Time ticks closer to the final exams, (Y/n) is looking forward to the break knowing they would have some time off from stressing over grades. But for now they want to end the school year with a bang, and have a higher grade than Jean for the semester.

Kokomi sets aside the notebooks they had open. The two spent the past hour and a half reviewing at (Y/n)'s place.

(Y/n) stretches their back that got tired of sitting. "Hey Kokomi... You know how I've been going to Ayato's place pretty often the past few days?"

"Yeah, what about it?"

"Ayaka's been secluding herself. When I'm there she always hides herself in her room. Even if it's just Ayato at their place. She's also ignoring my messages."

"Does Ayato have any clue with what's going on?"

"It seems like he doesn't." They shrug. "He also kind of avoids me asking questions that have anything to do with Thoma. What if I confront Thoma myself?"

"I don't know about that (y/n), I have a feeling it might make things worst... Maybe just look out for Ayaka from afar? As much as I want to help her get out of that hole she's digging herself into I don't think we don't need to meddle. She has her older brother."

"Fair point. But Kokomi, she looked so sick and pale when I last saw her."

Kokomi pats their back. "Come on let's go get some snacks."

They head to the little stash of snacks, Kokomi takes out the pack of chips ahoy and (y/n) takes milk out of the fridge, pouring it into two glasses. Since they were in highschool it was like their little ritual to eat cookies with milk after studying for exams.

"This still never feels the same without Venti." They comment.

"On the bright side we get more milk. He always enjoyed hogging the milk to himself like a famished kitten. You were pretty hilarious too, choking on milk once."

"That happened more than once. Time really flies, now milk isn't the only thing I'm choking on. Have you ever choked on a guys di—"

"Excuse me?" Their mom saves their friend from being traumatized.

"Mother. Yes, hello." They watch their mom take a cookie from the pack, no guilt or fear in their eyes.

"So is his big?" She asks, taking a bite out of the nearly brittle cookie.

"Yes."

"Uhm???" Kokomi looks at the mother and child in confusion astounded that they could casually talk about that. "I have so much more to learn about in the world. I am but a child. She muses.

"You alright Kokomi?"

"Yeah... The milk just tastes nice. Very nice."

"You two done with your reviewing?" (Y/n)'s mom asked. Her demeanour shifted to excitement. "Wait a meowment, I got something ameowzing today."

"Huh, alright mom. We just finished. What's with the cat puns?"

Their mom walks over to the couch, and from a blindspot she opens a little blue crate and a small plump, short haired white and orange kitten cautiously walks out.

"Oh my gosh!!!" Kokomi squeals.

"Mom you bought a kitten?" (Y/n) walks over to the tiny feline, crouching a little distance away not to scare it. "Girl or boy? Also did you name this lil pal already?"

"I couldn't help myself! My friend said her cat gave birth and let me have one, I waited two months! And she's a girl, I already decided on a name."

"And that name is?"

"Stocking."

"Stocking? You're naming her after a stocking?!"

"Not quite! To be exact stocking from panty and stocking, the show. Should I have named her panty instead?"

"Mom?! Would you name your child brief?!"

"Did I name you brief? I'm just messing with you." She laughs. Since (y/n)'s dad was almost never around she made up for the absence of cringy dad jokes with her own jokes.

"I never knew your mom was into anime." Kokomi whispers.

"She got into it because of TikTok."

"What do you mean because of TikTok? I've been watching anime since the old Sailor moon!"

"Alright sorry." (Y/n) stiffles a laugh. They extend their hand, stocking slowly walks towards it and boops their fingertips.

"Sooo cute!" Kokomi crouches beside (y/n), staring at the kitten in awe.

(Y/n) takes out their phone and sends a quick photo of the kitten to Ayato.

Turns out he's more of a dog person. Bummer.

---

If your name is brief I'm sorry