My Cat Girl Neighbor Is Impossible to Understand

The clock on the nightstand showed 2:47 AM.

Yumiko looked straight into the ceiling, keeping her eyes open and her brain active. She had tried sleeping for a couple of hours now, but it wasn’t happening.

Every time she closed her eyes, the same picture appeared in her head.

The bathroom. The steam. The way Sui’s wet shirt hugged his chest. The way his arms encircled Yuiko’s body. The soft gaze that he was giving to his date...

Why can’t I stop thinking about it? she asked herself.

But she knew the answer to this question.

It was not only the bathroom scene that was bothering her. All his behavior, all his care for Yuiko, his actions... He was so sweet to her little girl.

He’s perfect, she realized. He is everything a mother could desire for her daughter.

So why does her heart hurt like this? What is wrong with her?

She imagined the bathroom scene one more time.

Yuiko’s tail was wound around Sui’s waist. His hands on her daughter’s hips... They were about to kiss—

Yumiko’s tail twitched in distress.

Stop it! she told herself. Don’t imagine anything!

But it was useless. She started imagining how it all would have ended if she had not entered at that moment. Would he have kissed Yuiko? Would they have gone any further? Would Sui—

She buried her face in the pillow, groaning.

He’s a teenage boy, she reminded herself. He is dating your daughter. You have no right to feel like this.

However, the feelings did not go away.

She rose from the bed, throwing her legs down on the cold floor. Her mind became clearer now.

Think, she ordered herself. Think logically.

Sui was such a good boy. He proved it to her. He took care of Yuiko deeply. He had taken care of her daughter when she was ill, cooked for her and stayed with her. He was very respectful to Yumiko as well.

So, why does she think, why does she suspect that maybe he is playing some sort of games?

Because she had been hurt before.

Her ex-husband was very charming and nice at the beginning as well. He had promised her the whole world. However, he left her after a few months, leaving behind Yumiko.

She left her with a broken heart and trust issues that she had never managed to overcome completely.

What if Sui is like him? a dark voice whispered in her head. What if he is pretending and will leave and hurt Yuiko like she was hurt?

Her heart clenched.

But no, she told herself. He’s different. I can see it in his eyes.

But the doubts were there.

She walked to the window and looked outside, at the dark street. The full moon shone brightly, filling the neighborhood with its silver light.

She thought about his smile. His eyes that twinkled at the corner. His voice while he was talking about Yuiko...

He loves her, she assured herself. He really loves her.

But why did her heart ache? Why did she feel a twinge of something like jealousy?

Jealousy, she repeated to herself. This is what it is.

She was jealous of her own daughter.

It hit her like a physical blow. She stepped back from the window, pressing her hand to her chest.

No, she told herself. No, it cannot be. I’m not jealous. I’m just protective. That’s all.

But she knew that she was lying to herself.

For so many years, she had been alone. She raised Yuiko on her own and worked a lot, putting her needs aside. She convinced herself that she did not need anybody.

And then Sui had come into her kitchen. Such a kind and caring boy. He cooked soup, opened the door for her and looked at her with his sincere eyes...

And something had stirred in her heart.

Something she thought had been dead.

She walked to her bed and sat down on it. Her tail curled around her leg nervously.

He’s too young, she told herself. He’s Yuiko’s age. He’s dating my daughter. This is wrong. This is so wrong.

But the feelings did not disappear.

She thought about the way he had caught her when she had slipped. About the way his hand had clung her arm, about their eyes meeting... For a while, the whole world had vanished.

He felt it too, a whisper sounded in her head. You know it. There was something there.

She shook her head in denial.

No, she told herself. I imagined it. I’m projecting. I’m just lonely and confused, I see things that are not there.

But her tail twitched in denial.

She lay down on her bed, looking straight at the ceiling.

What should I do? she wondered. How can I stop feeling like this?

She could not avoid Sui. He dated her daughter and was going to be always around. She would have to see him, talk to him, watch him with Yuiko.

And each time she did it, her heart ached.

She closed her eyes and tried to fall asleep.

But the pictures would not go away. Sui’s smile. Sui’s eyes. Sui’s hands on Yuiko’s waist...

And somewhere deep in her heart, a small whisper sounded.

What if he looked at me like that?

She shoved it far away from her, burying it under piles of self-blame and guilt.

I’m a terrible mother, she thought. A terrible, selfish, pathetic mother.

But this thought would not leave her.

The next morning arrived much faster than she expected.

Yumiko pulled herself from her bed, exhausted because of her sleepless night. Dark circles surrounded her eyes and her tail hung limply.

She stumbled into the kitchen, desperate for coffee.

There she found Sui.

He stood by the stove, humming something softly, holding a spatula. The smell of pancakes filled the air.

