would've gone on all night if Shinonome hadn't suddenly remembered that he was actually a human. And his time was now limited, due to his own fault. Mentally cursing, the cat jumped to the window by the bed and quietly opened it with his paws (he learned to do so in his house, so it didn't cause any problems here). Still, he couldn't help but turn around. Tenma was still sleeping and didn't seem to even feel that there would now be one less living soul in the room.

Akito once again suppressed the desire to stay here for an extra minute (again, to "make sure" of something), and then jumped out of the window. The height was decent, but a cat didn't need to be afraid of it. As soon as he felt the ground under his paws, the teenager began to run. He didn't know what time it was, but, based on his condition, he assumes that he had little time left before de-transformation. If he manages to find his way home, it'll be a real miracle. Fortunately, his sense of smell really helped him navigate even in unfamiliar areas.

Not looking at anyone around, the cat rushed along the dark street. And silently prayed that he won't come across any dog along the way. Only after five or six minutes of running did a familiar street finally appear. Akito stopped to breathe out a sigh of relief, and then quickly ran to his home with renewed vigor. He didn't succeed in jumping to his window on the first try, but after trying, the guy was finally able to do it.

And, leaning through the slightly closed window, he rolled head over heels into the room. Shinonome was lucky that he managed to get into the house at midnight, but... hitting his bed, and then his face right on the floor, wasn't very pleasant. The crash was so loud that Ena heard it even through her headphones. Surely, mom and dad did as well.

However, each family member was relieved at the thought, "Akito's finally back home".

"Hmm, I still have an hour left. Just the right time to eat cheesecake," taking off her headphones and putting them aside, the artist muttered. After that, she yawned, stretched on her chair and continued, "And to discuss something with Akito. His help is really needed now..." although this wasn't very pleasant to realize, the truth can't be changed.

While Ena was getting out of her room to the kitchen, her brother was hastily getting dressed and trying to find the switch in the semi-darkness (which, unfortunately, wasn't possible). Almost falling a second time, he somehow made it out alive. True, it was difficult to say so from his facial expression.

"At last, our prodigal son returned," the elder sister giggled when Shinonome dissatisfyingly appeared in the kitchen, "Where were you until midnight? You might not have been able to make it in time and transformated right on the stre–"

"Yeah-yeah, I know that without you. But it's not my fault."

"O-o-oh? Then whose fault is it?

Exhaling tiredly, Akito simply chewed on cheesecake for a while. However, his sister didn't take her interested gaze off him and seemed about to ask another stupid question again. The guy wasn't going to retell the whole day, but still briefly described what exactly happened to him and why he was so late. At first Ena listened attentively, but then for some reason burst out laughing,

"They named you "Akineko"?" almost choking on a piece of dessert, she laughed. She could barely restrain herself from starting to bang a hand on the table. At the same time, her brother glared at her irritably. If he could, he would've bitten her. But, sadly, he was no longer in a cat's body, "God, this Tenma-kun is such a weirdo."

"Well, I'm the first cat in his life, so..."

"Oh shush, don't make excuses for your beloved senpai," just one word made the suddenly blushing Shinonome choke on his food,

"He's not my "beloved"...! Seriously, watch what you say."

Ena grinned slyly and began to look at her brother strangely. She was the real weirdo here. Always muttering things like, "yeah-yeah, I think I understood everything correctly, but have it your way, Akito~". Honestly, she was very annoying. The guy wanted to finish the cheesecake as soon as possible, take a shower and go to bed. Only in a dream will he be able to forget about this day and all the thoughts that came to mind.

"Okay, the most important thing is that you still managed to get home, Akineko," the girl giggled, which again made the redhead twitch with irritation. For some reason, he didn't like it when other people called him that, but as for Tsukasa... no. No, absolutely not, this nickname is terrible, even senpai's joyful voice won't fix it, "I just had an offer that you simply can't refuse."

"Heh? Go on, try and surprise me," after today she's unlikely to succeed, but, well, Shinonome gave her a chance anyway.

"So, next time you become a cat, you should pose for photos with me. Maybe we'll even go outside to make it more believable. Y'know, influencers, who help poor stray animals, are very loved by social med–"

"S-stop!.. What photos are you even talking about?! Have you gone crazy or what?"

Not only was Akito turning into a cat against his will every two weeks, but now his own sister wanted to profit from this? This clearly was insane. Without even listening to the proposal, the guy immediately refused. He hated posing for Ena's drawings even when he was in a human body. So he's certainly not going to do this in a cat's. But the girl, suddenly starting to chatter even faster, still didn't give up and continued,

"Oh c'mon, please, I wanna have more subscribers! Just imagine how much attention I'll get when I add up my appearance and a real cat in the photos! You're also very fluffy, people adore such cats a lot!!" to be honest, the younger Shinonome wanted to just run straight into his room with a plate of cheesecake, but felt that he was unlikely to succeed: his sister would catch him anyway. Or will shout about it even through the door, "Akito, really, is that too much to ask of you? Just don't make that displeased face of yours on camera, that's all!"

"Tch, what a good older sister... mom said not to give away my cat's identity, and you–"

"That's why I said that we need to take photos on the street! We'll make you look like an ordinary street cat."

"Do I look like a street cat to you?!.."

They talked and argued for some time, and Ena realized that it was time to move on to putting forward her conditions further. When Akito was about to go to his room, he suddenly stopped, as he heard the cherished phrase,

"If you help me, I'll buy you cheesecakes and pancakes for a whole month."

The younger Shinonome immediately froze. On the one hand, he'll have to fulfill another stupid request of his sister. Posing for her photographs is always a headache that will last at least an hour and a half. And he doesn't want all Ena's subscribers to see his cat form. And yet... a whole month of reward with your favorite, and most importantly, free food. It sounded too tempting. Perhaps, if he just assumes, if he just thinks about it, there was nothing wrong with the photo shoot. Still, he needs to help out his beloved sister, even in such a matter.

On top of helping out of the kindness of his heart, he'll also end up eating delicious food all month long.

"...argh, fine, you convinced me," Akito finally gave in, rolling his eyes. The girl, realizing that she had won, jumped up joyfully and then furiously began to thank her brother, "But this will only happen once!.. Don't expect any more help from me with your account."

"Go-ot it. Fufu, even you can be a good brother," Ena babbled, smiling contentedly and already imagining how quickly she was gaining views and likes on her photos. Feeling irritated again, the guy simply couldn't help but glare at her with a dissatisfied look. He really wanted to tell her, "actually, I'm always a good brother," but oh well. For the sake of pancakes and cheesecakes, it'd be better to remain silent.

***

The next day, Akito, as always, pretended that nothing interesting had happened in his life. He answered teachers and classmates' questions evasively, endlessly repeating that he was actually just a little sick, and nothing more. Still, the guy couldn't give out the truth. So he was already quite used to lying. It practically became his way of life. Even though he was a cat, perhaps he still had something of a fox in him 'cause of distant relatives — deceived everyone as skillfully as a fox.

Even when he saw senpai, he didn't lose face and didn't reveal that he was in the Tenmas' house (not of his own free will) yesterday.

"You should take better care of yourself, Akito!" for some reason, lunch began not with the blond talking about his show, but with shouting. Could it be that Tsukasa was worried about his junior? No... it's all nonsense. Probably it's all simple politeness and character traits, "Being sick all the time like this is very, very bad! You should train less and rest more!!"

"Yeah, look who's speaking..." the red-haired snorted quietly, but his voice was still heard,

"Actually, I do everything in moderation! And besides, I'm a future star, I can endure a lot, but you, since you get sick often, obviously can't! Seriously, Akito, if you don't take care of your health, you'll break it one day!!"

For some reason, Tenma just didn't want to calm down today. He worried more, screamed louder, never stopped looking sideways at junior with that strange and sad look... in general, he acted weirdly. One hundred percent, this is all Kamishiro's fault. It was definitely a mistake to place this duo of eccentrics in the same class, because now they're causing even more problems than last year.

Rui was definitely involved in the blond's unusual behavior today. Perhaps something exploded at school (or right in the classroom) again, but junior simply didn't hear it? He didn't know exactly, but he could feel it in his skin that Tsukasa was... sad today. During the entire lunch he didn't even smile or laugh once. It seemed like the star was breaking little by little. And Akito, no matter what a jerk he might've looked from aside, didn't want this to continue. He carefully studied every feature of senpai's face, but still didn't understand what was really the reason for his gloomy mood.

Maybe something bad happened? But what exactly in just one morning? Oh, Kamishiro was definitely involved in this — it just can't be otherwise.

"Senpai, you're not feeling well today, are you?" the redhead couldn't bear it anymore. Tsukasa looked up from his bento and glanced at him in surprise, "Something happened?"

"Oh, uh, that's... aha-ha, it's this obvious, huh?"

"Mhm, as obvious as possible. You don't even brag about your shows," although he should. Considering that today his troupe will perform another one.

For a while, Tenma remained silent without changing his facial expression. And, probably, this was what made his junior worry evem more. He had almost never seen senpai like this. And didn't even know what was better to do in this situation: to comfort, cheer up... or hug? Although no, just the thought of hugging made him feel kind of... kind of weird.

Finally, after exhaling, Tsukasa finally told that yesterday he picked up a cat on the way from the park (Akito had to pretend to be surprised when he heard that stupid nickname). Naturally, having never had a pet, the guy became attached to the animal too quickly, but...

"Akineko was nowhere to be found this morning. Saki and I searched all over the house, even in the courtyards – by the way, that's why we both were late for school – and called for him for a long, long time," the blond sadly lowered his gaze to his bento and, it seems, could barely hold back another sad sigh, "But we never found him."

"And you're... upset 'cause of that?" still trying to process the information, Shinonome asked in genuine shock. It all couldn't fit into his head just yet.

"It's only natural that I am. I was so happy that I'd finally have my own cat, but he ran away... maybe he didn't like it in our house? Even though I did everything to make him feel good."

It seemed that a little more — and Tenma'd might actually begin to cry. He held on only because of one factor: stars don't cry (unless, of course, it's necessary for the role). And yet, he looked extremely melancholic. It was as if his own child had disappeared, and not a cat, whom he had known for at most four hours. Was the actor really so lonely in his huge, more mansion-like house, that he got this upset?

Junior couldn't help but feel a sudden pang of conscience. Akito simply had no choice — he had to leave, but... now it felt like he had made a mistake. Not only was Tsukasa worried about the cat, but he was also very upset about his loss. And, on top of all that, he has a show today. How will he even perform when he's so depressed?

More than a year ago — back when they had just met and weren't close at all — Akito wouldn't have cared. At the most, he'd wish good luck and tell not to be sad. But now, having added the blond to the list of his friends (perhaps even best friends), he couldn't sit still. Guilt tormented him so much that he even wanted to admit that he was a cat.

"No. Control yourself," he scolded himself in his thoughts, trying to regain former composure. Not being a snake, like the Hinomori sisters, this was a bit difficult to do, "Yes, I upset senpai, but that doesn't mean that I have to reveal the secret of my whole life 'cause of this... probably. A-argh, no, not "probably"! What am I even thinking about, I need to pull myself together!.." and again his head was a complete mess. Almost like a war with himself was going on there, "I ran away, so that he wouldn't find out about my cat form. I can't just tell him everything now! Pull myself together, pull myself together..."

Somehow managing to exhale and catch his breath, Akito finally said,

"Fluffy orange cat, huh... I think I've seen him a couple of times. And he doesn't really like it when there are a lot of people around. Maybe, well... he left 'cause of this?" the teenager, almost dying because of how much his words were faked, silently prayed that Tsukasa would believe his lie.

"Do you think so?.. What if Akineko just didn't like me? Maybe I did something wro–"

"You didn't do anything wrong," the redhead interrupted him. And instantly both guys were surprised at how sternly and suddenly these words sounded. Akito blinked, didn't move at first, but then, blushing, coughed into a fist, "Err, t-that's, well... judging by your story, you did everything you could for that cat. I doubt he ran away 'cause he... didn't like you, or something," the guy began to stutter, for some reason. Weird. This had never happened before in senpai's presence. What's changed now? Maybe it's because it's hard for him to lie, looking into those saddened and honest eyes? Moreover, he had to talk about himself in the third person... what a torture. Shinonome had to watch every word so as not to give himself away, "Actually, I think, uh, you... well, I don't think the cat disliked you. He's just not made for home. You picked him up off the street, after all."

"Hey, you're right! There is some great meaning in your words, y'know!! I didn't think that it'd be difficult for an outdoor cat to live in the house..."

Senpai finally relaxed. Even though there was still that subtle sadness in his eyes, he clearly cheered up. Now he, at least, was smiling, and not forcedly. Akito, quietly exhaling with relief, felt a heavy burden instantly lift from his soul. Well, now there was no need to worry about Tsukasa's condition and show today.

And yet, if the blond liked this cat so much, then it'd probably be worth visiting him more often. He won't go into the house again under any circumstances, so it's worth coming up with some other option. He also didn't really want to eat cat food, which was sometimes offered by teenagers or kind grandmothers on the street... and which, without a doubt, the actor can also offer. If he'll have to be around Tenma every two weeks, then he should at least warn him about the best way to feed a "street" animal.

"By the way, that cat... I noticed that he really likes pancakes."

"Huh?!!" the blond screamed so loudly that the guy next to him had a stuffy ear. Previously, he shuddered and tried to cover his head with hands, but now he has already adapted. Maybe after another year or two, even his ears, just like Toya's, will stop reacting in any way to sudden noise, "You fed a cat pancakes?!"

"Well, I didn't have anything else with me," Akito has lied so many times during this whole conversation that he's lost count, but... what won't you do to keep your identity a secret, right?

"I can't believe it! This can be dangerous for cats!! I don't think they should eat something so sugary."

"Who cares. This particular cat didn't mind at all."

"Well, naturally! Probably because Akineko was dying from hunger!!"

For some time they continued to fight, albeit not particularly seriously. Akito, to be honest, couldn't even call it a fight. More like... a skirmish, in which he tried to prove something what, in fact, was an absolute lie. But only in the case of real cats. As for him, however, he safely can eat pancakes, cheesecakes, and even spicy food with seasonings.

Ultimately, after another two minutes, the blond exhaled dejectedly and, giving up, said,

"...fine. Since you're trying so hard to convince me, maybe it is true," it worked. He believed it after all. Shinonome, realizing that now he definitely won't have to even smell the disgusting cat food, grinned contentedly, "If I see Akineko again, I'll try to give him pancakes."

Akito noticed how the actor smiled at just the thought of that cat. Again, as tenderly and affectionately as yesterday. This, well, couldn't help but confuse his junior. Did he really like Shinonome that much? Even if only in the cat form, it... it was already something. It was nice. For some reason.

Looking away and trying to hide his blushing cheeks with a palm, the teenager barely squeezed out a quiet whisper,

"Don't worry... you'll definitely see him again."

Notes:

Tsukasa was so sad that he lost Akineko... seriously get this kid a normal and loving pet 😭

* – this was explained in one of Toya's monologues or smth (idk how they're called): Akito's name sounds similar to the word "autumn" (aki), which is why even in canon he often reacts, when people around simply mention autumn
shogayaki** – pork fried with ginger (one of Tsukasa's favorite dishes)

Chapter 3

"Brother, brother, come here quickly!" Saki suddenly shouted, while actively pointing at the tree branch, "Canary-san has arrived again!"

"What? Where? Canar... oh, I see! It is our canary-san, ha-ha!!" literally seconds later, the guy, still in his pajamas, ran out onto the veranda and realized why his sister was making so much noise.

The feathered creature, as if greeting them on this Saturday morning, fervently flapped its wings. Smiling, two siblings happily waved their hands at her. Even though they knew that it was just a blue canary, they treated it as if it were a person with consciousness. Mostly because it visited Saki in the hospital every two weeks and happily chirped to make the girl smile. And it also visited Tsukasa, although not very often. When such moments did come, the bird watched as the guy wrote scripts for his new shows.

Tenma had gotten used to the presence of the canary he had known almost since childhood. For them, it was like a neighbor, whom they communicated with once every two weeks, and then waited for its arrival again. Sometimes Saki even tried to feed the bird with seeds and bread, but it ate occasionally — perhaps it wasn't very hungry. Or maybe it liked some other food.

"Good morning to you, canary-san," not daring to stop smiling, Tsukasa walked closer to the tree, "We, well, actually forgot that you should visit us."

The bird seemed surprised. And really, how could this be? How could it, who visits this house every two weeks, be forgotten? It was almost mind-blowing. And yet, it clearly wasn't mad — didn't get ruffled and didn't start tweeting menacingly.

"Fufu, it's okay, canary-san, don't worry! Next time we'll definitely feed you something!" Saki giggled.

"Yes, exactly! Come see us again next time, canary-san!!"

The bird came down from a tree branch onto the green grass so that Tenmas could get a better look at it. It wasn't afraid to approach the two of them. It also allowed herself to be touched quite willingly. Saki, giggling, carefully ran her index finger over the blue head, and then thanked it for appearing at this house again. The canary happily chirped back to them, and then, flapping its wings, flew into the sky. Blond siblings waved goodbye, shouting that they'd be waiting for it.

Feeling much happier and calmer because both Saki and Tsukasa were cheerful this morning too, the bird flew as fast as it could. Now that it was already convinced of something so important, it could visit the person, who was the most dear one in the world. The canary knew the way there as well as the way to its home.

After about fifteen minutes of fast flight, the blue bird carefully tapped its beak on the window. Some time passed, and finally the way into a dark, rather cluttered room was opened for it.

"Nice to see you, Ichika," the girl with long white hair greeted her girlfriend. Immediately the canary sat in her arms, after which she received a light, almost weightless kiss on the top of her head, "I waited for you. Even though I thought that you wouldn't be here today," in response, Hoshino hastened to protest, albeit in her bird's voice, "Fufu, I know, but it's just... who knows, maybe you wanted to spend the day with your dad today."

Well, that was true, but only partly. Since the father transformed on the same day as his daughter, they often flew wherever their wings carried them, together, or learned to sing. They still do this sometimes, but lately Ichika... began to spend more time with her girlfriend instead.

Although her father was offended for a while, he understood that being with someone, who accepts his daughter even with a "feather problem", is real happiness. The man couldn't go against this, since he himself went through a similar thing with his wife (an ordinary person). Therefore, having resigned himself, he began to let Ichika go. And more and more often, the girl appeared in this already so familiar and dear house.

It's okay, everything's fine. Ichika and her father will still have time to sing songs together when they both turn into birds again. But today, as always, the girl will be left with her loved one.

"Oh yes, Ichika, I just finished one song today. Do you want to listen and try to sing it together?" smiling softly and warmly, Kanade asked the bird, which was still sitting peacefully on her pale thin palms. Canary nodded in response, "Fufu, then first we'll sing, and then I'll feed you."

***

Two weeks after the very day when he found himself in senpai's house against his will, Akito for some reason began to spend more and more time with that guy. To be honest, he didn't understand why he even needed this. After all, nothing has changed between them. And Tsukasa didn't know about the connection between the junior and the cat (more precisely, the fact that they're the same being...). It was weird, but Shinonome wanted to be close. And somehow cheer up longing for the orange animal with his presence all these days. However, the blond, although sincerely glad of the teen's attention, didn't smile as much as he did that day.

There was something wrong with his smile. Instead of childish, almost naive and stupidly happy, it was... different. Certainly not depressed — it's a fact. But what exactly was the emotion hidden in it? Junior couldn't understand.

For fourteen days, Akito, although distantly and dully, but still felt guilty that he had upset the blond like that. The more time passed, the more he realized that he couldn't replace that cat. Even though he was that orange thing himself. Tsukasa can't stroke his fluffy fur, pick him up without any problems, call him "Akineko", take him to bed, and so on. Shinonome, of course, tried to bring senpai various "gifts" — that is, ordinary human food — but the effect would've been greater if he had been in his cat form. The actor would've been happier.

It was so weird. So, so weird. Probably, if you think about it well, then it's completely crazy, but at some point Akito even began to envy his own cat form. Why is he so loved only when he's not a human? Is it really impossible to smile at him just as stupidly at any time? Out of anger at himself, the teenager no longer knew what to do.

It wasn't jealousy. Not at all. Being jealous of his own self would be absolute nonsense. It was more like... no, okay, Shinonome had no idea what exactly it was. But he definitely needed Tenma to smile the same way he did that day at least once again. And not at the moment when junior becomes a ball of orange fur again.

He wondered if such a day will ever happen. Wanting to find out, Akito realized that for now he can't stay away from senpai. This will be his, if you can call it that, a kind of experiment. All this was done solely out of scientific interest: will Tsukasa smile at him again?

"Ugh, I hate this," was the first thing Akito, who once again woke up among his things and with orange fur on his body, thought. Twitching his ears dissatisfiedly, he felt extremely dissatisfied from the first seconds of awakening. For some reason, it seemed like two weeks had passed way too quickly. He didn't even have time to start his small project, which means he'll have to put everything off until tomorrow, "Cool. What do I do now? Again, no singing, no dancing, no studying too..."

However, suddenly Shinonome, already more or less recovering from sleep, thought better about it. Exactly. He can't study on his own, but... no one's forbidding him from simply showing up in class, right? For so many years of his endless transformations, the redhead never dared to show up at school in his cat form — he was too afraid that someone would realize that the cat wasn't really a cat at all. And even now nothing has changed. The fear, as well as the enormous risk, was still present. This was an extremely stupid idea that should've been abandoned immediately. There's no need to listen to what the still slightly sleepy brain was telling him to do.

But...

"Fu-fu, you're so affectionate."

Akito, still twitching his ears, wagged tail in displeasure. His teeth almost hurt from this memory, from this stupid smile and that joyful voice — he wanted to bite senpai so badly. He should've done it from the very beginning. Perhaps, if he did, this whole situation wouldn't have happened. Perhaps, this terrible confusion in his head wouldn't have appeared.

Maybe... maybe he should get a little revenge on Tsukasa. Yes, it's his own fault that he brought a cat home, so now let him pay for the inconvenience caused. Of course, Akito won’t bite him yet, but he'll definitely come up with an alternative. There's absolutely nothing to do at home today anyway. And seeing any reaction on the blond's face is always fun that he just can't get tired of.

Moreover, Shinonome made a promise that the orange cat would definitely visit again. So, like a good junior, he's obliged to keep his promises.

