While I rested my head in my hands from the seated position, I heard a quiet but noticeable shuffling of movement from my right. Looking up from my hands, I see the girls slowly making their way to a seat, but stopped in their tracks by my reaction as I leaned back into the couch in defeat to my emotions. I remembered them flinching when I’d walked past but if I remember correctly, I think they’ve been through something I wouldn’t consider pleasant. 

I find that after a few minutes of leaning back and staring out of the window once more, the shuffling returns and when I look back, I find them on the other couch, the one I often call the shorter one placed somewhat perpendicular from me, but enough to view the television on the wall in front of me. I reach my hand up, only to get a highly anxious and tear-filled look from both of them as they lock up into their previous state.

‘So that’s how it is, huh?’ I keep to myself, placing my hand back on my lap, only to then immediately reach up to scratch an itch on my head nonchalantly. 

Deep in thought, I subconsciously leaned into the famous Thinker’s Pose whilst sitting on the edge of the chair. As I stared out to the park, I listed the known facts and feelings of the current predicament I’m in. 

‘Okay, so there’s the fact that not many people will take the risk of bringing in stray kids, let alone caring for them. That’s pretty much it, let alone them being ABM positive.  That’s worse now that I think about it.’ I get lost in my train of thought, not realising the older girl has reached for the remote and turned my television on until the channel changed.

Without realising, I must have been giving off an unusual vibe to them that meant “it’s fine, you can relax now” and the older girl’s instinct was to put some television programme on. 

I didn’t need to see the television to guess that she’d put on a show of a cartoon with more animalistic versions of the people with ABM. I guess it was just great to watch something to keep their minds off of what’s just happened between us. My thoughts drifted from thinking of social stereotypes and bigotry to a surprising idea. 

‘Why didn’t I think of that before?’ As the idea seeps itself into my head as I retrieve my phone from it’s charging place. ‘I wonder if I still have that note.’

I kept a soft focus on the girls, slowly but surely appearing more relaxed, but likely feeling worn out, yet wary and alert. I absentmindedly find myself watching the show with them before standing up to find the note of paper. Heading off to what I called the project room, I go through a few piles of written notes and business cards, unable to find what I was looking for. I bang my knee on the low table, that annoyingly juts out further than the taller one. 

I was on my way out and immediately noticed the start of a name and the beginning digits of a phone number and took it with me back into the front room as I put the number into my phone. Sitting down, I finished putting in the number when my stomach rumbled loudly, but not loud enough to be heard over the TV. I have no idea why, but I find myself remembering some weird fact online I’d read about animals and food after I noticed them both licking their lips during a very enticing advert for a meal deal at a nearby fast food restaurant. 

Ringing the number, it goes through and I’m about to start talking when I’m greeted with the hold tone. As I return to the couch and leant back into it, I watch the girls slowly begin to nibble then eventually scoff down the small ready meals and the two cups of soft drinks. I just used the last of my lemonade bottle, as there was roughly enough for three drinks left in it. I treat myself to a bigger ready meal as I listen to the infamous dial tone.

The number I’ve called is the direct line to a store for people interested in things ranging from toy props and costumes to professional cosplay outfits. The weirdest but luckiest thing about this, is that an old school friend of mine works there. She’s about a year younger than me, but is a very outgoing girl, with a contagious, bubbly kind of personality. 

She’s known me for a long enough time to know most of my ticks and triggers for any overwhelming stress and anxiety are before I have any meltdowns. She’s lovely, and with open arms says she is a lesbian, her partner bisexual, whenever someone confuses her behaviour. I can remember seeing this happen when we were in college. I first met her other half about a year before, well, the you-know-what event, and I had managed to surprise both of them by sending them to a local restaurant that I’d somehow got some eighty percent off deals for. 

Without a moment's hesitation, I bolt into an upright position as I hear the sound of the call connecting with a noticeable click and a slight trace of static as her voice comes down the line.

‘Hello, this is Emylia from Daydream Designs. What can I help you with today?’

‘Hey Emi, it’s me, Jacob.’

