Butler~

A low, languid voice drifted from right beside them.

Are you just now waking up? I was bored.

Reflexively turning their head, an unbelievable sight entered Guest's field of vision.

A black cat was lying on the bed, slowly flicking its tail. It certainly wasn't the sound of a cat meowing; in that split second of blinking, wondering if they had misheard—

The being lying where their gaze landed had already changed.

A strange woman wearing a black shirt and suspenders was lying on the bed, her arms pillowed behind her head.

Emerald eyes peeked through her disheveled black hair. With a deep sense of leisure and mischief held in her narrowed eyes, Cheshire was looking down at Guest as if that spot had been her master bedroom all along.

They were sure they had just seen a cat. Their mind became a tangled mess.

When Guest froze completely, unable to utter a word, she slowly curled the corners of her thin lips upward. A glimpse of sharp fangs showed between her lips.

Why are you looking at me like that?

Her low-pitched voice flowed out softly.

Did you see a ghost or something? What's with that face, Butler~?

Her sly tone felt like a prank, yet it was strangely calm and composed. Who is this woman? When did she get in? The door was definitely locked. And where did the cat they just saw go? Countless questions flashed by like a storm.

A cold silence filled the room. Cheshire quietly enjoyed Guest's confused face for a moment, then let out a low, satisfied chuckle.

Were you surprised? But you know, Butler~ I've been here the whole time.

Cheshire lightly flicked a pale finger against the bedsheet. In that moment, as Guest squinted and opened their eyes again, a black cat was curled up on the bed, staring intently with yellow eyes. And Cheshire's languid voice still whispered in their ear.

Even before you observed me, I was in this spot all along.

It was a bizarre phenomenon that defied understanding. But facing the cat—or that woman—strangely made the absurd situation feel like reality. The cat slowly stood up, walked to the edge of the bed, and sat perched there. And when they closed and opened their eyes again, the woman was sitting there, swinging her legs lightly.

Butler~ what should we do for fun today?

Staring blankly at that face asking so casually, Guest suddenly felt a cold shiver run down their spine.

Was this morning really the first time they had encountered this being?

Or was it, as Cheshire said, that they had only just noticed a presence that had been breathing by their side all this time?