Alyx had just arrived at her apartment around ten at night. Of course, Nick was responsible for driving her home. Her body felt extremely tired—after almost a month, today was her first time training again. She should have exercised every day, but when work took over, she usually chose to spend her free time sleeping or eating.
As for Nick, Alyx's earlier prediction was right—he won the match before reaching twelve rounds. His opponent wasn't knocked out, he simply gave up, which made Chris laugh when Nick still wanted to continue fighting. Like someone possessed, ready to punch anyone who came close.
As she stepped into the lift, Alyx leaned against the wall. It felt like she would sleep deeply tonight. Just as she was about to close her eyes, the lift door—which had been about to shut—opened again when someone's hand from outside stopped it.
Alyx pressed the button to help, then saw her neighbor smiling brightly.
"Alyx, good evening," Indah greeted as she stepped in, carrying a paper bag in her arms. "What's wrong? You look tired."
"Just finished working out. You just got back from work?" Alyx clearly tried to continue the conversation.
"No. I finished around five, but I stopped by my sister-in-law's house," Indah replied, showing the apples inside her bag and offering one to Alyx, who shook her head. "Ah, I left Kitty alone," she suddenly remembered the cat in her flat.
"Michi too. But I opened the door again," Alyx said, instantly smiling as she thought of Michi.
"I did the same. I think they're having their moment right now," Indah said in a tone like a parent letting their children have fun.
"You're right. Looks like we'll become in-laws soon. Oh, by the way, I'm taking Michi to the salon this Saturday. Do you want me to take Kitty too?" Alyx asked.
Indah beamed. "You'd do that? Of course, I'd allow it," she said, patting Alyx's shoulder.
Ninth floor. The lift doors opened.
Indah's flat was right in front of the lift. She stepped out and opened her door. "I won't invite you in for tea—you look way too tired," she said, wrinkling her nose.
Alyx nodded. "Yeah, I just want to sleep. See you."
Before reaching her own door, she stopped and called Indah.
Indah, who had just gone inside, stepped back out when she heard Alyx's voice. She followed Alyx's gaze—and her vision blurred instantly with tears.
Kitty lay motionless in front of Alyx's apartment door, her eyes lifeless.
Alyx stepped forward first, checking Kitty's condition, then turned to Indah. "I'm sorry," she murmured.
Fifteen minutes later, the police arrived.
"You called us… for this cat?" one of the officers raised an eyebrow.
"I don't think we needed to call them," Indah said in Indonesian.
"We called you because she didn't die naturally—someone did this," Alyx protested.
"Someone? So this is someone's doing, huh," the officer muttered, still sounding dismissive.
Alyx clicked her tongue. "Just check. There's a puncture mark on her neck—it looks like it was caused by a heel."
"Alright, alright," the officer gestured as if asking for calm. "We'll look into it," he said, ending the discussion.
But the next day, there was no update from the police. Perhaps a case involving a cat wasn't important to them.
"Michi…" Alyx was in her bedroom with Michi. "When I'm not here, don't leave this place. Do you understand? Ah, I love you so much," she said, hugging him tightly.
"Michi," her tone turned serious, "do you think the one who killed Kitty is someone from this flat too? Hey, don't ignore me—you know this is murder, right?"
Michi meowed immediately as Alyx felt ignored.
"Did Kitty make that person step on her with heels? Maybe this high?" Alyx tried to estimate, using her fingers in the air. "Only about this height… and it crushed her neck." She stared at the ceiling, sighing. "Forget it. The point is, you have to be careful, Michi. Or maybe I shouldn't leave you alone at home."
Michi meowed repeatedly and turned away, as if disagreeing.
"Ah, I know—you're already grown up," Alyx said with an amused smile.
The following week, Alyx and Michi finally made it to the pet salon she usually visited at least twice a month.
"We should've come here with Kitty," Alyx murmured.
"Good afternoon, how can I help Michi?" a high-pitched voice greeted them.
"Hi, Norih," Alyx replied. "Michi needs extra care—he just lost his partner."
"Really? Poor thing. I'll give him extra-extra-extra treatment."
"Oh, and his claws are really sharp. He scratched me yesterday," Alyx added with a small smile.
"Ah, you're right," Norih said after checking. "Do you want me to paint his nails?"
"No, Norih." Alyx refused, thinking Michi wouldn't like it.
"Alright, I guess Michi wouldn't enjoy that either." Norih carried Michi inside, leaving Alyx in the waiting area.
While Michi was being treated, Alyx waited, flipping through a magazine. But soon, boredom crept in, and she decided to call Nick.
"I'm busy," Nick's voice came through the phone, half-shouting.
Alyx looked at her screen—she hadn't even said a word yet. "Busy with what? Busy with your coffee cup?"
Nick, who had the day off, was lounging in his apartment, enjoying a cup of coffee and reading a comic he'd recently become obsessed with. He immediately tossed the comic aside. How could she know what he was doing?
"Excuse me. I'm not like you. I'm reviewing important documents," he replied.
"Really? Then, bye…"
"Wait… wait. What is it?"
"Nothing," Alyx let out a soft nasal laugh, as if she had already expected his reaction. "I just called because I'm bored."
"What? Don't call me for things like that next time. Or… maybe you didn't call because you're bored, but because you miss me, right? If you miss me, just come over. Bye," Nick said quickly, though it was obvious he wanted Alyx to follow his suggestion.
Alyx stared at her phone screen, frowning slightly as she tried to process his words, then slipped it back into her maroon backpack.
*