Chapter Forty-Five: Self-Hate:

Kitty is in a bad mood today. She stayed locked in her office all day. Some of the staff members just ignore it. Others, like Andi and Mosh, are rather worried. They stared at her door. Miho walked by, but paused.

“She’s still not out?” she asked. They shook their heads. Miho only shrugged.

“Ah,” she said. “Well, good luck getting her out.” Then, she headed off back to her desk. Mosh turned back to the door. He lowered his shoulders and sighed. Noiz-sama!, he thought. The morning went on into afternoon. Noiz still stayed in her office. Mosh sat at the door. He gave it a little knock.

“Noiz-sama,” he whispered. “Are you okay in there? Noiz-sama? Noiz-sama?”

“Go away!” the cat groaned. Mosh put his ear to the door.

“What’s wrong?” he asked. Whimpering from the other side filled his ears.

“It’s not been a good day,” she complained.

“But why?” her husband asked.

“Just leave me alone!” she wailed.

“No!” the mouse argued back. Silence on the other side of the door. Mosh shook his head.

“Look,” he said. “I hate when you get like this. I want to help you. Talk to me.” Still silence on the other side. Mosh swallowed for a little bit.

“How about I stay here until you want to come out, okay?” he asked. She still didn’t respond. The mouse drew his knees to his chest. Okay then, he thought. He looked up at the clock. It’s only three o’clock. Maybe he could order her and himself something to eat while he waited. Maybe, have it delivered to the school. Hey, there were no classes, just club activities at the moment. He knew that too well. Noiz happily proved that to him many a day after school. Mosh felt his cheeks redden when he remembered that little fact. In fact, he tried to battle those images out of his head at this very second. Snap out of it!, he thought. This is not the place or time for that! She’s not in a good mood. I’ll just look like a jerk if I go into this with that type of mentality. Mosh sighed to himself.

Noiz-sama…, he thought to himself. Suddenly, a small rustling caught his ear on the other side of the office door. Mosh nearly leapt up in a start.

“Noiz-sama?” he asked. A little whimper followed that question.

“Mosh-kun?” she whined. Mosh’s face came within inches of the door.

“Yes?” he asked. “I’m right here. Please talk to me.” Suddenly, the door unlocked and slid open. Mosh backed up to see his wife looking like she might cry. The mouse’s heart ached to see her like this.

“Noiz-sama,” he whispered. He reached out to touch her cheek. She held onto his fingers.

“Mosh-kun,” she whimpered. Her mouse listened and waited for her to speak.

“Yes?” he asked. Noiz didn’t speak at first. She only leaned her head on his chest. Her husband gently put his other arm around her.

“Noiz-sama…” he murmured. The kitty looked up at him, tired.

“Can you just hold me like this?” she asked. “I just had a big deal go sour for me this morning.” Mosh nodded at her.

“I see,” he said. “I’m sorry to hear that. It’s okay, you’ll get better deals later.”

“You think so?” she asked. Mosh patted her on the back.

“I know you can,” he said. Noiz rested her head on his chest again.

“Can I stay like this for a bit?” she asked. Her husband gave her a gentle little smile.

“Sure,” he said.

“Thanks, Mousey-kun,” Noiz whispered. Mosh lightly patted her on the back again. Anything to make her happy on days like this. Yep, that about sums it up.