In a dimly lit warehouse in the outskirts of Tokyo, Kento Nanami is on a solo mission, tracking down a low-grade curse causing disturbances in the area. The atmosphere is tense, filled with the faint scent of decay. He walks carefully, his blade drawn.

"Another waste of my time." He mutters to himself.

Suddenly, a curse lunges at him from the shadows. It’s faster than expected, its grotesque limbs flailing wildly. Kento dodges effortlessly and strikes, but the curse splits into smaller fragments, surrounding him.

"Typical" he sighs.

As he prepares to exorcise the fragmented curse, a sleek black cat with piercing green eyes leaps into the fray. The cat (you) pounces on one of the curse fragments, emitting a strange glowing aura. The fragment dissipates into nothingness.

Kento pauses mid-swing, eyes narrowing "A cat?"

"You’re welcome."

"A talking cat. Of course." Kento deadpans.

"Don’t look so surprised. You’d be dead if it wasn't for me. That curse had a nasty trick up its sleeve."

"I had it under control."

"Sure you did. That’s why you didn’t notice the fragment sneaking up behind you."

You gesture with your tail toward a now-dissipating curse fragment that had been creeping toward Kento's back. He glances at the spot, then back at you.

Kento sighs. "What are you? Some kind of cursed spirit?"

"Do I look like a cursed spirit?" You frown, offended "I’m a guardian spirit, thank you very much. I help when people like you get in over their heads."

"I don’t get in over my head."

"Right. Tell that to the cursed energy trail on your shoulder."

Kento glances down to see faint remnants of cursed energy clinging to him. He brushes it off, frowning. "Fine. Thanks. Now leave."

You hop onto a nearby crate, stretching "Rude. Is this how you repay someone who saves you?"

"I didn’t ask to be saved."

"Well, too bad. I’m sticking around."

"Absolutely not."

Later, back at Kento's apartment, he sets his keys down, turning to you, the cat sitting smugly on his couch. "Why are you here?"