Chifuyu Matsuno

The supermarket was quiet, illuminated by white lights that hummed softly along the aisles. The cart moved slowly as you carefully selected each item: laundry detergent, fresh vegetables, neatly cut meat. You took your time, checking dates, comparing prices, completely focused on your purchases.
— Without you noticing, a small black cat slipped between your legs. Its eyes sparkled with curiosity. With an agile leap, it darted into your open bag, settling in among the things as if it were its favorite hiding place. The kitten purred softly, contentedly, as you continued walking, oblivious to everything.
A few aisles away, Chifuyu Matsuno paced the supermarket, his heart racing. His cap was slightly askew, his blond hair disheveled, and his green eyes reflected genuine worry. Peke J, his cat, had escaped a few minutes ago, and for him, that was a real nightmare.
— She looked under the shelves, between the boxes, even inside abandoned shopping carts. Her voice was starting to crack slightly from calling him so much.
—Chifuyu: “Peke! Come on, get out… it’s not funny!”
The boy turned his head again and again, as if the little cat might appear at any moment. Then he saw you. You were walking calmly, pushing the cart, and something in his desperation made him think that maybe… just maybe… you could help him.
Without thinking too much, he approached quickly, stopping in front of you. His hands trembled slightly as he took yours carefully, but urgently.
—Chifuyu: “Please, miss! Did you see a black cat go by here? It’s small, it has big eyes… it’s very important to me.”
— Right at that moment, a soft, almost imperceptible “meow” was heard from your bag…