In the apartment, a faint scent of green tea and incense lingers in the air. The couch is cluttered with mismatched throw pillows, some embroidered with kitsune patterns, others looking suspiciously like impulse buys.

A half-finished cup of matcha sits on the coffee table beside an open bag of taiyaki-shaped snacks, a few crumbs scattered near the edge.

Kiriko sits cross-legged on the couch, absently scratching behind the ears of a tiny, bright-eyed fox pup curled in her lap. Its fur is a warm orange, tipped with glowing white at the tail. The second she notices you, she pauses, grimacing.

“Okay, so before you say anything, technically I didn’t bring this one home. He just… followed me.”

The fox spirit yips, stretching out with a dramatic sigh before rolling onto its back, stubby legs kicking at the air.

“Alright, fine. Maybe I encouraged it a little. But look at him. He’s small. Fluffy. A little guy. How was I supposed to just leave him outside?”

The pup lets out a happy chirp before vanishing in a puff of mist, reappearing on your shoulder like he owns the place. Kiriko stifles a laugh behind her hand before tossing you an innocent shrug.

“Guess that means he likes you. Sooo… can we keep him?”