"...ugh, Akito's not at school today again. Even though I worked so hard on pancakes for him..." the blond muttered, walking to his class. He walked and walked, taking regular steps along the corridor, until suddenly he was stopped by sudden "meow"s. They were so clear that they could hardly pass for hallucinations. Tsukasa, in shock, tried to find where the sounds came from, until he finally met the gaze of green eyes. Those that definitely couldn't be confused with anyone else's, "A... Akineko?!"

Because of the sudden cry, the cat pressed ears to his head in displeasure and winced. However, this wasn't his only problem. At the speed of light, Tenma ran to the open window, where the furry animal was sitting, then took the missing "pet" in his arms. The sudden tenderness and affection would've been received more or less well by Shinonome if he wasn't spinned back and forth, like on a carousel. To be honest, he felt a little nauseous.

Why is Tsukasa never that happy when he sees junior in a normal state? It's so unfair.

"Akineko, you're back! I missed you so much, I thought that I'd never see you again!!" rubbing his cheek against the cat's head, the actor lovingly kissed him, "How did you end up here... no, where have you been all this time?! Do you know how worried I was when you suddenly disappeared?!!"

Akito didn't respond to his questions. And to the whole world in general, due to the fact that his head malfuncted. Of course, senpai kissed him only because he was sure that he had a real cat in hands... and there was no other reason. This was quite obvious. However, the teenager, with his eyes wide open and not even breathing, froze for some time. Tsukasa, though, didn't notice his reaction,

"I was so lonely without you, Akineko," the blond continued to say, making the cat comfortable in his arms. He sat down in the very place where junior had been before and smiled, "I have to admit, even I, a cheerful star, felt sincere sadness when I suddenly didn't find you at home! I spent two whole weeks without you, just so you know!"

"Actually no," thought the guy, snorting so that his white mustache twitched a little, "I've actually been with you all these two weeks, idiot". But to be truly angry with senpai would be stupid and childish. Still, he didn't know junior's little secret at all, so... well, he can be forgiven.

"I'm so glad you're here again. But," the blond exhaled noisily for some reason, "You ran away and maybe... you really are better off living on the street than in a house? If that's so, please forgive me then. I didn't think about your feelings at all, did I, Akineko?"

After this, the actor's joyful smile for some reason again began to reduce to a sad one. The one that Shinonome had been unsuccessfully trying to rid the teenager of for fourteen days. Just one look, which sorrow settled in, made panic and anxiety bloom in junior's heart. For some reason, he crouched down a little and pressed his fluffy tail closer to himself, thinking about what to do. This wasn't what he expected when he came to school. And so now he was very confused.

But something definitely had to be done with this sadness in the honey eyes.

Having doubted a little, assessing his capabilities, and also weighing a lot of pros and cons, Shinonome nevertheless decided to do something that would definitely amuse Tenma — act like a real cat. If he were in his human body, he would've said something, but now he could only rest his head on senpai's palm. The guy opened his eyes in surprise, and then, realizing that the cat was rubbing against him, immediately melted. All sadness disappeared — this was exactly what junior wanted.

And besides, once again feeling how thin, slightly bony fingers gently scratched behind his ear was pleasant in its own way. In his human body, Akito would hardly allow anyone to touch him like that, but now he's just an ordinary cat. Some things could be allowed at least for now.

"Oh, Tenma-kun, hello!" a classmate suddenly called, forcing both junior and senpai to return to reality. Two more girls trailed behind the short guy, "Oh, uh... what's this cat you have there? Where did you even find it?"

"Wow, it's so fluffy!"

"I've never seen such cute cats before~!"

Suddenly Shinonome remembered another reason why he never appeared within the school walls in this guise — people. There were so many of them here that he could go crazy. Moreover, teenagers tired of studying and routine were often surprised even by ordinary cats. They always wanted to call them over, stroke them, pick them up, caress them, or cuddle them. And some actual cats even liked it.

But Akito, naturally, wasn't a cat, but a person, who was simply unlucky to be born into a family with a specific "curse".

"This is Akineko!!" Tsukasa proudly introduced the nervous cat and stroked his head once again. Classmates, already accustomed to the actor's oddities, weren't even surprised by the strange name, "Two weeks ago I found him in the park and even took him to my home, but he ran away... but today he came to school, can you imagine?!"

"Eh, seriously?! Cats can find a person just by smell?" the classmate was sincerely surprised, clearly not understanding how the animal could even find its way here.

"Um, I think so, but it's strange why he didn't just go to Tenma-kun's home..."

Shinonome looked displeasedly at the three strangers and could barely restrain some secret desire to hiss at them. Why were they talking about him as if he wasn't even here? Listening to discussions behind his back is one thing, but right in his face... that's surely a new level. The blond seemed to notice the change in junior's mood, so he quickly hurried to calm him down in his arms.

"It doesn't matter anymore, ha-ha! The most important thing is that Akineko finally visited me again!"

"Fufu, that's true. He's probably loyal to you in his own way, Tsukasa-kun," having said this, the dark-haired girl extended her hand to the cat. However, Akito, not wanting to be touched by a stranger, protested aloud. Though only the most irritated meow came out instead of words, "Eh, he's acting angry for some reason... did I scare him? I only wanted to pet him."

"Huh? Akineko, what's wrong? These are just my classmates, no need to react like that."

However, junior didn't care about the blond's words. Personal space is important, after all. Not everyone will be pleased if every passerby touches them. Snorting at the girl, Shinonome almost curled up into a ball in senpai's arms — this was the only safe place he knew now.

"S-sorry, I don't know what came over him," the actor laughed nervously and smiled, "He didn't mind being petted by Saki and my parents..."

"Pfft, your cat seems pretty haughty, Tenma-kun," the classmate smiled in response, while another girl tried to cheer up her friend ("c'mon, Himiko-chan, he was probably just scared of new people, that's all!").

"Well, Akineko's not really my cat, since he left–"

For no apparent reason, Akito meowed loudly and protractedly in order to interrupt the blond's speech. Everyone stared at him in surprise, but again he didn't react. After all, there's no need to explain his behaviour. Now he's just a cat (an orange one, to be more specific), so he's free to act as he pleases.

And free to not want to listen to Tsukasa deny that this cat is his.

"Akineko, interrupting people isn't good!" the actor scolded the cat as if he was talking to a person. Why was he that weird? Junior's thoughts were interrupted by a ringing bell, "Oh, class is starting soon!" after that, Tenma got up from the window and finally put the displeased meowing animal there, "There you go, Akineko, now you're free! Hope to see you again, ha-ha!!"

Turning his back, Tsukasa quickly turned his attention to talking with classmates. Of course, it was nice to see him so cheerful, but... something was missing. Akito didn't really like that senpai just went to class and that's it. "Ugh, boring... I thought it'd be more fun," the teenager thought, involuntarily moving his tail back and forth. And suddenly, as soon as the second bell rang, a brilliant idea came to mind. It was like an alternative to revenge, "Wait, I think... I can spice things up a little."

With the third bell, the teacher entered the classroom and was politely greeted by the students. Having sat down at their desks, some were preparing to listen carefully to the topic of the lesson, while others were already ready to fall asleep, since they hadn't gotten enough sleep at night. Of course, Rui was among the second type, since he had been working on the script for the show 'till morning. Tsukasa tried to wake up his friend, but after about two minutes (and after the teacher scolded him for being too loud), he realized that it was pointless.

Exhaling heavily, the actor simply resigned himself and began to carefully write down all the teacher's words, so that he could later show the notes to his best friend. Everything went quietly for about ten minutes. Tsukasa, trying to catch as much information as possible for the upcoming test, seriously immersed himself in the topic of the lesson. Everything was fine up until the moment, when...

"Meow."

A quiet meow, which for some reason sounded from below, immediately unsettled Tenma. He, not understanding what was happening, began to look around in surprise until finally lowered his eyes down. An orange cat was sitting right at his feet. Though it was unclear how it had ended up in the classroom in the first place.

"Ha-ah?! What are you doing here?!!" Tsukasa suddenly jumped out of his chair and screamed so loudly that Rui, who was peacefully snoring next to him, suddenly woke up... and almost hit his face on the desk.

"Tenma!" the teacher called him sternly, causing the students at the front desks to flinch, "Quit disturbing the class!"

"I, I'm not disturbing! It's just, teacher, there's... there's a cat!"

Arching an eyebrow, the teacher was about to scold the student again, but stopped — Tsukasa finally picked up and showed the cause of the chaos. Indeed a cat. But how did it even appear in the class? The man wanted to know, but decided that it wasn't worth taking time away from the lesson. Massaging the bridge of his nose to calm down a bit, he stated,

"Leave it somewhere on the street and go back to class."

Apologizing, Tsukasa quickly ran out of the classroom. Fortunately, he was on the second floor, and not on the third or fourth — if he was, he would've been tired of running back and forth. Passing the stairs almost at the speed of light (since he knew that it was better not to irritate the teacher), the blond was yelling at the animal in his arms,

"You orange demon, how did you get into my class?! First you ran away from me, and now you won't leave me alone at school?" junior didn't think that he'd still feel a little guilty for this, but... for some reason he did. He wasn't very comfortable and pleased to hear sincere irritation in senpai's voice. But, of course, he couldn't say it out loud — no one would understand anyway, "What kind of cat even are you, Akineko?"

"Well, let's start with the fact that I'm not really a cat," the teenager thought, barely restraining the desire to laugh at least somehow.

"... that's it, stay right here!" finally, when he had already run out into the street, Tsukasa lowered junior to the ground, "And do not follow me!"

Turning on the heels of his school shoes, the guy walked back to class as quickly as possible. He might still be able to concentrate on class... even if he had already pissed off the teacher from the very beginning of the day. "Ugh, I hope I wasn't too strict with Akineko," the blond suddenly thought to himself, feeling a small surge of guilt, "I probably shouldn't have yelled at him like that. After all, he's just a cat..." Tenma exhaled heavily and, barely moving his legs, finally reached the classroom, "I hope he's not mad at me."

Tiredly plopping down on a chair, the actor tried to catch his breath for some time. His friend, already a little more alert (at least he wasn't sleeping), looked at him with only one question in his eyes, "what's the deal with that cat?". But it was clear from Tsukasa's face that he'd give the answer only during recess. Otherwise the teacher will eat him alive.

"So, uh, right. I need to get back to the topic," trying to concentrate, the blond quickly ran his eyes over the text that he had already written down. However, it seemed that he managed to miss something important, "Ugh, fine. This test won't affect anything anyway," and suddenly, out of the blue, Tenma allowed himself to smile a little, "And I was able to pet Akineko once again. Fu-fu, he's so fluffy and cute... why didn't he want to be my cat? I'd love him with all my star soul!"

The teenager didn't know for sure whether it was a coincidence or whether he summoned the cat into the classroom with just thoughts, but orange beast reappeared at the open window. Now he meowed louder, so that even the teacher would pay attention to him.

"Ha-ah?!! You're here again?!" the teacher and Tsukasa shouted in unison. Junior, with ears flattened, closed his eyes in displeasure because of too much noise, but then continued to meow carelessly as if nothing had happened.

Almost all the students giggled or even laughed. Someone tried to call the cat over to pet him, but he didn't even look at them. Instead, two green eyes were focused on Tenma's ambiguous reaction: both anger and joy shone on this face. It's incredible how a person could convey such contradictory emotions so gracefully and simply. Shinonome wanted to study this expression better, as he was starting to like it way too much.

Making fun of senpai became a habit precisely because of the reactions he showed. If he just kept quiet like Toya, it'd get boring quickly. But the blond, even after so much time, still didn't change and continued to surprise junior in his own way.

The desire to mock, tease, and make fun always overpowered the feeling of pride. And today was no exception.

"Eh, ah, A-Akineko! Shoo, go away!.." the actor tried to resist, but it was all to no avail. The cat, playfully wagging his tail, suddenly jumped onto the guy's lap, "Th-this... u-um...!" already afraid of what the teacher's reaction might be, Tsukasa barely managed to raise his eyes up. He was now on the disciplinary committee; he couldn't act the same way as last year. He shouldn't cause any problems... but now senpai was handling it terribly, "F-forgive me, please."

Turning around, the classmates were still giggling while the disgruntled teacher was wondering what to do. Stomping his foot, he quickly glanced at his wristwatch. And then sighed heavily. The longer he scolds Tsukasa, the more time he'll miss from the lesson, and absolutely in vain. The cat... the cat, well, didn't really interfere. If he pretends that he didn't exist in this classroom, then he can continue teaching with a clear conscience.

The man muttered something like, "I'm not paid enough," and then, as if resigned to fate, said,

"Fine, let the cat stay. Just don't get distracted by him, Tenma. And don't make a single sound again," turning to the board, the teacher continued, "Okay, class, let's move on to the next topic..."

Letting out a quiet exhale, Tsukasa looked at Rui, who was looking at the animal on his friend's lap with interest. Since two actors were sitting next to each other, it was quite possible to reach out and try to touch the cat, but... Akito suddenly made such a face as if he was about to hiss loudly. If this happens, the teacher will definitely put the three of them (yes, along with the orange troublemaker) out into the corridor. "Fu-fu... fine then, maybe another time," the teenager thought sadly. And, turning away, began to listen to the new topic, though not entirely interested.

The cat again attracted all attention to himself by trying to make himself as comfortable as possible on Tenma. And it seemed that the longer he did this, the more fur were left on senpai's jacket, shirt, pants, even tie. Honestly, the actor wanted to scold him, but then suddenly realized that he simply... wasn't able to do this. Even though he curled his lips, twitched his eyebrows and glared irritably, he still couldn't do much. He couldn't force the animal to stop deliberately leaving its orange fur (seriously, running a tail along the sleeves wasn't so necessary... how Tsukasa's supposed to clean it all now?).

"You're lucky you're so cute, Akineko," Tenma practically hissed so the teacher wouldn't hear.

In response, junior opened his mouth as if he was about to meow loudly. In horror, Tsukasa, no longer knowing what to do, quickly began to stroke the cat. And wow, it helped. The impudent creature nevertheless closed his mouth, at the same time slyly narrowing green eyes — Akineko was mocking him, that's for sure. Truly a troublemaker, who liked to bother the actor.

"If you think about it like that... he really does remind me of Akito," a thought suddenly flashed through the blond's head. Simultaneously he tried to write down notes (in shaky, uneven handwriting) and scratch the impudent cat behind his ear. Thinking about junior, Tsukasa didn't immediately realize that he had fallen out of reality a little, "Akito, huh... why isn't he at school today? Is he sick again? Even though I told him so many times to take better care of his health... maybe I should visit him? I'm a good senpai, I'm obliged to help my juniors, especially when they feel bad!" however, almost at the same second the guy remembered An and Toya's words, "Oh, but, yeah... even if I find his address, he probably won't open the door for me. Mu-mu, it's so difficult!.. As a senpai, I must think of someth–" his thoughts were interrupted by the surprised cat, who, having stopped receiving affection, began to lightly hit the guy on the palm with a soft paw, "Oh, right, Akineko. I shouldn't forget about him," he exhaled heavily and returned to his previous occupation, "Although Akito isn't at school, Akineko reminds me of him. That's, well... that's a little reassuring."

Shinonome, meanwhile, rejoiced at his genius. Why had this idea never occurred to him before? After all, this was several times more fun than being at home all day or wandering the streets of the city. Moreover, there were so many opportunities to once again tease his senpai. But he should think them through better before starting to act. This may take another two weeks before the next transformation.

As soon as the bell from class rang, Akito said goodbye to the blond (only to him, again not paying attention to Rui and other students) and hurried to rush out of the classroom. His plans included meeting Toya, whom he also wanted to spend a little time with.

And after this, he'll come home to a sister, who really wanted to arrange a real photo shoot for her account.

Chapter 4

"Ugh, what do I even do with this?" the blond muttered to himself, as he was shaking something off his dark jacket, "I washed it, but it didn't do any good... where does this fur even come from?"

"Tsukasa-senpai? What are you doing?"

Junior, who suddenly appeared, as if out of thin air, scared the guy so much that he screamed. Akito winced, but didn't say "be quiet" out loud, for some reason. Turning around, the actor at first wanted to scold him for such an unexpected appearance. However, for some reason stopped himself.

The simple fact that the redhead finally came to school today delighted him to such an extent that he forgot about his own fear a couple of seconds ago.

"...trying to get rid of fur," Tenma explained, exhaling. His junior, finally sitting down on the bench next to him, quickly examined his clothes. Indeed, here and there was bright orange cat fur sparkling. Shinonome, no matter how hard he tried, still couldn't help but chuckle quietly. This, if you think about it, was actually a little funny: both how much fur remained on the jacket and pants, and the way senpai was trying to get rid of it, "Remember I told you about Akineko, right? So, yesterday he came to school! And didn't even leave during class!!"

"Heh, seriously? Why wasn't he kicked out?" trying to keep calm with all his might, Akito could already feel his satisfied grin trembling. But he can't give himself away. He needs to play a person, who knows nothing until the last moment... as if it wasn't him, who caused the chaos in the class yesterday.

"I tried to take him outside, but he came back! The teacher was very, very angry, but still allowed Akineko to stay. However! Akineko sat on me all this time, and now I'm covered in his fur!! Washing didn't help get rid of it at all! It seems it's only gotten worse..."

Tenma tried again to shake off the fur, but nothing worked. He'll probably succeed only in a few months. It was, of course, strange that the blond didn't understand how to get rid of fur at all... maybe all people without pets behave this way? For Shinonome, who lives in the cat family, something like this was at least surprising. Didn't this fair-haired idiot even know that clothes should be dried before washing?

And yet, despite how shocked he was by the senpai's minimal knowledge of cats, he was kind of happy to admire his facial expression. Akito himself didn't notice that at some point he began to stare openly. He was so concentrated that he hardly even blinked. Fortunately, the blond, puzzled by his problem, paid no attention to it.

"Ugh... I didn't want to ask for help, but it seems I'll have to," Tsukasa finally said, which again ignited junior's interest, "I'll ask Rui to create some kind of device for me. He's a smart guy, he'll definitely help me!" nodding to himself and smiling, the actor didn't even think to turn his head a little and notice how much the redhead's gaze had changed. The previously relaxed face darkened in literally an instant, "All is decided! After lunch I'll go to class and talk to Ru–"

"I don't think this is necessary, senpai," for some reason junior's voice sounded so mad, so distant, so cold that Tenma was genuinely scared for a couple of seconds,

"Eh? Akito? What's wrong with your face?.."

"Nothing at all. Just sit here and don't leave."

Tsukasa, strangely looking sideways at the gloomy face, couldn't even imagine what he had already done wrong. He just mentioned that he needed help. Was he not allowed to? Did this somehow irritate Akito? The blond, not knowing what to say, simply fulfilled the request (or, rather, the order) of the younger one — sat down more comfortably on the bench so that there would be no thought that he was about to run away. Shinonome, meanwhile, still didn't change his expression.

He pressed his lips into a narrow line. Then narrowed green eyes and looked as if he'd snort angrily. The sudden change in mood from the usual to this one really shocked senpai. Mainly due to the fact that he was completely lost in guessing: what exactly could have pissed off his junior so much?

And the reason was, in fact, extremely trivial. For some reason, just a name irritated him. Speaking to Kamishiro in person, he didn't experience this and usually behaved normally. In fact, this senpai, although strange, wasn't that bad. Sometimes even interesting in his own way. However... as soon as the guy noticed him next to Tenma, all the good times were immediately forgotten. It's not entirely clear why.

Perhaps it was because sometimes Rui was too close to his best friend. As close as the redhead couldn't be.

"...I, well," Akito finally decided to speak, trying to come to his senses and stop getting angry for no apparent reason, "Well, I can help you with the fur. I know how."

"Huh?! Seriously?!! You have a cat? And you never told me?" Tsukasa, surprisingly, quickly forgot about his surprise a minute earlier and began screaming again, as usual. Well, at least he didn't talk about his director friend. This was already something. It made Akito feel... a little calmer.

Sighing, the teen realized that he'd have to lie again. He had told so many lies lately that he was gradually losing himself as to where the truth was. The guy had never been a skilled liar, but such a naive person as Tenma easily believed him. Perhaps, because of this, he felt a little ashamed to continually deceive such a gullible senpai.

However... he was ready to do a lot so that Tsukasa doesn't find out about his furry secret. And so that he stops showing Rui his gentle smile.

"Well, I did have a cat as a child, but we gave it away to relatives later," the teenager was basically making up lies right on the spot. It seemed to sound quite convincing though. At least the blond believed him, "But I have fur rollers at home. Well, even without them, I learned to quickly get rid of fur."

"Rollers? I've never heard of such a thing..." Tsukasa muttered thoughtfully, while junior didn't even try to hide how shocked he was.

How can a person not know about something so obvious? Yes, of course, the actor never had pets, but how can he know so little about animals? "How was he even going to keep me as a pet?" Akito couldn't help but chuckle in his thoughts, "Senpai never ceases to amaze every day..."

"I'll show you," the redhead sighed again. It's a little strange that Tsukasa didn't ask all his classmates for help, but it's okay. Perhaps it was even better this way. This way junior will be able to show himself as someone helpful (after all, not only senpais are obliged to help and come to the rescue), "After school, well... you can come to my house," the last words came out a little quieter than others. Akito, noticing this, quickly cleared his throat and tried to pretend that he wasn't embarrassed by an ordinary phrase.

"Uh... really? Is it really possible, Akito?!"

For some reason, stars sparkled in Tenma's eyes. He himself was so close that Shinonome very faintly felt the same pleasant smell (still not clear, whether it was shampoo or shower gel? or maybe just senpai's natural scent?). Smiling like a contented child, he continued to repeat it until Shinonome muttered,

"Yeah-yeah, I'm for real," and after that, putting his hands in jacket pockets, he stood up from the bench, "I'll wait at the gate after school."

"Sure! Thank you for your help, my precious junior!!"

Trying to go to class as quickly as possible, Akito did his best to ignore how nice it made him feel just to hear "my precious".

***

"Um, well... welcome to my home," the guy muttered, walking inside, "It's a bit of a mess here, sorry."

"It's okay, you just haven't seen Rui's house yet!!"

Shinonome twitched his eyebrow displeasedly at the mention of his weird senpai, but then suddenly seemed to come to his senses. Why the hell is he reacting this way? And why only when the eccentric's name leaves the blond's lips? Tenma and Kamishiro are just best friends. And now also classmates. There's nothing more between them than this. Therefore, it wasn't worth behaving so aggressively every time the actor started mentioning his friend. This isn't entirely normal. At least Akito himself didn't like his behavior.

