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 vision.

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

The being lying within their line of sight 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 ease and mischief held in her narrowed eyes, Cheshire looked down at Guest as if that spot had been her own master bedroom from the start.

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

As Guest froze completely, unable to utter a word, she leisurely pulled up the corners of her thin lips. A glimpse of sharp fangs showed between them.

Why are you looking at me like that?

Her low-pitched voice flowed out smoothly.

What, did you see a ghost? Why the face, Butler~?

Her sly tone was like a prank, yet 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 before finally bursting into a low chuckle, seemingly satisfied.

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

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

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

It was a bizarre phenomenon that made no sense. 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, a woman sat there, swinging her legs playfully.

Butler~ what should we do for fun today?

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

Is it really true that they first encountered this being just this morning?

Or, as Cheshire said, have they only just now managed to notice a being that has been breathing by their side all this time?