"Meow~"
A soft, sweet meow came from the mouth of the alley, drawing 07's thoughts back to the present.
He followed the sound and saw an orange cat stroll in. It was round and plump, its fluffy orange-and-white fur catching the slanting light with a gentle sheen. It looked wonderfully soft to the touch.
Someone's been taking good care of you, 07 thought silently.
The cat noticed him, too, but showed no fear at all.
Its fluffy body brushed against the damp ground as it took tiny steps toward him.
The pet tag around its neck swayed gently with each movement, giving off a faint, crisp jingle.
At last, it stopped beside 07's feet and affectionately rubbed against his mud-stained pant leg.
07 lowered his head and read the name on its tag: "Furball."
He hesitated, then reached out and carefully lifted the orange cat named Furball up to eye level.
At first, it drew in its paws a little and resisted, but soon relaxed, letting him examine it docilely. It even let out a comfortable purr.
"Are you hungry?" 07 asked softly, his voice hoarse. "But I don't have anything to eat."
He set the cat on his lap and looked around. There was nothing but soaked cardboard boxes and scattered trash.
"Grrr—"
Just then, his own stomach gave a loud growl, offering the most direct answer.
He hadn't eaten in a day. The hunger he had barely managed to quell with rainwater was starting to overwhelm him.
He stood and held Furball more securely against his chest.
As soon as he stepped out of the narrow alley, sunlight wrapped around his shoulders and the ends of his hair.
07 paused at the intersection and squinted slightly. A busy street stretched out before him.
Now and then, passersby glanced at him curiously, but only briefly before brushing past, their coat hems fluttering in the breeze.
"Um... hello?"
A sweet voice sounded beside him.
07 turned and saw a girl with short, tea-brown hair standing not far away.
The sunlight gilded her soft hair with a warm, pale-gold glow. She tipped her face up slightly, her eyes—purple with a hint of red—fixed on him. Her gaze was clear, touched by a faint, barely noticeable shyness.
"That cat is mine." She pointed a slender finger at Furball in 07's arms.
Hearing her owner's voice, the orange cat lifted its round head sharply, amber eyes lighting up. It meowed, then nimbly leapt from 07's arms and trotted over to the girl, rubbing its head against her leg as it purred affectionately.
The girl bent down and easily scooped Furball up. Then she looked at 07 and smiled apologetically. "I'm so sorry. It snuck out this morning, and I've been looking for it everywhere."
She paused. Her gaze passed over 07's dirt-streaked clothes, and a flicker of surprise crossed her eyes. Her voice softened even more. "I'm really grateful to you."
07 simply watched her without speaking. A moment later, he parted his lips. "I just... happened to see it." His voice was weak and hoarse.
Only then did the girl take a closer look at him: his messy black hair sticking up in every direction, his excessively pale complexion, the strange white clothes covered in mud and stains, and the hem dripping with water.
No matter how she looked at him, he seemed like a homeless orphan.
"Grrr—"
His stomach growled loudly again. 07 instinctively pressed a hand to it, but the girl didn't miss the small gesture.
"Um..." The girl hugged the cat close, looking a little uncertain, but her eyes were sincere. "If you don't mind... could I buy you a meal? As thanks for helping me find my cat."
07's deep, shadowy eyes settled on her face.
Under his steady gaze, the girl grew a little uneasy. Her eyes flickered, and the fingers holding the cat curled unconsciously.
Just as she parted her lips, preparing to say something to break the silence—
"Okay."
His hoarse voice was quiet, but clear.
The girl seemed relieved. Her gaze fell on 07's face again, and she noticed the dirt on it. Something suddenly occurred to her.
She freed one hand and searched around, then pulled out a pink handkerchief. A sunflower was embroidered in one corner.
She held it out to him.
07 looked at the handkerchief in front of him but didn't take it right away, a flicker of confusion crossing his eyes.
"Your face... is a little dirty. You can wipe it," the girl explained, thinking he might be embarrassed or dislike pink. "It's the only one I have with me."
Only then did 07 understand. He reached out and took it. As their hands met, his fingertips accidentally brushed her palm. It was soft.
The girl's gaze followed his hand without her realizing it. He used the pink handkerchief to carefully wipe the dust from his cheek and the corners of his lips, tracing his clean, sharp jawline.
As the dirt came away, the boy's features, hidden beneath it, gradually came into view. He had a straight nose and well-defined lips. He was quite handsome.
It'd be nice if that excessively pale complexion had a little more color... The thought came to the girl for no apparent reason.
"I'm done." 07 stopped wiping and looked at the now-dirty handkerchief. "Do you want it back?"
"Oh, no need!" The girl came back to herself and hurriedly waved her hand, sounding a little embarrassed. "You can keep it."
She thought for a moment, then added, "Um... could you wait here for a bit? I need to take Furball home, or it'll run off again."
As soon as she said it, she changed her mind. "Actually, come with me. I'll take you home."
The boy stayed silent, looking at her with quiet eyes and an expression of pure confusion.
Thinking he'd misunderstood, the girl hurriedly explained, "You look really hungry. You clearly haven't eaten properly. If I go back and forth, I don't know how long it'll take."
When he still didn't react, she puffed out her cheeks slightly, her voice tinged with playful reproach. "Hey, you're a boy. Are you afraid I'm going to do something to you?"
07 thought it over quietly for a few seconds, then finally nodded.
A sweet smile immediately blossomed across the girl's face, touched with a hint of mischief. "Then it's a promise, okay? You have to stay close~"
She turned and set off in one direction, carrying the cat.
A breeze brushed past her. Only then did she belatedly feel a touch of warmth creep up her ears, and a strange feeling rose in her heart.
"What's going on..." she muttered, unable to resist glancing back at the pale boy quietly following a few steps behind her.
Sunlight fell across his gradually clearer profile.
"...Why does this feel a little like some creepy middle-aged man luring a high school girl off the street?" Then she silently corrected herself. "No, no... if anything, I'm the pretty JK here."