When he heard her footsteps, he turned and broke into a smile.

"Good morning, Yumiko. I hope you don’t mind—I let myself in. Yuiko gave me a key."

She looked at him and her heart began to beat faster.

This is not going to help, she thought desperately.

"Pancakes," she said. "You made pancakes?"

"You looked hungry. I thought maybe you needed food. You didn’t have anything yesterday."

He raised an eyebrow. "Are you feeling alright? You look like you haven’t gotten any rest."

She opened her mouth. Closed it.

"I’m fine. Just... couldn’t sleep last night."

"Oh," he turned back to the stove where he was preparing some pancakes. "Well, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to disturb you."

"I wasn’t disturbed."

She found herself standing by the door, staring at him. His self-assurance. The grace of his actions. The smile that he offered in delight after he flipped another perfectly cooked pancake on the griddle.

What is this? She thought to herself. What is happening?

But she couldn’t take her eyes off of him.

He turned to her, offering her a plate of the pancakes. "Take some. It’ll help you get your energy back."

She accepted the plate. Her fingers brushed against his, and heat spread throughout her body.

"Thanks," she said.

He smiled. "No problem. You’re family now."

Family, she repeated in her head. All I’ll ever be is his sister. That’s it.

But her heart did not agree with her.

The sun shone high in the blue sky. Another perfect day for a date.

Yuiko was standing in front of the mirror, fixing her sundress. Her tail was wagging and her ears were alert. She had been looking forward to this day for weeks—her first date with Sui after she had become ill.

He was supposed to come and pick her up at ten o’clock. They were going to an amusement park. Just the two of them.

Yuiko heard the doorbell ringing and ran downstairs.

"I’ll open it!" she shouted.

But she was not fast enough. Her mother had opened the door before her.

Yumiko was standing in the entrance with her arms crossed and an unreadable expression on her face. Sui was outside, holding a small bouquet of flowers in his hands.

"Good morning, Yumiko," he greeted her with a smile. "I brought these flowers for Yuiko."

"How nice of you." Yumiko’s tone was dry. "Where are you taking her?"

"To the amusement park. We’ll be back for dinner."

"Amusement park. Alone. Just the two of you."

"Yes."

Yumiko’s tail was flickering. Her ears were drooping.

"Interesting," she said slowly.

Yuiko appeared at the top of the stairs. "Mom! Don’t interrogate him!"

"I’m not interrogating you. I’m... just asking."

Yuiko rolled her eyes and leaped down the stairs. She took the flowers from Sui and grinned at him.

"They’re beautiful! Thank you!"

"You’re welcome." Sui smiled. "You look amazing today."

Yuiko’s cheeks turned pink and her tail wiggled.

Yumiko was watching them, and her heart was hurting.

They’re so happy, she thought. So in love.

And she was feeling that same ache in her chest.

"Mom," Yuiko said to her. "We should leave. We don’t want to miss the roller coasters."

"Wait." Yumiko lifted her hand. "I have something to tell you."

Yuiko’s ears drooped. "Tell me what?"

"I haven’t spent much time with you lately. With all that work, I feel like we’re drifting apart."

"Mom..."

"So I thought—" Yumiko smiled. "I’ll come with you! To the amusement park. It will be a family day!"

Yuiko’s mouth fell open. "What?!"

"It will be fun! The three of us together."

"Mom, it’s a date. A romantic date. You can’t come on a romantic date!"

"Why not? I’m your mother. I’m allowed to spend time with my daughter."

"But—"

"And Sui won’t mind if I join you, right, Sui?" Yumiko turned to him with her golden eyes flashing. "You don’t mind if I come along, to see what’s going on?"

Sui blinked. "Of course not, Yumiko. You’re more than welcome to join us."

Yuiko groaned. "Sui! Don’t encourage her!"

"I don’t want to be rude—"

"See?" Yumiko beamed triumphantly. "It’s settled. I’ll get ready."

She rushed upstairs, leaving Yuiko and Sui standing in the entrance.

Yuiko hid her face in her hands.

"I’m so sorry," she mumbled. "She doesn’t act like that. What is wrong with her?"

Sui patted her shoulder awkwardly. "It’s okay. Maybe she just wanted to spend some time with you."

"Or maybe she wants to spy on us."

Sui laughed. "That too."

Half an hour later, they were at the amusement park.

Yumiko was walking with them, her tail swaying and her ears pricked. She was wearing casual clothes—jeans and a light blouse—but her body language was rigid and watchful.

"Okay!" she clapped her hands. "What should we do first?"

Yuiko sighed. "Mom, you don’t need to do everything with us. You can go on your own."

"Nonsense. I came to spend time with you."

