In the days following the rave, both Quinn and Goonie had been tinually nagging Leona to call Sarah and ask if she wao hang out. Even though they had exged tact details—and though Leona really wao call the kitty—it took her a good while to pull the trigger because she was just too shy.

  “Ooooh—your first date—how cute!” Quinn teased, her grin practically dripping with mischief as she drove them to the meetup location. The car they rode in was Quinn’s pride and joy: a used vertible she’d purchased with her hard-earned savings from gigs like . That st rave had been the final push, enough to afford her brand new pink fmingo-colored car. Although she didn’t love the paint job, her pns to ize it were already in motion.

  “Don’t call it that! We’re both girls! Anyway… we ’t assume she actually likes girls! Maybe we just misread things. What if I end up sg her away? This is JUST hanging out, got it?!” Leona yelled, her face already flushing.

  “Yeah, yeah, I get it. This, from a little miss whose face tur red whehe subject of Sarah es up. Uh-huh. At least I’ve got you pegged.” Quinn ughed, her eyes twinkling as she took a zy turn.

  “Quiet, you!” Leona yelped, curling her knees up and ing her arms around them like a shield, her fadeed blooming into that deep crimson hue. “I ’t let her see me blush like this… I don’t know… it robably those cute ears. I’m sure it’ll pass.”

  “Are you tellihat you like guys?” Quinn shot her a sideways gnce, her voice dripping with faux innoce. “You want to find a hubbo?”

  “Noooo!” Leona groaned, burying her fato her knees. “I haven’t thought about anything like that! Retionships are weird, scary, and way too mue right now.” She g her lower lip.

  “Okay, okay,” Quinn drawled, clearly enjoying herself. “Take Jason, for example. Tends bar, babysits us when I’m out tearing up a rave, and is a boy. What’s not to like? Did you think he was iing?”

  “Not at all!” Leona grumbled. “He was friendly but kind of a jerk. I didn’t—”

  “How about Frank? Or Dave?” Quinn pressed, a grin tugging at the ers of her lips.

  Leona blinked, momentarily puzzled. “Wait—who’s Dave again?”

  Quinn smirked. “See? That’s my point. But Frank—you remember him. He introduced you to Sarah, right? Or, should I say, set you up?”

  Leona winced. “No! He just… I mean, he helped! But I—ugh!”

  “O-ho! It’s defihen,” Quinn cackled. “You remember every detail about Sarah, but when you looked at her, ka-pow, your face turned redder than a ketchup bottle. You ’t tell me you weren’t having some strahoughts.”

  Leona squirmed, her voice barely above a whisper. “Fine… maybe… those ears were just so fuzzy.”

  Quinn’s eyes gleamed with amusement. “Oh, is that all? What have we here? A fetish for nekomimi? You’re quite the oddball, aren’t you?”

  “This, ing from the oddball-iest person I know,” Leona shot baarrowing her eyes at her sister’s now olive-green hair. “Really? Olive green? What’s , tomato red? Speaking of which, it’d just take a tiny red cap to pull off the whole olive impersonation thing you’re totally going for! Anyway, I’m not dyeing my hair that color, no matter how much you beg.”

  Quinn snorted. “Tch, you’re dodging. What about her butt? Or her skin? Nice boobs?”

  Leona recoiled, sdalized. “I DID NOT STARE AT HER BUTT!”

  Quinn howled with ughter. “Oh, but you did. Your eyes were glued to her the whole time. You were looking at everything, Sarah Namias. You’re a million years too early to get anything past me, kiddo.”

  “Damn it…” Leona’s voice cracked, her faehow growing even redder. “I—a—am—”

  “Yup!” Quinn gririumphantly. “Now let’s see where things go!”

  A short while ter, they pulled up to The Cobbles, an open-air mall he ferry on San Isidro’s north side. It olished, pristine, and packed with tourists. Across the bay, the skyline of Seaside City sparkled, a stark trast to the grittier San Isidro, where crime had been surging i months.

  Leona leaned forward, taking in the view as Quinn eased the car into a parking spot. “It’s so quiet here.”

  “Yeah, uhe rest of the city,” Quinn muttered. “No thanks to Cheshire. Remember her? Haven’t seen her in forever.”

  The name sent a jolt through Leona. “Cheshire? The heroine?”

  “Yeah,” Quinn said with a shrug. “She was good. Not super-powered, but tough. Problem is, wot out she was keeping some of the goods she ‘recovered.’ She vanished after that.”

  Leona’s gaze drifted to the distant skylihink she’ll e back?”

  Quinn smirked. “Dunno. But you’ve got more important things to think about—like Sarah.”

