It had been a few days since the Hermit and the cat's grueling battle. Things proceeded as usual at school, albeit the two Chinese Kenpo disciples attending their classes with a symphony of bandages across their forms. Only one of them, of course, got endless attention for it…

"Oh, no, Tanimoto-oji! What happened to your nose?"

"Haha, I had a small accident while setting the props up in the auditorium yesterday. It's no big deal," the prince sheepishly responded, his palm rubbing the back of his neck.

"W-wow! You're such a hard worker, staying late after school to help the drama club crew set up...!"

Renka rolled her eyes. These cooing fangirls had absolutely no shame—

"Oh, hi, Renka—"

And there the cat went, smothering Kenichi with a glomp. Showing no shame.

"Nyaaaaah! Hi, Kenichi!~"

"A-aghhh! Please, d-don't squeeze so tight— I can't breeeeeeathe!"

Tanimoto watched them from his peripheral, and the moment the fangirls turned around to leave, he, too, rolled his eyes.

School came to a close, the toll of the bell signaling the sweet freedom for the day. Kenichi departed from his classroom with a loud yawn and stretch, inwardly dreading the upcoming training for the day. Miu stayed home to tend to some fundraising thing for Ryōzanpaku— those terrible masters really took advantage of her sometimes — but Kenichi knew that once he got to the dojo, she and all his crazy, abusive senseis were going to divert their course and beat the everliving shit out of him. He had much to do with the threat of Yami on the rise...

Ohhhh, man. He's not ready to die and be resurrected another ten times that day. So, he took his sweet time, slowly strolling down the hall, taking an extra five minutes to remove his uwabaki and place them in his locker… before finally opening the door to exit.

The soft breeze wafted in the air, gently grazing the boy's perpetual band-aid as he stepped outside. Ah, what a nice day. Perfect for gardening, he mused. Sun shining, and yet, it wasn't too hot. Birds were chirping… and cats were … shrieking…

… Wait, what? What's that shrill noise?

He strolled over around the corner to survey the racket a bit better.

"— … Don't touch me there, nyaaaah!"

"I'm not trying to! Maybe you just want me to pet you."

"No way! You think just because you got away with that once, you can do it again?! Don't be like that Miu bimbo—"

Both bluenette and blonde took notice of the gardener at once, instantly pulling away from whatever bizarre argument they were having.

"Uh, hey…?" Shirahama muttered, half greeting them, half questioning the situation.

"Keniiiiiiiiichi!"

Renka leaped toward him, pigtails fluttering with delight. Her face, once contorted with irritation, had instantaneously turned sweet and eager.

Aaand it was Tanimoto's cue to leave.

"See ya, Kitten," he muttered, quickly getting the hell out of dodge.

Renka didn't bother saying goodbye; instead, she had clasped both her hands around Kenichi's forearm, tugging playfully.

"You wanna walk me home? Pretty please.~"

It was hard to resist the hopeful genki cat. And guess what made it even harder?

The aspect of taking even longer to get to Ryōzanpaku AKA literal hell on Earth! Yay!

"Yeah, sure," he replied with enthusiasm. Granted, he may face Miu's wrath if she knew that he was accompanying the daughter of his perverted master back home… alone… but! Getting to stay alive for another extra half hour or so? It's a chance he's willing to take.

(He was just an expert at strategic withdrawals, as well as strategic avoidance.)

His ardent reply was definitely misinterpreted by the cat, who beamed brightly. Ah, yes! All her efforts are working!

So they began their trip home, slowly heading towards Yokohama, Chinatown, where Renka stayed in an apartment affixed to her Uncle Hakubi's restaurant.

Every step Renka took had a bit of a spring, thoughts running wild with fantasies of holding Kenichi's hand. Yet, somehow, that seemed more intimate than simply shoving his face in her cleavage, so she refrained… for now. Both hands clutched on the strap of her bookbag, fond eyes glued to Kenichi-kun all the while.

Kenichi, however, stared ahead, brain replaying the bewildering scenario from earlier. And suddenly broke through Renka's reverie with his spoken words—

"... Wait, did Tanimoto-kun call you 'Kitten' earlier?"

Perplexed chocolate orbs eyed the cat. What the heck was that about? That was the least … Natsu-kun-esque thing he's ever heard.

The cat blinked, her brain lagging in what the boy just said. He was too damned adorable, especially with his current expression.

"Hmm? … Oh, uh, yeah. I guess." Her infatuated expression reverted to a fleeting deadpan gaze at the thought of that idiot.