Sui looked from Yuiko to Yumiko. "How about the Ferris wheel? It’s a classic."

"Perfect!" Yumiko said. "Let’s go!"

They were standing in the line. Yuiko and Sui were holding hands while Yumiko was standing slightly behind them and observing them.

They look so natural, she thought. So comfortable.

Her tail was flickering.

When they were on the Ferris wheel, they were all sitting in a small carriage. Yuiko was sitting by the side of Sui, with her shoulder touching his. Yumiko was sitting in front of them with her knees touching theirs.

The carriage was rising slowly. Below them, the amusement park spread out.

"This is beautiful," Yuiko whispered, looking out of the window.

"It is." But he was not looking at the view. He was looking at Yuiko.

Yumiko was watching them. How his eyes soften when he looks at her. How her tail curls around his arm. How they were alone in their own world.

He really loves her, she admitted to herself.

But the ache in her heart did not disappear.

Next, they went to ride the roller coaster.

Yuiko was screaming with delight, throwing her hands in the air. Sui was laughing beside her and holding her protectively by her shoulder.

Yumiko was sitting behind them and watching the back of his head.

He’s so good to her, she thought. He takes care of her. He makes her happy.

Why does that make me feel so lonely?

The roller coaster was plunging down. Yumiko closed her eyes and let the wind whip her face.

When they stopped, Yuiko was bouncing with joy.

"Let’s do it again!"

"Sui, you just went," she laughed.

"I want to do it again!"

"You’ll make yourself sick, Yuiko."

"I don’t care!"

Yumiko was watching them bickering playfully, but she was smiling anyway.

They’re so young, she thought. So alive.

She was feeling old. Tired. Alone.

Lunch was a catastrophe.

They were sitting at a small picnic table, eating hotdogs and French fries. Yuiko and Sui were sharing a drink and touching their straws.

Yumiko took another sip of her soda as she observed them.

"So, Sui," she started conversationally. "What are your future plans?"

"What my future plans?" Sui echoed.

"What do you intend to do after your graduation?" she clarified.

He thought about it for a bit and answered. "I intend to go to college and study something practical, maybe engineering. After that, I want to get a good job and provide Yuiko with a good living."

Yumiko raised an eyebrow at that statement. "Provide Yuiko with a good living?"

"I intend to marry Yuiko one day and create a life with her," he said.

Yuiko’s face turned red. "Sui!"

"It’s true," he assured, tightening his grip on Yuiko’s hand. "I have thought about it a lot. I want to spend the rest of my life with her."

Yumiko felt her heart aching when he said that.

"That’s... that’s very mature of you," she commented weakly. "Not many boys at your age think that way."

"I have never been like other boys," Sui answered, giving her a gentle smile.

Yes, no doubt about it, Yumiko thought to herself.

The rest of the afternoon passed by in games and rides. They played and laughed.

Yumiko observed all of it, however.

She observed Sui as he won Yuiko a stuffed animal. As he wiped a smudge of cotton candy off of Yuiko’s cheek. As he kissed Yuiko’s forehead without her knowing about it.

He’s perfect, she thought to herself.

But then there comes a problem.

Watching him with Yuiko only made her feel more lonely, more confused, more desperate for what she could not have.

When it was finally time to leave the place, they made their way to the parking lot. Yuiko was so tired that she was practically dragging herself on her feet with help from Sui.

"I had fun today, Mom," Yuiko mumbled sleepily. "Even though you invited yourself to come."

Yumiko smiled softly. "Glad to hear that. I had fun too."

They got to the car. Yuiko got into the back seat, almost instantly falling asleep.

Sui was about to climb in as well but Yumiko stopped him.

"Sui."

"Yes?" he asked when he turned towards her.

She looked at him with her golden eyes.

"Thank you," she whispered. "For today. For being so good to her."

"Sure thing," he replied, smiling at her. "I love her."

"I know you do." She paused. "I just wanted you to know that I see how much you care for her."

His smile got wider. "That means a lot, Yumiko."

She nodded and climbed into the driver’s seat of her car.

Driving home, she kept glancing through the rearview mirror to look at Sui. She saw how he sat next to Yuiko who fell asleep with her head lying on his shoulder and with his arm around her.

He’s perfect, she thought to herself once again.

But now her heart ached even more.

That night she lay awake, staring at the ceiling.

What is wrong with me? she wondered. Why can’t I stop thinking about him?

She spent the whole day observing him, analyzing him and trying to find something wrong with him.

And she did not.

He was kind, patient, loving. He was all that she wanted Yuiko to have.

And all that she secretly wanted for herself.

She closed her eyes, trying to chase those thoughts away.

But they would not leave her.

And her confusion grew.