#I do think it's funny however how my posts have gone from “these guys should've been together more” to “willow is IN LOVE with angel.”

[camellcat]

lie to me is such a good angillow episode eheheheh. I told my friend how much more I like angel and willow together, and she said she couldn't see it, couldn't even remember a time they interacted. but we get to lie to me and suddenly she's like ohhh. I've opened her eyes y'all and she's SEEING them it's so good

[teaberrii]

Chapter Seven: The President's Roommate

You and Cyno can’t be more different. He’s Akademiya’s perfect student council president. You’re a labelled, cursed delinquent who changes into a cat for eight hours when kissed.

When Cyno gets a complaint about you, he’s forced to take action, only for it to lead to unexpected circumstances.

Cyno/You

Notes:

Cross-posted on Ao3

Chapter index at the end of chapter one

Cyno is pleasantly surprised that you’re drinking responsibly. Not that he doubted you, but he hoped your drinking habits didn’t mimic what was shown in movies or TV. However, it does make him wonder if you drink just as responsibly around Jebrael and Rahman. An image of you knocked out drunk on the table with a bright red face comes to mind. With beer bottles scattered around you, you raise an empty one, look Cyno in the eyes, and demand more.

Cyno slightly shakes his head. Let’s… not go there again.

He walks into the lounge with a drink and sees you at the back, talking with Tighnari and Candace. You seem relaxed and comfortable, and most importantly, you seem like you’re having a good time. Upon hearing a loud cheer from a small crowd of students nearby, Cyno turns to his left and sees your friend walk out of the room. He gives you one last glance and follows her.

“Hey.”

She stops and turns around. “Ah, Cyno!” Cyno notices she’s fidgeting. Out of nervousness, perhaps? “Do you need something?”

“Could we chat?”

She forces a small smile. “What about?”

Cyno thinks about being blunt and mentioning you directly, but he figures that would put her off. She’d probably start avoiding him. So, he decides to take a different approach.

"You probably know that I've been asked to deal with the complaints about Y/N," Cyno says. "Your name keeps coming up the more I investigate." Cyno opens the door, leading to an empty patio, and gestures for her to head outside. So she does, a little reluctantly, but it means she's willing to talk. "I want to hear your side of the story."

“My name?” she asks cautiously, turning around. “What have you heard, Mr. President?”

“The conversation in the parking lot? Let’s start with that.”

“That… was a misunderstanding,” she says calmly. “I think she got confused.”

“About?”

She leans against the railing. "She thought I spread those weird pictures of her and those guys." Then, she chuckles softly. "Funny, isn't it? Why would she think it was me when it was obviously that student? She should've gone to him, not me."

“It’s just something I heard… that student said it was you who told him you saw her at The Red Sand.”

“Me? That’s ridiculous! How would I know where she spends her free time?”

Cyno raises a brow. "Aren't you two friends?" She opens her mouth, but he cuts her off. "Even if you didn't know where she goes, you knew where she lived. You didn't hesitate to give me her address back at the teacher's lounge, remember?"

“I was helping you, and now you’re using this to accuse me?”

“You're looking at this the wrong way,” Cyno says. “I want to find out what’s going on so I can deal with things appropriately. If I don’t ask the people involved, I wouldn't get anywhere."

“Can I trust you?” She crosses her arms. “I heard you’re close with her. Or is that just an act, Mr. President?”

Is she finally exposing her true colours?

"With all due respect, whether I am or not is my personal business." That came out a lot more hostile than he intended. "If nothing is going on, you wouldn't care if I am or not. None of this would be happening in the first place, and even if it did, you'd want to clear up the misunderstanding as soon as possible. There wouldn't be any ambiguity."

The silence drags on… and on… and on… but Cyno doesn't mind. He can see it in her eyes, an inner battle of whatever emotion holds her hostage. Finally, she clenches her fist, takes a small breath, and says with a shaky voice, "I hate her." She smiles wryly. "Mr. President… do you know who she is?"

She knew? For how long?

“Would you believe me if I said she’s part of a criminal organization?” She scoffs quietly. “Probably not, huh? Someone like her? She doesn’t look the part.”

That's true. You obviously don't look like you'd be part of an organized crime syndicate. But your reputation is already in dangerous territory. Even if that got around, it sounds like a joke that people wouldn't take seriously, but probably add on by saying you're next in line.