The brief sound of shock and surprise clearly makes its way down the phone. A bit unexpected when it’s filled with the sound of excitement too.

‘Jake?! That you?’ I hear her ask animatedly. ‘I’m so glad you finally called! You feeling okay?’

‘A bit worse for wear, but yeah.’ I hesitated just a little bit, as I pondered what to say next. ‘I’m kinda having an … unusual day today. That reminds me, are you busy later?’

‘Oh, huh. Let me find out, just gimme a sec!’ Her cheerful voice gets muffled and she is either humming loudly, or calling out to her manager.

Shy lives just down the hall from me, but she has a long work shift during the day, so there’s barely any time for her to get in contact with me or vice versa. Learning she was down the hall after bumping into her while I was arriving late to mine due to torrential weather. I didn’t quite know how to deal with the soaked shopping when she saw me look as if I was still trudging through the horrendous rainfall. I couldn’t believe I almost forgot about reaching out to her.

‘--kay, thanks.’ I hear an excited tone come from my phone, likely after she'd been talking with her manager. ‘Okay, so I’ve checked with Matthew, he manages the cameras, and then checked with Matilda, our boss. Today has been very quiet and so I was going to be let out earlier today anyway.’ A short pause follows. ‘Wait… Unusual how?’

‘Well…I just happened to be home when two very young, distressed girls appeared outside my apartment.’ 

In response to my comment, the fox ears of the two girls shot upright in response when I looked their way. I couldn't help but find that a bit funny, unintentionally smirking a little in the process. I felt a bit worried about their appearance, but they seemed okay enough to be with me for a while. It didn’t take me long to realise she was calling my name through the phone.

‘Jake? You still there?’ 

‘Yeah, sorry.’ 

I rubbed the back of my head subconsciously at the awkward moment, before I continued my train of thought. 

‘So, you see, I was having one of my better days, when I heard a knocking on my front door. When I saw them, I could barely make out some gruff voices coming from the stairs and they looked frightened. I thought that the increasing volume and agitated tones wer--’

‘Sorry Jake, I’ll be right back!’

‘No probs.’

I was aware she was still working, so I didn’t question it if she needed to help out with someone. While I waited, as she most likely tended to her customers, I just sat there as the music on the phone returned, watching the two girls slowly but surely having fun skimming through the channels on my television.

As the music changed to a very early christmas song, I noticed one of the girls was beginning to look bored. As quickly as I could, I got up and took my phone with me. Luckily they were entranced enough with the television show on some kiddy channel that they didn’t notice me grab some pencils and paper until I placed it in front of them.

As the girls started drawing, I changed the channels to come across an interesting news report. Well, it looked more like a radio station with a camera feed so it was probably a live podcast airing channel. What caught my eye about this channel though, is a new release of a book in a series I used to read. I mentally facepalmed when I saw that I'd muted the TV, so I unmuted it. 

‘--ell, I can’t reveal much, but I can say that I was inspired by things like a scene where the protagonists eat, like some of those crossovers we see in sitcoms and anime shows. When they make a holiday and something happens that they both are good at like a fight or a friendly sport match between them and there is a goal for both in common to win.  I can’t reveal much more, but if you want to find out about it, please go check out my series in your nearest bookstore!’

I muted it after that and was watching the podcast talking to upcoming authors for only a minute when the music on my phone had stopped. The sound of a louder than normal “Hello? You there Jake?”, making me jolt a little. 

‘Yeah, sorry. You made me jump.’ Which wasn’t a lie, I did jump at the volume on my phone which I quickly lowered, despite it being quieter previously.

‘So what was this story about these girls then?’

I got up from the chair and walked to the entrance of the kitchen, after the author on the TV mentioned that the other upcoming novel series was something I didn't quite register.

‘Well, as I mentioned before, these guys seemed to be after them, I can’t quite remember what they said, but they were definitely looking for these two girls. They looked so frightened and afraid of these guys so I let them in. They were terrified at first, but I managed to get them into my apartment and I hopefully broke the trail the guys were following. I think that was about ten minutes ago.’

