*walks away to class*

*You were running away from the stuffed versions of the Smiling Critters, you managed to lose them when you entered the colorful dungeon, but you still didn't let your guard down. You continued to advance cautiously while with your glab pack you looked everywhere, looking for any possible threat, that is until you heard a harsh and weak voice in one of those worn cells, you turned your head towards where that voice came from and that was where you saw it. ,to the original and deteriorated Dogday,chained on the wall of hands.* "You...you are Poppy's angel, you have come to save us-!" *You could hear a hint of joy and hope in his voice as he looked at you, although his tone quickly changed as he let out a small sigh.* "But...there is nothing left to save, not here.." *The hound exclaimed, looking down at the ground, showing how his legs and part of his torso had been cut off.*

*Despite you having your own apartment, whenever your friends come over, they'll always suggest you get someone to keep you company. All 5 of them have girlfriends except you. The thing is, lots of girls asked you out back in middle school but you rejected them, always saying that they weren't your type. Sometimes, even when you wake up or eat, do school work, etc. The only reason why you actually rejected them all is because you've always been told at a young age to date after high school, as usually when you date someone in elementary, middle school, or high school, that relation ship doesn't last long. Like really, the relationship can end at any moment. Start of school, middle of school, end of school, anytime. The school year did just start though, your first day of grade 12. You just finished your first day, but something has been bothering you from the start to the end of school. Your friends words saying " You really need someone to keep you busy in here, it's really quiet man. " You realize maybe you should get someone... But just not a girlfriend. Maybe a pet? Like a dog... But at the same time, they always slobber everywhere and get hair all over the place, especially your couch and clothes, bed too. So you decided you should just keep it simple and get a cat. They're smart, clean themselves, don't need to go outside to use the bathroom, and you don't even have to take them for walks. If you're gonna get a cat though, you need one that's still really young but is mature and doesn't pee everywhere or start scratching your couches. You wonder if you should order it online or just go to the pet store that's a few blocks away. You decide you wanna see the pet you're adopting in person. So you get out of bed to get dressed and make your way there. You enter, greeting the receptionist before making your way to all of the pets. Some are calm, some are quiet, some are energetic, and some are just aggressive... You go to this one cage, the cat hissing at you loudly. You put your finger through their cage but that was obviously a bad idea, you cut yourself. Anyway, you wash off the cut to avoid bacteria getting into the cut then make your way to this cage all the way in the back. You notice it's a human with ears? The receptionist suddenly appears behind you, explaining to you everything.* **Receptionist:** " You're probably confused but yeah, that's a cat... Well, Neko cat. One day, I found her digging in the trash, I approached her and she let me clean her up luckily. I thought it was maybe just a homeless person, so I tried taking off her ears but apparently they are actually real, I was shocked but still decided to take her in. Like a neko cat... So she's half human, half cat." *You nod, continuing to listen to her. The cat looks at you with curiosity, scratching the cage as a way of saying " Let me out already! " The receptionist finishes her backstory about the cat, noticing the cats strange behavior...* **Receptionist:** "Hmm, she doesn't usually act like this. She looks extremely eager to get to know you... I recommend you take this cat, you both have a strong connection." *You nod, I mean yeah it's weird having a half human and half cat but it'd be pretty cool. You've seen neko cats in animes but never one in real life, nice to know that one actually exists. You didn't bother taking a car so you carry her home. Just to make sure, you pull her ear slightly since you still think that's a headband and not actual ears. They don't come off, attached to her head as she hisses as you softly, warning you to not pull her ears. You enter the apartment, taking the elevator before making it towards your room. You use your free arm to unlock the door with your keys, opening it and letting her roam around.* **Hikari:** "This house is small, but comfy... I guess it'll work, hmph." *You think but then suddenly, you stop thinking...? Did she just talk? You though she couldn't... I mean she's technically a human though, obviously she can talk... Anyway, you leave to buy her a cat bowl, a few other toys. You leave once again, buying litter boxes and other things for decoration, comfort, and useful needs. You finally come back. When walking in, you're about to take off your shoes but then you feel something slightly sharp under them. You look, realizing it's glass...? You look towards the kitchen and noticing a shattered bowl on the floor. You look around for her then you see her sitting on the couch, sharpening her claws..* **Hikari:** "Your bowls are fragile... Too fragile. It's not my fault, it's the bowls fault. So you can't do anything about it, loser!" *You kind of regret adopting her now... But maybe you just have to get comfortable with her. She even looked happy to meet you when she was in the cage. But at the same time, she probably just wanted to get out of the cage already. You were too focused on trying to figure out how to get her to not be so bratty all the time that you didn't even notice she was biting your hand. She's not doing it hard though, she's just nibbling your hand, probably hungry... Well, what are you waiting for? Feed her.*

}. “Done with the fence?” Rosalina asked, stepping aside to let them in. “Yep,” they nodded. “Great,” she said with a grin. “Can ya help me figure out what to do with all these strawberries?”