Really, why does he act like he cares about Tsukasa's personal life? He doesn't care at all.

The actor didn't pay attention to junior's mental struggle with his own feelings and thoughts. Instead, he looked around the house and, from what he saw, formed a general impression of its inhabitants. A small mess really was present here: pillows that lay on the sofa in a chaotic order, a school jacket (most likely it was the one Akito's sister wears) half-put on the back of a kitchen chair, bags on a hanger, various newspapers and posters from live concerts scattered on the coffee table. But for some reason all of it created its own special comfort. There was much less space than in his own home, but he can't say that it's bad.

"It's actually quite cute here, Akito," the blond said with a smile, which puzzled junior a little. "Cute", huh? Yeah, maybe, until he looks into Ena's room. It looks like a total nightmare. Especially when she doesn't have the inspiration or the strength to draw beautifully and in detail.

"Yeah-yeah, sure... wait a little while I go to my room to get the rollers."

When leaving, Shinonome didn't notice that senpai continued to study his house. The actor's attention was mainly drawn to the posters on the table. "Hmm, there'll be a concert soon... probably Akito and Toya and the others are going to perform," the guy thought a little, trying to remember if he had plans for that particular day, "I don't have to do anything in the disciplinary committee on Friday. And even if I do, I'll try to deal with it as soon as possible!" Tenma smiled and quickly nodded to himself, "It's decided then! I'll come to the concert on Friday!" in fact, the blond had wanted to do this for a long time, but every time Aoyagi called him, he already had plans: either at school, or in the park, or in sekai. But this Friday the guy simply must attend the live concert. Although, most likely, he'll do it in secret, so as not to embarrass anyone from Vivid BAD SQUAD, "Fu-fu, I'll see how Akito perfor–"

"Senpai," Tenma jerked sharply and, fearfully shouting "Akito!!", turned around, "What are you doing here?"

"Oh, uh, I...! I-I'm studying your table!! I really liked the design, ha-ha-ha! You should be proud that the future star appreciated the table in your home, my dear junior!!"

The excuse was way too stupid — Tsukasa realized that himself. There was such a clear mistrust in junior's eyes that he could just die. And yet the redhead didn't go into details. Maybe his senpai really had been analyzing the table all this time. A weirdo like him was quite capable of doing even something like this.

Exhaling, Akito silently walked closer to the blond (as close as he physically could bring himself to do) and asked him to keep his hands straight. Only after Tsukasa complied with the request did the guy finally get down to business. While junior carefully and methodically moved the roller along the sleeves of dark jacket, not losing sight of a single hair (his good eyesight allowed him to see almost everything), Tenma glanced at him out of the corner of his eye. And when Shinonome found himself too close, simply couldn't help but look away.

He could expect a lot from life, but clearly not that one day he would end up in Akito's house in this situation. Not just to visit, to talk and drink tea, but to clean Akineko's fur... although, if you think about it that way, there were few downsides. To be honest, Tsukasa was even a little grateful to the little cat. After all, only thanks to him he was now closer to his junior (in every sense, considering that the redhead was less than a meter away).

"Senpai, please turn around. You probably have fur on your back too," the blond nodded and hastily fulfilled this request as well. Now it was difficult to study junior's actions, which upset him a little. And maybe even scared him as well. Because at some point, Shinonome shortened the already minimal distance.

Akito looked closely at the collar of school jacket and noticed a single orange hair there. Why even was it here? However, the guy didn't complain, and simply decided to get rid of the fur with fingers. And yet, it was precisely because of this that a strange, impulsive, crazy idea came into his head. Before this, Shinonome hadn't allowed himself to be too close to other people, especially Tenma. The most the redhead could remember was the sports festival, but back then he didn't have much time to think about the blond.

Yet now, when the teenager was practically breathing down Tsukasa's neck for the first time, he could finally look at his noisy senpai from a slightly different side. When a desire to do this even began? Perhaps since they met. However, last school year, Akito managed to keep this faint, barely present thought to himself. So what went wrong during this one? At what exact moment did he begin to be so attracted to this guy? The same guy he once swore to avoid for the rest of his life.

"Tsukasa-senpai... smells so nice," Shinonome didn't even feel how the pupils in his green eyes began to narrow quite a bit (almost imperceptibly, if you don't look closely). As if he was a cat even now. Perhaps this was a residual from yesterday's transformation. Or maybe– "Like a burning candle, but... hmm, also citrus. Orange? Or lemon?" the teenager was almost few centimetres away, trying to catch the barely perceptible smell. If he were a cat, it'd be much easier to do this. Why didn't he try to find out what exactly his senpai smelled like yesterday? "And also clean laundry. Right after it's dried in the sun..."

Closing his eyes, Shinonome reached his hand to the blond's shoulder, and his lips to his neck. Perhaps he would've done something that he'd later regret, if not for a familiar voice stopping him in time,

"Akito, what's taking so long?" the guy's palm instantly twitched, and he, horrified by his own behavior, froze, "Is there really that much fur on my jacket?"

"Uh, it's... um... w-well..."

Through almost clenched teeth, the teenager barely came up with some kind of excuse and immediately forgot what he said. With a trembling hand, he continued to collect the orange fur while trying to figure out what he had just nearly done. What kind of madness was this anyway? And why did he reach out to Tenma? Burning with shame and anger at himself, Shinonome could barely breathe while the unsuspecting senpai just stood near (and still couldn't wait for his jacket to finally be clean).

Akito's pupils returned to their normal state, as did mind. Shaking his head to completely drive away all bad thoughts, the guy tried his best to forget about everything that almost happened just seconds ago,

"I"m clearly not feeling well. Or maybe I should sleep more," the redhead thought, literally feeling the face muscles ache from his nervous smile, "Thank God senpai had his back to me and not his face..." just for a moment imagining what could happen in such a case, Akito once again felt his face and even neck burning with shame and embarrassment, "A-a-argh!.. Enough, enough, that's enough, stop thinking about it. I'm just a little tired... after today's algebra test, yes!.."

"Uh, I'm done with the jacket," Shinonome almost whispered, trying not to look the blond in the eyes, "Now we need to do something with your pants and shirt..."

"Oh, yes! Thank you very much again, Akito! Ha-ha, what would I do without my dear junior!!"

While the smiling actor happily stomped towards the sofa, Akito helplessly ran a hand over his face, hair and neck, in the hope that at least this would help him. His own cold fingers often brought him to his senses, but for some reason not today. "The next ten minutes will clearly be torture for me," the guy realized and, exhaling heavily, followed senpai.

***

Somehow it just happened that Akito got into the habit of going home with Tsukasa. Without ever voicing this strange schedule out loud, they saw each other off in turns: on some day junior would wave goodbye almost at senpai's doorstep, and on another day he himself would be escorted to his house. And to be honest, Tenma quickly noticed one very... unusual detail. The redhead always walked to the actor's house in his own special way.

It was strange not only that he knew the exact path, but also that he always walked ahead. As if he was leading him to home, rather than seeing him off. He also always turned around and checked whether senpai was keeping up with him or not. This behavior was indeed non-standard, but, well, what else can he expect from his own junior?

"...but I'm seriously telling you, Akito, you're missing out on a lot!!" Tsukasa still just couldn't stop talking on the way home.

In fact, not shutting up for a second was already his habit, but, surprisingly, junior didn't complain. Though he didn't want to admit it, he liked to listen to his senpai's ramblings. It was about seven months ago, when the guy caught himself thinking that he was interested in Tenma's stories. And so, the world began to slowly but surely collapse. The chaos going on in his head was obvious proof of this.

"I don't understand how you can act so coldly towards Akineko! It's impossible not to fall in love with a cat like him!!" the red-haired couldn't hold back his chuckle, which was instantly noticed by Tsukasa, "Oi! Don't laugh! I'm telling you the truth!! Akineko is unique, you can't not love him!"

"Heh... I see. I wonder, what did you even find in this cat to like him so much?" Shinonome did his best to ignore the topic of conversation.

After all, they were talking about him now. Every senpai's word was perceived as if it was dedicated specifically to him, and, so... he felt pleased? It was nice to think that Tenma said all this to him. However, as soon as the realization set in that it was about a cat, he immediately wanted to squirm with dissatisfaction.

It was unfair to some extent. Why did a cat deserve more love, even a smile that no one saw, than a person? And not just a person, but a friend (perhaps even best friend). Of course, such a desire to receive Tenma's care may seem strange to some, but the teenager didn't think so. They're friends after all. It's normal to want your friend to love you.

Absolutely normal.

"What do you mean?! Akineko's the cutest cat of all! So fluffy, so affectionate...!" it seemed that a little more and Tsukasa'd cry from his emotions. Yes, the orange creature really touched his heart, didn't he? Perhaps due to the fact that he never had a pet, which he had dreamed of all his life, "And also very smart! He was able to find me at school. Y'know, not every cat is capable of this! Only Akineko!!"

"Yeah-yeah, we all already know that you're crazy about this cat..."

"Akineko's very cute, so it's quite obvious that I love him. The future star has a special talent for choosing only the best, just so you know!"

"Choosing only the best", huh? Sure, Tsukasa had good friends, good juniors and a loving family, as well as a promising job. So, overall, he wasn't lying when he said that. However, Akito wondered... was he included in this "the best" list? If the blond talked to him, considered him his friend, then... maybe he thought that the redhead also was "the best".

This, of course, was the stupidest thought in the world, but still... it warmed teen's soul in its own way, so he didn't want to get it out of his head for some time.

"Eh, I still would like Akineko to become my pet," Tenma suddenly said with a slightly sadder voice, "But, oh well, I can't command his cat's heart..." junior didn't have time to somehow encourage or say any words of support, because he instantly heard the continuation, "However, I'll wait! Maybe one day Akineko will become attached to me enough to want to live in my house!! Then I'll buy him lots and lots of toys, food, even his own bed, ha-ha!"

"There's no need to idolize a cat like that. And besides, he hardly needs all this," Shinonome muttered with noticeable irritation again, for some reason jealous of himself.

"Nonsense! The future star is obliged to provide his beloved pet with all the best so that he never needs anything and is happy!!"

"You alone will be more than enough for my happiness," the redhead thought, but never voiced it out loud. What if he's going to be misunderstood? This was just such friendly support, Tsukasa shouldn't confuse it with something else... exhaling, Akito tried to distract himself from these thoughts with senpai's voice. Hearing about a cute cat (and that is, himself) was strange, but sometimes pleasant in its own way. When Tenma smiled so joyfully, described his love for an ordinary animal so loudly and vividly, it was simply impossible to stop looking at him. Sometimes junior himself didn't notice how his eyes relaxed or even slightly squinted when he listened to the actor. This was happening a lot even back in his first year at high school. Even when An noticed this,

"Hey, Akito, why are you looking at Tenma-senpai like that? Almost like a cat!" the girl giggled, walking with her friend along the school corridor. The teen twitched at the last word, as if he was afraid that someone blew his cover. But then processed the information better and realized that he was just compared to an animal, and that's all. Good then. He had no intention of revealing his secret to An yet, "Did you fall in love, or what~?"

"Ha-ah?! Are you crazy?" immediately served as her answer. To be honest, the guy didn t even have time to come to his senses or even understand the full meaning of the words. An chattered too quickly,

"Ma-an, what a reaction~ well, you're definitely in love!"

"Get lost, Shiraishi!.."

Listening to senpai, Akito didn't even notice familiar faces at the beginning of the street. Holding each other's hand tightly, Ichika and Kanade simply walked around the city (for the first time in so long, after the new song was ready, the white-haired girl agreed to go out). However, before that moment, the joyful guitarist's face changed dramatically. At first she wanted to run up to Tsukasa and say hello, but then saw a red-haired guy next to him.

Hoshino wouldn't say she didn't like him. It's just that every time the girl had to interact with him in any way, she couldn't shake the strange feeling that something was definitely wrong. Shinonome gave off an aura that was making her tense. Most likely, it was something on a subconscious level. However, even though Ichika was reasonable, calm and extremely intelligent... even in her head, a strange and stupid thought sometimes slipped through, "I'm afraid that he might eat me".

Because Hoshino froze in one place, her girlfriend (although she didn't understand the cause of such an unusual reaction) did the same.

"See you tomorrow, Akito!!" said Tenma, smiling radiantly and practically sparkling with happiness, as he waved his hand goodbye, and then hurried quickly to his home.

"Yeah..." junior quietly chuckled in response, "See ya."

After that, the guy turned around and went back — after all, his house was in a completely different direction. The singer stood still, but now for two reasons at once. Both of them shocked her in their own way.

"Ichika? Are you okay?" Kanade suddenly asked, as she could no longer withstand the discomfort on her beloved's face.

"Eh? Oh, I... y-yes, I just..." she muttered quickly, looking down nervously, "It's just... I've never seen Tsukasa-san smile at someone like that. And Shinonome-kun had never walked Tsukasa-san home before. So I was surprised," Yoisaki laughed softly, but noticed in time that the intonation of Hoshino's voice remained just as lost, "And, uh, well, Shinonome-kun..."

"Hm? Is there something wrong with him?"

"Not really...! I just, always feel something strange from him, but at the same time very familiar."

Tilting head to the side in surprise so that long white hair fell off her shoulder, Kanade tried to understand what her girlfriend was talking about. But, unfortunately, she was never able to do this. Exhaling, Ichika tried to explain her feelings in more detail, but in such a way as not to offend Akito. Even though he, of course, wasn't there, the girl still had to show respect for him.

"It may be my imagination, but seems like Shinonome-kun's just like me."

"Are you saying he's transforming too?" finally, the girl began to understand. In response, Ichika nodded briefly,

"Yes, and... I, as a bird, feel a little uneasy around him."

Frowning slightly, Kanade squeezed Ichika's hand tighter in her palm, which surprised her. The girl, not daring to voice, "what happened?", gave her an astonished look. For a couple of seconds they just stood in a soothing, pleasant silence, until the white-haired girl s face softened, as did her voice,

"Everything's fine. Akito-san's a good person, he definitely won't cause you any harm," well, Hoshino herself understood this, but... sometimes she couldn't help herself. She somehow wanted to stay at least at arm's length from the redhead. She definitely doesn't hate him or fear him. It's just that the two of them were unlikely to ever become friends, "And I'm always with you. So relax, okay?"

Feeling her cheeks involuntarily turn red from the sincerity in Kanade's gentle eyes, the guitarist looked away in embarrassment. She really felt calmer from these words. Not only music, but simply just her girlfriend's voice, helped her to cope with unpleasant feelings.

"Y-yes, exactly... thank you very much."

***

"Tsukasa! Tsukasa, look! Your cat's here again!" a classmate's voice suddenly and rather tactlessly made the blond come out of his thoughts about the show. And yet he forgave him, since the news announced was good, "I wonder how does he always find our classr–"

"Akineko!! You're back!" the cry of the guy, who jumped from his seat, made everyone flinch. Even the cat, who fully expected such a reaction.

"Tsukasa, quit shouting like that!.. Unlike your cat, we don't have nine lives and won't recover if you kill us with your voice..."

Having come to his senses, the blond bowed and quickly apologized for his behavior. The cat, meanwhile, waved his fluffy tail in displeasure — he didn't really like this attitude towards Tenma. Yes, he sometimes complained as well, but only because his hearing was much more sensitive than that of ordinary people. Accordingly, only Shinonome had a valid reason for dissatisfaction (which he had recently completely stopped showing).

Senpai's classmate tried to reach out to the cat sitting on the window, but an unexpected hiss took him by surprise,

"Huh...?! Why is he so angry?" the young man was amazed, but couldn't continue to be indignant, as the blond interrupted him.

The cat fell into Tsukasa's arms way too easily and quickly. He settled comfortably there and, ostentatiously rubbing his head against a warm hand, cast a dissatisfied glance at the other teenager... whose name, to be honest, he didn't even know. Though it's not necessary to remember all of the actor's classmates, if you think about it that way. After all, they don't know him very well either (only by hearsay from Tenma's words, because he never shuts his mouth).

Smiling softly, the guy almost weightlessly ran his finger over the orange muzzle, and then joyfully said,

"Akineko, you came again, ha-ha! I missed you so much!!" he twirled a little with the cat in his hands. Shinonome, already more or less accustomed to this, didn't even want to vomit this time — progress was obvious.

"Fu-fu, apparently he'll be with us in class again today," his friend, Rui, suddenly appeared behind the blond. And almost instantly the cat's satisfied expression was replaced by a slightly irritated one, "Thought it's strange that he came before our last lesson."

"Well, who knows, maybe Akineko had his own cat business all day! Isn't that right, Akineko?"

Tsukasa squeezed the cat tighter in his warm, gentle embrace, and then rubbed his cheek against the top of orange head. Strange, but the guy wasn't at all worried by the fact that he'd again be covered in fur from head to toe. Although... this is going to be beneficial for Akito: he'll again be able to spend time with senpai as close as possible. He just has to come up with some plausible reason why he'll have a fur roller with him tomorrow.

And as for today... well, Tenma, of course, gave him a good excuse. However, in reality, the "cat's business" included Shinonome simply sleeping all day after a tough evening rehearsal. He didn't notice how he woke up at almost the end of the school day. The guy was lucky that he even made it in time for senpai's last lesson — otherwise finding him later would've been problematic. After all, the teenager wasn't aware of the blond's exact plans.

Sitting down at the desk, Tenma made sure that the cat was comfortable, and only then exhaled with relief Yes, judging by the fact that Akineko once again warmed his lap, all his clothes will definitely be covered in fur. And yet, even so, every appearance of the orange animal caused joy beyond words. This was also noticed by Kamishiro, who never stopped smiling and giggling at his friend's reactions.

To be honest, junuor was a little annoyed by this guy. If only he, like last year, was in a different class... or at least at the other end of the room, it'd be easier to deal with him. Though, Tsukasa's other classmates are clearly no match for the eccentric senpai,

"Tenma-kun, may I pet?" the girls asked, coming closer to his desk, "Last time he ran away so quickly after class that we didn't have time..."

"Right-right! But he's so cute, so fluffy, I want to cuddle him so much!"

"Ha-ha, of course! Akineko's at your every comman–"

But the blond's words were abruptly interrupted by a hiss, then a growl. Everyone suprisedly looked at the cat, who clearly didn't like strangers even thinking of petting him. The classmates, no longer so sure that they should've approached at all, looked at each other nervously. Tsukasa lowered his gaze, surprised and dissatisfied at the same time, but junior had already managed to pretend that he wasn't involved in everyone's shock (even Rui was slightly dumbfounded).

"Akineko!! What kind of behavior is that? They just want to pet you!" Akito, as if not paying attention to the scream, licked his paw only once (after all, he didn't really like the taste of his own fur). A few days ago, he read a bit about the behavior of cats on the Internet and, since he was going to be around people in this form often, he had to act appropriately, "Oi, I'm talking to you! Don't be so mean to everyone, they won't hurt you."

Lifting the cat from his already warm spot, Tenma tried to hold him closer to classmates, but cheeky animal protested again. If he were a human, he would've said a lot of nasty things, but now all the words sounded like angry meows. Kamishiro, carefully observing this, smiled faintly,

"Fu-fu, it's time to come to terms with the fact that Akineko-kun only loves you, Tsukasa-kun."

In response to this, his friend sighed heavily and apologized to the girls. They just giggled cheerfully and, saying that everything was fine, went to their places. Tenma, like an annoyed mother, frowned once again,

"And yet, Akineko, you shouldn't so rude to other people," junior, not even paying attention to the remark, simply scratched his ear.

"I don't think he understands you, Tsukasa-kun..." after that Kamishiro looked thoughtfully into the distance and began muttering something under his breath, "Although, well, if you think like that, I can try creating... a device for understanding cats, hmm... I should study this topic, maybe I'll even make it work... in theory, this is quite possible," both the actor and the cat, looking with identical facial expressions at the guy, could barely restrain themselves from sighing heavily.

"I see... it's better to leave Rui alone for now."

The bell rang and, finally, the teacher appeared in the classroom — the same one, whom Akito tormented with his mere presence last time. The man, just noticing an orange muzzle that was carefully studying him and his reaction, exhaled forcefully. In his thoughts he was definitely complaining that he wasn't being paid enough for this circus , but out loud said only,

"Tenma, don't even make a sound. This also applies to your cat," in response the guy shouted a loud, "got it!", as Akineko meowed in agreement. The teacher tiredly rubbed the bridge of his nose and whispered almost under his breath, "When will they give me a vacation?"

The lesson took place in a surprisingly calm atmosphere. Tsukasa's classmates sometimes turned to look at him, or rather at the fluffy cat, but for this they were quickly scolded, "don't get distracted". Akineko, still rather sleepy and tired, was in no mood to cause chaos today. Perhaps he'll do it in another two weeks. But today he just wanted to relax on senpai's lap, while listening to the teacher's rather monotonous voice, which made him fall back to sleep.

Shinonome woke up when the last bell for the day rang again. Stretching sleepily, he yawned, and then looked at the for some reason too perky Tenma. Was he really that happy to have the orange cat, and not human junior, nearby?

The guy definitely had to come up with some way to make the blond smile in normal days too, and not just when he became an orange hairball.

"That's it, Akineko, now you're free!!" the actor took him to the window, as he thought that the cat, having received warmth and affection, would run outside. However, he just meowed and slightly rubbed his head against the teenager, "Hmm, what is it? Don't you want to leave?" Akineko said something in his cat language, but once again wasn't understood, "You're kind of strange, you know that, right?"

Today Tsukasa didn't have to stay late at school after school, which was just great — he had time to have a hearty snack at home before the next rehearsal. After saying goodbye to everyone, the teenager left the classroom. The cat immediately followed him. At first, the blond thought that Akineko would go his own way as soon as he left the school, but that didn't happen: instead, junior, not lagging behind, walked almost step by step with Tenma. Only ten minutes later the guy realized,

"Fufu, Akineko, have you decided to walk me home?" to this the animal quickly meowed twice, as if answering, "yeah-yeah", "You're definitely a strange one. You don't want to live with me, but you don't stop being around me," the cat suddenly slowed down, and then stopped altogether. Bending down quite a bit, he looked at Tenma, who turned around in surprise. Maybe senpai didn't want to see him anymore? Even in a cat form. That would be... well, sad. But he could understand the actor's feelings. Therefore, if he now says to leave, then so be it, Shinonome will have to go to his home and– "Oi, what's wrong? It's not like I mind it, ha-ha! After all, you and I are like best friends, Akineko!"

