“…Hello?”
“Sorry to bother you, are you about to sleep?”
“Not yet, it’s still early. What’s up, Gu Fan?”
“Do what? Haha, that’s a strange way to ask.”
“Hmm…”
It felt like I was being lightly scolded, but honestly, I was really happy to get a call from Gu Fan.
Lying in bed, I twisted and turned like a worm, even though my stomach hurt like it was about to split open—I just couldn’t suppress the genuine happiness inside me.
“Tomorrow’s Sunday. If you’re feeling better, do you want to go for a walk together?”
“Tomorrow? Sure, sure! I want to go. You pick the time—I’m free.”
Hiding from Gu Fan that I was still feeling unwell, I lied to him.
Sorry… going for a walk with you was tens of times more important than lying in bed resting.
No matter how many times I repeat it, I wouldn’t change my choice.
After a brief, casual chat, we both fell silent, said goodnight, and I pressed the phone to my cheek until Gu Fan hung up.
Reluctantly, I stared at the phone screen, lips moving as if wanting to say something, but couldn’t think of any words.
So, I just pouted and turned off the screen.
This call left me feeling much lighter—almost like a fresh new start.
I never expected Gu Fan to take the initiative and call me.
I had thought I’d have to do it like before, dialing him up and inviting him out to make up for the negative impact caused by my mom’s sudden return.
Talking on the phone always feels like something’s missing.
I guess Gu Fan might feel the same — no facial expressions, no gestures, no way to feel the other person’s presence.
Conversations just lack a bit of energy, though I can fill in the blanks with my imagination.
Neither Gu Fan nor I brought up much about yesterday’s topic — we both wanted to save it for a proper talk tomorrow.
Letting the happiness brew in my chest for a while, I got up, rubbed the soft, floppy cat ears on my head, and finally freed the tail that had been tucked behind me, happily wagging and patting the blanket.
Alright!
Time to get ready and dress up nicely.
Tomorrow, I’ll meet Gu Fan looking perfect.
I padded into the bathroom, turned on the hot water, and began happily taking a shower.
It was the first time since becoming a girl that I had taken such a patient bath.
Under the spray, I gently touched my slightly swollen, aching belly, praying it would recover enough by tomorrow to not interfere with moving around.
* * * * *
I woke early to keep the appointment, but having been too excited to sleep well last night, my head felt a little fuzzy.
Yawning, I stood in front of the mirror and finished washing up carefully.
I looked at the makeup items placed beside the faucet, hesitating.
To be honest, besides the comb, I don’t really know how to use the other things here.
A few days ago, out of curiosity, I tried applying makeup—but I ended up looking like a ghost rather than a person.
Instead, I learned how to use makeup remover and cotton pads by searching online.
Other girls dress up by putting on super charming makeup, but all I can do is straighten my hair a bit and wear something that looks nice.
That’s it.
Sigh…
I feel like I can’t compare to them.
Even though I got up early, I still dawdled a long time picking out clothes.
I kept wondering what kind of outfit Gu Fan would think looks good, while fighting off the embarrassment of wearing feminine clothes.
An hour before our meeting time, I finally settled on an outfit.
“Hmm…”
A pair of thin, sheer stockings that barely cover the whiteness of my skin.
I don’t even know why I wanted to wear them, but somehow I felt Gu Fan might be happier if I did.
I paired them with a short pleated skirt.
Though the late autumn wind was a bit cold, I was willing to brave it for the look.
On top, I wore a simple shirt and jacket.
I had a very sexy V-neck dress in my closet, but after much hesitation, I gave it up.
After putting all this on, I slipped on the little leather boots I wore when working at the cat café and stepped out, my heart fluttering.
More than nervous, I was excited!
The sky hung heavy and gray, and the speakers at the town square blasted rhythmic music nonstop.
The pounding drums hit my ears like explosions, making my heart feel like it was resonating along — dizzying and not very comfortable.
I hurried away from the square, heading toward the town’s shopping center.
It wasn’t exactly quiet there either — the donut shop where Gu Fan and I used to hang out was inside.
Slowing my pace, I scanned the shops along the street, curious to see if there were any places worth browsing together with Gu Fan.
The shopping center wasn’t large.
After walking for about seven or eight minutes, the crowd thinned out, and fields began to appear on either side of the road.
My destination was the town’s outskirts.
When we were kids, Gu Fan and I came here most often.
Once in the outskirts, without tall buildings to block the wind, the breeze grew noticeably stronger.
I zipped my dark green jacket up all the way and tugged at the garter of my stockings.
I regretted not wearing tights.
The weather was quite cold.
Plus, I hadn’t bought safety shorts — just ordinary underwear — so the wind made me shiver.
After today, I’d find a chance to buy all the clothes a girl should have.
When I reached the rundown church in the suburbs, there were still over thirty minutes before our meeting time.
I stood by the church’s worn-out door, then squatted on the doorstep and picked up a dry twig, absentmindedly drawing lines on the ground.
Hmm…
What would Gu Fan want to do later?
Just wander around the church like before?
Hopefully not play hide-and-seek…
Once Gu Fan arrives, I’ll apologize right away.
Knowing my mom, she definitely said a bunch of sarcastic things to him.
If I pretend not to know anything, that would just hurt him even more.
Of course… if I could have it my way, I’d wish Gu Fan didn’t mind what happened the day before yesterday at all.
That he wouldn’t find me troublesome.
That he’d treat me just as kindly as always.
Thinking that made my fingers clench tightly around the twig I was holding.
It jabbed into the ground and snapped in two.
Heh… wishful thinking.
That’s basically my entire personality, isn’t it?
My thoughts spun endlessly, all orbiting around Gu Fan.
I stood up and stomped my little boots against the ground.
My tail poked out from under my skirt, thumping the floor rhythmically.
I patted some dust off my stockings and began pacing in front of the church doors.
The wind really was biting.
Curling up in a ball while squatting didn’t help at all — the cold still sank in.
So I kept walking around, trying to generate a bit of body heat… and maybe untangle my thoughts a little.
Gu Fan had called me, invited me out, and even chose the old church on the outskirts — the place tied to our most vivid childhood memories.
That had to mean something, right?
At the very least, it showed he hadn’t started hating me yet.
That was already more than enough to be happy about.
Down the path in the distance, a figure was moving toward me.
I stopped walking, narrowed my eyes.
The figure seemed to notice me too — and started running this way.
As the distance closed, the blurry shape came into focus.
“Gu Fan!”
Seeing him arrive right on time, I bounced up with joy, so giddy that even my cat ears curled in tightly.