My Cat Girl Neighbor Is Impossible to Understand

And there was a thick feeling hanging in the air – like electricity.

All the students in the courtyard were looking and whispering among themselves. Haruka had gone away, but her laughing voice still seemed to ring in Yuiko’s ears.

Yuiko stood there as still as if glued to the ground. Her tail was still wound round Sui’s wrist. Her heart was beating heavily. Her face was hot.

What have I just done? she wondered in horror. I just declared to the whole school that he is mine! I made a scene. I just—

"Yuiko."

Yuiko was interrupted by Sui’s voice. She lifted her eyes to look at him.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes..." she gulped. "I just... I cannot believe I did that."

"I understand." He smiled at her in that friendly way of his. "You are incredible."

"I am an embarrassment."

"An incredibly embarrassing one."

She gave a weak laugh, and her tail started wagging again.

"We should leave." Yuiko decided to ignore the staring students. "Before more of them stare."

"Too late for that."

Yuiko looked around. There were dozens of students around them, looking with amazement and amusement on their faces.

Yuiko’s ears flattened in shame. "Let’s just go."

They left, holding hands and ignoring the staring faces.

Yuiko and Sui were almost at the gates of the school when Haruka’s voice called after them.

"Yuiko! Sui-kun! Wait!"

They stopped. Haruka ran towards them, with a bright smile.

Yuiko’s tail puffed. "What do you want?"

"I wanted to apologize," she said, coming to a stop in front of them.

Yuiko blinked. "What?"

"I was testing you," Haruka admitted. "I wanted to see if you would fight for him. If you loved him truly. And you did."

"Admitting that you were trying to steal him?"

"No." Haruka shook her head. "I was trying to see whether you are worthy of him."

Yuiko’s ears flattened. "That’s even worse."

"I know." Haruka’s smile became a little softer. "I have seen too many relationships break up because one of the couple did not care enough to fight for the relationship. I did not want to see you as one of them."

Yuiko stared at her, speechless.

"You passed," Haruka continued. "You fought for him. You defended your relationship in front of everyone. You did not back down. You did not cry. You stood your ground."

Yuiko’s tail started relaxing. "You are strange."

"I know." Haruka laughed. "But I am not a threat. I promise."

Sui stepped closer to Yuiko, putting his arm round her shoulders.

"So you finished your test?" he asked. "You will not flirt anymore?"

"Done." Haruka raised her hands. "I back off. He is yours, cat-girl."

Yuiko’s ears perked up. "Really?"

"Really." Haruka winking. "Anyway, I have found a new target now."

She glanced across the courtyard, at a tall boy wearing glasses and looking curiously at them.

Yuiko followed her gaze. "You like him?"

"Maybe." Haruka grinned. "But that is a story for another day."

She waved and left, leaving Yuiko and Sui standing there in astonishment.

Yuiko turned to Sui, her eyes wide.

"Just now that happened?"

"It happened," he agreed.

"She... she was testing us?"

"Apparently."

Yuiko put her hands to cover her face. "I can’t believe I fell for it. I can’t believe I made such a scene."

Sui gently took her hands from her face.

"Yuiko. Look at me."

She looked at him.

"That scene you made?" he smiled. "It was the most amazing thing I have ever seen."

"It was embarrassing..."

"It was beautiful." Sui cupped her face with his hands. "You defended us. You defended yourself. You told the whole world that I belong to you."

Yuiko’s cheeks flushed with blush. "I... I did do that."

"Yes, you did." He leaned close, putting his forehead against hers. "And I loved every minute of it."

She gave a soft laugh. "You are crazy."

"Crazy about you."

He kissed her then, in a tender and soft kiss full of relief and love and victory.

When they parted, she was smiling.

"Come on," she said, taking Sui’s hand. "Let’s go home."

"Together."

The next morning, Yuiko went to school confidently, with her head held high.

Her tail was wagging. Her ears were perked. Her hand was clasping tightly to Sui’s.

Haruka was waiting for them at the gates, leaning against the fence. When she saw them, she grinned.

"Morning, lovebirds!"

Yuiko stiffened. "Haruka."

"Relax, cat girl. I told you, I am done," Haruka said, pushing herself off the fence. "I just wanted to say... I meant what I said yesterday. You two are solid. I am impressed."

Yuiko blinked. "You are... impressed?"

"Very much," Haruka said, smiling gently. "Not many couples would stand that test. You did. You stood up for each other."

Sui squeezed Yuiko’s hand. "She is worth fighting for."

"I know." Haruka nodded to Yuiko. "You are lucky, cat-girl. He is a good one."