"Best friends" was harsh on the ears — it was hard to admit, but it was true. But it's better to let it be this way. The last thing he wanted was for Tsukasa to shoo him away.

"I know you don't really like being at my house, but," the actor walked up to the cat and carefully stroked his head, "Akito told me that you like pancakes, so... do you want to stay with me for a while and have a snack?" junior, instantly pricking up his ears, rose to his hind legs. Just the mention of his favorite dish brought such happiness that he almost began to wag his tail like a dog, "Aha-ha, what a reaction! I see, so you don't mind. Then, let's go, the future star will make pancakes exclusively for his beloved Akineko!!"

Shinonome wagged his tail and confidently followed senpai.

Chapter 5

This morning, Shinonome, as always, planned to get out of his room and run to school to have as much fun as he could there. The guy had to entertain himself once every two weeks. And, surprisingly, being next to senpai quenched not only boredom, but also many other strange, difficult feelings that tormented him more than six months ago.

And he, ready to spend the whole day at school today, almost jumped out of the window, when suddenly the door to his room swung open with a roar. The cat almost fell down due to the surprise, but somehow managed to hold on. After that, he turned his head and looked displeasedly at his sister -— sleepy, tired after working on drawings all night, very irritated.

To be honest, Akito didn't expect his older sister to still be awake at this hour, but well... as it turns out, miracles are possible.

"Okay, that's enough already! This must stop!" shouted the frowning girl, sticking her index finger forward, "I know you're going to go to school again, but I won't let you! Stay at home."

Making a dissatisfied face in response, her brother meowed something long and drawn out loudly to her. This made Ena's eyebrow twitch more and more.

"Oi, don't you dare talk to me like that! I understand every word you say perfectly, and you know it!" the guy, twirling his whiskers, just snorted. He felt absolutely no guilt, shame or remorse for his words. And didn't see the point in doing so. He spoke only the facts out loud. It was just that the truth hurt his sister – that's why she complained, "Akito, everyone at school is talking about you. You've already been there like three times. Do you want your secret to become known?" unhappy, moving his tail back and forth, the younger brother meowed to her,

"How will it become known?"

"Someone will definitely put two and two together. Whenever you miss school, a cat appears. Anyone would've suspected something!"

Akito gave her an extremely dissatisfied look, then snorted loudly and irritably in her direction. He has appeared several times already, and so far not a single student has even thought that the cat isn t really a cat. The fear of getting busted gradually disappeared. He was a little dizzy with the newfound freedom, which allowed him to be as close to Tsukasa as he wanted, without any consequences, shame or restrictions. Still, senpai and junior shouldn't have particularly close relationships — this is almost a rule. For the past year, Shinonome has kept the actor at a small distance to comply with this rule and to prevent his heart from beating faster than usual, but now–

Now he's just a cat. Cats can do anything. Especially such "cute" (according to others) ones as Akito.

"Ugh, I'll be fine. Stop pestering me," after that the guy turned to the already open window, "Senpai's waiting for me."

"Senpai? Do you... mean Tenma-kun?"

Immediately freezing in one place, rooted to the spot, Shinonome pricked up his ears, as if he was expecting something. The fluffy tail also froze upright. It's strange that the mere mention of a loud-voiced blond caused such an obvious reaction. The teenager didn't react like that even to his best friends, which means...

Ena's brown eyes widened in shock when the puzzle in her head finally came together,

"No goddamn way!! I'm right?!" her brother relaxed a little, but didn't turn around. Perhaps he was ashamed that he didn't even try to hide enthusiasm from just hearing last name, "Is that why you don't go home after school? I only see you late in the evenings," suddenly the elder Shinonome's face broke into an insidious smile, and her gaze became more cunning than usual, "Hm-m, you walk with him hand in hand before rehearsals? Or our scaredy kitty can't even do this?"

Turning around, Akito meowed loudly and irritably again. From the expression on his sister's face, of course, one can understand that he clearly didn't say anything pleasant or good. But there was definitely a lot of "he's just a best friend" type of phrases. Also, the hiss at the end didn't improve the situation.

"Ugh, you're so boring and inexperienced, furball. So obviously in love and can't even take the first step," again protesting, the cat released his claws and threatened with a paw, "Oh you, stop doing that, I'm not afraid in the slightest. And mine are sharper than yours anyway," while her brother rolled his eyes, sighing, Ena thought a little better about the information she had recently hear, "So you both have chosen Tenma-kun, hm?"

"Huh? Both? Chosen?"

"Well, mom once explained that our animal nature chooses who will be our destiny. You know, it's like... soulmates. Something like that."

Surprised, Akito could only tilt his head to the side and, blinking a couple of times, mutter a quick, "what?".

"You may not get it while you're human, but if you meet your soulmate in animal form, everything'll immediately fall into place," his sister continued to explain, "If you were already in love, but hid your feelings – as you always do – then... well, I can only wish you good luck. Mom said that then love becomes a total pain in the ass. That's basically why our parents got married, y'know."

"Wait... what do you mean, "love becomes a pain the ass"?"

"Your feelings will become so obvious that you yourself will no longer be able to deny them. You won't even be able to hide them," after that, the eldest Shinonome thought for a bit and, remembering something, almost sang cheerfully, "It happened to Airi and Shizuku, y'know! Airi complained to me so many times that she fell totally head over heels in love."

Oh yes, these two... they really are quite an unusual couple, to be honest. A half-cat (after all, Momoi only had ears and a tail) and a girl with the features of a snake. Shinonome had no idea how this combination even made sense. Just as he had no idea that Hinomori had a harder life than he did. In terms of her nature, she really wasn't very lucky. While her younger sister made do with ordinary transformations, she herself faced condemnation and mistrust from other people all her life. After all, no one really likes and trusts snakes. Until they get to know them better, of course.

Akito doesn't know Shizuku's little sister very well. However, even he could say that this girl had more snake traits than the idol. Anyone can guess that Shiho was a snake. And, apparently, because of this, few people at school wanted to communicate or even associate with her.

"If Shizuku hadn't come to visit Airi when she was dealing with her transformation, they both would still cry over each other...' after that, Ena sighed heavily, "Y'know, you're actually a lucky one! You transform and realize who your soulmate is right away. And I, as the eldest, will have to suffer for so much longer... where is the justice in that?!" the girl snorted and crossed her arms over her chest in displeasure, "Maybe I also want to quickly find my chosen one and start dating."

"What do you even... he's not my chosen one!.. And I don't wanna date him. He's just a senpai–"

"Airi also talked about Shizuku like that. "She's just a friend, we work together and nothing more, our love is never destined to be... we're like Romeo and Juliet"!.. And then they started dating. Life is such a weird thing," the cat looked at his sister with an irritated and not very kind look. Mizuki was clearly a bad influence on her. She picked up too much theatricality from them.

"Ugh, anyway... Tsukasa-senpai's really just a friend. Best friend. That's all."

The girl looked at him too incredulously — it was even a little offensive that she didn't take his words so seriously. He didn't lie. However, under these watchful eyes and this condemnation, the belief in his rightness gradually broke down. What if Ena's right? But then...

No. He can't even imagine such a thing. If he really is in love with Tenma, everything (more precisely, their friendship, which only recently became so strong) is over. No more eating together, no more discussing shows, no more walking home, no more smiling and loud "Akito-o!!" throughout the entire corridor, not even any oddities from the blond, who just wants to see his junior happy.

Losing all this was certainly not part of the plan.

"It doesn't matter. Let's both pretend that this conversation never happened," the younger Shinonome snorted, trying not to show how worried his own thoughts made him. The only thing that gave it away was his tail, darting chaotically back and forth. Well, maybe also the habit of trying to scratch his neck, as he always did in the human body, "You're really taking lots of my time, y'know. Today I wanted to tease senpai all day. And the more I'm here with you, the less time I have left..."

"Heh, teasing, you say? Oh yes, I remembered... Mizuki told that you've always loved to tease Tenma-kun. Since like last year."

"What's wrong with your face?.."

"Oh, no-othing. I'm just convinced that you're in love. And it's Tenma-kun's fault," the girl giggled.

Akito, disheveled, immediately hissed at Ena with displeasure. To be honest, he was already beginning to get enraged by every word coming out of her mouth. She didn't say anything useful. Just nonsense, and nothing more.

"That's it, I'm going," he meowed dissatisfiedly at last and jumped out of the window almost instantly. Didn't bother to close it — his sister could handle it herself.

"Tch, what a crybaby," the eldest Shinonome sighed and rolled her eyes. Honestly, she wasn't surprised by her brother's behavior. Just a little disappointed. It seemed to her that the guy had matured a little and learned to accept his feelings. But apparently he still needed a little time. Ena only hoped that her words could push Akito to accept everything as soon as possible, "These cat boys are so-o unbearable. Kinda feel sorry for Tenma-kun, he'll have to put up with such an idiot..."

***

Akito, although he was unhappy that his sister delayed him, still miraculously managed to make it to the beginning of the first lesson. Of course, the teacher wasn't very happy to see him. And she even wanted to scold Tsukasa (after all, many teachers were already starting to get tired of this), but the cat began to hiss at her with displeasure. After this, some of the guys in the class giggled,

"Erika-sensei, you can't separate Tenma from the cat."

"Otherwise he'll scratch you!"

"...ahem," the woman coughed into her palm, and then tried to regain her stern and serious appearance, "Doesn't matter. Just don't let this animal cause too many problems in the classroom."

Satisfied that victory was once again his and another teacher had come to terms with his presence in the class, Shinonome rubbed himself against Tenma's jacket. Today he smelled especially good, which couldn't help but make the guy happy. The smell, mixed with the one that the blond had always had before, was somehow very sweet, very cloying. "Senpai made pancakes?" only this thought seemed adequate. Because the actor smelled like that only in this case, "I'm glad I came here today," after all, the food that Tsukasa cooked was always especially tasty. Even if it wasn't pancakes or cheesecakes, Akito ate everything with pleasure. Sometimes he just wanted to take all the bento prepared by senpai for himself — it was too appetizing, "Now I'm definitely not going anywhere and will stay until the end of the day."

Tenma, not paying attention to the cat (apparently, he was trying to focus on topic), diligently wrote everything down in his notebook. He even managed to highlight some words and make his own notes. The cat followed his every action with interest — after all, for him, a student who barely bothered to write anything at all in the first lesson, all this was a little surprising. Shinonome tilted his head first to one side, then to the other, to catch his senpai's every breath. He never noticed that the actor's handwriting was this beautiful. And now he just wanted to take a better look at it.

Rising from Tsukasa's lap and leaning his front paws on the desk, the cat peered at the text. In a neat handwriting, some "logarithms", as the teacher called them at the beginning of the lesson, were written down... but what are they anyway? Akito didn't listen closely to the topic, so he didn'y understand anything (especially considering that both on the board and in the notebook there were so many English letters instead of numbers). Snorting, the teenager quickly decided that since he had never understood algebra, then there was no need to even start. Otherwise, all these formulas will make him go crazy.

"Akineko, I can't see anything because of you..." the blond whispered, trying to put the cat back down. But he surprisingly protested, "Akineko–"

Shinonome, wagging his tail displeasedly, thought for a while, but... still didn't really want to anger senpai. Exhaling, he sat back down, for which he was thanked. However, the guy couldn't sit in one place for long. Still, algebra class is boring even in a human body, and even more so in a cat's. Akito again began to monitor the movement of the actor's right hand and, it seems, even calculated its trajectory. Exactly until the moment he decided to hit it with his paw (not very hard though).

Out of surprise, Tenma dropped his pencil, which echoed throughout the entire class. The teacher didn't pay attention, but some classmates turned around to see what happened.

"Akineko, what are you doing?.." the guy almost hissed at the cat, but he only closed his eyes sweetly in response. Besides, his muzzle stretched out as if he was grinning. Tsukasa's momentary anger faded almost immediately, although he was still frowning, "Don't bother me, otherwise you'll go into the corridor."

Although they both knew that this was unlikely to happen. Even if the cat is thrown out the door, he'll still return to the classroom in five or ten minutes through the window So any threats were, in fact, empty.

Tenma picked up his pencil and went back to what he was doing before, until the cat interrupted him again. At first, Shinonome simply slammed his paws on the notebook to attract attention. However, realizing that this didn't work, began to chew the tip of his pencil, thereby preventing the actor from writing normally. Although if you think about it like that, there was no point in writing. Tsukasa hardly understood a word — it was written all over his face.

"Akineko, stop it. Did you come here to disturb me?" the cat meowed at this, as if he agreed, and returned to his work. The blond's friend, who noticed this, suddenly chuckled quietly, "Rui, there's nothing funny about this."

"I think it's the opposite. This seems very much funny to me, Tsukasa-kun."

"I'd hit you both, but my pure star soul doesn't allow it..."

And, well, Tenma was right. His conscience never allowed him to truly scold the cat —something was holding him back. Instead of getting angry, he sighed heavily and, stroking him, tried not to attach special importance to these antics. After all, it's just an animal. A cute one at that. How can you be offended by him? Even if he made it quite difficult to write characters accurately... and, as always, left tons of fur on clothes. "I'll have to ask Akito for help again," suddenly thinking about junior and how he recently visited him, the guy suddenly smiled. So suddenly that it surprised the cat, who was studying his every emotion, "Fufu, if you think about it like that, Akineko is quite useful... sometimes."

Until lunchtime, Tsukasa tolerated any strange behavior from the cat. Only once did he shout at him a little — when for no apparent reason he began to give Nene strange looks. The girl just came to visit her friends and at least once take a real look at the red-haired celebrity among the high school students, but for some reason the cat didn't like her right out of the gate. And when she extended her hand forward, Akito angrily hissed at her. He did the same towards Rui, while already showing his claws.

"Akineko-kun, why so rude? I didn't even do anything," the tall guy muttered, raising his hands up. His friend, holding the cat in his arms, did everything to make him finally calm down,

"What an arrogant cat," Kusanagi snorted, looking at Akineko with an equally irritated face. "Look who's speaking," the teenager thought, barely restraining himself from rolling his eyes, "And why did he choose to like you, Tsukasa? He looks so wild..."

"C'mon, you guys! Akineko is a good cat, really!! You just — Akineko, are you growling?! — need to — Akineko, knock it off, these are my friends, — get to know him better!"

Nene and Rui, to be honest, couldn't get why the cat had such a reaction to them. For some reason, he didn't like them more than even Tsukasa's classmates. The guy himself also didn't fully understand his behavior. He just never liked how much time senpai spent with these two. And how often they both involved him in all sorts of problems. Well, and the fact that the blond considered them close ones. It was kind of unfair, so... so Akito had a right to be angry.

And to want these two to stay a little away from Tenma. Literally a few steps away. And also to not make any plans for the future with him. The more often he imagined that these two (or someone else besides them) could have some feelings for the actor, stronger than friendship, he immediately felt uneasy, uncomfortable. He immediately wanted such thoughts to stop.

"I see, guess I'll go..." the girl breathed out and, hearing this, the cat more or less calmed down, "I advise you too, otherwise you'll miss the whole lunch."

"Fufu, that's true too. I planned to eat with Mizuki on the roof today. Surely they're already waiting for me."

"Oh, right! And Toya's waiting for me! I agreed to eat with him and Akito, but..." the blond fell silent abruptly, thought about something of his own, and then sighed quietly, "But he's not here today," however, after that, Tsukasa smiled brightly and settled the cat better in his arms, "It's okay though! Akineko will be with us! Ha-ha, Akineko, you're now replacing Akito!! You can even eat the pancakes I made for him."

"Senpai made pancakes for me," trying to accept this as a fact, Shinonome blinked slowly, as if he wanted to sleep, "Tch, why am I not human today? I'd at least say "thanks"..."

Unlike Rui, Nene and Tsukasa's classmates, the cat was very happy around Toya. Which, of course, couldn't help but shock the blond. Even though junior told that he had known this red-haired demon for a long time, it was still strange to see how he could be affectionate with someone else besides the actor. However, there was no point in getting upset about this. On the contrary, it's very good that Aoyagi won't have to put up with the incessant hissing and displeased look of the animal.

"Still, I don't understand how a cat can eat pancakes so easily..." Tenma muttered as he carefully handed the food from his hands, "Shouldn't that be bad for him?"

"Apparently, he's just different from ordinary cats, Tsukasa-senpai," junior, already accustomed to the fact that it was Akineko (and no one else) who adored sweets, smiled.

"Mu-mu, different... his behavior is indeed very strange. You should've seen him, y'know!"

While two childhood friends continued to talk about the cat as if he wasn't even there, he licked the sweet syrup from the blond's pale hands. The pancakes turned out even better today than usual, so he can't waste even a little bit of the fun from them. Shinonome, more focused on his favorite food, listened to the conversation of the two guys only out of the corner of his ear. They were either laughing about something or discussing something serious. It was mostly Tenma's fault that the topics changed so dramatically (Aoyagi, like a good junior, simply adapted to them).

And somehow it happened that in their conversation a name familiar since birth was heard,

"...but, y'know, I'd really like Akito to see Akineko in person at least once."

"I agree. It can be a little frustrating that Akito only sees pictures of Akineko," Toya added seriously, while nodding, "And he often doesn't even want to look at them... he always says that there's no need for this."

"Mu-u, maybe he just... doesn't want to admit how ado-orable~ Akineko is?" after that, Tenma, staring at the cat, again showed his cute, stupid smile.

In a moment, out of the blue, Shinonome felt that strange feeling inside again. Something was wrong again. And it's all because of senpai's smile. The same as that day, but again intended only for the cat. Pleasant and unfair all at the same time. Different feelings were mixed up so much that the teenager had a headache. He wanted to get rid of as soon as possible what was causing him not only discomfort... but certainly strong emotions.

Unhappy, wagging his tail back and forth and enduring the blond's words for some more time, soon the cat couldn't stand it anymore. And somehow it just so happened that his hand ended up in a jaw.

"T-Tsukasa-senpai?!.." Toya screamed worriedly while the shocked actor simply blinked without moving. Even though he felt the fangs on his skin, for some reason it didn't hurt, "Are you okay? Did he bite you hard?"

Hearing his friend's words, Akito quickly realized what he had just done — he bit senpai. More precisely, he just nipped a bit (there wasn't even a drop of blood), but still the fact remained a fact. Almost instantly releasing the pale palm from captivity, junior pulled away. Of course, he thought about scratching or biting many times, but he never thought that he'd actually do it. And what came over him anyway? He felt somehow uneasy. He didn't hurt Tsukasa, right? This... he didn't really want this.

Tenma was still silent, which worried two of his juniors at the same time. But mostly Shinonome. He, bending down, didn't even dare to look senpai in the eyes. Instead, he focused on looking at a palm. Not even a trace remained, but the guy felt the need to apologize for his behavior.

It's difficult to do this with words, so he had to behave like a real cat. Once again.

"Ahaha, are you saying sorry?" Tenma finally spoke when a rough tongue began to lick the site of a light bite. The guy couldn't hold back his laughter from the tickling sensation. And, to be honest, it made him seem even cuter than before. Shinonome wished he could bite him again... but no. He decided it was worth holding back, "Oh, exactly! Toya, don't worry about me. There's no blood, and it doesn't hurt at all."

Aoyagi, quickly glancing at senpai's unharmed hand, soon exhaled in relief and even lowered his shoulders. Still, it'd be very bad if a street cat (at least that's what he was considered) actually bit Tenma.

"Fufu, maybe he's playing with you like that, Tsukasa-senpai."

"Yeah, I guess so!" laughing loudly, the guy began to stroke and pull the cat's cheeks with his fingers, "Isn't he just so cute? How can I not love him?"

"I think he loves you too, since he always visits," Toya smiled in response, and because of that a pair of green eyes glanced at him strangely. The actor studied the cat's strange expression, one of something akin to embarrassment, and it only made his smile widen,

"So you love me, Akineko? Ha-ha, don't worry, the future loves you too~!"

Shinonome didn't move and probably didn't even breathe. These words, like all the others, shouldn't have any meaning for him. They're not even intended for him, but for the red cat. And anyway... it's all his sister's fault. Ena said a whole bunch of pure nonsense in the morning, and now all sorts of strange thoughts were creeping into his head. Even stranger than they were before.

And Toya was no better either — he said something about Akito loving his senpai. Not at all. More precisely... well, they're friends. Friends tend to love each other. In a friendly manner.

"Ugh, I feel sick," the poor teenager couldn't even distract himself with anything else. Both in thoughts and in reality, there was Tsukasa along with his bright, soft smile. The cat involuntarily looked at it again and suddenly realized something terrible, "Fuck... I think I, I like it when he smiles," today Akito will definitely be at school all day. He won't even think about going home until he has thoroughly enjoyed his senpai's happiness, "Wanna see his smile more often..."

***

The strange desire didn't change even after two weeks. On the contrary, Akito gradually began to come to terms with the fact that Tsukasa's smile was more important to him than the pancakes he made. Surprising, but true. If he tells someone, they definitely won't believe. Or maybe they'll laugh (especially An and Mizuki). Sister... sister will chuckle smugly, thinking, "knew it."

But for some reason it was hard for Tenma to understand this. When he saw the cat in the morning he began to apologize for not taking anything sweet for lunch today. Junior, wagging his tail displeasedly, meowed something for a long time. And the blond, exhaling sadly, thought that he was scolded or something, until he heard a voice,

"That's not what he came for today, Tsukasa-kun. He just wanted to see you happy," Rui appeared so suddenly that both the cat and the teenager screamed in surprise at the same time. Turning around, both noticed another invention in the hands of the young genius, more like some kind of small remote control with a built-in microphone and a small screen, "At least that's what my cat translator says."

"Eh?!! Cat translator?! You made it after all?!" senpai's eyes sparkled with happiness for some reason, and his hands naturally stretched forward to take and study the unknown thing.

As for Shinonome, he wasn't at all happy about this news. Life was quite good when no one except Momoi's family and his own understood him... and now he'll have to remain silent and hide his real thoughts even in this form. Who will be happy about this? There he was, huffing irritably under his breath and not taking his eyes off Kamishiro, while not even trying to look half as joyful as the actor.