  Leona bit her lip, heart thudding. “Yeah…”

  Speaking of the online forums, Leona remained an avid fan of heroes and all the news surrounding them. It was big o hear about the ultimate downfall of Bgel and the near-colpse of her favorite heroine, Mistral, somewhere up in the Rockies that night. The ce painted Mistral in a fttering, sympathetic light, rep the defeat of the S+ rank threat, ond for all. Yet, acc to some whispers, things could have gone very differently, the oute far closer to a tragic loss than the media dared to admit.

  Leona’s thoughts drifted back to the present just as Quinn smoothly pulled into a parking spot, the vertible purring to a halt. Without b to open the door, Quinn vaulted out in one graceful motion. Leona couldn’t help but smile at her wild older sister’s antics, mimig her with a leap of her own. She nded ly on the door frame before hopping down to the pavement, the thud of her feet solid and fident. Parkour lessons and practig it gave Leona some natural gymnastic skills.

  Quinn cpped, her expression warm. “Bravo, gymnast extraordinaire.” She dashed around to Leona’s side with a grin. “Now, —let’s go meet your totally-not-a-girlfriend.”

  Leona growled, swatting at her sister’s arm. “Don’t say stuff like that in front of her! I swear, if you embarrass me, I’ll ban you from my life.” She gred, smoothing her carefully styled hair.

  Quinn chuckled and ruffled it anyway. “Rex. Pinky promise, I won’t.”

  Leona scowled, using the side mirror to fix the tousled strands, muttering curses under her breath. Satisfied, she spun to face Quinn, who merely grinned knowingly. They made their way into the bustling open-air mall. After a short wait at the food court, Quinn seized Leona’s arm. “Stop stressing. Let’s grab a nibble—on me.”

  She guided Leona to a hibachi stand, where they each loaded up on steaming teriyaki beef over rice. Sweet tea sloshed in their oversized cups and the ice cubes rattled against the pstic cups as they settled at a nearby table. Leona unsciously chose the side bathed in sunlight, and soon beads of sweat formed on her forehead. She wiped it away, cheeks pink from more than just the heat.

  Quinn tsked and patted the shaded seat beside her. “Careful, bum. You’ll melt into a puddle like that. e over here before you pass out.” It was a surprisingly hot day today, though they were at the beach.

  Grateful, Leona slid around the table, plopping down beside her. The shade was blissful relief, and she realized with a smile that she now had a better view of the shimmering bay and the sleek skyscrapers of Seaside City beyond from her new seat. She sighed wistfully. “Sometimes I wish we could go over there.”

  Quinn leaned back, sippiea. “Phaw. Not like it’s ada over there. Gotta go around 800 miles north just to reach the border. Now that might make for a helciously good road trip! Anyway, too bad we’re all too busy for that right now. Maybe someday. Goonie’s got us all tied up right now, doesn’t she?”

  They ate in panionable sileil a familiar pair of neon fuzzy ears poked up through the crowd. Leona shot to her feet, hitting herself oable’s parasol. heless she waved frantically, pying it cool. “Sarah!!!”

  Quinn chuckled, looking amused and far too pleased with herself. “Mission plete.” She wi Leona. “I’ll leave you lovebirds alone. Wouldn’t want to spoil any juients with my big mouth.” Her grin turned mischievous. “But I’ll be watg… from the shadows.” She wriggled her fingers like a vilin, the act so ving that Leo her cheeks bze with embarrassment.

  “Hmph! Go away already!” Leona grumbled, hiding her face behind her hands as Quinn sauntered off, takirash with her.

  Sarah arrived at the table, her expression puzzled. “Why’d your sister leave so fast? Is she busy?”

  “Uh, yeah! Super busy. Saving the world, or something,” Leona stammered, voice pitg higher thaended. “Anyway, um… what kind of things do you like?”

  Sarah blihen barked a ugh. “We already talked about this at the rave! But okay, I’ll humor you. I like anime and—catgirls! They’re the cutest things ience!” Her sudden squeal made Leona jump.

  “W-wait—what? You didn’t mention that before. You… like girls?” Leona’s voice cracked, her pulse spiking, a nervous tremor running through her. She wasn’t sure why the words came out like that—blunt and almost too hopeful.

  Sarah blihen tilted her head, fused. “Girls?” She bit her lip for a sed, then ughed, a bright, airy sound. “Oh, no, no! I mean, I like catgirls. The cute ears, tails, paws—all that! Not, uh… girls girls.” She paused, notig the way Leona’s breath hitched. “N-not that there’s anything wrong with that! It’s just… not my thing.” She scratched the back of her head, clearly embarrassed.