"Weird…" he muttered to himself; her negative response gave Kenichi the impression that this strange nickname was the blonde's way of mocking the girl. Like the way he calls Takeda "Carefree Boxer." Except this nickname sounded a little… well…

Ahem. "So, I'm taking you to downtown Chinatown, right?"

"Right!" She laughed, a little too… forcibly. "S-so, Kenichi! How's your training?" Renka continued, her pace more sluggish than usual. No, she wasn't 100% recovered from the injuries she sustained, but she would walk any number of miles so as long as she got to have alone time with Kenichi.

"It's going okay," he replied with a small smile, though his eyebrows pinched together with worry. Indeed, Yami was becoming more of a threat and he knew he'd have to rise to the challenge. But … that's scary! He started to consider opening up to the catgirl, and air out his worries that he couldn't with Miu, lest she thinks that he would be unable to protect her.

"Well, to tell you the truth, it's been…"

Hold on. The catgirl seemed to walk with an abnormal sway, limping every other step.

"Renka, are you sure you're all right?"

"Aha! I'm fine! Are you really that worried?~" Rosy cheeks bloomed on the cat's face. Boy, did that tickle her fancy. Kenichi's protective side was the biggest reason why she found him attractive in the first place, despite all the other qualities he lacked.

"Well, you're walking kind of funny," he frowned with concern. "Tanimoto tended to your injuries from that fight with him, right?"

Lightning flashed in the cat's eyes! Kenichi knew?! Whatever happened to keeping all of that a secret? Or did that blonde jerk just mean the "taking care of her injuries" part? So he'll gladly boast about his victory but cover up the fact that he did, in fact, treat her? What's up with that? Why was he so hellbent on being as confusing as possible? Did he just not want anyone to know that he was capable of being nice?! And yet, he's the stupid prince of the school—

Renka appeared to just be standing there, clenching her fists as smoke poured out of her ears.

"Uh… Renka?" whined Kenichi. This is the look she has when she's around Miu, and it's scary…

"HMPH! He did treat my wounds, but he undressed me while I was unconscious!" The catgirl wailed impulsively, seeking some sort of retribution for whatever bullshit Tanimoto was pulling this time. A secret between them, her ass.

And Kenichi's hair stood on end, smoke coming out of his ears now too.

"HE WHAT?! T-that perverted bastard! He should've taken you to a doctor! He should've taken you to Akisame or your dad! That idiot!"

… Renka faltered for a moment, fearing what she said may snowball into something larger than intended. The strange need to defend the blonde arose…

"W-well, he said he didn't see anything." A finger perched by her lips thoughtfully, questioning her own decision to trust him on that tidbit. And yet, she did.

"Eh?" Kenichi emulated Apachai's vacant stare.

"... He didn't see any— are you really going to make me explain it?!" Renka chided him, cheeks scarlet as a fist raised—

"N-no! No! Of course not!" Kenichi cried, holding his hands up in protest. Please, please, don't hit him! Catgirl scary!

"Good!"

. . .

And then Renka was quiet again, walking alongside the disciple in introspective silence. Kenichi could hear his heart pound in his ears. Phew…

"I was surprised he even helped me," she whispered beneath her breath, conflicted emerald eyes glued to the pavement. The two-faced bastard never made any sense. A tender expression was etched upon her face— one she was unaware of.

Kenichi, however, seemed to pick up on it. A sigh escaped him, because despite all of Tanimoto's faults...

"He does care, even if he comes off as a jerk. It's why Honoka's so fond of him. And why I consider him a good friend," he replied coolly, following the cat's mellow lead.

… And suddenly, she was no longer mellow—

"Hmph! I don't trust him! Something's fishy about that boy. And you let your sister around him?"

A deadpan stare formed on his face, staring ahead at nothing in particular.

"If I could make her stop going to his house, I would."

Renka opened her mouth, as if Kenichi's response proved her point— only for the disciple to continue with his thoughts.

"But — mainly because I don't want her to bother him. I'm not worried what he'll do to her, or anything like that. In fact, when Honoka was in grave danger, Natsu-kun helped me protect her when I couldn't do it by myself," Kenichi noted with a fond smile. It was a bit disappointing that he was slacking in terms of being the better big brother, but his little sister was safe. That's all that mattered.

And Renka's verdant eyes widened, taking in this new information. Tanimoto saved that little brat that runs around the dojo calling Miu "Big Boobs"? Maybe he really was more of a softie than he was letting on. She'd need some time to let that revelation sink in.

