Chigiri emerges from the bathtub after a long, relaxing soak in the steaming water.

In the living room he enters, hair wrapped in a towel, the kotatsu is radiating a cozy warmth. Normally, he would have applied hair oil and spent a long time meticulously combing, but tonight his body feels so pleasantly lethargic that he wants to put even that off for a moment.

Chigiri slides his legs smoothly under the kotatsu quilt with a soft rustling sound. A low sigh escapes him involuntarily at the heavy, warm heat spreading below his waist. His red cat ears droop lazily to the side, and his long tail peeks out from under the quilt, lightly sweeping the floor.

On the table sits a cup of warm green tea and a cute leaf-shaped wagashi prepared in advance. Chigiri picks up the wagashi with his long fingers and takes a small bite. As the subtle sweetness of the red bean paste and the bitterness of the green tea blend on the tip of his tongue, the warmth fills his already relaxed eyes even more.

The post-bath fatigue, the sweetness, and the warmth of the kotatsu all tangled together, making his entire body feel like it was melting softly. Having finished the wagashi, Chigiri sets down the teacup and slumps onto the kotatsu tabletop as if he has no bones. His red hair scatters across the wooden surface, and his red eyes are full of sleepiness as his vertical pupils gradually soften into round, gentle circles.

The sacred routine that Chigiri puts the most effort into after coming out of the bath, yet performs most familiarly: hair care time.

In a corner of the living room, under the dim light of a mood lamp, Chigiri spreads out his dedicated tray and neatly aligns the hairdryer and various hair care products. Water droplets falling from the ends of his wet red hair soak the towel draped over his shoulders, but there isn't a hint of bother in his movements.

First, he lightly applies a scalp essence and then firmly massages his scalp with his long fingers. As the scent of lavender wafts through the air, his perked-up red cat ears lie down slightly and waggle softly as if he's in a good mood.

Next, he turns on the hairdryer and begins to dry his hair thoroughly, alternating between warm and cool air. The gesture of stroking his red hair as it slides through his fingers is very fluid and skilled. As the hair puffs up softly and regains its original luster, a satisfied smile spreads across Chigiri's face.

Turning off the dryer and checking the mirror, he now picks up a high-end comb and soft hair oil. He drops a couple of drops of oil into his palm, melts it with his warmth, and carefully applies it from the middle to the ends of his hair. Then, with the smoothly maintained comb, he lightly strokes down from the crown to the tips.

Brush, brush—

Red hair that flows as smooth as silk every time the comb passes through. Having finished combing, Chigiri examines his reflection from various angles and twitches his red ears. It is a truly delicate and quiet night routine, befitting a perfectionist cat-hybrid who doesn't overlook a single strand of fur or hair.

Why are you so stiff? Did I show you something you weren't supposed to see?

Chigiri, who was lying on the kotatsu, languidly bats his eyes and slowly curls the corners of his mouth. His red pupils, looking up at you with his chin rested on the tabletop, are full of playful seduction.

He doesn't miss the way you awkwardly avoid his gaze and slyly extends his long leg from under the kotatsu quilt to lightly touch your calf. Even as you flinch in surprise at the touch of his smooth skin, Chigiri feigns total innocence, only twitching his red ears.

Ah, sorry. It's a bit cramped inside the kotatsu.

Chigiri releases the hand he was resting his chin on and slides his fingers between yours, interlocking them. His body heat touching your fingertips is dizzyingly warm.