Oh, wait.

“How are you so sure?” Cyno asks.

She pushes herself off the railing and walks past him but stops just before reaching the door. “A word of advice, President.” They look at each other at the same time. “It would be in your best interests to stay away from her.”

Then, she’s gone.

What… was that? She sounded so confident. Yet, this sparks another question: why? Surely she has evidence to back up her claims. But why resort to rumours and dragging in other people to confirm your identity? It's strange and seemingly a waste of time… or is there something he's missing? Still, the overarching questions remain.

Why is she doing this? Why does she hate you so much?

Cyno pushes open the door and heads back to the lounge. When he gets there, Candace waves him over.

“Cyno! Over here!”

As soon as he walks over, Candace slides him an empty glass. When Cyno sees two large bottles of alcohol on the counter and empty glasses, he thinks he knows what's coming. You're standing across from him, looking a little nervous. Cyno glances at Candace; he's almost positive that Candace had something to do with getting you involved. But let's think positively. Maybe this game of Truth or Drink will bring everyone a little closer.

“Tighnari, you first!”

“M-me?”

Candace laughs. “Why are you getting so nervous?”

“Is that my question?”

One of the girls clears her throat. “Of course not, silly. Your question is… have you ever read erotic fiction?”

"Starting off with the hard-hitting questions, huh?" Candace asks.

Tighnari’s face starts turning red, and everyone starts laughing. Then, he clears his throat and says as calmly as he can, “Yes. I have.”

A collective ooh echoes throughout the room, and then one student asks, “Would you recommend it?”

Cyno sees you trying to hold back a snicker as everyone pesters Tighnari over specifics about what he read. The way your bottom lip curl inwards and your eyes light up. Cyno doesn't know Candace notices his little smile when he's looking at you. She has to hold back an amused grin herself. It isn't until you glance at him does Cyno casually look away.

One of the boys turns to Cyno. “Next is Mr. School President!”

“I have one,” Candace says. “What is your ideal date?“

"That's such an easy question, Candace!"

"Yeah! Let's go with something... spicier."

Candace shrugs. "Good luck getting anything spicy out of him. He's never been on a date."

Silence. It’s so quiet that Cyno can probably hear a cricket chirp.

One of the students look at him. “Is that true, Cyno? You haven’t been on a single date?”

Tighnari chuckles. "More like he never saw it as a date. Maybe the other person did, though."

"Gosh," you say. "How many hearts have you broken, prez?"

Cyno clears his throat and says, "To answer Candace's question... just being with the person I like is enough."

"Such a standard answer!" a student pipes up.

"Yeah, but it suits him... don't you think?"

Candace claps her hands. “Okay, okay, Cyno answered the question. Let’s move on.”

“I have one for you, Candace.”

“I don’t like the look you’re giving me, Tighnari,” Candace deadpans.

“Have you ever gone to a strip club?”

Candace narrows her eyes as everyone waits with bated breath. It isn’t until Candace reaches for the alcohol that everyone starts probing for details. Once she slams the empty glass on the table, she says, “Moving on!”

“Let’s take things up a notch!” A girl looks at you and smiles. “Are you attracted to anyone in this room?”

A boy rolls his eyes. "Yeah, that's really next-level stuff."

The girl hits him. "Fine. Let me rephrase my question then." She looks back at you. "How many people in the room are you willing to hook up with?"

“Could we have a little variety in the questions?” you ask.

“Are you trying to get out of answering, Catnip?” Tighnari asks with a small smile, and you frown at him. “You don’t have to say who. Just give a number.”

"None," you say confidently. Tighnari gives you a skeptical look, and you return it with a deadpan stare. "I prefer lasting relationships."

As the game continues, more people are starting to get tipsy, including you. When the game enters its final round, and it's your turn to answer, your cheeks already have a rosy glow, and your eyes are a little bloodshot.

"Okay, I have an easy one for you, Catnip," Tighnari says. His face is even redder than yours. "What do you think of Cyno?" As you stare at the vice president with wide eyes, it's as if the question makes you sober.

“Ah, I don’t think she wants to answer that,” a student says, already filling your glass with alcohol. Cyno narrows his eyes and takes your glass before you can take it yourself. “H-hey, Cyno! What are you doing?”

“I’ll drink for her.”

“You sure? You’ve been drinking more than usual.”

