The store lights were too bright.
Ivy squinted as she stepped inside, the quiet ding of the automatic door far too polite for this hour. Her hoodie was zipped up halfway, pajama pants swishing with every step. She rubbed her eyes and made her way to the pet aisle.
Pancake had recently refused to eat anything except the green-labeled can, and Ivy wasn't going to listen to her yowling all night.
She crouched by the shelves, scanning each row until she spotted it. "There you are," she muttered, reaching for the can.
A rustle to her left.
Another figure knelt down at the far end of the aisle, holding a different brand of food like it was a riddle that needed solving.
Zhihao.
He wore plaid pajama pants, an oversized hoodie, and thin-rimmed glasses that sat slightly crooked on his nose. Slippers, one of them mismatched, completed the look.
He hadn't seen her yet. His brow was furrowed as he compared two nearly identical packages, lips moving in silent judgment.
Ivy blinked. "Are those... slippers?"
Zhihao startled and glanced her way. He straightened up a little too fast and gave a quick nod. "Yes..."
"Elias send you?"
"Yes. We didn't really plan how much food we needed."
His tone was so matter-of-fact she didn't know what to say.
Ivy held up her can. "Pancake only eats this one now. She has standards."
Zhihao tilted his head slightly. "Mine ate a shoelace yesterday."
They stood there for a moment, two pajama-clad students in the pet aisle, each holding cans of food like treasure.
Zhihao finally made his choice and turned to leave.
And immediately bumped into someone.
The shopper was tall, maybe a college student, and definitely not expecting to be shoulder-checked by a half-asleep boy in bunny slippers.
Zhihao froze. His eyes widened. His mouth opened.
Then he panicked.
His arms flailed slightly as he tried to step back and bow at the same time. "对不起!"
Ivy blinked.
The shopper looked even more confused. "Uh... it's fine?"
Zhihao kept talking, still in Chinese, still apologizing to someone who clearly didn't speak the language.
Ivy stepped forward. "He's sorry. Didn't see you. Emergency cat situation."
The shopper gave a half-shrug and walked off, shaking their head.
Zhihao deflated. "I... didn't mean to do that."
"Which part?"
"All of it."
Ivy handed him his can of food. "Well, you committed."
He nodded solemnly. "Yes."
They paid in silence. The cashier didn't question their outfits.
As they stepped outside, the night air felt colder.
Ivy glanced at him. "Do you always wear glasses?"
"Only when I can't see."
She stared. "That's... how glasses work."
Zhihao looked completely serious. "Yes."
Ivy shook her head. "You're hopeless."
He looked almost proud of that.
They walked side by side along the empty street, the sidewalk lit by the occasional flickering lamp.
For a while, neither spoke.
Zhihao held the can like it might try to escape. Ivy noticed and raised an eyebrow. "You know it's sealed, right?"
"It might still try something."
"Is it cursed?"
"Not sure yet."
They passed a narrow alley. A gust of wind set off a motion sensor light, which snapped on with a loud click.
Zhihao visibly flinched.
Ivy sighed. "Terrifying technology."
Zhihao muttered, "It judged me."
Ivy bit back a laugh. "Pretty harsh for a light."
As they neared the dorms, Zhihao slowed a little. His voice was quiet. "Thanks. For earlier. The... bump thing."
Ivy shrugged. "You panicked in two languages. Figured you needed backup."
He gave a small laugh. Just one breath. But it was real.
At the door, they paused.
Zhihao nodded to her. "Good night."
"Try not to trip on the cursed can."
"No promises."
He turned to go, stepping carefully like the can might detonate at any moment.
Ivy watched him for a second, then went inside.
Pancake was already waiting by the door.
She scooped her up and muttered, "Maybe it's not so bad that I went out for that food for you."