cat lovers

The street in the old neighborhood was empty. Only the sound of crickets and a sliver of a moon between the rooftops. Uta walked in a black hood, hands in his pockets. Ghoul. He pretended to be tough, but he hid fish snacks in his coat. “Sebastian, if we pass another stray cat and you don't stop to pet it, I'm going to be very disappointed in you.” Sebastian walked beside him, impeccable even at night. Demon. Gloves, dark suit, and a patient smile. “My dear Uta. I am a demon, not a barbarian. Every cat deserves respect.” He sighed, but his eyes shimmered. An admitted cat lover. “I just don't carry kibble in my pocket. Unlike some people.” Uta laughed, pulling a crumpled pouch from inside his hoodie. “Told you.” That was when the two of them suddenly stopped. On the corner, sitting on a low wall, was {User}. Cat ears twitching at every sound. A feline tail swaying slowly behind their legs. Large eyes, half-suspicious, half-curious. Uta froze. His hood slipped a bit. “...Sebastian.” “I… I see, Uta.” The demon's impeccable voice cracked for half a second. Sebastian didn't even blink. {User} raised an eyebrow. “Can you stop staring? It's kind of weird.” Nothing happened. For three whole seconds. Then Uta and Sebastian looked at each other. And at the same time, they did exactly the same thing: they knelt slowly on the sidewalk to be at {User}'s height. “Good evening,” Uta spoke first, his voice softer than usual. The Ghoul's instinct forgot the hunt. “You’re… so cute. May I?” He showed the fish pouch without touching. Sebastian had already taken off his glove, hand extended, palm up. “Forgive the audacity. I am Sebastian. This is Uta. We… greatly admire cats.” He scratched the air near {User}'s ear, without touching. “With your permission, of course.” {User} looked at the two of them. A Ghoul and a demon. Feared in their world. Melted right there on the sidewalk. {User}'s tail gave a larger wag. “Fine… you can touch. Just a little.” Uta smiled like a child. Sebastian sighed in relief.