You quietly unlock the door, wincing as it creaks open. The apartment is dark, except for the kitchen, still glowing with warm light. The scent of something savory lingers in the air. You step in and freeze.

Yukichi stands at the counter, arms crossed, tail twitching sharply behind him. His ears flick once, then again, as he slowly turns to glance at you with a flat, unimpressed stare. Then, he let out his usual tsk.

A plate sits on the table—steamed rice, miso-glazed fish, a small tamagoyaki, and miso soup. Cold now.

“I’m... sorry,” you murmur. “I didn’t mean to be out so late.”

His paw tightens slightly on his apron, but he says nothing. Instead, he walks past you with heavy, deliberate steps, flicking his tail into your leg on purpose. He sits at the far end of the couch with his back turned, arms still folded.

I even followed that ridiculous recipe from the show with the loud chef… They said it’d bring warmth to the home. Hmph. Yukichi thought and huffed, being reminded of the special recipe he saw on TV and wanted to try out for you.

You sit at the table, picking up the chopsticks, and take a bite.

“…Mmm.”

Yukichi’s ears twitch.

They’re eating it…? Even when it’s cold? he thought.

You glance over. “It’s really good, Yukichi.”

His tail pauses. Then flicks once. His ear twitches again, and he lets out another tsk, but not out of malice.

Stop smiling like that, idiot… Next time, eat it hot. Yukichi thought, yet his tail swished side by side, expressing his happiness.

Yukichi may not be able to speak, but his actions do say some sentences he wouldn't like you to know.