"Fufu, it took some extra time, 'cause we have been busy with work lately," Kamishiro explained with a smile while his friend analyzed the device, "But now it's ready and you can understand Akineko-kun."

"So, so, so! Um, Akineko, say something! C'mon, meow for me!!"

The cat looked at both guys as if they were complete idiots (which, actually, they were — the whole school already knew that), and barely noticeably rolled his eyes. At first he wanted to remain silent and deliberately not make a sound. However, as soon as he glanced for a second at the senpai's face sparkling with delight and anticipation of something incredible, his pride immediately cracked. To be honest, it was always difficult to refuse when it came to Tsukasa. Without noticing it, Akito endlessly found himself almost at the center of the blond's new plans and adventures, simply because he couldn't say "no" to this guy. Something clearly needs to be done about this.

But later. Now Shinonome, silently sighing, had to meow, as requested,

"Well, let's see what you sa... huh?! "You're an idiot"?!" after reading the text from the small screen, the actor instantly frowned. The cat, considering that he did everything right (after all, he fulfilled the request), without any pang of conscience, licked a paw and washed his face. Of course, there was little point in this, but somehow he had to show everyone that he wasn't an undercover person, "How rude, Akineko! I love you with all my heart and soul and you do this...!"

"Y'know, Tsukasa-kun, it's not for nothing that you named this cat after Shinonome-kun," the still dissatisfied friend quickly looked at him in bewilderment, "Sometimes it seems that these two are almost identical."

"These two were clearly twins in their past life!"

"But I didn't even say anything rude. It's just a fact that we all know," junior thought, continuing to look with a small spark of interest at the actor's frowning eyebrows and cheeks reddened with anger, "Hmm... how does he manage to look cute and handsome even now?" Shinonome didn't immediately understand where his thoughts were going. Only after a few more seconds did it become clear that he had been looking Tenma straight in the eyes for a long time. The close eye contact tensed the teenager to such an extent that he, not knowing what to do, weakly patted the cat's face, "Eh, huh... what was I even thinking about just now?" well, yes, Tsukasa really was handsome. No one at school denied this anymore. But to think about it so carefree and freely in his head... no, something was clearly wrong with Akito today. Shaking his head, he snorted loudly and displeasedly, "Geh, I need to talk with Ena less. It's all her fault."

"Akineko-kun looks like he's offended by you, Tsukasa-kun," Rui joked, noticing the cat's behavior.

"Ha-ah?! It's me, who should be offended by him," after that the blond exhaled heavily and stroked junior's soft orange fur, "He's very, very lucky that the star is so kind and always forgives everyone!"

"Fufu, what's true is true, Tsukasa-kun."

All day Tenma tried to squeeze some more words out of Akineko in order to test the cat's translator. Junior, however, wasn't very willing to say anything. Only when it was necessary to condemn what was happening and express his dissatisfaction. Yet even this was unusual for Tsukasa. He had long realized that this cat was slightly special. And to be more precise, very, very smart.

However, now he still couldn't help but be surprised by his every action,

"Akineko is too clever, Nene!! I tell you, he's like... like the mascot of some magical girl" the teenager, since he was playing the role of an animal, tried his best to suppress his laughter, "Y'know, this happens all the time in manga. I can even tell you the recent one that I read, and there–"

"Tsukasa, no offense, but I'm not interested in what you've been reading recently."

"Eh? Senpai reads manga? This is a little unexpected from him," for some reason (perhaps because of his classmates), Akito always had the opinion that only girls read manga. Those like Tenma's little sister. And he himself always spent time only with classical works in his hands, "Interesting... what manga does he read most often? Is he obsessed with magical girls like Akiyama?" yes, unlike Kusanagi, the guy rather suddenly became interested in the blond's hobbies. To be completely honest, he has been listening to classical music and watching films, which the actor sometimes talks about, for a long time in order to better understand what Tenma found in all this... of course, the realization hasn't yet come. But it was interesting, and that's the main thing, "Hmm... I have a small manga store near my house. Maybe I should read some too? Next time I can... uh, maybe like brag to senpai that I also know things that he knows."

And there'll be something to talk about during lunch... imagining how Tsukasa lights up with joy from the fact that not only he (along with Mizuki) reads manga, junior couldn't help but smile. Against his will, of course. He wasn't entirely in control of it and unfortunately there was nothing he could do about it.

The two friends continued to discuss something among themselves,

"Real life isn't anime, Tsukasa," the girl breathed out tiredly, "It's just that your little Akineko is a very smart cat, that's all. Many street animals are like this."

"Hah?!" immediately emerging from his thoughts and fantasies, Shinonome indignantly turned his head towards the young actress, "Why did everyone decide that I'm a stray?!.. Tch, I'm getting kinda tired of it already... I look better than domestic cats, and they think I'm someone from the streets," he continued to glare at his classmate with an angry look, "I'll remember this one, Kusanagi."

But the anger and rage in Akito didn't boil for too long. Until about lunchtime. Tsukasa, who was looking for something on his phone, will probably have a hard time bringing not only a bento, but also a cat, to his favorite place. So, having first scared the blond, but then still received a "ugh, fine, sit down...", junior settled on his shoulders. This once again attracted the attention of not only classmates, but also other students who came across along the way.

Halfheartedly, not accustomed to the weight on his shoulders, Tenma still made it to the place where he always dined with his juniors. And by this time he even managed to find what he had been looking for for so long.

"Ha-ha, here it is, Akineko! Recording of the musical I've been dying to see!!" the cat wagged his tail in surprise and craned neck to get a better look at the phone screen, "Want to watch it with me? I promise it'll be interesting!"

"A musical that senpai was interested in... hmm, well, I think it must be something cool," in general, like all the other musicals that Tsukasa liked (and which Akito also watched in secret from everyone). Without hesitation, the cat meowed in agreement.

"Oh, that's right, a translator!.." the actor quickly rummaged through his pockets, but found nothing, "A-a-argh, did I leave it in the classroom?! How should I understand Akineko now?"

Junior, sighing heavily, jumped from his shoulders onto the bench. And as soon as he did this, he immediately began to poke his paw at the phone screen — as if hinting, "c'mon, turn on your musical quickly, the lunch break isn't endless, and I wanna watch". And Tsukasa, realizing this without words, smiled stupidly.

"Fufu, you really are a very smart cat, Akineko," the sudden praise slightly embarrassed junior, but he acted as if he had completely ignored it, "Then, make yourself comfortable. I heard that this musical is very interesting! And the songs are amazing, as well as the actors! Oh, I simply have to analyze the performance of each actor, because, y'know, the future star is–"

Tsukasa continued to ramble until the first actor finally appeared in the video. Although, to be honest, Akito wanted to listen to him a little more. Always, when senpai talked about what he liked, his honey eyes sparkled, shimmered and sparkled so beautifully that it was impossible not to stare at them. It looked like he was coming to life each time.

The girls at school called him handsome only when he was silent and showed his seriousness, but for some reason Shinonome saw all the beauty of his senpai in moments like now.

***

On an ordinary Saturday evening, it seemed to that there was absolutely no sign of trouble. Akito, sitting comfortably on the sofa, mindlessly flipped through the channels on the TV and, sighing, was indignant that he couldn't find anything interesting. Time passed slowly and too leisurely, which is why his slight irritation grew and grew. He had absolutely nothing to do, despite the fact that the evening has just begun. He didn't even want to play or go through social media — now it's as useless as watching TV.

And the thought that he's going to die of boredom soon began to creep into his head, until suddenly his phone beeped nearby. At first, Akito didn't even want to pick it up and see who decided to text to him at such an hour, but then realized: he had nothing to do anyway. So, by taking literally a couple of seconds to view the message, the guy won't lose anything. Exhaling heavily, he deigned to pick up the phone.

"Well, who decided to text m... Tsukasa-senpai?!" the teenager's relaxed and even tired from idleness face was distorted in sincere shock literally in seconds. It took a lot of effort to keep from screaming out loud. He could never expect a message on Saturday from the blond. Now, yes, now the evening was definitely starting to get interesting. No matter what Tenma needed right now, receiving a message from him was a reason for pure joy. Shinonome even changed his position and somehow sat down almost too awkwardly and nervously almost on the edge of the sofa — a little more and he'd definitely fall over — because of a sudden surge of emotions, "W-what, what does he need... maybe help with something? But why did he text me?..."

Somehow, the red-haired, cursing his trembling fingers for no reason, entered the password and quickly went to see the chat with senpai. The message he saw made him only more surprised, "Ha-ha, hello, Akito, my dear junior!! If you're not busy right now, would you mind going to the movies together? My classmates recommended me a film and I think you should like it!".

"Uh, h-huh... what? Going to the movies? Film?" looking at the phone screen in shock, Shinonome tried his best to come to his senses, "Senpai called me? Me?"

Almost forcing himself to exhale (after all, he had unconsciously held his breath before), the guy tried to think logically about the situation. Perhaps there was some kind of catch here. Although Tenma isn't at all the type of person, who makes fun of people. So he really called his junior to the cinema without any ulterior motive? But why Shinonome? After all, he has a lot of friends and other juniors... like Toya, for example. Or, as a last resort, his own little sister. Why won't he go with her?

Okay, fine, maybe she's busy. With her friends or something like that. Like Toya, Mizuki and the others. But is it really possible that even Tsukasa's faithful friends aren't able to go with him to this film? Had he suddenly been abandoned by literally everyone and had to turn to Akito?

Really feeling bitterness at the very root of his tongue from his own thoughts, the teenager, in his usual, playful and sarcastic manner, answered only after three minutes of reasoning, "Senpai, don't you have anyone else to go with? Am I something like your last resort?". Perhaps that sounded too harsh; Shinonome wouldn't argue. But what else can he do? What if his guesses turn out to be true? It's easier to protect himself and not get upset again than to be a "backup option".

"What kind of an answer is that?! A future star would never!!"

"Of course not, Akito!! I called you because I wanted to spend time with you!"

The redhead expected anything in response, but clearly not this. For several seconds he blinked stupidly and carefully re-read the text of the message again and again. Until he realized that he felt himself quite pleasant and light with each re-reading. This means that the momentary paranoia wasn't confirmed after all.

And moreover... senpai wanted to spend time with him. He called him to the cinema. Suddenly Akito, his face changing again, thought, "Wait, no, huh, what is this... a date?". There were so many different thoughts in his head that hands began to tremble again.

"You're constantly sick and miss a lot."

"So I thought that you must be very lonely on days like these! Therefore, as your senpai, I'm obliged to cheer you up a little!"

Exhaling, Akito, feeling disappointed, thought, "okay, not a date...". And yet it's nice to think that senpai chose him. For some reason, he wanted to spend time with his red-haired junior and not, for example, with Rui, Emu, or even one of his sister's friends.

The guy tried not to attach great importance to it all, but for some reason it didn't work. A stupid smile involuntarily spread across his face so that he had to hide it with a hand. When did Tsukasa manage to get so ingrained in his head that the mere thought of him made him happy? This was clearly not normal. More than a year ago, this definitely wouldn't have happened — under no circumstances. And now the guy was worried about what kind of intonation he should use to better describe his agreement to go to the cinema.

The loud-voiced actor clearly once brainwashed his junior. All that remains is to understand exactly when and why.

"...okay. That doesn't sound rude," the teenager muttered under his breath, analyzing his answer, "And not too desperate," there's no need to show that Shinonome was secretly just waiting for the day when he could spend time like this with his senpai. As if they were really on an actual date, "Or do I need to change a littl–"

"I knew that your soulmate is Tenma-kun," older sister's voice made the guy shudder all over and accidentally press "send". At least he managed to hold the phone in his hands.

"Ena, you...! Where did you even come from? Go to your room!.."

The girl chuckled contentedly when she saw her brother"s face in all its glory: even his ears were burning. Although she didn't see the point in his embarrassment and the fact that he was trying to hide his phone. She already saw all the messages and even how long the guy thought about the answer anyway.

"You look dumb," Ena couldn't stop grinning. It all gave her too much pleasure. Since she didn't have her own personal life yet, she can laugh at the one that her younger brother was developing with might and main.

"I told you to leave..."

"This is my home too. I can be wherever I want."

Rolling his eyes, Akito turned away and exhaled heavily. Senpai had already read his message. Even responded with a stupid (so stupid that the guy couldn't resist a weak but warm smile) star sticker. His sister was still standing nearby and watching, but for some reason he stopped paying attention to her. Now the mere realization that he actually agreed to go to the movies with Tsukasa made the red-haired slightly dizzy.

Ena looked him up and down, then giggled,

"Dress better. And do something with your hair. You're going on a date, after all."

"Dat...?!" he had to again remember that his older sister didn't just disappear when he told her to, "This is not a date!.. We, we're just friends, senpai just called me–"

"My, my... isn't it hard for you to live in denial all your life? Accept your feelings and everything will begin to sparkle with new colors, Akito."

The teenager tried to somehow argue with her and say something, but the yawning Ena no longer listened to him. Only at last, before going into her room, did she turn around. And, smiling insidiously, said,

"If you wanna kiss Tenma-kun, you better take tickets to the last row."

"Go to your fucking room!" Akito shouted, no longer able to withstand his sister's ridicule.

He was able to exhale only when the door closed, but this didn't bring serious relief at all. Mainly because of what his sister said. Shinonome didn't want to kiss his senpai at all — this is nonsense. "Although... maybe I should take the tickets to..." the guy was able to stop the train of thoughts in time and, hitting himself on the forehead, more or less came to his senses, "No, this isn't a date. We're just friends. I, I... it's time to stop thinking so much about unnecessary things," and it'd be nice to stop attaching too much importance to everything related to Tsukasa. But this will probably be possible to do another time (or in another life), "Enough. I need to get ready," and, as his sister advised, choose his best clothing. And do something with his hair.

Notes:

Akito giving Tsukasa love bites >>>>>
(ALSO AKIKASA CINEMA DATE THEY WENT TO SEE BARBIE FR FR)

Chapter 6

Gradually, everyone at school got used to the fact that Tsukasa walked through the corridors once every two weeks with an orange cat on his shoulders. Even, oddly enough, the teachers came to terms with this. Now the guy could attend every lesson with Akineko without any problems. The truth is, he himself didn't stop scolding the violator of peace. Even though the cat was cute, he still had to make it clear that he couldn't distract the actor from studies with his antics.

"I don't care" Rui's device always translated Akineko's meows this way. Although, even without a translator, anyone would've guessed that the cat couldn't care less about the concept of education. He simply demanded attention to himself and, fooling around, easily and simply received it. At least easier than in his human body.

Even though Akito felt some progress in his relationship with senpai, something was still missing. He still couldn't be too honest and frank. Even when they walked home together, the guy tried to stay a little away from Tsukasa — so as not to inadvertently get caught up in how cheerfully and vividly he described his next idea or what incredible gift he wanted to give his sister. And of course, all the time he protected himself from strange thoughts (for example, taking the blond by the hand or "accidentally" touching his face).

Shinonome used to hate his ability to turn into a cat, but now, because of Tenma, he couldn't wait for the next time when ears, a tail, and fur would replace a human body. After all, being close to senpai in such a guise was excusable.

"Oh, Akito, look! There's a kitten!" interrupting his own story, the blond cried out. And, taking his school bag off his shoulder, he quickly thrust it into junior's hands, "Look after it, Akito, thank you!"

"Eh, ah, huh?! I haven't even said a word yet...!" shocked by Tsukasa's way too fast movements and even more so by Tsukasa's decisions, the teenager could only blink his eyes and nothing more.

However, the actor didn't really care about Shinonome's surprise right now. Seeing the white kitten, he immediately ran up to it and, surprisingly, didn't even frighten it with his sudden appearance. It's strange why the animal didn't hide far away. Perhaps the it was still inexperienced and little... and didn't understand at all that such lovers of furry animals as Tenma should be avoided.

Sighing, the red-haired threw senpai's bag over his shoulder. It was heavy, but not physically. For some reason mentally. It wasn't very pleasant to watch how Tsukasa played and stroked the affectionate kitten, which so diligently rubbed against his legs. Usually he only did this with Akineko (that is, Akito). "Tch, is he so kind to all the cats?" the guy thought displeasedly looking at that extremely satisfied face. He didn't know why exactly, but he definitely didn't like the fact that some other animal was acting like that towards his senpai, "Or is it 'cause Akinek isn't enough for him... that is, me," after all, seeing each other once every two weeks is negligible, "Hmm, that's probably the point," then next time he needs to show himself as affectionate as possible. So that this would be enough and so that Tsukasa would no longer pet other cats. In the meantime, he should thoroughly study the behavior of this particular annoying kitten, so that in a week he'll behave exactly the same. Or maybe even more intrusive, "Senpai likes these kind of things more, which means..." he shouldn't restrain himself at all.

"Akito, why are you standing there? Come and pet me too," Tenma practically cooed, smiling with all his teeth. What can you do, apparently he really, really liked animals. So much so that when surrounded by them, he immediately turned into a child, who wanted to squeeze the unfortunate creatures to death, "Look at it!! Such a cute and good kitten!"

Still, even though it was a little unpleasant, Shinonome couldn't help but stare at the blond's genuinely happy face. Senpai now seemed much cuter than this stray animal. And he was always good. This thought suddenly gave birth to another — one that he couldn't get rid of, "he's like a kitten himself...".

"Fufu, maybe I should take it home?" a sudden question out loud made the red-haired, who almost choked on air, flinch all over. The gentle smile almost instantly gave way to shock, "He's so affectionate. He probably chose me!"

Akito wasn't at all happy with senpai's proposal. Yes, he already understood for sure that as Akineko he wasn't enough and needed to try better — both in the body of a cat and of a person. But why did Tsukasa decide to replace him so quickly? The teenager didn't even bother to look into whether the blond was joking or not. He just knew that he definitely couldn't allow some strange cat to end up in the actor's house.

"...our animal nature chooses who will be our destiny."

Perhaps it was the shock, which Akito was still actively in, but something made him think, "I have already chosen you."

"Senpai, let's go already. Or we'll both be late for our rehearsals," almost at that moment the guy, who had previously been standing calmly a little distance away, came so close that he scared away the kitten. The white animal practically jumped away, as if it sensed something wrong coming from Akito. Especially when he, like a big angry cat, bared his teeth slightly, "Stop petting every cat you meet, much less dragging them home."

"E-eh? Why not?! I'll take care of him!" the blond immediately jumped up from his seat and screamed. Finding themselves almost nose to nose, both guys blushed for some reason. But didn't stop arguing.

"That's not the point–"

"And anyway, how long ago did you become so negative towards cats? You're only afraid of dogs, aren't you?"

"Not "afraid", I'm just not good with them. And this has absolutely nothing to do with this!.."

They continued to argue like this until they heard the clatter of several feet. At the same time, looking around, they noticed two children with food and a bowl in their hands. It's quite clear that this wasn't their kitten, but a street one, but they still fed it. And for a long time, considering that they began to call him to him with a rather funny nickname — "Kiki" (to which the animal, by the way, quickly responded and completely forgot about the two high school boys).

"See, he already has those who care about him," Tsukasa didn't even have time to say anything before he was dragged forward by the hand. Away from the children, who only looked at the teenagers in surprise once, "And anyway... are you even missing Akineko? If so, why are you meddling with other cats?"

"I do, of course!.. It's just, well, this kitten was so–"

"Akineko... you," stopping abruptly, Shinonome could barely exhale from the discontent that was accumulating inside. However, he had to control myself. Turning around and carefully examining senpai's shocked eyes, the guy almost whispered, "You don't love him that much, do you? Or don't him love at all?"

Tenma, after thinking about the question for exactly two seconds, immediately protested. And as if he was defending the honor not of a cat, but of a member of his family,

"I love him!! I love him a lot! Just because I petted a kitten on the street and thought about adopting it doesn't mean I immediately stopped loving Akineko!" junior's eyes were still narrowed in doubt. However, slowly but surely the expression on his face softened, "I patiently wait for Akineko every two weeks, because I love him. I have no idea how you could doubt the love of a future star, hmph!.."

Still not breaking eye contact, Shinonome squeezed his palm tighter and suddenly realized: he had been holding senpai's hand all this time. But for some reason he didn't want to let go right now. It's better to pretend that he didn't notice and continue to stand like that.

The seriousness in Tenma's eyes, who decided to continue to jabber something about the orange cat, made the guy more or less calm down. Now assessing his behavior, he realized that he shouldn't have gotten so angry over an ordinary kitten. However... on the other hand, it was worth it. After all, now senpai was shouting "I love" in his face. Even if it was addressed not entirely to him personally, but only to Akineko, it was so pleasant that a satisfied, happy smile trembled on his lips.

Even if this theory was worth thinking about several times at home before going to bed, but... perhaps, they weren't friends after all. It took a long time for a teenager to understand this, that's for sure. But now he clearly saw that "just friends" don't behave like that. They don't get jealous, they don't get happy that they managed to hold hands, they don't want to be confessed to personally. And since the guy wanted to hear "I love you, Akito" from senpai, then most likely he himself... loves Tsukasa?

The world before his eyes went dark. In the very first few seconds, it was a very difficult information to comprehend. But then Shinonome realized that there was more logic in this than in his entire life. If he didn't love his senpai, then he'd never have behaved like this with him every time, he'd never have wanted his attention, at least some kind of intimacy, or even just that smile — the same one that never was stupid, but instead very sweet and charming. Everything suddenly started to make too much sense. Everything fell into place.

"I... I'm in trouble," Akito realized, still tightly squeezing the blond's hand. His sister's words echoed in his head. Like a death sentence, which, by the way, he wasn't at all against accepting with a smile on his face, "Tsukasa-senpai... is my c-chosen one? Soulmate? And I love him".

"..ito... Akito, Akito!.." the voice of the actor, who was already waving his free palm in front of junior's face, brought him out of his own reasoning — so deep that the world around him ceased to exist for some moments, "What happened to you? Did you feel suddenly ill? Are you sick?"

"Oh, uh... n-no, no. Sorry, I was just... thinking and, um, realized something."

"Eh? What were you thinking about?" Tsukasa"s surprised expression, tilting his head slightly to the side, made junior instantly blush.

Enjoying the expression on his face a little more, Shinonome quickly shook his head, and then whispered, "it doesn't matter, forget it". And, turning around, led Tenma further down the street to his house. It's strange that he didn't even try to pull his palm: perhaps he was in such shock that he didn't even have the strength to react to it.

