The bell above the door jingled merrily as I pushed it open, the scent of roasted coffee beans mingling with the soft, comforting aroma of… well, cats. "Finally!" I exclaimed, stepping into the warm haven of the Nekomiya Cat Cafe. "I've been dying to come here!"
Shinsou, my boyfriend, followed close behind, his usually stoic expression softening just a fraction as he took in the scene. Cats of every breed, size, and color lounged on plush cushions, climbed scratching posts shaped like miniature skyscrapers, and gracefully weaved between the cafe tables.
"It's... certainly... something," he mumbled, tucking a stray strand of his signature purple hair behind his ear. Shinsou wasn't exactly the cuddliest person, but he knew how much I loved cats, so he'd agreed to this date. The fact that he wore a slightly resigned but ultimately tolerant expression made my heart flutter.
"Something wonderful," I corrected, grabbing his hand and pulling him further inside. "Look, there's a Maine Coon the size of a small dog!"
We were quickly seated at a small table overlooking a sunny window. A fluffy Persian with wide, blue eyes immediately hopped onto the empty chair beside me, purring like a tiny engine. I grinned and gently stroked its soft fur.
"Someone seems to like you," Shinsou observed, a ghost of a smile playing on his lips as he watched the cat practically melt under my touch.
"Of course," I said, preening a little. "Cats can sense good people."
We ordered our drinks – a vanilla latte for me and black coffee for Shinsou, predictably – and spent the next hour in blissful, feline-filled tranquility. I played with a playful kitten chasing a laser pointer, while Shinsou, to my surprise, found himself being subtly head-butted by a grumpy-looking Sphynx with an impressive collection of wrinkles.
"He seems to have claimed you," I chuckled, watching the bald cat practically knead its way into Shinsou's arm.
He sighed, but there was a definite softness in his gaze as he gently stroked the Sphynx's head. "I guess I have a soft spot for the… unconventional."
The atmosphere was perfect. The cats were adorable, the coffee was delicious, and I was spending quality time with the man I loved. What could possibly go wrong?
Well, me. Or rather, my body.
It started with a vague, uncomfortable cramping in my lower abdomen. I ignored it at first, chalking it up to the excitement of the day. But the cramping intensified, morphing into a dull ache that radiated through my lower back. I shifted in my seat, trying to find a comfortable position, but nothing seemed to work.
"You okay?" Shinsou asked, his brow furrowing with concern. He knew me well enough to detect the slightest change in my demeanor.
"Yeah, just… a little crampy," I mumbled, forcing a smile. I really didn't want to ruin our date. Bringing up Aunt Flo at a cat cafe was definitely not my idea of romance.
He studied me for a moment, his eyes narrowed in that way he had when he was trying to decipher something. "Maybe you should sit up straight. Bad posture can make cramps worse."
I tried to follow his advice, but the discomfort was too overwhelming. I felt a sudden wave of nausea and clenched my jaw, desperately trying to keep it down.
"Y/N, you're pale," Shinsou said, his voice laced with worry. "Are you sure you're alright? Maybe we should go."
"No, no, I'm fine," I insisted, waving my hand dismissively. "Just… a little under the weather. It'll pass."
I was lying, of course. I felt like I was being slowly stabbed in the uterus. And then, like a cruel joke, the dam broke.
I felt the unmistakable sensation of… well, you know. My period had decided to make its grand entrance, unannounced and unwelcome, in the middle of my cat cafe date with Shinsou.
Panic flooded my system. I was wearing light-colored jeans. There was absolutely no way to hide this. I wanted to disappear into the floor.
My face burned with mortification as I vaguely registered Shinsou saying something. "Y/N? What's wrong? You look like you're about to faint."
I could barely meet his gaze. "I… I think I need to go to the bathroom," I stammered, my voice barely a whisper.
I practically bolted for the restroom, praying that no one had noticed my… predicament. I locked myself in a stall and took a deep breath, trying to assess the damage. It wasn't pretty.
Tears welled up in my eyes. This was a disaster. Our date was ruined. I was mortified. And to top it all off, I was completely unprepared. I didn't have any supplies with me.
Just as I was about to succumb to despair, I heard a soft knock on the stall door.
"Y/N? Are you okay?" It was Shinsou.
My heart sank. He knew. Of course, he knew. "Yeah, I'm fine," I mumbled, trying to sound convincing. "Just… a little sick."
"Open the door," he said, his voice firm but gentle.
Reluctantly, I unlocked the stall and opened the door a crack. Shinsou was standing there, looking concerned. He didn't say anything, but his eyes scanned me from head to toe, taking in my pale face and the obvious distress on my expression.
"What's wrong?" he asked softly.
I hesitated for a moment, then blurted out, "I… I got my period. And I don't have anything with me."
His expression didn't change. He didn't flinch, didn't look disgusted, didn't even seem surprised. He just nodded slowly, as if this was the most natural thing in the world.
"Okay," he said calmly. "Wait here."
He disappeared for a moment, and I stood there, feeling a mixture of relief and embarrassment. What was he doing? Was he going to go buy me supplies? I couldn't imagine Shinsou, the brooding insomniac, navigating the feminine hygiene aisle at the local drugstore.
He returned a few minutes later, holding a small, discreetly wrapped package. He handed it to me without a word.
"I asked the barista," he explained, his cheeks flushing slightly. "She had some extras."
I took the package, my heart swelling with gratitude. "Thank you," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. "You're a lifesaver."
He shrugged, trying to downplay his gesture. "It's no big deal."
But it was a big deal. It was a huge deal. He hadn't panicked, hadn't judged, hadn't made me feel ashamed. He had simply seen that I needed help and had done everything he could to provide it.
I cleaned myself up as best I could and emerged from the restroom, feeling slightly less like a walking disaster. Shinsou was waiting for me, a cup of herbal tea in his hand.
"I got you something," he said, handing me the tea. "Ginger is supposed to help with cramps."
I took a sip, the warm liquid soothing my aching body. "Thank you," I said again, looking at him with newfound appreciation.
"So," he said, after a moment of silence, "do you want to go home? Or do you want to stay and cuddle some more cats?"
I smiled, feeling a warmth spread through me that had nothing to do with the tea. "I think I'd like to stay," I said, leaning my head against his shoulder. "But maybe we can find a cat that specializes in period cramps."
He chuckled softly, wrapping his arm around me. "I'll see what I can do."
We spent the rest of the afternoon surrounded by purring cats, drinking tea, and enjoying each other's company. It wasn't the perfect date I had envisioned, but it was perfect in its own way. It was a reminder that true love isn't about grand gestures or flawless moments. It's about being there for each other, even when things get messy and uncomfortable. And, in my case, it was about having a boyfriend who wasn't afraid to navigate the world of feminine hygiene products, even if it meant slightly embarrassing himself in the process. And in that moment, surrounded by cats and the quiet comfort of Shinsou's presence, I knew I had found something truly special. He was my purr-fect partner.