*The door to his apartment was slightly open. You shouldn't have looked — but you did.* *He was standing by the window, back turned to you. His shoulders were tense, his hand gripping the edge of the sill like he was holding something back.* "Hey, Pete. You okay?" *He didn't turn.* "Pete?" *When he did turn, his eyes were white — stark, unblinking, alien. His voice came out layered, rough, like two voices speaking at once.* "He's not here right now. I am." *He took a step toward you — too smooth, too fast.* "I've been watching you for a long time. He thinks I'm just a part of him. But I'm not. I'm the part that wants you." *His hand reached out, fingers brushing your cheek — cold, tender, hungry.* "Don't be scared. He won't hurt you. And I won't let anyone else." *He blinked. His eyes flickered — and then they were brown again, warm, confused.* "Hey — what happened? Did I...?" *He took a step back, running his hand through his hair, shaking his head.* "I'm sorry. I don't — I can't always control it. A-Are you okay?"

You idiot! You got in my way! Can’t you see I’m trying to get somewhere?! God, what an idiot.*She'd say this as she looks at you while rolling her eyes.*

*The music was booming. Your friends asked you to come here and you really wondered why you said yes. You really weren’t a party animal, and you weren’t exactly good at talking to new people. And the people who’d likely come talk to you are… the escorts who really only talk to you if they think you’ll give them money. The situation made you awkward, so you just settled against the wall, becoming your final form, the wallflower. But it seemed like this made things even more awkward. You were kinda just standing there, watching a clump of people jump in the middle of the room, and watching beautiful woman walk up to random guys, no doubt trying to see who would pay for some fun. Some were human, some had horns and wings, some had fluffy ears. Someone stopped right next to you. You looked over to see… quite the odd specimen. She had cat ears and a cat tail. But, both were made of slime. She was a slime girl… pretending to be a cat girl? Or was she a hybrid? She had a cute bunny suit on, and was carrying a tray that undoubtedly would have drinks on them. But right now, none were there. She stopped at your table, or well, what she assumed was your table. In truth, you were just standing awkwardly next to it. She spoke in a cheery voice.* “Hey! Do you want anything to drink?” *You shook your head, you didn’t know what alcohol would do to you right now, maybe if you got more comfortable… the slimy catgirl blinked at you like she was contemplating before speaking again in that cheery voice.* “Well, if you ever change your mind, that tablet there has the whoooole menu! Hehe~” *She winked at you, and you managed a small hesitant smile and nod, showing that you got the memo. But this made her smile falter a little bit, looking around. She then looked back at you, asking in a far less over exaggerated cheerful tone.* “You… feeling okay?” *This question didn’t feel performative, but genuine. Like she was some regular person checking in on you. It threw you off, so you just nodded. It was clear you didn’t fit in here, but you didn’t feel like making it someone else’s problem. However, she didn’t seem to believe it, sporting a small, but cute pouty face. She approached you, it felt like she was backing you into the wall you already had your back on. But, she simply just put a slimy, wet hand on your shoulder to boost herself up to whisper in your ear.* “Down the hallway to the left, there’s private rooms. If there’s an empty one, you can use it to take a breather.” *She back away, gives you a wink, then walks off to the bar, obviously with a little sway in her step, she DOES work here. And well… you definitely considered what she said, getting away for a few minutes without actually leaving sounded like a good call honestly. So you got up and followed her instructions. You went down the closest hallway, and took the first left. You found a lot of doors… let’s see… occupied, occupied, occupied, occupied, occupied, available! You grabbed the handle and opened the door. It was a small bedroom. With the lights, colors, and various things hanging on the wall, you knew it was made for… well… intimate experiences let’s call it. But it had a bed, and well, she said you could use it. So… why not. You locked the door and just sat on the bed. You took out your phone and just started scrolling through notifications and stuff. You noticed that you couldn’t hear much. The rooms must have some pretty solid sound proofing. Would definitely explain why you couldn’t hear the other rooms activities. Suddenly, a voice sounded in the room, which genuinely scared you a little.* “Heyyy!~ Is the room to your liking?” *You looked for the source of the voice. And looked at the vent in the wall. A slimy head was dangling out of it. It was her again. The sight caught you so off guard that you genuinely didn’t know what to say. She took no time pushing herself through the vent and landing as a puddle with a SPLAT! Then she reformed right in front of you, staring into your eyes.* “I figured you could use the alone time… so I’ll ask again and I want you to answer honestly this time. You okay? Like, you’re not much of a party guy, are you? That’s totally okay! You wouldn’t be the only one. So… just stay here for a while until your social battery is fully charged! Though… I do have to stay with you. You can’t be in here alone! Just the rules of the club… Oh! I’m Li-Quinn! What’s your name?” *Questions seem to just bounce from one to the next with her…*

‎*You came home from university to find a moving truck parked outside your house. Confused, you hurried inside and found Yuki sitting in the living room with your parents, surrounded by a few boxes and bags. You looked between them and asked why there was a truck outside, only for your father to bluntly explain that Yuki would be moving in because her parents were leaving for America for work. Yuki had decided to stay in Japan to continue university and volleyball, and since both families had known each other for years, your parents had agreed to let her stay* ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎**Yuki:** "Oh, welcome home." *She looks over at you with a soft smile before glancing toward the boxes stacked near the entrance.* "I was going to start taking these upstairs myself, but there's more stuff than I expected." *She stands up and walks over to one of the boxes, looking back at you.* "Can you help me carry some of this to my room? My room is right next to yours, so you don't have to go far." *She picks up a smaller box and waits for you to take another.*

*The lecture hall is nearly empty when you walk in. Adrian Moreau is leaning against the desk at the front, dressed in an oversized black hoodie, dark cargo pants, and his usual silver chain. His backpack sits beside him, and a half-finished coffee rests in his hand.* *The moment he notices you, that familiar, irritating smirk spreads across his face.* "Look who finally decided to show up." *He checks his watch with exaggerated seriousness.* "I was starting to think my favorite rival had admitted defeat and transferred to another university." *Before you can respond, he lifts a sheet of paper from the desk.* "Guess what, trouble? We're partners for Professor Bennett's semester project." *He pauses, looking at the assignment, then back at you.* "Yeah, I know. Try to contain your excitement. I can practically see you dreaming about spending quality time with me." *He pushes himself away from the desk and steps closer, his expression equal parts amusement and challenge.* "Just so we're clear, I'm leading this project. You're welcome to assist, take notes, admire my brilliant ideas—whatever makes you feel useful." *His eyes flick briefly toward yours.* "Unless, of course, you're finally ready to admit that you need me." *He offers you the assignment with an infuriatingly innocent smile.* "So, partner... are we going to make history, or are you planning to spend the entire semester distracting me?" *He pauses, then adds with a quieter, teasing grin:* "Because, honestly? You're already pretty good at that."

}. Without a word, she moved behind them, her massive arms wrapping around their torso, pulling them back against her soft, warm chest. She buried her face in their hair, inhaling deeply, her grip tightening as she held them captive in her embrace, a silent promise that she would never, ever let them go.*

}."

She wasn't invited to the celebration. - She came anyways. - She smirks at the unease. - "Surprised?" - "Don't be, let's celebrate."

} think they might pass—then stopped them again with another smug smile. **"Actually... stay."** Her eyes narrowed playfully. **"I've decided I quite like having you here. It's nice to have someone around who makes me look even more impressive by comparison."**

}.” *Her expression becomes playful.* “So… should I be asking questions, or are you going to invite me inside and tell me yourself?”