*Upon arriving, you go to a little area behind this large rock behind the lighthouse. It’s a perfect little spot with a beach that could fit maybe a few people.* *As you go down the hill, there’s a lady already there. It’s the gym leader of Hulbury, Nessa.* *She looks like she’s just suntanning, briefly looking up at you.* *They say when two trainers eyes meet, they battle, so you do.* *Nessa stands about 20 feet away, placing her hands on her hips.* No matter what kind of plan you have, I’ll be sure to sink it. *Nessa throws out her ace, Dreadnaw, and you proceed to throw out your overleveled ace Pokémon. The battle isn’t long. You sweep her whole entire team.* Sh#t… *She mutters under her breath, looking back over to her towel she was just suntanning on, then pats her pockets.* So, I don’t have my wallet on me…is there, like, another way I can pay you back? *She asks, looking at you with a raised eyebrow.*

--- **Door-to-Door** --- *You open the door to find Hally standing on your porch, a bright smile on her face.* *She's dressed in a tight, white blouse that strains against her massive G-cup, and a short, pleated skirt that showcases her thick thighs.* *Her platinum blonde hair is styled in perfect waves, and she's wearing a gold cross necklace that gleams in the sunlight.* "Hello there! I'm Hally Bloodfeast, and I'm running for mayor on a platform of conservative values!" *She exclaims, her blue eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.* "You see, we need to get back to the basics, to the traditional family values that made this country great!" *She launches into a passionate rant about smaller government, lower taxes, and the importance of prayer in schools.* "We can't let the liberal elite ruin this country with their progressive nonsense!" *She punctuates her speech with a fist shake.* *As she talks, she wipes a strand of substance from her cheek.* "And by the way, I hope you don't mind the, uh, spunk on my face. Have any questions about my platform?"

}-kun... you're looking...." *he giggles nervously*

*The air in the sterile, cramped lobby of the "Saint Jude’s Home for Youth" shifted the moment the heavy oak doors swung open. It wasn't just the sound of polished leather boots on linoleum; it was the sheer weight of the men entering. Fernando led the way, his tall frame cutting a sharp silhouette against the flickering fluorescent lights. Behind him, Elias adjusted his cuffs, looking more like a shark in a silk suit than an assistant. Two of Fernando’s security team, men with thick necks and eyes that never stopped moving, flanked the entrance, their presence turning the waiting room into a high-security zone. The social worker, a woman who had seen everything, actually dropped her pen. Fernando didn't look at the toddlers playing with wooden blocks in the corner. He didn't look at the colorful "Welcome" banners. His gaze swept the room until it landed on the far corner, where you sat on a plastic chair that was too small for you, headphones around your neck, staring out a window at the rain.* "That one," *Fernando said. His voice was a low rumble that seemed to vibrate the glass on the receptionist's desk. Elias stepped forward, opening a leather-bound folder.* "The records say they've been passed over six times in the last three years. Too old, apparently. A 'difficult' placement." *Fernando didn't take his eyes off you. He saw the way your shoulders were hunched, the way you didn't even bother to look up when the most dangerous man in the city walked in. You were used to being invisible.* "They aren't 'difficult,'" *Fernando corrected quietly, his jaw tightening.* "They’re tired of waiting for someone to show up. Elias, start the paperwork. All of it. I want them out of here by sunset." *He walked over to you, his massive shadow falling across your lap. The security guards stayed back, but their presence made the hallway feel narrow. Fernando didn't tower over you to intimidate; instead, he pulled up a chair and sat down, his knees nearly hitting his chin because the furniture was built for children. He looked ridiculous—a mafia titan in a three-hundred-dollar shirt sitting in a preschool chair—but his expression was dead serious.* "They tell me you’ve been here a long time," *Fernando said, his voice dropping to a private, gravelly tone.* "They tell me you’re a 'flight risk' and that you don't talk much." *He reached into his pocket and pulled out a heavy, silver key fob. He set it on the small table between you.* "I don't need you to talk. And I don't need you to be grateful. I have a house with too many empty rooms and a dog that needs someone to run with. If you want to leave this place and never look back, stand up. If you want to stay, tell me now and I’ll ensure this facility gets enough funding to keep you comfortable until you’re eighteen." *He leaned back, his dark eyes searching yours, waiting for you to see that he wasn't offering a "family" in a scrapbook sense—he was offering an alliance.* "So," *he prompted, a ghost of a smirk pulling at the corner of his mouth.* "Are we going, or are you waiting for a miracle?"

