Why Is the Cool, Aloof Mid Laner at My Place a Cat?

[Tsundere Real Cat Bottom x Unfazed Cat-Patting Jungler Top]

20,000 words already written.

New gaming streamer Chi Yu is a top-ranked mid laner on two national servers, with razor-sharp plays and a deadly stare.

After just two months of streaming, his baffling side-lane tower dives to take out the carry and his icy, keep-your-distance demeanor set the internet ablaze. The XK team wasted no time snatching him up and bringing him to their base. A young genius, with everyone watching and waiting.

XK's captain, Lu Yuan, is even more renowned: the league's widely acclaimed "human weapon," cold and taciturn, king of the jungle.

Fans rub their hands together in excitement: Two icy B-kings on the same team? Their comms are going to be wall-to-wall awkward silence, aren't they? Can't wait for the post-match interview, where they'll publicly tear each other apart!

*

Everyone thinks XK's mid-jungle duo can't stand each other.

But Lu Yuan thinks the new prodigy mid laner is great in every way, except for being a little strange.

He wears eerily realistic cat ears all day, and sometimes a fluffy long tail hangs behind him. Anyone who didn't know better would think he was into some bizarre kind of play.

In scrims, Chi Yu silently helps him demolish all three lanes. In everyday life, he barely acknowledges him, but he treats the team's easygoing Henan AD differently: he keeps casually moving closer, giving him a sniff, then walking away with an air of aloofness.

When the Northeastern top laner walks by wearing a hat with a fluffy pom-pom, Chi Yu also seems to casually give the bobbing ball a perfectly aimed flick with his fingertip.

Even when the coach draws circles on the blackboard with a laser pointer, Chi Yu fixes his gaze on the red dot, body tense, and only turns away in a daze once it disappears.

Lu Yuan: Seriously, man?

Then the Henan AD brings home a local specialty, "catnip milk tea," and warmly shares it with everyone.

Ten minutes later, Lu Yuan finds the team's god-tier mid laner sprawled like a pancake in the corner of the lounge, eyes glazed over, rubbing his face against the sofa.

Chi Yu: "Meow..."

Lu Yuan: "...?"

That night, the champion jungler's entire worldview is reshaped.

He finally understands: his little mid laner isn't aloof, he's tsundere.

And it's not that he treats the AD differently. His DNA is hardwired to chase "catnip."

"Can you meow one more time?"

"Pervert..."

#So much for the icy B-king, he's a drunk milk-drunk kitty#

#Jungler: Oh crap, Henan bro, don't touch my cat#

*

[Later]

On a late-night night of □□ heat, someone knocks on the dorm room door.

Lu Yuan opens it to find Chi Yu with red-rimmed eyes and drooping cat ears. His voice trembles, but he still tries to act tough: "I... I just wanted to ask where you put the catnip."

Lu Yuan looks at the tail that's unconsciously curling around his wrist. His gaze darkens, and he gently draws Chi Yu into the room.

"There's no catnip left."

He locks the door behind him, surrounding the restless little cat with his scent. His fingertips stroke Chi Yu's burning ear as he speaks in a low, dangerous voice.

"But maybe I have a better way to help you."

-

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