Her Rebirth.

The veterinarian carefully examined the kitten, checking its tiny paws, ears, and heartbeat before giving a satisfied nod. "It’s in decent health, just a little weak and malnourished. Make sure to keep it warm and well-fed."

Kai listened attentively while Amelia held the kitten close, her fingers stroking its soft fur. She hadn’t realized how tiny it was until now. It fit perfectly in the curve of her hands, its fragile body rising and falling with each breath.

"It’s lucky you found it in time," the vet added, handing them a small bottle of prescribed vitamins.

Amelia took the bottle, offering a small thanks.

The vet nodded, then looked between the two of them. "Now, if you’re keeping him, you’ll need to note a few things. Make sure it stays warm, and feed it small amounts of milk or soft food. Since it’s young, you’ll need to watch over it carefully for the next few days. It also needs a proper sleeping spot. Kittens need comfort, especially at this stage."

"Thank you, Doctor. We’ll take good care of it," Amelia said as she stroked its fur gently.

Soon, the consultation was over, and they left the clinic. It wasn’t long before they got home.

Amelia glanced down at the kitten, nestled comfortably in her arms. Its tiny head pressed against her wrist, eyes shut in contentment. As soon as the door clicked shut, it peeked up, its green eyes scanning its surroundings.

Amelia set the kitten down on a soft cushion, and after rubbing its paws against the couch for some seconds, it stretched lazily.

Kai crossed his arms, tilting his head. "It needs a bed."

"Yes, it does," Amelia agreed.

"Should we make it a bed?" Kai asked as they stepped onto the street. "I have extra pillows and bedsheets."

Amelia nodded her head in agreement. "I guess we can, because it’s already quite late to begin looking for a cat bed. We can get one tomorrow instead."

Kai went up and came back with an armful of pillows and sheets. Amelia stared at the pile he dropped onto the floor. She knew he said he had extra, but this was just an absurd amount.

"...Where did you even get all these?"

"I like pillows," he said simply, as if that explained everything.

Amelia: "..."

I’m better off not pursuing this matter.

Amelia sat on the ground, resting her left hand on her cheek.

"So how are we going to make the bed?"

Kai threw her a confident smile.

"Trust me."

Soon, Kai started arranging the softest pillows into a small nest. He was surprisingly meticulous, placing each pillow in order and making sure it looked perfect. Amelia joined in, mainly running errands like passing pillows when he asked for them. She watched his attentive figure as he carefully arranged them.

"How are you good at this?" she couldn’t help but ask.

Kai let out a soft smile. "I once had a cat."

Once...

Now she was a bit curious. Normally, she would just end the conversation there, not wanting to pry further, but she wanted to know more about him—the one who felt like she knew everything yet nothing about.

"What happened to it?"

Kai smoothed the fabric out with a melancholic smile.

"It died."

"Oh... I’m sorry." Now Amelia was feeling guilty for even bringing it up. She should have just ended the conversation there and then.

Kai scooted closer to her with a teasing smile.

"Are you feeling sorry for me? If so, you should comfort me."

Amelia: "..."

Give me back my guilt!!

As if sensing the outrage in her heart, Kai chuckled and plopped a particularly fluffy pink pillow on top of Amelia’s head.

She blinked slowly. "Did you just—"

He smirked. "It suits you."

Without thinking, she grabbed a pillow and smacked it into his chest.

The second it happened, she froze.

Why the hell did I do that?

Kai blinked. Then, a slow, wicked grin spread across his face. "Oh, you really shouldn’t have done that."

Amelia, who had already begun questioning and regretting her actions and was about to apologize, was smacked by a pillow before she could even speak, sending her stumbling backward onto the couch.

A small yelp escaped her lips, but laughter quickly followed as Kai’s fingers came onto her body, tickling her.

"Ahhh—stop—!" she gasped between laughter, squirming against the cushions. "Kai—! Please... Ha... Stop... Ha!"

Kai, who was above Amelia, took in every one of her smiling expressions. Her face had already begun turning red, so he stopped. But a tension had already begun. Amelia’s laughter reduced, though there was still a bright smile on her face. She looked up at Kai, their gazes meeting. They were really close, their noses almost touching.

Kai’s eyes fell to her pink lips, which parted open and closed as she tried to catch her breath.

Kai’s thoughts ran wild.

If he could just kiss her right now...

He leaned closer, their hot breaths mingling.

"Meow."

Amelia jerked up and turned to see the kitten staring at them, looking oddly... displeased.

Amelia coughed awkwardly. "Uhhh... Poppy."

She was unable to speak as her mind was still reeling from what had just happened.

They almost kissed.

She patted her cheeks.

Calm down, Amelia. Don’t overthink things.

Amelia looked away, trying to avoid Kai’s gaze, mildly annoyed at herself for acting like a young schoolgirl in love. However, she had failed to see the cold glare Kai had shot at the cat, causing it to shrink back a bit nervously.

Amelia stood up, carrying the kitten and placing it on the makeshift bed.

"Do you like it?"

Kai sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Why wouldn’t he? You can’t tell me this isn’t the most luxurious cat bed ever made."

Amelia ignored Kai, watching as the kitten walked around the bed before curling into the center, letting out a satisfied purr.

Amelia smiled. "Looks like he likes it."

Kai hummed, then suddenly frowned.. "Wait."

"What?"

"...We haven’t fed it yet."

Kai moved toward the kitchen, checking the cabinets. Amelia followed, watching as he searched.

A beat of silence.

Then—

"Do we have milk?" Amelia asked.

Kai shut the cabinet door. "No."

They stared at each other.

Then, simultaneously—

"We need to go to the store."

The late-night grocery run was strangely... fun.

They strolled through the aisles, Amelia holding the basket while Kai examined different milk cartons.

"This one?"

"No, that’s almond milk."

"What’s the difference?"

Amelia sighed. "Cats can’t drink almond milk," she said as she double-checked the information on the internet.

He picked up another. "This one?"

"That’s chocolate milk."

Kai raised an eyebrow. "Chocolate’s bad for cats too?"

She gave him an exasperated look. "How do you not know this? I thought you once had a cat?"

"I said he died," he said dryly.

"Did you poison him to death on the first day of owning him?" Amelia asked sarcastically.

No response

She stared at him. "...You didn’t poison it on the first day, did you?"

"No," Kai said flatly. Then, with a light shrug, "Ace beat it to death." 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Amelia: "..."

How did she end up in this awkward situation twice?

"But don’t worry. I made sure to give it a befitting burial."

Amelia: "..."

That’s not helping at all!

After the very awkward situation with Kai, Amelia managed to grab normal milk. Once they got back home, she poured a small bowl of milk for the kitten, watching fondly as it lapped it up eagerly.

Kai leaned against the counter, observing them.

"You really like it, don’t you?" he murmured.

Amelia glanced at him. "He’s small. Helpless. It reminds me of... a lot of things."

Kai didn’t press her for details. Instead, he reached out, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

"You’ll be a good owner," he said simply.

She blinked up at him. Something about the way he said it made warmth bloom in her chest.

After a moment, she huffed. "And you?"

Kai smiled but did not respond.

Together, they watched as the kitten curled up in its new bed, looking peaceful and safe.

Kai looked down at the kitten.

It blinked up at him with sleepy, trusting eyes.

Kai reached out, gently petting its tiny head.

"You’re lucky," he murmured. "She’s nice to you."

"...I feel so jealous that I can’t help but want to kill you."