"You might not remember, but I visited his place while you were recovering."

"What?!" the catgirl wailed, certainly not expecting that. Well, no wonder Kenichi knew about this whole ordeal! And what an embarrassing state for him to see her in. But also, did seeing her like that worry him? That would've been nice, right? So many conflicting thoughts entered her head at once…

"Yeah. Seems like he was taking good care of you. So like I told you while you were asleep: don't worry so much about him. He might seem a little rough around the edges… and scary sometimes… and his high-fives really, really hurt, but he's not so bad."

Maybe he should've waited to tell the cat this when she was actually conscious, he winced to himself. But, at least she gets to hear it now.

"... Even if he did hurt a girl—" he continued beneath his breath, his face scrunching up momentarily. And stripping her clothes? Even if it was for good intentions, he'd have to teach Tanimoto a lesson in some manners. Later.

The Chinese girl took a moment to let Kenichi's words construct themselves in her mind, beginning to see the Hermit in a new light. Perhaps the jerk really did have a heart of gold.

But, as stubborn as she was, she still felt the need to dispute this new proof.

"Well," Renka continued snootily, intent on inserting her own two cents. "I still think he's suspicious. Fighting me, then fixing me up, then telling me to leave, then making me stay for tea—"

Renka grumbled, each fiery step threatening to crack the concrete. Her injuries weren't quite pleased with her current actions.

… And Kenichi listened to the cat's irritated ramble…

… Then couldn't help but turn away and laugh into his hand, an … interesting thought running through his head.

"Kenichi? What's so funny?" Renka paused her rampage, blinking innocent cat eyes as large as saucers.

"N-nothing!" Kenichi whimpered. Boy, if Renka knew he was thinking of that, she'd beat him into a pulp, injured or not! "A-anyway, we're almost there, so, er, why don't I just carry you the rest of the way? So that you won't aggravate your injuries anymore?"

Was he considerate? Or did he just want to save face? Avoid another beatdown? Maybe all three.

"I would looooooove that, nyaaaaah!~" The cat leapt into his arms without warning, forcing him to carry her bridal style, much to his dismay. He whimpered, wobbling around the sidewalk— not because Renka was heavy by any stretch of the imagination, especially in comparison to Akisame's statues — but because those gigantic chesticles were rubbing up against his pecs, and it felt like Miu had some sort of third eye, watching him from the sky...

"You're so sweet, Kenichi. Thank you so much," beamed the kitten, pressing her lips to his cheek.

Gah! Miu's sooo going to kill him now! She doesn't have to hear about this part, right?

"O-of course!" Kenichi's voice cracked under the weight of his sins. The sins of what exactly? Cheating, of course. Wait, what?! He's not even dating Miu yet! And yet, it felt so wrong…

Kenichi nyooooomed down the sidewalk, catgirl in his arms. The faster he drops her off at her great uncle's restaurant, the less of a chance Miu will catch him in such a compromising position.

A knock came from the front door, lavish wood causing the thuds to reverberate even louder than normal.

Tanimoto glared. Who could be encroaching on his territory? Furthermore, what idiot was ignoring the intercom at his front gates? If he can't tell who's visiting him through the system's camera, then what was the point of even having it in the first place?!

… Curiosity overtook him. He slowly unlocked—

"HERMIT, WHAT THE HELL?!"

A chestnut bolt burst through, grabbing the prince by the collar before assailing him with a bajillion slaps. The poor CEO didn't even have a chance to question the meaning of this baseless attack from Ryōzanpaku's disciple—

"Not only did you fight a girl, but you undressed her while she was knocked out?! DON'T EVER UNDRESS A WOMAN WITHOUT HER PERMISSION!"

Hermit's eyes glowed red. THAT. FUCKING. CAT.

It was a restless night for everyone who lived on the same block as Tanimoto manor. Several calls were made to local police about domestic disputes, but no arrests were made. Just an upstanding young teen, the son of Japan's wealthiest man, watching some action movie at a really high volume. No siree, no violence in that mansion! That would be ill-fitting for the illustrious Tanimotos.

And Kenichi lay bleeding on the plush couch that night…

And yet, he knew that if he told Renka what he was laughing about — the insinuation that perhaps something fascinating, something tender, something … affectionate could bloom between the cat and the Hermit — well, he'd be better off dead.

In comparison, dying on Natsu-kun's couch wasn't so bad.