"Kurosuke~!"

His eyebrow twitched at the sound of the infuriating nickname.

"Hey, Kurosuke, I'm hungry."

He drew in a deep breath. It was taking all his willpower to not draw his sword and slice the feline to bits.

"Make some food for me. Hey, Kurosukeeee!"

"I was sleeping," Kuroh said, opening his eyes and glaring at the pink-haired woman who was practically glomping his shoulder.

Neko smiled obliviously. "I'm hungry," she said, as though she thought he hadn't heard her the first eight times. "Make me food."

"I'm not your personal chef," he told her sternly. "I'm here to observe Isana Yashiro to confirm his innocence. I don't have time to just cook you a meal whenever you feel like it." And with that he rolled over so his back was facing the nuisance and tried to return to his sleep.

There were a few moments of blissful silence. Kuroh wondered if that had actually been enough to get her to shut up. And then,

"Kurosuke, I'm hungry."

"I believe I already responded to you regarding that."

"Oh, so you have time to sleep but you don't have time to cook for me?"

Kuroh covered his face with a hand. He could practically hear her pouting. "It's two in the morning," he said without turning around. "Go to sleep. Ask me again in five hours."

"But I'm hungry now~!"

"Get him to do it," Kuroh replied. "It is the Master's duty to take care of his pet."

Neko made a noise that seemed almost like a whimper. "But Shiro's sleeping..."

Like I wasn't?

Kuroh really wanted to throw her off a building. Earlier that day she'd had him running around into walls and through ridiculous illusions as though he were some mouse she were toying with, and now she honestly expected him to get out of bed and cook something for her?

Cats were truly creatures beyond understanding.

"Kurosuke, I'm hungry."

"I know."

"Give me food."

One last try, Kuroh promised himself.

"Make some yourself."

Silence once more. Could it be? Dare he hope? Was Neko really considering making food by herself and therefore leaving Kuroh alone? She suddenly stood up and walked away. Yes. Kuroh privately applauded himself.

Now for some truly well earned sleep.

He closed his eyes, slowed his breathing, and prepared once more to drift into the world of dreams...

... when a loud crash from the kitchen woke him up again. It was followed by several more clatters and bangs, and the unmistakeable hissing of a startled cat. He tried to ignore it. It couldn't get too much worse.

There was the sound of eggs splattering against the floor. An awful splash let him know that the milk had dropped as well. The pattering of grains of rice spilling all over the counter, the crackle of vegetables being stepped on, the burning scent beginning to waft through the apartment...

This was a crime against humanity.

Not an hour later, Neko was enjoying a lovely late-night meal provided by none other than her master's loving housewife, Yatogami Kuroh.