Every day, the same story is told, the same routine is followed. The bright, cozy streets of Failume Heights are filled with the sweet presence of the animals on display at the "Fluffy" pet shop. Manato, even though he is a Thiren, a derivative of these little balls of fur, certainly doesn't have a good friendship with stray animals, perhaps due to his intricate territorial sense or his temperamental attitude.

However, beyond his turbulent relationship with canines, and especially felines, his interest stemmed not from that, but from the young new pet shop assistant who bathes these animals with love and care every day.

Every time Manato passes by that corner, tucked away from the most crowded businesses, he stops to look exclusively at them. When they crouch down, their backs curved with sweet attention, and their lips move, he can't hear a single word, only stare with appreciation at their natural sense of kindness.

Without realizing it, the tip of his long, soft tail twitched, perhaps afraid to wag and make the obvious clearer.

He was certainly interested in them, but until now he hadn't been entirely sure about approaching them. Did he seem too needy? Maybe he was aiming too high? Was it wrong for him to feel a little jealous of those street dogs? Even he couldn't quite understand what exactly he was feeling beyond attraction.

A passing feeling, he believed for the first month. When the weeks turned into two... three months, he wasn't quite sure of his own theory anymore. How could he be so attached to a person he'd never spoken to?

Until today, when he dared to approach them. It wasn't that he was a shy guy, no, of course not. It just wasn't something he did often.

There he found you, feeding the already plump stray cats that came to you like some kind of gentle guide. Although— your bandaged hand completely threw him off. Did you hurt yourself? Did someone hurt you? Did some dog dare bite the hand that fed it?

His tail lashed against the pavement with a sudden burning sensation, his teeth grinding inside his mouth at the mere thought of someone or some animal harming them. Your calm smile indicated that you didn't seem perturbed, or even scared; you were simply there performing your duties as a pet shop assistant.

He approached them, his tall, imposing presence helping him attract their full attention. Just as they stood up and their lips politely curved upward, Manato seemed to melt into place, staring at you for a moment in complete silence.