  Leona’s face flushed, heat rising to her cheeks in an overwhelming wave of awkwardness. “Right! Of course! That’s what I meant too!” she said hastily, trying to backpedal, her voice a pitch too high. “Totally. Who doesn’t love catgirls, right?”

  Sarah’s pyful griurned, easing the tensioly! Imagine having ears that twitch when you’re excited or a tail that shows how you feel.” She curled her hands into mock paws agaiing out a pyful, exaggerated “Nyaaa!” befiggling untrolbly.

  Leona stared at her, wide-eyed, before finally bursting into ughter—sharp, breathless, and full of relief. “Oh my god, you’re ridiculous!” she managed between fits of giggles.

  Sarah, emboldened by Leona’s rea, twirled in pce, making a grand show of it. “Ridiculous? Please. I’m adorable!” She lifted an imaginary tail behind her, wagging it. “And once I get my fish sticks, I’ll be the happiest kitty in the world. You’ll see!”

  Leona doubled hter bubbling up untrolbly. “Ahahaha! You get all the fishies you want at the seafood kiosk over there,” she said through breathless giggles, wiping tears from her eyes. The earlier tensioed away, repced by a warm, easy joy. A, it wasn’t just ughter—it was the way Sarah said it, the pyful light in her eyes, that nearly turned Leona’s heart into a sticky, molten puddle.

  “Yay! Saved!” Sarah cpped her hands together, boung slightly. “I see you’ve already eaten! I’ll go get my tasty fish, and I’ll make sure my tail sticks straight up so they’ll know hoy I am!” She gave a little hop, as if testing her imaginary tail’s perkiness.

  Leona ughed again, the sound light and carefree. “I’ll e with you. Anyway, what were you doing at that rave? Someone like you doesn’t seem like the type—I meaher of us is Quinn.” She gave a teasing grin as they strolled toward the food stands.

  Sarah tilted her head thoughtfully. “Hmmmm—I was there because some friends I met in a MOBA invited me. They’re the type, it seems—and they thought my ‘nya-ny’ vibe was cute, so they said they had to meet me. I think I was too weird for them in the end, though, so they kinda ditched me.” She pouted, looking adorably indignant.

  “More like too i and sweet,” Leona said, her smile softening.

  “Yush! That’s me.” Sarah nodded enthusiastically, ughing. “I’m a really b person, I know. Too dull. There’s nothing really iing about me.” She let out a self-depreg chuckle. “We’re religious—and people kinda think that’s b if they ’t rete. I mean, we’re a really, really normal family—nothing special about us except our exceptional faith, though Dad has a great job. We go to church every Sunday, and we were all baptized. I think Mama evehe ‘tohing, though I never got it.”

  “Your family sounds really devout when you put it that way.” Leona smiled, curious about what Sarah meant by “tongues,” but she decided not to ask.

  “Yeah—it’s a tradition. Ever since way back, we’ve been religious. I think my great-grandfather reacher.” Sarah blushed faintly. “But I’m kind of the bck sheep.”

  “More like a ‘bck cat,’” Leona teased, giggling. “Why? You seem totally normal to me.”

  The er of Sarah’s lips quirked up. “Because I want a little more from life than just what the Bible teaches us. That’s why I went to the rave. Not that the Bible’s against them specifically or anything. The Bible doesn’t have much to say about raves, actually.” She cast a gnce around, as though still unsure why she was even here. “My parents don’t know where I went.”

  “I see.” Leona nodded. “You’re brave to do what you want, even if you know your parents might get angry. So, you said some so-called friends invited yht? What game did you and those ditg jerks py? Maybe I know it.”

  “Oh—Banners of the Bold! And I don’t just like MOBAs. I’m also crazy about MMs! There’s this one called Realms of Valor that’s absolutely amazing. It makes me feel like a genuine hero!” Her face lit up, her eyes sparkling. “Even though half the time I’m delivering cheese to some random NPC or pig up rat tails for some weird quest giver. But if you don’t t the menial bor bits, I feel like a real warrior!” She glowed with enthusiasm. “And I love rhythm games too, music, regur RPGs—the kind you py alone, and—”

  Leona’s soft ughter spilled out as she watched Sarah light up, her excitement practically glowing. Her hands fluttered with every word, animated in a rhythm all their own, painting vivid pictures in the air. “So there I was,” Sarah said, her voice rising with enthusiasm, “armed to the teeth, ready to sy this massive dragon—like the biggest one I’ve ever seen—but instead of fighting, the NPC I was supposed to protect was just standing there, asking for cheese.” She giggled, rolling her eyes dramatically. “I had to run halfway across the map to find it. you believe that?”

