Saturday felt different from the moment Eri opened her eyes.

  It wasn’t just that there was no school uniform folded neatly at the end of her bed, no quiet rush to beat the morning crowds. It wasn’t even the way sunlight spilled zily across her bnkets instead of the sharp, early-gray glow she’d grown used to.

  It was the fact that today, for the first time since everything changed, she wasn’t waiting for Alex to come to her.

  She was going to him.

  Eri stretched beneath her comforter, tails fanning out behind her in a slow, sleepy arc. The familiar warmth of her room wrapped around her—soft curtains, the faint scent of her shampoo lingering in the air, the quiet hum of the house waking up downstairs.

  Her ears twitched.

  Kitchen sounds. Mira’s voice. The clink of dishes.

  She rolled onto her side and buried her face in her pillow for a moment.

  “Mm…”

  Nervous.

  Her tails gave a soft, uneven flick.

  It wasn’t fear. Not exactly. Alex already knew. He’d seen her in the gardens. He’d stayed over. He’d pyed games with her, slept beside her, woken up with her sprawled across him.

  But this was different.

  This was his world.

  And his parents.

  Her ears fttened slightly.

  What if they stared? What if they were uncomfortable? What if they only saw the ears, the tails, the obvious difference?

  A knock came at her door.

  “Eri?” her mom’s gentle voice called. “You awake?”

  “Mhm,” she mumbled.

  The door opened softly, and her mom stepped inside, already dressed for the day. She smiled when she saw Eri sitting up, hair a soft mess around her shoulders.

  “Big day,” her mom teased lightly.

  Eri’s tails curled around her waist. “Don’t say it like that.”

  Her mom walked over, sitting on the edge of the bed. She brushed a strand of hair away from Eri’s face.

  “You’ll be fine,” she said quietly. “Alex’s parents know. He warned them.”

  Eri blinked. “He did?”

  “Yes. He told them Ethan might be a bit… different.”

  Eri groaned softly, burying her face in her hands. “That’s so vague.”

  Her mom ughed gently. “I think that was intentional.”

  Eri peeked up through her fingers. “Do they… do they care?”

  Her mom’s expression softened. “If they do, they won’t show it. And if they’re decent people, which you know they are, they’ll see what Alex sees.”

  Eri’s ears twitched. “And what’s that?”

  Her mom leaned forward and kissed her forehead.

  “You.”

  By the time they were in the car, Eri had changed into something comfortable but nice—soft oversized sweater, fitted jeans, her tails carefully brushed and fluffed. She’d debated tying her hair back, then decided against it. It fell naturally down her back, framing her face.

  She kept her ears uncovered.

  Hiding them felt… wrong.

  The drive wasn’t long, but it felt longer.

  Her mom chatted casually about weekend groceries and Mira’s pns. Eri nodded along, half-listening, watching the streets pass by.

  Her tails curled tightly in her p.

  When they turned into Alex’s neighborhood, her heart started pounding.

  Normal houses. Quiet wns. A basketball hoop in a driveway.

  Her mom pulled up in front of a two-story house with pale siding and a neat porch.

  “Were here,” she said softly.

  Eri swallowed.

  Her ears flicked sharply as the front door opened before they even reached the walkway.

  Alex stood there.

  He looked slightly out of breath, like he’d rushed. His hair was messy, like he’d run a hand through it too many times.

  He froze when he saw her.

  For a split second, it was like the world paused.

  Then he smiled.

  And everything unclenched.

  Eri stepped out of the car slowly, tails swaying behind her.

  Alex walked down the steps, trying—and failing—not to stare too obviously.

  “You made it,” he said, voice slightly uneven.

  “Yes, yes I did,” she replied dryly.

  He huffed a ugh.

  Her mom stepped up beside her, offering Alex a warm smile. “Thank you for having her.”

  “No problem,” he said quickly. “I mean—yeah. Of course.”

  Eri nudged him lightly with one tail.

  He turned pink immediately.

  From the doorway, two figures appeared.

  A woman with kind eyes and a man with folded arms—not stern, just assessing.

  Eri’s ears twitched.

  Here we go.

  They approached the porch together.

  “Hi,” Eri said softly, forcing herself not to look down.

  Alex’s mom blinked once—just once—taking in the ears, the tails, the soft features.

  Then she smiled.

  “Hi Eri.”

  Eri’s shoulders rexed just a fraction.

  “Hi, Babra.”

  She said warmly.

  Alex’s dad gave a small nod.

  “Hi Mark.”

  Eri bowed her head slightly. “It’s nice to see you again.”

  There was a brief pause.

