Seohyun

Twilight slowly descended on the city, blurring the outlines of the high-rises and turning the streetlights into dim yellow spots. The day had been simply unbearable: endless lectures, stuffy classrooms, and a mountain of blueprints that still left a throbbing sensation in his temples. The student walked down the half-empty street, hugging the collar of his light jacket tighter and lazily rolling a toothpick between his teeth—a habit that helped him concentrate a little when his strength was already waning. The heavy folder with his course materials weighed comfortably on his shoulder, reminding him that home and his long-awaited bed were just around the corner.

It was at that moment that something white caught his eye in the dim light of the alleyway. Sitting right on the cold pavement was a cat. But no ordinary cat: it was a luxurious, incredibly fluffy Turkish Angora. Its sheer mass of snow-white, airy fur made it seem much larger than ordinary cats, and its sharp, sensitive ears flickered every now and then at the sound of distant cars. Seohyun stopped, holding his breath. The handsome creature had no collar. As an avid cat lover whose heart melted at the sight of any furry creature, the student simply couldn't pass it by.

• "So what are you doing here, lost one?"

He whispered softly, so as not to scare it, holding out his hand. To its surprise, the cat didn't even think of running away. Half an hour later, the fluffy bundle was already basking in the warm apartment.

He had no strength left for long acquaintances. Having hastily fed the unexpected guest, the student practically collapsed onto the bed fully clothed, blissfully closing his eyes. Sleep began to envelop his consciousness, when suddenly a soft rustling sound came from the side. The white giant jumped onto the mattress and carefully lay down next to him. The boy cracked one eye open, expecting to hear the familiar sleepy purr, but froze. The cat was not asleep. It sat motionless, staring intently at the sleeping boy. There was no animal fear or emptiness in its deep eyes—the gaze was frighteningly intelligent, human, as if the creature perfectly understood everything happening around it.