The group chat was still buzzing when Eadlyn stepped out of the train. Ken had sent memes about his terrible singing, Riko uploaded blurry photos of their chaotic duet, and Manami added a short message thanking everyone for the day. It all made Eadlyn smile. He hadn't expected to find a circle this quickly.
He walked through the park near his station, the cool evening breeze brushing past him. Streetlamps glowed softly, and the sky was shifting from deep blue to charcoal.
That's when he saw her.
A girl crouched near the bushes, worry etched across her features. Her uniform was slightly wrinkled, her eyes darting around as though searching the shadows.
"Sayaka?" he called gently.
She stiffened, then turned, her tension easing just a little when she saw him. "Ah—Eadlyn. Sorry, I didn't expect to meet you here."
He stepped closer. "Everything alright?"
She hesitated before admitting, "I… lost Nao-chan."
Her voice dropped to a whisper, the name carrying affection. "My cat. She slipped out of the house earlier, and I've been looking for her since."
A soft ache tugged at Eadlyn. She looked composed as always, but the worry in her eyes was unmistakable. "What does she look like?"
Sayaka described her—white fur, tiny paws, a black ribbon tied neatly like a bow tie.
"Let's search together," he said without thinking.
Sayaka blinked, surprised. "You don't have to—"
"I want to," he replied simply.
And with that, they divided the park: Sayaka scanned the playground area while Eadlyn walked toward the stone benches. The sky darkened, cicadas humming, their search echoing between lamppost shadows.
Minutes passed.
At 6:00 p.m., they crossed paths again, both with empty hands. Sayaka brushed back her hair, frustration evident. "She must be scared…"
"Then let's try where you last saw her," Eadlyn suggested. "Cats retrace familiar places."
They walked to the spot Sayaka had mentioned—the wall beside the old slide—and there she was.
Nao-chan sat perched atop it like a tiny queen, tail curled neatly, ribbon intact.
Sayaka gasped. "Nao—!"
But the moment she moved, the cat darted away.
Eadlyn reacted instantly. "I'll get her."
He jogged after the cat, weaving between benches and bushes until he finally cornered her near the swings. Nao-chan hissed once, then froze—long enough for him to gently scoop her up.
"Got you," he whispered, feeling her small heartbeat thudding against his arm.
He texted Sayaka the location.
She arrived in seconds, breathless from running, relief breaking across her face like dawn. The moment she saw her cat safe, her shoulders finally relaxed.
"Thank you… truly," she said, taking Nao-chan into her arms.
"It's nothing," he answered, though the warmth in her voice meant more to him than he let on.
As they walked out of the park, Nao-chan decided she was not done causing chaos. She climbed onto Eadlyn's shoulder, settling like a fuzzy parrot. He froze, helpless.
Sayaka burst out laughing—a sound so
natural and bright it caught him off guard. "She likes you."
"I think she likes mocking me," he deadpanned.
But he didn't mind. Watching Sayaka laugh, seeing her composure melt into something warm and genuine—those moments mattered.
They walked together until their paths diverged, the evening quiet around them.
A cat returned home.
A strange tension eased.
A small connection deepened.
Sometimes, the simplest acts become the most memorable.