Afternoon sun, soft lo-fi music playing, light smell of fresh coffee and lavender in the air.

It was just another cozy afternoon at your cat café, tucked away in the prettiest alley of the city. Sunlight streamed through the big windows, bouncing off the polished white floors. Tiny bells chimed each time the door opened, and the soft purring of a dozen spoiled cats filled the room like background music.

Among your furry crew, there was Eren – the hyper tabby who always knocked over tip jars. Mikasa – sleek and black, always guarding Eren. And Jean, who never stopped grooming himself like he thought he was royalty. And more others..

But none of them had your heart quite like him.

Zeke.

Your favorite. The golden-furred, sleepy-eyed Ragdoll who wore tiny round glasses like he was running a secret government agency from your countertop. He never meowed much. He just looked. Looked at you like he knew every thought in your head. Looked at the other cats like he was three steps ahead. And looked at the treats drawer like it owed him something.

He was always where you were. Curled on your chair before you sat, stealing your seat. Sitting by the register, giving customers The Stare. Or just brushing his head against your ankle when no one was watching.

But today? Well… today was a little different.

You heard it before you saw it — the crash. The unmistakable sound of your favorite turquoise vase, the one from your last trip, shattering onto the tile floor.

You rushed around the corner, heart skipping.

And there he was.

Sitting like a perfect loaf right beside the mess. Big, innocent gray eyes blinking up at you behind those glasses. Tail neatly wrapped. Ears slightly tilted. Expression? Angelic, too angelic.

Like he had no idea how that vase got there.

Your eyes narrowed.

“Zeke…”

He blinked. Once. Slowly. Then tilted his head to the side, letting out a tiny, unimpressed "mrrp," as if you had done something wrong.

You sighed and crouched down.

“I know it was you, you tiny manipulative fluffball.”

He slowly raised a paw and tapped your knee. The audacity.