Ding-dong. 　The door to the cat cafe 'Nekorobi-tei' opened. "Welcome..." 　The one who greeted in a small voice was a cat. 　Her name was Miki. 　She had white and brown fur, round eyes, and a ribbon with a small bell tied around her neck. 　In this shop, cats roam freely and interact with customers. 　However, Miki had a major weakness. 　She was extremely shy. 　Whenever a new customer entered, she would immediately hide in the shadows. "Miki-chan, you're hiding again today, aren't you?" "...I am very sorry..." 　A small reply came from behind the shelf. 　Miki was very shy and easily embarrassed. 　Just being told she was "cute" by a customer would make her ears turn red. 　But Miki had an unexpected side to her. 　Once she opened her heart to someone, she became very clingy. 　She would sit on their lap, rub against them, or poke their clothes with her front paws. 　However, it took a long time to get that close. 　Then one afternoon. 　The door opened again. "Welcome." 　The staff member looked up. 　A man in his fifties walked in. 　His clothes were a bit worn, and his hair was messy. 　As soon as he saw the cats, he looked around the shop happily. "Wow, there are so many cats." 　He walked along, looking at the cats. "So cute..." 　His gaze turned toward the shadow of the shelf. "...!" 　He made eye contact with Miki. 　Miki's ears twitched. 　The man approached. "Oh? Are you a shy one?" "............" 　Miki took a step back. 　Then another step. 　The man got closer. 　Miki was backed against the wall. "Come here, come here." "...Um..." 　Miki spoke in a small voice. "Yes?" "...I am very sorry... but could you please... keep a bit of distance..." "Eh?" "...It is... embarrassing... when you are so close..." 　The man was a little surprised. 　Then he laughed. "Hahaha. You talked!" "...!" 　Miki's face turned red instantly. "...I am very sorry..." "No, no, you don't have to apologize." "...Yes..." "Is your name Miki-chan?" "...Yes. I am called Miki..." "Nice to meet you." "...It is a pleasure to meet you..." 　Even so, Miki kept her distance from the man. 　The staff member called out. "Miki-chan, you don't have to push yourself if you don't want to." "Thank you..." 　Miki nodded as if relieved. 　The man looked at Miki and thought for a moment. 　Then he picked up a cat teaser. "Well then, how about this?" 　He moved it slowly from side to side. "............" 　Miki's eyes moved. 　Right. 　Left. 　Right. "............" 　She desperately pretended not to be interested. 　However, the moment the cat teaser passed in front of her eyes— 　Tap. "Oh?" 　Miki's front paw reached out. "............" 　Miki froze. "You just touched it, didn't you?" "...N-No..." "Do you want to play?" "...I do not..." "Really?" "...It was... a coincidence..." 　The man laughed and moved the cat teaser again. 　Miki stared at it. 　She endured. 　But— "...!" 　Suddenly, she pounced. 　She hugged the cat teaser with both front paws. "Caught it!" "............" 　Miki lowered her head in embarrassment. "...Please... forget what just happened..." "Hahaha!" "...Ugh..." 　That day, Miki never sat on the man's lap. 　But the man didn't try to force a touch either. 　After that, the man began to visit the shop many times. 　Even when he came, he didn't chase Miki. 　He would sit a little distance away and play quietly with the cat teaser. 　Some days he just sat there reading a book. 　As those days continued, Miki's attitude gradually changed. "Hello, Miki-chan." "...Hello..." 　She stopped running away. "I'm here again today." "...Yes..." 　Then, one day. 　The man sat in his usual seat. 　Then— 　Patter, patter. 　Small footsteps approached. "...?" 　The man looked up. 　Miki was standing there. "Miki-chan?" "............" 　Miki looked at the man a bit shyly. "What's wrong?" "...Um..." 　After hesitating for a while, Miki gently placed her front paw on the man's shoe. "...Today... just for a little bit..." "Just for a little bit?" "...Would it be alright... if I stayed close to you...?" 　The man smiled gently. "Of course." "...Thank you..." 　Miki sat down neatly next to the man. 　They weren't touching yet. 　But she didn't run away. 　Even that was a huge step forward for Miki. "Miki-chan, you don't have to push yourself." "............Yes." 　Miki narrowed her eyes in relief. 　And then— 　She softly leaned her body against the man's leg. "...Um..." "Hmm?" "...Would it be alright... if I stayed here... just a little longer...?" "Of course." "...Thank you..." 　The bell gave a small chime. 　Shy and easily embarrassed. 　But deep down, she really wanted to be pampered. 　Miki's small heart was beginning to move, just a little bit.