The Benevolent Heart of a Doctor

After the two left happily, Yuko looked around the shop. The customers had all gone, and dusk was gradually settling in. She simply stretched, preparing to close up and rest.

Over the years, she had unknowingly developed the habit of resting at the same time every day, even though such a short rest restored barely any of her stamina.

"That lottery ticket probably wasn't drawn randomly, was it?"

A steady voice sounded from behind Yuko.

Yuko wasn't surprised. She walked to the entrance and closed the door. "No. I bought it from someone while passing through a shopping mall."

"But how did you know?" After locking the door, Yuko turned back in confusion and looked at Yoruichi, who was lying across her desk and stretching.

Yoruichi propped her slender paw beneath her bearded chin. Her golden eyes glinted mischievously as she looked at Yuko. "Because you don't have that kind of luck."

"..."

After a moment of silence, Yuko sat back down at her desk and stroked Yoruichi's fur. "I say..."

"Hmm?" Yoruichi narrowed her eyes in comfort.

"Are you addicted to being a cat?" Yuko asked helplessly. "I'm almost forgetting what you really look like."

"Come to think of it, are you a man or a woman?"

Ignoring Yuko's teasing, Yoruichi opened her eyes and looked at her with amusement. "I see. So Yuko feels lonely because it's been too long since she saw my face."

Yuko was speechless. "...What kind of wording is that?"

"All right. This great lady will graciously allow you to admire my beauty again." As Yoruichi spoke, white smoke suddenly billowed across the desk.

Yuko turned her head away and couldn't help complaining. "Is that ninjutsu?"

"Did you just use a transformation technique?"

Yoruichi's clear, refreshing female voice came from within the smoke.

"Isn't