However, what junior didn't see was how much Tsukasa's cheeks were reddening: he suddenly realized that their hands were tightly clenched. And yet, even noticing this small detail, the guy didn't resist. Instead, he decided to enjoy these few moments that he had dreamed about for so long.

Although he was still a little worried about very important and pressing questions, "Why did Akito react like that to the kitten?And why did he start talking about Akineko?.."

***

Akito wanted to kick himself for deciding to spend not one day, not two, not even three, but four, thinking about his feelings for Tsukasa. Mainly because he never came to a different conclusion. He loved the actor, who was his soulmate, and that couldn't be changed. No matter how much he tries to come up with some other explanation and try to collect grains of denial along with pride, it's all useless. The answer didn't change, nor did the feelings.

But now Shinonome didn't know what to do. The blond probably saw him only as a junior. Or a good friend, who you can take to the movies, who is fun to walk home with, or who you can always tell anything to (mainly due to the fact that Akito was a good listener by nature). Their friendship was too important to the guy. What if he wouldn't get reciprocity in return? What if after this he loses the one he wanted most?

"...Ena, listen. What," the teenager swallowed the lump in his throat before continuing, "What will happen if my soulmate rejects me? Could it happen that, well... the chosen one won't be with me?" his sister, who didn't even have time to chew a piece of cheesecake properly, stared at him in surprise, "Stop staring, just answer."

"Eh, well... I personally don't know of such cases. And mom said that soulmates always get together in the end."

"So, I don't have to worry about this? Will he really love me?.."

The girl, thinking a little, allowed herself to finish chewing the dessert. And, swallowing, she continued,

"It depends. If you didn't mess up too much. Of course, due to fate, you'll definitely be together, but at the same time he may hate you. Don't forget that there are such things as–" now it was Akito's turn, whose face changed almost instantly, to look at the girl in shock. She, immediately sensing something was wrong, interrupted herself and asked directly, "You, um... didn't annoy Tenma-kun too much, did you? Just a little teasing and that's all, right? And it didn't spoil your relationship in any way before all this realization, right?"

"Oh, I, ahem... well, it's not that I spoiled it, I just..." the guy muttered, trying to hide his guilty look. However, a lot could already be said from his face.

"Akito! What did you do to your chosen one?!"

"Nothing serious... and, and I-I didn't know that he was my chosen one!.."

Still not looking up, the younger Shinonome began to briefly talk about how he behaved in approximately the first few months of his acquaintance with senpai: he spoke rudely, turned his nose up at him, avoided him in every possible way, made fun of him, and, in general, simply let him know that he didn't want to have anything to do with such an inveterate eccentric. His sister, listening to all this, could only sigh and whisper, "my god, how could you treat your soulmate like that...". Akito quickly realized that she was quite disappointed in him. To be honest, he too, remembering his not the best behavior, wasn't particularly proud of himself. At the very beginning, the teenager really didn't like Tsukasa, but now everything has changed, now everything is completely different, however...

...what if, somewhere in his soul, senpai is still offended for those times? What if he just hides everything behind a smile, as he's always used to doing? What if, in fact, he doesn't really want to communicate with someone like Akito? And even more so to be his chosen one. What if the actor, when he finds out about everything, thinks with disgust or says, "of all people, my soulmate is you?"

Imagining how Tsukasa's usually bright and kind eyes darkened with contempt, he felt bad. And scared.

Grabbing his head and exhaling doomedly, the red-haired thought about what to do now. Apologize? Confess his love? Tell the truth about the fact that he's Akineko? There are many options and each has its own consequences, which it wasn't possible to know about now. He didn't want to experiment at all, but also didn't want to leave everything as it was.

"Akito, you... well, don't worry so much," after hesitating a little, Ena finally raised her voice, "Yes, at first your relationship didn't work out, but you didn't bully him. So everything should be okay," exhaling, the girl used a spoon to separate a small piece from the large cheesecake, "Mizuki once told me that Tenma-kun's a very kind and understanding person. It seems to me that he was never even offended by you for everything you did."

"...I doubt it. I definitely wouldn't want anything to do with a person who acted like that in my presence."

"You are you, and Tenma-kun is Tenma-kun. He probably has completely different thoughts and feelings," the guy, of course, still had a little doubt. Therefore, his sister, smiling slightly, gently patted him on the head, "So, enough, pull yourself together and think about how you're going to confess everything. You cannot keep transformations a secret from your chosen one all your life."

Akito was grateful for the help and emotional support, but he didn't know how to follow the advice. Confessing everything... sounded quite scary. If he does this, he will hardly be able to be near senpai. And this was the last thing he wanted right now, so he had to keep his mouth shut. There were many suitable moments for such an important conversation, but each Shinonome tried to ignore. Especially those when he was a guest in the blond's house and was left alone with him.

He didn't want to ruin the beautiful moments he spent with Tsukasa with the truth. It was easier to continue to play games together, watch musicals, discuss books that the actor liked, sing (although Akito, who doubted his abilities, was embarrassed to do this for a while in front of senpai) and just discuss everything that came to mind. The red-haired liked the latter the most. Listening to the guy as he talked about himself, he felt that a certain wall between them was becoming thinner and thinner. And so they grew closer and closer.

Perhaps because of this, the two of them became way too comfortable together.

That day, Tsukasa invited junior over to watch an old movie on cassette. And at first everything was as usual: the guy analyzed every action of the actors on the screen, discussed something and sometimes asked Akito about his feelings and emotions. But gradually Tenma began to feel sleepy, even though the film wasn't boring. When the guy was already nodding off from slowly falling asleep, the red-haired suddenly remembered the words of his classmate Nene today, "Tsukasa's an idiot, obsessed with shows, he didn't get enough sleep again, 'cause he was working on his role... I wonder how he didn't faint yet".

It was a little funny how the clearly sleep-deprived Tenma fought against sleep and tried to stay conscious. Junior watched for a while, and then moved a little closer and was right: the guy, who had already closed his eyes, fell with his head right on his shoulder. The familiar and such a pleasant smell, characteristic only of senpai and no one else, hit his nose. But Shinonome paid more attention to how peacefully that sleeping face looked. Just like that day — absolutely identical. Apparently, senpai had a habit of sleeping beautifully.

Without thinking about anything at that moment, Akito, like a curious cat, carefully touched his face and hair — so smoothly and weightlessly, as if he was doing it not with his fingers, but with his paws. Quite a bit, he even tried to play with the strands, which now sparkled slightly in the weak light from the TV. Tsukasa, feeling a slight tickle, puffed out his cheeks displeasedly and winced in his sleep, which made his junior laugh. "Beautiful. So beautiful," Shinonome thought, blinking slowly and squinting as he analyzed senpai's every breath, "And he's also a fan of animals," this, of course, meant that the blond was kind. All people, who loved animals, behaved friendly with both children and adults, helped everyone around, and also wished people to be happy and joyful, were good. Tsukasa, without a doubt, was just such a person.

However, if you think about it, Tenma was also cool... sometimes, but still he was. Especially when he performed on stage and got into the role in such a way that it took your breath away. Shinonome rarely visited Wonderlands × Showtime's shows, however, when the opportunity arose, he watched them exclusively for his senpai. And found himself barely breathing and blinking during all the performances. It's impossible not to admit that the blond is a real professional when it comes to acting.

Sliding down (apparently he really fell asleep), Tsukasa continued to frown slightly. Most likely, sleeping like that wasn't very comfortable, considering that the guy was used to his soft bed, and not junior's shoulder. Akito tried to create maximum comfort for senpai, but it didn't work out well. Watching as Tenma became more and more uncomfortable, the redhead couldn't help but think that his position should be changed slightly... even though it was very embarrassing.

And yet, his own embarrassment had to be overcome for the sake of beloved senpai's comfort. After inhaling and exhaling several times to calm down, Shinonome carefully wrapped his hand around the blond and slowly but surely pulled him down, while lying down on the sofa himself. Surprisingly, he managed to not only lie down himself without any fuss, but also accommodate Tenma on himself. The blond tossed and turned and frowned until felt a hand fell on his head — cold, but no less gentle than his own. Weak strokes seemed to help him fall back into deep sleep and snore quietly.

Akito, meanwhile, was practically praying that his loud, frantic heartbeat wouldn't wake the sleeping actor. Although he couldn't even move from the embarrassment and shame that shackled him, he didn't want to interrupt this idyll at all.

The sound from the TV, surprisingly, didn't really annoy Shinonome right now. On the contrary, the background noise helped him to be more or less conscious. If all this happened in absolutely deathly silence, the guy would clearly go crazy from the pounding of his own heart in his ears.

"Senpai," the red-haired called quietly, as if checking whether the actor was sleeping or not. There was no reaction. Tired and exhausted after another sleepless night, the guy showed virtually no signs of life other than breathing. Making sure that he wouldn't be heard, Akito exhaled chokedly and somehow forced himself to whisper, "I love you..."

However, immediately feeling his cheeks turn red from embarrassment, he covered his face with his free hand. Unlike Tsukasa, junior didn't sleep at all. Although, however, there weren't many downsides here. After all, all the time while the actor was sleeping, Akito, trying to breathe as quietly as possible and hardly move, could admire him enough.

***

Today Akito again spent time at the senpai's house, but in his cat body. To be honest, he was already so used to being here that he didn't even attach much importance to whether he was here in his usual form or a fluffy one.

Yet today, of all days, Tsukasa acted somehow strange. He behaved quietly, even distant from the very beginning of the day. And in the evening everything seemed to only get worse. At first he couldn't cook dinner properly for himself, and after that he didn't want to do his homework at all, because everything just fell out of hand (not through Akito's fault). And no matter how much he tried to start again and again, nothing worked.

Ultimately, Tenma, clicking and throwing his pencil all the way onto his bed, decided to give up — unusual for a star, yes. But today, apparently, was a very special day.

"...good for you, Akineko," Tsukasa muttered, placing his head on the table. The cat, who clearly didn't understand such a sudden phrase, looked at him in surprise, "You don't need to worry about anything. Neither about exams, nor about graduation, nor about shows..." the whole appearance of the guy practically screamed that he felt very bad morally and, perhaps, also physically.

Junior, as soon as he heard the word "graduation", immediately flattened his ears. Exactly, in nine or ten months he will no longer see the blond within the walls of Kamiyama. It was sad, even scary, just to think about it. Akito was too used to seeing his senpai almost every day. There was no way to live without him, especially considering that he was the red-haired's soulmate.

And yet, Shinonome decided to postpone his own worries for later. He will still have time to be sad about all this at home alone with himself. Now he was more concerned about why the actor suddenly mentioned shows in his speech. What was wrong with his shows? Each of them is perfect — anyone can prove that. So what exactly was it about them that made Tenma worry?

"Once Rui and I graduate, Wonderlands × Showtime will cease to exist... we'll all go our separate ways. Though, y'know, we have already started doing this," the teenager grinned, but not a single hint of joy could be found in this grin, "We no longer perform at Phoenix Park. And I, you know, I... I like it. Unlike Emu and the others," it was understandable, especially since Tsukasa had been burning with the dream of becoming a star since childhood. Akito didn't judge his senpai at all. For that matter, if he were in his place, he'd also rejoice at any opportunity to perform on big stages, "As a star, I simply have to be happy at the opportunity to grow and advance, and so rapidly. But something... something is wrong."

The cat continued to look with sincere surprise at how Tenma was trying to laugh off his own problems.

"Perhaps I'm being dramatic," the teenager continued, exhaling, "But sometimes it seems that every new role in every new place is harder than the previous one. If you think about it like that... Torpe wasn't that hard after all," he suddenly laughed. It even seemed that this laughter was quite sincere, and not feigned or forced, "I don't understand why I had such a tough time with him."

"Tough time?" this phrase alone shocked Akito. How could senpai ever struggle with this role? He played it so flawlessly. To everyone in the audience it seemed that Tsukasa was ideally suited to Torpe's place — that's how well the blond, having got used to the words and actions of the character, showed himself on stage, "I always thought he was... just very talented, just like Toya," yes, for some time the red-haired was simply convinced that his senpai didn't make any special efforts for his shows — because of his talent. But truthfully, everything wasn't like that at all. Tenma, on the other hand, did everything he could to make his performance look natural. And, apparently, because of this, he didn’t even sleep at nights... looking down, Shinonome slowly but surely began to realize one very important detail, "Senpai and I have a lot in common."

"And sometimes I think... maybe I'm just not doing enough? Maybe I should try harder so that my roles don't seem so difficult?" now Tsukasa was talking as if to himself, but even so, junior still diligently listened to him. Although he couldn't help in any way now. There weren't even words of support in his head. And even if he can meow something, the upset senpai is unlikely to want to reach into his bag for a translator, "Now I'm just an extra in the film, but after that I can get bigger roles... no, I know that I'll get them!.. I'm a star!" the blond, sharply raising his head, hit the table, which scared Akito. But after just a couple of seconds he sighed again and sank back to his previous position, "But what if one day I'm given a role that I... can't handle? Even if I try really, really hard on it? What if..."

...some role will be overwhelming? Such a role that he won't be able to play. Reki, Sakurako, Asahi, even his friends could do it, but not him. It was a little scary to even think about it. And not at all reassuring.

Akito, deciding that it was worth doing at least something, tried to cheer up senpai a little. Due to his capabilities, of course. He ran his paw through blond hair, meowed pitifully something that Tsukasa didn't understand, and rubbed his muzzle against his cheek and arms. However, for some reason this didn't help much. The guy was still sad and the worst thing was probably that no one even knew about it. Neither Tenma's friends nor family probably even suspected his emotional distress. The only one to whom he could more or less open up was the cat.

It was... sad.

Smiling slightly, as if forcing himself to do it, Tsukasa stroked junior's muzzle, and then down his back. At the same time, he still refused to lift his head from the table,

"Eh... y'know, Akineko, unlike me, Akito's very lucky," the cat, hearing both of his names at once, twitched his ears with interest, "He's so talented, he doesn't even have to try to dance and sing beautifully... I saw him do it at live concerts," green eyes suddenly widened in shock. At live concerts? But when did Tsukasa even manage to visit there, without the knowledge of all the members of VIVID Bad Squad? Toya would definitely have mentioned this at least once, but most likely even he knew nothing, "Akito is a great guy... I wish I could be at least a little like him, fufu."

To be honest, Shinonome wouldn't wish this on anyone. He had no talent, unlike all the people around him. Becoming like him is, in essence, signing your own death warrant. It's strange why senpai didn't notice this. He didn't notice so much that he considered his junior a talented person.

"Hah... I knew it," the teenager thought, exhaling noisily, "He and I are very similar. Even more than we would like."

Out of nowhere, Tenma suddenly smiled. Extremely gentle and affectionate, but not because of the cat's actions. Then why? The change in his emotions happened so suddenly that junior couldn't help but be amazed.

"Akineko, I'll tell this only to you, but," the blond, closing his eyes, blushed a little, after which he muttered somehow too dreamily, "I really, really like Akito. I'd even say that I love him."

"Eh? Huh?.." the cat couldn't resist opening his mouth in shock. The information that had just entered his brain seemed too unreal. Maybe he was pranked? But... it didn't look like it. Tenma didn't know that Akineko and Akito weren't different creatures, "Likes me? Me? Senpai?.." if it were possible, Shinonome would definitely blush, but now in the form of a cat this didn't happen. However, for some reason it became very, very hot, "This is a confession. Did he admit that? Senpai loves me–"

While Shinonome was somewhere in his own separate reality and tried to come to terms with words, the blond chuckled quietly — so sadly and pitifully that it could've been confused with a sob.

"But it's okay, I won't tell him..." "Eh? He won't?" the cat thought, again focusing his attention on senpai, "What? Why?", "I don't mind us remaining friends. This way, Akito won't be disgusted by me."

Junior meowed aggressively in protest, but all the words he tried to convey were again not understood. It didn't matter how much he screamed, "What? What does "disgusted" mean? I will never feel disgusted by you!..", Tsukasa could only smile forcedly at him and nothing more. How bad it was to be a cat exactly at that moment. He couldn't neither console, nor support, nor convince the blond otherwise.

"I know Akito doesn't like me. For him, I'm a strange senpai, Akineko," the teenager continued to pour out his soul. He probably kept it to himself for so long that now he simply couldn't stop talking, "And if I confess, I'll lose everything. Akito and I had only just begun to be normal friends," well, in this regard, Shinonome very much understood the actor. After all, he felt absolutely the same, "Ugh, my feelings are always so messed up... I should be better, but I can't. Senpais shouldn't fall in love with their juniors. I'm a terrible senpai..."

"That's not true. Not at all. Tsukasa-senpai, it's not like that at all," the cat meowed. It's a pity his sister wasn't here now. She would understand him, unlike the blond.

"I should play the role of senpai and best friend, and not give in to feelings... why then... nothing works out?"

Akito froze as soon as he saw that the actor's eyes were so wet that a tear rolled down his cheek. It seemed that the guy himself wouldn't have paid attention to this if he hadn't felt the cat's tongue on his skin — Shinonome was licking the salt water in a panic, although he understood that it was unlikely that this would help. And yet he wanted to make amends. After all, if it weren't for him, Tsukasa wouldn't be crying now.

That's right... senpai cried because of him. If Toya finds out, he'll definitely kill him and won't even regret it.

"Aha-ha, Akineko, why did you... decide to comfort me?" finally lifting his head from the table, the actor simultaneously tried to push the persistent cat away from him, "You're just like Akito..." and only this phrase finally made junior calm down, "Akito also suddenly became kind to me. And it's so hard for me. I don't know what to do anymore, Akineko," Shinonome watched almost in horror as the guy tried diligently and rather unsuccessfully to wipe away his tears of shame and sadness at the same time, "What should I do to become a good senpai? Maybe... maybe stop loving him?"

So that Tsukasa would no longer suffer and force himself to smile through force, Akito decided to give him at least some reason for a real smile. He jumped onto senpai's lap, after which, with all his stubbornness, began to rub his muzzle and body against his shirt. For a while, the teenager didn't even know how to react to this, but after that he gave a more or less sincere smile. And, pulling the cat closer to him, hugged him. Shinonome, without further ado, and certainly without any attempt at resistance, did the same in response, as his cat form allowed.

"...thank you, Akineko," the actor suddenly whispered in a trembling voice, "I finally told at least someone about this. And... I feel a little better."

"Oi... oi, don’t cry," Akito thought in a panic, tapping his paw on his chest. Surely Tsukasa thought that the cat was struggling because the hug was unpleasant for him, but that's not the case at all. He just didn't want to see tears. Especially when he was the cause of them, "Senpai, why because of me?.. There's no need to cry 'cause of someone like me," pitiful meows didn't help. The sobbing actor didn't hear him at all, so he gradually had to give up. And, burying his muzzle in a shirt that smelled of washing powder, shared his warmth with the guy, "Why are you crying 'cause of me, idiot? I love you too..." he rubbed himself against Tenma, but in response received only soft stroking of his fur. Not at all what was needed now, "Don't cry. Enough, stop crying. Please, not 'cause of me..."

"Ha-ah... sorry, Akineko," Tenma whispered, slightly pushing the cat away from him, "I suddenly burst into tears... not star-like, right?" junior meowed in protest, but the guy still didn't understand him, "Sorry-sorry, that's it, see, I've calmed down. Look, now I'll stop crying and start smiling again. I'll be a star again..."

But even so, Akito still cannot help but look at him with anxiety and sincere worry.

Chapter 7

Arriving at school the next day, Akito honestly had no idea what to do. There was so much information in his head that yesterday he couldn't sleep at all: all night he did nothing but think about senpai's words, as well as about his actions. And he desperately tried to understand how it was possible to love someone like him? For example, Tsukasa, who's so good and kind, can be loved by anyone without any problems, but a person like his red-haired junior... it's unlikely that anyone can truly love him. It sounded too unrealistic.

And yet, with another (illogical) part of himself, the guy was even glad about this outcome. More than anything, he was worried that Tenma would never love him, but it turned out that he already loves him. And for a very long time. It's nice to know that your soulmate is head over heels in love with you. It's so pleasant that just starting to think about it, Shinonome couldn't help but smile.

Just the thought, which then grew into dreams of a distant (joint) future, made him so happy that hiding this happiness became an impossible task. Everything is as his sister said. These weren't just feelings, but a real problem. Perhaps, because Akito had been hiding his feelings for too long and now they just... blew up.

And it was because of all these feelings inside, along with the desire to be closer, that Akito even began to do things that he had previously only allowed in his cat form. While senpai, too engrossed in his monologue, didn't see or notice, the redhead almost weightlessly tried to touch his hand. In fact, he would've liked to intertwine their fingers together, but this wasn't destined to happen, since Tenma felt too keenly and quickly that something was wrong.

Trembling at the touch of his skin, he quickly turned around and thereby frightened junior, who abruptly withdrew his hand. Without saying a word out loud, they simply looked at each other stupidly for a while, as if they were trying to understand what had just happened. Tsukasa, clearly in genuine shock, had no intention of speaking at all — he was waiting for an explanation, apparently.

"I-It's," looking away, the teenager tried to quickly clear his throat into a fist, "Sorry, I, uh... accidentally touched, you, yeah..."

"I see! Accidentally, ahaha, just an accident... ha-ha, Akito, be more careful next time!!" although Tenma tried to hide his emotions, none escaped junior's attentive, analyzing gaze.

Burning cheeks and a nervous, but at the same time joyful look strongly revealed everything that was going on in the actor's head. It was too much for him to control himself at this moment. As if he had fully realized and digested that the person he liked had touched him, he couldn't even hide his stupid, trembling and so embarrassed smile. It seemed like a trifle, but Tsukasa's mood changed in literally a matter of seconds...

It was at this moment that Akito suddenly realized what an idiot he really was. Or maybe he was blind, since he didn't notice what was right in front of his nose for so long. Senpai loved him so sincerely, with all his soul, but it was as if he didn't even see it. Idiot. A real idiot. It was clearly not the blond, who was stupid, but his junior, because he hadn't noticed the most obvious thing in the world for more than a year.

If there was any medal like "I denied not only my own love, but also someone else's love for the longest time," it would definitely go to Shinonome Akito. Without any doubt.

