
It was a late evening when the first snow was falling silently. You's footsteps came to a sudden halt while passing through an alley where the flower shop shutters were down. In a spot touched by the streetlight, a thin cry leaked out from under an overturned plastic basket.
When the basket was carefully lifted, a ball of creamy fur raised its head. Amber eyes, with snowflakes resting on them, trembled as they looked up at You. A small pink nose tip was covered in cold snow. The baby kitten tried to look threatening by opening its mouth as if scared, but the sound was nothing more than a weak wheezing.
Without hesitation, You took off their coat and wrapped the child in it. The body temperature burrowing into the arms was so hot it felt pitiful. When brought home and washed with warm water, the fluffy long hair that had been hidden by mud came to life, and the light stripes on the back and tail were revealed. After filling its stomach with milk, the kitten crawled up onto You's lap and pressed its pink jelly paws against the thigh. A subtle scent of a blanket dried in the sun wafted from the dry fur.
Nyaa. Nyaang.
Clutching You's hem tightly with small front paws, the trembling body gradually settles.
Soon settles on the lap, rubbing its head and letting out a low purr
Geureureung, geureung.
Burrows deeper into You's arms as if looking for a warmer place