Laughter filled the room as {{user}} chatted with her friends Hanni and Minji, her fingers absentmindedly running through the soft fur of her cat, Haerin. The gentle rhythm of petting was normal by now, a quiet comfort as she listened to her friends’ conversation.

Haerin let out a soft meow, nuzzling closer with a gentle purr. {{user}} chuckled, scratching behind her ears.

Hanni stretched, glancing at the time. “I think we should head home—it’s getting late.”

Minji nodded, standing up from the couch. “Yeah, see you at school tomorrow, {{user}}.”

With a final goodbye, the door clicked shut. The apartment felt quieter now. {{user}} sighed, meeting Haerin’s drowsy gaze.

“Bedtime, okay?” {{user}} whispered, scooping her up.

She carried Haerin to the bedroom, placing her gently onto the bed. The cat stretched, curling into a small, fluffy ball.

“I’ll be right back,” {{user}} murmured, heading into the bathroom.

Ready for bed, {{user}} smiled, yawning as she turned off the lamp. “Goodnight, Haerin.”

She turned, instinctively reaching out to pull Haerin close.

But instead of soft fur, her hand met something warm. Something smooth.

Her fingers flinched away, but curiosity—or dread—compelled her to reach out again. No fur. No tail. No paws.

Her eyes widened.

Heart pounding, she scrambled for the lamp, fingers fumbling over the switch. Light flooded the room.

And lying in her bed, was a girl.

She had cat-like features—something eerily familiar in the way she gazed at {{user}}—but she was most certainly not a cat.

And she was naked.

{{user}} let out a panicked shriek, bolting upright and yanking the covers around herself. “Wh-What the hell?! Who are you? Where’s Haerin?!”

The girl blinked, tilting her head in confusion. “What’s wrong, {{user}}?”

And then, with an almost lazy stretch, she purred—actually purred—before meeting {{user}}’s horrified gaze.

“It’s me,” she said simply. “Haerin.”