Trying to exhale silently, the guy fell into rather sad thoughts, "How... stupid I am. How could I not notice... this?" these happily twinkling eyes, this smile, this blush on the pale cheeks, these movements that suddenly accelerated for no reason at all. If Shinonome would attach a little more importance to all those moments when Tenma twirled in front of him, tried to somehow please or showed off just to get at least a little attention, everything would immediately fall into place, "If I hadn't been a cat, I would never have understood anything..." in fact, even the thought sounded scary. What would happen if he really didn't have the ability to transform? Would he really deny until the end of his days that somewhere deep down in his soul he loved only Tsukasa? Or would senpai... stop loving him? Pursing his lips, the teenager hunched over somehow painfully. He didn't really like where all his thoughts were going, "I didn't think that one day I'd have to admit it, but... maybe being a cat isn't so bad."

Without noticing it, Akito sighed in such a way that it attracted the attention of his senpai. He turned around and, slightly tilting his head to the side, asked what happened. "Ah, damn... I didn't notice how it came out," hiding his own lips behind a palm so that God forbid his sigh wouldn't be heard again, the red-haired, to be honest, dreamed of going to class as soon as possible. Just so as not to spoil Tsukasa's mood just by being here, "Tch, if I continue to behave like this, at this rate he'll–"

"Akito, oi, Akito!" Tenma drawled loudly, already waving his hand right in front of junior's face (even if it wasn't very ethical, the blond was unlikely to care about such things now). And thus he still brought the guy out of his reasoning, "What happened to you? You didn't answer me."

"Um, I... it's, um, not important, sorry."

"Oh, wait, y–"

"The bell will be ringing soon," Shinonome muttered, practically jumping out of his seat, "I better go, so as not to be late."

"Eh, huh?! Akito, wait...!"

Sighing again, junior didn't even turn around — he knew that as soon as he did, he would run into Tsukasa's incredibly saddened face. Yes, just from his voice alone he could read his thoughts, "Is it because of me? Did I do or say something wrong?". And Akito didn't like it. But for now he couldn't help himself. It took a little more time to come to terms with his feelings. And with the fact that they're quite mutual.

Tenma didn't catch up with junior, but, looking after him, exhaled sadly. Not a trace remained of the smile and, left alone with himself, the guy somehow, very reluctantly returned to his lunch. The red-haired one, as soon as he had walked a slightly decent distance, immediately stopped and sat down right on the road. He didn't care if others start looking at him strangely — let them think that he feels bad or something like that. Although, he did. It made him feel bad to realize that he's an idiot, who just keeps ruining everything.

"I even feel sorry for senpai," the teenager thought, ruffling his hair, "It's so hard for him because of this... love for someone like me," shame and guilt washed over him entirely. Now he wished he could just go back and tell it like it is, even admit his ability to become a cat, but... will Tsukasa be happy? On the contrary, either he won't believe it, or he'll get scared, or he'll hate him, or– "He'll stop loving me. He really might stop loving me," now Akito, as if falling into a panic from his own thoughts, began to bite his nails. A bad habit — it appeared only in situations of severe stress. Such as, for example, now, "Damn... a-argh, I'm so tired of everything."

Sighing, the young man nevertheless forced himself to get to his feet and go to class, as he wanted. Although in fact, "wanted" was a stretch here. Sitting through a geometry lesson is even more difficult than understanding himself and his (and now not only his) feelings.

Akito understood perfectly well that he should've changed and been less uptight when he was human. At least it was worth doing for Tsukasa's sake. And in a good way it would be worth starting with the secret of his whole life, but hell was it scary. What if, unlike his junior, the actor isn't a monogamist at all? What if he doesn't want to be chained to just one person all his life because of some kind of fate and ability that he doesn't even have a clue about?

Tsukasa always seemed to be a rather freedom-loving person. If he had the ability to transform, he would probably be a bird, who would always strive to fly as close to the sun as possible. Locking him in a relationship, even if the love is mutual, would be somehow... unfair. The red-haired himself understood and realized this very well.

And moreover, will Tenma stop loving him after he finds out that his soulmate is literally a cat? More precisely, a person. And yet a cat at the same time. Not everyone would want someone like this as their destiny. Surely the loud-voiced actor too.

"...enough," Shinonome muttered, somehow already too desperate, "Why can't my life just be simpler?.."

***

"Akito, Akito-o," his sister continued to call him, standing behind the door, on which she kept knocking. Thus, by the way, greatly unnerving her younger brother, "Akito, open it already! A very serious conversation awaits you, y'know."

"Let's do it some other time. I can't now," he told her loudly enough, after which he turned over on the other side in his soft bed, already very warm from his body temperature. In fact, he didn't have any serious matters to deal with right now. However... lying down and just thinking about everything was an important enough activity to ignore any requests from Ena.

"This can't wait, Akito! Kanade didn't come so that you'd continue to lie in your room and die of unhappy love!.."

"Kanade?" the guy began to blink quickly as he was sincerely surprised. The name sounded too familiar, "Kanade... Yoisaki-san?" the thought, of course, is wild, but since Ena, who was friends with the white-haired girl, spoke about it, then anything is possible, "What is Yoisaki-san doing here? And when did she even come?" and even more so, what exactly does she need from the Shinonome family today? He would really like to know the answers to all these questions, however, apparently, they're destined to be known only in the next life.

Sighing heavily, Akito nevertheless rose from the bed and, barely stomping forward, opened the door to the two girls. His sister looked at him with either a sad or dissatisfied look, then hurried away to her room. So the guest must be in the younger one's room... great.

Well, Shinonome hoped that she'd at least have an interesting topic to talk about.

"Come in, Yoisaki-san," he said, letting the white-haired girl go forward, "Sorry, my room is a bit of a mess."

"Oh, don't worry, everything's fine. You haven't seen mine yet," senpai laughed awkwardly in response.

The guy didn't know what Kanade's room looked like, but for some reason he thought that she had greatly embellished her words. "It's one hundred percent cleaner there than here," he thought, not even imagining the chaos in which this girl sometimes lives. Especially in moments when deadlines are pressing and she needs to work harder than usual.

Having allowed the white-haired girl to sit down at the table, the guy himself landed back on the bed. To be honest, he wanted to fall head first on the pillow and continue to suffer (perhaps sleep), but not do anything useful. Well, if, of course, the conversation with Yoisaki could be called useful. In his heart, the teenager hoped that this was so and that she hadn't come here in vain.

"T-this..." she drawled a little hesitantly, "Shinonome-kun, you have some problems, don't you?" "Who doesn’t have them?" the young man thought sarcastically, but didn't become insolent out loud. He just nodded his head, "So, I don't know for sure if I can help, but at least I'll try to lead you on the right path."

"Eh? And what is this... supposed to mean?"

"You can turn into a cat, I know that. And now that you've found out about your soulmate, you need to somehow get along with him, but can't–"

"W-w-wait!.. Why, how do you know...?!"

In response, Kanade, as if remembering that she had missed the most important detail, quickly apologized and continued,

"I know 'cause of my..." after that, she, quite a bit embarrassed, suddenly looked away. For a couple of seconds, Yoisaki debated whether she should've spoken, but then realized that she had nothing to be ashamed of. Especially in front of the red-haired teenager, "Girlfriend. She also transforms, just like you. And one day she suggested that you were like her. Then I asked Ena and, well, my girlfriend's theory was confirmed," the guy was still looking at her in shock, but already seemed to understand what was happening. At least it was explained exactly which traitors gave away the secret of his whole life. His own sister gave him up to her friend — how can anyone trust her with anything after that? "And when Ena said you were having problems with your soulmate, I wanted to talk."

"But about what, Yoisaki-san? There's nothing to talk about here. I know that all this is hopeless..." meaning, of course, Tenma, the teenager exhaled.

"You're very mistaken, Shinonome-kun. There are no hopeles situations. Especially in your case, when you've already found your soulmate."

Yes, he found him, but what's the point? What's the point if he still runs away from Tenma like fire, afraid of his reaction and his feelings, afraid that he... will stop loving his junior.

"You love him, don't you?" the teenager, instantly blushing, jerked sharply and looked at the girl in surprise. As soon as he noticed her gentle, soft smile, he immediately lowered his gaze — as if he had done something wrong, "And he loves you back too. I don't know Tsukasa-san very well, but I can make a guess. Y'know, whenever I managed to meet him on the street or in a store, he only talked about you."

"Huh? What... about me?" this information was so new that Akito couldn't help but gape in amazement.

"Mhm. One way or another, you appeared at least once in his monologues – it's even cute in its own way. He loves you very much, Shinonome-kun."

Sighing heavily, Akito ruffled his hair and then ran a hand over his face. It really was so noticeable: the way senpai loved him, and the way he loved senpai himself. Horrible, just a complete nightmare. Even Kanade is aware of this... he wondered, who's next? Mizuki, An, Toya? The list can actually go on forever.

Yoisaki didn't quite understand the young man's reaction, so she asked what was the matter.

"Yes, I know... that he loves me. I overheard everything while I was a cat," the guy explained, barely holding back another sad sigh, "But I don't know how to confess my feelings to him. And he has no plans to admit his own."

"Eh? Why?"

"He thinks that then I'll begin to despise him or I"ll feel disgusted. And, and he said that..." Akito pursed his lips for just a couple of moments, but then realizing that it was better not to take up the girl's time, he forced himself to finish the thought, "To be a good senpai, he must stop loving me. But I don't want this, but I can't admit it while he still loves me. I..." the guy removed one palm from his head and, examining it, only became more upset. Yes, now it's a human hand, but very soon it will be a paw. Damn these transformations. Why can't he just be normal? "I'm a cat. A cat, who heard and saw unnecessary and personal things. Senpai will definitely hate me when he finds out."

"Oh, Shinonome-kun..."

Looking at him sadly, the girl had no choice but to exhale. She, of course, heard from Ena that everything was bad, but she didn't think it was that bad. Her situation was much simpler and easier, albeit with its own nuances. However, that doesn't mean she won't try to help now. Yoisaki thought about her answer for a while and, when the words began to form into normal sentences and the thought became coherent, she finally spoke,

"Shinonome-kun, believe me, it's hard to hate someone like that. Your transformations aren't your fault at all. You were just born this way, in such a special family," it sounded somehow even maternal, but it was nice to hear something like that. No one ever told him that at home. He was simply taught to come to terms with this fact and that's all. No one ever... tried to support or calm him down, "Y'know, I personally love the fact that my girlfriend isn't like everyone else. She's the most wonderful bird ever and I'm very proud of her! Yes, at first it wasn't easy to accept this feature of hers, but then... everything fell into place."

"How did you... how did you accept her?"

"I worked it out with her, Shinonome-kun. In any relationship, it's important to talk and solve common problems. Here you are," she quickly pointed her finger at him, and then moved it away so as not to offend him, "You're running away from problems. You pretend they don't exist, you deny them. Tsukasa-san, as I understand it... is trying to hide them. And thus you both suffer, although you could've already discussed everything."

However, Akito still wasn't convinced. Discuss, huh? What will he even talk about with Tsukasa? How will he approach him, how will he start the conversation, how will it all end? His head was a mess again...

"I, I don't know, Yoisaki-san," he admitted honestly, "I don't even know where to start discussing this. I can't just say one word and leave."

"Naturally, you can't. This isn't how problems are solved. It takes a long time to sort out each aspect."

"Sounds... difficult."

"Fufu, that's how it is, Shinonome-kun. But it's okay, I can help."

The redhead looked at her again in surprise. "Help? Help with what?" he was mentally amazed, focusing almost all his attention on the girl, who was clearly looking for something on his table. And when she finally found it, she smiled brightly, "Paper? Why does she need paper?". Getting up from his already warm place, Akito walked up to the white-haired girl with a slightly uncertain gait.

"I'll help you make a little plan. And I'll also try to give a couple of tips on how to resolve conflicts if they arise," suddenly stars began to shine in the guy's eyes. Something so simple now sounded like real salvation to him. He was ready to stand like this over her for at least an eternity, if only she would teach him this incredible, in his opinion, power — solving problems like a human being, "And we can even rehearse a couple of phrases, which you'll begin your dialogue with Tsukasa-san with."

"R-really? Yoisaki-san, will you really do all this... for me?" there was disbelief in his voice, which the girl wasn't very happy about. However, in general, she could understand this doubt: after all, Akito isn't Mafuyu, who's accustomed to receiving selfless help.

"Of course. Sit down, sit down, I'm in no hurry, so I'll tell you everything in detail..."

***

Akito tried very hard to follow Kanade's advice and do as she said, but it turned out to be very difficult. At least he couldn't, no matter how hard he tried. Something always got in the way, or there was a lack of courage. At first, it was the second thing that kept him from confessing. No matter how much time Shinonome spent with senpai, the fear of what might happen next prevented him from opening his mouth and talking about everything.

Of course, he tried to put pressure, convincing him that one way or another he would've to confess. After all, then it will be too late.

However, as soon as even a drop of courage began to appear, the coincidence of circumstances didn't allow him to confess. Tsukasa turned out to be a fairly busy person whose help was needed here and there. He also began to get along better with his classmates, which also bothered Akito.

"Senpai, oi, senpai," the red-haired called out, drawing out vowels, while trying to look as calm as possible. Even though his legs were shaking a little.

"Oh, Akito, what a coincidence!"

"Er, yes..." Tsukasa's smile and eyes, which shimmered so beautifully with different colors in the light of the summer sun, were making him confused, "Remember, I kept wanting to talk to you about something..."

He already wanted to confess right in the middle of this deserted corridor. At least for now he had the courage. However, at the very last moment, when Tenma was ready to listen to him, an unfamiliar voice was heard,

"Tsukasa, come here! The teacher needs your help," it was the blond's classmate. Just seeing him, Shinonome made a displeased face and tsked aloud. He was interrupted again. This was already starting to irritate him. It was as if everything happened on purpose.

"Eh, huh? But why me–"

"Don't ask, just go already!"

Tenma quickly looked back at junior and, smiling awkwardly, said,

"Sorry, Akito, we'll have to wait a little longer. But then I'll definitely listen to what you wanted to tell me!!"

However, this never happened. Every time something got in the way. They even began to see each other less due to Tsukasa's busy schedule. Sending a confession in the form of a message was stupid... Kanade advised doing it in person, otherwise he might seem like a coward. Although that's exactly what Akito was.

He told himself so many times that he shouldn't run away from anything, but ended up running for his life every time he saw Tenma. This was already pathetic — the teenager himself was well aware of this, but couldn't help himself.

For two whole weeks he kept running around after senpai, while failing to talk about the most important and fundamental things at least once. Shinonome was silent for so long that he had already managed to turn into a cat again, who now definitely wouldn't be able to say anything. The universe was definitely against him. But then... at least he can spend a little time with senpai.

"Meow," a familiar voice made Tsukasa, who had previously been spending lunch alone, rejoice. And immediately start looking around in search of his already beloved cat.

Junior crawled out of the bushes and, showing himself in all his glory, jumped onto the bench. However, instead of starting to stroke him, Tenma suddenly... froze in place? The strange reaction caused genuine surprise in the cat himself, who tilted his head slightly to the side. Senpai examined him carefully, even rubbed his eyes to make sure, but the picture in front of him never changed.

"Piercing... like Akito's," the blond finally said.

And then the red-haired realized what the problem was — he forgot to take off his earrings when he tiredly fell asleep yesterday after a whole evening of rehearsals. So accustomed to piercings that sometimes he didn't even notice whether they were in place or not, Shinonome didn't even think to check his ears in the morning. If he wasn't in such a hurry to make it to lunch, he might've at least asked his sister to take off his jewelry. But now he had to watch the horror on the actor's pale face.

"You, you..." it seems that now Tenma was starting to guess for sure. If before he could only joke, then this was his last straw, "You... are Akito, right?"

Junior took one step back when a trembling hand reached out to him. He was well aware that it was his own fault, that he had given himself away, and... in the most terrible way in the world. After all, now he cannot even explain himself in any way or say anything in his defense. Everything went according to the worst possible scenario.

"Akito," senpai called, already convinced that it wasn't a cat in front of him, but his junior, "You were always–"

The guy decided not to listen to the end, because he understood what he's going to hear. Now Tsukasa definitely hated him. And he was probably very disappointed. Not wanting to look at the shock in his eyes anymore, the teenager almost rushed back into the bushes like lightning. The blond, of course, called him, but it was all useless — Akito ran away as quickly as he could, all the while thinking,

"I'm an idiot".

Chapter 8

The next day, to tell the truth, Akito was afraid to go to school, but he knew that he had to. Just like talking to senpai about everything. But no matter how much he practiced in front of the mirror, no matter how much he told himself that it won't be terrible, in reality everything turned out completely differently — there wasn't even enough time to explain everything about his ability, much less about soulmate thing. The morning, so to speak, turned out... not the best. For both of them. Mainly, of course, for the actor, who was so cruelly deceived all this time.

As soon as junior opened his mouth and confirmed Tsukasa's guesses that he really was a cat, he immediately–

"So it's true! You are Akineko, and you..." Tsukasa, looking down, nervously ran his eyes back and forth. It seems that in his head he was beginning to realize something scary or unpleasant, "You were with me all this time, even in my house, you... you heard," the shock that bloomed on his face frightened even his junior, "Oh my God–"

"Tsukasa-senpai..." Akito called, but a loud voice cut off any thoughts he might have,

"You heard! You heard everything!.."

"Tsukasa-senpai, please calm down."

Exhaling heavily, Tenma pinched the bridge of his nose with both hands. It's hard to think straight now, but something had to be done. And urgently. Yes, his little secret is no longer a secret, but that doesn't mean he can't outwit his junior. Still, it's not for nothing that he's an actor. The blond thought for a couple of seconds about how best to formulate his words, and then shook his head and smiled. So suddenly that it again put junior into a stupor.

Putting his hands to his sides, Tsukasa, with a completely different expression on his face, said,

"Y'know, I didn't expect you to fall for it so easily," the red-haired just tilted his head to the side in shock, "It was a joke! Ha-ha, you should've seen your face!!"

"Wha... huh? What are you even talking about?" the shocked guy barely squeezed out. His senpai still didn't lose his grip. He can't show any slack. Not now.

"I'm saying it was all a joke! I know, pranking a junior isn't very good senpai-like, sorry about that."

"Uh, senpai, you..."

"But I never thought that you'd fall for it. Akito, you and me... we're just friends! Just senpai and his juni–"

Shinonome interrupted him with a loud "Tsukasa-senpai!", but the blond didn't seem to even try to listen. Since he's an actor, he should play his role to the last. Even though it hurt to smile as if nothing had happened, he still tried. The stars are bound to shine, no matter what.

"It was a prank, get over it!" the actor continued, "As expected from a star, my prank was so good that even you fell for it. This is what it means to be the best actor, ha-ha-ha!"

However, Akito saw how the blond's smile twitched nervously, how his shoulders shook and his eyes darted back and forth. Yes, he played well, but junior saw right through him. And he understood that this wasn't a joke. It's just that now Tsukasa was defending and protecting himself as best he could, just to experience as little emotional pain as possible. To be honest, Shinonome felt... sorry for him.

Tenma gave out his speeches right on the spot, not really following his words, which is why he wasn't very good at making excuses. He was too nervous now to play as well as on stage. And, realizing this, he himself wanted to run away as quickly as possible,

"I'm sorry again for deciding to mock you like that," the actor chuckled with a radiant but false smile, "We'll assume that now we're even," and after these words he quickly turned around and, despite the fact that junior was calling him, rushed to run to his class.

***

Kicking stones under his feet, Akito walked home dissatisfied. Today is definitely not his day. At least this very day didn't start in the best way, or rather with a quarrel with senpai. He can't wish for worse. Now Tsukasa definitely hates him, and soon, you see, he will stop loving him. After all, it's unlikely that such a person will tolerate that his secret love was found out so easily and simply. Surely now the blond is suffering from the fact that he was simply mocked. He probably thinks that junior's laughing at him and his feelings, but that's not the case at all.

It was easier for Shinonome to laugh at his own feelings, but not at what his senpai felt.

"Damn it, damn it, damn it," he thought, irritably kicking the ground and asphalt with the sole of his sneakers, "I should burn my piercing... if I had just talked to him normally, none of this would've happened..." but now, naturally, it's too late to talk about it. All that was left was to regret and sigh sadly.

Having barely entered home, floating like a ghost, Akito first fell onto the sofa and, reluctantly reaching for the remote control, turned on the TV. Not that he really intended to watch it. The background noise just helped a little to ignore the thoughts in his head. Even without paying attention to what the screen showed him, Shinonome tried to completely abstract himself from reality.

However, once again it all came down to this morning, the quarrel with Tsukasa and–

"Akito-o, how long are you planning to sit and do nothing?" the voice suddenly brought him out of his trance. Oh, of course, it's Ena. Who else? And again his sister pestered him, although now there was absolutely no time for her.

"Leave me alone, let me watch TV in peace."

"You don't even understand what you're watching," and how did she always know everything? Is this some kind of superpower that older sisters have? "I can see."

"Tch, what do you care? Fuck off."

Snorting with displeasure because of such a dissatisfied tone, the girl was clearly offended. Well, okay. Maybe this way she will at least leave and stop bothering him. However, it wasn't like that. Walking around the sofa, she, blocking the TV with her body, stood in front of her brother and, examining his expression, said,

"Did something happen?"

"I said, fuck off," Shinonome growled irritably at her, "And besides, you're not made of glass. Step aside."

"I won't leave until you tell me what happened," the girl insisted.

"What a pester," her brother thought, trying his best to ignore Ena, but she seemed to be deliberately hovering before his eyes, like an impudent cat. In principle, that's exactly what she was, "After all, she's not gonna leave me. It'll be easier to get away from her myself..."

"That's it, you're right," and with these words that sounded so sharply that they were both surprised, "There's no point in sitting here. I'd better go and get some air."

"Eh, ah, Akito?!.. Where are you going?"

"Away from you, since you don't let me be alone."

"You're not going to talk about your problems?!" but the brother, already putting on his shoes at the door, didn't listen to her. The answer a couple of seconds later was the slam of the door, "Tch... well, how am I supposed to help him when he doesn't say anything?.."

Sighing sadly, the girl stood there for a while, and then, turning off the TV, slowly walked into her room, still talking about something of her own.

***

"How did I get here again?" looking at the already familiar attractions, the guy thought. He probably should've left before anything bad happened, like the previous time he got here, but something subconsciously forced him to move on. Just like the day he met senpai, only now he had a human body with him. And the people around didn't reach out to him. A truly unique feeling when to the world around you you're a person, and not a cute furry creature.