  Then Karen cpped her hands lightly. “Well! Alex told us you’d be a bit different, but he neglected to mention you’re adorable.”

  Alex choked.

  Eri’s ears shot straight up.

  “I—” she started.

  Karen stepped forward and gently touched one of Eri’s ears.

  Eri froze.

  Then Karen pulled her hand back immediately. “Oh! Sorry—may I?”

  Eri blinked.

  “…You can.”

  Karen’s fingers brushed the soft fur carefully this time.

  Eri’s entire posture melted slightly.

  “That’s incredible,” Karen murmured.

  Alex stared like he was witnessing something sacred.

  Mark cleared his throat, though his eyes were curious rather than disapproving. “You hungry? We’ve got snacks.”

  And just like that, the tension broke.

  Inside, the house felt warm. Lived-in.

  Family photos lined the hallway. A faint scent of coffee lingered.

  Eri stayed close to Alex at first, her tails brushing against his leg unconsciously.

  He stiffened each time.

  She noticed.

  And smirked.

  They ended up in his room—a fairly typical teenage setup. Desk, computer, slightly messy bed, posters on the wall.

  Eri turned slowly in a circle, taking it all in like she's seeing it for the first time.

  “Your room is messy as always.”

  He crossed his arms. “It's not.”

  “Debatable.”

  He tossed a pillow at her.

  Her tails blocked it mid-air.

  They both froze.

  She blinked.

  He blinked.

  “… Cheater,” he muttered.

  She grinned.

  They pyed games for a while, sitting side by side. Eri leaned closer than necessary. Her tails curled zily across his p.

  He tried to focus.

  Failed.

  At one point, she leaned her head against his shoulder.

  “Your house is always nice,” she murmured.

  “Thanks.”

  “You’re less nervous than I am.”

  He gnced at her.

  “They like you,” he said simply.

  Her ears twitched.

  “You sure?”

  “My mom already asked if you’re coming over again next weekend.”

  Eri stared at him.

  “…Already?”

  He nodded.

  Her tails swished happily.

  A knock at the door interrupted them.

  “Lunch!” Babra called.

  They headed downstairs together.

  Lunch was surprisingly normal. Sandwiches. Light conversation. Babra asked Eri about school. Mark asked about her favorite games now that she was Eri.

  No one treated her like something fragile.

  No one treated her like something strange.

  Just… her.

  At one point, one of her tails slipped off her chair and brushed against Mark’s leg.

  She froze.

  He looked down at it.

  Then back at her.

  “…Does it have a mind of its own?”

  Her ears lowered slightly.

  “Sometimes.”

  He nodded thoughtfully. “Fair enough.”

  Alex nearly ughed himself out of his chair.

  After lunch, they ended up in the backyard.

  There was a small patio and a patch of grass.

  Eri stepped into the sunlight, ears tilting toward the warmth.

  Alex watched her.

  “You look… happy,” he said quietly.

  She turned to him.

  “I am.”

  Her tails swayed gently.

  “This is weird,” she admitted. “But not bad weird.”

  He smiled faintly. “Good.”

  She stepped closer.

  “You didn’t lie to them.”

  “No.”

  “You didn’t hide me.”

  He met her eyes.

  “Why would I?”

  Her heart did something stupid and fluttery.

  She bumped her forehead lightly against his chest.

  He stiffened.

  Then slowly rexed.

  “Thanks,” she murmured.

  His hands hovered awkwardly for a second before resting lightly at her sides.

  Behind them, Babra watched from the kitchen window, smiling softly.

  Mark shook his head.

  “They’re teenagers.”

  “Mm,” Babra replied. “But they’re sweet.”

  Outside, Eri pulled back slightly.

  “Your house feels… safe.”

  Alex blinked.

  “So does yours.”

  They stood there quietly for a moment.

  Different houses.

  Different worlds.

  But somehow, it worked.

  Eri’s ears perked suddenly as her mom’s car pulled into the driveway.

  “That’s my ride,” she said softly.

  Alex walked her to the front.

  Babra hugged her before she could react.

  “You’re welcome anytime, Eri.”

  Eri froze for half a second—then hugged back gently.

  “Thank you.”

  Mark gave her a small nod. “Take care.”

  At the door, Alex hesitated.

  “So… next weekend?”

  Eri tilted her head.

  “Maybe.”

  Her tails wrapped around his wrist gently.

  His face went red instantly.

  She leaned closer.

  “I’ll see you at school.”

  Then she slipped into the car.

  As they drove away, her mom gnced at her.

  “Well?”

  Eri looked out the window, ears rexed, tails curled contently in her p.

  “…I think,” she said softly, “I like his world too.”