But Cyno doesn’t care. He downs it anyway.

“Your alcohol tolerance is pretty high, Cyno.”

Then, the lounge doors open, and a professor walks in with a hand on his hip. "Hey, it's time to wrap up! Get to your rooms. Don't forget you have to get up bright and early tomorrow."

After everyone cleans up the lounge and starts heading to their rooms, Cyno makes sure to be behind you, watching you closely as you sway when walking to your room. Unable to take it anymore, Cyno walks faster and stops before you. You slowly look up at him and surprisingly smile.

“Do you need something, prez?” You look like you're drunk but don’t sound like it. Cyno isn’t sure how to react when you hit his chest. “You’re in my way.”

Cyno turns around and crouches. “Get on.”

He isn’t expecting you to laugh, but then again… what should he be expecting? “Prez, I’m fine! I’m too heavy, anyways.”

“You’re going to hurt yourself.”

You hit his back. “I’m not made of glass, you know. I can—”

Cyno takes your hand and gently pulls you forward, using just enough force, so you land on his back. Then, he effortlessly stands, and your arms naturally go around his neck and legs around his waist.

“I guess I’ll see you back at the dorm,” Tighnari says, coming up beside Cyno.

“What happened to Candace?”

“She’s already back at the dorm. Knocked out.” Then, Tighnari smiles at you. “Have to admit… she is kind of cute.”

Cyno gives his friend a look and says, “I’ll be back soon,” and walks off before his friend can say anything else.

Cyno occasionally walks by a few students who don't bother to hide their stares. Of course, Cyno doesn't spare them a glance.

“Hey… prez.”

Cyno is fully aware of how close your face is to his. “Yes?”

“You… you didn’t have to drink for me back then.”

Cyno sighs. "You would be more drunk if I didn't."

“You know… you know”—a soft laugh—“you know what I think of you, prez?”

He's not in the mood to bicker with you, especially when you won't remember anything the next day. So, he keeps quiet, hoping that it will be enough to end the conversation. But, instead, he feels your lips on his ear, and the heat rush to his cheeks. Are you always touchy-feely when you're drunk? Or… is it because it's him?

“You’re kind of annoying… and such an o-overachiever.” Really? Is that what you really think of him? “But… but… you’re kind of okay.” Kind of okay? It’s better than nothing, he supposes. “And I…” You… what? Cyno slowly turns to you, not expecting that one little action to be enough for your lips to brush against his cheek.

A puff of smoke. A weight lifted off his back. Clothes fall to the ground. And… a panicking school president. Cyno feels something fluffy, and he immediately looks behind him and sees a knocked-out white cat with a red face.

Despite the absurdity of the situation, he can’t help but think it’s his first time seeing and carrying a drunk cat.

Cyno is clueless. Absolutely clueless. How long does this curse last? What happens when you change back? The last thing Cyno wants is for you to misunderstand, thinking he took advantage of you while drunk. He's in a pickle… and it had to happen on a school trip.

By now, Cyno has already gathered your clothes. He uses some for you to lie on while the rest is a makeshift blanket. He's carrying you in his arms, and you're curled against him, four paws up, and shifting to make yourself comfortable. Despite how cute you look, Cyno wants to scream.

“Hey, Cyno.” He never knew that a greeting could almost cause a heart attack. Cyno turns around and sees your other roommate walking up to him. As soon as she sees you, she stops. “Where did the cat come from?”

“I found her nearby,” Cyno says quietly.

"She looks adorable!" When Cyno steps closer to her, she gestures for him to stop. "But I'm allergic…."

“Oh… I didn’t know.” Well, there goes one of his options.

“Are you taking her back to your room?” Then, she chuckles. “She seems to like you.” Cyno glances down and hears you purring in his arms. “Well, have a good night!”

A stressful one is more like it.

Cyno cautiously opens his door. As soon as he notices Tighnari is in the shower, Cyno quickly heads to his room and closes the door. He sighs softly and then hears a soft meow. He looks down and sees you looking up at him with wide eyes. Are you sober now?

You raise a paw. Are you asking him to hold it? His hopes are dashed when you suddenly swipe at his hand and jump onto his bed. Hold up. Are you mad? You're walking around his bed until you get comfortable on his blanket. When Cyno gets on the bed and drags the blanket, you suddenly look up and meow angrily at him.