"I know." Yuiko’s tail wagged. "He is mine."

Haruka laughed. "I know that. " She waved and went towards the school building. "See you around. And don’t worry – I won’t touch you anymore."

Yuiko looked at her back and then turned to face Sui.

"I can’t believe I’ve been jealous of her."

"There’s nothing wrong with that. She was flirting with me."

"I know, but... She was just challenging us. It’s not like she wanted to take you."

Sui shrugged. "Doesn’t matter. You were proclaiming me to everybody’s face. That’s all that matters."

She giggled, her tail swishing behind her. "You loved that, didn’t you?"

"I did love that." He held her closer. "I loved how you fought for me. I loved how fiercely you did it. I loved hearing you say you were mine."

Her face went red. "I meant everything I said. Every single word."

"I know." He kissed her forehead. "And I’m yours. All yours, forever."

She smiled brightly.

"Let’s go," she said. "We’ll be late."

They walked to their school hand in hand, paying no attention to the stares and whispers.

Yuiko didn’t care about anything else now.

She proclaimed him hers.

And he was.

And nothing could change that.

Haruka appeared during lunch and went to their cherry tree.

Yuiko prepared for a fight but the girl raised her hands.

"I come in peace."

Yuiko relaxed but remained suspicious. "What do you want?"

"Just to say goodbye. I’m moving back to my old school this week."

"Why?" Yuiko asked surprised.

"My parents were here for temporary work. The period is expired. But I’m happy I came here. I got many useful experience."

"What experience?"

"Not to judge people by appearances. And not to underestimate the power of a jealous girlfriend," Haruka grinned at Sui.

"I’m not jealous."

"Sure you are. That’s why you circled your tail around his wrist and screamed: He’s mine!"

Yuiko blushed. "I never screamed."

"You screamed definitely. And very impressively."

Sui laughed. "She’s not wrong."

"Stop it, both of you."

Haruka laughed but then her expression became serious.

"Promise me one thing – take care of each other. You suit well. Don’t listen to anyone saying something opposite."

Yuiko nodded. "We will."

Haruka turned to go but then she stopped.

"And Sui-kun?"

Sui looked at her. "Yeah?"

"You are lucky. She’s a keeper."

He smiled and squeezed Yuiko’s hand.

"Yeah, I know."

Haruka went away but her laughter followed.

Yuiko leaned against Sui and curled her tail around his arm.

"She’s weird."

"Very weird."

"But I think I like her."

"As I do. But less than you," he kissed her hair.

She smiled warmly.

"I love you."

"I love you too, princess. Always."

They sat under the cherry tree while the sun warmed their faces.

And for the first time in weeks everything seemed right again.

Bonus Scene - Forever’s Promise

Sunset painted streaks of gold and pink across the sky as Sui and Yuiko headed home together. The entire argument with Haruka seemed so distant now, replaced by the tranquil peace of silence.

Her tail swayed as she held onto his hand. She glanced at him and smiled warmly.

"Sui?"

"Yeah?"

"I’m happy it’s you."

"What?"

"I’m happy it’s you that I get to walk beside, that I can hold your hand, that I get to come home to. I just... wanted you to know that."

His heart overflowed.

"You know..." she continued, squeezing his hand. "I was jealous. I caused that mess with Haruka, but I’m not sorry."

"Why?" He looked into her eyes.

"Because you’re worth fighting for. You’re worth everything."

Cupping her face, he traced her cheeks with his thumbs.

"You’re worth everything, Yuiko... more than everything."

Leaning into the touch of his hands, she closed her eyes.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

She opened her eyes playfully.

"I know what you’re thinking..."

"What?"

"We never really got to celebrate our relationship since we’ve been through so much with Haruka."

He laughed gently.

"What do you have in mind?"

Stepping even closer, her tail wrapped around his waist.

"All we did was argue and fight over Haruka... We never got to... enjoy each other."

"What did you have in mind?" He was curious.

Standing up on tiptoes, she pressed a gentle kiss against his mouth.

"Just this," she breathed against his lips. "Just us."

He kissed her back, his arms wrapped around her.

Pulling away, both were smiling.

"Same time tomorrow?"

"Same time tomorrow," he agreed.

As she walked towards her front door, she turned to look back at him.

"Sui?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you. For choosing me."

"I’ll always choose you... forever."

Her tail wagged happily.

"Forever sounds perfect."

She disappeared inside her apartment, leaving him alone. For a long time, he stood there in contemplation.

Forever... with her.

It sounded like the most beautiful word ever.