Hydranomaly

Chapter 14: Human Life, Anomaly Body

"R-roommate?" Yamikumo's voice was barely above a whisper, his disbelief lingering in the air as if hoping he had misheard. "You're joking... right? He's living here?"

"Mhm," Akari hummed, the sound of her voice as soft and patient as the slow way she moved. She took her time shuffling over to Yamikumo, her tired eyes crinkling into a lazy smile. "Kiddo needed a place to crash, you know how it is. The Mistress arranged it. Just temporary... till Max gets his place patched up."

Yamikumo rubbed the back of his neck, his expression somewhere between exasperation and defeat. "Temporary, huh? A little heads-up would've been nice, y'know?" He grimaced, flicking a bit of dust from his shirt. Ryujin wasn't just carrying dirt; it was as if the boy had rolled through it. "I mean, we barely have space for two, let alone-"

His complaint was cut off by a sharp, feminine voice from behind them. "Ah, there you are, Ryujin."

Venus strode in with a grace that only highlighted the chaos Ryujin had caused. She wasted no time in grabbing him by the hoodie, pulling him toward her as though he were a disobedient puppy. "What were you thinking, running ahead like that? Banging down random doors?" She sighed but didn't seem truly mad, her exasperation tinged with a hint of fondness.

Ryujin shrugged, his casual tone betraying no regret. "You started running up the stairs first. Thought we were racing or something." He grinned like a kid who didn't quite understand why he was in trouble. "And hey, I found the right door."

"By some miracle..." Venus rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling. "Ugh, I can't even stay mad at you..."

"Venus?" Akari chimed in with her usual unbothered tone, lifting her coffee mug in a lazy greeting. "You too, huh? Here to drop off the kiddo, I take it?"

Venus gave a slight nod, twirling a lock of her hair absentmindedly. "Yeah. Gotta hitch a ride back with Max. Figured I'd make sure Ryujin got settled in... and his pet."

"Pet? Wait, you don't mean-" Yamikumo started, but before he could finish, a mechanical meow echoed through the apartment.

Catt, sleek and metallic, strode in like she owned the place, her movements fluid and deliberate with the luminous glow of her leopard-like spots she donned kept faint. Her whip-like tail swayed in rhythm as she padded directly to Ryujin, nuzzling his leg with a low, mechanical purr that reverberated through the room.

Yamikumo pinched the bridge of his nose, already feeling the beginnings of a headache. "You're bringing the damn cat too?" His voice dropped, weighted by memories of the robot's sharp claws that had left a mark on more than just his skin.

"Well, she didn't really give us a choice," Venus said with a small shrug, her fingers reaching down to stroke Catt's metallic back. "She wouldn't stay in the car. It's like she's glued to Ryujin at this point."

Akari chuckled, not even bothering to lift her head from the couch she had melted into. "Well, at least she doesn't need a litter box, I hope... Or food, for that matter. I'm broke, remember? Research doesn't pay itself."

"I don't trust her to leave the furniture alone..." Yamikumo muttered, heading back toward the kitchen with a sigh. "Can someone help that dirt-covered kid clean up? I'll be making pancakes... if anyone cares."

Akari, still lounging, didn't even open her eyes. "I'll get to it. Just need to finish this cup of coffee first..." Her words trailed off as she sank further into the cushions, her body becoming one with the plush fabric.

Yamikumo's voice called back from the kitchen, dripping with sarcasm and exasperation. "So... never?"

Akari chuckled lazily. "I didn't say never, sweetie. Just... soon."