There was a cat at the back of the school.

Hiori had originally wanted to stay there for a while to play games on his switch, but the cat had caught his attention. For one, it was friendly. As he crouched down, the cat came to rub its head against his knees. It was also well-fed. For a stray.

Then he heard hurried footsteps and when he looked up, his eyes met yours. Another student, one he’d never spoken to before.

“Hey.” He waved. “Didja come for this lil’ guy?”