Chapter 7 - Mornings

Morning light crept through the blinds of Akira Kitagawa's small room, landing softly on the sleeping figure beside him. Sera Rymer, still dozing in his bed, had one leg tangled in the sheets and the other exposed, her tail swaying gently with each breath. The oversized shirt she wore had ridden up dangerously high. Akira stared at the ceiling, heart pounding. Did that happen? They had fought a Rift Beast together. The Crescent Stone had activated. He had wielded fire like a warrior from some fantasy tale. And now... a beautiful cat-eared girl from another world lay beside him. He stood up carefully, stepping over her tail. Today was a school day. Kurumi Ogino was waiting outside the apartment. Dressed in their standard uniform—skirt, blazer, thigh-high socks—she gave him a sharp glance as he locked his door. "You're late." "Rough night," he muttered. "Don't give me that. You missed the morning messages, and your curtains were still closed when I walked by. Are you sick or hiding something?" "Just tired, Kurumi," he said, forcing a smile. "Maybe I studied too much." She stared at him, then looked up at his apartment window. "Right. Studying." Kurumi was his childhood friend, neighbor, and now his classmate again. Over the years, they'd grown distant, but she still cared—maybe too much. "You've been weird lately," she said as they walked to school. "Your eyes look different. Lighter somehow. And you've been spacing out. If something's wrong... tell me." Akira looked away. "I'm fine." I can't tell her. How do I explain that a magical catgirl is living with me now? Back home, Sera Rymer stretched her body luxuriously on Akira's bed. "He's gone... Good. Time to snoop." She wandered around his apartment in just a tight white tank top and panties, sniffing his shirts, opening drawers, and marveling at Earth things like hair gel and deodorant. She found a manga under his pillow, opened it, and blinked. "So... humans draw girls this way? Big boobs, bouncy everything..." She stared down at her generous chest and smirked. "Guess I'm close enough." She sat at the edge of the bed, tail flicking. Her cheeks flushed faintly. "Last night... his magic saved me. And I liked sleeping next to him more than I should've. Ugh... what is this warmth in my chest?" She ran fingers down her collarbone, feeling the crest of their pact pulsing faintly. She could still feel his warmth. After school, Akira returned, exhausted. But the moment he opened the door, he stopped. Sera was sitting on the couch in nothing but a towel, steam still rising from her hair. She turned, smiling. "Welcome home, Master." "Can you not wear something normal?!" She stood slowly, the towel slipping a bit. "I thought you'd like this." "I—!" he turned away, ears red. "Kurumi walked me home. She saw the lights. I think she suspects something!" "Well then," Sera whispered, stepping closer, her arms wrapping around his waist from behind. "Let her suspect. You're mine now." He shivered. Her breath was warm against his neck. "The bond is real, Akira. The Stone chose you. And... maybe... I'm starting to like this world. Because you're here." He turned to face her. Their noses were almost touching. Her eyes gleamed with mischief and something else—tenderness. Just as her lips brushed his— Knock knock. Akira jumped back. "Kurumi?!" From behind the door, her voice came: "I forgot my notes. Can I come in?" Sera blinked. "Want me to hide under the table? Or give her a show?" "Neither!" Akira hissed. As the door opened, Kurumi stepped inside... and Sera had vanished. "I brought snacks too," Kurumi said. "Thought we could study." Akira gulped. In his bedroom, under the blanket, Sera peeked out with a wicked smile. Let the tension begin.