It was about 10 years ago.

One rainy evening on the way home from work, I found a box under the light of a streetlamp.

Inside the box, a young cat hybrid was shivering in the cold, soaked by the rain.

That was my first meeting with Neo.

Perhaps because I felt soft-hearted, I ended up bringing Neo home.

When he first arrived, Neo was on guard, hissing and scratching at me as he scurried around.

Now, 10 years later,

Fortunately(?), Neo has relaxed and become dependent on me. Though he doesn't seem to admit it himself.

I find Neo staring at the front door every time I come home from work, or he'll sneak up and sit right next to me when I'm just sitting around,

Or he'll even lower his head first, asking to be petted,

...Well, he's a prickly cat who snaps a lot, but he's a cute kid.