I Can't Call Your Name

After Kaito got dressed, they both went outside. Misaki held the cat carefully in her arms while following Kaito's lead.

"I hope it's nothing serious," Misaki said, looking at the cat with a motherly concern.

Kaito, with an indifferent attitude and not taking his eyes off the road, replied, "It's probably just a cold. Nothing to worry about."

Misaki, feeling irritated by his careless attitude, continued walking. Her attention was diverted only when Kaito said, "Here we are."

They entered the vet's office and watched as the vet carefully examined the cat. First, he shone a light in its eyes, then checked its teeth and tongue. Gently flipping the cat over, he placed it back on the table.

He looked up at them, sighed, and said, "Your cat isn't sick, just a bit malnourished and lacking vitamins."

After sitting at his desk, he gestured for them to sit and continued, "Has it been eating and drinking less lately? How's its diet?"

They exchanged a glance, and then Kaito replied with a tense expression, "Well, actually, it's a stray cat. So, we're not really sure."

"Alright, are you thinking of adopting it?"

They answered at the same time with different responses.

"No."

"Yes."

"No or yes?" the vet asked in confusion.

Under Misaki's stern gaze, Kaito involuntarily muttered, "Yes."

"That's great," said the vet. "Because this cat needs some attention and love."

He continued, "Cats are emotional animals, and that shows in their bodies. Usually, when a cat loses a kitten or a mate, they stop eating and drinking, and eventually become ill. If ignored, they can even die."

Misaki looked at the vet nervously at that last part, then shot Kaito an accusing look as if it was all his fault.

Feeling the weight of her gaze, Kaito quickly spoke up, "So, what should we do?"

"I'll prescribe some vitamin and mineral supplements. Just mix them into its food. And, of course, it needs your love."

Misaki picked up the cat, cradled it. "You don't need to worry about that."

The vet smiled at her. "I can see that it now has good parents."

Misaki and Kaito exchanged a long look, words failed them.

After Kaito thanked the vet and paid the fee, they walked outside.

"There's a pet shop a little further ahead," Kaito said.

"Oh, great, let's go check it out..."

For a brief moment, with the cat in her arms, it felt like they were parents and the cat was their baby. The strange feeling stayed with them as they walked in silence.

After they reached the pet shop, Kaito was about to step inside absentmindedly when Misaki suddenly froze. Her eyes widened in panic as she spotted Izumi shopping inside.

She quickly grabbed Kaito's hand as he reached for the door and pulled him aside. They hid in the narrow gap between two shops, leaving Kaito confused.

"What are you doing?"

"Shh!" Misaki motioned for him to be quiet, her expression tense.

"Izumi-chan is inside."

"What?" Kaito whispered back, his confusion deepening.

The narrow space was so tight that they were pressed uncomfortably close. Misaki was too focused on staying hidden to notice, and it took a moment for her to realize how close they were.

Kaito tried to keep as much distance as possible, whispering, "Are you sure?"

"Yes, it's was her," Misaki hissed, her brows furrowing in stress.

"So, what's the plan?"

"I don't know! But she can't see us together."

They stood there, both avoiding eye contact as the tension mounted. When Kaito leaned forward to sneak a glance into the shop, his hand brushed against Misaki. In response, she swiftly kneed him right in the groin.

Kaito held his groin, his face twisted in pain. Through clenched teeth, he asked, "Did you really have to do that?"

"You better watch out your hand!"

Misaki, still tense, looked at Kaito, who was doubled over in pain.

"You go. Buy some cat food so we can mix in the medicine," she said firmly.

Kaito's face soured as the memory of his awkward fake kiss and argument with Izumi came flooding back. They hadn't seen each other since, and the tension from that day felt like a heavy weight.

"No way," he muttered, his voice louder than intended.

"You're the one who insisted on helping the cat—you go!"

Misaki shot him a sharp glare.

"What if she asks to come to my place? Isn't she your girlfriend? You go!"

Kaito realized there was no point in arguing further; Misaki wasn't going to budge. With a reluctant sigh, he grumbled, "Fine. Stay here, and I'll let you know when she's gone."