“You’re going to catch a cold,” Cyno says sternly.

You meow again. Your front paws are now spread on the blanket as if to assert your dominance over his blanket. Cyno frowns. Should he be expecting any different? He starts dragging the blanket until you bite it and look up at him with wide eyes.

“You really are stubborn,” Cyno says quietly.

Unbeknownst to Cyno, Tighnari has finished his shower and notices that his friend’s door is closed.

“Hey, Cyno, why is—” Tighnari stops when he sees his friend wrestling with a cat on the bed. The cat is lying on its back, its front paws caging Cyno’s hand. After a prolonged silence of everyone staring at each other, Tighnari finally asks, “Where did the cat come from?”

Cyno gets up just as you roll upright. “I found her nearby.”

"Nearby?" Tighnari asks, sitting on the edge of his friend's bed. "Weren't you bringing Catnip back to her room?"

Cyno glances at you, and he's surprised you're looking back at him. "She was wandering the corridor," Cyno says.

You slowly walk to Tighnari, who then scratches your chin. "A cat just wandering the corridor? Surprised no one's found her. Maybe she belongs to the owner."

“Maybe."

“I guess you’re going to let her stay the night.” You walk back to Cyno’s blanket and curl yourself on top of it. Then, Tighnari chuckles. “Looks like you have no choice.”

Before his roommate leaves, Cyno says, "Hey, Tighnari." His friend turns around. "Could you not tell anyone about this?"

“That you surprisingly brought a cat back to our dorm? Sure. But… what’s the big deal?”

“Pets aren’t allowed in the dorms.” Suddenly, Cyno feels you dig your claws into his back. He turns around and sees you frowning at him.

As Cyno slowly picks you up and puts you on his lap, Tighnari laughs. “It doesn’t seem like she likes to be called a pet.”

“Well, she’s going to have to settle for that for the time being,” Cyno deadpans.

You swipe at his face, but Cyno grabs your paw. Tighnari looks from Cyno to the cat and back to his friend and asks, “Something wrong?”

“Nothing,” Cyno says, still looking at you. “I just never knew cats could be so picky.”

◆◆◆

It's the middle of the night when Cyno opens his eyes. He feels something furry brush against his leg, so he lifts up his blanket and sees you slowly crawling up the bed. However, as soon as you see him, you stop, eyes wide as if caught doing something you shouldn't be doing.

When Cyno went to sleep, you had made yourself comfortable on the windowsill. While Cyno had made it clear that you're welcome to sleep on his bed, you still opted for the windowsill. So, the last thing Cyno is expecting is for you to want to sleep with him.

Cyno lifts off the blanket and picks you up. He hears you meow softly as he puts you on the empty space of his pillow. Cyno puts the blanket over you and lies back down himself. You’re staring at each other when he gently scratches the top of your head.

“Goodnight, Catnip.”

◆◆◆

The next time Cyno awakens, you’re nowhere to be found. He’s quick to notice that your clothes are gone, and his first thought is that you turned back… but where did you go? Cyno gets out of bed just as Tighnari opens his door.

“Oh, good! You’re up!”

Cyno looks at his friend. “Have you seen Cat—the cat?”

“No. Don’t tell me you lost her.”

"I wouldn't say I lost her…."

Tighnari looks around. “Well, we’ll have to look for her some other time. We have a class this morning.”

Tighnari closes his friend’s door, leaving him to wonder if everything that happened yesterday had been a strange but pleasant dream.

When Cyno and Tighnari arrive for their first period, you're already there with Candace and some students from yesterday night. You're wearing different clothes, so you must have returned to your dorm before the early morning class.

"Hey!" Candace waves them over.

Before he and Tighnari could join the rest of the group, you immediately excuse yourself to go somewhere else. 

"Is Catnip okay?" Tighnari asks, watching you leave.

"Ah... she has a bad hangover. So, I gave her some medicine." Candace says.  

Tighnari looks at her. “Hopefully, your hangover wasn’t too bad."

Their conversation falls on deaf ears as Cyno glances at you, who's grabbing a drink nearby. You meet his eyes, and the first thing you do is look and walk away, which takes Cyno by surprise.

Are you avoiding him?

Chapter Eight

End notes:

Ending 2022 with a fluffy update :D

Have a safe and warm New Years' Eve, everybody!

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