  Leona’s lips curled into a grin. “Let me guess… you delivered the cheese, didn’t you?”

  Sarah pced a hand on her chest in modignation. “Of course I did! Although the quest made no se all, I couldn't not do it. I have to see things through, no matter how silly.” Her eyes sparkled, her voice full of a warmth that pulled Leona in, like a cozy campfire on a cool evening.

  Leona leaned forward, resting her in her hairely captivated by the whirlwind of energy Sarah radiated. “You’re a warrior,” she teased, eyes glinting with mischief. “A cheese-delivering warrior.”

  Sarah ughed, her head tilting back, her light-brown hair catg the sunlight in near golden waves. “Hey, someone’s got to keep the fial dairy industry alive.” Her voice was rich with humor, like a melody, the sound tugging at something deep in Leona’s chest. “But don’t get me started on the rhythm games.”

  “Oh no, now I have to know,” Leona said, feigning dread but eager for more.

  “Well,” Sarah began, leaning forward spiratorially, her voice l as if sharing a great secret, “there’s this one where you get to be a pop star—sparkly outfits, big stages, everything. I’m awful at it, but it makes me feel like I’m shining.” She tapped her fingers against the table in time with an imaginary beat. “When I’m pying, it’s like I’m on top of the world, even if I miss half the notes.”

  Leona found herself smiling, uo look away. The rest of the world seemed to blur and fade into the background. The bustling mall became a distant hum, the st of saltwater and sizzling hibachi mixing in the air, but all she noticed was Sarah—the way her eyes kled when she ughed, the way her hands danced in the air, the way she made everything sound like an adventure worth having.

  “You’re kind of amazing, you know that?” Leona said softly, the words slipping out before she could stop them.

  Sarah blinked, her ughter pausing as a blush spread across her cheeks. “Me? Nah, I’m just a regur catgirl wannabe.” She tried to wave it off, but there was a softness in her voice, a quiet vulnerability that made Leona’s chest ache.

  “No,” Leona insisted, leaning in just a little closer, her voice steady. “You’re more than that.”

  For a moment, they simply looked at each other, the space between them filled with the unspoken—something fragile, something new. her moved to break it, tent in the quiet uanding that this, whatever it was, was enough.

  How had she been so lucky? It wasn’t a question she needed an ao—not now. Sitting here, soaking in Sarah’s enthusiasm, was enough. Leona could feel the warmth spreading in her chest, a quiet, unfamiliar joy taking root. It was effortless to get lost in this small, vibrant world Sarah seemed to carry with her.

  “Fish sticks!” Sarah suddenly squealed, breaking Leona’s reverie. She poioward the seafood kiosk with the fervor of someone spotting buried treasure. Without a sed thought, she bounded off toward it, leaving Leona chug as she followed.

  “You really like fish that much?” Leona teased as she caught up, watg Sarah boun her heels, practically vibrating with excitement.

  Sarah shot her a mischievous grin over her shoulder. “It’s not just about the fish, Leona! It’s about itting to the role. Catgirls love fish, remember? I’m living the dream!” She leaned in, her voice dropping to a pyful whisper. “It’s called dedication.”

  When the order arrived, Sarah seized the paper tray filled with golden, crispy fish sticks like it was a treasure trove. She held them up dramatically, inhaling deeply with her eyes shut in mock reverence. “Mmmm, the st of happiness,” she decred, biting into oh exaggerated relish.

  Leona giggled, uo hide her amusement. “You’re really pying this up.”

  As Sarah chewed, she closed her eyes a out a soft sound—not quite a hum, not quite a sigh. Then, startlingly, she purred. The sound was so real, so ving, that Leona’s eyes widened in surprise.

  “Are… are you actually purring?” Leona asked, incredulous but delighted.

  Sarah opened one eye, mischief twinkling in her gaze. “Of course,” she said smugly. “What kind of catgirl would I be if I couldn’t purr on and?” She held another fish stick to her lips and added with a pyful tilt of her head, “I’d be a disgray kind.”

  Leona doubled over with ughter, clutg her stomach as her giggles shook her. “You’re unreal.”

  Sarah gave a mock bow, still clutg her fish sticks. “Thank you, thank you. The dedication is real, nya~.”

  Leona wiped tears of ughter from her eyes, still grinning as she tried to catch her breath. She couldn’t remember the st time she’d ughed like this, so freely, so genuinely. “You’re unbelievable,” she said, shaking her head.

