The train slowed. “East Mizuoka,” the speaker said, gentle like a memory. Momoka’s ears perked, then dipped. Her tail curled into question mark mode.
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“That’s me,” she murmured, fingers clutching her purse strap like it held bravery. Haruki nodded, slow and quiet.
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She turned to him. “This station’s got Momoka’s very first shift. Coffee. Cake. Apron too big.” The words were small but proud. “If they don’t fire her for lateness.”
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“They won’t,” Haruki said. “Not once they meet you.”
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Momoka flushed. “They might. If she knocks over the sugar. Or purrs by accident.”
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The train sighed and opened its doors. She started toward them, then paused. “Haru-kun… you didn’t have to ride this far, right?”
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“No,” he said, smiling gently. “But sometimes people are more important than timetables.”
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Momoka blinked. Her ears twitched. Her tail looped, like thinking. Then she dug into her blanket bundle and pulled out a small paper-wrapped cookie. “Sleepyhead treat,” she said, pressing it into his hand. “Lucky crumbs. Bye-bye for now.”
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She turned and stepped out onto the platform, light-footed, blanket trailing behind her like a cape. Haruki leaned a little to watch her go, her silhouette bathed in vending machine glow.
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But then—halfway up the steps—she turned. “Momoka thinks Haru-kun should stop watching her from a train window and maybe drink coffee with her instead!”
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A pause. Haruki stood. The doors gave a warning chime.
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He stepped out.
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The station air was cooler. Momoka’s tail flicked with joy. “One milk. One cake. One stranger turned maybe-not,” she said, walking ahead with confident wobbles.
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Haruki followed. The cookie wrapper fluttered once, then settled into his pocket like a signed postcard.
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and then Add to home screen.