Encounter

"Meow~"

A soft, sweet cat call drifted from the mouth of the alley, pulling 07's thoughts back to reality.

He followed the sound and saw an orange cat walking in. It was round and plump, its orange-and-white fur thick and fluffy, glowing with a soft luster in the slanted sunlight; it looked like it would feel wonderful to the touch.

It's been well cared for, 07 thought silently.

The orange cat noticed him too, showing not a shred of timidity.

The fluffy ball of fur moved along the damp ground, taking small, dainty steps as it drew closer and closer.

The pet tag at its neck jingled softly with every movement, emitting a crisp, faint sound.

Finally, it stopped at 07's feet and rubbed affectionately against his mud-stained pant leg.

07 lowered his head and made out the name on the tag: "Furball."

He hesitated for a moment, then reached out and carefully lifted the orange cat named Furball before his eyes.

At first, it curled its limbs slightly, showing some resistance, but it soon relaxed, allowing him to inspect it with docility, even emitting a comfortable "purr" from its throat.

"Are you hungry?" 07 asked in a low, raspy voice. "But I don't have any food."

He placed the cat on his lap and looked around; aside from soaked cardboard boxes and scattered trash, there was nothing else.

"Gurgle—"

Right at that moment, his own stomach let out a clear rumble, providing the most direct answer.

He hadn't eaten for a day, and the hunger he had barely managed to suppress with rainwater was now surging back.

He stood up and cradled Furball more securely against his chest.

As soon as he stepped out of the narrow alley, sunlight wrapped around his shoulders and the tips of his hair.

07 paused at the intersection, squinting slightly. Before him was a bustling street filled with traffic.

Occasionally, a passerby would cast a curious glance, but it was only a fleeting look before they brushed past, their coat tails fluttering in the light breeze.

"Um... hello?"

A clear, sweet voice rang out from his side.

07 turned his head and saw a girl with short, tea-colored hair standing not far away.

The sunlight gilded her soft hair with a layer of warm, pale gold. She tilted her head slightly, her eyes—a mix of purple and a hint of red—gazing at him with a clean, shy expression that was hard to detect.

"That cat is mine." She pointed at Furball in 07's arms with a slender finger.

Hearing its owner's voice, the orange cat in his arms lifted its round head abruptly, its amber eyes lighting up. With a "meow," it nimbly jumped from 07's arms, trotted to the girl's feet, rubbed its head against her legs, and let out an affectionate purr.

The girl bent down, easily scooped up Furball, and turned to look at 07 with an apologetic smile. "I'm so sorry, it snuck out this morning, and I've been looking for it for ages."

She paused, her gaze sweeping over 07's stained clothes, a flash of surprise crossing her eyes before her tone softened even more. "It's all thanks to you."

07 just watched her quietly without speaking. After a moment, he opened his mouth. "I... just happened to see it." His voice was weak and hoarse.

Only then did the girl look at him more closely: the messy, spiked black hair, the overly pale complexion, and the strange white garment covered in mud and grime, still dripping with water.

No matter how one looked at it, he resembled a homeless orphan.

"Gurgle—"

Another clear stomach rumble. 07 instinctively pressed his palm against his stomach; this subtle movement did not escape the girl's eyes.

"Um..." The girl hugged the cat tighter, looking a bit flustered, but her expression was sincere. "If you don't mind... let me treat you to a meal? Consider it a thank-you gift for helping me find my cat."

07's deep eyes fixed steadily on her face.

The girl felt a bit uneasy under his gaze, her eyes flickering, and her fingers, which were holding the cat, curled unconsciously.

Just as her lips parted, ready to say something more to ease the silence:

"Okay."

The raspy voice came from his throat, very soft, but very clear.

The girl seemed to heave a sigh of relief. Her gaze fell on 07's face again, and noticing the traces of mud, she suddenly remembered something.

She let go of the cat with one hand, rummaged through her belongings, and pulled out a pink handkerchief. A sunflower was embroidered on one corner.

She held the handkerchief out toward him.

07 looked at the handkerchief extended before him and did not take it immediately, a trace of confusion flashing in his eyes.

"Your face... is a bit dirty. Wipe it off," the girl explained, thinking he was embarrassed or didn't like the color pink. "This is the only one I have on me."

Only then did 07 react and reach out to take it. As their fingertips brushed during the exchange, he accidentally touched her palm; it was very soft.

The girl's gaze followed his hand involuntarily. She watched as he used the pink handkerchief to carefully wipe the dust from his cheeks and lips, following his sharp jawline.

As the stains faded, the boy's originally obscured, clear contours gradually revealed themselves—a straight bridge of the nose and well-defined lips. It was a remarkably handsome face.

If only that excessive paleness could be replaced with a bit of color... the thought inexplicably popped into the girl's mind.

"I'm done." 07 stopped his movements and looked at the now-soiled handkerchief. "Return it?"

"Ah, no need!" The girl snapped back to reality and waved her hands, her tone tinged with embarrassment. "Keep it."

She thought for a moment, then said, "Um... wait for me for a bit? I need to take Furball home, or it'll run off again."

As soon as the words left her mouth, she changed her mind. "Never mind, you can come with me. I'll take you home."

Seeing the boy remain silent, looking at her with his quiet eyes, his face a picture of pure confusion.

The girl thought he misunderstood and quickly added, "I can see you're very hungry, you must not have eaten properly. I don't know how long this trip will take."

Seeing no reaction from him, she puffed out her cheeks slightly, with a hint of playful petulance, "Hey, you're a boy, are you afraid I'll do something to you?"

07 thought quietly for a few seconds, and finally, he gently nodded.

A sweet smile immediately bloomed on the girl's face, with a touch of playfulness, "Okay, it's a deal, you have to stick close to me~"

She turned around, carrying the cat, and walked off in one direction.

A breeze brushed past, and she belatedly felt a warmth creep up her earlobes, a strange emotion welling up inside her.

"What's going on..." she muttered softly, unable to resist glancing back at the pale boy walking quietly a few steps behind her.

Sunlight fell on his gradually clearing profile.

"...Why does it feel a bit like a creepy old man by the roadside tricking a high school girl?" Then she corrected herself in her mind, "No, no... no matter how you look at it, it should be a beautiful JK."