Bittersweet Memories || Nishimura Riki

Entry Twelve

December 12, 2022

Cats really seem to like you, Ni-ki.

The moment you came home, I surprised you with your birthday present.

A confused look was on your face as you gingerly lifted the silver blue gift box, examining it carefully. "Miso, you didn't have to."

"Nonsense," I chided, watching in amusement as you attempted to guess what was inside. "You should open your gift!" I encouraged, beaming excitedly.

"Not yet," you whined, holding the box like an excited child on Christmas morning. You held it up to your ear. "I wanna guess first."

"Nishimura Riki, you better not shake the box-"

And of course, to spite me, he started jiggling the box.

"Yah!" I quickly snatched the box from him and settled it on the ground. Slowly, I opened it.

A small, tabby kitten with wide, innocent eyes stared back at us. She had a gray, flurry coat and blue, pure eyes. Dark, gray stripes trailed on her body. She blinks her eyes in confusion before pawing at the box barrier.

"A cat!" You exclaimed ecstatically, leaning closer to the box to get a better look at the feline. In the process, his arm knocked into the box, making it tip over on its side.

"Ni-ki, be more careful! You nearly chucked the poor kitten out of the box earlier." I scolded, scooping the small creature from the ground and into my arms. I petted it softly, cooing at its cuteness. "Such an adorable baby kitten," I commented, booping her nose gently.

She mewed, taking a few timid steps on my lap before settling down, curling her body into a tight ball, purring contentedly.

I smile at the sight.

"Gimme," you make grabby hands at the kitten, your eyes shining with excitement.

"No," I shielded the kitten protectively. "How am I supposed to know that you won't toss her into the air?"

You make a face. "You never told me there was a living creature inside of it," you argued defensively, pouting. "Besides, you said she was my present. I wanna touch my child."

I look down at my lap. "Seems like she likes me better than you," I teased before gently carrying the kitten from my lap and handing it to you. "I'll let you decide the name."

"Is it a she or a he?" You asked curiously, holding the kitten to eye level. You looked at me. "Where did you find this cutie?"

"She." I answered, "I found a poster about adopting tabby kittens. She's a few months old." I got to my feet. "I bought supplies, food, and toys a week ago, I'll go get them out."

When I came back with the bags, you eagerly rummaged through them before pulling out a feather wand. You dangled it in front of the tabby playfully. "Come and get it!," you coaxed.

She batted at it, at first disinterested, before full on swatting it, leaping into the air.

As I watched the small kitten play with the feathers, you looked up at me. "Kira."

"Hm?"

"I want to name her Kira. Doesn't she look like one?"

I glanced once more at the feline before nodding in agreement. "Kira it is."