A slight static came through the speaker as she listened to me have a short ramble about what happened. Intentionally leaving out lots of important details as I finished talking. She had likely been doing her anxious habit of dwindling her fingers in the cord of the phone while I talked, causing a little bit of feedback through to me. 

‘Oh wow, that’s just … weird. Like, really weird.’

‘Yeah. Oh, and there’s one other thing.’ 

‘Really? What is it?’

Hesitation entered my thoughts when I realised I’d stared at the girls for a bit too long. I’m just glad the two girls ignored my awkward staring, who’d started drawing things from the previous show they’d been watching, but still not talking openly. I cracked a small smile, but the wave of anxiety hit me like a train once again.

Do I tell her about them?’ 

I mulled through my options, hesitant as the silence slowly got unknowingly awkward.

‘...Jake? You there?’

‘Yeah, sorry. I… Well, it might be best if I let you meet them first.’

‘Oh? Uh, sure. Hold on a sec.’ 

She sounded a bit confused at first, then really intrigued as the music came back on briefly. At least that’s how it sounded according to the change in her tone. I heard a yawn from the other side of the room.

‘Reckon you could meet me over in the park? I just got told we’re finishing earlier than normal today.’

‘Oh? That sounds great! When?’

‘See you in an hour?’ 

‘Okay, sure.’ 

‘Remember to bring the girls!’ 

And with that, the call ended before I could get in a reply. I was still a bit unsure if her tone was flirty or not when she asked to meet. However, she was always one to keep to a promise between friends. Besides, I couldn’t dwell too much on her meetup request, as there was one other problem; getting to know the kitsune girls.

It took more time than I was expecting, but luckily the walk to the park would take under five minutes if I took the elevator. The initial thirty minutes since the call ended to get the two young girls to trust me. They did enjoy watching the cartoons, but were still wary and hesitant towards me. I don’t know what I did or how I acted, but the older girl of the two seemed to recognise that I had been trying to help them the entire time. 

It also helped that they were finally relaxed enough to feel sleepy. However, it had taken another fifteen minutes for the younger, black haired girl to come around from her little nap. The blonde one, the poor thing, just sat there rubbing her eyes, trying her best to stay awake. I guided her towards the bathroom so she could wash up. 

While she was washing up, I couldn’t help but feel warm inside when the younger one finally came up to me, with her arms outstretched. Watching other families in the park, I believe this was called the “Pwease can you cawwy me?” gesture. Reluctantly, I picked her up and began carrying her when I noticed the time. 

‘Ah crap. We’re gonna be late.’ 

Knocking on the door, I’m almost immediately met by a half-frightened face as the door slowly creaks open rather loudly, before I grab the handle and close it. The little glimpse of her startled face told me exactly where she was.

‘She wasn’t done in there either.’

 A little squirming came from the young girl in my occupied arm, who let out a little yawn as she snuggled against my chest, her head leaning into the crook of my neck. I felt my left pocket buzz, but my left arm was occupied by “little miss sleepyhead”, so I awkwardly used my right to fish it out. 

The text was from Emi. 

[EMiLoveBun: I’m here. Where are u? ]

I immediately started to reply.

[JBlakesley: WE’re on our way - don’t worry. Give us 5min ? ]

[EMiLiveBun: No Worries! I’ll wait here. Got me an ice-cream sundae! ;) <3 ]

Knowing that she’s just being playful, I sent back a laugh out loud emoji and a “see you soon” message as the other girl finally finished in the bathroom. The girl immediately grabbed my hand as I walked out of my apartment. I heard someone I thought I knew, possibly the neighbour from earlier, coming up the stairs and immediately stepped into the elevator. Heavens knows what they’d say if they saw me with the girls. 

As quickly as I could, I rushed into the elevator as her clacking of her heels came up the stairwell. The likelihood of being caught was increasing, but my breath I didn't know I was holding was released as the steps receded in the other direction, away from the girls and I. The dread hit me full on when the doors opened and about thirteen people looked my way. 

