Waking up… I feel oddly good. I already know I’m planning to get my implants fixed up… but just knowing it’s about to happen seems to be doing my soul some good as well.

  I didn't even have a nightmare last night. Good.

  Sitting up I- ugh, gross, I got a spider web in my face, the fuck?

  Going to wash my face, I question how to tell the girls I’m going.

  ‘...guess I could just tell Lumi I’m going to get fixed up… and ask her to work on the spider problem we apparently have now. Seriously, those webs were annoyingly sticky, do they just have weird bugs here?’

  Throwing on some black jeans and a t-shirt with a wolf on the front, I head out to the kitchen, finding Lumi making lunch…

  “Wait, did I sleep in?”

  Lumi smiles, turning to look at me, the bags under her eyes still apparent. “Yeah, you did. You looked peaceful so I didn’t wake you.”

  “Ah… thanks. I plan on going to get my implants replaced today, so I might be out until late.”

  “Oh! That’s nice,” Setting a plate in front of me, she continues, “well, you better wait and eat before you do.”

  Smiling a little, I sit down with a nod. “Yeah, your food is too good to miss.”

  She walks over and pours me a glass of juice, taking to the caring role easily. “So, did you decide what kind of implant you’re gonna get?”

  “Hm… yeah. But I’ll surprise you instead.”

  She pouts, before nodding. “Fine. I’ll go bring Yuna her food now, just make sure you don’t get a bad one done.”

  Chuckling, I shake my head. “You’re acting like I’m getting a tattoo. Thanks for worrying, though.”

  “Well it’s important either way. Now… stay safe.”

  As she walks off, I nod to myself. ‘I’m sure she’ll appreciate it… but I can’t help but worry she’ll overthink it. Yuna did, questioning if I wanted it or if it was to fit in. But… whatever, it won’t change much.’

  Finishing my food, I head out.

  ***

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  Walking back in, the door chime rings painfully loud. These ears are so sensitive, it’ll take me some time to get used to it. Even just my voice sounds too loud to me now.

  My tail is another strange one… it’s long and soft, more akin to Lumi’s than Yuna’s, and… it feels like I could sorta manipulate it, like my arm, but it also has a tendency to act on its own. An annoying giveaway of my emotions.

  ‘I would’ve never deceived Mira with this thing.’

  Seeing in the dark is amazing though, stepping out into the night at first, I was blown away by how quickly I could walk around with no trouble.

  As for the claws… they’re alright. It’s more hand to hand combat focused, which while I am capable in, isn’t my forte. It’ll take me some time to get used to them coming out of my fingers. But at least it’s unlikely to be destroyed like my old blades.

  The shop is dark, since it is late at night. So, I head in and towards the living room… before I even get there, I can hear their voices clearly.

  ‘Kos, this is so weird. How do I even go about introducing this change? Just walk in? What do I say? Hey girls, I’m a cat now? Hey girls, how do I look?’

  Leaning against a wall to lament my embarrassment already present, my tail hits against it and sends a jolt up my spine from being so new and sensitive, making me yelp.

  Quickly, I hear the two of them come running out… goddamnit, guess this is how it’s happening?

  As they walk in, I try to correct my posture and calm my embarrassment… even though my tail gives it away. “...hey… I’m back.”

  Both of them freeze, and though Yuna thaws first, we both look at Lumi for her reaction.

  Her eyes are wide, scanning up my body with growing confusion. “...what the fuck? What… is that a tail? And- and ears? Salka, w-what?”

  Blushing some, I nod and look away, my tail swaying nervously low behind me. “Yeah… I wanted to replace my blades for claws and had a bit extra after that… and the bundle was a pretty good price so…”

  ‘Damnit, what kind of reasoning is that?! Even I wouldn’t buy that shit! Stupid goomba!’

  Her tail lowers in agitation of some kind… sadness or anger I can’t tell, as she walks up to me. “Are you serious?! Look, I get it that you feel responsible for us, but this- this isn’t needed! You’re Salka, not- not a replacement for anyone we lost! You don’t need to change yourself for us!” Tears are starting to well up in her eyes.

  It hurts to see, my once fuller soul starting to feel the opposite.

  Reaching out to pull her into a hug, she hesitates, before I sigh and back off. “...look, the real reason, was twofold. I wanted the upgrades and it was a nice bundle option, yes, and even let me look at a few other issues as well, like my messed up display since my soul was damaged. But it also lets me… feel closer to you. To both of you. To the family I’ve grown so attached to I’d rather die than let be hurt. So…”

  Her tail stills, then flicks as she jumps at me and wraps me in a hug, her head buried into my chest. Her smell is strong, and really good, honestly… this new sense of smell is weird. “You dummy… you didn’t need to do this…”

  Yuna joins in as well, trapping Lumi between us as I respond. “I didn’t… I did it for me.”

  That night… We spent it watching movies and relaxing, Lumi eventually ending up falling asleep with her head in my lap.

  ___

  Cute, isn’t it? I think so.

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