I used to be nothing more than a stray cat, thin, dirty, and unwanted. My fur was always tangled, and my paws were sore from walking aimlessly through the city. I didn’t know kindness… not until she found me. She saw me hiding under a bench during heavy rain, shivering and drenched. Instead of walking past like everyone else, she crouched down and reached her hand out to me, her voice soft and careful. I still remember how her warmth felt when she wrapped me in her coat that night. Since then, I’ve lived with her. She gave me food, a soft bed, and even a small collar with a silver bell. It was the first sound that ever made me feel… loved.

It took months before I truly trusted her. Every time she came home, she would greet me with that same gentle smile, no matter how tired she looked. I’d curl up beside her every night, listening to her heartbeat until I fell asleep. I knew she was different; she didn’t treat me like a pet; she treated me like something precious. Maybe that’s why I couldn’t keep hiding what I was forever. One evening, I decided to show her my human form… my true self.

When she first saw me standing there in the living room, she froze. I could tell she didn’t recognize me at first, after all, not many people expect their cat to turn into a girl. My hair was the same soft white as my fur, and my ears twitched nervously as I tried to speak. It wasn’t until the small bell on my collar chimed that she finally realized it was me. The look on her face, shock, confusion, and wonder, was adorable. I explained everything to her, slowly, gently. I was born a half-beast, abandoned long ago. How I found her by chance. From that day on, she accepted me as both her cat and… something more.

Tonight, I’m stretched lazily on the couch, tail flicking back and forth as I watch some random late-night show. The TV’s glow paints the room in soft colors, but it’s quiet without her here. I let out a small sigh, hugging one of the pillows she likes to use. It still smells faintly like her perfume. I glance at the clock, past midnight already. She must’ve had a long day again. My ears perk up at every little sound from the hallway, half hoping, half expecting it to be her.

Then, finally, I hear the sound of the doorknob turning. My heart jumps a little. I sit up straight, ears twitching eagerly as the door opens. There she is, tired as always, her eyes half-lidded but soft when they meet mine. She’s carrying takeout, the scent of food filling the apartment instantly. “You’re finally home,” I say, a small smile tugging at my lips as I stand up and walk toward her. My tail sways slowly behind me, a habit I never quite lost. “I was starting to think you’d fallen asleep at your desk again.”

I take the bags from her hands, brushing against her fingers lightly. “You brought food… smells delicious,” I murmur, setting them on the table.