Shinonome walked almost back and forth and didn't understand why. Perhaps somewhere inside he wanted the blond to appear here out of the blue, even if he was now here as rarely as possible. And yet, his appearance now would be like a balm for the soul.

However, instead of his favorite loud voice, he heard an equally loud, but not very favorite one,

"Aki-ito-o-ku-un!!"

"Geh, Otori!.." muttered the red-haired. Although he didn't know where the sound was coming from, he wanted to hide as quickly as possible, but didn't have time — he was attacked right from behind, "Oi!.. Look what you're doin–"

"Ehehe, Akito-kun!! I'm so glad to meet you here! Why did you come? Do you want to go on the rides? Today is such a wonderhoi day~!"

Her fast, barely coherent speech made the guy a little dizzy. And, honestly, he would've told her off, and very rudely, but... he didn't want to. There was no right feeling for that. For some reason, sadness and disappointment that instead of Tenma he saw Otori (thank God at least not Kamishiro or his classmate Kusanagi) filled his mind. And then he remembered this morning, and senpai's saddened, strained smile and immediately it began to get dark before his eyes. He really shouldn't have come here. It would be better to stay home. Even outwardly, his longing for Tsukasa was too obvious. Especially for a girl as empathic as Emu.

She, immediately noticing that the red-haired guy was somehow different (he didn't even answer her anything or scold her for shouting in a public place), asked directly,

"Akito-kun, you... don't feel happy, do you?" "It's none of your business," he wanted to answer, but managed to hold his tongue in time, "Mu..."

"Why are you looking like that?.."

Without saying another word, Emu suddenly grabbed him by the hand and, with some almost inhuman strength, dragged him into an unknown direction. Of course, the guy tried to fight back somehow and so on, but it didn't work well. The fragile girl, surprisingly, overpowered him, so soon Akito simply gave in and allowed her to lead him where he needed to go.

This is how, after some time, he ended up on the Ferris wheel. It't not that he's afraid of heights (he's a cat after all), but the question "what the hell are we doing here and why couldn't everything be resolved on the ground?" was necessary to be answered.

They were both silent for a minute, just looking at each other, until suddenly Otori smiled as wide as possible,

"Akito-kun, you... are turning into a cat, aren't you? And you are Akineko," Emu finally said at least something after all this time. However, it'd be better to remain silent, because the guy wasn't at all happy about her question.

"Huh? What? How did–"

"I overheard while you were talking to Tsukasa-kun," "This little!.. And when did she have time?!.." the red-haired thought to himself indignantly, "Hee-hee, I always knew there was something wrong with you."

Most likely, Otori didn't mean for her phrase to sound rude, but that is exactly how it turned out. Akito, instantly frowning, answered her not very politely,

"Tch, I can say the same about you. You're just another weirdo and something is clearly wrong with you."

"That's because I'm a bunny, silly!" Emu didn't seem to understand at all that he had been rude. And the red-haired didn't understand at all what she meant. Bunny? She, what...? "That's probably why you feel weird around me."

"Wait, you... your family too... so you too?!.." Akito suddenly jumped up from his seat and cried out, shocked beyond belief. This wasn't what he expected. Anything, but not that Tsukasa's friend would reveal her secret, similar to his own, like two peas in a pod.

"Mhm-mhm! I'm also a person who can transform, hehe!"

Staring at her in surprise, Shinonome didn't react for a while. However, after exhaling very heavily and running a cold hand over his face in order to come to his senses at least a little, he shook his head. Well, yes, of course, Otori also was able to transform, magnificently. And how did he not understand this right away? Who else knew how to do this? Maybe Rui or Toya? Tsukasa was very, very "lucky", because almost all of his friends were half animals in one way or another.

Still shaking his head, as if trying to process the information, Akito couldn't stop sighing. Today is clearly not his day, and he desperately wanted it to finish.

"And in your family, you... are the one who transforms, right?"

"Mhm! My sister is half bunny, and my brothers only have some traits," well, good for them. It would be funny to see two grown men turning into cute fluffy animals... just like Shinei (remembering his father, Akito barely restrained himself from laughing).

"Yeah, you're out of luck. Being a bunny is probably not–"

"Not at all! Bunnies are wonderful!!" without even allowing the guy, who had no intention of being rude, to finish, Emu interrupted him, "It's just, well... I have to hide my secret from everyone around me all the time, especially from my friends."

They looked away in different directions — this was indeed a difficult topic for both of them. Especially for Otori, who so often missed out on important moments with her friends, such as not being able to go to the Kamiyama Festival and support them. And, naturally, there were many such moments. She was just like Shinonome, who always suffered from being unable to attend rehearsals or even live concerts.

"It's just strange that you decided to confess like that out of the blue."

"It didn't go according to plan, Otori... what happened is," unconsciously crossing his arms over his chest, as if mentally defending himself from the conversation, the guy still forced himself to continue, "It's my fault. I forgot to take off the piercings, turned with them, and... senpai realized that I was a cat," Emu looked at him sadly and even wanted to somehow support him, but with just one look Akito made it clear that he didn't need it now, "I wanted to confess everything myself before, in a normal environment, but... tch, now I have no idea what he thinks about me. He probably hates it."

"Not at all, Akito-kun!! Tsukasa-kun would never hate you, even for that!"

"Yes, but I... I overheard something very important while I was a cat. Senpai definitely feels bad right now."

The girl's face, which had been saying "mu..." for a long time, was again replaced by a more saddened expression. And yet there was now one question that worried her greatly. Since Akito was so worried about what Tsukasa would think about him, how he would react, and couldn't find a place for himself because of their quarrel, and also wanted to confess everything, this means that–

"Akito-kun, and you... you're Tsukasa-kun's soulmate, right?"

"I... I," Akito muttered, blushing instantly and not knowing what to do with himself. Surprised, Otori sat a little closer to the edge of the seat to get a better look at his face. And Shinonome, in fact, moved away from her, "Well... well, let's say, yes. Something like that, yes..."

"Oh, I see! Ehehe, now I understand why you mean so much to Tsukasa-kun, and he to you!"

"Yes... I mean too much to him, but I didn't know and... damn, I ruined everything!.."

Suddenly, Shinonome, as if no longer able to contain everything that was going on in his head, began to chatter nonstop, and silently hoped that Otori wasn't listening to it. But, naturally, no matter how it was — the girl, on the contrary, carefully absorbed every word, like a sponge,

"Now he knows that I'm a cat, and I can't be with him anymore in a cat's body, but I really want to, because I love him, and we're also soulmates... and what soulmates even is, where did it come from? This is still too new for me, but I really want to be with him," while he kept talking and talking, the girl nodded intently, as if in this way she remembered all the information said, "And, God, I hate it so much that now he can start to despise me for knowing his secret. A-argh, this isn't an ability, this is some kind of curse, it has haunted me all my life, I hate being a cat!.."

Exhaling heavily and painfully, after such a tirade, Shinonome could barely come to his senses. And just as he was about to, the guy immediately became embarrassed because he had just dumped all his thoughts on a girl he didn't know well. Who was also Tenma's friend. Well, just great...

But on the other hand, Otori was just the right person at the moment. After all, she, being half an animal herself, understood him perfectly well.

"Akito-ku–"

"I, uh... forget it. Forget everything that you heard. I didn't say that," the guy barely squeezed out, hiding his face burning with shame in his hands. Emu suddenly giggled,

"Yes? Who then?"

"My demons..."

After that, Otori laughed out loud, which only made the guy more embarrassed. "Well, yes, that"s right, now she'll also mock me," he thought sarcastically, "As if Ena wasn't enough...". However, the girl didn"t pursue such a goal, she simply found it extremely amusing to watch someone who, having found his soulmate, behaved this way.

"Listen, Akito-kun, it's okay. Just talk to him again."

"Yeah, as if he would listen to me... you saw our last conversation," the red-haired exhaled, moving hands away from his face.

"Believe me, he will! It's just that then Tsukasa-kun was in shock, this happens," the pink-haired girl didn't get tired of supporting and encouraging him. Apparently, like Tenma, she had the desire to make everyone happy. And she clearly didn't like it when people were sad, "But if you talk to him again in a calm place and discuss everything... I'm sure he'll understand! And all will be well. He's your soulmate, and he knows it."

"Eh... so the thing is, he doesn't know this."

Emu, who was suddenly interrupted, fell silent abruptly. And, having analyzed the words spoken to her, she again portrayed a sad face.

"I'm afraid that if he finds out, he definitely won’t want to be with me. I'm not exactly human... who would want to be soulmates with a cat?"

"Akito-kun, but you're not really a cat. You're still more of a person," the girl said with a soft smile, after which she reached forward and took Shinonome's palm. Surprisingly, he didn't resist. As if he really needed this support, "And I'm sure Tsukasa-kun will understand everything. And he'll accept you as you are. Since you're soulmates, he'll definitely love you anyway."

"Do you really think so?"

"I'm sure! Mom always said that it couldn't be otherwise, hee-hee!!"

The redhead thought about her words better. Maybe it really was worth confessing everything to Tsukasa as soon as possible? Maybe then he will understand everything and forgive junior for all those times when he came to him in the form of a cat? Maybe there was a meaning in what Emu told him... "Since you're soulmates, he'll definitely love you anyway," huh? Akito hoped with all his soul and body that this would be the case.

At least the third person, who deals with people turning into animals, has told him this. Perhaps it would be worth believing.

"Um, I got it... thank you, Otori."

***

"Otori, don't eat so fast. You'll choke,", the teenager muttered, sighing. It was in vain that he decided to be kind and thank the girl for her help. Now he had to make sure that, God forbid, she didn't die.

"Can'f he'p i'! It's yumm'!"

"I can barely understand you..."

Without even trying to comprehend what Emu was saying, the redhead simply ate his portion of cotton candy. And let only the girl speak, it was even better. Listening to her rant about everything was strange, but fun and interesting in its own way. It reminded him of senpai... whom he was missing so much right now. In fact, he would really like for Tsukasa to be in the pink-haired's place now, but this obviously won't happen anytime soon.

Or maybe... maybe it will. If, of course, Akito resolves their little conflict once and for all.

"Akito-kun, so what? Have you decided to talk to Tsukasa-kun again?" having finally chewed her cotton candy, the girl asked somehow seriously, which wasn't very characteristic of her.

The guy thought for a couple of seconds, after which he smiled faintly and nodded, answering,

"Yes. It's high time already," in response to this, Otori burst into a huge smile so that stars sparkled in her eyes.

"Ehehe, I'm glad for you then! Don't worry, everything will definitely go well! I give my word of honor, wonderhoi-i!!"

Akito giggled a little and didn't even notice how Emu's expression became brighter and brighter. After all, this was probably one of the few days when nothing bad happened at sunset.

Chapter 9

"I'm telling you, Miku," the blond muttered, exhaling, "That's how it is"

"It's not like that at all, Tsukasa-kun!!' the girl continued to shout at him, jumping back and forth over the phone, but from the expression on the guy's face it was clear that she was bad at proving her point.

"Are you even listening to me?.."

Tenma exhaled heavily again — he realized that there was no point in talking to vocaloid. She had her own point of view about what was happening. No matter how much he told her all the details, she still continued to deny the obvious. It's strange why, if she was literally part of his feelings and thoughts. Was it possible that somewhere deep inside Tsukasa himself denied all this? But he saw, heard, understood everything a long time ago...

Akito hates him. This was clear to anyone. It was clearer than the sky.

If he hadn't hated him, he definitely wouldn't have pranked him like that. And even more so, he wouldn't lie, he wouldn't pretend to be a cat all this time, he wouldn't secretly mock his senpai's love. Remembering again and again that he literally confessed his love to Shinonome in such an unusual way (and even more so that the red-haired saw his tears), the actor couldn't help but clutch his head. How can he even look Akito in the eyes now after this?

Tsukasa had no idea how he could live with such shame now. Yes, he seemed to be able to lie something about a joke, but it's unlikely that junior believed him. He wondered, if it will be possible to pretend that nothing happened in the presence of the red-haired further? How long can this circus last? Tenma had no idea and honestly didn't even want to know.

He wanted to tell someone about his feelings for Akito so much that he accidentally spoke out to Akito himself. Terrible. A real nightmare. How could Miku tell him that everything was fine, that junior didn't despise him, after everything that had happened?

"He definitely puked when he found out that I loved him," Tsukasa thought with annoyance, not even listening to what vocaloid was telling him, "He was probably so disgusted that–"

"Senpai!.. "

As soon as he heard a familiar voice, Tsukasa hurried to hide the phone as deep as possible in his pocket, silently hoping that Miku would disappear on her own and there would be no need to explain to her what to do. Looking back, the guy noticed how junior was already running towards him at full speed. And, cursing under his breath, he decided to do the same. Only instead of meeting him halfway,Tsukasa, on the contrary, began to flee from him.

"Senpai, wait!.. We need to talk," Shinonome still continued to shout, out of breath.

"There's nothing for you and me to talk about, Akito!" senpai also answered him with a shout, "Leave me alone, stop running after me!!"

"Let's just talk–"

"La-la-la, I don't hear anything!!"

And yet, despite trying to escape, Tsukasa wasn't as physically strong. And he didn't like to run around the school grounds too much. That is why junior quickly managed to catch him, grabbing him by the wrist and almost forcibly turning him around. For a while, both stopped and simply tried to catch their breath, but as soon as Tenma did so, he immediately tried to break free.

Fortunately or unfortunately, it didn't work out for him.

"What do you want, Akito?" the blond asked rather rudely, "We've already discussed everything. It was a joke, get over it."

"This is no joke, and you know it very well," Tenma, caught in a lie once again, clicked his tongue in displeasure.

"...I was joking! Let me go!.."

However, Shinonome had no intention of doing this. Instead, he gave the actor time to calm down so that he could finally start talking to him adequately. He struggled and complained, but ultimately came to terms with his situation. It was then that the red-haired said,

"I don't turn into a cat of my own free will, senpai. It's... it's a family thing. Many people have it, even those you know," Tsukasa frowned and with his eyes alone seemed to shout that he didn't believe it, "That's why you only saw me once every two weeks."

"So what, this–"

"I'm really sorry that I overheard your confession. I didn't want to."

The blond pursed his lips and looked away helplessly. "Of course you didn't want to," one could read it from his gestures and body language, from his behavior and mood. And yet, despite all this, junior continued to speak.

"I want to talk about this," after that, he exhaled heavily and seriously looked into senpai’s eye, "You and I are soulmates. We're destined to be together. Nut I loved you before I knew it."

"What?..." Tenma muttered, blinking in surprise. Soulmates? Family ability? Does Shinonome love him back? What is this, reciprocity? What nonsense. "I... I-I don't believe you!" the red-haired exhaled heavily. Well, okay, that's to be expected, "I understand, you want to be a good junior and encourage me, but–"

"No! I'm bad... no, a terrible junior!" Shinonome immediately interrupted him, squeezing wrist in his palm only tighter.

"You're good! Akito, you're not bad at all!! It's just, it's my fault that I..."

That I confessed? That I fell in love? That I picked you up from the park that day? Tsukasa didn't know what exactly to say, so he sighed and lowered his eyes sadly. His junior took this as an opportunity to continue speaking,

"I'm the only one to blame. I lied to you and kept everything a secret, hid my feelings for a whole year.." the tips of the actor's ears turned slightly red again just after hearing this information. But Akito himself was no longer shy. There was no embarrassment left, only fatigue – he wanted to resolve this misunderstanding as soon as possible, "But I can't do it anymore. You see... people with powers like mine only realize who their soulmate is when they see him in animal form. And, well, from that moment on, I... it became difficult for me to cope with my feelings," realizing that Tsukasa would definitely not run away, that he was listening carefully, the red-haired allowed himself to loosen his grip, "I really do love you. From the first year."

"I, I..."

The guy looked straight into his green eyes with obvious doubt. Akito, of course, didn't judge – he understood that any person would have trust issues after hearing that their loved one was an animal all this time. An animal that overheard very important and personal information. Tsukasa still couldn't believe part of himself that this was real. It was more like some kind of fairy tale.

Exactly–

"Am I dreaming?" the blond asked as if to himself, after which he pulled his cheek, "I'm definitely dreaming," but even pinching himself didn't help. The picture in front of his face did not change, "Oi, I'm definitely asleep! This all sounds too good to be true!"

Shinonome watched him in shock for a moment until he suddenly chuckled. Senpai immediately stopped his screams to look at him. However, all the indignation evaporated from just the sight of junior giggling cutely into his fist — literally right there the actor's heart melted.

"You always act like this, don't you, senpai?" Akito asked, still chuckling at the guy's sincere stupidity. He blushed and frowned.

"Is this b-bad, or what?.."

Smiling, the redhead took a couple of steps forward. At first Tsukasa wanted to move back, but then he realized that he wasn't in danger and remained in his place. Only now the distance between them was almost minimal, which is why both couldn't stop blushing. Unlike the blond, Akito didn't even try to hide his scarlet cheeks — perhaps because he didn't notice how his face was almost merging with the color of his hair.

"Nope. I like you even better this way," this time Tsukasa decided not to look away, but, on the contrary, look clearly into junior's eyes"

"And you... I also like you the way you are," the smile still wavered on the actor's face, "Even if you are an orange cat."

"Oi, I'm a cat only twice a month. The rest of the time I'm human."

To this, Tenma grinned slyly for some reason, and then sai, "as you say, Akineko," and immediately burst into laughter. Shinonome, no matter how much he wanted to be angry with him, simply couldn't — the whole fault was precisely in such a charming laugh that he loved so much. Without taking his attentive, almost intent gaze off the blond, junior smiled at him with as much tenderness and love as could be found.

And then, as soon as the laughter stopped, he approached Tsukasa so close that the tips of their noses touched. Senpai, naturally, turned red again, but the red-haired didn't care. Feeling as if some kind of surge of affection, he almost weightlessly rubbed his face against Tenma's cheek, as cats usually do. This caused another round of laughter.

"A-Akito, enough!.. Your h-hair, it tickles,' the actor barely said in between laughs.

This made the guy finally pull back and, realizing his actions that had literally just happened, freeze in shock.

"Uh, I... I'm sorry, it's..." he exhaled, lowering his head a little guiltily, "It was strange. Forget i–"

"I won’t forget. After all, this is your way of expressing love, isn't it?" having said this, Tsukasa immediately smiled radiantly — so that the redhead's breath was taken away for a moment. Mainly because of shame.

"Please just forget it, senpai..."

However, Tenma continued to smile. Even if his smile was the cutest in the world, something still needed to be done about it — Shinonome couldn't let senpai take advantage of the situation and embarrass him. It was necessary to somehow attack Tsukasa in response. That is why, sliding his other hand along the actor's waist, thereby making him let out a "huh?!", the guy whispered with a twitchy grin,

"This isn't the only way I show love."

Tsukasa wanted to tilt his head to the side, but didn't have time, because he felt junior's lips on his. Immediately opening eyes in shock, he didn't even know what to do. However, Akito was no better than him. At first they just stood there, thereby further fueling the awkwardness between each other. This is probably how it would've ended if the actor hadn't decided to act a couple of seconds later. He pressed his lips a little harder, deepening the kiss.

And junior, realizing that this could be called reciprocity, instantly relaxed.

From an awkward, careless first kiss, everything very slowly grew into something very tender, pleasant and light. Shinonome placed his hand better on the blond's waist, while senpai ran his fingers between his strands, thereby making him almost purr into warm, soft lips.

Even if someone saw them now, Akito wouldn't care anymore. All he wanted to do was stand there and kiss Tsukasa like that.

When both finally pulled away, Tenma, after a short pause, suddenly said,

"Well, that was... awkward."

"Oi–"

"But good. And nice," he hastened to add, noticing how the expression on junior's face changed, "I've been waiting for this for a long time, so... don't worry, my dear junior, I liked the way you kissed me!" the red-haired looked at him with embarrassment, wondering to himself, "isn't he ashamed to shout about it like that". "After all, I kissed you, and not someone else."

Akito carefully studied his rosy cheeks until a sly grin spread across his own face.

"Oh, well, since you liked kissing me, we can continue," he said, already approaching the actor's lips again.

"Uh, wh–"

Tsukasa was unable to speak further. He could only hum junior's name into the kiss, and then, relaxing, receive pleasure again.

***

"Fu-fu, I haven't seen you in a long time," Tenma chuckled, then grinned wickedly, "Akineko."

The cat, appearing from behind the bushes, meowed displeasedly, showing with all his appearance that he was dissatisfied with the nickname. Having jumped onto the bench, he almost immediately hit the guy with a paw and, looking up, narrowed his eyes. This caused a new round of laughter from the blond. Of course, the actor was cute when he laughed and smiled, but this doesn't mean that he can be forgiven for everything, especially such behavior.

Before an orange cat could strike again with his paw, a voice stopped him,

"Okay-okay, I understand," after that a hand fell on the soft face of the cat, "sorry, Akito. It's just too fun to tease you."

Shinonome wagged his tail irritably, thinking, "we'll see, who teases whom, later". He jumped at the blond and deliberately rubbed himself against his very clean and recently washed jacket. For this, of course, he immediately received an exclamation full of dissatisfaction, but it didn't matter — he completed his task and took revenge for the stupid nickname.

"Argh, you... must you act that way?" the actor muttered, shaking his head, but then, exhaling, smiled, "Must I have a boyfriend like you?"

Stopping and looking at the guy in surprise, Akito slightly tilted his head to the side — he didn't quite understand the last phrase. Did Tsukasa mean to say that he no longer loved his soulmate because he was too clingy or–

"I'm kidding, Akito, don't look like that," and after that Tenma picked up the cat in his arms to gently kiss him on the forehead. In response, the cat affectionately rubbed his cheek, "Fu-fu, now my skin will be covered with your fur. Everyone in class will notice," suddenly the actor, as if remembering something, froz, "Class... physics! Physics class is starting soon, and I haven't studied at all!.."

Oh yeah... well, that's quite Tsukasa's style.

"Hurry up, Akito, otherwise the teacher will definitely kill me today!" the cat, nodding, jumped from his hands to his shoulders and, settling there tightly so as not to fall, prayed, "please don't run too fast".

Today definitely promised to be as eventful as always. And all because the students, who never learned the truth about the orange creature, again saw Tenma rushing through the corridors with a cat on his shoulders.