In the morning, I woke up with a strange languid feeling.

It was only after my mind was firmly awake that I finally remembered.

The place I’m on was not a bed, but a cheap sofa.

“Ah-Owow..”

When I lifted my arms to straighten my back, my shoulders and hips creaked one after another.

When I was a student, no matter where I slept, I would get some interesting sleeping habits at best, but I’ve been an adult for three years.

At work, I was the youngest of the young ones, but my body had already aged well.

It was shameful but there was nothing I could do. I got up and started to get ready for the morning, holding my waist which was screaming especially loudly.

As I washed my face and changed my clothes, I looked around.

I wonder where Mashiro, who was lying happily in bed last night, is.

I staggered and strolled around the room, but on the surface, I couldn’t find her.

She wasn’t in the usual corner of the room, nor under the desk, or behind the TV.

I couldn’t help as this brought back memories of playing hide-and-seek when I was a child, but I didn’t have a lot of time to spare before my work started.

I decided to suspend my search for Mashiro and eat breakfast. As usual, I ate cocoa and toast while watching the TV morning news.

I suddenly realized and looked at the table.

There was a plate of food for Mashiro. The food I had put in there last night had been eaten.

I guess that’s why cats are nocturnal animals. It seems that she had eaten well while I was sleeping.

Feeling a little relieved, I filled the food on the plate.

Since I’m not home at lunchtime, I include enough for lunch and snacks on the plate.

Mashiro’s food was ready and the TV was on. All that was left to do was to put away the dishes and head out.

Although I have play hide-and-seek with Mashiro before I leave.

I washed the dishes quickly and checked my watch to see that it was still ten minutes before I leave.

With unexplained elation in my heart, I began to search the room.

However, even after searching everywhere, including the wardrobe and behind the furniture, I couldn’t find Mashiro at all.

The only other place I haven’t checked was under the bed. That’s the only place left.

I knew it was highly likely, but I didn’t want to strain my back, so I put it off.

With my stomach in knots, I dropped to take a peek.

“Nyaaah..”

There was Mashiro, squealing cutely in the darkness.

“What are you doing there, Mashiro?”

I asked her that, but she kept staring at me and didn’t answer.

She didn’t seem to be coming out anytime soon, so I talked to Mashiro while she remained in the same position.

“Did you sleep well last night?”

Mashiro’s ears perked up when I said that. I couldn’t help but laugh at her reaction, as if she had just been hit where it hurts.

“Thanks to you, my hips are crying, okay?”

I jokingly said so, and brought my fingertips close to Mashiro’s face and poked her on the tip of her nose with all my might.

Mashiro’s eyes blinked, and let me do as I pleased.

“Goodness, the couch is bemoaning its abandonment by Mashiro right now.”

I got into the mood and smiled at Mashiro, who was unresisting, as I continued to poke and prod her.

Satisfied, I lightly stroke Mashiro’s forehead with my fingertips and then stood up.

“Okay, I’m off to work. I’ve left you some food.”

After saying that, I left the room and put on my shoes at the entrance. I checked my watch again and was about to get up when I felt something behind me.

“W-What’s wrong?”

This had never happened to me before, so I was too surprised.

I wondered if Mashiro was opening up to me and seeing me off, but I don’t think we’ve reached that point in our relationship yet.

I waited for a while, but Mashiro just stood there and wouldn’t look at me.

She looked as if she had something to say, but she didn’t make a sound.

The clock already pointed to the exact time of my usual departure. I didn’t know what Mashiro really wanted to tell me, but I couldn’t afford to be late for work.

“Well, I’d better be off then.”

I turned around and opened the front door regrettably.

As I closed the door, I caught a glimpse of Mashiro’s face, which looked a little sad.