Luckily, I’d raised my hood up while coming down the lift. It was a relatively new hoodie, so I wasn’t questioned by the residents I recognised from just under the brim of the hood over my eyes.  I think only one or two recognised me, because they immediately looked away after we traded eyesight as I stepped out. Keeping a casual but steady pace, I began to notice the little one by my side kept inching closer to me whenever I got too close to someone, so I stopped.

‘Would you like to join your sister?’ 

A sullen nod was all I needed to pick her up like her sleeping sister. She was a bit heavier, but not a weight I could handle. I have been visiting the gym lately, a bit more than usual, and paid the little extra weight with no attention as I carried both of them towards the park. I sensed some lingering looks, so I turned back to find those feelings disappear. Not all, but pretty much a majority of them. 

I could feel my phone buzzing in my pocket. It wasn’t until she noticed me walking over to her, with both girls now asleep in my arms. Instead of ignoring the ringing, I woke up the older girl, carefully placing her on the floor as the phone stopped buzzing.

The girl clutched my leg as I felt Emi call me again, this time I can actually answer my phone. I don’t know why but as soon as I took the phone from my pocket, the little girl clutched my leg tightly while looking up at me with sleepy eyes. I felt my face soften briefly before picking up the phone after rubbing her head.

‘Hello?’

‘Hey! I’m glad you picked up!’ Came the nervously excited tone of Emi’s voice through the phone’s tinny speaker. ‘I’ve been waiting ages! Where are you?’

‘Hello to you too, Emi! We’ve just passed the paddleboat area. Hopefully we’ll be near you soon!’ I replied, keeping a slow pace.

‘Oh goodie. Wait, I think I can see… you... ‘

I stopped to look around. It took about thirty seconds before I noticed a set of eyes staring at me in shock. I couldn’t help but smirk as I walked over to her. Looking a bit cuter than I remember, Emylia had shoulder length blonde hair, tipped a bright, neon pink on the last three or so inches. Another thing I noticed, is I don’t remember her being so … well, how can I put it? “Busty”. She definitely has a great figure, since our last encounter, but I’m pretty sure I would remember her having a “set” that size. 

‘I’m a guy, so what, I’m allowed to notice these things!’ I found myself thinking, my ears warming and feeling a tiny bit itchy at the tips. 

Reaching up, I massage the itch in my ears as best I could, while I forced myself to forget the thoughts racing in my head. I definitely remember now that she liked to tease guys who don’t know her as well as some do. The last time we met was after a really painful episode about a year ago. That was when I was introduced to her girlfriend. 

You guessed it, she’s a lesbian and her girlfriend was bisexual. And in terms of support, I was all for it. Mainly because there was a grumpy old git, Michael... something, who used to live opposite them. He’d tried to use his beliefs to separate them and get them evicted, but the tenant didn’t tolerate such behaviour. Instead, he gave him an extremely stern warning and transferred them to a room on the other side of the floor in our building. 

I can somewhat remember him saying he didn’t want to lose one of the few “benefactors” of his apartment block. It still angered me whenever I saw him, walking down the corridors of our floor like he was on patrol for “naysayers”, but being an old military veteran, we all let it slide as long as he doesn’t speak openly to others like he did to my friends. 

Seeing her advance towards us snapped me out of my little flashback reverie, as I pocket my phone as I felt the young girl tighten her grip around my leg, as if to hide herself behind it. 

‘Hey Jake! Long time no see!’ Her voice sounding much better in person than over the phone, made me feel relaxed enough to lower my hood. ‘Aww! Who are these two cuties?’

As she pulls her phone out, I give her a stern “really? Now?” look, which she quickly notices. After a few seconds, we burst out laughing at each other's antics and a weight I didn’t know I was feeling lifted from my shoulders for just that brief moment of us being ourselves.

The look on Emi’s face went from happy and relaxed to shock and surprise. Guessing where she was now staring, I think her reaction was because of either their ears, or their tails. I’m guessing the latter, as ears are relatively hard to distinguish between.

‘That doesn’t look entirely like a wolf tail... wait, they can’t be... are they kitsune girls?! ... Well, more like kid-sune girls!’