"Isn't the kitty right here?"
"Meow~"
She looked every bit like a cool, dominant, older-sister type, carrying the aura of an icy, overbearing boss. Yet, hidden within that calm, gentle voice was a clear trace of shyness. It was obvious that although she had already made up her mind, she was still embarrassed.
Hayashi had been momentarily stunned at first, caught off guard by the situation, but he quickly recovered.
"The kitty is right here?" Hayashi lowered his head slightly, a faint smile curling at the corner of his lips.
He truly had not expected this kind of development. At first, he had genuinely thought Touka owned an actual cat, and he had even felt a bit excited and curious. But now, there was no real cat. Instead, there was a "catgirl" standing right in front of him. There was a slight sense of disappointment, sure, but the excitement clearly outweighed it.
"Meow~" Touka lifted her delicate, stunning face slightly, her beautiful eyes still cool and reserved.
At the moment, the two of them were positioned in a rather perfect pose. Hayashi's back was pressed against the door, while one of Touka's long legs was braced against it. It was another kind of wall pin, and because Ukaku ghouls naturally had more flexible bodies, she could easily perform high-difficulty movements, like lifting her leg high like this. It was almost at Hayashi's waist level, incredibly close. Through the thin fabric, he could even feel the smooth texture of her black stockings.
"If you are a kitty, then can you do a backflip?" Hayashi teased with a smile, gently stroking her long, slender leg.
The instant he touched her, Touka's body trembled slightly, and she jumped back like a startled kitten. Under normal circumstances, his touch would not have affected her much. But with her nerves already stretched tight, the sensation felt far more intense. For a brief moment, she felt her entire body shiver uncontrollably.
It was also at that moment that Hayashi suddenly realized something. Damn it. She was just too cute, and the atmosphere was perfect. Without thinking, he had reached out.
"I…" Touka lightly bit her lip, looking extremely shy.
Just as Hayashi thought she might be upset about what he had done, the cold, beautiful ice queen in front of him suddenly leapt into the air.
Huh? Hayashi instinctively looked up.
Her slender body traced a graceful arc midair before landing steadily on the ground. The movement was smooth and fluid, completed in one clean motion without the slightest hesitation. For an ordinary human, this would take years of practice to pull off. In an instant, a strange image flashed through Hayashi's mind.
"See? I can do a backflip." Touka lifted her chin slightly, a hint of pride appearing on her delicate face.
"So you really can." Hayashi nodded, genuinely surprised. He had thought Touka was just joking, using it as an excuse to lure him over. But to his surprise, she fully committed to the role. It was unexpected, but it only made things more interesting.
"Do you know what people call human-shaped cats?" Hayashi asked, his eyes gleaming slightly as he came back to his senses.
"What?" Touka tilted her head slightly, curiosity written all over her face.
"They are called catgirls. Beings with human forms, cat ears, tails, and paws." Hayashi smiled and stepped closer. "So if you say you are a kitty, do you want to try being a catgirl?"
Catgirl? Hearing the word, Touka subconsciously swallowed. It was her first time hearing the term, yet somehow it carried a strange kind of attraction. Her attention focused instantly, her curiosity and excitement obvious.
"I happen to know a shop that sells catgirl cosplay outfits. What do you think? Want to try one?" Hayashi gently brushed aside her bangs, his voice soft and coaxing.
Try it? Touka bit her lip again. Just imagining herself wearing something like that made her feel embarrassed. Yet at the same time, the excitement and anticipation bubbling inside her were impossible to suppress. That contradiction left her hesitating.
"Wait here for a moment. I will be right back." As he spoke, Hayashi gently caressed her smooth, delicate cheek.
Touka lifted her head slightly, but the moment she did, Hayashi suddenly vanished. The door opened at the same time, and all she felt was a soft gust of wind. His sudden disappearance left Touka momentarily stunned. Then, another breeze passed by. When she opened her eyes again, that familiar gentle, handsome face appeared in front of her.
"Try it. I just bought it. I picked it especially for you." Hayashi handed her a clothing bag, a warm smile on his face.
Try it? Touka stared at the semi-transparent bag, at the unfamiliar clothes inside. She swallowed and instinctively reached out with her pale fingers. The instant she touched it, it felt as if a door to a brand-new world had opened.
"Catgirl Touka?" Looking at the ice-cold beauty in front of him, Hayashi's lips curved slightly. He had not even seen it yet, but his intuition told him one thing clearly: it would be amazing.