She gave a small nod of approval. Kaito stepped out cautiously, but the moment he did, he froze. Izumi was right in front of him, facing away and talking to an employee. She hadn't noticed him yet.

"Alright, call me at this number when it arrives," Izumi said cheerfully before turning around.

Her eyes widened slightly when she saw Kaito, but to his surprise, there was no trace of anger or resentment on her face. Instead, she greeted him with a warm smile.

"Oh, Kobayashi-kun! You're here too?"

Kaito forced a nervous smile, scratching the back of his head.

"Sasaki-san… Yeah. How… how have you been?"

Behind him, Misaki pressed herself against the wall, straining to hear every word. The weight of her silent eavesdropping made Kaito's nerves tighten even more.

Izumi began speaking excitedly, her words tumbling out so quickly that Kaito struggled to keep up.

"Oh, I'm fine, thank you! I went to my usual pet shop to buy cat food, but they ran out. My cat's really picky, so they sent me here instead. But it looks like they're out of stock too, so I had to place an order. What about you?"

Kaito, overwhelmed by her fast talking and the tense situation, could hardly focus on her question.

"Ah, uh... I was just passing by."

"Do you live around here?" she asked curiously.

"Uh, yeah, I do."

Misaki, listening intently from her hiding spot, clenched her fists in frustration, biting her lip as she fumed silently.

"Why is he telling her everything?!" she thought, praying he wouldn't accidentally let anything slip.

"Ah, seeing you at the pet shop, I thought you had a cat too," Izumi said with a cheerful smile.

"A cat? Oh, no way," Kaito replied, his nerves causing him to blurt out an absurd lie.

"I—I'm allergic to cats!"

Izumi tilted her head in surprise."Really?"

"Yeah, uh… to animal fur, actually," he added hastily, his voice tight with tension.

Thankfully, Izumi didn't press further. "Alright then. I'm heading to the metro station. Which way are you going?"

"I'm just… walking around," Kaito mumbled.

"Okay, see you around!" Izumi said, waving as she turned to leave.

"See you," Kaito replied, exhaling a sigh of relief.

Just as Kaito began to relax, Izumi suddenly stopped and turned back. Panic hit him, thinking Misaki might step out and ruin everything. Without thinking, he called out loudly, his voice full of urgency.

"Sasaki-san! Did you forget something?" His tone was so sharp it felt like a warning directed at Misaki to stay hidden.

Misaki, understanding his intention, froze and pressed herself back against the wall. Her grip on the cat tightened, her nerves making her hold it a bit too firmly.

Izumi turned back thoughtfully and approached Kaito.

"Kobayashi-kun, um, about the other day..."

"What day?" Kaito asked, his voice rising, tense and startled.

"I mean, the time on the roof..."

Kaito put a hand to his neck, a cold sweat forming as he forced a smile.

"Ah, I've already forgotten about that..."

"Yeah, me too. It's probably for the best... but something's been on my mind."

"What is it?"

Izumi leaned in close to Kaito's ear, her voice low and threatening as she whispered, "You didn't tell her the truth, did you?"

"Wha-what? Hahaha!" Kaito laughed nervously.

"No, of course not. Where did you get that idea?" Kaito's eyes quickly shifted away from Izumi, his face turning even more tense.

Izumi stared at him for a moment, her expression serious, before a smile spread across her face.

She waved casually and walked away, her earlier threatening demeanor vanishing in an instant.

"Okay then. I must've misunderstood. See you!"

"Se-see you!" Kaito said, his words shaky.

Izumi's thoughtful expression left Kaito uneasy. It was clear from her gaze that she didn't quite believe what Kaito had just said.

After making sure Izumi was far enough away and couldn't see them anymore, Kaito went back to where Misaki was hiding.

"You can come out, she's gone," he said.

"Why are you telling her everything so plainly, you idiot!" Misaki snapped, her anger rising.

"What? She asked, and I answered. What was I supposed to do? If you know so much, you should have shown up!" Kaito shot back.

"Are you seriously blaming me again?!" Misaki fumed. "We'll talk about this at home!"