  Sarah took another slow bite, chewing thoughtfully, her expression one of pure bliss. “Meow,” she responded with a wink, her voice soft and pyful. “If I had whiskers, they’d be twitg.”

  Leona chuckled again, leaning oable as the sun warmed their little spot. “You know, you could’ve just told me you liked fish instead of going full catgirl mode.”

  “But where’s the fun in that?” Sarah replied, lig her lips and miming a paw swipe at the air. “Besides, I have to stay true to my brand.”

  Leona rolled her eyes, though the smile never left her face. “Your brand, huh?”

  “Exactly.” Sarah took another bite and then leaned forward, as if sharing a great secret. “Holy? It’s less about the fish and more about making people smile. I like making people ugh.”

  Leona paused, watg her closely. There was something genuine in the way Sarah spoke, something soft beh the pyful exterior. “Well,” she said, her voice a little quieter, “you’re really good at it.”

  Sarah blinked, momentarily surprised, then grinned wide. “Thanks. It’s o know my silly antics aren’t just me being weird.” She fihe st of her fish and dusted her hands off. “Okay, now it’s your turn. What’s something silly you’ve done?”

  Leona wrinkled her hinking. “I don’t know if I top your catgirl dedication.”

  “Try me,” Sarah challenged, eyes gleaming.

  Leona leaned back, pretending to be deep in thought before smirking. “Okay. Once, Quinn dared me to wear a full mascot e—head, paws, tail, the whole thing—and order ice cream at the mall. I got through the whole lihout saying a word, just making bear noises.”

  Sarah’s jaw dropped, then she burst out ughing. “Oh my God! No way! Did they actually serve you?”

  “They did,” Leona said, grinning. “But the guy at the ter tried so hard not to ugh. I think I saw him bite his tongue.”

  Sarah wiped her eyes, her ughter bright and clear. “I wish I’d seen that! You’re sneakier than you look, Leona.”

  Leona shrugged, pretending to be casual. “What I say? I have yers.”

  “Like an onion?” Sarah teased.

  “More like a parfait,” Leona shot back, and they both dissolved into giggles, the afternoon sun casting a golden glow over their shared moment of joy.

  As the ughter faded into a fortable silence, Sarah leaned back, her fingers idly cradling the y tray of fish sticks. Her pyful grin softened, and she gazed out toward the o’s shimmering horizon. “You know,” she began, her voice quieter, more thoughtful, “today’s been kind of special.”

  Leona tilted her head, curious. “Yeah? Why’s that?”

  Sarah toyed with the er of the tray, a wistful smile tugging at her lips. “I haven’t really made any friends since I moved here. Holy, you’re the first person I’ve really hung out with.” She gnced up, meeting Leona’s gaze, her eyes shimmering with something both vulnerable and sincere. “It’s… nice.”

  Leona blinked, caught off guard. “Wait, really? No friends at all?”

  Sarah shrugged, ughing softly. “I’m ly a social butterfly. I came from Montana—lonely old Montana—and it was, well… different. Quiet. Cold. A little bit isoted. California’s been such a huge ge. So muoise, color, and people.” She let out a sigh that was half te, half wonder. “But I don’t mind. I’m happy to be here. I just… hadn’t found my people yet.”

  Leo a warmth bloom in her chest, a strange mixture of pride and tenderness. “You moved all the way from Montana? That must’ve been huge.”

  “Yeah,” Sarah said, stretg her arms above her head. “I was nervous at first. Big cities sure are intimidating. Bae, the mall was like an hour away, and it wasn’t anything like this.” She gestured around at the vibrant open-air mall, the crowds bustling past them, the sound of the o in the distance. “But it’s exg too. I hoped for a ge, and I got one when my father moved us here.”

  “Well, for what it’s worth,” Leona said, smiling softly, “I’m gd you moved here. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have met you.”

  Sarah’s cheeks turned a delicate shade of pink, and she ducked her head, looking shy for the first time all day. “You mean that?”

  “Yeah,” Leona replied, her voice steady, sioday’s been really great.”

  Sarah exhaled, her smile growing wider. “It really has, hasn’t it? And to think, it all started because I got ditched at a rave.” She ughed, the sound lighter now, less weighted.

  Leona grinned, nudging her pyfully. “Their loss. Seriously.”

  Sarah nodded, her gaze lingering on Leona a moment lohan necessary. “Thanks, Leona. For making me feel… not so alooday.”

  “You’re wele,” Leona said softly, and for a few moments, her of them spoke. The world around them kept moving, but they stayed still, ed in the quiet fort of a entative friendship that already felt like something more.