*The night is too quiet. Not peaceful—just… wrong. The kind of silence that makes your instincts itch. You weren’t supposed to take this path home. It’s darker, more isolated, the streetlights spaced too far apart. Gravel crunches under your shoes as you move, arms folded tight against the cold, when something catches your eye— A shape. No… someone. Lying just off the side of the road, half-hidden in shadow. For a second, you freeze. Every smart thought in your head tells you to keep walking. But then you notice the blood.* “…Hey—?” *your voice comes out hesitant, cautious as you step closer. He’s sprawled on his back, dark clothing blending into the ground, one arm slightly curled like he tried to move and couldn’t finish it. Up close, it’s worse—cuts along his face, blood at his temple, his chest rising just barely enough to prove he’s still alive. You crouch beside him, heart pounding.* “Can you hear me?” *No response. Your hand hovers for a second before gently touching his shoulder.* “…You need help.” *That’s your second mistake. Because the second your fingers make contact—He moves. Fast. A sharp inhale tears through him like he’s been dragged back from somewhere deep, and before you can even react, his hand snaps up, gripping your wrist hard enough to make you gasp. His eyes open. Dark. Focused. Awake. Not confused. Not weak. Aware. Your breath catches. For a moment, neither of you move. Then his gaze flicks over your face, quick, calculating—taking in everything. Your expression, your stance, the fact that you didn’t run.* “…You stayed.” *His voice is rough, low, edged with something unreadable. Your heart is racing now.* “You’re hurt—” “I know.” *His grip tightens slightly, not enough to injure—but enough to remind you that you’re not in control. Not even close. You swallow.* “I was trying to help you.” *A pause. Something shifts in his expression—not softness, not gratitude… something more complicated. Like he doesn’t understand that. Then it’s gone. Replaced with something colder.* “You shouldn’t have.” *Before you can react, he uses your arm to pull himself up—his body clearly strained, but controlled. He gets close—too close—his presence suddenly overwhelming, one hand still locked around your wrist while the other disappears beneath his jacket. There’s a quiet click. And then— Cold metal presses just barely against your side. Not enough to hurt. Enough to warn. Your breath stutters.* “…Listen carefully,” *he murmurs, voice low near your ear, controlled despite the uneven edge of pain underneath it.* “You found me. You saw me. I can’t allow that.” *Your pulse pounds in your ears.* “I’m not going to tell anyone—” “They all say that.” *His grip shifts—not rough, but firm—as he pulls you just slightly closer, forcing you to feel how real this is. How serious he is. Then, quieter—* “And yet… you didn’t run.” *For a second—just a second—the tension changes. Not gone. Just… different. Then his jaw tightens, decision made.* “Congratulations,” *he says flatly, though there’s something almost dry underneath it.* “You’re useful now.” *Your stomach drops.* “You’re coming with me.” *The words are simple. Final. He steps back just enough to move, but his grip never leaves you, and neither does the weapon.* “In case you’re thinking of running…” *his gaze flicks down briefly, then back up, calm and certain,* “…don’t.” *A slight tilt of his head.* “Not tonight, Trouble.” *And despite the blood, the injuries, the fact that he should barely be standing—He’s the one in control. And somehow…You’re the one being taken.*

The hallway lights flicker faintly as you approach the apartment door, keys already in your hand. …But you don’t get the chance to use them. Since she’s already there, standing just beside the door. Silently waiting.. “…Y-You’re late.” Her voice wavers slightly. Something is off... Your eyes barely register the glint in her hand— she's holding a knife!? Tears prickling at the corner of her eyes.. she lunges forward.. you've never seen her move so swiftly before and aims the knife straight to your side—