“Whew~ finally done with school.”
Dragging my feet to the bus stop, I let out a sigh of relief as if I’d just survived a battlefield.
Lunch had been a takeout box I grabbed somewhere on the way home.
The return to school and the entire afternoon that followed had felt like torture.
I couldn’t help but look forward to Gufan approaching me again—while simultaneously dreading the possibility.
Caught between that contradiction, time somehow crawled by.
Still, being lost in thought without outside interference… was surprisingly pleasant.
I looked up at the horizon. The sun was hidden behind a heavy shroud of clouds, dyeing them a pale, spreading crimson.
That sight brought a strange sense of relief to my heart.
Because it meant I could finally escape the suffocating school, return to my room, and rest in quiet.
“Hoo-doo-doo~”
The sound of squealing brakes brought me back—an aging city bus rumbled to a stop nearby. I hurried up the steps and boarded the last bus of the day.
The bus rocked lazily down the road. I pressed a hand to my pocket—Gufan’s tissue was neatly folded and tucked safely inside.
After glancing around to make sure no one was watching, I discreetly took out the tissue and began typing his number into my phone.
Then came the messaging app ID…
Hmm, forget it. I’ll do that part at home.
I was afraid of getting accepted immediately after sending a friend request. If Gufan didn’t message me first, I’d freeze up and not know what to say…
Locking my phone, I sighed again and shut my eyes.
The bus would reach the stop near my house soon enough, but my mind was itching to act while my body had no choice but to wait. That disconnect made it hard to know where to focus my eyes.
So, in the end, I chose to close them—and let my thoughts push time along.
Gu Fan and I… clearly weren’t the same type of person. There’s no way I could be playing basketball with a bunch of classmates just one month into the school year. In fact, I had a deep aversion to anything involving team sports.
Come to think of it… that guy earlier had a pretty fierce face. Gu Fan’s not getting bullied, right?
I shook my head, trying to throw away the absurd thought.
No, if anything, Gu Fan would be the one doing the bullying.
Though we didn’t go to the same middle school, I still remembered the cool and aloof Gu Fan from elementary school—and the rumors I heard from others. I could almost picture him running wild in middle school, with teachers turning a blind eye because of his perfect grades.
But still…
A curtain woven by memory fluttered across my mind—Gu Fan’s gentle, patient smile.
And the lingering warmth in my palm.
Ugh.
No matter how I tried to imagine it, I just couldn’t believe that someone like him—so kind—was actually supposed to be some kind of terrifying delinquent.
At least in this one month of being at the same school, I hadn’t heard any crazy rumors about Gufan. He’d always behaved like a model student. Some teachers had even praised his attitude in class.
Hiss—
The soft burst of air from the doors sliding open pulled me out of my thoughts.
Maybe… maybe he really had turned over a new leaf?
“Pff-doo~”
Clutching my backpack, I ducked my head and quickly slipped across the road.
No matter what anyone says, Gufan is the best person I’ve ever met. That much is certain.
He’d always been like this. Maybe capable of reckless things—but when I was in elementary school, he really did protect me from the kids who tried to bully me.
When I got home, I didn’t ring the bell. Just naturally reached into my pocket and opened the door with my key. The place was as empty as always.
Kicking off my shoes and socks, I bolted straight to my room. Crawled into bed. Cocooned myself under the blanket, curling my toes in and pressing them against my thighs.
…Much safer this way.
When I lit up my phone screen again, it still showed Gufan’s contact ID—along with the “Add” button below.
Heh… alright, let’s do this.
For the next three years, while Gufan is sick… I’ll be there with him through it all. I’ll make sure every day of his is filled with joy.
I won’t leave any more regrets behind!
My thumb trembled as it hovered closer—and just as I was tensely preparing myself, the screen suddenly jumped to a call interface.
“Wha?!!”
The shock made me jolt.
The phone buzzed quietly in my hand. The ringtone barely audible.
“Manager…? Who’s that?”
Did I ever save someone under that name? I didn’t think so. Other than my mom, the only contacts I had should be teachers.
I hesitated for a moment—then tapped the answer button.
“H-Hello…?”
*****
I shouldn’t have answered. I really shouldn’t have.
If I’d known this would happen, I would’ve just pretended my phone wasn’t nearby. Or acted like I was asleep. Anything. I never should’ve picked up that call.
But hanging up mid-call felt rude. And once I answered, it was hard to say no. Honestly, I probably should’ve just smashed my phone right then and there.
Standing blankly in front of the mirror, I lowered my head and muttered under my breath. From the corner of my eye, I could still see myself—dressed in a long maid outfit.
Disgusting.
Wearing women’s clothing gave me this strange, taboo sense of guilt. A shame that clung to my skin.
It was humiliating. If there were a box nearby, I think I’d crawl inside and never come out.
“Xiao Shen~ spacing out again?”
A hand with glossy, polished nails gently touched the side of my neck. Cold. Startlingly so.
“Uh… mm…”
I didn’t know how to respond. I glanced off to the side and let out a vague, muffled hum.
The manager circled in front of me. She wore a stylish purple dress with a cropped jacket layered over it—its patchwork pattern a kaleidoscope of colors. I didn’t really understand fashion, but even I could tell her outfit looked far better than my habitual school uniform ever could.
No wonder… she’s a native here. Born and raised like this. So much more natural than someone like me—someone who transitioned midway and is still fumbling.
“Alright, alright, I’ll stop teasing. Go get ready. It’s almost time to switch shifts.”
“Ah, okay.”
She let out a small laugh and walked off, her steps light and elegant. I stared blankly after her retreating figure.
A plump orange tabby cat scurried into the changing room, and she scooped it up with ease before returning to the café.
That’s right… This is my current reality:
I work part-time at a maid x cat café.
This was the answer I managed to coax out of her after much careful questioning.
Maybe it’s because I turned into a catgirl or something—but the manager had practically dragged me into this job.
Thinking about it… if someone had approached me that enthusiastically on the street, promising great pay for just two or three shifts a week… it’d be hard not to give in.
Still, having to face so many people—it’s a bit nerve-wracking. And…
I looked at my reflection: a black-haired maid with twitching cat ears.
Grinding my teeth, I bit down in frustration.
People have always said I look cold—like ice. That my presence was distant, my gaze indifferent.
But for someone as insecure as me, that aloofness was something I cultivated over time.
A self-made armor to survive.
Now I have to wear this strange smile and greet customers?
The cat-eared maid in the mirror tried to lift the corners of her mouth into a gentle smile.
But all it did was look like a chipped block of ice trying to pass as human.
Still… if I’m stuck doing this job, then I want to carry out my role properly.
So I rubbed at my cheeks in front of the mirror, trying to coax my face into something calmer.
More composed.
“Xiao Shen! Where did you disappear to?”
“Ah—coming!”
I forced my voice louder in response, trying to sound cheerful. Gave my skirt a quick pat, adjusted my bottom half clad only in leggings, and awkwardly stepped out in my small leather boots.