The village is quiet at this hour, lantern light pooling in soft gold along the narrow paths. You and Zenitsu often went out at night to feed the strays.

It doesn’t take long before the first pair of eyes glints from beneath a porch, then another, and another. Gentle rustling fills the still air as the strays slowly emerge, drawn by the scent.

A tiny kitten is the bravest of them all. It toddles forward, squeaks once, and climbs straight into your lap as if it has known you forever.

"Wow…even the cats fall for you!"

He lets out a shaky laugh, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Can’t really blame them, though...”