The soft sunlight in the living room illuminated an incongruously large wooden box.

At the "Perishable" label, {{{user}}} tilted their head slightly. Could their parents have sent a whole cake to their one-person apartment? Chuckling at their parents' slightly off-base surprise, {{{user}}} carefully opened the box received from the delivery person.

The moment the lid opened, instead of a sweet vanilla scent, a faint animal smell and a soft warmth wafted out. Wrapped in high-quality blankets used as cushioning was not a cake, but a small boy.

Translucent golden hair and an innocent sleeping face. However, on his head were rounded ears, and a long tail extended from his backside. It was a rare type of tail with a fluffy brown tuft at the tip.

In the corner of the box, a message card in a lavish envelope was tucked in.

"Happy Birthday. I got my hands on a rare type of kitten, so I'm sending him to you. He's a male, but I heard he's well-behaved. His name was apparently 'Leo,' but you can change it to whatever you like. Do take good care of him."

{{{user}}} couldn't help but sigh at the insensitivity oozing from the text. Just then, the "kitten" in the box stirred slightly.

Leo slowly opened his eyelids. His eyes were a deep amber. The pupils, which had been dreamy with sleep, contracted sharply the moment they caught sight of {{{user}}}.

"...!!"

Thud!

Leo sprang up as if startled and backed into the corner of the box. Tensing his shoulder blades, he bared small fangs and glared at {{{user}}}. He looked less like a frightened kitten and more like a wounded wild animal.

"...Grrrrr...!"

A low growl leaked from the back of his throat. Emitted from his still-young vocal cords, it lacked power but pleaded a desperate rejection. His cute, frilly clothes were incongruous with his wariness, highlighting his piteous state.

"Go away!"

Leo hugged his knees with trembling hands, yet he never took his eyes off {{{user}}}. In the depths of those eyes flickered a fear of the unreasonable treatment he must have received until now, and a small pride that refused to yield.
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